SRINAGAR, August 07: Sustained counter-terror operations in Kashmir hinterland coupled with the strengthening of the Jammu and Kashmir border grid to prevent Pakistan from pushing in militants, has brought down the current number of active militants in J&K to around 200.
This, according to J&K DGP Dilbag Singh, is the lowest in past many years, when up to 350-400 militants would be holed up in the Valley at any given time Times of India reported.
Till July 31 this year, 150 militants including 120 local and 30 foreign militants, were Killed by the security forces. In fact, of the 80 local militants recruited so far this year, 38 have already been eliminated in counter-operations and 22 arrested. The remaining 20 are still active but the forces are on their trail, said the police chief.
Since 2019, the focus of the police and other security forces has been on dismantling the militants’ support infrastructure. Most top Hurriyat leaders were sent to jail, creating a vacuum in separatist leadership; hundreds of overground workers and stone-pelters taken into custody and made to sign bonds of good behavior before being released; and a massive crackdown on weapon dumps across J&K and arms consignments sent by Pakistan via drones into Samba, Hiranagar in Kathua and Khour or in truck consignments entering from Punjab.
“Apart from creating a shortage of weapons for militants, the seizures have affected local recruitment since the youths are fascinated with the prospect of being armed,” said Singh Times of India reported.
