Highest number of Kashmiri youth joined militant groups in 2017: Report
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A recent report released by a security agency shows 2017 as the year of the highest recruitment of youth in various militant groups.
For the first time since the data has been recorded, the numbers have crossed beyond 100.
In 2010 the number of youth joining militancy was 54. It reduced to 23 in 2011, 21 in 2012, 16 in 2013 before rising again to 53 in 2014 and 66 in 2015. Last year's figure showed 88 youth became militants and this year the figure surpassed 100 reaching 117.
The rise in the number of young boys joining militancy is linked to the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group's poster boy Burhan Wani.
Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8, 2016.
While the reports indicate the number of youth joining the militancy this year is as high as 117, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police SP Vaid claims that the numbers are much lesser.
However, contrary to his claims a senior security official has said that the figures of the police are based on the case registered. Citing that many parents do not report the matter to the law enforcing agencies due to fear he indicated that the actual figures are always on the rise.
A security official said that the boys joining the path of militancy are well aware that they are at a risk of being killed.
The youth joining militant groups not only hail from the middle or lower class but are also literate students from well-off families.
Militants like Owais Ahmed Shah from Kokernag in south Kashmir and Eisa Fazil from Soura in Srinagar were brilliant students who joined militancy.
(With input from PTI)