Srinagar: In the first three months of ensuing year, 41 militants were killed while as 13 militants were alone killed in eight encounters in the month of March, while as in January 21 militants were killed in 12 gunfights, security officials said Friday.
As per the data available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Srinagar and Pulwama including Awantipora witnessed three encounters each while Kupwara and Ganderbal witnessed one encounter each, however, rest six districts witnessed zero encounters in Month.
Figures state that among 13 militants killed in March, 11 belong to LeT/TRF while as two were affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad.
“41 militants have been killed in first three months of 2022 which includes 21 in January, seven in February and 13 in March,” the figures reveal, adding that “On March 10 two, LeT militants identified as Shahid Ahmed Khan son of Mohi-ud-din Khan resident of Batpora, Pulwama and Fayaz Sheikh son of Gh Rasool Sheikh, resident of Shahpora, Ganderbal were killed in Naina Batpora Pulwama.”
An official told KNO that on the same day, a foreign militant namely Manzoor alias Haider alias Hamzah was killed in a shootout in Hazratbal Srinagar, the officials said, adding on March 12, two JeM militants including foreign commander Kamaal Bhai alias Jatt and another commander Aqib Mushtaq alias Usman Hyder son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat resident of Karimabad, Pulwama were killed in an encounter in Chewa-Kalan area of Pulwama.
The official said that on the same day, LeT militant identified as Suhail Ahmad Ganie son of Gulzar Ahmad resident of Terigam Kulgam was killed in an encounter in Nechama Rajwar area of Handwara in Kupwara district. “On the same day (March 12), LeT commander identified as Adil Ahmad Khan son of Abdul Ahad resident of Badarkund Ganderbal was killed in an encounter in Nuner hamlet of Ganderbal district,” the official said. “On 15 March, LeT militant namely Owais Raja son of Mohammad Ramzan Dar of Subhanpora Bijbehara was killed in an encounter in Chersoo Awantipora area of Pulwama district. On March 16, three lashkar militants identified as Adil Nabi Teli, resident of Galchibal Chandhara, Pampore, Shakir Ahmad Tantray, resident of Ronipora, Shopian and Yasir Ahmad Wagay resident of Kujer Frisal, Kulgam were killed in an encounter in Nowgam area of Srinagar district.”
The official said that on March 30, two LeT militants identified as Rayees Ahmad Bhat and Hilal Ahmad Rah, both residents of Bijbehara Anantnag were killed in an encounter in Rainawari Srinagar
Notably, seven militants were killed in month of February in five encounters besides that one militant was killed on April 1 at Turkwangam Shopian.
January witnessed 12 encounters in which 21 militants, most of them belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed besides two cops were also killed in the same month. Meanwhile, a senior police official said that intelligence-based operations against the militants will continue in the holy month of Ramadhan as well—(KNO)
