Srinagar: A total of 206 militants were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir and 75 others persuaded to shun violence in 2017, state police chief S.P. Vaid said on Sunday.

Addressing a media conference here, Director General of Police Vaid said there were many misconceptions about "Operation All Out" started by the security forces in J&K during 2017.

"I want to make it clear that this operation is not only about killing militants, but also to bring them back into the mainstream.

"This year, while we killed 206 militants, we brought 75 youth back who had either joined or were about to join the militancy. Apart from this seven youth, who had picked up arms, were brought back due to the support their families showed to us," he said.

Vaid also said that the state police also achieved major successes in curbing drug abuse by booking 34 persons under Public Safety Act.

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Chikkamagaluru: Five activists of BJP and Bajrang Dal were arrested by the Sakharayapatna Police for alleged murder of Congress activist and Sakharayapatna Gram Panchayat member Ganesh Gowda (38) on Friday night, following a fight over a banner.

Three of the arrested men, Sanjay, Bhushan and Mithun, are known to be BJP members.

An argument broke out between two groups in Sakharayapatna of Kadur taluk two days ago regarding a banner for observation of ‘Datta Jayanti’. The argument continued and intensified into a fight on Friday night near a bar in the village. Shortly later, at around 10:30 pm, a group of eight miscreants on motorbikes is learned to have stopped Gowda, who was traveling in a car on the Kalmurudeshwara Mutt Road and attacked him with lethal weapons.

A seriously injured Gowda reportedly died on the spot.

One of the suspects, Sanjay, was also injured in the attack and is being treated at the Chikkamagaluru Mallegowda District Hospital.

Sakharayapatna Police have registered a case and are investigating.

Chikkamagaluru Superintendent of Police Vikram Amte has said that, as precautionary measure, security has been beefed up in the village.

“While four special teams have been formed for investigation, five of the suspects have already been taken into custody. We are still probing the incident,” he added.