‘635 OGWs, 46 militants arrested’

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir saw a decrease in militancy incidents, infiltration and civilian killings in 2020, while security forces carried out more than 100 “successful” operations killing 225 militants, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said on Thursday.
Addressing the annual press conference of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Singh said, “We undertook over 100 successful operations in J&K. Ninety operations took place in Kashmir and 13 in Jammu. As many as 225 militants were killed — 207 in Kashmir and 18 in Jammu division.”
He said that among the slain militants, 47 were top commanders belonging to various outfits. “Today, all top commanders of various outfits have been eliminated,” he added.
The DGP said 16 Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel — 15 in Kashmir and one in Jammu — and 44 security forces soldiers — 42 in Kashmir and two in Jammu — were killed while fighting militancy this year.
Singh said that police and security agencies have cracked down on overground workers (OGWs) of militant outfits who throw grenades or work as messengers and couriers.
“As many as 635 OGWs were arrested and 56 of them were booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA),” he said.
During the year, 299 militants and their associates were arrested and 12 militants surrendered, he said.
The police chief said that 426 weapons, over 9,000 ammunition and magazines, and a huge cache of explosive material were recovered and seized during anti-militancy operations.
There had been a decrease in the number of civilian killings this year, he said. “38 civilians were killed this year as compared to 44 last year,” Singh said.
He, however, said that there has been a slight increase in militant recruitment this year as compared to last year. “But 70 percent of them have either been eliminated or have left militant outfits and returned. As many as 46 militants have been arrested and 76 have been killed (among new recruits). Their shelf life is very less,” the DGP said.
He also said that there was substantial decrease in infiltrations this year. “Due to strong anti-infiltration grid, the infiltration is down,” he said.
Singh said that Pakistan was trying to increase the arch of militancy to Jammu region and foment communal trouble there.
“There were a dozen militant active in the Jammu region, but the number has reduced to three now. They are in Kishtwar district. We are tracking them,” Singh said.
The police chief further said that despite several attempts by Pakistan, cases of infiltration this year were the lowest in the last three-four years.
“So, they (Pakistan) had to rely on local recruits and they tried to supply weapons, explosive materials and cash to them through drones. Most of these attempts were foiled,” he said.
“The best thing is that the trend of local youths joining militant groups is constantly decreasing,” he added.

Press Trust of India