Srinagar, Dec 31 ( KINS): A total of 171 militants were killed this year of which 19 were Pakistani militants, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference here, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that all those who were involved in the Zewan terror attack, in which three police personnel were killed and 11 injured on December 13, have been neutralized.
“An encounter broke out last night at the Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar as we got info that three militants involved in the Zewan terror attack are hiding. Security forces cordoned the area, during initial firing three Police and two CRPF personnel got injured. All injured personnel are stable,” he said.
He further said in the encounter, three militants affiliated with terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed. “One of them have been identified as Suhail Ahmad Rather, two are yet to be identified,” he added.
IGP further informed that the active strength of militants in North Kashmir is 65, in Central Kashmir, there are 16 militants and in South Kashmir, there are 87 militants. As of now there are total 168 active militants in the valley.
“A total of 171 militants were killed this year, out of which 19 were Pakistani militants and 152 were local militants. Last year 37 civilians were killed but this year 34 civilians have been killed,” said IGP Kashmir.
He said that almost all the top commanders of the terrorist group were killed this year, only three-four are left. Almost all the long-term surviving militants have been neutralised.
Kumar further said that they are preparing a database of all the drug victims to reduce their number in the future.
“Narcotic cases have been one of our top priorities. 815 FIRs have been lodged and almost 400 chargesheets filed. A total of 1465 arrests have taken place this year. We are preparing a database of all the drug victims to reduce their number in the future,” added Kumar.
The IGP also informed that they also recovered a huge amount of arms, ammunition and IEDs from the militants.
Earlier on Thursday, Kumar had said that the number of active militants in the valley has come down to less than 200 while the number of active local militants have reduced to less than 100, for the first time in history. (KINS)
