Achieved ‘100 per cent success’ in ensuring peace: ADGP Kumar
Says Pak-sponsored online terror a challenge
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police achieved “100 per cent success” in ensuring peace and stability in the Valley in 2022 but Pakistan-sponsored online terrorism is a challenge now, a senior officer said on Saturday.
Over two dozen boys have been brought back to the mainstream and all but two chiefs and top commanders of terror outfits have been neutralised, Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said in a series of tweets.
“There were no hartals, street violence, internet shutdown, funeral processions of terrorists, glamorising of terrorists and stone pelting incidents, especially at encounter sites, and this benefitted all sections of society,” he said.
“On L&O (law and order) front, we have achieved 100% success in peace & stability. From 2897 cases of L&O incidents in 2016 to 26 minor cases in 2022. No civilian lost life in firing while handling L&O problems in last more than 3 years,” the ADGP said.
He said the security forces made major gains on the anti-terrorist operations front this year.
A total of 172 terrorists, including 42 foreigners, were killed in more than 90 operations carried out by the security forces in Kashmir in 2022, a senior police officer said here on Saturday, even as he asserted that there was a 37-per cent decline in the recruitment of youngsters into terror ranks.
“During year 2022, total 93 successful encounters took place in Kashmir in which 172 terrorists including 42 foreign terrorists got neutralised,” Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar wrote on Twitter.
He said 108 of the slain terrorists belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), followed by 35 from Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), 22 from Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), four from Al-Badr and three from Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH).
In a series of tweets, the valley’s top cop also said 26 security forces personnel, including 14 Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) personnel, were killed in terror attacks and encounters in 2022.
“Majority of terrorists involved in these terror crimes have been neutralised,” Kumar said.
He said 29 civilians were killed by terrorists in the valley.
Of the 29 civilian casualties, 21 — six Hindus, including three Kashmiri Pandits, and 15 Muslims — were locals and eight were from other states.
“All terrorists involved in these terror crimes have been neutralised except Basit Dar and Adil Wani who will be neutralised soon,” the ADGP said.
The year saw 100 fresh recruitments into terrorist ranks — a decline of 37 per cent compared to the previous year — Kumar said.
“Maximum (74) joined LeT. Out of total recruitment, 65 terrorists neutralised in encounters, 17 terrorists arrested and 18 terrorists are still active,” he added.
Kumar said the life span of the newly-recruited terrorists has also declined drastically.
“Out of total 65 newly recruited terrorists killed this year, 58 — 89 per cent — were neutralised within the first month of their joining,” the officer said.
Referring to the seizure of arms and ammunition, he said 360 weapons were seized during encounters and busting of terror modules in 2022.
These include 121 AK-series rifles, eight M4 Carbine and 231 pistols. Besides, timely seizures of IEDs, sticky bombs and grenades averted major terror incidents, Kumar informed.
He said two remarkable changes were observed in the society during the year — house owners denying shelter to terrorists and parents not feeling proud when their wards join terror ranks.
“All Chiefs & Top Commanders of terror outfits neutralised except HM’s Chief Farooq Nalli & LeT Commander Reyaz Sethri and both would be neutralised soon,” he added.
Continuous action against terror ecosystems is going on, Kumar said.
The process of identifying and taking cognizance of each threat by registering FIRs, making arrests is going on. Properties were attached in 49 terror-related cases this year, he said.
More than two dozen boys have been brought back to the mainstream with the cooperation of their parents and are living happily with their families, he said.
This year, Kumar noted, also saw the emergence of a new challenge for law enforcement agencies — Pakistan-sponsored online terrorism.
“Pak sponsored online terrorism is a challenge now like spreading fake news/propaganda & targeting journalists/civilians through Pak-based news agency KMS, Telegram channels, and online portal (Kashmirfight). All law enforcement agencies jointly working to counter it,” he said.
The ADGP further said the police are also working to combat the drug menace.
“Total 946 cases registered this year and 1560 persons were arrested. Besides 132 drug peddlers booked under PIT Act (Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act). Huge quantity of contraband seized including 11.8 Kg Brown Sugar, 46 Kgs Heroine & 200 Kgs charas,” he said.
Cyber Police station, Kashmir, received hundreds of complaints regarding online crimes like financial fraud, social media crimes, mobile missing, cyberbullying, sextortion, etc. in 2022, Kumar said.
Timely action recovered Rs 3 crore of the gullible people who were trapped in different financial scams. Approximately 500 mobiles worth lakhs of rupees were also recovered, he said.
A total of 55 FIRs were registered against cyber criminals and 16 were charge-sheeted, he said.
Press Trust of India
