The security forces are taking several steps to bring down the number of active militants

Kashmir witnessed 12 encounters in the month of January this year during which 21 militants including eight foreign nationals were killed, according to official reports.

Of the 21 militants killed, 11 belonged to the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, the reports quote.

Among the 12 encounters, three took place in South Kashmir's Kulgam district while Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama and Shopian each witnessed two encounters. North Kashmir's Kupwara district witnessed one encounter.

Timeline

January 1: In Keran sector of Kupwara district, one non local militant, identified as Muhammad Shabir Malik of Pakistani nationality, was killed.

January 3: In Shalimar area of Srinagar district, an LeT commander Saleem Parry of Hajin area of North Kashmir's Bandipora district, active since 2016, was killed.

January 3: In Gassu area of Shalimar in Srinagar district, a non local militant was killed. This encounter took place just an hour after the killing of LeTs Saleem Parray.

January 4: In Okay area of South Kashmir's Kulgam district, two TRF militants, identified as Amir Ahmad Wani from Alamgunj Shopian district and Sameer Ahmad Khan from Tiken area of Pulwama district, were killed.

January 5: In Chandgam village of Pulwama district, three Jaish-e-Muhammad militants, two non-locals and one local namely Owais Ahmad of Ashmander Pulwama, were killed during an encounter.

January 7: In Chadoora area of Budgam district, three militants from Jaish outfit, two foreigners and one local namely Waseem Ahmad from Nowgam, Srinagar, were killed.

January 11: In Hassanpora area of Kulgam district, two Al-badr militants identified as Imad Muzaffar Wani resident of Arigam Pulwama and Abdul Rashid Thoker resident of Hassanpora, were killed.

January 13: In Pariwan area of Kulgam district, non-local militant identified as Babar Bhai and one SOG personnel SgCt Rohid Chib were killed during an encounter. Three army troopers and two civilians were also injured during this encounter.

January 22: In Kilbal area of Shopian district, two LeT (TRF) militants identified as Sameer Ahmad Shah, resident of Dhangam Shopian and Rayees Ahmad Mir of Takiya Pulwama were killed.

January 27: In Nowgam area of Shopian district, an exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants. The militants managed to escape but three soldiers were injured during this incident.

January 30: In Charar-e-Shareef area of Budgam district, one militant of LeT namely Bilal Ahmad Khan, resident of Chill Brass Khansahab, was killed.

January 30: In Naira area of Pulwama, four Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were killed. The militants have been identified as Zahid Ahmad Wani alias Uzair- a top commander, a resident of Karimabad Pulwama, foreign militant Kafeel Bhari alias Chotu, a Pakistani national, Waheed Ahmad Reshi, a resident of Kakapora and Inayat Ahmad Mir, a resident of Naira Pulwama (a hybrid militant) were killed in an encounter.

Police Statements

While describing the killing of Zahid Ahmad Wani big, General Officer Commanding (GoC), Victor Force, Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava said that the killing of Wani and his associates is “a big success for forces".

Police officials also state that after Saleem Parry’s killing, the Hajin hamlet of Bandipora district is purged of militancy as evidence suggests that there are no active militant at this place.

Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar in his recent statement said that foreign militants, who were hiding in forests, were coming and settling down in civilian areas.

”All efforts are in place to bring down local militant recruitment. A strategy is being followed to bring the number of active militants less than 100 this year,” he said.