Handwara: Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh on Thursday said that security forces this year brought 16 youth from militancy and have returned them to their families.

Addressing a press conference in Handwara DGP Dilbagh Singh said that the encounters which took place in the last few days were a major success for security forces and will provide a major relief to local people in the valley.

He added, “In Kreeri Baramulla, biggest Let Commander from North Kashmir Sajad Haider, his Pakistani aide Osman and a local Anyatuallah were killed in an encounter with security forces”.

“There were two-three groups that were working with LeT which included Naseer, who was killed in Handwara and Sajad Haider, who was killed in Baramulla. Both these militants were working closely in North Kashmir. Nasir, who was trained in Pakistan, was a dangerous militant. He was involved in the killing of many security forces, which included some CRPF personnel”, he added.

DGP said, “In last four days three encounters took place across Kashmir. And in those encounters, four militants with A and A+ category were killed. Those four militants were top commanders and were in the list of top 10 or top 20 militants list across Kashmir”.

He added, “Such operations carried out by the security forces are such a big relief for common people. As far as Sajad Haider is concerned, he had recruited local youths in militancy at large numbers. In the past few days’ security has arrested few youths who were on the path to joining militancy. And militants like these (who were killed in an encounter) were involved in recruiting those youth towards militancy.

“This year we have brought 16 youth who had joined militancy back and have returned them with their families. And we will continue to bring those youth, who have lost their way towards a better path”, he added.