In November, killings of govt forces exceed that of militants

SRINAGAR — This year, November is the only month when killings of joint government forces exceeded the killing of militants in Jammu and Kashmir.

Though the joint forces neutralized 12 militants in the month of November, but it lost 16 personnel in different militancy-related incidents. Most of the killings of the forces personnel occurred due to cross border shelling from Pakistan.

As per data available with us, Jammu Kashmir witnessed 34 killings in the month of November. Among these 34 killings, 12 are militants, six civilians, two BSF personnel, a cop and 13 Army soldiers.

The joint forces managed to neutralize Hizb top commander, Dr Saifullah in November in a gunfight in Rangreth area of Srinagar outskirts.

Suspected militants gunned down a blacksmith, Muhammad Ayoub in Tral area of Pulwama. A policeman Ishfaq Ahmed was found dead in mysterious circumstances in Archindhama Budgam.

A civilian Abid Ahmed and two militants were killed in Meej Pampore during a gunfight.

Three Army soldiers and a BSF man besides three militants were killed in Machil encounter when the joint forces foiled an infiltration bid.

Two militants were killed in Kutapora hamlet of south Kashmir’s Shopian in a gunfight.

Four soldiers, a BSF man and four civilians were killed in Pakistan shelling in different locations of north Kashmir. In the same month, four militants were killed in Nagrota gunfight but the truck driver ferrying militants managed to escape from the spot.

Three soldiers were killed in two different incidents of cross border shelling in Rajouri district of Jammu region. A JCO was killed in Pakistan firing in Poonch.

In the month of November, militants in an audacious attack killed two soldiers, Sepoy Rattan Lal of 163 Territorial Army and Sepoy Deshmukh of 101 Territorial Army in HMT area Srinagar outskirts.

The slain soldiers were attached to 2nd Unit of Rashtriya Rifles. Militants later on made a purported video of this attack viral on social media.