In what is possibly the biggest achievement for security forces operating in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy broke out there nearly two decades ago, the state has witnessed the biggest drop in the number of militants operating in the Kash-mir Valley. According to highly placed security sources in the state there are barely 300 militants active in the Valley right now.
Till about early 2011 the number of militants operating in Kashmir was estimated at between 350 and 370, sources added. But in the last one year there has been a consistent decline to about 300. “It’s possible the figure may be even less than 300 but we need to ascertain this further,” a senior paramilitary official remarked.
This drop in “active militants” is being viewed as significant considering that during militancy’s peak between 1,800 and 2,000 militants were operating in the Valley, of which 35 per cent was considered to be the foreign component. Interestingly, this time around, even the number of foreign mercenaries has shown a sharp dip. “We can now count the number of foreign militants operating here on our fingertips,” the official added. This is precisely why 2011 was the best tourist season the state witnessed since the eruption of militancy. And even the panchayat elections held last year saw a 78 per cent turnout. The main reason for this, officials argue, is the two-pronged strategy adopted by the security forces. First, the heightened state alert along the LoC and international border meant a sharp drop in infiltration; and second, increased operations meant elimination of active militants.