115 civilians, 135 forces personnel killed in J-K since 2020: Centre

SRINAGAR — Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that from 2020 to January 2023, 115 civilians and 135 security forces have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister, in a written reply, according to the news agency KNO, said 37 civilians were killed and 61 were injured, while 62 security forces personnel were also killed and 106 injured in 2020.

“Similarly, the year 2021 witnessed 41 civilian killings and 75 injuries while 42 security forces personnel lost their lives and 117 were injured. The year 2022 witnessed 30 civilian casualties and subsequently, 134 were injured while 31 security forces personnel were killed and 87 injured,” he said.

Till January 31, 2023, he said seven civilians were killed and 23 sustained injuries while no casualty or injury was reported from the security forces side. He further said that the government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Various measures have been taken by the government to protect the lives of the civilians in Jammu and Kashmir which include the round-the-clock Nakas at strategic points and group security in the form of static guards and intensified cordon and search operations to effectively deal with the challenges posed by terrorist organizations,” he said.

“Sharing of intelligence inputs on a real-time basis, amongst all security forces, operating in Jammu and Kashmir, day and night area domination, security arrangements through appropriate deployment” has also added to the improved security scenario, he added.

He said the measures include preventive operations involving identifying the strategic supporters of ‘terrorism’ and initiating investigations to expose their mechanisms of aiding and abetting terrorism.

“Identifications of vulnerable spots to prevent terrorist attacks on civilians. Besides, sensitizing men on the ground about the issue and initiation of measures to defeat the machination of terrorists or their mentors,” he added.

He also said CRPF has imparted necessary training to 948 Village Defence Guard members in collaboration with District Police Rajouri from January 1 to January 25 this year.