Syed Fayaz
Srinagar, July 13 (KNS): Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police north Kashmir zone Mohammad Suleiman Chowdhary on Monday said that intelligence inputs suggest that there are 35-40 foreign militants active in parts of north Kashmir, adding that some 16 or 17 local militants are also active.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), DIG north Kashmir while addressing media personnel in Sopore said there are fluctuating reports about active militant operatives in northern Kashmir but as per the reports available at present, nearly 35 to 40 foreign militants are active in northern districts besides 16 or 17 local militants are also active.
He said 35-40 foreign militants who are active in parts of north Kashmir may have infiltrated in last couple of months.
DIG said that four local militants in north Kashmir were active while three among them have been killed with the support of people who have rejected the narrative of militancy.
Chowdhary said that a major threat was averted after three militants affiliated with LeT have been neutralized in Sopore gunfight on Sunday. He said the slain militants were armed with good amount of weapon which could not rule out possible attacks.
“We can’t rule out the possibility of the attack. The arms and ammunition recovered from the slain militants also indicate that they were planning something big. After their killing, a major threat has been averted,” he said.
He added that they have witnessed such things in the past and they are ready to face any kind of challenge.
DIG identified the two among the three slain militants as Usman Bhai and Saifullah, adding, that the identification of the third militant is being ascertained.
“Usman Bhai was involved in the recent attack in model town Sopore in which one CRPF man and a civilian were killed. The duo foreign militants were active here from last two years,” he said.
DIG said that police and other security agencies are trying to ensure no youth will join militant ranks and in this regard efforts are on. “The youth who picked up arms since last year were either killed or arrested while many have been saved from joining the militant ranks,” he said, adding that “We are trying to ensure the youth will not join the militant ranks and people have been cooperating in this regard.”
Meanwhile 5 sector commander of Army, Vivek Narang, who was accompanying the DIG north Kashmir, said that “many of the infiltration attempts have been foiled by the forces along LoC. At present, some 250-300 militants are ready on launch pads to infiltrate but we are ready to foil any design.”
When asked about the investigation being carried out in the killing of BJP leader Wasim Bari, Army commander said that details have already been shared by IGP Kashmir zone, adding that they are investigating every angle of the incident. (KNS)