NEW DELHI: Over 960 militants and 413 security personnel have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the last five years, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said in the Lok Sabha today.
He said security forces were taking proactive action against terrorists, pursuant to the government’s zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. “Due to concerted and synergised efforts of security forces, 963 terrorists have been neutralized in the state of Jammu and Kashmir since 2014 till June 2019. However, during these operations, 413 security forces personnel have also lost their lives,” Reddy said, replying to a written question.
The minister said that nearly 400 militants infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years and 126 of them have been killed by security forces. Reddy said 27 security personnel were killed during the engagements with the infiltrators. Four terrorists have been arrested so far, he said.
“Attempts of infiltration from across the border are mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been affected by terrorist violence, sponsored and supported from across the border,” Reddy said in reply to a written question. There were 143 incidents of infiltration in 2018, 136 in 2017 and the number was 119 in 2016, the minister said.
“Net infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir has reduced by 43 per cent in first half of the year over the corresponding period of 2018,” he added. Reddy said the government of India has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration. This includes multi-tiered deployment along the International Border/Line of Control, border fencing, improved intelligence and operational coordination, equipping security forces with advanced weaponry and taking pro-active action against infiltrators, he said.