3 LeT Militants From Pakistan Killed in Handwara Gunbattle

Security forces launched a search operation at Magam in Handwara after a tip-off about presence of militants.

Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: PTI)

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba Pakistani militants were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Handwara area of Jammu and Kashmir on 21 November. It was a joint operation of CRPF Police and Army against the militants.

Security forces launched a midnight search operation at Magam in Handwara, a town in Kupwara District of north Kashmir, following information on the presence of militants there, a police official said.

Started operation at midnight on specific information of terrorists hiding. Terrorists who were hiding in a house, were asked to surrender but they kept firing. Three Pakistani LeT terrorists were killed. Arms and ammunition have been recovered recovered. Pakistan is trying hard to push as many militants as they can across LoC and snowfall will start anytime, so, this is the time we should be very alert.

Munir Khan, Kashmir IGP

Six Terrorists Gunned Down During Encounter in J&K’s Bandipora

Security forces gunned down six terrorists during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday, 18 November.

One of the terrorists was identified as Owaid, the son of top Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) leader Abdul Rehman Makki, while one is said to be 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi’s nephew.

An IAF Garud personnel was killed, while two army personnel were injured. Arms and ammunition were also recovered.

Security forces cordoned off and launched a search operation in Chandergeer village in Hajin area of the district, after receiving specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

He said the search operation resulted in an encounter when the militants hiding there fired on the search party of the security forces, who, in turn, retaliated.

Addressing a press conference on the gundown, Lt General JS Sandhu said that several joint search operations had been conducted in Hajin since mid-September on almost a daily basis.

Based on specific information, a joint operation was launched by CRPF, army, J&K Police in which six terrorists were eliminated, all of whom were foreign terrorists.  We commend all agencies who worked to ensure success of the operation.

Over 190 Terrorists Killed in 2017 in the Valley

Over 190 terrorists have been killed in the valley in 2017, of which 80 are local and 110 were foreign, Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid said at a press conference. He also said:

This has resulted in a remarkable change in situation in the Kashmir valley. The valley needs to be free from violence, terror, guns and drugs. Commendable joint effort by our agencies, jawans. Wish very soon we can see Kashmir free of violence.

Out of the 110, 66 terrorists were killed near the line of control while infiltrating. Addressing the growing militancy within the state, Lt General Sandhu said:

The local terrorists must realise that it is easy to call yourself a Mujahid. But are you a Mujahid, or just a proxy for Pakistan?

Urging the local militants to join the mainstream, Lt JS Sandhu further said that doing so would facilitate peace in the valley while adding that they would be received in an ‘honourable manner’.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)