7 top ultras killed in over 100 days
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 5
The security grid has launched a massive offensive against the militants across Kashmir to bring “peace in the region” which has remained largely on edge since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last year.
In the past 102 days, beginning May 27 this year, the security forces have killed 91 militants, including seven top commanders of dominant militant groups — Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba — in Kashmir.
Of them, 53 were killed in north Kashmir, 33 in volatile south Kashmir and the remaining five in central Kashmir. During this period, security forces also lost 32 men.
In total, the security forces have killed 138 militants this year in the Valley, which is highest in nearly a decade. The security forces have also lost 56 men which include 23 policemen — the highest in the past nearly one decade.
“We will continue the offensive against the militants till peace prevails,” a senior security forces officer said. “After our offensive, the militants are now on the run in the region,” he further said.
Security forces earlier this year launched “Operation All Out” and even set a “deadline to end militancy” especially in south Kashmir.
Almost every day, security forces are carrying out cordon and search operations across Kashmir, especially in the four districts of south Kashmir — Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.
Of the nearly 230 militants in Kashmir, over 100 are active in south Kashmir.
The security agencies are witnessing a reduction in the stone-throwing incidents during anti-militancy operations.
“The intensity of stone-throwing has reduced during anti-militancy operations. Stone-throwing was always militancy-driven and with the elimination of the top militants and the arrest of overground workers, it has come down,” said Inspector General, Operations, Central Reserve Police Force, Kashmir, Zulfiqar Hassan.
