'Now only 100 to 200 militants active in Kashmir'

The Indian Army and local police in Jammu and Kashmir have killed three militants in an encounter on Sunday now 106 militants has been killed so far in this year. On Sunday, security forces killed three militants in an encounter between security forces and militants. IGP Kashmir said that when he joined there were 252 active militants in Kashmir and at present the number is between 100 to 200.

Vijay Kumar, IG of Kashmir Zone said that this is the first time that within 4 months, the heads of four terrorist organizations have been killed.

The IG said, 'I wish the security forces all the best. For the first time in history, the chiefs of 4 main terrorist organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, Ansar-ul-Gajwa-e-Hind have been killed in 4 months. They suffer loss due to the killing of leadership.

According to another official, based on the intelligence of the presence of militants in Srinagar's Junimar area, security forces surrounded the area on Sunday morning and started a search operation. The security forces were looking for terrorists in the area, when the terrorists opened fire on them. The security forces retaliated, after which the encounter started. Three terrorists were killed in it.

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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 said. The IGP said that police doesn’t go by numbers and its job is to kill militants wherever it gets a lead about the presence of militants.

On Today’s encounter at Zonimar, 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 announcement on loudspeakers through area elders and also by the parents,” he said, adding that the hiding militants lobbed grenades and fired at the security forces, triggering an encounter. “In the ensuing encounter three militants were killed,” he said.

Two among the three have been identified and there families will be allowed to participate in the last rites either in Handwara or Baramulla district of north Kashmir.

The IGP said that the slain were listed as the Islamic State of J&K militants and police records but there were reports that they had joined Hizb of late. “One AK-47 riffle 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 CRPF and police deserve applause.

Asked whether Srinagar was witnessing 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 slain militants, the IGP said one of the two local slain militants has been identified as Shakoor Farooq Langoo of Qamarwari, Srinagar. “He was involved in the killing of two BSF men at Soura and had also snatched their weapons. There were other militants also involved, but Shakoor was the one who had fired at BSF men,” Kumar said.

He said that police and CRPF teams used full professionalism and didn’t damage the house where the trio were 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).

About the encounter at 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 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.

Father pleads with militants, My daughter is married, empty the house

Empty my house. My daughter is married. Do not vandalize my house for God. This request is from the helpless father of Srinagar, who had militants hiding in his house. But terrorists are not accepted. Ultimately, the security forces had to take action.

The landlord also spoke to the security personnel before pleading with the militants. He requested the security forces to give him a chance to plead with the terrorists. The security forces obeyed him. The landlord then approached the terrorists through loudspeakers. He told the militants that his daughter is going to get married in a few months and he is preparing for it at home. Has also bought a lot of goods. Please evacuate his house. Do not sabotage it. People of the neighborhood also continued to explain.

The house where the terrorists were hiding is a densely populated area. People around the neighborhood also understood the problem of landlord. So he also requested the terrorists to get out of the house and surrender so that there is no harm in his house. Family appeals also ineffective.

Reported By Wahid Bhat, He is a Journalist based in Jammu and Kashmir.

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