New Delhi: Incidents of terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir have registered a 12 per cent decline compared to the same period last year, the Lok Sabha was informed today (July 6, 2004). Up to June 15, 2004, the number of terrorist incidents as reported by the State Government were 1224 against 3401 in entire 2003.

Giving this information to the Lower House of Parliament, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal said that corresponding figures for terrorists killed were 455 and 1,494 respectively. Civilians killed numbered 795 last year against 328 by June 15 this year. But so far five tourists have been killed this year against none last year.

In 2003, Central Paramilitary Forces lost 258 jawans in such terrorist-related violence against 105 this year.

So far 99 terrorists have been arrested this year against 434 in entire 2003.

He said government intends to pursue a dialogue with all groups and with different shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir on a sustained basis, in consultation with the democratically elected State Government.