Target killings: 22 killed in Jammu and Kashmir so far this year

- A Lashkar-e-Taiba militant who was killed on April 21 in Malwah village of Baramulla was involved in 3 of the 22 killings.

New delhi date. 07 June 2022, Tuesday

Most of the 20 targeted attacks in Jammu and Kashmir this year have targeted minorities, tourists and security personnel. According to a report, in 14 such cases, security forces have killed or arrested the terrorists or their alleged accomplices who are suspected of being involved in a targeted attack while six cases are still pending. This information has been obtained from the data of the State Police.

The 22 people killed in these 20 targeted attacks include 1 Kashmiri Pandit government employee, 1 member of the Rajput community, 4 tourists and 4 panchayat level leaders. The list also includes 4 police personnel, 1 Army personnel, 2 CRPF personnel, 2 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and 3 local residents.

The highest number of target killings are in Central and South Kashmir

Among those killed in central Kashmir were seven from Budgam and three from Srinagar. The 10 deaths in South Kashmir include 5 in Kulgam, 3 in Pulwama and 1-1 in Anantnag and Shompiya. Two people have been targeted in Baramulla in north Kashmir. 6 unresolved cases include 3 murders in three attacks in the last two days. Among them were Rajni Bali, a female teacher from Jammu, on May 31, Vijay Beniwal, a bank manager from Rajasthan, on June 2, and Dilkhush Kumar, a laborer from Bihar, on June 2.

Jammu and Kashmir police records show that a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant who was killed on April 21 in Malwah village of Baramulla was involved in three of the 22 killings.

New security strategy to prevent targeted killings in Kashmir

The central government has decided to deploy 4,500 Kashmiri Hindus and other minority personnel from the hinterland of Kashmir to the district headquarters and tehsil headquarters to curb targeted killings. About 600 Kashmiri Hindus have been appointed to the post suggested by him out of which 130 are couples. In addition, security forces are being patrolled around the settlements of minorities from across the country who have gone to work in Kashmir. The role of BSF and SSB in counter-terrorism operations is also being enhanced.