Firdous Hassan
Srinagar, Nov 29: November has witnessed the killing of nearly 37 militants across the valley, including nine commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba outfits.
South Kashmir during the month witnessed 28 militant causalities during force’s anti-militancy operations in which Shopian district alone reported 13 militants’ killings.
Comparing to the first fortnight when 12 militant causalities were reported in the valley, the second two weeks proved bloodiest after witnessing 25 militant killings.
With maximum militant killings reported this month across the valley, the total figure for this year shot up to 227 militants killing so far, thereby surpassing previous year’s 207 causalities.
The month started with the killing of two local militants Mukhtar Ahmad Khan and Muhammad Amin Mir in an encounter on November 1 at Central Kashmir Budgam district.
On November 23 and 24, forces claimed of achieving “major success” after killing 12 militants in two separate encounters in South Kashmir’s Bhijbehara and Shopian areas.
In Bhijbehara six militants including Top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Azad Ahmad Malik with five associates including Basit Mir, Unais, Aqib, Shahid and Umar Ganie were killed.
Slain Umar Ganie had released a picture on social media showing he holding a meeting with fellow militants in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.
In Shopian encounter three Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT including Azad Ahmad Malik alias Dada of Arwani; Basit Ahmad Mir of Pushwara, Khanabal; Unais/Anees Shafi Bhat of Takyibal, Bijbehara; Atif Hassan Najar of Waghama, Bijbehara; Shahid from Kawni-Dogripora Awantipora and Firdous Ahmad Mir from Machpona, Pulwama were killed.
The month’s nine militant commander causalities including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s face Naveed Jatt, who was shot dead on Wednesday in Budgam district.
The month also saw the killing of two civilians including one mentally unsound person from Kulgam.
Police claims the militant killings this month as “major success” for forces, believes that the graph of militancy in the state has gone down.“The graph of militancy has come down coupled with no fresh recruitment of youth into militant ranks,” Director General of Police DIlbagh Singh said on Wednesday.
Inspector General of Police S P Pani said, “Our endeavor also tends to ensure minimum collateral damage with a special focus on the coming of forces unscratched from the place of operation.”
