KUPWARA: Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police Tuesday claimed that all the seven persons killed in Dardpora forest during an operation Monday evening were militants from Pakistani as per documents recovered from their possession.
In a joint press conference at Sector 8 Headquarters in Lalpora, Lolab, General Officer Commanding Kilo Force S.K.Sunny and Deputy Inspector General Police North Kashmir Range, J.P.Singh told reporters that all the persons who were killed in the operation were Lashkar militants who were active in Dardpora forests for a long time.
GOC, Kilo Force said that the joint operation carried out by Army and Police was a lengthy one and it had not been started abruptly. Due to high altitude and heavy snow, our men faced difficulties to track and crack these militants, however we finally managed to neutralize seven of them, he said.
He refuted the news reports that slain militants had infiltrated recently from across the border. He said that it was not a new group but these militants were active for a long time in these forests. It is obviously a big achievement for us and a major setback to Lashkar outfit, he said.
Sunny claimed that all the slain militants were carrying Pakistani documents which amply proves that these militants were not locals but foreigners. Operation against militants in the area is still in progress and we want to make sure no militant breeches our cordon, he said.
DIG J.P.Singh told reporters that it has been confirmed that all the slain militants were Pakistani nationals whose bodies were handed over to local Auqaf Committee.
Meanwhile Srinagar based Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, N.N. Joshi also said that it has been confirmed after proper verification that all the slain militants were Pakistanis and none of them was a local militant.
He said that the Army and Police recovered some documents from them which indicate that they were from Pakistan. The marking that were found on their weapons also indicated that all the slain militants were foreigners.
Responding to a query, the spokesperson said that no identity card was recovered from their possession but, initial investigation has revealed that all the slain militants were either associated with Lashkar Taiba or its associated groups.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |