Maximum Kashmiri youths joined militancy in 2016: Govt

New Delhi,A total of 88 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in 2016, the highest in last six years, the Centre has said, adding that infiltration almost tripled last year as compared to 2015.It, however, said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has “improved to a large extent” in the current year.In written replies to two separate questions in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir shared data about Kashmiri youths taking up arms, infiltration attempts and law and order situation in the valley.The data shows a steady increase in the number of youths taking up arms in the valley from 2014 onwards as compared to ones between 2010 and 2013.According to the data, 88 Kashmiri youths have joined militancy in 2016 which is highest in last six years.In the year 2010, 54 youths joined militancy, in 2011, the number came down to 23. It further dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it said.In 2014, the number shot to 53 and in 2015, it reached 66 before touching the highest mark in six years (88) in 2016, the data said