Militancy almost over in north Kashmir, ops against militants to continue: DGP

Asserting that militancy is almost over in north Kashmir due to successfully operations conducted by security forces, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Sunday reiterated his appeal to local militants to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream.The DGP said that Pakistan has been trying to push more militants into this side of the Line of Control (LoC) through its active launchpads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) since the reopening of infiltration passes in March this year.

However, he said the anti-infiltration grid has successfully foiled such attempts by militants to sneak into this side. “Many militants have been killed while trying to infiltrate into this side of LoC by our troops. The troops have been successfully in keeping infiltration in check despite frequent ceasefire violation by Pakistan to facilitate militants,” Mr Singh told reporters on the sideline of a function here on Sunday.“Militancy is in control and almost over in north Kashmir. And with the active support of the people, militancy will end very soon (in north Kashmir,” he saidHe said the launchpads in POK were kept active even during winters last year and militants tried to infiltrate into this even before onset of spring. “The launchpads are active in some areas in POK and infiltration attempts were made, but they were all foiled,” he addedAnswering a question, he said operations against militants will continue even during winters. “Militants on the behest of Pakistan has started to target innocent people in the valley, which is shameful. Such actions will not be tolerated and will be delta with iron hands,” he said. About killing of three BJP workers in south Kashmir earlier this week, he said all the militants involved in the attack have been identified and are being tracked.