Forces took heavy losses to reduce Civilian Casualties

GOC 15Corps, Lt-Gen K J S Dhillon at a press conference stated that forces suffered heavy casualties where 5 men, including Major V S Dhoundiyal, martyred during the 16-hour encounter at Pinglan. He also mentioned that JeM operational commander and his aides who were involved in the Pulwama car bomb attack were killed in the encounter.

“We did not want civilian casualties. We took it in our chin. Brigadier Harbir Singh, who was injured during the gun battle, was on leave. When he realized the operation had been launched, he cut short his leave and went straight to join the operation. He was leading from the front, and so was DIG Amit Kumar, because we wanted no collateral damage," Lt Gen Dhillon mentioned.

Corps Commander in Kashmir said, “In Kashmiri Society, a mother has a great role to play. I would request the mothers of Kashmir tp please request their sons who have joined terrorism to surrender and get back to the mainstream. Anyone who has picked up the gun will be eliminated unless he surrenders."

As the armed forces were having a tough time handling the operation some violent civilian mob was trying to rescue the terrorists at the Pinglanencounter site. “I request Kashmiri youths to stay away from operation sites before and after the encounter for their own safety. Anything can go wrong due to crossfire and leftover explosives,“ Lt-Gen Dhillion quoted.