Youth into militancy: 130 Kashmiri boys joined militant outfits in 2020

As many as 130 youths had joined militant ranks this year so far as against 140 in 2019 in various militant outfits in Jammu and Kashmir. 140 local youth joined militant ranks in 2019 while the number is 130 this year so far. In 2018, over 200 local youth had joined militant ranks in the Union Territory, out of 130 newly recruited militants, security forces have killed 55 and arrested 29 till present.

Youth into Militancy

In 2017, 126 locals had joined militant, in 2016, the official said, 88 Kashmiri youths had joined militancy. The new recruits mostly hailed from the restive south Kashmir region, reports said.

On August 5 last year, Modi led BJP government abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir article 370 and 35A besides divided the region into two union territories. The Center contended these measures were needed to dismantle a system they claimed fostered separatism, radicalization and militancy.

However, more than a year later, the violence continues unabated in Kashmir and since the beginning of 2020, more than 180 militants have been killed. The number of militants killed in 2019 was less than 160.

A senior police officer involved in counter-insurgency operations said that though local militants prove less militarily effective, they help galvanize support for separatism. "Only the limited weapons supply is preventing the resentment in Kashmir from swelling into a mass insurgency. If weapons are available easily, more local youths will join the militancy," he revealed.

Authorities are not allowing large gatherings at funerals of militants, which used to inspire other youth to join militancy. Now only close relatives can attend the last rites of any militant,” the official said.

There are designated burial points in Seeri in Baramulla and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district for militants who have been killed during an encounter in the valley.

Most of the militants, the official said have been killed in south Kashmir. There has also been a decrease in incidences of stone-pelting during encounters between security forces and militants.

“Security agencies have also changed their strategy while starting any search operation. People are not being allowed to come near the encounter site,” said the official.

However Two militants have been killed in a night long encounter between government forces and militants at Chingam village of Frisal area in South Kashmir's Kulgam district.

A senior police officer said that two unidentified militant have been killed while as operation is on in the area.Earlier an official said that a joint team of Police, army's Ist RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint teams of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure internet services have been snapped in district Kulgam.

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