These are the 4 reasons why Centre says terrorism is down in Kashmir

NEW DELHI: Incidents of terror attacks have decreased in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country in 2017, and four reasons have played a key role, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said on Tuesday.

The factors are demonetisation, NIA investigation, killing of top terrorists and the efforts by Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, it said.

The revelation comes after the year saw a spike in killings of wanted terrorists by security forces in the Valley and concerted efforts to repel infiltration bids at the border. Several top-ranking LeT and JeM terrorists like Abu Dujana, Wasim Shah and Shahid Showkat were gunned down in encounters.

The Centre had also appointed a new interlocutor, former IB chief Dineshwar Sharma to reach out to the separatists and the youth to kickstart a dialogue. After his appointment, Sharma has made at least three visits to the state. However, the Hurriyat Conference and other separatist leaders are yet to join the dialogue process.

“Efforts have been made by Sharma to reach out to different stakeholders. We will work in a coordinated manner to ensure that peace is restored in the valley,” a senior central government official had said, requesting anonymity. Citing a defence analyst, PTI said, “Once the dialogue process concludes, the PM must make a concrete offer to the people of J&K.”.

This year, as many as 318 people, including 203 terrorists and 75 security personnel, were killed in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. In the northeast, 97 people, including 51 insurgents and 12 security personnel, were killed in insurgency-related incidents, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said during Question Hour on Tuesday.

While there have been two attacks each in 2014 and 2015 on defence establishments, six attacks took place in 2016. This year upto December 10, one defence establishment came under attack, he added.