The number of terrorist fighters and associates surrendering to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East has increased by 213 per cent following sustained military operations against terrorist positions and logistics networks across the theatre.
The Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni.
According to the statement, the increase in surrenders was recorded over the past one week compared with the preceding week, following intensified ground operations, engagements against identified terrorist positions and disruption of logistics and supply routes.
The military said the operations were aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of terrorist elements and restricting their freedom of movement across the North-East.
The Theatre Command said the rising number of surrenders indicated that some terrorist fighters and associates were abandoning their activities and submitting to established surrender procedures.
In a further development, two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops on Wednesday, bringing arms, ammunition and other military items with them.
The recovery of the weapons and ammunition, according to the military, further demonstrated the impact of sustained operational pressure on the cohesion, morale and ability of terrorist groups to sustain prolonged operations.
The statement said, “The development is equally indicative of the diminishing capacity of terrorist elements to retain their fighters and sustain prolonged operations.”
In a related development, other terrorist members surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama on August 7 at New Abaram, following sustained military operations and internal disagreements within the terrorist enclave.
The military said the group was subsequently screened, while mobile phones and other items were recovered from the surrendered individuals before they were handed over for further action in line with established procedures.
The Theatre Command attributed the growing frequency of surrenders to its multi-dimensional approach, which combines offensive ground operations, precision engagements and disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks.
It said denying terrorists the ability to manoeuvre, regroup and replenish their resources had continued to restrict their operational options and weaken their ability to sustain attacks.
The military said the trend should therefore be viewed not merely as isolated individual decisions, but as an indication of the cumulative impact of sustained military pressure and what it described as the gradual erosion of terrorist capability and cohesion.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining legitimate military pressure against terrorist elements while providing appropriate channels for those who elect to surrender,” the statement said.
The Theatre Command said its objective remained to further degrade terrorist capabilities, restore security and create conditions for lasting peace and stability across the North-East.
It urged members of the public to continue supporting military operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The command also called on terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and make use of available surrender channels.
