November 20, 2017: The Army’s General Officer Commanding of Srinagar based 15 (Chinar) Corps, Lieutenant General J.S. Sandhu has said that 190 militants were killed in various anti militancy and counter infiltration operations by the joint command of security forces in Kashmir Valley during 2017 till now.
Addressing a joint press conference at 15 Corps Headquarters in Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar yesterday, Lieutenant General J.S. Sandhu said among the 190 militants, 80 were locals. 66 militants were killed along Line of Control while trying to infiltrate. He said this has brought a remarkable change in the ground situation.
Sandhu added that around 200 militants are currently active in Kashmir Valley. The Corps Commander complimented the security forces and intelligence agencies for successful anti-militancy operations like Hajin Bandipora operation in north Kashmir in which six Lashkar e Toiba Pakistani militants including two top commanders were killed.
He said one of the killed militants in Hajin operation was the nephew of LeT Pakistani leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. An IAF Garud Commando was also killed while another soldier was injured in the operation.
The GOC said that various major measures are being put in place to plug loopholes on difficult and mountainous terrain along LoC to prevent infiltration from across the border.
Talking to AIR this morning, DGP SP Vaid said that after killing of six Pakistani LeT militants in the Hajin Operation, the area has been almost cleared of militants. He said the Valley needs to be freed from militancy, drugs and violence. (AIR News)
