KASHMIR SEES JUMP IN TERRORIST ENCOUNTERS

KASHMIR: On 5 August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status, or limited autonomy, granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir.

THE GOOD

Blow to Terrorist Organisations:It is believed that the terror network has been dealt a severe blow in the last few months, as its leadership has been taken out in operations. The “domination of the hinterland” by security forces has had a “crippling effect on the terrorist tanzeems (organisations) and, resultantly, their ability to undertake terror incidents was degraded”said a source.

Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), which is believed to have the largest presence in the region, is said to have suffered the highest casualties of more than 50 militants including its commander Riyaz Naikoo. The militant commander was killed in an encounter with security forces in May this year.

Terrorist Incidents Came Down

Terrorist related incidents declined to 120 from 188 during this period.

Number of Terrorists Gunned Down

Between August and December 2019, as many as 25 terrorists were killed, bringing the total number for 2019 to 152. This year, until March end, the total number of terrorists killed was 32, but then came the jump that has taken the total up to 148, as mentioned before.

Local Recruitment Came Down

In terms of recruitment, 

• as many as 219 local residents had joined terror groups in 2018, 

• while the number dropped to 119 in 2019. 

• This year, the figure stood at 74 until 30 June.

Local recruitment is also decreasing and primarily limited to four districts of south Kashmir, giving a serious blow to nefarious designs of Pakistan to indigenise the movement and fuel unrest in the Valley,

IED Blast Attempts were foiled

In addition, six attempts at IED blasts were foiled in the current year, as a result of the proactiveness of intelligence agencies and alertness of troops on the ground.

Synergised conduct of hard intelligence-based counter-terror operations resulted in significant successes in the past one year, they added.

‘BETTER GRIP’

Lt Gen. Satish Dua (retd), former commander of the Army’s 15 Corps, under whose charge Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed, said the forces have a firmer grip on the terror infrastructure now from a security point of view.

THE BAD

Sudden Jump before the 370 Scrapping Anniversary. The Kashmir valley has seen a sudden jump in the number of anniversary with terrorists, ahead of the first anniversary of the scrapping of Article 370 on 5 August. The number just goes to show that terrorism continues to be the main challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, just as it was before the special status of the state was scrapped.

THE UGLY

Official figures show that the terrorist strength in the Kashmir valley is now below 200.

IN TRANSITION

The repeal of Article 370 and 35 A in Jammu and Kashmir was followed by internet shutdowns and restrictions on movement of locals. The political leadership, including chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, was placed under house arrest and slapped with the Public Safety Act. Early this year, the Abdullahs were released but Mufti remains under house arrest and 4G internet connection continues to remain blocked.