- Says 55 foreign terrorists among 76 neutralised
- Hails collaborative efforts of police other security agencies
SRINAGAR, DEC 30: In a year-ender press conference at PHQ Jammu, Director General of Police J&K, RR Swain, expressed satisfaction over the collective efforts of police and security agencies, resulting in an impressive 80% decline in terror recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir in 2023.
DGP Swain highlighted the success, stating that only 22 recruitments occurred during the year.
Emphasizing the commitment to curb terrorist activities, he stated, “J&K Police will try at every level to curb recruitment in terror ranks, besides efforts are on to put an end to the cycle of violence.”
Providing insights into anti-terror operations, DGP Swain revealed that 113 terrorists from different groups were neutralized in 2023. He disclosed that there are 31 identified local terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir, with 27 in the Kashmir zone and 4 in Jammu areas.
Addressing the fight against hardline ideology, DGP Swain announced the banning of two separatist organizations under UAPA—Democratic Freedom Party led by Shabir Shah and Muslim League led by Masarat Alam.
He affirmed, “Our war is not just against gun-wielding youth but also against the ideology pushing J&K youth towards bloodshed and separatism.”
Comparing terrorist activities, DGP Swain noted a decline in local involvement, with foreigners taking the lead. He emphasized that the future fight will be against those infiltrating from outside into Jammu and Kashmir.
Flanked by ADGP Law & Order Vijay Kumar and other top officers, the DGP asserted, “Our war will continue until this ideology is fully wiped out,” outlining a resolute commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region.
The DGP said a total of 76 terrorists, including 55 foreigners, were neutralised, 291 terrorist associates arrested and 201 overground workers booked under the Public Safety Act in Jammu and Kashmir this year, Director General of Police R R Swain said on Saturday.
Swain further said that only 31 local terrorists – an all time low – are left in the Union Territory.
He said 14 civilians were also killed by terrorists in 2023, and there was a decline of 63 per cent in terror-related incidents as compared to the last year, while recruitment of terrorists has also gone down with strike calls and stone-pelting on continuous decline.
Four police personnel, including a DSP and an inspector, lost their lives in terror attacks, Swain told reporters.
The police chief said 89 terrorist modules were busted and 18 terrorist hideouts were unearthed in Jammu and Kashmir while 99 properties worth more than Rs 170 crore, including buildings, land, orchards and commercial establishments, were attached and 68 bank accounts freezed. More than 8,000 fake social media accounts glorifying separatism and terrorism were identified and action taken against them, he added.
