Modi govt’s inability to stem terror violence in Kashmir out in the open

A hundred and two terrorist attacks have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir since Narendra Modi was sworn into power in May 2014, it is now known.

Data compiled by the Congress Party, put together from Indian Army’s press releases and South Asian Terrorism Portal, a website keeping track of militant and insurgent violence in the region, also shows that 253 Indian defense personnel have been martyred in the last 39 months since the current government has been in power, on top of 124 civilians who have lost their lives in the same period.

The numbers come on the back of a deadly terrorist attack on a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near the high security zone at Srinagar Airport around 3:45 AM on Tuesday. All three terrorists and an assistant sub-inspector of police were killed in the following gun battle which is said to have lasted nearly 10 hours. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, according to reports.

In a release, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala notes that there has been a “massive spike” in violence in recent times and laments Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inability to check the terrorist attacks in the country.

The data further punctures current government’s claims of being vigilant in dealing with terrorist activity, as it highlights that more terrorists were gunned down during 2009 and 2010 when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power than in any of previous three years.

At least 109 militants have been killed in the first seven months of 2017, the data notes. In contrast, two hundred and seventy militants were killed in 2010 alone, as per Congress.

The main opposition in Parliament further blasted the current BJP leadership for “studio warfare” and compromising the national security, a former being an apparent reference to polarizing rhetoric being employed by BJP leaders and allies during TV debates.

Stricter policies on national security and curbing of terrorist violence were among the major elections planks of the BJP at the time of 2014 national elections and contributed to it being elected to power.

A list of terror attacks that have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir since the current government came to power in May 2014:

• July 2015 – Gurdaspur attack in Dinanagar police station that killed 10 civilians and 7 security personnel including a Superintendent of Punjab Police.
• August 2015 – Udhampur attack on a BSF convoy, where 2 Jawans were martyred and 10 injured.
• January 2016 – Pathankot attack on the Air Force Base Station which killed 7 Indian Military Personnel and 1 Civilian.
• February 2016 – Pampore attack on an Indian Army parliamentary convoy on the main road linking Srinagar to Jammu, killing 2 soldiers and a civilian.
• June 2016 – Pampore attack on a CRPF convoy where 8 CRPF personnel were killed
• September 2016 – The cowardly attack on the Army base in Uri, in which 20 Indian Army man sacrificed their lives.
• November 2016 – Recent attack in Nagrota and Samba where 7 Army personnel died.
• December , 2016 - Terrorists attack army convoy in Pampore, 3 soldiers killed
• February 13, 2017 - Kulgam encounter: 2 Jawans martyred in South Kashmir
• February 14, 2017 – Hajin Area, Handwara- 4 Jawans including 1 Army Major sacrificed in encounter
• April 26, 2017 – Kupwara – 3 Jawans, including Army Captain martyred in a terror attack on Army Base Camp
• May 1, 2017- Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir) Pak opens fire, violates ceasefire , 2 Jawans martyred, later mutilates bodies of the Jawans
• June 17,2017- 14 die- 6 Policemen and 1 Army Jawan Martyred in attack on Security Personnel in Various Places
• July 10, 2017 – Amarnath Pilgrims attacked , 8 Pilgrims Killed and 18 Injured.
• 3 Oct 2017- Attack on BSF Camp near Srinagar Airport, 1 Jawan Martyred. 2 Injured.