28% drop in militancy in Kashmir, claim police

Winds of peace have started blowing in restive Jammu and Kashmir with militancy recording a 28% drop this year, according to Jammu and Kashmir Police.

This is the second year in a row that militancy-related violence has shown a considerable drop, said Kuldeep Khoda, director general of J&K police.  Last year, there was a phenomenal drop of 40%. Around 89 civilians, 85 security force personnel, including 10 policemen and village defence committee members and special police officers, were killed in 2008. Security forces achieved major successes in anti-insurgency operations and around 350 militants were killed last year.

The police said around 370 militants are active in Kashmir and more than 40% of them were foreigners. There were 70 unlisted militants (unidentified but accounted for). Around 600 to 700 militants were operating in J&K.

Despite reduction in militancy, infiltration has seen a sharp rise this year. “There have been some increase in infiltration, but security forces are doing a good job. Fifteen top commanders, including Abu Hamza and Abu Jindiyal, have been killed in recent months,” Khoda said.

According to intelligence reports, around 190 militants tried to enter J&K in the past seven months. Only 84 crossed the border in the corresponding period last year. Security forces have eliminated 60-odd militants, who sneaked in from across the border between January and August.