A local militant, who surrendered before the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, expressed gratitude to the officials for giving him another chance and appealed to all ultras to shun the path of militancy, citing it as a “deception”, reported news agency PTI. The surrendered militant was identified as Khawar Sultan Mir, a resident of the Drangbal area of Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

“I am thankful to J-K Police and forces, Army, who gave me another chance to live my life. They told me to come out, took me out alive and treated me well. They did not torture me and treated me like their brother. Whatever (arms) I had, I left it there only (at the encounter site),” PTI quoted Mir as saying.

During the encounter at Lalpora in Pampore, two militants were killed and a civilian lost his life.

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He appealed to militants to give up arms, saying the path of militancy was a “deceit” and a “deception”.

“I appeal all my brothers that this (militancy) is a deceit, this bloodshed is a lie, a deception…there is nothing in it,” he said.

According to a PTI report, only after several appeals by the security forces, Mir surrendered.

Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar described the surrender of the local militant as a success for the security forces.

In the last few months, several local militants have surrendered before the security forces during live encounters.

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Earlier, Director-General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh recently said militants preferring to surrender during encounters with security forces was a welcome development.

The DGP said all those who have picked up arms should shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream, assuring them of support.