13 terrorists dead in Kashmir, Pak PM accuses India of launching 'brutal crackdown'

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has accused India of launching a "brutal crackdown" in Kashmir after terror groups suffered a major setback following killing of 13 terrorists in counter-insurgency operations.

Abbasi's statement late last night came after Indian security forces on Sunday gunned down 13 militants in three counter-insurgency operations that also claimed the lives of three Army jawans and four civilians in Anantnag and Shopian districts of Jammu and Kashmir. "The brutal crackdown, including the despicable use of pellet guns on civilians who were protesting against the killing is deplorable," Abbasi said. He also asked the international community to urge India to allow access to fact finding missions of the UN to Kashmir.

Yesterday's operations by the Indian security forces have rendered a severe blow to terror groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashker-e-Taiba. Forces killed 13 terrorists in three South Kashmir gunfights in which three soldiers and a civilian also died, in some of the biggest and most violent security operations launched on Saturday night. The operations dealt a massive blow to terror groups such as Hizb and LeT.

Seven terrorists, including two self-styled commanders wanted for killing Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz (22), were gunned down at Draggad village in Shopian district. The owner of the house were terrorists were hiding was also killed. “We have avenged Fayaz’s death”, said Army officer AK Bhatt. The officer’s body had been found with bullet wounds in the Hermain area of Shopian on April 10 last year.

Five terrorists and three soldiers were killed at Kachidoora village in Shopian district. In Peth-Dialgam village of Anantnag district, a local terrorist was killed, while another surrendered. “In all, 13 terrorists neutralised, three soldiers martyred and one terrorist caught alive,” said J&K DGP SP Vaid. Vaid said the SSP tried to persuade the terrorist to surrender at Peth-Dialgam. “He spoke to family members for about 30 minutes. But unfortunately he did not and fired, said Vaid. The DGP also renewed his appeal to parents to persuade their wards to shun the path of violence. “It is painful for all of us to see the loss of young lives,”