Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a surge in terror assaults and counter-terrorism operations.
New Delhi:
Jammu and Kashmir recorded a decline of over 70 per cent in terror-related actions previously 5 years however civilian killings proceed to stay a significant concern amid a surge in such instances within the area this 12 months, a high bureaucrat within the Home Ministry knowledgeable a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan mentioned the Union territory registered a substantial drop in civilian killings over the previous 5 years, however the determine stands larger this 12 months compared to final 12 months. Besides, a steep decline within the variety of terrorists killed in numerous operations and encounters with safety forces through the given interval has additionally been recorded, sending alarm bells ringing in authorities circles.
The data was offered at a time when Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a marked escalation in terror assaults and counter-terrorism operations, particularly after the meeting elections – the primary in a decade – in September and October.
The ministry mentioned that as many as 50 civilians have been killed in 2019 within the Union territory. While the determine got here all the way down to 14 by the primary week of November this 12 months, it’s almost 3 times greater than what was recorded final 12 months, when 5 civilians have been killed by terrorists.
The Centre additionally mentioned that 73 instances of assaults on civilians have been reported in 2019 however these have been lowered to 10 this 12 months.
According to the Home Ministry, the variety of terror-related incidents registered a pointy decline from 286 in 2019 to solely 40 by the primary week of November this 12 months.
Likewise, 96 situations of terror assaults on safety forces have been reported in 2019. The determine rose to 111 a 12 months later however subsequently declined from then onwards. A complete of 111 instances have been recorded in 2020, 95 in 2021, 65 in 2022, 15 in 2023 and 5 this 12 months.
On the killings of safety personnel, the ministry’s information mentioned 77 instances have been reported in 2019, which was lowered to 58 in 2020, 29 in 2021, 26 in 2022, 11 in 2023 and 7 in 2024.
The ministry additionally offered information on the variety of terrorists killed within the area in numerous operations and encounters.
“In 2019 as many as 142 terrorists have been killed however this 12 months the quantity is round 44. This a reason for fear because it implies that regardless of numerous efforts we aren’t in a position to eradicate them,” a senior officer mentioned, searching for anonymity.
The ministry mentioned that the variety of grenade assaults decreased from 49 in 2019 to 1 this 12 months. Similarly, the variety of infiltration bids by terrorists was lowered from 141 to 3 throughout these 5 years.
Home ministry officers mentioned the security of civilians has been a key focus space of the Narendra Modi authorities. As a part of “Vision @ 2047” (the Centre’s Viksit Bharat plan to make India a developed nation by 2047), the ministry mentioned it seeks to develop a protected, harmonious and affluent India with protected borders, and that this may very well be achieved by robust inner safety, our on-line world, clear prison justice system and affluent borders.
In Jammu & Kashmir, the federal government intends to eradicate terrorist help and terror financing networks, moreover taking authorized motion towards “anti-India components”, the officers mentioned.