SRINAGAR; Amy commanders in charge of “Operation Vikram” launched to flush out militants from a vast area of north Kashmir, favor continued pressure on the “anti-national elements” for early restoration of peace in Kashmir valley.
The mission of army is to save the innocent people and bring peace to the valley, General D. Banerjee; GOC-in-C told reporters at Hajan which along with other 52 villages remained cut off from rest of the valley for eight days, following the operation from October 10 to 17.
The entire area bound by Jhelum river falling in the east of Wullar lake was cordoned off on October 10 following information that militants were using these routes to smuggle arms and ammunition to Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, the army commander said.
He said the army arrested 25 militants and recovered a big cache of arms and ammunition during the search operations, 35 others are also under detention but will be released after screening, he added.
General Banerjee said one militant was killed and another was injured on the very first day of the operation when they opened fire on soldiers at Bakshibal area in Hajan.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 25, 1991
