J&K police urge militants to surrender

Offer comes as two ultras are killed, and one arrested in anti-militancy operation in Kulgam

Security personnel walk through a scene of firefight in Kulgam. File

As two militants were killed and another was arrested in an operation in Kulgam on Monday morning, senior security agencies jointly offered a surrender policy to armed militants in Kashmir.

“We are ready to embrace militants with open arms and rehabilitate them after they shun the path of violence. We have a clear message to those who are lured into all this [militancy]. Come, we will receive you with open arms, not necessarily during encounters only,” Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Khan said.

Olive branch extended

Major-General B.S. Raju and Inspector-General, Operations, CRPF, Zulfikar Hussain joined Mr. Khan in making the fresh surrender offer to armed youth. Over 150 local militants are believed to be active in south Kashmir.

He said those officers who helped in the surrender of militants would be rewarded.

The offer is significant as it coincided with Union Home Minister Rajnath’s Kashmir visit to the State.

Encounter and arrest

One overground worker surrendered on Monday morning, while two militants were killed in an anti-militancy operation in the Khudwani area of Kulgam. It was the second such surrender in 24 hours.

“Security forces prefer to give the militants a chance to live,” said Mr. Khan, while commenting on the Kulgam encounter.

The police, 1st Rastriya Rifles of the Army and the 18 Battalion of the CRPF zeroed in on a hideout at Khudwani in the morning, which resulted in a brief exchange of fire.

“The militants were asked to surrender. Among them, Arif Ahmad Sofi surrendered to the police,” a police official said.

The police said the other two militants tried to escape from the spot and “fired indiscriminately on the security forces but were killed”. The slain militants were identified as Dawood Ahmad Allaie and Sayar Ahmad, both of Kulgam.

The State government is likely to prosecute nine Srinagar youth for raising the Islamic State flag outside the Jamia Masjid three years ago.

An order from the Home Secretary said the investigating officer had established a prima facie case against the accused under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

“…the State government is of the view that there is sufficient material and evidence available against the accused persons for their prosecution under the provisions of law,” it said.

IS flag

A case was registered on October 17, 2014 against unknown people for unfurling the flag of IS on the premises of the historic Jamia Masjid.

One of the accused, Sajad Ahmad Gilkar, was killed in an encounter this year in Budgam. All nine youth are from different parts of the old city in Srinagar.