2017 was bloodiest in past decade

Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 23

With all parameters of violence and conflict-related deaths marking a spurt in Jammu and Kashmir, 2017 has emerged as the bloodiest year of the decade, according to official data.

The number of conflict-related deaths in 2017 totalled 333, which was three times higher than the lowest number of 102 deaths recorded in 2012, the calmest year in the region in three decades.

The latest spurt in violence, most of it centred in the Valley is, however, part of the growing reversal of efforts to contain insurgency which is gaining increasing support of locals and is also becoming stronger with a steady flow of local recruits.

According to the data compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its annual report released last week, 2017 witnessed “an increase in incidents of terrorist violence and casualties of civilians as compared to the last year (2016)”.

The 342 incidents of violence in 2017 were, however, also the highest in the state since 2010 when 488 such incidents were recorded. As many as 213 militants were killed last year, the highest since 2010 when 232 militants were killed. The 80 security forces personnel killed last year was the second highest death toll of security forces since 2007 when 110 security personnel were killed. It was, however, two short of the 2016’s death toll. The 40 civilians killed in 2017 was the highest death toll since 2010 when 47 civilians were killed, according to the MHA data.

The ministry also noted that there had been “a spurt in infiltration attempts during 2017 from the Pakistan side”. It said 406 attempts had been recorded in 2017 and 123 militants had infiltrated. The number of attempts is highest since 2010 when 489 attempts were recorded.

The increase in violence has come in the backdrop of south Kashmir emerging as the epicentre of new-age militancy and also the once-formidable Jaish-e-Mohammed, which had remained defunct for several years, making a deadly comeback. Militancy in the state is now nearing completion of its 29th year.

Even as the most violent phases of insurgency are over, it gained ground in recent years in the aftermath of militant commander Burhan Wani’s killing and the subsequent pro-militant demonstrations. The most violent phase in Kashmir lasted from 2000 to 2003 when nearly 6,500 militants and 1,700 security personnel were killed.