The past one month has seen a surge in the violence, especially the encounters in which two of the most wanted militants were killed in operations.
Now almost every day encounters take place in which militants both foreigners and locals, get killed regularly. The killings of the militants though officers portray as big success, however, what is alarming is that youth are joining militant ranks despite pressure from security agencies.
Though security forces managed to keep militants under pressure by launching back to back operations, the militants have managed to carry out attacks on the forces and civilians in different parts of Kashmir this month which has spread panic especially among the non local migrant workers.
Even the panchayat members and non local labourers were targeted to create fear among them. These attacks and killings of militants have come at a time when snow has started melting from the mountains and passes in north Kashmir and there are apprehensions within security agencies on the fresh infiltration. This year so far has not been any major infiltration attempt recorded on the Line of Control. However officials have crossed their fingers and are not ready to lower its guard on LoC.
As per the figures provided by police this year 61 militants both locals and foreign militants were killed by the forces alone in Kashmir. In the attacks 12 forces personnel and 10 civilians were also killed.
On April 24, three LeT militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district. A day earlier two JeM militants, nationals of Pakistan, were killed in a gunfight with forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. On April 22, two laborers from West Bengal were injured when suspected militants opened fire on them at Nowgam in Srinagar. During the night of April 21-22: three militants including most wanted LeT commander Yousuf Kantroo were killed in an encounter which continued for two days in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Five security personnel also were injured. Kantroo was one of the longest surviving militants who got recycled twice soon after initially joining militant ranks. Police termed his killing a big success and said he was involved in the series of attacks on forces personnel and civilians.
On April 18: Two railway protection force personnel were attacked by suspected militants at Kakapora area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir. Both the personnel succumbed to their injuries.
On April 15, a sarpanch was shot dead by suspected militants at Gosbugh Pattan area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir. A day earlier four local LeT militants were killed in a gunfight in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. On April 12, two militants including a Pakistani member of JeM were killed in Kulgam district in an encounter.
The killing of two top commanders one in Baramulla and another at South Kashmir has been a breakthrough as both the commanders Ashraf Molvi and Yusuf Kantroo were oldest surviving militants active in Kashmir and police say they were their main recruiters. However fact remains that despite successes, the militants still manage to strike at will. The peace in the valley will still be depending on the LoC and how much Pakistan is successful in pushing the militants this side. The guard on the Loc can’t be lowered at any cost to ensure sustainable peace.
