5200 SF personnel, 22000 militants among 41000 people killed since 1990: J&K govt

SRINAGAR: It is official, more than 41000 people including over 5200 security force men and 22000 militants have died in the last 30 years of insurgency across Jammu and Kashmir.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court,  Principal Secretary of J&K Home Department, Shaleen Kabra said 41866 persons have lost their lives in 71038 incidents throughout the erstwhile state of J&K since 1990. They include 14038 civilians, 5292 personnel of security forces and 22536 militants.

Human rights groups, however, disputed the figures saying more than 70000 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 30 years. 

“Our estimate is that more than 70,000 people have died since 1990. They exclude non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Till 2006, around 55000 people had died in Jammu and Kashmir. Since then it has been 14 years,” said Khurram Parvez, Programme Coordinator, J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS).

Khurram noted that in Baramulla alone around 5000 people had died. “We had conducted a door to door survey in Baramulla. We found that around 5000 people had died in the district. Baramulla was a moderately affected district compared to Kupwara and Srinagar,” he said.

 The human rights defender also pointed out that the militant-security force fatality ratio is 4:1. “Against the 22536 militants, 5292 security forces personnel have died. It is almost 4:1 which is huge considering the insurgencies across the globe,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir government said 108 militancy-related incidents took place in the UT since the abrogation of Article 370.  

Around 99 Incidents were reported from Kashmir Province and nine from Jammu province since August 5. Around 30 civilians lost their lives, while 114 civilians were injured in these incidents. Around 20 security forces personnel were killed and 54 security forces personnel were injured. 76 militants were killed apart from the arrest of 132 terrorists/ suspects.

“It is respectfully submitted that the world is fighting a war against an unprecedented pandemic which everyone hopes will be over sooner than later but unfortunately, the UT of J&K is also on a continuous war with militants,” said Kabra.