SRINAGAR: Since 2019, a total of 238 militants have been killed during encounters with security forces across three different parts of south Kashmir, data reveals. During the same period, approximately 66 youths joined militant ranks, while security forces arrested 67 militants.
This information was provided by the Jammu & Kashmir Police Department in response to an RTI filed by M M Shujha.
In Anantnag district, the figures reveal that 12 militants were killed in 2019, 18 in 2020, 17 in 2021, 19 in 2022, and 2 in 2023. One militant each was arrested in 2019 and 2020, 3 in 2021, and 2 in 2022. Two youths joined militant groups in 2019, 3 in 2020, 2 in 2021, and 1 in 2022.
Regarding recruitment in the Jammu & Kashmir Police in Anantnag, 81 new recruits were reported in 2019, 21 in 2020, 48 in 2021, 62 in 2022, and 16 in 2023. The number of police personnel retiring in Anantnag during the same period was 32 in 2019, 20 in 2020, 23 in 2021, 41 in 2022, and 41 in 2023.
In Awantipora, the data indicates that 23 militants were killed in 2019, 32 in 2020, and 18 in 2021. During these years, 5 militants were arrested in 2019, 11 in 2020, and 23 in 2021. Additionally, 14 youths joined militancy in 2019, 21 in 2020, and 17 in 2021.
However, in 2023 and so far this year, no militants have been killed or arrested, and no youths have joined militancy in Awantipora.
In Pulwama, 21 militants were killed in 2019, 19 in 2020, 17 in 2021, 24 in 2022, and 1 in 2023. Since 2019, a total of 82 militants have been killed in Pulwama, 68 in Anantnag, and 88 in Awantipora.
A total of 60 militants have been arrested in Awantipora, 7 in Anantnag, while 58 youths joined militancy in Awantipora and 8 in Anantnag, the data reveals.(KNO)
