The latest data compiled by the security agencies had shown recruitment of local youths by the terror groups especially by Pakistani based terror outfit Jaish -e-Mohammad. Also, instances of attacks have raised alarmingly.

The data accessed by My Nation show as many as 18 youth have been recruited by terrorist groups in the Ramadan Ceasefire, and most of them were from highly volatile districts like Pulwama, Shopian in South Kashmir. 

The data shows that most youth have joined only Jaish’s terror outfit.

Intelligence agencies, however, said that the rise in recruitment of youth by terror groups is a matter of concern. 

The decision of Ramadan Ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir by the central government on the request of Mehbooba Mufti had done a major damage for security agencies on the ground. The former Chief Minister Mufti had hoped to bring the situation back to normal in South Kashmir, ahead of Assembly and Parliament elections.

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police’s inputs, Jaish’s cadre in the area is getting stronger, especially in Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama.

“ More local youth are willing to join militancy, snatch weapons from security forces and become a terrorist. It is not a healthy situation,” a top army official told My Nation. "There is an increase in the number of terrorists killed after security forces launched 'Operation All Out'. The terror outfits are trying to occupy the space which has been created. At present, there is more support to Jaish -e - Mohammad from Pakistani security establishment, and they want more local to join the terror groups,” he said.

Sources in Pulwama Police told My Nation, “Around twelve Pakistani Jaish terrorists are in Pulwama district, and three of them are improvised explosive device expert.” 

Sources confirmed that the young and educated youths are gravitating towards the dreaded terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed which is seen as more organised and better funded than other groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba or Hizbul Mujahideen.

In the last two years, Jaish-e-Mohammad had executed the deadliest attacks on security bases in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have approached many parents and have requested them to ask their children to surrender on the assurance of a normal life. Many parents of the terrorists have expressed their helplessness.       

The data shows that there has been a steady rise in the number of youth taking up arms in the Kashmir valley since 2016, raising fears in the security establishment that this could be the worst year ever in terms of local recruitment of militants in the valley.