Three terrorists arrested in Kashmir, offer to surrender still good: IGP Khan

'Terrorism on decline, top leadership on hit-list to curtail recruitment'

SRINAGAR: Asserting that terrorism in Kashmir valley is on the decline, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muneer Khan on Monday claimed that state police's appeal to terrorist for surrender has witnessed tremendous response from the local militants, as he informed the media of three militants being arrested over the past three days.
Khan on Monday said that the security forces are targeting the top terrorist leadership to curtail further recruitment of locals into these organizations, made a renewed offer to the local terrorists that they would be rehabilitated if they surrender, and informed that the state police have arrested three terrorists in restive south Kashmir in as many days.
"Two militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and one associated with Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested over the past three days from south Kashmir," IGP Khan said.
He also claimed that number of surrenders have increased in past one month, while refusing to divulge further details of the number of surrenders, citing security reasons.
"Our appeal to the local militants has witnessed a tremendous response. But, it is not necessary for us to give you the number of militants who has surrendered in response to our appeal. We have to keep the security of these surrendered militants in view before giving any information to you," Khan, who was flanked by senior Army and CRPF officers, told reporters during a press conference.
"On October 14, two terrorists, with the intention to snatch weapons of personal security guards of a protected person, fired a few rounds at Kund in Qazigund area. But they had to beat a retreat due to hue and cry raised by locals," Khan told.
He said on receipt of this information, a joint party of the police, the Army and the CRPF established a check point and nabbed the two militants, who were riding a motorcycle.
"They were identified as Khursheed Ahmad Dar and Haziq Rather. One pistol, some ammunition and a live grenade were recovered from their possession. They belong to LeT," he added.
Later, an overground worker of militants Rameez Yatoo, who works in a medical agency in Kulgam, was arrested, Khan said.
"Arms and ammunition were recovered from his home. He had helped the militants in carrying out the attack on the police vehicle at Damhal Hanjipura on Saturday in which one cop lost his life," the IGP said, adding the attack was carried out by militants of Hizbul Mujahideen.
Khan said the offer of surrender to local militants still holds good.
"They should lay down their arms and we will provide all support in rehabilitating them," the official said.
He said the security forces will accept surrender by local militants even during encounters.
Police on Friday last had arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant, who was involved in an attack on the motorcade of Works Minister Naeem Akhtar last month in which three civilians were killed.
Khan further said that the number of militants operating in the valley has been on the decline due to continuous successful operations.
But, he said, the main concern of security agencies is not the militants, who are operating in the valley, but to curtail the new recruitment. "We want that there should be no further recruitment," he added.
He said the security agencies are targeting the militant leadership as they are mostly involved in recruitment of young boys into their ranks. "Not less than a dozen commanders have been killed in encounters with security force agencies in the recent past," he added.
The IGP admitted that small groups -- two to three militants belonging to Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) -- are operating in north, south and outskirts of central Kashmir.
"Top JeM commander Khalid alias Khalid Bhai was seen with three to four carders before he was killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir. So they are still there and we are trying to trace them," he said.
He further admitted that there are three to four militants operating in Srinagar outskirts as well though added that efforts are being made to trace them.
Responding to a question, he said security agencies are verifying the reports that al-Qaeda's Kashmir unit chief Zakir Musa recently received 10 to 12 militants from across the Line of Control (LoC).
To a question about if a foreign militant comes forward to surrender will it be accepted, the IGP said it will be decided on the circumstance.