Ramban: Once infamous as an operational hub
of militancy, the mountainous district of Ramban in Jammu and
Kashmir is speedily moving towards "zero militancy" as only
four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen are currently active in
the area, a senior police official claimed.
"There are only four militants of HM outfit operating in
Ramban district," Superintendent of Police Anil Mangotra said.
The militants, who are operating in Gool and Banihal
areas of the district, are Ghulam Qadir of Gool, Reyaz Takray
alias Usman of Trigam, Mohammad Ayoub Chopan of Sumber and a
Pakistani militant, Saifullah, he said.
"These surviving militants are hiding somewhere in the
upper reaches, and the police and Army are trying hard to
locate and eliminate them," he said.
Five top militants including two top commanders of
Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in Ramban in
2011, giving a big jolt to militancy in the district, he said.
On February 8, self-styled HM divisional commander Abdul
Rashid alias Qari Zubair was killed along with two more
militants Naseer Ahmad alias Mansoor and Mushtaq Ahmad alias
Usman. The most wanted LeT commander Mohammad Ayaz Malik alias
Abu Mousa was also gunned down in a joint operation in
Danbinallah area of Banihal along with his associate Farooq
Ahmad Seeh alias Zulkarnain, the SP said.
Huge quantities of arms and ammunition were also
recovered last year.
Bordered by thick forested belts of Doda, Anantnag,
Udhampur and Reasi districts, Ramban has seen more than 400
militants of different outfits including HM, LET, JEM, HUJI,
HuM and HMPPR operating in the district till 2000, he said.
PTI