By Zulfikar Majid
Security analysts say the casualty figures illustrate a central paradox of the insurgency.
“Militant groups projected their campaign as a struggle for Kashmiri Muslims, but a large number of those killed by militant violence were Muslims themselves,” said a Srinagar-based conflict researcher.
Civilian deaths during security operations
While militant violence accounted for a large share of civilian casualties, security forces were also responsible for civilian deaths, particularly during the peak years of counter-insurgency operations in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Government records and reports by human rights organisations have documented cases of civilian deaths during encounters, mistaken identity, alleged excesses and firing on protesters. Some incidents have led to investigations and court proceedings, while others remain contested.
Targeted killings of minorities
At the same time, the insurgency also saw targeted killings of minority communities, particularly members of the Kashmiri Pandits during the early phase of militancy.
According to figures presented by the Government of India in Parliament, around 219 Kashmiri Pandits were killed by militants since 1989.
This story was originally published in deccanherald.com. Read the full story here.
