Neyaz Elahi
Srinagar, May 31, KNT: Twenty-seven militants including four infiltrators were killed in May this year.
Joint Forces neutralized these militants in 15 gunfights across Kashmir Valley.
The data available with the news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that 36 persons lost their lives in militancy-related incidents in May. These include 27 militants, 5 civilians, 3 policemen, and an army porter.
Among the five slain civilians, one Shahid Gani Dar of Pandoshan Shopian was killed in Pandoshan encounter when militants escaped from the spot while the killing of other civilian Shoib Ahmed Ganaie of Turkwangam Shopian sparked protest prompting authorities to order a magisterial inquiry.
The killing of 27 militants is the largest number in a month in the current year. In April this number was 24 followed by 20 in January, 13 in March, and 7 in February.
Among the 27 slain militants, 17 were local Kashmiris and 10 as per police were nationals of Pakistan.
Except Budgam and Ganderbal, gunfights between militants and joint forces raged in all the districts of Kashmir Valley. South Kashmir’s Anantnag witnessed 4 encounters followed by three in Pulwama, two each in Kupwara and Bandipora while the district of Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, and Srinagar reported solitary gunfights. (KNT)