Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 23

Buoyed by the killing of six militants in Anantnag, Srinagar-based General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps Lt Gen AK Bhatt on Friday said militants would be neutralised no matter where they hide.

He termed the anti-militancy operation in Bijbehara a “surgical operation.”

“It was a surgical operation. The Army and police had full cooperation in the operation and it was carried out swiftly and without any collateral damage,” Lt General Bhatt told reporters in Baramulla after paying obeisance at Chhatti Padshahi Gurdwara on Gurpurb.

When asked as to how he saw the killing of over 200 militants this year, he said it was just a figure and more important for them was restoration of peace.

“More important for us is that we want the restoration of peace. And for restoring peace, we have the cooperation of youth and people. Our effort is to ensure peace in Kashmir just like any other part of the country,” he said.

On surfacing of pictures on the soc-ial media showing Hizbul Mujahideen militants at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, Lt General Bhatt said, “The police are checking whether they are genuine or photoshopped pictures. At the same time, we will neutralise the terrorists wherever they hide.”

On the recent arrest of two women overground workers (OGWs), the GOC said, “Women should not get involved in this fight.” “In past, there have been women OGWs. Recently two women OGWs were arrested. We will request that women should not get involved in this fight,” he added.