Security forces want to avoid Kulgam like incidents: J&K DGP

Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh Monday said security forces want to avoid Kulgam like incidents where seven civilians died in a blast after an encounter with militants had concluded.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawan who was killed in a militant attack in Tral on Sunday, the Director General of Police (DGP) urged people to stay away from sites of anti-militancy operations.

It was an unfortunate incident and we regret it. When an operation is concluded, there are apprehensions of unexploded explosives at the site and people, especially youth, should avoid going to such places or to touch the debris. We have been asking people to avoid such sites, he said.

Singh stressed that security forces want to avoid collateral damage during the anti-militancy operations but people should also avoid creating such situations which may put them in harm's way.

We express solidarity with the families of the slain persons. We do not want such incidents," he said.

"We have directed all the forces to make sure there is no collateral damage in the operations (against militants) but people should also understand that they should not create such a situation which can lead to the loss of innocent lives, the DGP added.