Eliminated Jaish leadership in Kashmir in less than 100 hours: Army

Left: 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon at a press conference in Srinagar on February 19, 2019 | Right: Debris on the road after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, 2019

HIGHLIGHTS

• 3 terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter days after attack on CRPF convoy
• 15 Corps Commander addresses press conference in Srinagar
• Says JeM leadership in Kashmir Valley eliminated

The Army says the killing of three terrorists in Monday's encounter in Pulwama eliminated the Jaish-e-Mohammed leadership in Kashmir in less than 100 hours.

The terrorists killed included two Pakistanis, 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon said at a press conference in Srinagar on Tuesday.

The encounter in Pulwama took place in the wake last week's suicide attack on a CRPF convoy, masterminded by the Pakistan-based JeM, in which 40 jawans were martyred.

Four Army soldiers were martyred in the encounter in Pulwama: Major VS Dhondial, Havaldar Sheo Ram and Sepoys Hari Singh and Ajay Kumar. A police head constable, Abdul Rashid Kalas, was also killed.

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon said security forces tracked the top JeM leadership in the Kashmir Valley after the February 14 attack on the CRPF.

"I'm happy to inform the country that in less than 100 hours, we eliminated the JeM leadership in the Valley, which was being handled by JeM from Pakistan," he said.

CRPF Inspector General Zulfiqar Hasan told reporters that the Pulwama attack happened because of an IED-laden civilian car, and that the standard operating procedure on civilian cars would now change.

Zulfiquar Hasan, CRPF on Pulwama terrorist attack: The incident happened because of an IED laden civilian car. The ROP had secured the highway. Now, SOP on civilian cars will be changed. pic.twitter.com/XG70goaaKd

ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019

ARMY'S APPEAL TO KASHMIRI MOTHERS

The Army appealed to the parents of Kashmiri youth, especially mothers, to ask young people involved in terrorist activities to surrender and return to the mainstream.

"Anyone who was picked up the gun in Kashmir will be eliminated unless he surrenders," Lt Gen KJS Dhillon said.

SOURCE