Frequent terror strikes put question mark over govt claims

Frequent terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir have put a question mark over the claims of the government and the security agencies that militants were on run.

The revival of militancy, and especially home grown terror, is making security agencies nervous, locals fearful, separatists excited and early morning headlines ominously gloomy. According to the unofficial figures, there are 400-450 militants active in the state and 70 percent of them are locals.

“Militants currently active in the state have managed to carry out multiple attacks in J&K. Nearly 100 boys have joined militancy since July last year when Burhan Wani was killed and most of them are in south Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Shopian, Anatnag and Pulwama,” sources said and added that in the last three years local militants have outnumbered foreigners.

Here is a list of some of major terror attacks since January 2016:

Pathankot: 2 January 2016

In a pre-dawn attack, a group of heavily-armed terrorists attacked the Air Force base in Pathankot, Punjab. Six terrorists, believed to owe allegiance to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed, were gunned down by the security forces after a four-day gun battle. Seven security personnel also lost their lives.

Pampore: 25 June 2016

In a daring attack militants ambushed CRPF convoy on Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Pampore on city outskirts killing eight paramilitary personnel and injuring more than 20. Two terrorists were also killed in the attack.

Uri: 17 September 2016

In one of the worst causalities suffered by the Army in peacetime operations, 19 troopers were killed and 18 others injured as a group of fidayeen militants stormed a strategic military base in north Kashmir’s Uri. Four terrorists were killed in retaliatory action by the army.

Kupwara: 6 October 2016

Three heavily-armed militants were killed in an encounter that erupted after they attacked an army installation in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district.

Kupwara, 22 November 2016

Three Indian soldiers killed in Pakistan BAT attack in Machhal sector of Kupwara district along the LoC, with body of one decapitated.

Nagrota: 29 November 2016

Seven soldiers, including two officers, and three unidentified fidayeen militants were killed in a fierce gun-battle after terrorists stormed an Army installation in Nagrota on the outskirts of Jammu city. Three terrorists also killed by the BSF along the IB in Samba.

Kupwara: 27 April 2017

Three soldiers, including an officer, and two unidentified fidayeen (suicide) militants killed while five troopers injured, when ultras launched a pre-dawn attack on an army installation in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.