Sunday, May 1 2005 16:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a major indicator of setback to militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, infiltration has nose-dived to almost zero percent during the last seven months and the number of terrorists in the State is estimated to have dropped by a half to nearly 1,800.

Militant violence in the State has also dropped sharply by 34 percent between January and April 15 this year (2005) compared to that last year even as the killing of terrorists has gone up significantly, official sources said in New Delhi today (May 1, 2005).

Infiltration was down by nearly two-third in 2004, as compared to 2003, they said. Since September last year (2004), infiltration is down to almost zero level, the sources said. The terrorists, however, continue to make desperate bids to infiltrate and a number of such attempts have been foiled.

The success in curbing infiltration is being attributed to the erection of 20 ft high fence along the 750-km Line of Control (LoC) supplemented by the three-tier security net of Army and other forces.

As a result of the drop in infiltration complemented by high rate of killing of militants by security forces, the number of ultras in the State is estimated to have reduced to nearly 1,800 against around 3,400, the strength used to be found at any point of time, the sources said.

Security forces gunned down at least 75 top leaders of various militant outfits in encounters during the last 10 months, the sources said.

Against this, the number of killing of security forces and civilians has decreased.

The number of terrorist incidents have been witnessing a constant decrease. While 3,479 incidents were reported in 2003, the number fell to 2,586 in the next year, showing a reduction of 26 percent, the sources said.

Upto April 15 this year, 489 incidents have been reported as compared to 743 during the same period in the last year, showing a decline of 34 percent, they said.

Commenting on the situation, State Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha said in New Delhi that military cannot provide a solution to the Kashmir problem but it "can be the bedrock for a solution that will have to be worked out in political terms."

He said that the challenge before the present generation of people in India and Pakistan was to work out a solution, which will "satisfy all".

Sinha said that the strategies adopted in tackling the situation have been giving good results.

Besides reduced violence, the other indicators of the improved situation in the State is tourism activity picking up and development gaining momentum, the Governor said.