For the first time in eight years, security forces have killed more than 200 militants in a year, 2017, in Jammu and Kashmir. As per official calculations, the deaths account for more than 50 per cent of the total strength of the militants at the start of the year.
The mass neutralisation of militants is being credited for improvement in the situation of the state, which witnessed an unprecedented separatist uprising last year. More than 100 civilians were killed and hundreds were injured and blinded by pellets.
''Today, by the collective effort of @JmuKmrPolice, Indian Army, @crpfindia, CAPF and people of Kashmir have led to neutralisation of more than 200 terrorists in the year of 2017,'' tweeted Jammu and Kashmir DGP S.P. Vaid.
The DGP's tweet came after five militants were killed in two different encounters in Budgam and Baramulla on Thursday.
“This marks a huge landmark for establishing peace and stability in the state of J&K and our country,” Vaid said in another tweet.
IGP Muneer Khan told THE WEEK that forces have achieved great success this year against militants. "Even today we neutralised this militant Muzamil. He was an A++ category militant,'' Khan said. ''This is the highest number of militants killed in a single year after 2010."
Last year, 165 militants were killed in encounters with security forces across the state, mostly along the Line of Control (LoC) and rural areas, especially in south and north Kashmir.
But there is a downside to the success of the security forces, as the number of civilians killed this year, 54, was recorded as three times higher than last year.
More than 22 civilians were killed in security forces firing when hundreds of people came to aid militants at encounter sites.
This year, the forces also killed six of the 11 listed militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen who had a bounty on their heads.
That includes the longest surviving militant Abdul Qayoom Nagar who was killed on September 27 in Uri in Baramulla.
While much of the ''Operation All Out'' by security forces started in September targeted mostly militants in south Kashmir's Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag, scores of militants were also killed by Army along the LoC in several sectors in Kupwara and Baramulla.
This year also saw the militants trying to infiltrate from Uri and Gurez sectors in north Kashmir. The two sectors are not the preferred routes for infiltration by militants because of heavy deployment of troops.
The security forces also succeeded in neutralising the Lashkar's top command in north Kashmir after they killed five top commanders of the group at Hajin in Bandipore on November 18.
The killing of the five dread commanders dealt a telling blow to the Lashkar's operations in north Kashmir. One IAF commando of Guard force was also killed in the firefight.
''This year we wiped out the Lashkar top command in north Kashmir in Hajin operation,'' Khan said.
Commenting on the killing Lashkar five top commander, Army's 15 Corps commander, Lieutenant General J.S. Sandhu on November 19 said security forces have wiped out the Lashkar command in a single operation.
''The successful operations across Kashmir have led to “remarkable change” on the ground,'' Sandhu said. ''The agitations have been brought under control due to concerted efforts.”
Due to relentless pressure on militants, the space for political activity has improved. As a result, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been able to meet delegations of people across Kashmir after remaining confined to her home and office for better part of tenure as chief minister to date.
