Angry at civilians disrupting operations, security forces in J&K want clear guidelines on how to deal with stone-pelting mobs during anti-terror drive. Four security personnel were martyred during the encounter in last two operations in Handwara in Kulgam district and Hajin, Bandipora.

The India Today reported that the Army, CRPF and J&K police are reviewing the SOP and refining them to meet the challenge posed by such mobs. The report added that concerned by the incident army commander from North Command, Lt General Devraj Ambu went to the Chinar Corps area to personally assess the situation.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Bipin paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in encounters with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. He also said that those who disrupt operations during encounters and are not supportive will be treated as ‘overground workers of terrorists’.

People creating hurdles during anti-terror operations and displaying flags of Pakistan and ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face "harsh" actions, Army Chief Bipin Rawat said.

General Rawat said security forces in J&K are facing higher casualties due to manner in which the local population is preventing them in conducting the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to escape".

"We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them.

"They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue," said the Army Chief. "We are giving them an opportunity, should they want to continue to then, we will continue with relentless operations may be with harsher measures and that is the way to continue," he told reporters after laying wreath to the martyrs of Handwara and Bandipora operations.

The Army Chief further said if "they do not relent and create hurdle in our operations, then we will take tough action." Off late, security forces have faced opposition from local population in certain areas of Kashmir during anti-terror operations. Three security force personnel were killed in an encounter in Parray Mohalla of Hajin area of Bandipora district yesterday while another armymen lost his life in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Four militants were also killed in the operations.

Those who obstruct our ops during encounters &are not supportive will be treated as overground workers of terrorists: Army Chief Bipin Rawat pic.twitter.com/amYjyrXyhQ — ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2017

If locals who want to continue with terror by displaying flags of ISIS&Pak then we'll treat them as anti nationals&will not spare them: COAS pic.twitter.com/2Bk0LNV08I — ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2017

The close to 1:1 kill ratio (five terrorists were killed during the operation), is considered unacceptable and the acceptable ratio in the army is one soldier for every 7 terrorists killed. It’s believed that security forces want defined ‘Red Lines’, a clear demarcated area, beyond which protesters won’t be permitted and if they do then the defence personnel would be within their rights to use non-lethal or lethal force.

They are also considering videographing the entire procedure and there’s a chance that pellet guns might also be used to restrain the protesters.

Indian Army pays homage to martyrs

Earlier, the Army paid homage to four soldiers, including an officer, who laid down their lives during two counter-insurgency operations in Bandipora and Kupwara districts of Kashmir.

Joined by officials of other security forces operating in the Valley, Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu paid rich tributes to Major Satish Dahiya, Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Paratrooper Dharmender Kumar and Gunner Astosh Kumar in a solemn ceremony at Badamaibagh Cantonment here.

"Survived by his wife and a two-year-old daughter, 31-year-old Maj Dahiya had led the operation launched by Army in Handwara yesterday which eventually resulted in the elimination of three terrorists, thus delivering a major blow to the terror network in North Kashmir," defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.

He said the officer, hailing from Mahendergarh in Haryana, had been a part of several counter-terrorist operations and had also been awarded for gallantry earlier. 33-year-old Rifleman Ravi Kumar hailed from Samba in Jammu and Kashmir and was part of another operation in Hajin, Bandipora yesterday in which one terrorist was killed.

Delhi: PM Narendra Modi pays tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in encounters with terrorists in J&K yesterday pic.twitter.com/HUMkKOOoQn — ANI (@ANI_news) February 15, 2017

He is survived by his wife and a three-year-old daughter, the spokesman said. Also forming part of the same operation was Paratrooper Dharmender Kumar of Nainital, Uttarakhand.

"The young paratrooper, who defied his 26 years of age and had established himself amongst his comrades as a spirited and daring soldier, is survived by his parents," he said.

Gunner Astosh Kumar hailed from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh and is survived by his mother Shila Devi. His father Havildar Lal Sahib had laid down his life during the Kargil War. "The mortal remains of the martyrs will be taken to their native places for last rites with full military honours. The Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and remains committed to their dignity and wellbeing," the spokesman said.

With inputs from agencies