Representational Image

REGIONAL

In 2022, Kashmir saw 37 per cent decline in militant recruitment compared to last year: Police

By News Desk

December 31, 2022

The Jammu Kashmir Police on Saturday said that militant recruitments in the Kashmir valley have shown a 37 percent decline compared to last year.

He further claimed that “nobody was sheltering militants” and “parents want their wards to join Police not militants”.

“This year, 100 fresh recruitments into terrorist ranks were reported showing a decline of 37% compared to last year. A maximum (74) joined LeT. Out of total recruitment, 65 terrorists neutralized in encounters, 17 terrorists arrested and 18 terrorists are still active,” said the ADGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, in a tweet.

He said 93 successful encounters took place in Kashmir in which 172 militants including 42 foreigners were killed. “Maximum terrorists neutralized from LeT/TRF(108) outfit followed by JeM (35), HM (22), Al-Badr (4) and AGuH(3) outfits,” he added.

In the tweet, he said that the life span of newly recruited militants declined drastically, this year. “Out of total 65 newly recruited terrorists killed this year, 58 (89%) were neutralized within the first month of their joining,” he added.

The ADGP said that huge quantities of weapons were recovered this year. “…360 weapons that included 121 AK series rifles, 08 M4 Carbine & 231 pistols. Besides, timely seizure of IEDs, Sticky Bombs and Grenades averted major terror incidents,” he said, in a series of tweets.

On civilian killings, he said 29 civilians were killed by militants, including 21 local residents (three Kashmiri Pandits, & 15 Muslims) and eight from other states. “All those involved in these crimes have been neutralized except Basit Dar & Adil Wani who will be neutralised soon,” he said.

The ADGP said that 26 security forces personnel were killed in 2022- 14 cops of Jammu and Kashmir Police. “During the year, total 26 Security Forces personnel including 14 JKP personnel attained martyrdom during terror attacks/encounters. Majority of terrorists involved in these terror crimes have been neutralized,” he said.

Kumar said that they have observed two “remarkable changes” in the society. “House owners started denying shelter to militants and Parents don’t feel proud if their wards join militants. Rather they appeal them to return, curse militants openly & work with JKP for the return of their wards,” said the ADGP.