Militant Deaths in Valley Rise in Jan 2019: Report

Seventeen militants, a civilian and a policeman were killed in militancy-related violence this year.

File image of an encounter between armed forces personnel and militants in Kashmir. 

(Photo: IANS)

With 19 deaths reported in the Valley this January, militant casualties have gone up in the first month of 2019, Rising Kashmir reported. Seventeen militants, a civilian and a policeman were killed in militancy-related violence in January this year, the daily reported.

Unlike last year when 21 killings took place, the overall casualties (19) in January this year is lower than the corresponding period last year, the report added. However, with ten militant deaths reported last year, militant casualties were higher this January, the daily report added.

Zeenat-ul-Islam, who was one of the most wanted militants and chief commander of Al Badar oufit, was among the 17 militants killed, reported Rising Kashmir.

The Valley Reels Under a Spate of Killings This New Year

On 1 January, Sameed Ahmad Mir, a Special Police Officer, was killed after being fired upon by militants at his residence at Hanjan-Payeen in Pulwama, the report added.

On 4 January, a civilian Simranjeet Singh, son of Nanak Singh of Khasipora, Tral was killed by unknown gunmen. In two separate attacks in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, a civilian and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were reportedly killed.

Reportedly, eight militants were killed in separate gunfights that occurred in Shopian, Baramulla and Srinagar from 22-26 January.

With the onset of heavy snowfall, infiltration points usually get blocked, a security official informed the daily. While the government has strengthened vigilance to crackdown on infiltration attempts by militants along the Line of Control (LoC), there has reportedly been been almost no detection till date due to bad weather.

(With inputs from Rising Kashmir.)