Srinagar, Nov 1: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its most peaceful October in 25 years and the calmest month of 2025 so far, according to data from the police, as per a report by ETV Bharat. Only two killings were reported during the month — both terrorists shot dead by security forces while attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district.
“The two terrorists were killed in the Machil sector during an infiltration attempt on the intervening night of October 13 and 14,” a senior police officer said on the condition of anonymity.
The officer added that no civilian or security force casualties were recorded throughout October, making it the most peaceful month of its kind since 2000 — a year when 315 people were killed, including 31 civilians, 37 security personnel, and 246 terrorists.
In contrast, as per the report, October 2024 witnessed 18 deaths across Jammu and Kashmir, including 10 civilians, two security force personnel, and six terrorists. October 2023 saw 15 deaths, while 2022 recorded 16. Between 2000 and 2006, monthly tolls often ran into three digits, before gradually declining into double digits after 2007.
The data cited by the report illustrates a long, uneven decline in violence over the past two decades. In October 2001, for example, 425 people were killed, including 95 civilians and 76 security personnel. In the following years, fatalities declined — 265 in 2002, 231 in 2003, and 145 in 2004. By 2006, the total dropped to 111, and by 2007, it fell to 84.
From 2008 to 2014, the numbers hovered in double digits, showing relative calm compared to the bloodier early 2000s. In October 2010, 28 people were killed, almost all militants; 2011 saw 14 deaths, and the numbers stayed around 11 each in 2012, 2013, and 2014, with civilians largely spared, the report said.
Violence, however, spiked again in the mid-2010s. In October 2015 and 2016, 20 people were killed each year, including several security personnel. October 2017 saw 31 deaths, while in 2018, the toll peaked again at 54 — including 13 civilians, 11 security force personnel, and 30 terrorists.
In the years following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the violence graph fluctuated. October 2019 saw 24 deaths, October 2020 recorded 28, while 2021 registered 41 — the highest in the decade — followed by 16 in 2022 and 15 in 2023.
According to the report, October 2025 stands out as an anomaly for all the right reasons: just two terrorist deaths and zero civilian or security force casualties, marking not only the most peaceful October since 2000 but also the calmest month of this year.
Police data further reveals that 114 people have been killed across Jammu and Kashmir so far in 2025, including 53 civilians, 20 security personnel, 40 terrorists, and one unidentified person. Most incidents of violence this year have been concentrated in south Kashmir’s Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam districts, as well as parts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division.
“The focus has been on eliminating infiltration routes and dismantling residual networks,” a senior police officer said, attributing the decline to sustained counter-insurgency operations and intelligence-led policing.
Month-wise, January and February recorded three killings each, March saw seven, while April was the deadliest with 26 civilian deaths. May recorded the highest overall toll at 43. Since then, violence has steadily declined — June and July each saw four terrorist deaths, August recorded seven killings, and September five.
Experts cited in the report believe that tighter border control, dismantling of hybrid terror modules, and reduced recruitment have contributed significantly to this historic drop in violence, suggesting that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a new phase of stability not seen in over two decades.
