Two militants gunned down

SRINAGAR, Jan 12 (PTI) — Troops gunned down two militants and arrested another in Kashmir today, a Defence Ministry spokesman said here.

Two militants were killed in an encounter with troops at Salander in Baramula district. The encounter followed firing by the militants at the troops in the village.

Two AK assault rifles, six magazines with 10 rounds and six grenades were recovered from the slain militants, he said.

He said the troops apprehended a militant and recovered an AK assault rifle, its magazine and three rounds from Matipora-Ajas in Baramula district yesterday.

In another operation, the security forces recovered an AK assault rifle, its magazine and 30 rounds from a sewer in frontier district of Kupwara today, he said.

A report from Jammu said the police smashed at least three militant hideouts near Gandoh in Doda district in the Jammu region, officials said here today.

Acting on a tip-off, the special operations group of the J and K police launched an operation in the Ludoo, Kanser and Rajpora areas of Doda district last night and smashed militant hideouts, an official, spokesman said.

The spokesman said an encounter also took place between the special operations group and militants in the X-Gilkonan jungle.

Improve strategy, says DGP
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 12 — The Director General of Police (DGP), Mr Gurbachan Jagat, has called upon the police to improve its strategy and operations in tackling militancy in the state. He has emphasised the need for sustained operation with proper macro-planning along with coordinated efforts with the police in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, for curbing the movement of militants.

Addressing a meeting of senior police officers here today, Mr Jagat cautioned the police against any complacency in anti-insurgency operations.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Kuldeep Khuda, while reviewing the anti-insurgency operations during the past 12 months, said 348 militants were killed against 183 in 1997 in the Jammu region. He said as a result of pressure mounted by the security forces, including the police, militants out of desperation killed 116 civilians in nine incidents of mass killings. As many as 211 militants were apprehended and 46 surrendered to the Police.

Mr Khuda disclosed that 270 assault rifles, 142 pistols, 282 grenades, 1030 detonators, 183 anti-personnel mines, 256 kg of RDX, 44 rocket grenades and large quantities of explosives were seized from the militants.

Mr Jagat said to boost the morale of the police, 2,306 promotions were sanctioned in different ranks and 20 police officials were given out-of-turn promotions for their outstanding services in fighting militants.