No let-up in anti-militancy ops: Officials

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 17

There is no let up in anti-militancy operations in Kashmir valley, even as the entire security apparatus is busy in restoring order following the scrapping of Article 370, security officials in Kashmir said on Saturday.

Top officials said anti-militancy operations have been going on despite an unprecedented lockdown following the scrapping of Article 370 a fortnight back. Joint forces were carrying cordon and search operations (CASOs) — which are the soul of anti militancy campaign — in various parts of the Valley.

“We are carrying out anti-militant operations,” Lt General KJS Dhillon, chief of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, told The Tribune.

Sources said the operations were carried out on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants.

There has not been a single gunfight during the past fortnight. On August 12, a CASO was launched in Heff Shermal area of Shopian after input about presence of militants. The operation was later called off. This month, the Army also foiled a Border Action Team (BAT) attack along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector in Kupwara and claimed to have killed at least five to seven Pakistani intruders.

Security forces had launched massive operations against militants, especially after the deadly Pulwama attack that left 40 CRPF men dead. Over 100 militants have been killed after the Pulwama bombing on February 14.

Security forces are also on alert, amid reports that Jaish-e-Mohammad may carry out an attack in the Valley.

“There are surely inputs, but we are maintaining a high vigil,” a police officer said.

At least 300 militants are active in Kashmir.