Jammu, June 8: J&K police chief Dilbag Singh said today said at least 22 militants, including 6 top commanders, were killed in last two weeks in nine different operations.
“Nine Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed in the last two days in Shopian. Four militants were killed in the encounter on Monday,” he said during a press conference here.
He added: ” Among them were three top commanders against whom several cases were registered including the killing of innocent civilians, attacks on police and security forces.”
He also said that police also arrested those who were readying new boys to join militancy in Awantipura.
Three youngsters were rescued from the militants and have been handed over to their families after counselling, he said.
“In the last two weeks, nine big operations were conducted in which 22 including 6 top commanders were killed,” he added.
DGP said that three militants who were trying to infiltrate were killed in Nowshera sector in Jammu. “Another recently infiltrated militant was killed in Kalakote sector. This shows that Pakistan and its agencies are trying to infiltrate militants from all sides,” he said according to KNS correspondent.
“An IED attack was averted on May 28. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and HM militants were trying to attack security forces with IED but alert forces foiled their attempt. 150 kilogram IED recovered on May 28 can cause harm like Lethpora . we killed Abdul Rehman alias Fauji Bhai who was affiliated with HM and IED maker was also killed,” the DGP added.
Eight militants who have been killed this year in around 36 operations and 40 militant associates were arrested besides 240 Over Ground Workers (OGW).
” Many of them have also been booked even some under PSA,” he said.
Regarding the threat of IED attacks in J&K, DGP said border grid has to stay alert.
” There are reports that JeM militants on instructions of Pakistani agencies are developing IED. We have alerted all our forces”.
He also revealed that it is for the first time that militant launching pads were active during winter.
“First militant group infiltrated in Keran sector on March 31. They tried to infiltrate but alert security forces killed them,” he said.
Responding to a question on the number of Militants at launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC), DGP said: “as per our assessment the number could be around 150-250 for Kashmir region and 125-150 for Jammu region.”
He added said local militant recruitment is very low this year and most of them have already been killed.
“2018-19 was very successful year on counter-militancy operations front,” he said according to KNS correspondent
He also clarified that there is no such report of Taliban’s hand in the Valley. As of now, Pakistani militants are infiltrating to Jammu and Kashmir under the banner of Lashkar-e-Toiba and JeM. Now they named an organisation called TRF . Most of the people in TRF are from Lashkar-e-Toiba and JeM. Pakistan Army is involved in a big away apart from the ISI.
Pakistan army is manning the launching pads”. He also said Chenab Valley will be free from militancy soon.
“There is no militant in Ramban, one is in Doda and three are in Kishtwar. They have very less Weapons. They were attempts to drop ammunition through drones but there have been no reports of a successful drop,” he said.
