Srinagar: 227 militants have been killed this year in Kashmir, which include 9 top commanders. November has been the bloodiest month for militants with 37 killings, reported the Hindustan Times.
According to the report, as per official figures, 227 militants have been killed in different parts of Kashmir so far this year. While they belonged to different organisations, the Lashkar and Hizbul Mujahideen suffered major losses this month as both groups lost some of their top commanders, especially in south Kashmir, which has become a hotbed of militancy. Last year, 207 militants were killed in this period.
This November, nine militant commanders were killed – five affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen and four with the Lashkar. Officials say the focus of late has been to target the militant commanders who are pivotal in fresh recruitment to the outfits.
While quoting an official, the report said that, only a few commanders of various outfits are active now which include Hizbul Mujahideen’s operational commander, Riyaz Naikoo, Al Badr commander, Zeenat-ul Islam who was earlier with Hizbul Mujahideen and now has shifted to Albadr, Lateef Tiger who was an associate of Burhan Wani and Zakir Musa, the chief of Ansar-ul-Gazwat-ul-Hind.
“The killings of several commanders have put the commanders who are at large under tremendous pressure,’’ the officer told Hindustan Times.
ALSO READ: With 55 civilians and 211 militants killed, 2017 deadliest year since 2010
Recently, The Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) said that in 2018, till November, at least 520 people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir which include 144 civilians.
According to the break up provided by the JKCCS, from January 2018 to November 2018, 144 civilians, 234 militants and 142 Armed forces were killed in the state.
In their Annual report of 2017, JKCCS had said that as many as 450 persons were killed in the year 2017. Out of the 450, 124 were armed forces, 217 militants, 108 civilians and 1 Ikhwani (renegade).
