The Government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir. There has been substantial decline in terrorist attacks from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021. 14 persons belonging to minorities including 3 Kashmiri   Pandits   have  been  killed  in   Union  Territory  of  Jammu  and Kashmir since January, 2022 till 30^th November, 2022. There were certain media reports of Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti highlighting their security concerns. Various measures have been taken by the Government to protect the lives of minorities which include: -

1. Group security in the form of static guards;
2. Day and night area domination;
3. Round the clock Nakas at strategic points;
4. Patrolling and speculative Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs);
5. Security arrangements through appropriate deployment. Inter-alia a robust security and intelligence grid is in place in Jammu and Kashmir to thwart any attempt at the hands of the terrorists.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.

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NW/RK/AY/61