Srinagar, December 21: Counter-militancy operations in Kashmir have been affected by the suspension of communication services across Jammu and Kashmir post repealing of Article 370, said a report on Saturday. A decrease in the number of counter-militancy operations this year has also resulted in a decline in the number of militants killed. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh also agreed that communication blockade does affect counter-militancy operations. Jammu And Kashmir Under Siege: Security Lockdown, Communication Blackout And UT Status Leave Kashmiris With No Autonomy.

According to data analysed by The Indian Express, a total of 82 counter-militancy operations were carried out by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir so far this year, down from 97 anti-militancy operations conducted in 2018. Last year, 246 militants were killed. In 2019, however, 155 militants have been gunned down in the Valley so far. Nearly 120 of them were killed up to the end of July, before the communication blackout began on August 5 with the announcement of the withdrawal of the state’s special status under Article 370. NSA Ajit Doval on Article 370 Repeal: Majority of Kashmir Supporting Move, 92.5% of J&K Freed of Restrictions.

"Communication does affect anti-militancy operations, so partially, yes, it is that. But this dip is also because of the police’s preoccupation with law and order duties during this period (since August 5, when special status to the erstwhile state under Article 370 was scrapped)," DGP Dilbag Singh was quoted as saying. According to officials quoted in the report, there was a decline in the number of counter-terror operations along the Line of Control (LoC).

"Compared to approximately 30 operations last year along the LoC, this year there was only one operation, in which two militants were killed," a source told the daily. Earlier in September, DGP Singh had said that communication blackout was causing delays in exchange of information between police and informers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2019 09:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).