‘Officers encouraged to minimise collateral damage in operations’
SECURITY REVIEW MEET Held a day after Kupwara encounter which left five security personnel and five militants dead
Continuing the efforts to neutralise militants while minimising collateral damage was among the many points discussed by senior officers of the Indian Army and state police at a security review meet held in Pohrupet area of north Kashmir on Friday.
The meeting — chaired by Chinar Corps Commander lieutenant general AK Bhatt — was attended by several senior army and police officers, including Kashmir range inspector general of police (IGP) SP Pani. Lt Gen Bhatt and IGP Pani also took an aerial survey of the region before the meeting.
“The aim of this review of security situation was to strengthen the synergy among all agencies engaged in counter terror operations, which has resulted in elimination of a large number of terrorists with minimum collateral damage in recent times,” said Srinagarbased defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia.
He further said, “The senior officers exhorted their officers to continue to harmonise their endeavours to make North Kashmir terrorist free. They also emphasised on continued efforts to minimise collateral damage during operations and positive engagement with the youth to ensure peace and tranquillity in the region.”
He said,“North Kashmir, once the hub of foreign terrorists, has been turned around with a relatively stable security environment due to the joint efforts of the security forces and seamless cooperation and coordination among them.”
“A peaceful security environment will facilitate development, disruption free educational calendar, boost in tourism sector and impetus in creating employment opportunities,” Col Kalia added.
BLOODIEST ENCOUNTER SO FAR
The meeting comes a day after the conclusion of a fierce encounter in the border district of Kupwara which left five security force personnel and as many militants dead.
In the bloodiest encounter in Kashmir so far this year, two policemen, three soldiers and five militants, suspected to have recently crossed the Line of Control, were killed in a gun battle in the Halmatpora area in Kupwara.
The three soldiers of the army have been identified as havildar Jorabar Singh, naik Ranjeet Khalkho and naik Mohammed Ashraf Rather, while the slain policemen were special police officer (SPO) Mohammed Yousuf of Kachama village of Kupwara and selection grade constable Deepak Thesoo of Nagrota of the Jammu region.