57 youth travelled to Pak on student, tourist visa in 2017-18 joined militancy: J&K DGP

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Rajouri: J&K’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Tuesday said that 57 youth went to the Pakistan on valid student or tourist visa during 2017-18, but joined militancy.

Of them, 17 youth returned to Kashmir along with weapons and got killed in encounters, he said at a press conference here. While 13 are still active on this side, 17 are still staying across across the border and are under constant watch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, he added.

The DGP said that because of the fact that youth who visit to the other side of Kashmir on the pretext of studies and tourism later end up in militancy, the visa procedure and security clearance has been further made strict.

About the infiltration he said that so far three to four groups including one in Bandipora and around three in Rajouri-Poonch sector infiltrated into this side. “Four militants who were killed in Bandipora had crossed over to this side through Machil and Gurez sectors while in Rajouri two militants were killed recently and there are apprehensions of the presence of two more,” the DGP said.

He said launch pads are full and security forces have strengthened the anti-infiltration grid both at the LoC and hinterland to foil all bids.