Militancy Waning: Militant Number Reduces To 180, Locals 86 Only, Says IGP
Srinagar, Dec 30: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Thursday said the number of active militants in the valley has come down to less than 200 and the number of local militants for the first time is below 100.
Giving the overall view of the security situation in Kashmir, IGP Kumar said this is for the first time that the total number of militants has come down below 200 across Kashmir.
“It is also for the first time in the history that the number of local terrorists is below 100 – at 85 or 86,” he said asserting that increase in encounters does not mean increase in militancy. This is proactive action by the forces,” Kumar told reporters in south Kashmir during a joint briefing on the two encounters that left six Jaish-e-Mohammad militants dead.
IGP said this year till now, 128 locals have joined militant ranks.
“ Out of which 73 have been killed in encounters and 16 have been arrested. Around 39 are active. This shows that the terrorists who join are either killed in encounters or are arrested and we get inputs from society and civilians,” he said.
The General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps Lt Gen D P Pandey said said majority of the operations conducted this year have been based on human intelligence.
“I think we have been able to breach that mark of 200 this year, the numbers have come down to 180 which is something very different. We still have about two days to go. Let’s hope the numbers are further brought down,” Lt Gen Pandey said.
He said there is a very interesting trend which is coming to light that the youth aged beyond 20, 21 years are not joining the ranks.
“Having found it difficult to recruit from this rank, they have started recruiting young boys who are in the age of 15-16 years. The second trend which is coming out is that they are no more proud of themselves for picking up weapons, so they are not declaring the names. Whosoever is joining, he is trying to hide his identity. It was very clear and evident in a recent operation which came into spotlight for various reasons that all the family members belonging to that OGW network or the local terrorist came out in the open and claimed innocence. So today, I feel that the society is not wanting to accept OGW and terrorists into their houses or in the proximity,” the Corps Commander said.
He said local militants are now refusing to carry out the operations.
“What is also happening that the local terrorists are now refusing to carry out the operations. That is another challenge that they are facing, and therefore, Pakistani terrorists are now coming to the fore to lead operations. As they will emerge from the heights, from the cover, and they will carry out operations, they will get neutralized,” Lt Gen Pandey said.
He said the situation on the Line of Control is absolutely fine while the ceasefire is holding and the people have gone about their routine activities.
“..But, the launch pads continue to be filled. There are inputs of attempts to take place in the winters as well. But, I can assure you that we are fully ready for any such eventuality to ensure that no infiltration takes place. If any does take place, we will be neutralizing them the way the operations are being conducted in the hinterland,” he said.
Lt Gen Pandey said infiltration numbers are far more lesser compared to previous years
