Over 500 persons have been detained by police for questioning as security forces have launched a massive security operation across the Valley after the killing of an ex army man and injuring of his two family members in a terror attack in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Sources said police and other security agencies have launched a massive operation against terrorists and their sympathisers across the Valley after yesterday’s attack.
“The target of the operation is the Over Ground Workers of terror outfits and terror associates, who provide lodging and other support to the terrorists,” they said.
They said security forces, including the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF, have intensified efforts to track down the attackers, conducting door-to-door searches and questioning scores of locals in the village and adjoining areas.
On Monday afternoon, terrorists shot dead ex army man Manzoor Ahmad Wagay and injured his wife and niece near his home in the Behibagh area of Kulgam. His wife and niece are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
“Security personnel are combing dense orchards, residential areas, and suspected hideouts. Drones and sniffer dogs have also been deployed to assist in tracking down the assailants,” a senior security official said.
He said multiple teams have been formed to investigate the incident and identify those responsible. “We are questioning several individuals and analyzing CCTV footage and other technical evidence”.
“We are working on multiple leads and are confident that the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon,” the officer said.
Sources said in the Valley wide operation, security forces detained about 500 people for questioning.
The detentions, he said, were made to send a message to terrorists operating from across the border that such attacks won’t be tolerated.
Over the last few years, security forces have targeted Pakistan-based Kashmiri militants by seizing their houses and properties in the Valley.