Terrorism on wane due to decreased recruitment by outfits: Army

Disillusionment of youth towards terror outfits and decreasing number of new recruits by groups indicates terrorism is on wane in Jammu and Kashmir, an army spokesman said here today.

"Although recruitment of potential youth by various terrorist groups is a continuous activity to keep the militancy going, decreasing levels of recruitment is a clear indication of waning terrorism in the state," spokesman of Northern Command Colonel DK Kachari said in a release issued here.

An analysis of recruitment by terror groups was conducted by army in Doda region, which confirmed that with the growing disillusionment of the youth with the terrorists' cause, the rate of recruitment is much below than the casualties suffered by the terrorists.

The study revealed that the terror groups are now finding it very difficult to sustain their cadres, and are therefore resorting to recruitment under coercion, it said.

In Doda district in 2008, 98 terrorists were killed by security forces, whereas 51 youth were recruited by different militant outfits.

However in 2009, 58 terrorists were killed, while only 19 youth joined terrorist groups – mostly by force and fear of reprisal.

Out of these 19 terrorists, 7 have already surrendered or were either rescued or apprehended by the security forces.