Srinagar, Nov 23: Special DG of paramilitary CRPF RR, Bhatnagar on Thursday said that government forces have an upper hand in Kashmir Valley.
Interacting with media persons during his visit to CRPF camp at Pulwama, Batnagar said 195 militants have been neutralized this year. “Commanders of all top outfits including HM (Hizb-ul-Mujahidden), JeM (Jash-e-Mohammad) and LeT (Lashker-e-Toiba) have been neutralized.”
He said there was good coordination among various security forces and agencies including CRPF, Police and army and situation has remarked improved in the Valley.
“The security forces have upper hand in the Valley,” Bhatnagar said, according to news agency.
“Stone pelting incidents have vastly decreased and there is marked improvement in law and order situation. We are showing restraint in dealing with situations. We are using less lethal weapons,” he said. He said forces personnel are better equipped and professionally trained.
To a question about any rehabilitation policy for militants amid as their families are appealing some of their kin to return, he said, “State as well as central government has made it clear that whosoever wants to return, door are open for them but operations will continue against those wielding gun.”
Last month, Bhatnagar had attributed the investigation and raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into funding cases led to a decline in stone pelting in the Valley.
“There is an effect following the actions by all the agencies. There is also an effect because of what NIA is doing. The way stone pelting was happening in a coordinated manner, this (NIA raids) will definitely stop that,” Bhatnagar had said.