SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said the militants killed in attacks on army camps in Uri and Nagrota have not been identified yet and disclosed that 59 youth have joined militancy in Valley after killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
The government also revealed that 150 militants and 81 security men were killed in militancy violence in the State in 2016.
“The militants killed in attacks on army bases in Uri and Nagrota last year have not been identified yet,” Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also holds home portfolio, said in a written reply in Legislative Assembly, which is in session in Jammu, winter capital of the State.
Four militants reportedly belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad had attacked heavily fortified army base in Uri, close to Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir on September 18. At least 19 army men were killed and over two dozen injured in the attack. All the four attackers were also killed in the retaliatory firing.
On November 30, three heavily armed militants stormed an army camp at Nagrota in Jammu killing seven soldiers including two Major-rank officers. All three militants were also killed in the retaliatory firing.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over probe in both the cases.
In response to a question by NC MLA Mubarak Gul about how many locals joined militancy after July 8, Mehbooba in written reply informed the House, “As reported by the CID headquarters, 59 youth have joined militant ranks in Valley after killing of HM commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8”.
“To encourage the misguided youth/militants who undergo change of heart and abjure violence, as also accept the integrity of India and the constitution, to join national mainstream and lead a normal life, the state government on 16-6-1997 notified a “Surrender Policy”. The policy was revised on January 1, 2004 and named “Rehabilitation Policy”,” she said.
According to CM, the incentives offered under the policy include FDR of Rs 1.50 lakh, payment of monetary incentive for surrender of weapons and stipend for a period of three years at the rate of Rs 2000/month from the date of surrender”.
To a query by Congress MLA Vikar Rasool on steps taken by government to remove Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFPSA) as per the promise made in Common Minimum Programme, Mehoboba in written reply said, “The need and desirability of revocation of AFSPA in various areas of the State requires critical review of the security situation and other relevant factors”.
She also informed the house that 81 security personnel including Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB and policemen were killed in militancy violence in the State last year. “150 militants were also killed during the same period.”