The security forces have killed 800 militants since 2014, of which 249 were slain in 2018, the Centre told the Parliament on Wednesday.
In a written responseto a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the Defence MinistryShripad Naik said 104 militants were killed in 2014, 97 in 2015, 140 in 2016and 210 in 2017.
“The security forces are combating the militantactivities, both along the Line of Control by eliminating the infiltration bidsand in hinterland by carrying out counter-militancy operations and respondingto militancy-initiated incidents,” Naik said.
The Minister said sustained operations conducted by thesecurity forces “have resulted in (the) elimination of (a) large number ofmilitants.”
Replying to a separate question, Naik said firm and decisiveresponse was given by the Army to the ceasefire violations on theIndia-Pakistan border.
In March, April and May, he said 267, 234, 221 cases ofceasefire violations were reported, respectively.
In a response to another question on whether the UnitedStates had approved the sale of armed drones to India, Naik said: “This isa continuous process undertaken through procurement from various indigenous aswell as foreign sources. Highest priority is accorded to optimally equip thearmed forces and keep them in a state of readiness.”Based on threat assessment and security imperatives,the minister said, the government constantly reviews the national securityscenario and take steps to induct appropriate defence equipment to meet thesecurity challenges and operational requirements.