Kulgam operation called off

Srinagar: After thorough searches in the area, the Kulgam operation in south Kashmir was called off even as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps Lt General Rajiv Ghai visited the area and interacted with troops and officers.

“The operation ended late last night after thorough searches in the area,” a senior Police officer said. “The area was also sensitised of any littered explosive.”

In an encounter with the Police, Rashtriya Rifles, and paramilitary CRPF, two local terrorists of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen were killed in the Kujjer area of Kulgam district on Thursday.

Police identified them as Basit Amin Bhat of Frisal and Saqib Ahmad Lone of Hawoora, Kulgam.

Police had said that incriminating materials, arms, and ammunition including two AK rifles were recovered from them.

GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Rajiv on Thursday visited the area and met the troops who were involved in the operation.

He complimented them and interacted with Army and Police officers.

“Chinar Corps Cdr visited South Kashmir’ #ChinarCorps Cdr visited Rashtriya Rifles troops deployed in the Counter-Terrorism grid in South Kashmir today. He complimented troops for meticulous planning and successful conduct of Op Kujjar, #Kulgam on 04 Oct where Two terrorists were eliminated & war-like stores recovered. #Kashmir @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA,” Chinar Corps Indian Army posted on X.

They also posted pictures of Lt General Ghai interacting with troops and officers.

Among the officers who were present included GOC Victor Force, Major Gen Balbir Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir, Rayees Muhammad Bhat, and SSP Kulgam Sahil Sangral.

DGP visits Anantnag, interacts with security forces

Earlier, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh visited south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and interacted with the joint party of Police, Army, and CAPFs that was part of the Kulgam encounter.

A statement of J&K Police issued here quoted the DGP as saying that J&K Police was committed to providing a better and secure environment to the people who had seen the worst times during over last three decades.

“Jammu and Kashmir Police in tandem with other security forces are working with great commitment and resolve to demolish the remnants of terrorism in J&K,” he said during his visit to the High Ground area of Anantnag district.

Singh was interacting with the joint party of Police, Army, and CAPFs that was part of Wednesday’s encounter in Kulgam district in which two terrorists were killed.

Interacting with soldiers and officers of the Police, Army, and CAPFs, he appreciated the swift and clean operation of tracking down and killing the terrorists.

The DGP said that J&K Police in tandem with other security forces were working with great commitment and resolve to demolish the remnants of terrorism in J&K.

“We are committed to providing a better and secure environment to the people of J&K who have seen the worst times of Pakistan-sponsored disturbance and destruction during over the last three decades,” he said.

Singh also presented rewards to the personnel who were part of the Kulgam encounter.

He said that the soldiers and officers working in J&K had been displaying indomitable courage while fighting different challenges which had strengthened peace in J&K.

The DGP said that he was proud of the dedication and commitment exhibited by one and all in maintaining peace and order in J&K and that they have to respond to every evil design of terrorists dictated from across the border more strongly.

He stressed utilising the technical as well as human resources in tracking and eliminating the remaining terrorists.

Singh also directed monitoring and keeping vigilance on terror support systems to demolish the ecosystem.

He said that barring a few instances, J&K was by and large peaceful, and for that, he congratulated personnel of Police, other security forces, and people for their joint efforts.

“I caution the forces and people of J&K about the conspiracy of Pakistan, which has been making continuous attempts to disturb the peace and tranquility of J&K,” the DGP said and directed for taking the war on drugs to the next level. “Pakistan is now using drugs to generate funds for terror activities and to harm our young generation.”