Since the abrogation of article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir the ‘agitational terrorism’ such as violent acts and stone pelting has come to a halt.
However, Srinagar has witnessed around 18 encounters between the ultras and security forces since January 2020. Moreover, 20 civilians and unarmed policemen were also killed in terror attacks.
One CID Inspector, one sub inspector on probation and two constables were killed in attacks. Also, the recent series of killing of members of minority community which included chemist Makhan Lal Bindroo, two non-Muslim teachers and two golgappa vendors was witnessed.
Peaceful areas of Allochi Bagh, Rambagh, Hyderpora, Nowgam, Parimpora and Lawaypora on the south-western periphery also witnessed attacks.
On 7 October 2020, Police and security forces claimed to have killed two top wanted terrorists of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT)–Saifullah and Irshad Ahmad Dar of Pulwama in an encounter at Rambagh. On 23 August 2021, police and security forces claimed that The Resistance Front (TRF), chief Abbas Sheikh, and his ‘second in-command’ Saquib Makoor were killed in a lightning strike at Rambagh.
Three youths from Pulwama, Athar Mushtaq, Zubair Ahmad, and Aijaz Maqbool Gai, were killed in an Army operation in a Lawaypora hostel.
The families claimed that the three youths were innocent civilians but the security forces claimed that they launched the operation based on specific information and said that three young men were terrorist associates.
The killing of two well known civilians Altaf Bhat and Dr Muddasar Gul on 15 November 2021 shook everyone. Three terrorists Mehran Yaseen Shalla of Jamalatta Srinagar, Mazoor Ahmad Mir of Babhar Pulwama and Arafat Ahmad Sheikh of Nikloora Pulwama were killed by the Jammu and Kashmir police.
However, two former chief ministers including Mehbooba Mutti and Farooq Abdullah are seeking judicial inquiry in the incident. With Lawaypora and Hyderpora, they are also seeking judicial inquiry in the Rambagh encounter. On 29 November 2021, NC’s three Lok Sabha members from Kashmir–Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Justice (retired) Hasnain Masoodi–staged a protest outside the Parliament.
They are demanding judicial inquiries in the three disputed encounters as well as restoration of J&K’s special status under the redundant Article 370 and 35-A. On 6 December 2021, Mehbooba Mufti, with a team of her party leaders, put up a similar protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging fake encounters and, like the NC, and demanding judicial inquiries into Lawaypora, Hyderpora and Rambagh encounters.
