Yogesh Sagotra
Rajouri, Aug 10: J&K’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Tuesday said 57 youth went to the other side of Kashmir on valid visa and documents but joined militancy of which 17 youth returned along with weapons and got killed in encounters. He also said that 13 are still active in this side and 17 are still living across, who are under constant watch of J&K Police.
Addressing a press conference at Rajouri, the DGP Singh said that in 2017 and 2018, 57 youth crossed over to the other side of the LoC on valid documents and visa. “But instead of studying there, they joined militancy. Of the 57 youth, 17 crossed over to this side and were killed in various encounters. Almost 13 are still active in Kashmir while 17 continue to remain on the other side, who are under the constant watch of J&K police,” he said.
The DGP said that because of the fact that youth who visit to the other side of Kashmir on the pretext of studies and tourism later end up in militancy, the visa procedure and security clearance has been further made strict.
About the infiltration he said that so far three to four groups including one in Bandipora and around three in Rajouri-Poonch sector infiltrated into this side. “Four militants who were killed in Bandipora had crossed over to this side through Machil and Gurez sectors while in Rajouri two militants were killed recently and there are apprehensions of the presence of two more in the woods of Thanamandi area of Rajouri,” the DGP said.
He said launch pads are full and security forces have strengthened the anti-infiltration grid both at the LoC and hinterland to foil all bids. The DGP while replying to a query about drone attack on the Air Force Station Jammu, said that it is ample clear that the payloads were dropped by the drones sent from across. “Investigations have proved that drones were sent by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad outfits,” he said, adding that security agencies have strengthened a three-tier grid—on the hinterland, at the LoC and also on the highways to foil new trends including drone threat being used by militants to destabilize the peace.
“Fifty percent of the attempts made by drones to drop IEDs, weapons, narcotics and money have been foiled. All the security agencies are working together to foil any further bid from across,” he said.
Asked about OGW network in Jammu region, he said that the entire network was busted and whenever there is any new attempt that is being foiled by the police and other forces. “We have also blocked the channels of funding for fomenting trouble and financing militancy in the Jammu region. Efforts are on to plug all other channels aimed at providing financial support to militants,” he said, adding that in the past two days NIA raided 56 locations in connection with the Jamaat-e-Islami funding case. The DGP said that launch pads across the LoC are active again and 250 to 300 militants are waiting to sneak into this side.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement, said that the DGP Singh visited Rajouri and Jammu to review the internal and border security arrangements of these districts during two separate meetings. “At Jammu the DGP also reviewed arrangements for the forthcoming Independence Day,” the spokesman said.
“The DGP while addressing the joint review meeting at Rajouri stressed upon the officers to ensure high alertness in the border areas and hinterland, to check any infiltration attempt. He appreciated JK Police personnel and security forces for neutralizing two militants in Thanamandi and added that our efforts would continue to track down the anti-peace elements. He directed the officers to remain extra alert as terror outfits are continuously trying to use drones for militant activities,” the police spokesman said.
