In a significant year-end press conference held in Jammu, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, RR Swain, unveiled a comprehensive overview of the region’s security landscape, showcasing a remarkable improvement in various key indicators for the year 2023.
According to Swain, the Union Territory witnessed a substantial decline in militant activities and a noteworthy enhancement in overall security. Providing detailed statistics, he highlighted that 154 individuals were apprehended in connection with terrorism and terror funding, underscoring the authorities’ robust measures.
One notable achievement was the ban imposed on two separatist organizations, signaling a proactive stance against elements contributing to unrest. The recruitment of militant cadres experienced a sharp reduction, with only 22 youths enlisted in 2023 compared to 113 in the preceding year.
The impact on civilian casualties was evident, with terror-related incidents resulting in the deaths of 31 individuals in 2022 compared to a reduced figure of 14 in 2023. Swain reported a significant success in neutralizing terrorists, including 55 foreigners, totaling 76 in the year.
The Director General emphasized a historic low in the number of active militants, reaching 31 (27 in Kashmir, 4 in Jammu). Terror-related incidents plummeted from 125 in 2022 to a mere 46 in 2023, a substantial decrease that was further underscored by the absence of organized Hartal calls for the first time.
Remarkably, law and order incidents remained at zero, maintaining the same status from the previous year. In encounters and terror-related incidents, the loss of police personnel also saw a decline, with four casualties recorded in 2023 compared to 14 in 2022.
Swain acknowledged sporadic instances of stone pelting but highlighted a noteworthy achievement in reducing organized incidents to zero in 2023. Engaging in narrative warfare, law enforcement identified 8,000 social media handles, primarily operated from foreign countries, initiating legal actions and property attachment procedures against the individuals involved.
Furthermore, a dedicated campaign against narco-terrorism was underway, resulting in the seizure of cash worth 10.90 crore in 2023. Swain expressed the ongoing commitment to addressing security challenges and ensuring the well-being of the Union Territory. (TRK News)
