Srinagar, April 19: Around 64 percent of militants killed during the past three years survived less than one year after joining militant ranks, officials said.

“The trend from the past three years show only 35 percent of militants survive more than one year,” he said.

In 2020, 203 militants including 166 locals, seven  foreigners were killed by security forces while nine surrendered during the past year.

In 2019, 152 militants, including 120 locals, 32 of Pakistan-origin were killed while in 2018, 215 militants were killed by security forces.

The official said they hope that the militant would decrease this year as infiltration has also come down. “Over the past three months, south Kashmir reported more militancy compared to the north,” he said.

The official said they are working on surrender policy and prevent youth from joining militant ranks.

“The security forces  appeal militants to surrender during encounters and we have succeeded in that. This year, 6 militants have surrendered in encounters,” he said. 

Earlier this month, General in Command (GOC) 15 Chinar Corps Lt. Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey said some parts of south and central Kashmir witnessed a continuous cycle of violence. 

“We are working on a two-way strategy in Kashmir to prevent militant recruitment. We are trying to bust OWG networks who are behind recruiting and radicalising youth through social media platforms.”

Earlier, GOC had also warned those picking up arms that they would be neutralised if they refuse to surrender.