Terror recruitment on rise in Kashmir
Security agencies tell central govt that the numbers signing up for militancy could likely cross 200 before the year ends
NEWDELHI: As many as 164 youths from Jammu and Kashmir have joined terror groups till October 26 this year, security agencies have told the Centre. The count is far higher than previous years and indicates that the approaching winter months could be hot in the Valley this year.
Worse, the numbers signing up for militancy could likely cross 200 before the year ends, the security agencies said. This year’s recruits would be swelling the ranks of 350-400 militants already operating in the Valley.
In contrast in 2015, only 66 youths joined terror groups. The numbers rose slightly in 2016, with an estimated 88 picking up the gun. Last year, the count was estimated to be at least 120.
“Number of locals joining terror groups dropped to an insignificant 3 and 7 respectively in February and March this year, but jumped all of a sudden in June, July and August,” a senior official familiar with the matter said.
In August alone, an estimated 25 youths joined terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, the security agencies said. The count was similar in June and July, with 24 and 25 locals respectively joining the militant ranks.
According to the agencies, the Bahawalpur-based Jaish seems to have drawn the maximum number of recruits. Over 60 locals have joined the Jaish since January 2018.
Most of the youths who have joined the militant ranks come from the restive districts of Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwana.
As many as 50 of the 164 recruits this year are from Pulwama district alone. About 30 youths are from Shopian, the security agencies said.
“There are several reasons why more youths are joining terror groups. The debate over Article 35a, the splintering of the alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party – all this contributed to the growing tension in the state,” said a senior official in the security establishment who did not want to be named.
Article 35A empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and confer on them special rights and privileges, including the right to hold immovable property.
In line with the swelling of the militant ranks, a good number of terrorists have been killed in operations by security forces this year.
The count till October 26 this year is 180. Last year, at least 210 terrorists were gunned down, security agencies said.
“Continuing border encounters show that Pakistan continues with its policy to bleed India. For the people in the valley, a carefully crafted narrative of reconciliation needs to be developed, ” said Avinash Mohanani, former director general of police of Sikkim who headed the Kashmir Desk at the Intelligence Bureau for many years.
To stem the deteriorating political situation in the state, the Centre had suspended counter-terrorism operations during the Ramadan month (mid-May to Mid-June) this year.