30 ultras surrender on return from PoK since March: JK Police

Baramulla, May 4 (UNI) As many as 30 militants, who had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for arms training, have returned and surrendered before the authorities near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector since March this year, police said today.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Ashkoor Wani told UNI that six families of the militants have also surrendered before the authorities near the LoC on their return.

He said the security along the LoC has been further strenghtened to check any infiltration attempt by militants from across the border.

Mr Wani said there were apprehensions that some anti-national elements could sneak into this side.

''The number of militants would have gone up. But, we stepped up security along the borders as there were apprehensions that some anti-national elements could try to sneak into our side in the guise of surrendering before the authorities,'' he added About several hundred disgruntled Kashmir youth, who had crossed over to PoK for arms training, have reportedly expresesed their willingness to return and join the mainstream.

Several political parties have urged the authorities to offer general amnesty to the youth who want to abjure violence and join the national mainstream. CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf tarigami had also moved a resolution in the state Assembly in this regard.

UNI XC-AG LS HS1649