Defence experts hail J-K police, CRPF for neutralising three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists

The defence experts on Wednesday heaped praises on the Jammu and Kashmir police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after it neutralised three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists near Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir last night.

Speaking to ANI, defence expert Rahul Jalali said, "It's an ongoing victory for the Army where three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed by security forces near Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir last night. But the main concern comes following the attack on the Amarnath pilgrims. It's not just Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is concerned about the security, but any Indian citizen over the issue. The biggest task security forces in Kashmir are planning new strategies to apprehend those terrorists as soon as possible. It is time that we use this anger and really talk about the terrorism sponsored by Pakistan in India. Many Indians have lost their lives just because Pakistan will not leave its policy of perpetrating terrorism against India. Let the world know that India has been suffering."

Another defence expert Qamar Agha said, "The Government is determined to eliminate the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. If you go to see, from the last few months not only militants, but commander and top officers were killed in this process. Pakistan always has been sending terrorists to India illegally that is why you see regular ceasefire violations on the LoC. Whatever be the reason, the security needs to be reviewed."

Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was launched by troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Radbug village of Budgam.

Col. Ashok P. Achuthan of Rashtriya Rifles on Wednesday stated that they gave the terrorists chances to surrender, but they refused and retaliated with heavy gun fire.

Speaking to reporters here, Col. Achuthan said, "Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was undertaken by 2nd battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in Radbug village of Budgam. We gave them chances to surrender, but they refused and retaliated with heavy gun fire."

"In the ensuing gun fight, the internal areas of the house caught fire and finally the terrorist were force to come out firing. In that attempt, all the three terrorists were eliminated. They are identified as Javed Sheikh, Adil of Budgam and Sajjad of Srinagar. In the search that continued, we have managed to recover one Self Loading Rifle (SLR) and a pistol," he added.

The joint operation was launched at around 6:30 p.m. yesterday and at about 8.30 p.m. contact was established with terrorists. The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition and war like stores.

This came a day after militants attacked a bus carrying Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

At least seven people were killed and more than 15 were injured in the attack.

-ANI