In 2024, newer districts in Jammu affected by militancy, more civilians targeted | Data

Sharp increase in militancy-related deaths in Jammu region, with civilians disproportionately affected, highest fatalities in two years.

In 2023, four years after the dilution of Article 370 and soon after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, there were sharp spikes in deaths in militancy-related incidents in the relatively peaceful districts of the Jammu region. This continued in the first half of 2024 as well. While in 2023, militancy-related incidents were mostly confined to the Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu, in 2024 they have spread to newer districts such as Doda, Kathua, and Reasi.

There is also another worrying trend this year: the share of civilian deaths in such incidents across Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been disproportionately high — in fact, the highest in about two decades (till July 27). Overall, militancy-related fatalities have also been rising every month this year. The number of militancy-related deaths recorded in July 2024 was the highest for any month in the last two years.

Chart 1 shows the year-wise share of militancy-related civilian deaths in J&K between 2000 and 2024 (till July 27, 2024). This year, the share of civilian deaths in the total number of deaths due to militancy stands at 26%, the highest since 2005.

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Civilians are either caught in the crossfire between militants and the security forces or are being deliberately targeted by terrorists. In the last two years, there has been an increase in the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits and minorities in the Valley. Last year, civilians detained by the Army died following a deadly ambush on their convoy. Civilians were allegedly tortured by the security forces last year too, as per various reports.

Chart 2 shows the absolute number of militant deaths each month in J&K since August 2019.

This year, the number of such fatalities has been increasing — from less than three deaths each in the first three months of the year, it rose to seven deaths each in the next two, and more than 20 deaths each in June and July. In fact, July recorded the highest number of such deaths (26) for any month in the past two years. June recorded the second highest number (21).