DGP attends wreath laying ceremony of slain SOG cop
Pak militant killed in Kulgam identified, was active since 2018

BK NEWS DESK

Srinagar: Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said on Thursday that 14 militants, including seven from Pakistan, have been killed in eight counterinsurgency operations this year so far.
The DGP made these remarks after participating in the wreath-laying ceremony of constable Rohit Chhib, a member of the elite Special Operations Groups, who was killed during an encounter of security personnel with militants in Kulgam on Wednesday evening.
"It was unfortunate that we have lost our brave constable. During this encounter, the terrorists were trying to take civilians as hostages and use them as shields. But our brave jawans saved those civilians," the DGP said.
“This hostage method is a new technique that Pakistani terrorists are using very often now. They did this in Hyderpora also, they are trying to use civilians as shields," he said.
The DGP said the constable lost his life while trying to save civilians during the Kulgam encounter. "Fourteen terrorists have been killed in eight operations this year. Out of the 14 terrorists, seven were from Pakistan," DGP said.
Responding to questions about militant infiltration along the LoC ahead of Republic Day, DGP said: "Our jawans have their eyes on the borders. There is a strict vigil on terrorist infiltration."
“Security forces always try to save civilians during encounter and in yesterday’s operation two civilians were injured because they were used as human shields by the militant to save himself. But our security forces acted swiftly and were successful in saving the civilians, besides, neutralising the militant,” he said.
He said security forces along with J&K police are working to eliminate militants who he said are sent by Pakistan to disrupt peace in J&K and also help local militants through various modules. "We hope that like previous year, successful anti-militancy operations will be carried out in order to eliminate militancy from Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Meanwhile, the J&K Police on Thursday identified the Jaish militant killed in a gunfight with security forces in Kulgam last night as Babar Bhai. "#KulgamEncounterUpdate: Killed JeM #terrorist identified as Babar bhai of #Pakistan, active since 2018 in the areas of Shopian-Kulgam. One AK rifle, one pistol and two grenades recovered," a police spokesman said.