318 killed in Kashmir in 2017: govt in Parliament

There have been 318 killings in Jammu and Kashmir this year as frequent encounters took place to deal with the increasing cycle of violence.

Security forces got success in killing 203 terrorists — the highest in the last four years. The number of civilians killed in terror-related violence in the same period was also the highest, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

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 December 10, as compared to 150 in calendar year 2016, 108 in 2015, and 110 in 2014.

Talking about the number of civilians killed, Ahir said that 37 of them were killed till December 10 this year, 15 were killed in calendar year 2016, 17 in 2015, and 28 in 2014.

Terror-related incidents also peaked at 335 as compared to 322 in 2016, 208 in 2015, and 222 in 2014.

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.

According to the data provided by the minister, 75 security personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir till December 10 this year, 82 were killed in 2016, 39 in 2015, and 47 in 2014.

"In order to prevent the activities of terrorists, numerous steps have been taken, including strengthening of the operational grid with an enhanced human intelligence and use of technical intelligence grid," he added.

Replying to another question, Ahir said the trend of violence in the states affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) declined since 2014.

"In the current year (till November 30), LWE violence has decreased by 17.4 per cent, from 984 (incidents) to 813, as compared to the corresponding period in 2016," he said.

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 region as the number of insurgency incidents has come down to 276 in the first 11 months of the year," he said.