Jammu Tawi, Aug 21: Following the dilution of Article 370 in August 2019, the Jammu region has seen an increase in terror activities, with certain security indicators, such as terrorist recruitment, showing an upward trend over the past nearly four years, according to official data.
According to the data, the arrest of 231 terrorists and their over-ground workers (OGWs) in the Jammu division during the stepped-up counter-insurgency operations between August 5, 2019 and June 16, 2023 was 71% higher than such arrests recorded between October 27, 2015 and August 4, 2019.
On August 5, 2019, the Central Government weakened Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status, and divided the former state into Union territories of J and K and Ladakh.
According to official data, eight grenade attacks and thirteen improvised explosive device (IED) attacks were recorded in the Jammu region following the repeal of Article 370. From October 27, 2015 to August 4, 2019, four grenade attacks and seven IED attacks were recorded.
IED blast casualties increased by 73% from three in 2015-19 to eleven in 2019-2023.
When comparing the pre- and post-abrogation periods of nearly four years, the incidents of terrorist-initiated stand-off fire and hit-and-run cases increased by 43% from four to seven, while the incidence of terror recruitment increased by 39% from eight to thirteen.
However, there has been a significant decrease in civilian and security force casualties in terror attacks over the last nearly four years. From October 27, 2015 to August 4, 2019, there was a 63% decrease in civilian killings, with seven civilian killings reported after Article 370 was weakened. The number of police and security personnel killed in terrorist attacks has decreased by 13%. According to the data, 29 personnel were killed and 32 others were injured in various attacks following the repeal of Article 370 between October 27, 2015 and August 4, 2019.
It revealed that there has been only one weapon snatching, 19 stone-pelting, and 16 hartal and bandh calls, representing an 80%, 62%, and 42% decrease, respectively, compared to the nearly four-year period prior to the dilution of Article 370.
According to security officials, the majority of terror-related incidents have occurred in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where over 65 terrorists have been killed in various encounters since August 5, 2019.
In an interview with reporters on Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that the Jammu division's “360-degree security mechanism” has been strengthened, and that the security grid is making every effort to eliminate the terrorists' support system.
“Jammu and Kashmir's overall security situation has already improved…”The Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies began focusing on this region (Jammu) and have had success against terrorists,” Sinha said.
“Our administration is determined and committed to taking stringent action against those associated with the terror ecosystem or facilitating terrorist, secessionist activities,” he had said.
