Jaish’s Kashmir chief, two aides killed in Awantipora gunfight : GoC Dhillon

Major tragedy averted on R-Day, Qari Yasir supervised Lethpora attack, South Kashmir will be Hizb free after Naikoo’s killing: Army, Police

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 25-Jan-2020

A top Jaish commander, along with his associates was killed in an encounter between forces and militants today in Hariparigam village of Awantipora in Southern district of Pulwama, top officials from Army and police said on Saturday evening, saying that a major incident on January 26 was averted with their killings.Addressing a news conference at Badami Bagh Cantonment here, 15 Corps Commander General KJS Dhillon said that for the last four five days, a Jaish module mostly foreigners was active and was planning to do something sensational on the eve of Republic day 2020. “This module includes one militant identified as Saifullah who was killed in Khrew area of Pulwama recently,” he said.He added that in this morning, an operation was launched following the information about some militants of JeM, who were planning to carry out their activities on January 26. “The module of JeM, comprising of Pakistani militants was on radar for few days. Today’s operation is still going on as we speak,” he said, adding that in today’s operation, three forces personnel were also injured and are undergoing treatment at Army base hospital. “I want to tell this that a major incident on January 26 averted. Today’s operation was based on hard and actual intelligence,” he added as per the wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar said that the police and Army have intensified the operations against militants in January 2020, saying that police and forces jointly are launching operations effectively, and are getting continuous success.“South Kashmir was a problematic area earlier, but of late, we arrested Naveed Babu who was Naikoo’s Deputy. After his arrest, the charge was given to Waseem Wani. Wani and other two were killed. If we are able to kill Reyaz Naikoo from South Kashmir, we would be able to wipe out HM from South Kashmir,” he added.The IGP Kashmir further added that Jasih was carrying out activities that inflict massive damage to forces.  “The Jaish module was arrested in Srinagar. After interrogating them, we came to know about Burhan, a JeM militant who was active in South Kashmir. We worked on that lead and yesterday evening, Awantipore Police generated a specific input that there were three militants in a village in Hariparigam, where Qari Yasir was present as well,” he said as per KNO Correspondent.

“As per our intelligence, there is one Qari Yasir, chief of JeM in Kashmir. Yasir was the mastermind of last year’s Lethpora attack. He was IED expert, involved in recruiting militants, and would re-locate the militants and coordinate with those who come from Pakistan. We were getting inputs from agencies that in Srinagar or around that there would be a bigger IED attack on R-day eve and Burhan’s name was coming in this,” he said.The 15 Corps Commander further replying to a query whether JeM is re-surfacing in Kashmir, said that “As you are aware after Pulwama incident, JeM leadership was targeted and eliminated in totality. JeM was trying to resuscitate itself. JeM militants were coming and they were planning to recycle Jaish. As far as Hizb is concerned, it was active in South Kashmir. Other than Naikoo, top leadership of JeM and Hizb more or less has been eliminated from Kashmir. Al-Badr and Lashkar their leadership was non-existent since the beginning of this year. So as of today, most of the leadership of militancy in Kashmir stands wiped out including Pakistani militants.”The Army commander further informed that 125 militants are still active in South Kashmir while maximum among them are locals. Sharing details about the infiltration, Army Commander said that “Pakistan and its Army was trying to push militants into this side every day. They are making efforts to send militants to Indian land every day. Our troops on the LOC are giving them a befitting reply.”As per KNO, He said that “On December 27, 2019, Indian DGMO received a special request from its counterpart and requested sir please, ‘reduce the action as they are facing lot of causalities.’  The request was honored and but next day, Pakistan continued with its efforts and didn’t stop the infiltration on the very next day of the call. When they did not stop infiltration, our troops again retaliated that caused huge damage to Pakistan Army.”“Even today, Pakistan is resorting to Ceasefire Violation and their launching pads are full and infiltration attempts are being made wherever possible, which is being dealt with,” he said.The IGP Kashmir while reacting to the query about the spurt of grenade attacks in Srinagar, said that the local militants are making locally improvised grenades and to show their presence, they are resorting to hurling grenades.He, however, said that “not much attacks took place post August 5. Two or three grenade attacks took place. The grenades being lobbed by militants doesn’t have much intensity as was witnessed in the past. Yesterday’s grenade incident in Srinagar was having low intensity.” “Srinagar is witnessing floating movement of militants because of the neighboring districts. Wherever we get the inputs, we act immediately,” he added. (KNO)