Only 31 local terrorists active in J&K, police to take on foreign terrorists in 2024: DGP RR Swain

‘Our top priority to ensure not a single life goes waste; 80 per cent decline in local terrorist recruitment, Against 130 in 2022, only 23 joined terrorism in 2023; 55 foreigners among 76 terrorists were killed in 2023; 31 civilians killed in 2022, 14 in 2023; 4 policemen killed this year; Organised stone pelting, hartals have come to zero’

Jammu, Dec 30  : Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain Saturday said that only 31 local terrorists were operating in the Union Territory while the number of foreign terrorists is more than the locals. The DGP said that in 2024, police will take on foreign terrorists and ensure not a single innocent life goes waste.

Addressing the annual press conference at Jammu, DGP Swain, said that there is a significant improvement in the overall security situation in J&K.

“At present there are only 31 local terrorists operating in J&K. Of the total 31, four are from Jammu region. The figure is at an all time low,” the DGP said. “The number of foreign terrorists is obviously more than the locals. In 2024, we will be taking on foreign terrorists and our top priority will be not a single life of a civilian or a security forces personnel goes waste.”

The DGP said that the local terrorist recruitment is also very low. “In 2022, 130 youth joined terrorism and only 20 joined terrorism in 2023. There is 80 per cent decline in overall terrorist recruitment,” he said. “We believe recruitment leads to a fall-out and hence to a cycle of violence.”

The J&K police chief said that in 2024, police will act as a protective machine. As far as the civilian killings, in 2022, 31 civilians were killed in terrorist initiated incidents and in 2023, only 14 civilians were killed in such incidents. “The frequency of such incidents has decreased considerably,” he said. “Earlier, there used to be such incidents after every three days, which have been reduced to 10 days now.” The DGP said that in 2023, 76 terrorists were killed including 55 foreigners in J&K.

Hartal calls, organised bandh calls and organised stone pelting have come to zero. “A fact remains that a common has stopped to endorse the hartal calls now,” the DGP said. On the killing of security forces in terrorism related incidents, DGP Swain said in 2023, four policemen including a DySP, Inspector and two head constables were killed. “In such incidents, there has been a 71 per cent decline,” he said. “The fight is on and we are ready to face harm at times like any other force in the country.” He said the killing of security forces personnel including police in law and order has been zero in 2023.

2023 saw Mega Events in Kashmir: With overall improvement in the security situation, year 2023 saw prestigious events that include National Conference on Legal Services, G-20 working group meeting on tourism, peaceful Amarnath Yatra with 4.5 lakh yatris visiting the holy cave while Muharaam procession was allowed for the first time in 34 years in which 40,000 people participated. A peaceful rally of Congress under Bharat Jodo Yatra was also recorded in J&K.

Handful of People can’t hijack 1.4 Cr people of J&K: DGP Swain said that a large section of society can’t be allowed to be hijacked by a few criminal elements be that terrorists, separatists or any organisation with criminal mind set. “So, action against them becomes inevitable,” he said. “We have identified 324 people responsible for fomenting trouble. This small number won’t be allowed to hijack 1.4 Cr people of J&K. State Investigation Agency (SIA) and Police tightened their nose on terrorist property and separatist networks after which 99 properties including buildings, land, commercial establishments and shops were attached.

Crackdown on Terror Network: The J&K police chief said that in 2023, 291 terrorist associates were arrested against 373 in 2022. “We are dealing strictly with the repeated offenders,” he said. “201 OGWs were booked under PSA in 2023 of which 171 were in Kashmir and 30 in Jammu.” He said that 89 terror modules were busted of which 78 were in Kashmir and 11 in Jammu. “18 terrorist hideouts were busted—12 in Jammu and 6 in Kashmir,” he said—(KNO)