Decline in terror-related violence in J&K: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir had shown significant improvement as terrorist violence parameters of last year were lowest since the upsurge of militancy more than 20 years ago.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir had shown significant improvement as terrorist violence parameters of last year were lowest since the upsurge of militancy more than 20 years ago.

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The year 2012 saw a significant improvement in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

"Our strategy to prevent cross-border infiltration by militants and our intelligence based counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in a decline in the level of terrorist violence by about one-third in 2012 as compared to 2011," Singh said inaugurating a conference of Chief Ministers on internal security here.

The smile on the face of state chief minister Omar Abdullah was quite visible as the Prime Minister made this remark.

In fact, terrorist violence parameters in 2012 have been the lowest since the upsurge in terrorist activities two decades ago, Singh said.

The Prime Minister said Jammu and Kashmir, which is otherwise considered as militancy-hit state, has seen a record number of tourists due to improved security situation.

"The record inflow of tourists and pilgrims during 2012 also points to an improved security situation in the state. The implementation of several infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir is progressing well," he said.
Singh also said the Centre's initiative for

providing skill development training for the youths of Jammu and Kashmir was bearing fruit.

"The Himayat and Udaan schemes which aim at providing additional gainful employment to the youth have also achieved a fair measure of success," he said, adding that all these were "welcome developments".