SRINAGAR: Since August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has experienced a noticeable decline in encounters, civilian casualties, and improvements in law and order.
Figures accessed by the news agency KNO reveal that till November 15, 2023, there have been 33 casualties, including 13 civilians and 20 security forces personnel. Additionally, there were 44 encounters and 41 incidents during this period.
The data indicates that the decision on August 5, 2019, led to a significant decline in militancy activities in the Valley. This includes a substantial decrease in encounters, civilian casualties, and improvements in law and order.
Comparing the data across the years, there was a significant increase in civilian casualties from 2017 to 2019, marking a 125.5 per cent rise. However, the following year, 2020, witnessed a decrease of 18.55 per cent in total fatalities. Moving to 2021, there was a slight decrease of 17.82 per cent in fatalities compared to the previous year.
The year 2022 continued this trend with a further 24.1 per cent reduction in recorded fatalities. As of November 15th in the current year, there has been a notable decrease of 58.73 per cent in casualties compared to the same period last year. From 2017 to 2019, there was a considerable increase of 64.55 per cent in encounters and a substantial rise of 32.89 per cent in incidents. However, in 2020, both encounters and incidents witnessed a decrease of 33.33 per cent and 26.8 per cent, respectively.
The following year, 2021, showed a 24 per cent increase in encounters but a decrease of 26.14 per cent in incidents initiated by militants. In 2022, there was a substantial decrease of 14.89 per cent in encounters, contrasting with a slight increase of 3.1 per cent in militant-initiated incidents.
As of November 15th in the current year, there has been a noticeable decrease of 59.09 per cent in encounters compared to the same period last year. However, incidents initiated by militants have increased by 2.5 per cent.
In 2017, there were 55 civilian casualties, and 91 security forces personnel lost their lives. The same year recorded 189 encounters and 228 incidents initiated by militants.
“In 2019, there were 124 fatalities, comprising 44 civilians and 80 security forces personnel. Also, the year witnessed 102 encounters and 153 incidents initiated by terrorists,” the data said.
Moreover, in 2020, there were 101 fatalities, involving 38 civilians and 63 security forces personnel. The year also saw 126 incidents initiated by militants and recorded 188 encounters. In 2021, there were 83 recorded fatalities, comprising 41 civilians and 42 security forces personnel. Also, the year saw 100 encounters and 129 incidents initiated by militants.
Likewise, in 2022, there were 63 recorded fatalities, involving 31 civilians and 32 security forces personnel. The same year witnessed 117 gunfights and 125 incidents initiated by militants.
Meanwhile, an official within MHA said that the Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against militancy. “The primary objective is to dismantle the terror ecosystem, with a focus on reinforcing security measures to ensure lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. “The strategies implemented to curb acts of terror in Jammu and Kashmir encompass 24/7 checkpoints at strategic locations, group security in the form of static guards, and intensified Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) to effectively address challenges posed by terrorist organisations,” the official stated.
Furthermore, he said there is a commitment to real-time sharing of intelligence inputs among all security forces operating in Jammu and Kashmir. “Day and night area domination is ensured through appropriate deployment, and preventive operations involve identifying strategic supporters of terrorism, launching investigations to expose their mechanisms, and identifying vulnerable spots to prevent terrorist attacks on civilians,” the official said.
The official further said the importance of sensitizing ground personnel about the issue and implementing measures to counteract the machinations of militants and their supporters.
The official also mentioned the introduction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition system in Jammu and Kashmir. “This system aims to assist the police in tracing and monitoring terrorists, over-ground workers, former terrorists, drug peddlers, and individuals wanted in other criminal activities,” he said. (KNO)
