All three militants killed in Batamallo are from South Kashmir:- DGP
Says, 177 militants killed so far this year
Srinagar September 17 (PZK) Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said that all the three militants killed in an encounter in Batamaloo area of Srinagar were locals from South Kashmir.
He said this year so far 177 militants were killed in 72 operations across the Valley.
He termed the killing of a 45-year-old woman in “cross firing” as unfortunate.
Addressing a press conference at Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar, DGP Singh militants were given a chance to surrender but they refused and fired. One CRPF officer and another CRPF man sustained injuries in the initial exchange of firing. The officer is critical and we are praying for his recovery.
He was flanked by IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar and new IG CRPF Srinagar sector Charu Sinha. The slain woman was identified as 45-year-old Kousar Jan.
About the identification of the three slain militants, the DGP Singh said that all three were local militants from South Kashmir. “Arms and ammunition was recovered from them,” he said.
He said that militants from other districts of South and north Kashmir keep on visiting Srinagar to carry out attacks on security forces. “On August 14, they targeted our party and killed two policemen at Nowgam. Before that, they had killed two BSF men at Pandach on city outskirts. And then they made another attempt at Pantha Chowk where we lost a brave SoG man,” the DGP Singh .
He said that Pakistan is trying to float new outfits to create confusion while efforts are being made to revive Al-Badr. “We are aware of this and counter programs and strategies are being adopted,” the DGP Singh said, adding that despite huge efforts by militants and their handlers across, 20 youth who had tread the wrong path returned home.
The DGP termed the assaults on mediamen at encounter sites as unfortunate stating that such things shouldn’t take place. “But at times, during operations, our men have high temper which result in such incidents. I reiterate that media and policemen are each other’s good friends,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, new IG CRPF Srinagar Sector Charu Sinha said that we will work professionally in collaboration with police and other agencies.(PTK)
