Srinagar, Mar 10 (UNI) A top police officer on Wednesday said that the killing of Al-Badar chief Gani Khawja in an encounter is a major success for security forces and a big jolt to militancy as he was instrumental in reviving the militant outfit in the valley, including recruiting youth, planning attacks and receiving new groups from across the Line of Control (LoC).
“The killing of Khawja is a major success for security forces because he is the one, who on the behest of Pakistan activated Al-Badar in 2020. He succeeded in recruiting much youth in the militant ranks. All the militants belonging to Al-Badar, who were killed in recent encounters, were recruited by him,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told reporters during a press conference here on Wednesday.
He said Khawja was responsible for receiving militant groups from across the border in the Kupwara district and transport them to safe places in the north and south Kashmir. “He was also an expert in providing logistic support and creating policy, including identification of targets,” Mr Kumar said.