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12 militants killed in Kashmir

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

At least 12 militants, who were trying to exfiltrate from India to Pakistan, have been shot dead in Kashmir in two major operations since Wednesday, taking the total number of such killed in the post-Kargil period to 229.

According to the army headquarters in Delhi, nine militants including guides were killed in the Pir Panjal range by a patrol. "The militants had apparently planned to exfiltrate to Pakistan occupied Kashmir when they encountered a vigilant patrol," an army spokesman said.

The patrol trapped the militants in a tight cordon through the night. "The operation is still on to neutralise any remaining militants who may still be entrapped in the cordon," the spokesman said.

In a separate encounter near Mandak, three hardcore militants were killed by an army unit. Three AK series rifles, one pistol, a large quantity of ammunition and incriminating documents were recovered, sources said. Mandak is approximately 20 kilometres southeast of Poonch.

With these two operations, the total number of militants killed after Operation Vijay has gone up to 229. At least 272 weapons have been recovered in Jammu and Kashmir since the first week of August.

Anti-militancy operations have been stepped up in the valley since Operation Vijay was over. According to army officials, in the post Kargil period, there is a distinctly noticeable shift in the nature of militancy. Officials said, "The number of foreign militants has increased drastically. There are hardly any locals amongst them."

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