J&K: 2 Militants Killed in North Kashmir; Security Beefed up Ahead of G20 Meet

Srinagar: Two militants were killed in a military operation in the North Kashmir’s Wanigam Payeen village of Kreeri in Baramulla district taking the toll to four in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday. 

According to Jammu and Kashmir police, the two slain militants were identified as  Shakir Majid Najar and Hanan Ahmad Seh from Shopian district – both believed to be affiliated with the Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) outfit.

The operation was launched jointly by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police following which the entire area was cordoned off. The police added that they have recovered arms and ammunition including one AK 47 rifle and one pistol. Quoting the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, the Kashmir Zone Police said that the duo had joined militant ranks recently,

“Both joined terrorism in the month of March, 2023. Further Investigation going on,” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

The encounter was reported a day after two suspected infiltrators were killed in Kupwara’s Macchil sector. As many as 13 militants have been killed this year so far, however, despite reported lower militant cadres in the region, the security agencies have warned of a serious escalation in militants attacks in view of the upcoming G20 related meetings. To tackle the security concerns, the authorities have planned an elaborate counter strategy and the top officials have directed the security grid to remain alert to thwart any potential threats.

The ADGP recently held a meeting with top police officers, intelligence agencies and security forces at the Police Control Room in Srinagar regarding the security arrangements and the smooth conduct of the G-20 scheduled around May 24.

During the meeting, the security establishment underlined what they termed as the emerging threat of vehicle-borne IEDs or VBIEDs and other modes of potential militant attacks including potential fidayeen attacks, stand-off fire and grenade attacks in the region. 

Kumar also proposed the river and lake domination in ensuring the security of the summit following which Marine Commandos (MARCOS) are be deployed to provide additional security cover for the water bodies like Dal Lake around the summit venues.

The police said that the NSG teams will be used to counter possible fidayeen attacks along with police’s Special Operation Group. The security measures will also include aerial surveillance through drones. 

The G20 summit is the first major global event being hosted in Kashmir after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35 A was carried on August 5, 2019 despite vehement opposition.

Meanwhile, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches at 16 locations in the union territory including at eleven locations in Baramulla and five in Kishtwar district of Jammu believed to be related with a case from 2021 of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) organisation. The NIA also carried out raids at about a dozen places earlier this week including in the valley and Poonch in Jammu.