KASHMIR’S MILITANCY TREND

Four militants, belonging to a group that claims links with Al-Qaeda, were killed on June 23 in Shopian, Kashmir. It was in keeping with a significant increase in the killings of militants by security forces in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period in the past two years. While the government’s focus has been on foreign fighters, the substantial majority of militants killed have been local Kashmiris. Since 2014, the numbers of young Kashmiri men choosing to join militant groups has been on a steep incline. Under UPA-II, 54 youth became militants in 2010, with the figure dropping to 16 in 2013; in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first term, numbers rose from 66 in 2015 to 196 last year. Is this government’s more muscular approach working?

101

militants killed in Kashmir till May, says official data presented in Parliament. Up from 70 (2018) and 57 (2017) for the same time period

86

civilians killed in 2018, the highest since 2007, says South Asia Terrorism Portal; 21 killed so far this year

95

security personnel killed in 2018, the highest since 2007; 68 killed till June 9, 2019

78

of the militants killed were local Kashmiris; 23 foreigners. Twenty five were from Shopian, 15 from Pulwama

941

terrorists killed during PM Modi’s first term; 752 during UPA-II. 405 security personnel killed; 242 in UPA-II

246

terrorists killed in all of 2018 in Kashmir; 150 (61%) locals. Up from 202 (in 2017) and 155 (in 2016)

196

Kashmiri youth joined militant groups in 2018, up from 126 (in 2017), 88 (in 2016), 66 (in 2015); 45 in 2019, up to May