117 Civilians Killed in 657 Terror Attacks in Jammu Kashmir in Five Years: Centre | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A total of 117 civilians were killed in 657 terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir between 2019 and 2023, according to data placed in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The figures, compiled from the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India database, show that 344 civilians were injured during the five-year period, while 158 security personnel were killed and 380 injured in militant attacks in the Union Territory.

According to the data, 157 terror incidents were reported in 2019, in which 32 civilians were killed and 126 injured, while 33 security personnel lost their lives and 129 were injured.

In 2020, the number of incidents declined to 112, with 19 civilians killed and 48 injured, while 32 security personnel were killed and 56 injured.

The number of attacks rose again in 2021, when 164 incidents were recorded. That year 35 civilians were killed and 74 injured, while 43 security personnel were killed and 90 injured.

In 2022, 195 terrorist attacks were reported, the highest in the five-year period. During the year 21 civilians were killed and 79 injured, while 25 security personnel were killed and 88 injured.

The data for 2023 shows 29 incidents, in which 10 civilians were killed and 17 injured, while 25 security personnel were killed and 17 injured.

Responding to the question in Parliament, the Ministry of Home Affairs said “Police” and “Public Order” are state subjects, and the NCRB compiles nationwide statistics based on information provided by states and Union Territories.

The government said it has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to prevent terrorist attacks, focusing on strengthening intelligence gathering, counter-terror operations and security preparedness.

Measures include enhancing the counter-insurgency grid, deploying Central Armed Police Forces, modernising security equipment and conducting capacity-building programmes for police and law-enforcement agencies.

The Centre also said intelligence sharing has been strengthened through the Multi Agency Centre and State Multi Agency Centres, while technical and human intelligence networks have been expanded to improve coordination among security forces, police and intelligence agencies.

Other steps include deployment of drones and satellite surveillance in vulnerable border areas, implementation of the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System with sensors and radars, and construction of strategic infrastructure such as roads, tunnels and border outposts.

Authorities are also using artificial intelligence, big data analytics and facial recognition tools to track terror networks, while monitoring social media and cyberspace to prevent online radicalisation and recruitment.