Kashmir Crisis: 13 civilians, 12 soldiers and 20 militants killed in Kashmir’s worst October
In October, two persons were shot at security checkpoints, while 11 others were killed by suspected militants.
October was the worst month in Kashmir so far this year, with 45 lives lost, including 20 militants, 12 security personnel, and 13 civilians.
With 13 civilians killed in October, it becomes the bloodiest month in the past two years and the fourth-deadliest since 2012.
Civilian killings became a major crisis for security agencies
Two people were shot dead at security checkpoints in October, while 11 were killed by suspected militants.
Abdul Rehman Guroo of Galwanteng Chatabal, PDD employee Muhammad Shafi Dar of SD Colony Batamaloo, Bindro Medicate owner Makhan Lal, vendor Virendra Paswan of Bhagalpur Bihar, Sumo Stand President Muhammad Shafi alias Sonu of Shahgund Hajin area of Bandipora, Sapendar Kour of Alochi Bagh, Deepak Chand of Jammu, Parvez Ahmed of Rajkang Larnoo area of Kokarnag, vendor Arvind Kumar of Bihar, carpenter Sageer Ahmed from Saharanpur UP, Raja Reshi Dev, Joginder Reshi Dev from Bihar and Shahid Aijaz from Anantnag were among the civilians killed in the month of October.
The killings prompted migration of non-locals from the Kashmir Valley, with around 10,000 departing in the first two weeks after the shootings.
During the same time period, over 350 migrant families left Kashmir.
October was also deadly for militants
20 militants were slain in October, although the highest number of militants killed this year was 31 in July.
In separate engagements, joint forces killed 20 militants, in Rakhama, Tulran, Dragadh and Feeripora villages of Shopian, Soput Kulgam, Baghat and Bemina Srinagar, Gund Jahangir Bandipora, Khagund Dooru area of Anantnag, Tral and Wahibugh Pulwama and Cherdari area of Baramulla.
Indian Army lost 12 soldiers during its longest search operation
12 Army personnel, including two junior commissioned officers, were slain in one of the biggest search operations in the border regions of Rajouri and Poonch, where authorities said an under-trial militant named Zia Mustafa was killed in militant shooting.
While October was the most violent month since August 5, 2019, J&K Police chief Dilbag Singh stated the situation is normalizing following a surge.
Stating that the situation was improving, he assured on Sunday, “People want to see peace and prosperity, and they don’t want to see bloodshed. There were just a few instances of violence.”
