Early Times Report
Jammu, June 30: The offensive against active terrorists in Kashmir Valley has been intensified after the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Defence Minister during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday and Friday warned to intensify the war against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
He has asserted that India will give a befitting reply to anyone who tries to disturb the peace in the country.
He cautioned the people against the evil designs of anti-national forces.
Addressing a gathering of the personnel of the Armed Forces, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and J&K Police in north Kashmir’s Baramulla area on Thursday, Singh lauded forces for shouldering their responsibilities with dedication and zeal to protect unity and integrity of the nation.
“Our neighbour has always resorted to anti-India activities. Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed terror activities in the past. Due to the relentless efforts of the forces, there has been a significant decline in the number of terror activities recently”, he said without naming Pakistan.
Intensifying anti-terror operations in Kashmir after Defence Minister’s visit, security forces eliminated seven terrorists, including three Pakistani nationals, in three encounters during the last 24 hours in the Valley.
Quoting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar reports said that an encounter began in Kupwara on Sunday in which two Pakistani terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit were killed during the initial firing.
On Monday morning, another Pakistani along with a local terrorist was eliminated.
A local terrorist from Shopian Showkat was gunned down along with a Pakistani terrorist.
On Saturday evening, Jammu and Kashmir arrested a local terrorist Showkat Ahmad Sheikh. “During questioning, Showkat revealed the forces about presence of some Pakistani terrorists in Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district”, sources said.
A massive combing and search operation was started in the Lolab area following disclosure by Showkat.
During the search operation, terrorists fired upon the joint search party of the security forces. The firing of the terrorists was retaliated which resulted in a fierce encounter that started on Sunday and ended on Monday morning.
According to reports, a local terrorist of LeT was gunned down in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir. According to reports, a LeT terrorist was killed in the Chatpora area of Pulwama.
In Kulgam, a local terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammed and one Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist were killed. “A total of seven terrorists killed so far.
Three of them were Pakistanis and four were local terrorists. Encounters concluded in Kupwara and Pulwama. Search is underway in Kulgam,” reports said. |
