News Analysis India

Tag: Sajjad Afghani

  • Kashmir sees spurt in encounters after India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:  Incidents of encounters and militancy-related violence have increased in Kashmir after the February 15 agreement between Indian and Pakistani militaries to strictly observe border ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

    According to statistics, only two encounters had taken place between militants and security forces from January 1 to February 15. However, in over a month since the ceasefire agreement, there have been at least eight encounters in the Valley.

    While only three militants were killed in the two encounters this year before February 15, a total of 16 militants including two top commanders Albadar chief Khwaja Gani and Jaish top commander Sajjad Afghani have been killed in the eight encounters since the border ceasefire pact.  

    The security forces have not lowered their guard in the Valley after the February 15 ceasefire pact, but have increased anti-militancy operations.

    Army’s Northern Command chief Lt Gen Y K Joshi has said the border ceasefire agreement with Pakistan is being strictly adhered to by the Indian Army but it would have no bearing on the counter-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Army has also said the operations against militants would continue. 

    After the border ceasefire pact, militants have carried out two attacks on security forces in Srinagar, killing two police men and two CRPF jawans.

    Besides, the son of a non-Kashmiri dhaba owner was also killed by militants in Srinagar. While only one security man died in militancy violence from January1 to February 15, six security men have been killed in militancy-related violence after the ceasefire pact. 

    Before truce pact

    Two encounters, three militants killed.
    Militants carried out one IED, three grenade attacks.
    One soldier killed in militancy violence.
    After pact

    Eight encounters, 16 militants killed.
    Militants carried out two hit-and-run attacks on security forces.
    Son of non-Kashmiri dhaba owner shot dead in Srinagar.
    Six security personnel killed.

  • JeM commander Sajjad Afghani gunned down in Shopian encounter

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Top Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Sajjad Afghani was gunned down in an ongoing encounter that entered the third day at Shopian in South Kashmir. 

    Fresh firing resumed at the encounter site at Rawalpora on Monday morning. 

    “The militants hiding in the area fired at the troops who retaliated during which the second militant was killed,” a police official said. 

    The security has been tightened to prevent militants from escaping from the area. 

    With Monday’s killing, the death toll in the gunfight has risen to two.

    On Sunday, a local Lashkar militant Jehangir Ahmad was killed. A US-made M4 carbine rifle and 36 armour piercing bullets were recovered from his possession.

    The encounter had started on Saturday evening at Rawalpora village of Shopian during the cordon and search operation launched by the troops.

    The security forces had launched a search operation in the area after receiving inputs that top Lashkar commander Sajjad Afghani and his associates were hiding in the area.