SRINAGAR: Asserting that security forces have effectively countered militant activities in the state, Jammu and Kashmir government today said there has been an increase of over 110 per cent in militant killings in 2016 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, there has been an increase of 48 per cent in militant arrests while civilian causalties have witnessed a dip of 11 per cent as compared to last year.
The government also said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, who were attacked on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Pampore, didn’t fire to prevent civilian causalties though they(CRPF) were well equipped.
Following assurance in the House yesterday that the government will come up with a statement in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh read a written statement in the Legislative Assembly.
However, the Opposition, including National Conference (NC), Congress and Independent Member Er Abdul Rashid, rejected the statement, stating that the information given was only about one particular incident and not on the whole security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition later staged a walkout from the House.
“The CRPF jawans were coming back after practicing at a firing range. They had weapons with them, but if they had reacted to the attack in a way force retaliate, there were chances of civilian casualties,” he said.
Dr Singh further said the government has already issued guidelines to the security force in the state to operate in way that civilian causalties are minimised.
Appreciating the efforts of the forces, he said, “Pampore attack is an example which shows that security forces are following the guidelines set to minimise civilian causalties.
“We lost eight jawans and 22 others were injured. The attack took place in the market and many civilians were present in the area. They (CRPF) jawans sacrificed their life to save civilians,” he said.
Dr Nirmal said, “due to continuous pressure from security forces, militants are targeting soft targets and crowded places to revive militancy in the state. It needs to be appreciated that security forces are showing professionalism while handling law and order situation, particularly incidents related to stone pelting at encounter sites.”
Meanwhile, he said due to robust security grid, there has been an increase of over 110 per cent in militant killings in 2016 in Jammu and Kashmir. He said there has been an increase of 48 per cent in militant arrest operations while civilian causalties have witnessed a dip of 11 per cent as compared to last year.
However, the opposition rejects the statement by the government, stating that no information was given about the current security situation of the state. The members then wanted a debate on the issue.
However, Speaker Kavinder Gupta didn’t allow any discussion on the issue, following which the opposition staged a walkout. (AGENCIES)
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