The top brass of the Indian Army and officers of Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday flagged the issue of terrorists taking refuge in masjids and madrassas prior or after the act of committing terror activities in an attempt to create communal disturbance during a joint security conference at Awantipore.
The recent terror attacks on civilians and security forces personnel were also discussed in detail during the crucial security meeting.
According to a Srinagar based Defence spokesman, "the alarming trend of the terrorists taking refuge in Masjids and Madrassas prior or after the act of committing terror activities in an attempt to create communal disturbance was discussed during the conference".
The security Conference was chaired by the Corps Commander, Chinar Corps to discuss security related issues in the Valley. It was attended by all senior Army including GOCs, Sector Commanders and COs as well as senior police officers in Kashmir Division including the IGP, DIGs North, Central and South Kashmir, SSPs and SPs of all districts.
According to the Defence spokesman, "the forces also voiced concern on children of young age being manipulated by people with nefarious designs with drugs and false narratives. The Corps Commander and the IGP urged the parents to reach out to their children and help arrest this regressive evil.
During the high level conference a detailed discussion was also held on the smooth conduct of the Amarnath yatra beginning June 30. Defence spokesman said, "The yatra this year is expected to draw a large number of pilgrims as it is being resumed after a gap of two years due to the COVID restrictions. The agencies deliberated on the safety measures to be put in place and synergised efforts at ensuring a smooth flow of traffic of yatris and provision of administrative and medical assistance from available resources".
Meanwhile, a joint team of security forces Friday also neutralised a Lashkar-e-Tayyeba terrorist in Turkwangam area of Shopian.
According to a defence spokesman, "the Security forces established an initial cordon around the houses in the village where the terrorist was suspected to have been hiding. At around 10:30 pm, the terrorist opened fire on the cordon parties from one of the houses. The security forces reacted immediately by returning fire and tightening the cordon around the house where the terrorist was hiding. While the cordon was being tightened, the terrorist lobbed a grenade on the security forces causing injuries to two soldiers of the Indian Army, who were subsequently evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar".
"Fire continued to be exchanged throughout the night into the intervening morning of 01 Apr 22. The terrorist was subsequently neutralized. A thorough search of the house was conducted in the morning and on finding no other terrorists, the operation was called off. Warlike stores have been recovered from the encounter area", Defence spokesman added.
The slain terrroist has been identified as Muneeb Ahmad Sheikh son of Shah Mohd Sheikh resident of Tak Mohalla Shopian, affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT.
As per police records the killed terrorist was a categorized terrorist and part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities.Meanwhile, security forces also busted a terror module of proscribed terror outfit JeM by arresting 03 terrorist associates in Pulwama.According to a police spokesman the terrorist associates have been identified as Owais Altaf son of Altaf Hussain Ganai resident of Jandwal, Aqib Manzoor son of Manzoor Ahmad Mir resident of Gudoora and Waseem Ahmad Pandit son of Gh Mohammad Pandit resident of Karimabad Pulwama.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested trio was involved in providing logistics and transportation to terrorists in the district, police spokesman added.