Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Dec 30: The year 2024 saw the wiping out of local terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir and predominance of Pakistani terrorists.
According to the official data, the local recruitment dropped to less than 10 in 2024.
“The number of local terrorists operating in Kashmir is now in single digits. Local recruitment has declined since 2021, when 125 youths joined terrorist ranks. In 2022, the number of new recruits taking up arms dropped to 100. Last year, around 22 youths joined terrorist ranks, and this year, seven youth joined terrorist ranks,” the data reveals.
42 Foreign terrorists killed in 2024
“Of 68 terrorists killed this year, 42 were foreigners, while 26 local terrorists were eliminated,” the data states, adding, “In the preceding years i.e. in 2019, 157, in 2020, 221, in 2021, 180, in 2022, 187 and in 2023, 73 terrorists were gunned down by the security forces in different encounters across Jammu and Kashmir.”
Among the 42 foreign terrorists killed this year, 17 were eliminated during infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), while 25 were killed during encounters in the interior areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The foreign terrorists were killed in Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, Rajouri, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts.
North Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded highest number of foreign terrorist casualties, with 14 being shot dead in nine encounters.
30 civilians, 28 SF personnel lost their lives
According to the data this year, 30 civilians lost their lives in terrorist initiated incidents across the Union Territory.
In 2019, 44, in 2020, 38, in 2021, 41, in 2022, 31 and in 2023, 14 civilians were killed in the terrorist initiated incidents and encounters.
This year, according to the data, 28 security forces personnel died in various terror related incidents.
According to the data 80 security force personnel lost their lives in 2019, 63 in 2020, 42 in 2021 and 32 in 2022 and 30 in 2023.
In 2024, 60 terrorism related incidents were reported in Jammu and Kashmir, while in 2019, 153, in 2020, 126, in 2021, 129, in 2022, 251 and in 2023, 46 terrorism related incidents were reported.
Top commanders eliminated
Top terrorist commanders killed this year included Basit Ahmad Dar in Kulgam encounter, Usman Lashkari in Srinagar encounter, Arbaz Mir in Anantnag encounter, and Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Nali) in Kulgam operation.
Terrorists killed in 2024 were from TRF, PAFF (offshoots of Lashkar-e-Taiba), Kashmir Tigers (offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammed), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Timeline
June 9, 2024: Terrorists attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims from Shiv Khori to Katra, causing it to plunge into a gorge. Nine, including seven non-local pilgrims, were killed, and 41 were injured.
June 11/12, 2024: Two foreign terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a gunfight after terrorists attacked a joint checkpost in Kathua district. Five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer were also injured in a terrorist attack in Doda district.
July 6, 2024: Six terrorists were killed in twin encounters in Kulgam’s Modergam and Chinigam villages. Two soldiers also lost their lives during the operations.
July 8, 2024: Five Army soldiers were killed in action and five others injured after terrorists attacked a military convoy in Machedi forest area of Billawar, Kathua district.
July 16, 2024: Four Army soldiers, including a Captain, were killed in an encounter with terrorists in the Koti forests of Doda district.
August 10, 2024: Two Army jawans and a civilian were killed in a fierce gunfight with terrorists in the Ahlan area of Kokernag, Anantnag district. Another civilian was injured in the encounter.
October 20, 2024: Terrorists attacked a workers’ camp near Gagangeer, Sonamarg, killing seven employees, including a Kashmiri doctor, and injuring five others.
October 24, 2024: Terrorists attacked an Army vehicle six kilometers from Gulmarg, killing two soldiers and two porters, and injuring another soldier and porter.
October 29, 2024: Security Forces killed three foreign terrorists in Jammu’s Akhnoor after they made an abortive attempt to attack the forces.
November 7, 2024: Terrorists kidnapped and killed two civilians serving as Village Defence Guards in Kishtwar, Jammu.
December 19, 2024: Five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kadder, Behibagh area of Kulgam district. Two soldiers were also injured.
