Irfan A Mir
Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNS): Commending forces personnel for smooth conduct of anti-militancy operation in Rambagh area of Srinagar district in which two militants including a top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander of Pakistan were killed, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Monday said barring Batamaloo encounter in which one woman got killed in a cross fire, all 75 anti-militancy operations in which 180 militants were killed, carried out this year were conducted as per professionalism. He also added security forces won’t allow militants to establish base in Srinagar and said only one militant who is also involved in series of attacks is active in the city.
Terming Rambagh encounter a “successful” one, DGP commended forces personnel for smooth conduct of operation. “Today’s operation was successful one. All operations against militants conducted this year were clean and conducted in a professional manner”, Singh according to KNS said. However he maintained that in recent Batamaloo encounter one woman got killed due to cross fire in a congested locality while all operation conducted so far were conducted in a clean manner and with professionalism.
“The slain commander of LeT killed in Rambagh area this morning was involved in series of attacks on security forces including the recent attacks of Nowgam, Chadoora and Kandizal, Pampore”, DGP who was addressing a press conference in Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar told media personnel.
Police Chief at the occasion said that on specific tip-off about the presence of militants, security forces this year carried out 75 anti-militancy operations in which 180 militants including foreigners were killed.
In a query whether militants are trying to set their base again in Srinagar city, DGP said “Security forces are alert all the time. We will not allow militants to establish their base in Srinagar. Whenever any militant outfit tries to establish its base in Srinagar, we successfully corner the militant with the help of our intelligence and other sources”, he said and added “This year eight encounters took place in Srinagar city in which 18 militants including a top Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander were killed”.
When asked about the figure of active militants in Srinagar city, DGP said at present only one militant is active in the city who too is involved in couple of attacks on security forces and asserted that the said militant too will be brought to justice very soon.
When asked how many security personnel were killed this year, he said Jammu and Kashmir Police has lost its 19 men while Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 21 and added Army has lost 15 soldiers among majority was killed at LoC.
Replying to a query as to how many youth were brought back after joining militant ranks this year, DGP said 26 youth who had joined militancy were reunited with their families. “26 youth who had joined militant ranks were brought back with the help of their parents and efforts of police”, DGP said.
When asked whether there is any rehabilitation policy for those shunning the path of militancy, DGP said there is no rehabilitation policy in place for those quitting militancy however he added that whenever there would be any such policy, that will be shared accordingly.
Earlier on a specific input about the presence of militants in Rambagh area of Sringar, a joint Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Police and CRPF in the area, an official said.
He said that during searches, the presence of militants got ascertained who were given opportunity to surrender after evacuating civilians from the house however they fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
“During exchange of fire, two militants of LeT outfit were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter”, official said and identified the slain militants as Saif-ullah (a top Pakistani LeT commander) and Irshad Ahmad Dar alias Abu Usman of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. He added Irshad was active since May 2019 and involved in several attacks on Police and security forces.
According to police official, the dead bodies of killed militants shall be sent to Baramulla for burial after conducting required medico-legal formalities. (KNS)