Kashmir: 3 militants caught alive, operation continues as 3 more on the run

Srinagar, Nov 16: Three militants, one of them injured, were caught alive during an ongoing operation by security forces since Tuesday in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, where three more ultras, including a foreigner, are on the run.     “Following specific information about presence of a group of six militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) at Waltingu in Kulgam, a joint search operation was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of state police, Army and CRPF on Tuesday,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muneer Khan, flanked by senior Army and CRPF officers, told reports during a press conference.      However, he said when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fire at them with automatic weapon. The security force also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.      In the exchange of fire, Mr Khan said one Army jawan of 10th Sikh regiment and a HM militant, Muzamil were killed.      “In the past also, we have appealed youth, who have joined militancy, to surrender even during encounters,” he said.      The IGP said one of the militant, who was injured in the encounter while firing at security forces, was taken to hospital by the troops despite losing one of their comrades during the gunfight.       Stickling to our commitments of giving chance to local militants to come back and join the main stream, he said, “In spite of the fact that we lost one of our soldiers during the operation in Kulgam, we apprehended three militants alive during this operation.”      Giving details about the arrests, he said Shamsul Viqar, who joined LeT in May this year, was apprehended by security forces at Wangam alongwith an AK47 rifle, Carbine and a pistol. “Viqar became active after an attack on police part at Malapora on May 6. He remained active with LeT. He was involved in a number of militant activities alongwith another militant Shakoor Dar,” the IGP said.      “Another militant Atta Mohammad Malik, who also belongs to LeT, was found by security forces lying in a pool of blood near the encounter site. He had received a bullet in the leg. Malik was immediately taken to a hospital, where his health condition is stated to be stable,” Mr Khan said.      “Had he not been shifted to hospital immediately he would have died due to loss of blood,” MR Khan said, adding the security forces, who were attacked by him, saved his life.      The IGP said one more militant, identified as Bilal Sheikh was also arrested by the security forces near the encounter site.      He said the operation is still going on as three more militants, including a foreigner -- Mabia -- are hiding in the area. “Hopefully we will get them,” he added.      Meanwhile, lauding the synergy among police, Army and CRPF, the IGP said coordination is very important in carrying out such an excellent operation.        Army and CRPF officers also lauded the close coordination between security forces. UNI