JAMMU: Over 1,000 Kashmiri youths are said to have fled to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir in recent days to escape elimination or arrest by the security forces which have launched an offensive against the Separatist’s in the valley for the past three weeks.
Official sources in Srinagar confirmed that most of the youths belonging to south Kashmir areas, including Pulwana and Anantnag, had crossed over to the occupied Kashmir from Kupwara and Uri Sectors during the past 10 days, A large number of youth belonging to Srinagar distinct have followed suit. Some have also crossed over to the Pakistan held Kashmir for arms training or for arms struggling.
The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and the Harkat-ul-Ansar activists too have launched an offensive against the security forces. At least 17 security personnel] have been killed in a series of encounters and ambush incidents during the past three weeks. Against this, nearly 300 persons, including over 150 militants, have lost their lives in crossfire incidents and in encounters with the security forces since the beginning of July.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 29, 1994
