Violence down, but average deaths of jawans up in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 16 (UNI) Even though the number of militancy-related incidents has come down, for every three militants killed, a security force jawan is sacrificing his life in the Kashmir Valley which is higher as compared to the peak militancy years.

For every five to ten militants eliminated, one security force jawan was sacrificing his life in the previous years, but now, at an average, for every of three militants one jawan is losing his life in the Valley, official records of the last seven months reveal.

However, the number of militancy related incidents, including killing of civilians, has come down in the same period.

Official records said there were 480 incidents related to militancy in the state against more than two thousand in the previous years.

It said nine personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir police, four Special Police Officers (SPO) and 44 personnel from other security agencies were killed from January to end of July this year.

During the same period, 189 militants have also been killed by the security forces and state police in encounters across the Valley.

Records said 68 civilians also lost their lives. However, some of them have died in cross firing.

Meanwhile, 894 political persons belonging to different political parties have been provided Personnel Security Officers (PSO).

However, of them only 375 were provided vehicles, the official records said.

It said 429 these leaders have also been provided accommodation because of the threat perception which is reviewed after every six months by the State Level Security Review Committee.

UNI