Kashmir’s home‑grown militant count shrinks to single digits, police report

The Jammu and Kashmir police say the number of home‑grown militants operating in the Valley has fallen to only a few individuals. Inspector General Sujit Kumar warned that a precise count is impossible because suspects move across borders. He identified one local operative who carried out attacks in Anantnag and Kulgam and receives assistance from foreign fighters. Police are tracking these networks but any fixed figure would be exaggerated. The IGP highlighted the case of 22‑year‑old Mohammad Lateef Bhat, who this year killed a police officer and two non‑local workers in separate incidents in South Kashmir. Bhat had no criminal record before disappearing from his home in November of the previous year. Kumar also linked militancy with the illegal drug trade, noting that a large share of narcotics revenue directly funds terrorist activities. He said senior drug kingpins, whether based inside the state or across the border, channel cash through networks of Over Ground Workers under various covers. In its anti‑drug drive, the J&K police have booked more than 1,900 people in 1,651 cases so far this year. Authorities have seized over 1,700 kg of contraband, recovered cash worth about one crore rupees, and frozen 567 bank accounts linked to drug money. Frequent vehicle checks on the national highway are being maintained because past terror incidents have prompted specific security protocols. Explosive devices have been recovered along the route, and the police said the threat level remains high, requiring coordination with other security agencies.

Context

The drop in local militants reflects intensified policing and intelligence work, but the continued link between drugs and terror shows why authorities keep pressure on both fronts. Ongoing highway checks aim to prevent attacks similar to those that have occurred in the past.