JAMMU: The ‘Operation Tiger’ launched jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir police, paramilitary forces and the Army has given a decisive blow to the militancy in the Kashmir valley,
The Operation, launched a month and a half ago, has brought instant results with the killing of maximum number of militants, including two top militant leaders during the period.
B.S. Bedi, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, who is also the coordinator of the operation, said that the Operation has been a success as 147 militants, including Iqbal Zargar, acting chief of Al-Umar and Manzoor, his deputy, were killed during the month of August.
Bedi said the security forces have wrested the weapon of ‘surprise’ from the militants and are effectively using it against them.
During the Operation, surprise checks, cordons and searches and laying of ambushes are being done with complete coordination of the J&K police, security forces and the Army. “This has paid rich dividends,” he claimed.
Bedi said he was able to transform the 30,000 strong police force into a fighting “force. “This was my first priority and the results are coming as the boys are getting into the fight either killing the militants or getting killed,” he said.
Bedi was of the opinion that only coordination of the local police could help deal effectively with militancy, without alienating the people.
Asked about the overall situation in the state, Bedi said that the situation is tough but “firmly in the grip.” I would not say that It is “under control,” he quipped.
Bedi said that a total of 521 militants, including 62 on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), were killed in the state and 4,608 arrested in the first eight months of this year, 92 security men were also killed during the period.
He said that nearly 12,000 persons were apprehended for their alleged involvement in militancy in the state since 1990 but nearly 7,000 are still in custody. The rest were released, including those who were set free after scrutiny.
A total of 8,000 weapons have been recovered so far.
About the militant activities in Doda district, Bedi said that there were not more than 150 Pakistan trained militants there.
He claimed that a strategy had been worked out to deal with the situation there. More security forces are rushed there and the routes from Anantnag district of the valley to Ramban and district are plugged by deploying a full battalion of security men,
He said that the militants who are under pressure from the security forces have come to Doda and are trying to infiltrate into other areas. “We are out to surround them,” he added.
A meeting has been convened on senior officials of paramilitary forces deployed in the district to chalk out a clear strategy to deal with them, he said.
Bedi said due to geographical reasons, it was difficult to operate in the area.
Asked about the presence of any Afghan Mujahideen in the valley, Bedi said no Afghan has been killed or caught. He said the intelligence and interrogation reports of militants indicated their presence.
The police DGP said a strict vigil on the border has checked infiltration of arms and ammunition and has paralyzed militant activity.
He said the people of the Valley were fed up of the militancy and were coming out openly against the militants, The mood of the people could be gauged from the fact that there was no curfew on August 14, the day Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day, Bedi said.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 18, 1992
