Srinagar: The graph of militancy related violence in Kashmir is showing decline so far this year as compared to year 2020, reveal official figures available with Greater Kashmir.
From January 2021 to September 22 this year, there have been 76 encounters between militants and security forces in Kashmir, reveals official data accessed from Zonal Police Headquaters Kashmir. It said during the 76 encounters, 141 militants have been killed, besides two civilians.
The data says that four militants have also surrendered during the live encounters in different parts of Kashmir.
Official figures revealed that last year till September 22, there were 96 encounters in different parts of Kashmir and as many as 207 militants of different banned militant outfits were killed. However, there was no civilian killings and as many as 12 militants had surrendered during the live encounters.
“It is lowest collateral damage in last three decades,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar told Greater Kashmir. “All the security agencies are carrying out operations in coordination with aim of minimum collateral damage.”
The top cop said that security agencies also foiled many bids of youth who tried to join militant ranks. “With the families they were prevented and where handed over to them after proper counseling,” IGP said.
IGP Kashmir asserted that “top leadership of Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and other militant outfits has been destroyed”, he said, “Their network has been dismantled. It has also had an effect on their recruitment which has witnessed a total decline,” the IGP said.
Senior police officers said that the law-and-order situation in Kashmir has improved and security forces have changed their standard operating procedures, equipment and training to ensure peace. It is pertinent to mention that not a single civilian died in last few years during handling of law and order problems.
“There has been a lot of improvement in the law-and-order situation in Kashmir and that is visible on ground also,” said a senior police officer.
The officer said that they have revised the SoPs for every duty that they undertake and not just the road opening party duty. “We have undergone upgradation in training, including in how to respond to situations we could face which are unique in Kashmir,” the officer said adding that security forces have also been upgraded its weaponry and technology.
“Use of drones and CCTV cameras on National Highway has made a huge difference in the security of the convoys,” he said. “We have installed CCTV cameras, drones and face-recognition cameras. We have modified our vehicles in such a way that in the event of an attack on a convoy or a civilian vehicle, the terrorists will be given a befitting reply,” he said.