New Delhi, November 2024 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is currently on an official visit to Delhi, where he met with Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday. The meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes, focused on various issues concerning the region, officials reported.

A picture of the two leaders exchanging greetings was shared on the official X handle of the Vice-President’s office. The caption read: “Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, called on Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar at Vice-President’s Enclave today.”

Abdullah, who arrived in Delhi on Monday evening, is expected to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the coming days, sources said.

Indus Water Treaty: Jammu and Kashmir’s Hydropower Struggles

On Tuesday, Abdullah attended a conference of Power Ministers of States and Union Territories. During his address, he raised concerns about the Indus Water Treaty, which he believes is limiting Jammu and Kashmir’s ability to fully utilize its vast hydropower resources.

The Indus Water Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, restricts Jammu and Kashmir’s power generation capabilities, especially during winter months when power production drops significantly. Abdullah emphasized that this has created serious hardships for local residents. The treaty’s clauses restrict the state to only run-of-the-river projects, preventing large-scale storage-based hydropower projects that could tap into the region’s potential.

“Hydel power is Jammu and Kashmir’s only viable energy source,” Abdullah said. “However, due to the treaty’s limitations, the region is forced to rely on power imports from other states, which adversely impacts its economy.”

Calls for Special Compensation from the Centre

Given these challenges, Abdullah called for special compensation from the Centre to help Jammu and Kashmir unlock its full hydropower potential. He proposed that the government provide viability gap funding and equity assistance to support hydropower projects that could drive economic growth and address the region’s energy needs.

This appeal comes amid growing concerns about Jammu and Kashmir’s development and its ability to harness its natural resources for economic benefit. The Centre’s response to these requests could play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future energy and economic landscape.

The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has seen a significant improvement over the past five years, according to the Union Home Secretary, Govind Mohan, in a recent presentation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs. Despite this progress, militant groups such as Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad continue to pose a serious threat to the region’s stability.

Mohan’s presentation was made against the backdrop of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in August 2019. Since the restructuring, law and order in the region has been under the direct responsibility of the Central Government, with an increasing focus on civilian safety.

Improvement in Civilian Safety

The Home Ministry shared comparative data to highlight the decline in terror-related incidents. In 2019, 50 civilians were killed in terror-related incidents. This figure has dramatically fallen to 14 so far in 2024, a reduction of more than 70%. The number of attacks on civilians also saw a similar decline, from 73 attacks in 2019 to just 10 so far this year.

In 2023, only 5 civilian deaths were reported, marking a near threefold reduction compared to the number of casualties this year. This trend indicates a continued effort from the government and security agencies to improve the safety of local populations.

Security Forces: Fewer Attacks and Casualties

The security situation, particularly in relation to security forces, has also improved. In 2019, there were 96 attacks on security forces, a number that rose to 111 in 2020 but has steadily decreased in subsequent years. By 2024, this figure has fallen to just 5 attacks. Similarly, the number of security personnel casualties has dropped from 77 in 2019 to 7 so far in 2024, showing the effectiveness of counter-terrorism operations and improved security measures.

Terrorist Infiltration Attempts Decline

The number of terrorist infiltration attempts has decreased significantly. From a peak of 141 incidents in 2019, the number has fallen to just 3 so far in 2024, underscoring the success of border security operations. The Home Ministry also reported a decrease in the number of terrorists eliminated, from 142 in 2019 to 44 in 2024. While these numbers reflect a reduction in terrorist activity, the threat remains significant, particularly from groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Vision @ 2047: A Safe and Prosperous Future

Looking ahead, the Home Ministry’s Vision @ 2047 aims to build a safe, prosperous, and harmonious India. This includes efforts to strengthen internal security, cybersecurity, and the criminal justice system. The government has also pledged to eliminate terrorist support networks, dismantle terror financing operations, and take strong legal action against anti-India elements.

The goal is not just to improve security in Jammu and Kashmir but also to ensure prosperous borders that will contribute to overall national development.

Conclusion

While the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved over the past five years, with marked declines in civilian casualties, attacks on security forces, and terrorist infiltration attempts, the threat from militant groups persists. The Central Government remains committed to enhancing security and ensuring the region’s stability while working towards the long-term vision of a safe and prosperous India.

According to recent intelligence inputs, a total of 119 terrorists are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority being foreign nationals, predominantly from Pakistan. The report highlights a significant decline in the number of local recruits in terrorist groups operating in the region.

Of the 119 active terrorists, 79 are reported to be operating north of the Pir Panjal range, with 61 foreigners and 18 locals. In the southern region of the Pir Panjal, 40 terrorists are active, with 34 foreigners and only six locals. The majority of these foreign terrorists are believed to be from Pakistan.

The reduction in local terrorist recruitment has been a noticeable trend over the past few years, and is seen as a positive sign by security agencies. The decline has prompted Pakistan-based terror outfits to intensify efforts to infiltrate foreign militants into Jammu and Kashmir. These foreign militants are reportedly being pushed across the border via various infiltration routes, including the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

Despite this, local recruitment has fallen to its lowest level in years. Intelligence officials attribute this to several factors, including effective counter-insurgency operations and growing public disillusionment with terrorism in the region.

Security Forces Continue Counter-Terrorism Efforts

This year alone, approximately 25 terror-related incidents have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the martyrdom of 24 Army personnel, including an officer. In comparison, in 2023, 27 soldiers lost their lives in 25 terror-related incidents.

However, the efforts of the security forces have led to significant successes in combating terrorism. In 2024, a total of 61 terrorists have been neutralized, including 45 within the hinterland and 16 along the LoC. Among those killed, 21 were identified as Pakistani nationals. In 2023, security forces had eliminated 60 terrorists, with 35 of those killed in the hinterland and 12 being Pakistanis.

The reduction in the frequency of terror activities along the LoC and the drop in local recruitments have been described as positive developments by intelligence sources. These developments are seen as key indicators of the security forces’ growing control over the region, and of the increasing isolation of terrorist outfits.

Terror Attacks in Jammu Region

While the situation in the Kashmir Valley remains the focal point of security operations, the Jammu region has also witnessed several terrorist attacks in 2024. These attacks have targeted security forces in almost every district of the Jammu division. However, multiple counter-terror operations have resulted in the elimination of several terrorists in the region.

The security forces have expressed confidence that with continued vigilance and effective counter-terrorism measures, the overall threat level will continue to decrease in the coming months.