In Kashmir 17 militants killed in January 2020

Wahid Bhat | Srinagar

At least 17 militants and two security personnel have been killed in eight encounters in Kashmir valley during the first month of 2020 January.

Vijay Kumar, the police inspector general for the Kashmir valley, told GroundReport.in that the militants killed include top commanders of the Jaish outfit.

Since Aug. 5, 2019, when Narenda Modi led government abrogted the Jammu and Kashmir speacial status article 370 and 35A, 10 encounters were reported across Kashmir in which 20 militants were killed but in January, eight encounters have already taken place which experts predict happened because communication lines eased and tracking militants has also been easy for security agencies.

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The first encounter started Jan. 6 at Awantipora when a local militant affiliated with Hizbul-Mujhahideen was killed. That was followed by seven more encounters.

The recent being of Nagrota, Jammu encounter in which three militants were killed and a local policeman sustained injuries Friday.

"So far three terrorists have been gunned down and one policeman is also injured in the gunfight," a police spokesperson told GroundReport.in.

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87 encounters in 2019

From January to July last year, more than 135 militants were killed by security forces, while over 260 militants were killed in 2018.

Continuing with the policy of “operation all out,” that has been going on in Kashmir since 2017, security forces carried out numerous encounters with militants in different areas leading to killings, severe injuries and destruction of civilian property.

The report by Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society said in 2019 a total of 87 encounters took place in Jammu and Kashmir leading to killings of 150 militants and 29 personnel from security forces and Jammu and Kashmir police.

The report said the frequent instances of cordon and search operations have led to multiple human rights violations of the civilian population, including harassment, molestation, detention and use of excessive and indiscriminate force.