Seven local militants were killed in 5 gunfights across Kashmir Valley in the second month of February this year.
There were overall 5 gunfights, while militants struck thrice in February, killing a cop and injuring two including an officer. A police officer (ASI) Shabir Ahmed Wagay was shot at and injured in Amshipora village of Shopian while a cop (Driver) Zubair Ahmed of Papachen was killed after militants hurled a grenade at Nishat Park Bandipora. A BSF officer and 3 cops sustained injuries in the attack. A police officer Sheikh Firdous (ACB) was injured after militants fired upon him at Dhobi Mohalla Batamaloo area of Srinagar.
The data available with news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that two soldiers were killed in five gunfights in Valley in February. Army suffered casualties in Charmarg Zainpora encounter of Shopian when a militant Abdul Qayoom and two soldiers identified as Santosh Yadav and Rohit Chavan of 01 Rashtriya Rifles were killed on 19 February.
South Kashmir witnessed 4 gunfights while an encounter broke out in Srinagar as well. The encounters raged in Amshipora, Chermarg Zainapora, and Nowpora Nadigam orchards of Shopian, Rangpura Zakura area of Srinagar outskirts and Nambal Awantipora area of Southern Pulwama district.
There were overall 11 human casualties including 7 militants, a policeman, 2 soldiers, and a civilian. A civilian Shakeel Ahmed Khan son of Abdul Rahim Khan, a resident of Amshipora was killed in Amshipora Shopian encounter. Police said he was killed in the militant firing.
The 7 local militants killed in February included Ishfaq Malik of Bongam Shopian, Ikhlaq Ahmed of Kujar Frisal Kulgam, Adil Nisar Dar of Malangpora Pulwama, Irfan Ahmed Sheikh, Abdul Qayoom Dar of Kakapora, Muzamil Mir of Chatripora Shopian and Shariq Ayoub, a resident of Bonpora Amshipora.
Pertinently, in January 23 persons including 21 militants and 2 policemen were killed in 10 gunfights. The data reveals that 34 persons have lost their lives in the first two months of the current year. They include 28 militants, 3 policemen, 2 soldiers, and a civilian. (KNT)