Srinagar, Feb 19 (KNS): Army on Tuesday said the Lethpora attack that killed many CRPF men on last Thursday was being controlled from Pakistan, saying that it was carried out by Jaish-e-Muhammad with an active support of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistan Army.
As per Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, addressing a presser here, Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon 15 Corps Commander who was accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Swayam Prakash Pani and Inspector General CRPF Zulfikar Hassan said JeM leadership that planned and executed attack on CRPF convoy on last Thursday was killed.
In a joint news conference, he added the attack carried out on last Thursday was being controlled from Pakistan with an active support of ISI and Pakistan Army, saying that ever since the attack was carried out, they (forces) were tracking the top JeM leadership in Kashmir Valley.
“The militants killed yesterday most of them Pakistanis who were incharge of controlling, coordinating and fabricating and execution of the Lethpora attack were main people of JeM in the Valley,” he said, adding that on specific information in midnight, they killed the module.
“I am happy to inform the country that in less than 100 hours, the top JeM leadership has been killed, which was being handled by JeM from Pakistan,” he added.
The Army commander further urged the mothers of local militants who have picked up guns here to appeal their sons to return and get back to the mainstream, saying that “in Kashmir society, mothers have a great role to play.”
He added there is surrender policy for local militants while as those coming from Pakistan won't return alive.
Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir Zone, Sp Pani while addressing media persons said the Pulwama encounter was an excellent operation as the coordination was reflected on the ground.
“Three militants of JeM were killed in the gunfight while as investigational details of the case and recovery in the operation will be shared after investigation progresses,” he said.
Referring to a query of media persons, IGP Kashmir as per KNS correspondent said they are fully focused on JeM and in last year 58 JeM militants were killed here while 12 militants 31 killed in this year so far were affiliated with JeM, adding that there was not even a single suicidal that nature of attack by JeM in 2018. “We are trying our level best,” he said.
Asked about recruitment in militancy, IGP Pani said the recruitment has significantly came down from last few months, adding that recruitment has seen a visible dip and it will gradually go down.
IGP Pani further said families are playing key role to bring their sons back. “Community, family has a great role to play,” he added.
He further stated that “security scenario has improved in the Valley while as terror elements have been crushed. We are given a strong investigation measures and we are acting tough on the co-conspirators in generating recent kind of action.” (KNS)