60 Soldiers Killed in J&K in 2016, Twice As Many as in 2014 & 2015

Both, terrorist attacks and cross-border infiltration attempts have increased sharply, this year.

Indian Army soldiers patrol close to the Line of Control (LOC), during a demonstration for the media. (Photo: Reuters)

60 soldiers of the Indian Army have been killed this year till December 15. The death toll was 32 soldiers in 2014 and 33 soldiers in 2015. There has been an increase on all fronts: deaths in ceasefire violations, counter-infiltration and Pakistan Army’s Border Action Team (BAT) operations on the LoC and even, in counter-terrorist operations.

• 23 soldiers were killed at the LoC this year– a high contrast to the 4 and 5 deaths in 2015 and 2014, respectively.
  
• 37 were killed in counter-terrorist operations, compared to 29 and 27 deaths in 2015 and 2014.
  
• Major casualties were: 19 deaths in Uri and 7 deaths in Nagrota.
  
• Over 100 terrorists have been killed in 2016.
  
• All top formations in the Army in J&K have seen a recent leadership change this year.
  

The Two Big Hits

In a report published by the Indian Express based on their sources within the Indian Army, a quantitative assessment has been made of the increasing conflict in J&K between India and Pakistan in terms of the casualties within the Army, and it’s not good news.

The number of dead soldiers is higher this year due to two major terror incidents — one at Uri and another in Nagrota, where we unfortunately lost a total of 26 men.

Indian Army official 

19 soldiers lost their lives in the Uri attack. India retaliated soon after this with “surgical strikes” across the LoC. Since then ceasefire violations have exponentially with gunfire from both sides. Up until three weeks ago, this became a daily occurrence.

Army jawans carry the body a martyr killed in Uri attacks. (Photo: PTI)

Three soldiers were killed on 17 December when an army convoy was attacked by terrorists in Pulwama, J&K.

Both, terrorist attacks and infiltration bids across the LoC have seen a rise this year. According to sources, over 100 terrorists have been killed in 2016.

The Wheels of the Indian Army are Turning

Our posts on the LoC are better prepared than the Pakistanis. These posts are in much better shape and, despite their best attempts, our casualties have been limited. An active LoC will always have more chances of casualties than a non-active one.

Top Army official from Udhampur

The Indian Army seems to be in the midst of a strange-kind of gearing up, with rapid replacements and retirements changing the face of the ranks in the state. Almost all the top ranks of the Army in J&K have undergone a leadership change this year. For instance, Lt General J S Sandhu replaced Lt Satish Dua at the front of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, responsible for areas north of the Pir Panjal ranges.

The key here is to ensure that no change should hamper the Indian Army’s functioning in J&K in any major way, sources said.

Also See: Pakistan Pays Terrorists Rs 1 Cr to Cross LoC: J&K Aman Forum