The security situation in Jammu Kashmir has not improved post the abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP-led-Government on August 05 last year, NDTV reported.
The Locals joining militancy post the killing of Burhan Wani in July 08, 2016 has not stopped, the report raid, “Locals are still joining the ranks of Militants despite the growing number of encounters, becoming a huge concern for security forces operating in Kashmir,” NDTV reported while quoting Home Ministry officials.
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In the first seven months of this year, 90 locals have joined various militant outfits, out of them, 45 have joined Hizbul Mujahideen, 20 Lashkar-e-Taiba, 14 Jaish-e Mohammad, seven Al Badr, two Ansar Ghazwat ul Hind and one joined ISJK.
NDTV Also reported that earlier, the security forces were informed by the family or neighbours or even social media posts if a young man went missing and joined the Militants, “But now no posts are also going online nor are families coming forward,” said a senior officer in charge of operations.
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In South Kashmir’s Kulgam, 24 Militants have been killed but 23 local young men have joined the Militants. In Shopian, a young man who joined the Militants on August 10 was killed in encounter on August 19, the official said.
“Of the 90 locals who were recruited by various Militant outfits between June and August, we have managed to eliminate 38 and arrest 15. So in real terms, only 37 are still operating,” said Vijay Kumar, the Inspector General of Kashmir.
Home ministry data also shows that 216 locals have also been arrested for providing shelter or abetting terrorists. Officials say the young people are getting alienated faster because of the coronavirus-induced lockdown.