‘2012 most peaceful year since eruption of militancy’
Police data reveals zero incidents of violence in five Valley districts
Srinagar, Dec 27: Steep decline in militancy-related incidents in the Valley continued through 2012, bringing the killings to all time low. Interestingly, five districts of the Valley did not record a single gunfight during this year
As per the official information 2012 has been the most peaceful year since outbreak of armed conflict in the state in 1989. Current year witnessed 45 per cent decline in militancy-related incidents as compared to the last year.
According to the information, the year witnessed killing of 55 militants, 14 civilians, and 25 grenade and other attacks. While as the year 2011 witnessed killing of 34 civilians, 30 Security Forces personnel, and 119 militants. 2010 which was declared most peaceful year vis-a-vis militancy related incidents witnessed killing of 36 civilians, 69 SF personnel and 270 militants. Pertinently, the same year was most volatile year vis-a-vis civilian unrest since last two decades. About 120 persons mostly teenagers were shot dead by Jammu and Kashmir police, paramilitary forces and Army across the length and breadth of the Valley following public unrest that year.
The year 2012 began on a worrying note as suspected militants carried out the first killing of a Panchayat member on February 9 in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. Later four other such people were killed in similar circumstances.
The information obtained from Police Headquarters reveals that 55 militants killed during 2012 mostly belonged to Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfits. Among the slain militants, the information reveals that 36 militants belonged to LeT, 18 to HM and one JeM. The ongoing month has witnessed highest number of militant deaths – 11, reveals the police data.
The data brings to fore that no militant was killed in five districts of the Valley – Srinagar, Bandipora, Budgam, Anantnag and Shopian.
The year also witnessed 14 civilian killings with six among them getting killed in Baramulla. The remaining eight, the data says were killed in Srinagar, Kulgam and Kupwara.
The data further reveals that 43 militants including some over-ground workers of the militants were also arrested in year 2012.
During the year, the data reveals, 25 grenade and other attacks also took place in Kashmir. These attacks left two civilians and three security force personnel dead. 19 civilians and 18 security force personnel were also injured in these attacks.