KL News Network
Srinagar
The last four months of the uprising have witnessed a sharp increase in the number of militants in Kashmir.
Official figures reveal that 179 militants were active before the unrest broke out in July and now the number is between 275 and 300, an increase of over 50%, Tribuneindia reported.
The number of militants has increased despite 44 of them getting killed this year so far.
“Militancy will be the main threat in the coming months and the forces are ready to tackle the situation,” IG, Operations, CRPF, Kashmir, Zulfiqar Hassan told the newspaper.
“The increase in the number of militants has been largely due to the spurt in infiltration and nearly 50 local youth have taken up arms during the unrest.”
The new recruits, the report said, are mostly associated with indigenous militant group Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Toiba, which continue to remain the most dominant outfits in Kashmir.
A senior police officer, the report added, said at present nearly 220 militants were listed with various security agencies in Kashmir. Of them, 115 are locals and the rest foreigners. The rest of the militants are yet to come on the security radar, even as there are inputs about their presence in various districts.
“Those militants who have not been listed have sneaked in recent months and are hiding in forest areas,” the officer said, adding that the increase in number of militants is a cause for concern.
