3 militants killed in Shopian, militancy in Southern Kashmir almost wiped out, will shift focus to north Kashmir: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday said that the militancy in South Kashmir was almost wiped out, confirming the reports that three more militants were killed on Tuesday morning in Shopian gunfight.
Addressing a presser here at Police Control room (PCR), Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that three militants affiliated with Hibz-ul-Mujhaideen were killed Tuesday morning in the gunfight in Turkuwangan village of Shopian district.
“It was a clean operation. No collateral damage has taken place. The operation was launched after Srinagar police received inputs about the presence of militants there,” he said , adding that ‘three militants were killed in the operation and any family who claim them are requested to identify them and the burial as per procedure will be performed at Baramulla”.
The IGP, who was accompanied by two more officers from Army and CRPF, further said the militancy in southern Kashmir has almost come to an end while the focus will be shifted to northern Kashmir from next month. “The active militants in Kashmir are not running short of ammunition. We have recovered almost 25 AK weapons this year so far,” he said .
Asked about the audio clip wherein a youth who joined militant ranks claimed that he was forced to pick up guns, the IGP said that the youth had a Jamaat background and the allegations leveled by him were investigated and were found baseless.
About Sarpanch who was killed in South Kashmir recently, the IGP said that the Hizb was involved in the act, saying that eye-witnesses have confirmed that two militants identified as Umar and another were involved in his killing, adding that “forensic report is awaited and will be shared accordingly”.
In Bomai, he said that a woman Sarpanch was kidnapped by militants who also captured the video, adding that a militant identified as Waleed and a local are involved in the act. “We have safely evacuated the woman and her husband who is Panch to a safer place and will be given protection,” he said, adding ” those having threat will be given security cover”.
Asked about the recent narco-module that was busted in Kupwara, the IGP said that the module is big and they are expecting more arrests soon. “The module has been already distributed Rs 3.5 Crores among the militants. Investigation is going and many arrests are expected soon,” he said, adding that “the kingpin among the four have been arrested so far and they have also sold narco material in Amristar worth Rs 5 Crore out of which 3.5 Crore have been distributed among militants”.
He said drugs are the main source of funding for militancy, saying that the drugs are being sold in different parts of the country. “These drugs reach Kashmir through associates and we have been successful in busting many of such modules,” he said