New Delhi [India], March 13: As of Thursday, government sources revealed that there are 76 active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, including 59 foreign militants from groups such as Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
This marks a significant reduction in the number of active terrorists compared to the same period in 2024, when 91 terrorists were reported to be active in the region.
Out of the 76 active terrorists, 17 are local militants operating within Jammu and Kashmir, which has long been a hotspot for militancy fueled by Pakistan-based terror groups, cross-border infiltration, and radicalization efforts. Among the 59 foreign terrorists, three are from Hizbul Mujahideen, 21 from Jaish-e-Mohammed, and 35 from Lashkar-e-Taiba. Of the 17 local terrorists, three are active in Jammu, while 14 are operating in the Kashmir Valley.
The number of active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has been steadily declining over recent years. In 2024, there were 91 active terrorists, with 61 foreign and 30 local militants. In comparison, in 2022, 135 terrorists were active in the region, with 85 foreign and 50 local terrorists. This indicates a nearly 48.35% decrease in the number of active terrorists in 2023.
Sources informed ANI that the majority of the active terrorists belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a proscribed terrorist organization. The decline in active terrorist numbers is attributed to intensified counter-terrorism operations aimed at tracking and neutralizing militants in the region.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating terrorism and restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with intelligence agencies working to dismantle terrorist networks operating in the region.
Pakistan-based groups such as JeM and LeT have been responsible for several major attacks in India, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2016 Uri attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. These groups receive logistical support from across the border, using infiltration routes along the Line of Control (LoC).
Hizbul Mujahideen, traditionally focused on recruiting local militants, has seen a decline in recruitment efforts in recent years due to intensified security operations. Radicalization through social media had been a significant factor in the rise of “homegrown” militants in Kashmir, but targeted operations have led to a reduction in recruitment.
In 2023, a total of 72 terrorists were neutralized, with 22 being local militants and 50 foreign terrorists. In 2022, 187 terrorists were neutralized, comprising 130 local militants and 57 foreign terrorists.
While militancy-related violence and local recruitment have decreased in the Kashmir Valley, there are indications that militants may have shifted their focus to Jammu, a region that had previously been largely free of militancy before the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.