10 yrs after Burhan, how Kashmir's militancy landscape has changed
Ten years after Burhan Wani's emergence, Kashmir's militancy landscape has undergone a significant transformation. There's a sharp decline in active militants, recruitments, and attacks, with the number of militants killed dropping from 266 in 2018 to 10 so far in 2026. The shift in tactics includes militants moving from urban areas to dense forests and adopting anonymity over social media visibility. This change is attributed to the government's crackdown post-2019 abrogation of Article 370, which targeted terror support systems and separatists, and an increased control by Pakistani operatives over the insurgency.
Key Points
- Kashmir's militancy has seen a drastic decline in active militants, recruitments, and attacks over the last decade.
- Militant tactics have shifted from urban operations and social media visibility to anonymity and forest hideouts.
- The government's crackdown post-2019 abrogation of Article 370 significantly impacted the terror support system.
- There is an increasing control of the insurgency by Pakistani operatives, particularly Lashkar-e-Taiba.
- Security forces face new challenges as the insurgency becomes more opaque and harder to penetrate.
Exam Facts
- Burhan Wani emerged on social media on July 1, 2015, and was killed on July 8, 2016.
- Militant killings peaked at 266 in 2018, down to 10 so far in 2026.
- The abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status occurred in 2019.
- Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba are prominent militant groups mentioned.
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