Srinagar: Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that the number of active militants in Kashmir is between 100 to 200 while 106 militants have been killed this year so far.
Mr. Kumar said on Sunday that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far.
Addressing a press conference at police control room Srinagar, the IGP Kashmir said that when he joined there were 252 active militants in Kashmir and at present, the number is between 100 to 200. “The reason for this number is that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far,” he was quoted as saying by local news agency, Kashmir News Observer. The IGP added that the police don’t go by numbers and the job is to kill militants wherever, following the lead.
About today’s gunfight at Zoonimar, Kadikadal area of Srinagar’s downtown, the Kashmir police chief said that late yesterday night, police received a tip-off about the presence of three militants. “A siege was laid and hectic efforts were made to ensure surrender of militants. Two of the three were locals and we brought their families and made repeated announcements on loudspeakers through area elders and also by the parents,” he said, adding that the hiding militants lobbed grenades and fired at the government forces, triggering a gunfight. “In the ensuing encounter three militants were killed,” he said.
Two among the three have been identified and their families will be allowed to participate in the last rites either in Handwara or Baramulla district of north Kashmir. “The identity of the third [militant] is being ascertained,” he said.
The IGP said that the slain was listed as the Islamic State of J-K militants and police records but there were reports that they had joined the Hizb of late. “One AK-47 rifle and two pistols were recovered from the slain militants,” he said, adding that the operation as held in a very clean manner and there was no collateral damage for which Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police deserve applause.
Asked whether Srinagar was witnessing a resurgence of militancy, the IGP said if there are no anti-militancy operations taking place in any district, that doesn’t mean militancy isn’t there. “There are two active militants in Srinagar at present. Srinagar being the Central district is used by militants to receive funds and meet group leaders and other associates,” he said.
About the identity of militants killed in the gunfight, the IGP said one of them was identified as Shakoor Farooq Langoo of Qamarwari, Srinagar. “He was involved in the killing of two BSF [Border Security Force] men at Soura [Srinagar] and had also snatched their weapons. There were other militants also involved, but Shakoor was the one who had fired at BSF men,” said Mr. Kumar.
He said that police and CRPF teams used full professionalism and didn’t damage the house where the trio was hiding. “This is for the first time in history that militant leadership in Kashmir stands collapsed. In the recent months, we have been able to kill all the leaders of four major outfits, Hizb, Lashkar, Jaish and Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH),” he said.
About yesterday’s gunfight in Kulgam, the IGP said that one militant was killed at Lokhidipora area near orchards while two others managed to flee including Waleed Bhai alias Lamboo who is from Punjab Pakistan. “Waleed Bhai is an IED expert left behind M-4 carbine which is US made besides other ammunition,” he said.
About yesterday’s incident at Kathua where BSF men shot a Hexa Copter laden with arms and ammunition that include the US-made M-4 carbine, the IGP said the consignment was meant for “Ali Bhai”. After checking the records, we found that there was a Jaish militant active in Kulgam district whose name is Furqan and his code name is Ali Bhai. “Perhaps the consignment was meant for him,” he said. (KNO)
