43 youth have joined militant ranks since Wani’s killing

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 22

The fears have come true. Since the killing of young Hizb commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 54 youth have gone missing in different parts of Kashmir, of whom at least 43 are confirmed to have joined militant ranks.

This brings to 120 the total number of local active militants, besides 90 foreign militants operating in Kashmir.

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The highest number of missing youth (32) are from the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and the sub-district of Awantipora. These areas have witnessed street protests and clashes ever since Wani’s killing. Kulgam leads with 10 youth missing.

Twentytwo have gone missing from north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts and the sub-districts of Sopore and Handwara. A senior police officer admitted that 43 youth have joined militant ranks during the unrest; “we are investigating about the others”.

 There has also been an increase in rifle snatching incidents in south Kashmir districts; at least 30 weapons have been snatched by militants to replenish their arsenal and arm the recruits.

Interestingly, no youth from Wani’s native town has gone missing. In north Kashmir, of the 22 missing, eight are from the volatile Sopore belt, followed by six from Baramulla. Though Sopore has not witnessed any militant attack during the unrest, Baramulla town witnessed two major strikes, including an attack on an Army convoy.

In central Kashmir, comprising Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam districts, two youth have gone missing.