Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, has reaffirmed the Indian government's unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Responding to a question raised in Parliament, Rai stated that terrorists have only two destinations: "either hell or jail," emphasizing the government's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
Rai provided statistics highlighting the government's progress in combating terrorism in the region. Since the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to J&K, 900 terrorists have been neutralized, with 28 killed in recent days. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by security forces, noting that the number of soldiers killed during this period was comparatively lower but still regrettable.
The minister presented data showing a significant decline in terrorism-related incidents and casualties. From 2004 to 2014, J&K witnessed 7,217 terror-related incidents, resulting in 2,829 deaths among security forces and civilians. This number dropped to 2,259 incidents and 941 deaths between 2014 and 2024, representing a reduction of 67% in incidents and 80% in casualties.
Rai emphasized that J&K is experiencing a "new dawn of development," citing increased job opportunities, improved educational facilities, and enhanced infrastructure. He highlighted the region's improved security situation, stating that both residents and tourists are safe, as evidenced by the influx of crores of tourists last year.
