Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Muneer Ahmad Khan on Thursday claimed that Pakistan was using social media to recruit militants in Kashmir.

Addressing a presser in Srinagar over the ongoing operation in Kund village of Kulgam, Khan said: “Relentless social media campaign has been started by Pakistan to lure youth to join militancy.”

He said “religious exploitation” was another reason for youth to join militancy. “Most of them are either school or college dropouts,” he said.

A militant and a soldier were killed on the first day of the ongoing operation on Nov 14. “Three militants have been arrested in the ongoing operation,” he said.

Khan identified the arrested militants as Atta Mohammad Malik, Shams ul Viqar and Bilal Sheikh. He said that Malik was arrested in an injured state and is presently hospitalized.

He also reiterated the surrender offer for local militants. “Even if a local militant raises his  hands during a gunfight, we will give him an opportunity to unite him with parents and lead a normal life,” he said.