Srinagar: Asserting that militants are using latest gadgets, including I-com sets, and weapons in J&K, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said that as many as 20 ultras of different outfits were killed in encounters with security forces during the last about a month. The DGP said three soldiers were also martyred in these incidents.
“Different militant outfits have been working in synergy in J&K, which has been proven once again as the militants killed in today’s encounter belong to different outfits,” Mr Singh, flanked by Special Director General (DGP) of CRPF Zulfiqar Hasan and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, told reporters during a press conference here on Wednesday.
Answering a question about today’s encounter in the city outskirts, he said today success was because of the extra checkpoints which had been put up following information about a possible militant attack. “The trio was out to carry out an attack as their pistols were cocked and they shot at security forces as soon as they were stopped at the checkpoint at Lawapora,” he added.
“As many as 20 militants of different outfits have been killed in encounters, including the one in Jammu, during the last about a month. Three security force personnel were killed in the exchange of fire during this time. Many modules have also been busted during this time,” he said.
Giving details about the busted modules, he said on Tuesday a module was busted in Tral in south Kashmir district of Pulwama. “A module was also busted few weeks back in Srinagar by arresting five Jash-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants, who were involved in grenade attacks in the city,” he said.
He said the arrested JeM militants were carrying material to make IED and a suicide vest which indicate that they were planning an attack in the city. But, the DGP the attack was foiled as they were arrested before making any move.
“The module led us to a youth, who was later killed along with JeM commander Qari Yasir in an encounter with security forces in Tral,” he said.
Mr Singh said Yasin was not only the chief of JeM in south Kashmir, but oversaw militant operations across the valley.
However, he said despite busting of many modules, there are some still active in the city as there was a grenade attack in Pratab Park in Srinagar few days back.
“Whenever JeM militants infiltrate from Pakistan they are equipped with latest weapons and gadgets. October 2018, US made rifles were used in various sniping incidents in Kashmir,” he said.
He said the militants killed in Jammu after infiltrating into this side few days back had thermal sighting. “They had come prepared to carry out a big attack in the valley. They had two communication gadgets, including I-com sets. They were constantly in contact with their handlers with in Pakistan,” he added.
‘VPN Apps Being Used By Militants To Contact Handlers In Pak’
Ten days after restoring 2G mobile internet service in Kashmir valley, J&K Director General of Police (DGP) on Wednesday said that militants were using VPN apps to contact their handlers in Pakistan.
“2G mobile internet service was restored for the convenience of the people. But, militants are misusing the service and connecting VPN to contact their handlers in Pakistan,”
