Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar Sunday said that the number of active militants in Kashmir is between 100 to 200 and 106 militants have been killed this year so far. He said that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far.As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), addressing a press conference at police control room Srinagar, the IGP Kashmir said that when he joined there were 252 active militants in Kashmir and at present the number is between 100 to 200. “ The reason for this number is that there may have been some successful infiltration bids as well this year so far,” he said, as per KNO. The IGP said that police doesn’t go by numbers and its job is to kill militants wherever it gets a lead about the presence of militants.On Today’s encounter at Zonimar, Kadikadal area of Srinagar’s downtown, the Kashmir police chief said that late yesterday night, police received a tip off about the presence of three militants. “A siege was laid and hectic efforts were made to ensure surrender of militants.Two of the three were locals and we brought their families and made repeated announcement on loudspeakers through area elders and also by the parents,” he said, adding that the hiding militants lobbed grenades and fired at the security forces, triggering an encounter. “In the ensuing encounter three militants were killed,” he said.Two among the three have been identified and there families will be allowed to participate in the last rites either in Handwara or Baramulla district of north Kashmir. “The identity of third slain is being ascertained,” he said.
The IGP said that the slain were listed as the Islamic State of J&K militants and police records but there were reports that they had joined Hizb of late. “One AK-47 riffle and two pistols were recovered from the slain militants,” he said, adding that the operation as held in a very clean manner and there was no collateral damage for which CRPF and police deserve applause.Asked whether Srinagar was witnessing resurgence of militancy, the IGP said if there are no anti-militancy operations taking place in any district, that doesn’t mean militancy isn’t there. “There are two active militants in Srinagar at present. Srinagar being the Central district is used by militants to receive funds and meet group leaders and other associates,” he said.About the identity of slain militants, the IGP said one of the two local slain militants has been identified as Shakoor Farooq Langoo of Qamarwari, Srinagar. “He was involved in the killing of two BSF men at Soura and had also snatched their weapons. There were other militants also involved, but Shakoor was the one who had fired at BSF men,” Kumar said.He said that police and CRPF teams used full professionalism and didn’t damage the house where the trio were hiding. “This is for the first time in history that militant leadership in Kashmir stands collapsed. In the recent months, we have been able to kill all the leaders of four major outfits, Hizb, Lashkar, Jaish and Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH),” he said as per KNO. About yesterday’s encounter at Kulgam, the IGP said that one militant was killed at Lokhidipora area near orchards while two others managed to flee including Waleed Bhai alias Lamboo who is from Punjab Pakistan. “Waleed Bhai is an IED expert left behind M-4 carbine which is US made besides other ammunition,” he said.About yesterday’s incident at Kathua where BSF men shot a Hexa Copter laden with arms and ammunition that include US made M-4 carbine, the IGP said the consignment was meant for “Ali Bhai” After checking the records, we found that there was a Jaish militant active in Kulgam district whose name is Furqan and his code name is Ali Bhai. “Perhaps the consignment was meant for him,” he said—(KNO)