'Police determined to restore peace in militancy-hit J&K'

Setting its task for the new year, Jammu and Kashmir Police said the mission of the force is to restore complete peace and normalcy in the militancy-hit border state.

Setting its task for the new year, Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said the mission of the force is to restore complete peace and normalcy in the militancy-hit border state.

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"Our mission is to restore complete peace and normalcy in the state so that every member of the society leads a peaceful life, with their rights fully safeguarded," Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda said in a message on New year's eve.

He said militancy continues to be an area of concern and Jammu and Kashmir Police is determined to tackle this menace firmly and in a more professional manner.

"We will continue to create a well protected environment, free from fear and violence, for dignified living of our people," Khoda said.

The state witnessed a drop in militancy-related incidents in 2008 compared to previous years, the police official said.

"Police succeeded in neutralising a number of self-styled militant commanders and other terrorist leaders. Around 350 militants were killed in anti-militancy operations across the state this year," he said.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Police chief said, the number of terror incidents in the state came below four-digit figure to around 700.

"In fact this year witnessed a phenomenal drop of 40 per cent in terrorist incidents compared to last year, which is again an all time high achieved during last 20 years," he said, adding the number of civil casualties came down considerably with minimum collateral damage during operations.

"Consequently, we had lowest number of civilian casualties this year of below 100 for the first time in the entire period of militancy," Khoda said.