Srinagar: Two local militants affiliated with Al-Badr, a militant outfit were killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Khonmoh area in Srinagar outskirts on Monday morning.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that two Al-Badr militants have been killed in Khonmoh, Srinagar encounter and the slain duo are locals.
Talking to media persons at Pantha Chowk here, the IGP said that Srinagar police received a tip-off yesterday evening after which the lead was further developed. “Police, army and the CRPF laid a siege in Khonmoh area.
Two militants were hiding in the area. They were repeatedly asked to surrender, but they turned down all offers,” the IGP said. “This morning, the encounter started and both the militants were killed. The slain duo is locals from Al-Badr outfit.”
He said that Khonmoh and Khrew areas are connected with Tral belt of Pulwama district and this stretch usually witnesses militant movement.
IGP also said that there are five militants active in Srinagar who are being tracked while there is a vast network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in the district of which many were arrested while C-category OGWs are being counselled and handed over to their families.
“There were six active militants in Srinagar of which one was recently killed in Kokernag (Anantnag) gunfight. Now there are five local militants still active in Srinagar who would either be killed or apprehended,” IGP Kashmir said.
He said that there is a vast network of OGWs active in Srinagar district of which many have already been arrested and booked under PSA and many are still on the police radar. “There are C-category OGWs who are being counselled and handed over their families,” the IGP said.
Asked whether there was any foreign militant active in Srinagar, he said inputs about the movement of foreign militants continue to pour in but as of now “no foreign militant is permanently active in Srinagar district.”
To a query that IEDs are turning out to be a major challenge for security forces, the Kashmir police chief said that security forces are effectively dealing with the IED threat as evident with the recent seizure of 10-kg IED material in Shopian followed by the detection of another one by the army. “We are aware of the IED threat and are effectively dealing with the same by timely detection,” he said. (KNO)
