As many as 203 terrorists were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir this year, while 37 civilians were killed in terror-related violence – both figures the highest they’ve been in four years, the Centre informed Parliament on Tuesday, 19 December.
Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that 203 terrorists were killed in the state this year till 10 December, as compared to 150 in calendar year 2016, 108 in 2015 and 110 in 2014.
Talking about the number of civilians killed in terror-related violence in the state, the minister said while 37 of them were killed till 10 December this year, 15 were killed in calendar year 2016, 17 in 2015 and 28 in 2014.
Terror-Related Incidents Also the Highest This Year
Terror-related incidents in the state till 10 December this year were also the highest at 335 as compared to 322 in calendar year 2016, 208 in 2015 and 222 in 2014, he added.
According to the data provided by the minister, while 75 security personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir till 10 December this year, 82 were killed in calendar year 2016, 39 in 2015 and 47 in 2014.
Improvement in North-East and States Affected by Left-Wing Extremism
Replying to another question, Ahir said the trend of violence in the states affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) had shown a decline since 2014.
In the current year (till 30 November), LWE violence has decreased by 17.4 percent, from 984 (incidents) to 813, as compared to the corresponding period in 2016.Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, MoS, Home
Replying to another question about the situation in the north-east, Ahir said the overall security situation in the region had registered a substantial improvement in 2016, in terms of reduction in the numbers of violent incidents and security forces' casualties.
In 2017, there has been a further improvement in the security situation in the (north-east) region as the number of insurgency incidents has come down to 276 in the first 11 months of the year.Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, MoS, Home
The figure was 448 for the corresponding period last year.
"While the states of Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura had no insurgency-related violence, the number of these incidents had come down in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya in 2017 (till 30 November), as compared to the corresponding period of 2016," Ahir added.
The minister, however, said there was an "increase" in the number of violent incidents in Arunachal Pradesh during the period.
Replying to a question on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Ahir said necessary directions were issued from time to time after reviewing the security situation of the state.
In order to prevent the activities of militants, numerous steps have been taken, including strengthening of the operational grid with enhanced human intelligence and use of technical intelligence grid.Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, MoS, Home
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)