SRINAGAR\JAMMU: Chief minister Omar Abdullah asserted Monday that it would not be possible to end militancy in J&K without people’s support. His comments came amid an ongoing search in Jammu’s Kathua for terrorists who had attacked security forces Sunday, leaving a seven-year-girl injured in the crossfire.
“We are making all efforts (to end militancy), although it is not our responsibility directly,” Omar told journalists outside the assembly when asked about the search for terrorists along the Pakistan border in Sanyal area of Kathua’s Hiranagar.
Omar pointed out that security and law and order were not under control of the elected govt in J&K after the region became a Union Territory following the 2019 abrogation of special status under Article 370. “The elected govt is making attempts and supporting (Centre-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha) to keep the situation under control,” the CM said.
Asked about a spurt in terror in Kathua, Omar recalled that such attacks had been reported from Rajouri-Poonch belt, too. Late Sunday, forces seized arms, including AK-47s, ammunition and IEDs from a hideout in Sangla Top area of Poonch’s Surankote.
Referring to the ongoing operations in Kathua’s Sanyal, Omar said information so far given to him suggested that no contact had been established with the terrorists.
A Kathua official put the number of terrorists, reportedly from Jaish-e-Muhammad, at four to five. Teams of army, J&K police and BSF resumed the search early Monday in the rugged terrain. J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat arrived in Sanyal Monday to oversee the operations, bolstered by additional forces, drones, sniffer dogs and elite NSG commandos.
The operations had started Sunday evening after a couple, caught by the terrorists, escaped and alerted security forces. The terrorists, who were hiding in the forested patch, opened fire on forces, triggering an encounter. “The exchange of fire stopped last night (Sunday) but the area was cordoned off,” the official said.
Anchal Kumari, the girl who suffered splinter injuries, is the daughter of a migrant labourer from Bihar. She was rushed to hospital and is stable, sources said.
Anita Devi, the woman caught by the terrorists, said she and husband Ganesh had gone to collect firewood. “They held us hostage but I escaped. The terrorists spoke a mixed local language. Later, my husband also gave them the slip and informed forces,” Anita said.
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