The number of militants operating in Kashmir has dwindled and only 200-250 are presently active in the valley, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh said, adding that the action against the militants will continue.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar along with IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Singh said only three militants succeeded in infiltrating into Kashmir through the International Border this year. One of them, who belonged to Jaish-e-Muhammad, was killed in an encounter in Tral recently.
Singh said so far in 12 successful operations have been carried out by security forces this year, in which 25 militants have been killed.
Giving details of the killing of two LeT militants in an encounter on Saturday, he said one of the militants was identified as Naveed Ahmad Bhat alias Furqan of Kulgam. He had been active since 2018.
Singh said there were seven FIRs registered against him. “He was involved in attacks on security forces and civilians, and in enforcing shutdown after Article 370 was revoked,” he said.
“The other militant was identified as Aqib Yaseen Bhat of Kulgam. He had been active since June 2019 and had one FIR registered against him.”
The DGP said police have arrested Hizbul Mujahideen commander Junaid Farooq Pandit from Pattan who had been tasked to carry out selective killings against security forces. One pistol and 30 rounds were recovered from him.
Social media misuse
Singh said police have started acting against those misusing the social media to incite people.
“So far one person from Handwara in Kupwara has been arrested,” he said.
He said police have also identified and arrested the man who issued a threat to an SSP on social media. The threat was issued from the account of one Hafiz Sohail and after investigations the actual user, Shoial Wali of Pulwama, was arrested.
Singh said searches have been carried out in his home and a case will be registered against him after investigations are completed.
Singh said another person, Hamsa Hizbi, was involved in a similar act from Saudi Arabia. He was arrested and a case has been registered against him at Tangmarg.
Assault on jounos
Asked about roughing up of journalists by police in downtown Srinagar last year, the DGP said such incidents should be seen as aberrations and not a routine. He said action has been taken against the errant police officials.
“The incident was taken seriously and the people involved were reprimanded,” he said
He said police had called for questioning journalist Kamran Yousuf Pulwama about a tweet, but later found him innocent after investigations.
