SRINAGAR: The security forces have decided to continue “Operation All Out” against militants in Kashmir in the winter also.
“We have decided to continue ‘Operation All Out’ against militants in the winter also. There would be no let up in heat and pressure on the militants,” IG CRPF (Operations) Zulfqar Hassan told New Indian Express.
After surge in militant violence and their activities in Valley, security forces launched “Operation All Out” against the militants early this year.
The security personnel have killed over 170 militants including a dozen top commanders of different militants groups in the anti-militancy operations this year so far.
“We will be targeting every militant commander active in the Valley,” Hassan said.
He said they would continue to target the militant leaders.
Among the militant commanders killed this year include LeT Kashmir chief Abu Dujana, his successor Abu Ismail, Burhan Wani's successors Sabzar Ahmed Bhat and Mohammad Yasin Itoo.
IG CRPF (Law and Order) Ravideep Singh Sahi said militants suffered heavy casualties due to coordinated and efficient operations by security forces.
“It has been possible due to excellent coordination, planning and strategies of different security agencies,” he said.
Sahi said the security forces are continuing their operations against militants including surprise cordon and search operations to flush out militants from their safe havens and hide-outs.
“We are conducting area domination patrols to instill confidence among the locals,” he said.
After suffering casualties this year, the militant commanders have asked militants to avoid posting their pictures and videos on social media and avoid use of mobile phones.
Sahi said when the militants stop using mobile phones and other social media devices, the intelligence flow surely gets affected.
“However, we have got human intelligence and there is no match to it. People are coming forward and giving information to security forces. The information is coming from the local sources. Our assets are working on the ground and there is no match to the human intelligence,” he said.
When asked whether there is militant presence in Srinagar, IG CRPF said, “In Srinagar, there is very less movement of militants. In outskirts of Srinagar, there is movement of militants once in a while but there is militant movement in south Kashmir”.
The south Kashmir comprising four districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian are militancy infested.
The militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad are active in south Kashmir.