According to MHA data, 2020 also brought a fall of 80% in the number of stone-pelting incidents — 93 as compared to 477 in 2019. This is being seen as a fallout of Covid.
The families of three youths killed in an encounter last month reject the police allegation of militancy link. They have demanded the bodies of the slain youths.
According to police data, J&K arrested 25 individuals accused of serving as OGWs to various militant outfits, in 2020 — over double the figure each year between 2015 and 2019.
Police data shows 2020 saw the highest number of youth join militant groups after 2018. Experts say Pakistan's agenda is to project militancy as 'local resistance'.
One of them was son of J&K Police constable, another had 2 family members in police. Encounter took place in Srinagar's HMT area where the suspected militants were holed up, security forces said.
This deficit in weaponry has provoked desperate attempts by Pakistan to find new routes and modes of weapon delivery — like air drops — to militants in Kashmir.
Year 2020 has seen the second highest militant recruitment in the last decade. According to police, outfits are now looking at ‘faceless commanders’ for the next phase of militancy.
Pakistan must reduce non-productive expenditures like defence. The country's political economy has been overdetermined by the imperative of 'national security'.
Aim is to ensure not just disengagement of troops, but overall de-escalation. Govt in favour of solving tensions through talks as it wants peace with all neighbours including China.
Like the car, nothing the party has done to reinvent itself has worked. Only way forward is to offer something looking towards the future, not in image of glorious past.