Srinagar: Police on Tuesday claimed that two Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) militants laid down their arms during a gunfight with government forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Acting on a specific input about presence of militants, police, army’s 34 RR and the personnel of CRPF 18 battalion laid a siege around Tungdano village in the wee hours Tuesday and launched a search operation, a police spokesperson here said. The militants hiding in the village, he said, fired a few rounds towards the search team.
Instead of returning fire, the police spokesperson said, the joint forces showed “utmost restraint” and offered surrender opportunity to the holed-up militants.
“Family members of the trapped militants were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender. Due to the great efforts of police, security forces and repeated surrender appeals by their family members, eventually they (militants) surrendered,” he said.
He identified the duo as Aamir Ahmad Mir of Hatipora, Kulgam and Yawar Ahmad Wagay of Reban Shopian.
“Both the arrested militants were affiliated with LeT. Pertinently, there was a hideout inside the target house which was later on destroyed. One AK-47 rifle, two Pistols and a few grenades besides some incriminating materials were also recovered,” the police spokesperson said.
Praising the state forces for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism thus saving lives of two “misguided” youth, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that police was committed to provide full support to such militants who lay down their arms and surrender.
Meanwhile, news agency GNS quoting IGP Vijay Kumar as saying that both the militants who surrendered, were involved in killing of PSO of PDP leader in Natipora Srinagar.
Twelve militants have surrendered during live action this year, highest so far in Valley in recent years, the police spokesperson said.
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 | |
