5 JeM and HM militants killed in gun battle with army

Srinagar

In a major breakthrough, security forces today gunned down five hardcore militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in a fierce gunbattle in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

“The several hours long encounter in Shopian district ended with the killing of five dreaded militants,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir told PTI.

He said the slain militants were affiliated with JeM and HM militant outfits and a cache of arms and ammunition including three AK assault rifles, one SLR and a pistol were recovered from them.

The encounter between the militants and security forces comprising police, army and CRPF broke out in Kadder forest area falling under Keller police station in Shopian, 60 kms from here, this morning following a search operation.

Security forces had launched the operation on a specific information about the presence militants in the area.

The hiding militants opened fire on the search parties and tried to flee. However, the security forces plugged the escape routes and engaged the militants, police said.

The police said the identity of the slain militants and their nationality was awaited as the search operation is still in progress.

Terming the killing of five hardcore militants in a single operation as a “prize catch”, the police said the successful operation would be a “severe setback” to the militants and their designs to carry out subversive activities, especially in south Kashmir.

The latest success comes a day after security forces eliminated a Pakistani militant of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Possible attacks by Pak militants in JK ahead of Obama visit:Army

Nagrota

Army today said there were inputs about possibility of attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits on “soft targets” such as schools, religious places, military convoys and civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of US President Barack Obama’s India visit later this month.

General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen K H Singh said that 200 heavily-armed militants were waiting in 36 launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC) on the other side of Pir Panjal range and there is every possibility that Pakistan might try to divert the fringe elements of the home grown terrorist outfits on this side of the border.

“There are general inputs that terrorists might try to attack soft targets, including schools, religions places, army convoys and other civilian areas,” he told reporters here.

Singh said the army was fully prepared to foil any such nefarious designs of the terrorist organisations.

“There are 200 terrorists waiting in 36 launching pads across the border on the other side of the Pir Panjal range to sneak into Indian side, we have so far been able to foil their attempts,” he said.

Singh said the terror infrastructure across the border is active and terrorist organisations were receiving the support of Pakistani establishment including the army and ISI.

“There are 14 to 15 terrorists training camp active on the other side of the line of control within our area of responsibility.

“The terrorist infrastructure across the border is intact and there is every possibility that Pakistan might try to divert some of its home grown terrorists towards this side of the border,” he said. .

Singh said there could be a possibility that some disgruntled elements of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan might surrender to the Pakistani Army, which can be used to launch attacks against India.

He said that less than two months ago the chief of banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hafiz Sayeed, was reported to have visited the areas along the border in Pakistan to motivate his cadre to launch anti-India attacks.

On a question whether India was ready to launch a counter attack on the terror infrastructure across the border, Singh said the army is always prepared to face any eventuality.

He said that there were 37 active militants in Jammu region, but their movements are under check by the security agencies.

“There are 80 to 90 people involved in militancy in Jammu region including 37 active militants, the rest are sleeper cells, but we make sure that we continue to dominate them so they cannot launch any operation,” Singh said.

While Pakistan-based terror outfits were trying to infiltrate militants in to the Indian side, Singh said the army has been foiling their attempts.

“Several infiltration attempts were made, but we foiled all such attempts from their side,” he added.

“Last year 15 infiltration attempts were made in our area of responsibility, but we ensured that zero infiltration took place” he said.

Singh said that there was coordination between Pakistani Army, the ISI and militants who were working in tandem to step up attacks on India.

“The coordination centres being run by the Pakistan Army, ISI and militants are always there across the border, but these days they have increased their activities in these coordination centres,” he said.

In view of inputs that militants will try to attack soft targets, Singh said the security agencies have been put on alert to thwart the nefarious designs of the militants.

“I can assure you and you must be proud of the fact that your army is well prepared to deal with any such eventuality and to foil any nefarious designs of the terrorist outfits,” he said.

“We have taken measures to ensure that schools in our area of responsibility are safe and we are prepared to deal with any such attempts,” he added.

When asked to comment on the statement of Pakistani defense minister blaming India for aiding and abetting militancy in Pakistan, Singh said that India would never indulge in any such activities.

“Though I cannot speak on this, but as an Indian citizen I assure you that India never indulges in any such activity,” he said.

Singh said that the capabilities of the militants in Jammu region have reduced, but the modules across the border were still active. Such modules were coordinating the logistic and other activities for the militants, he added.

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