Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 23: Top brass of the security forces today reviewed overall security situation in the North Kashmir and stressed for minimal collateral damage during the operations and engagement of youth. The meeting was held a day after 5 militants and equal number of security force personnel were killed in a gun battle in Handwara forests of Kupwara district.
General Officer Commanding Chinar Corps, Lt General AK Bhatt chaired a security review meeting of various agencies including Police at Pohrupet in North Kashmir. The meeting was attended by top Army and police officers including IGP Kashmir S P Pani, apart from the field commanders from both the forces.
A Defence spokesman said here that the aim of this review of security situation was to strengthen the synergy among all agencies engaged in counter-militancy operations, which has resulted in the elimination of a large number of militants with minimum collateral damage in recent times.
He said that North Kashmir, once the hub of foreign militants, has been turned around with a relatively stable security environment due to the joint efforts of the security forces and seamless cooperation and coordination among them.
“The Chinar Corps Commander along with IGP Kashmir undertook an aerial survey of the area prior to the meeting,” the spokesman said.
The senior officers asked the officers on the ground to continue to harmonise their endeavours to make North Kashmir militant-free.
They also emphasised on continued efforts to minimize collateral damage during operations and positive engagement with the youth to ensure peace and tranquility in the region,” the spokesman said.
The officers said that a peaceful security environment would facilitate development, disruption free educational calendar, boost to tourism sector and give impetus to creating employment opportunities.
The review meeting was held at a time when there are reports of increased militant activity in North Kashmir where, as per sources, over 200 militants mostly belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahideen are operating.
Besides this, there was less snowfall in Kashmir this year and it may lead to early infiltration and pose more challenges to security forces. Sources said that there are around 250 militants waiting on the LoC in launch pads for infiltration. Army has already upgraded counter-infiltration grid along the LoC to prevent infiltration of militants into Kashmir. Last year despite tight vigil 120 militants managed to sneak into Kashmir from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The review meeting by police and Army top brass is part of series of meeting held this year for effective coordination between various security agencies for countering militancy.
Last year security forces achieved major successes and killed 208 militants including top commanders of JeM, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. The Army and police top brass attributes these successes to the coordination between various security agencies.
In the meantime, an encounter broke out between security forces and militants at Dooru in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district tonight after three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen including top commander Abas Sheikh were trapped.
Sources said that a joint operation was launched by 19 RR of Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Singh Check Shestergam adjacent to Mehmoodabad following specific inputs about the presence of militants.
As the security forces launched searches and fired some warning shots, the hiding militants opened fire triggering an encounter. The firing was going on and sources said three militants including Abas Sheikh of Hawoora Kulgam and his associates have been trapped.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted at Sirnoo village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district after 55 RR and SOG Pulwama and CRPF launched cordon and search operation. Residents pelted stones on the security forces to disrupt the operation that was launched against militants.
And Police said this evening at about 1845 hours, a semi-burnt grenade like object was found in the lawn of Hotel Kehkasha housing the 161 Battalion of CRPF in Khayam, Srinagar. Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) has been called in to verify the matter.
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