Says 17 returned along with weapons, got killed in encounters; 13 still active in Kashmir being tracked; 17 others in PaK under constant watch of J&K police; four groups infiltrated recently into J&K, Visa procedure, security clearance for studying in PaK to be strict now
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 the constant watch of J&K Police.
Addressing a press conference at Rajouri, the DGP Singh as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) 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 the 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,” 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—(KNO)