The Army's General Officer Commanding of Srinagar based 15 (Chinar) Corps Lieutenant General J S Sandhu today said that 190 militants were killed in various anti militancy and counter infiltration operations by the joint command of security forces in Kashmir Valley during 2017 till now. <br/><br/>Addressing a joint press conference at 15 Corps Headquarters in Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar this afternoon, Sandhu said among 190 militants, 80 were locals and 66 were killed along Line of Control (LoC) while trying to infiltrate. He said this has brought a remarkable change in ground situation. Sandhu added that around 200 militants including 110 to 120 locals are currently active in Kashmir Valley.<br/><br/>Corps Commander complimented the security forces and intelligence agencies for successful anti militancy operations like Hajin Bandipora operation in north Kashmir in which six Lashkar I Toiba Pakistani militants including top two commanders were killed. He said one of the killed militants in Hajin operation was nephew of LeT Pakistani leader Zakir Rehman Lakhvi. IAF Garud Commando was also killed while another soldier was injured in the operation.<br/><br/>Director General Police J&K SP Vaid, IG Ops CRPF Zulfikar and other senior police and army officers were present on the occasion. GOC said that various major measures are being put in place to plug loopholes on difficult and mountainous terrain along Line of Control (LoC) to prevent infiltration from across the border. <br/><br/>State Police chief SP Vaid said that after killing of six Pakistani LeT militants in the Hajin Operation, the area has been almost cleaned of militants. He said Valley needs to get free from militancy, drugs and violence. Hajin area has witnessed a lot of violence this year. DGP said that they were verifying the reports on ISIS claiming to have carried out Zakura Srinagar militant attack on Friday afternoon in which one local militant of Srinagar area and police sub inspector were killed.<br/><br/>In reply to a question, DGP said we will continue to request Pakistan to claim and take bodies of militants killed here so that their families could also have last glimpse of their slain relatives. DGP added that those local militants who want to return to their homes will be provided all facilitation to lead normal life with their families. In reply to a question Vaid said around 60 youths were successfully weaned away from joining militant ranks.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu and all ranks along with Air Cdre VS Choudhary, AOC 1 Wing AF today paid tribute to the Indian Air Force Garud comrade Cpl Jyoti Prakash Nirala who lost his life during anti militancy operation at Hajin, Bandipora yesterday. <br/><br/>The Air Force Guard was operating with the Army for operational experience and training. The mortal remains of the martyr were flown for last rites to his native place Rohtas Bihar where he would be laid to rest with full military honours.