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Militant number in Kashmir crosses 300: Report

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Srinagar : The number of listed militants in Kashmir has, for the first time, crossed 300 in nearly past ten years, a media report revealed on Monday.

According to the report  there has been a significant increase in the number of militants.  It cites local recruitment as the main reason behind the spike in militant numbers.

“Last year 126 Valley youths picked up guns- which was the highest number since 2010 and this year over 130 have been inducted into militancy.”  A police officer told The Tribune.

According to an official document  accessed by The Tribune, all 10 districts in the Valley have the presence of militants.

In 2017, government forces had launched Operation All Out against militants and killed over 200 militants and this year over 130 militants have been killed so far.

The report compiled by the J&K Police in early August reveals that 327 militants are active of which 211 are locals and 116 are foreigners. Of the listed militants, 181 are active in the volatile south Kashmir districts, which have been on the edge ever since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in July 2016.

 

In four districts of south Kashmir — Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian, there are 166 local militants. While south is dominated by local militants, the scene is different in north Kashmir districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora which share the Line of Control with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

According to reports, out of 129 militants active in north, 94 are foreigners and 35 are locals.

There are also 17 militants in central Kashmir’s districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal. These districts have at least nine local militants.

Two militant groups Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba continue to remain dominant. While the Lashkar has the highest cadre with nearly 141 militants, Hizb has over 128 listed militants. The Jaish-e-Mohammed has also strengthened its base in Kashmir this year. “Crossing the 300 number is nothing compared to the thousands that joined militancy in the early 1990s,” The Tribune quoted  a police official as sayingl even as another expressed concern over the increasing number, saying that “it is a very serious matter”.

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