3 foreign terrorists killed as government plans surrender policy for locals

SRINAGAR: Security forces killed three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Handwara on Tuesday, taking the total number of terrorists killed this year to 194. Another gunfight was on in the district, where three terrorists were said to be trapped.

Although the three killed in Handwara were foreigners, security forces maintained that recruitment of local boys by terrorists remained a challenge. “We want to see an end to terrorism and (want to see) violence-free Kashmir. Local boys joining terror remains a challenge, but we are ready to face it,” J&K police chief SP Vaid said.

Official figures reveal that about 70 local boys have joined militancy this year despite ‘Operation All Out’ to wipe out militancy from the state. The forces have, however, been successful in killing about 15 commanders of terrorist organisations such as Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed, which they believe would help make fresh recruitment more difficult.

J&K police, along with the army and CRPF, has reiterated the appeal to local militants to surrender and rejoin the mainstream. According to the government, which is also considering formalising a surrender policy for local militants, more than 60 youngsters have already been weaned away this year from militancy.

“Not only counselling, the forces are working on many fronts to wean away local youth from militancy. We have been successful in this endeavour and we hope many more will be convinced to drop t h e a r m s , ” Inspector General of Police Muneer Khan told ET.

Khan told media persons that he would not interrogate Sham ul Wiqar (a young militant arrested recently during an encounter and search operation) conventionally, but would try to strike a conversation to know the reasons behind local boys joining terrorism.