The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a substantial transformation in its security dynamics since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, with a significant decline in organized unrest. Instances of orchestrated stone-pelting and hartals, previously fueled by terror sympathizers and external influences, have seen a remarkable reduction to zero in the year 2023. This marks a pivotal moment in the region’s stability, thanks to the effective measures taken by security forces.
Official data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reveals a notable departure from previous years. There were no reported incidents of organized stone-pelting related to terrorism and separatism in 2023, in sharp contrast to the 1221 incidents recorded in 2018. Similarly, organized hartals, which disrupt normal life, have been reduced to absolute zero, down from 52 incidents reported in 2018.
The MHA, in an official statement, affirmed, “Following the abrogation of Article 370, ensuring the safety of the people of Jammu and Kashmir has remained a top priority for the Government. Security measures have been bolstered to sustain peace and stability in J&K. The region has witnessed a significant turnaround, with organized disruptions like bandhs and street violence becoming a thing of the past. Striking improvements have been observed in curtailing stone-pelting and halting hartals.”
The data further indicates a substantial decline in terrorist-initiated incidents, with 44 reported in 2023 compared to 228 in 2018. In the same period, there were 48 encounters, resulting in the neutralization of 75 terrorists, including 55 of foreign origin. Civilian casualties stand at 13, significantly lower than the 55 reported in 2018. Security personnel losses have also seen a notable reduction, with 26 casualties recorded in 2023 compared to 91 in 2018 due to multiple terror attacks.