Shopian, Jan 05: Just a day after militants managed to escape in one of the gunfights in the southern region of Kashmir, security forces have engaged militants in another encounter in Shopian district.
An official told The Web Story that an encounter is currently underway at Chotigam area of Shopian district.
Following inputs about the movement of militants, a joint team of Shopian Police, Army, and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area, which later turned into a gunfight when militants, believed to be two in number, fired upon the searching party.
The anti-militancy operation in the area is currently underway, as confirmed by the official.
Pertinently, During a press conference marking the end of the year 2023, J&K Director General of Police (DGP) R.R. Swain stated that the number of active terrorists in the region has significantly decreased to double digits – 31, with four active terrorists located in the Jammu region. “The figure is at an all-time low,” said the DGP.
In the year 2023, a total of 76 terrorists, including 55 foreigners, were eliminated in anti-militancy operations across J&K. Furthermore, targeted attacks on civilians decreased from 31 incidents in 2022 to 14 incidents this year, according to the top police officer.
DGP Swain also highlighted the low recruitment numbers, with only 20 individuals joining the ranks of militants in 2023, compared to 130 in the previous year. “There is an 80 percent decline in overall terrorist recruitment,” stated the DGP.
