Srinagar, November 21
In a major success, security forces today wiped out the top leadership of Pakistan-based Al-Badr in the valley, with the killing of its self-styled commander-in-chief and another top commander on the city outskirts early this morning.

Elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir, 12 Pakistani intruders were among 20 persons killed during the past 24 hours.

In a joint operation, the special operation group of the Jammu and Kashmir police, the CRPF and the BSF killed the self-styled commander-in-chief and the chief of Srinagar district of the Al-Badr at Zakoora.

Both militants, who were residents of Pakistan, had fought in Afghanistan against rival forces for several years before coming to Kashmir.

With the killing of six top militants and the arrest of 13 others, all of them belonging to the Al-Badr, during the past three days in central Kashmir, the police and security forces claimed to have smashed the Al-Badr network.

Disclosing this at a press conference here this evening, the Director-General of the Jammu and Kashmir police, Mr A.K. Suri, said the self-styled chief of the outfit, Haliz, alias Dr Nayeem, a resident of Peshawar in Pakistan, was among the top six militants killed in these operations.

He said the biggest success was achieved early this morning when based on specific information, Dr Nayeem and another foreign militant, Syed Talha Ahmad, were killed in an encounter with the police and security forces at Zakoora, near here. Others killed in these operations in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Badgam and Anantnag included Suhail, an expert in communication, and the Anantnag chief of the outfit, Manzoor Ahmad of Dooru, on Sunday last. Some arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site of the encounter. Documents recovered included addresses, pager numbers and telephone numbers of other activists, he said. Working on this information, some other activits were arrested on Monday, the police chief added. The Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir Range, Dr Ashok Bhan, and the DIG, Kashmir, Mr K. Rajendra, were also present at the press conference.

“These successes have dealt a serious blow to the Al-Badr which had been attempting to increase its activities in Srinagar city,” Mr Suri said.

Meanwhile, a report from Jammu said at least 12 Pakistani infiltrators were killed today in Ramgarh sector near Jammu.

According to official reports, the BSF guarding the international border, spotted movement from across the border during the wee hours today. The infiltrators were challenged, but they started intruding into the Indian territory.

BSF jawans opened fire, killing eight intruders at Nanga post and another four at SP-I post.

The reports said during the time the infiltrators were trying to sneak into the Indian territory the Pakistani troops opened fire on the BSF posts and border villages. It was possibly a cover fire to enable the intruders to enter Jammu. The BSF retaliated but there was no casualty of the troops on either side.

Asked whether the infiltrators were Bangladeshis since no arms and ammunition had been recovered from the slain intruders, the sources said had they been Bangladesh nationals the Pakistani troops would not have given them cover fire.

Meanwhile, the troops guarding the LoC have been directed to further intensify patrolling to ensure that no Taliban or any foreign mercenary is allowed to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides, the security forces have been asked to step up vigilance on the 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway to prevent fidayeen from carrying out strikes on the pattern of Ramban where 13 soldiers were killed on November 18.

These instructions have been issued in the wake of reports that militants may step up their subversive activities not only on the highway but in areas where vital government installations are located.