The year 2017 has been no different for the people of Kashmir Valley. The first six months of the year saw violence claiming 164 lives as even on Saturday security forces killed four people in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Two militants and two civilians were killed in the encounter between government forces and militants.

Not a day has passed in the year 2017 when newspapers did not report violence in the Valley. From exchange of fire on Line of Control to the stone pelting incidents in the Valley, the year of 2017 saw violence touching new heights.

In January this year three civilian were killed along with 13 militants. While as in February nine security forces men along with three civilians and eleven militants were killed in encounters between forces and militants. 

The Valley witnessed yet another bloody day on February 12 when four militants were killed in an encounter in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, while two soldiers were also killed.

One civilian was killed in the exchange of fire between the militants and security forces while another civilian died in security forces firing on protesters who were allegedly pelting stones after the operation ended.

March ended with sixteen people losing their lives. Eleven of them were militants while four civilian lost their lives. One Indian army soldier was also killed in the month of March in 2017.

April in 2017 came with nocturnal raids by the government forces on the villagers, mainly in South Kashmir. The by polls for Srinagar constituency was scheduled for 9 April. Eight civilian were killed during the protests against the government on the poll day. Farooq Ahmad Dar was tied to army jeep as a human shield on the same day, which triggered many reactions.

Five Jammu and Kashmir policemen and two J&K Bank officials were killed by militants in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on May 1. Hizbul Mujahideen had claimed the responsibility for the attack.

On May 10, militants allegedly killed Lt Umar Fayaz, who was on his first leave since he was commissioned in the army. According to the data by South Asian terrorism portal (SATP) 17 militants were killed in the month of May, while as ten army personnel were also killed in the same month. Ten civilians were also killed.

While as in the month of May, border areas witnessed a lot of violence as cross LoC shelling pounded many a homes. Besides, an increased infiltration bids were also witnessed during the month.

Two militants and two army personnel were killed in Nowgam sector of the LoC on May20.

On May, 27 security forces killed Hizb Commander Sabzar Ahmad near his native village in Saimoo village of Tral along with his associate Faizan Ahmad Bhat. One civilian was killed in the aftermath of the Sabzar’s killing.

On June 15 militants knocked on the capital city door attacking a police party. One policeman was killed and one was injured. A day later six policemen were killed in Thajwari area of Achabal in South Kashmir.

According to the SATP, forty eight people were killed in June month of 2017. Thirty militants, fifteen security forces personal and three civilian were also killed in the last month.

Guest