Kulgam: Two newly recruited militants of banned outfit on Tuesday surrendered before security forces after a brief encounter in Yaripora belt of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
A senior police officer said on a specific information about the presence of militants’, joint team of forces including 34 RR, CRPF and police launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation in Tongdouno area of the district.
He said that as the joint team approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon forces, triggering off an encounter. “After getting that both militants are locals, their families were brought to the spot who persuaded them to surrender,” the official said.
The arrested militants have been identified as Yawar Ahmad Wagay son of Aijaz Ahmad Wagay resident of Reban Shopian who was missing since 24 September this year and Amir Ahmad Mir son of Bashir Ahmad Mir resident of Hattipora Yaripora Kulgam who was missing since October 06, this year, official said.
The official said that two pistols besides other incriminating material were recovered from the duo. “12 militants have surrendered this year during live encounters,” the official revealed.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that on a specific input regarding presence of militants in Tungdano area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Srinagar and Kulgam Police, 34RR and 18Bn CRPF in the area.
“During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they fired a few rounds upon the search party. However, joint forces showed utmost restraint and instead militants were given opportunity to surrender. Family members of the trapped militants were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender,” the police spokesman said, adding that “Due to the great efforts of police, security forces and repeated surrender appeals by their family members, eventually they surrendered before the joint forces.”
Pertinently, there was a militant hideout inside the target house which was later on destroyed. “One AK-47 rifle, two Pistols and a few grenades besides some incriminating materials were also recovered,” he said.
The police spokesman said that IGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar has yet again congratulated the joint team of police and forces for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of two misguided youth. “The IGP stated that the local misguided youth are always welcomed to return to the mainstream. This year has been successful as many of them are returning and has reiterated his appeal to them to shun the path of violence. It is pertinent to mention that so far 12 militants have been successfully persuaded to surrender during live encounters,” he said and added that Police is committed to provide full support to such militants who lay down their arms and surrender
