KL Report
SRINAGAR
Army Tuesday claimed that all the 7 persons killed in Dardpora forest during an operation were Lashkar Toiba militants as Pakistani documents were recovered from their possession soon after their death.
In a joint press conference at Sector 8 Headquarters in Lalpora Lolab, General Officer Commanding Kilo Force S. K. Sunny and Deputy Inspector General Police North Kashmir Range, J.P.Singh told reporters that all the persons who were killed in the operation were Lashkar militants who were active in Dardpora forests for a long time.
Pertinently, army had claimed of killing seven militants last late evening in Dardpora in frontier district of Kupwara. Since early this morning people in thousands started protesting against the killing and demanding the bodies of slain militants which were later on handed over to them.
GOC, Kilo Force said that the joint operation carried out by Army and Police was a lengthy one and it had not been started abruptly. “Due to high altitude and heavy snow, our men faced difficulties to track and crack these militants, however, we finally managed to neutralize seven of them,” he said.
He refuted the news reports that slain militants had infiltrated recently from across the border. He said that it was not a new group but these militants were active for a long time in these forests. “It is obviously a big achievement for us and a major setback to Lashkar outfit,” he claimed.
General Officer Commanding Kilo Force S. K. Sunny claimed that all the slain militants were carrying Pakistani documents which amply prove that these militants were not locals but foreigners. “Operation against militants in the area is still in progress and we want to make it sure no militant breeches our cordon,” he said.
The CNS quoted Deputy Inspector General North Kashmir Range J. P. Singh saying that it has been confirmed that all the slain militants were Pakistani whose bodies were handed over to local Auqaf Committee.
