SRINAGAR: The year 2024 saw the wiping out of local militant outfits in Jammu and Kashmir and the predominance of Pakistani militants. The local recruitment dropped to less than 10 in 2024.
“The number of local militants operating in Kashmir is now in single digits. Local recruitment has declined since 2021, when 125 youths joined militant ranks. In 2022, the number of new recruits taking up arms dropped to 100. Last year, around 22 youths joined militant ranks, and this year, seven youth joined militant ranks,” the data reveals.
42 FOREIGN MILITANTS KILLED IN 2024
“Of 68 militants killed this year, 42 were foreigners, while 26 local militants were eliminated,” the data states, adding, “In the preceding years, i.e., in 2019, 157; in 2020, 221; in 2021, 180; in 2022, 187; and in 2023, 73 militants were gunned down by the security forces in different encounters across Jammu and Kashmir.”
Among the 42 foreign militants killed this year, 17 were eliminated during infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), while 25 were killed during encounters in the interior areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The foreign militants were killed in Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, Rajouri, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts.
North Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded the highest number of foreign militant casualties, with 14 being shot dead in nine encounters.
30 CIVILIANS, 28 SF PERSONNEL LOST THEIR LIVES
According to the data this year, 30 civilians lost their lives in militant-initiated incidents across the Union Territory.
In 2019, 44; in 2020, 38; in 2021, 41; in 2022, 31; and in 2023, 14 civilians were killed in militant-initiated incidents and encounters.
This year, according to the data, 28 security forces personnel died in various militant-related incidents.
According to the data, 80 security force personnel lost their lives in 2019, 63 in 2020, 42 in 2021, 32 in 2022, and 30 in 2023.
In 2024, 60 militancy-related incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir, while in 2019, 153; in 2020, 126; in 2021, 129; in 2022, 251; and in 2023, 46 militancy-related incidents were reported.
TOP COMMANDERS ELIMINATED
Top militant commanders killed this year included Basit Ahmad Dar in the Kulgam encounter, Usman Lashkari in the Srinagar encounter, Arbaz Mir in the Anantnag encounter, and Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Nali) in the Kulgam operation.
Militants killed in 2024 were from TRF, PAFF (offshoots of Lashkar-e-Taiba), Kashmir Tigers (offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammed), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
TIMELINE
June 9, 2024: Militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims from Shiv Khori to Katra, causing it to plunge into a gorge. Nine, including seven non-local pilgrims, were killed, and 41 were injured.
June 11/12, 2024: Two foreign militants and a CRPF jawan were killed in a gunfight after militants attacked a joint checkpoint in Kathua district. Five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer were also injured in a militant attack in the Doda district.
July 6, 2024: Six militants were killed in twin encounters in Kulgam’s Modergam and Chinigam villages. Two soldiers also lost their lives during the operations.
July 8, 2024: Five Army soldiers were killed in action, and five others injured after militants attacked a military convoy in the Machedi forest area of the Billawar, Kathua district.
July 16, 2024: Four Army soldiers, including a Captain, were killed in an encounter with militants in the Koti forests of the Doda district.
August 10, 2024: Two Army jawans and a civilian were killed in a fierce gunfight with militants in the Ahlan area of Kokernag, Anantnag district. Another civilian was injured in the encounter.
October 20, 2024: Militants attacked a workers’ camp near Gagangeer, Sonamarg, killing seven employees, including a Kashmiri doctor, and injuring five others.
October 24, 2024: Militants attacked an Army vehicle six kilometres from Gulmarg, killing two soldiers and two porters and injuring another soldier and porter.
October 29, 2024: Security forces killed three foreign militants in Jammu’s Akhnoor after they made an abortive attempt to attack the forces.
November 7, 2024: Militants kidnapped and killed two civilians serving as Village Defence Guards in Kishtwar, Jammu.
December 19, 2024: Five Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Kadder, Behibagh area of Kulgam district. Two soldiers were also injured.
