Majid Jahangir

Crushing the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has been at the heart of the counter-militancy strategy of security forces post Pulwama, with bulk of their cadres, including top commanders, having been neutralised this year so far.

In the first four months, at least 70 militants, including 30 from the Jaish, have been killed in different operations across Kashmir.

While the militant casualties have been high compared to the last year which recorded the highest number of militant fatalities since 2008, forces too have suffered immensely and lost 58 of their men in militant actions. The deadliest attack since the eruption of militancy was carried out on February 14 when a local suicide bomber of the Jaish rammed his car into a forces convoy, killing 40 CRPF personnel.

According to official figures, out of the 70 militants killed, 52 were locals, an indicator as to how local elements are now dominating the militant scene in Kashmir. The local commander killed included Mudasir Khan, 25, who was accused of being the main conspirator of the Pulwama bombing.

While the Jaish has been the focus of anti-militancy operations as the group had the potential to carry out deadly attacks, forces have also killed 20 militants of the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, 14 militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba and five of the Al-Badr group.

Out of the 70 militants killed till April, over 60 per cent have been killed in four districts of south Kashmir — Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian — that have been the hotbed of militancy after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in 2016.

Out of the 44 militants killed in south Kashmir, 32 were killed in two volatile districts of Pulwama and Shopian. The two districts continue to be a major headache for the security grid.

According to figures, in the first four months, security forces lost 58 of their men in Kashmir, which included 44 CRPF men, eight army men and six policemen. Nearly 35 security men, including a Brigadier, a Deputy Inspector General of police and some senior officers, were injured in gunfights. Out of the 58 forces men, 49 were killed in south Kashmir.

Last year, 23 security men were killed till April-end.

There has also been a decline in the civilian causalties in Kashmir this year. At least 13 civilians have got killed, out of them four were killed in law and order situations and seven by suspected militants. A 12-year-old boy, allegedly held hostage by ultras, was killed during a gunfight in north Kashmir. The incident had sparked widespread outrage.

In the first four months of the last year, 35 civilians were killed. Out of them 22, were killed in law and order situations, mostly near encounter sites.

A senior security officer in Kashmir said there had been less deterioration in the law and order situation in the first four months compared to last year.

“There has been always a strategy and that is to follow the standard operating procedures and show maximum restraint. In the first four months following this, there have also been less civilian casualties. Besides, our men are well-trained and briefed regularly to maintain restraint in any situation,” said CRPFIG, Srinagar, Ravideep Singh Sahi.

Courtesy:The Tribune,May 17,2019