Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 31: Asserting that militancy has come down significantly during the last over two years in Kashmir valley, a top Army commander on Saturday said that there are only 225 active militants currently against around 450 in 2019.
General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen D P Pandey further said that not even a single militant has managed to sneak into this side of the Line of Control (LoC) this year as no successful infiltration has taken place so far.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Range, Vijay Kumar told reporters that so far 89 militants including seven Pakistani nationals, were killed in different encounters with security forces ?During 2017, 2018 and 2019 around 450 militants used to be active? the number fell to around 300 in 2020 and this year the number of active militants have further gone down to 200 to 225. So the number is coming day,?
Lt Gen Panday, flanked by the IGP Kashmir, told reporters during a press conference here on Saturday.
Answering a question, he said this year so far no successfully infiltrations have been made by militants into this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). ?
We have reports of two successfully infiltration? we have started search operations to ascertain the facts? But, as far as our ground inputs are concerned, there has been not even a single successful infiltration in Kashmir this year,? he added. The GOC 15 Corps reiterated his appeal to local militants to shun the path of violence and join mainstream. ?If the youth lay down arms we will help them in every possible way to lead a normal life. But, if they don’t we will have to neutralize them,? he added.
Kumar said 89 militants, including seven Pakistani, have been killed so far this year. ?The number of militants killed in encounters is less as compared to last year. But, this year, top militant commanders, were killed in encounters,? he added. Responding to a question, he said 19 militants were involved in Lethpora attack that left 40 CRPF jawans dead. ?
Of these 19 militants, seven have been killed so far, including Lamboo bhai, seven have been arrested while five are still at large,? he added.
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