JAMMU: A red alert was sounded in the entire Kashmir valley Saturday following intelligence reports that militants planned to strike in a big way before the foreign secretary level talks between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue.
Meanwhile 21 people were killed and 20 others, including a senior army official were injured over the week night even as the army continued to patrol sensitive areas and guarded vital installations in Srinagar city.
Security forces, assisted by army personnel, conducted raids in different parts of the valley to nab militants and seize arms and ammunition. Though details of the seizure and arrests were not disclosed, official sources said a “few top militants” were nabbed during the raids in Srinagar.
Militant groups have called for a two day general strike in Kashmir from July 18 to protest against the Indo Pak secretary level talks in Islamabad. They have asked people to cancel all functions and ceremonies, including marriages on July 18 saying that they would announce their future course of action on that day.
In Jammu region, 15 Kashmiri militants were apprehended by security forces while attempting to sneak into Indian Territory. A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including Ak4 7 rifles and explosives were recovered from their procession.
Interrogation has revealed that they belonged to different towns of the valley.
Over 500 men with advanced training in subversive activities were waiting to cross over from the other side of the line of actual control, sources said.
According to official sources a bullet ridden body was recovered by security forces in Baramullah town Saturday.
Militants ambushed an army convoy at Taskant Chowk with automatic weapons in the northern township of Baramulla, 50 km from here. In the return fire, two persons were killed and 14 injured, police sources said.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 20, 1990
