81 terrorists killed in Kashmir Valley this year

Srinagar: As many as 81 terrorists have been killed in Kashmir Valley so far this year, with security officials saying the number is higher than that in the last two years.

"A total of 81 terrorists have been killed in different operations along the Line of Control (LoC) and in the hinterland which is higher than the number of terrorists killed in the previous two years," a defence spokesman said after a review meeting of the top security officials. According to official figures, 97 militants were killed in 2013 while 110 militants were gunned down in 2012.

The spokesman also said during this year, seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were also detected and defused by the security forces averting major tragedies.

The Core-Group meeting of security agencies in the state was held at the army's Badami Bagh Cantonment to review the overall situation and to draw out the security strategy for the forthcoming events in the Valley like Assembly elections, Darbar move and preparedness for winter related incidents, the spokesman said.

He said the meeting was co-chaired by Lt Gen Subrata Saha, General Officer in Commanding (GoC) of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps and K Rajender Kumar, Director General of the state police. Top officials of police, army, paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies and civil administration participated in the meeting.

Lt Gen Saha complimented the members and the officials of the Core Group for the high-level of synergy amongst all the agencies in addressing the security concerns of Kashmir.

The state police chief elaborated on the key security steps that have been put into place to manage the law and order situation in the Valley, the spokesman said. He said the members deliberated on various issues to evolve a comprehensive strategy for various external and internal security challenges.

"Plans for maintaining a robust counter infiltration and counter terrorist grid were discussed.

"Preparations for the winter disaster management were also deliberated upon," the spokesman said.