Earlier, the surrender policy was limited to those who crossed the Line of Control into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early 1990s and were stuck there.

The new surrender policy is considering provision of “passports and jobs to any local youth who gives up the gun” and “support for his full assimilation into society,” official sources said.

Meanwhile, parents of two more militants — Ashiq Hussain Bhat from Shopian and Manzoor Ahmad Baba from Pulwama — have appealed through the media to their sons to give up militancy and rejoin the family.

Around 60 boys have already been “brought back into the fold”, said the police. At least 190 militants have been killed this year. Of these, 66 were locals. “There is a remarkable change in the situation. The agitation that peaked earlier this year has been brought under control,” said GOC Sandhu.

On the Hajin operation, in which six LeT militants were killed on Saturday, DGP Vaid said, “These militants killed [former counter-insurgency personnel] Rashid Billa and Ramzan Parray, an officer, and attempted a fidayeen attack in Bandipora.”

The Saturday operation had “cleaned up the area,” the DGP said. “People will heave a sigh of relief and can live without fear now,” he said.