J&K: 40 civilians killed this year , 72 injured, Center reveals

40 civilians and at least 35 military personnel have lost their lives to terrorist-related violence this year according to the Central Government. The figures were revealed in Tuesday's ongoing Winter Session of Parliament by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

At least 72 civilians have been injured in the same violence, with the number of injured going up to 86 for army and security personnel said Rai. The figures were for reported deaths and injuries up to November 15 this year.

On Monday, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that 1,033 incidents of attacks by terrorists have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years. The highest number of incidents - 594 - were reported in 2019, according to details provided by minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt.

He also said that 196 incidents have taken place till November 15 this year.

Minister Rai assured the Parliament that all steps were being taken to minimise loss of life in J&K while confronting terrorists, including cracking down on those who provide aid to terrorists, night patrolling, better coordination between security agencies and legally moving against those who provide terrorists with funding.

MInister Ajay Bhatt said that the silver lining was that terrorist attacks had come down in recent years as had loss of life by military personnel.

The Indian military has been engaged in skirmishes with suspected LeT militants in Jammu and Kashmir for most of October. Minister Rai also reported that suspected insurgents had ambushed the Assam Rifles convoy along Indo-Myanmar Border in Churachandpur district on 13th November. Seven persons including 5 personnel of Assam Rifles and 2 civilians have laid down their lives, 6 Assam Rifles personnel were also injured in this incident.