Terming the elimination of five hardcore militants in Sopore as a success for security forces, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he would rather like the infiltration from across the border to stop which would end the need for such encounters.

"We will rather like to see the attempts (by militants) to infiltrate to come to an end which would end the need for these encounters," Omar told reporters after presiding over the passing out parade of 897 police recruits at STC Sheeri here.

The Chief Minister said the killing of the militants yesterday was a success for the security forces.

"An encounter in which militants are eliminated with security forces taking no causalty is a successful operation. The sheer size of the group of militants -- five killed and two more holed up as per information given to me -- has to be a success for the security forces," Omar said.

Asked about the level of infiltration of militants from across the Line of Control (LoC) during the year, the Chief Minister said he could not put an exact number to the ultras who have sneaked in as the Army and state intelligence had different figures for it.

Asked about the progress on the partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Omar admitted that there has not been much progress despite support from certain quarters.

"Unfortunately, there has not been as much progress as I would have liked and there is no secret in this. While there has been considerable support from various quarters in Government of India, there is again no secret that Army is extremely reluctant to contemplate or consider partial revocation of AFSPA," he said.

The Chief Minister said his efforts for the revocation of the act will continue as he believe his argument for it is logical.

"If something is worth doing it is worth pursuing. If there is no overnight success, it does not mean that you should shun your efforts," he said.

Earlier, addressing the passouts of the 11th batch who completed their basic recruit training course, Omar asked them to be ready for the multifarious task taken up by the state police which include fighting militancy, maintaining law and order and regular policing.

"You will have to work for finishing off the militancy and its potential to disturb peace in the state and at the same time regular policing and crime investigation cannot be ignored," he said.

Among the 897 passouts, 32 were post graduates, 207 graduates, 409 Class XII pass, 232 matriculates and 17 under matric. The recruits also included 90 Special Police Officers and 11 followers who were absorbed in the force after the necessary training.

Constable Mohammad Iqbal was adjudged the best recruit and was awarded one-rank promotion by the Chief Minister on the spot.