Amit Shah Declares Kashmir's Terrorism Threat Nearing End: A New Era for the Valley
Amit Shah's Bold Claims in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi: On Wednesday, Home Minister Amit Shah made a significant announcement in the Rajya Sabha, asserting that the threat of terrorism in Kashmir is 'on the brink of eradication.' He attributed this progress to the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shah presented statistics indicating that the long-standing 'ecosystem of terrorism' has been effectively dismantled. He noted, 'In 2010, there were 2,564 recorded incidents of organized stone-pelting, which was a common occurrence. Today, we have not seen a single incident since 2024.'
He pointed out that the Jamaat-e-Islami had been instrumental in inciting animosity among the youth in Kashmir by exploiting the education system. Additionally, he mentioned that central agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have successfully dismantled the networks financing terrorism.
The home minister also discussed the organized hartals that were previously instigated from across the border with the help of the Hurriyat leadership. 'There used to be 132 days of shutdown each year. In the past three years, we have not witnessed a single hartal,' he stated.
Shah emphasized the significant reduction in casualties among civilians and security personnel: 'Previously, over 6,000 security personnel were injured annually, and more than 112 civilians lost their lives. Now, those numbers have dropped to zero.'
He highlighted that between 2004 and 2014, there were 7,217 incidents of terrorism, while from 2015 to 2025, that figure decreased to 2,150. Civilian fatalities fell from 1,717 to 357, and casualties among security forces were halved from 1,060 to 542.
Shah criticized the Congress party and regional parties like the National Conference and PDP, stating, 'Their entrenched power structure held democracy hostage. There were no tehsil or panchayat elections. Today, over 34,000 elected representatives are actively serving in Jammu and Kashmir.'
He also pointed out significant development achievements, including the construction of the world's highest Chenab Bridge, the Udhampur-Baramulla railway line, and vital infrastructure projects like the Zojila and Banihal tunnels. 'Institutions like IIT, IIM, and AIIMS are no longer just aspirations in Jammu and Kashmir,' he remarked.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Shah recounted how he began to understand the complexities of the Valley after becoming BJP president in 2015. 'During this time, I met with retired General Sinha and stayed at his home for three days, gaining insights into Kashmir's challenges, and I also engaged with over 25 stakeholders to grasp the roots of the unrest.'
He concluded by stating that the 'ghost of unrest' has dissipated from the Valley. 'In the past six months, there has been no local recruitment into terrorist organizations. The remaining terrorists are primarily foreign, mostly from Pakistan,' he asserted.