Violence on decline, zero stone-pelting incidents, overall scenario peaceful; Tourists visiting Kashmir despite Pahalgam terror attack; only one local youth joined terrorist ranks last year, people rejecting violence; Indian Army maintaining robust deployments across LAC
New Delhi: The annual report of Ministry of Defence for the year 2025-26 has stated that the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains firmly under control with significant decline in violence, scaled-down protests and zero incidents of stone pelting.
The report accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Indian Army’s efforts, coupled with the participation of people in government and Army-run initiatives, have contributed to the improvement in the overall security situation in the Union Territory.
It said the situation within J&K and along the Line of Control (LoC) has changed significantly during Operation Sindoor. However, following Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO)-level talks held on May 10 and 12, 2025, the situation stabilised to a large extent, though “unpredictability continues”.
TOURISM ON RISE
The report said there has also been a rise in tourism in J&K, with 23 million tourists visiting the Union Territory and 4.13 lakh pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Yatra in 2025.
Despite the terror attack in Pahalgam, tourists continued to show faith in the security forces and were returning to Jammu and Kashmir for tourism, it said.
12 PAK TERRORISTS KILLED ALONG LOC
According to the report, six infiltration attempts by terrorists were made along the LoC in 2025, during which 12 Pakistani terrorists were neutralised.
It said the frequency of infiltration attempts along the LoC had declined compared with previous years.
However, the Army assessed that infiltration attempts were becoming more focused towards the International Border (IB) sector, including for the smuggling of narcotics and war-like stores.
LOCAL YOUTH ABANDON PATH OF VIOLENCE
The report said local youth had largely abandoned the path of violence and were benefiting from various government schemes and policies.
“Only one local youth joined the terrorist ranks” during the year, it said, adding that the development “discredits Pakistan’s narrative of home-grown terrorism”.
19 TERRORISTS KILLED IN HINTERLAND
The Union Territory continued to witness a high tempo of counter-terrorism operations in its hinterland, according to the report.
A total of 19 terrorists were neutralised in such operations in 2025, including eight Pakistani terrorists, accounting for about 40 per cent of the total.
The report said the figures indicated the role of Pakistan in what it described as a proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.
The report also recorded a sharp increase in ceasefire violations along the LoC in 2025.
While two ceasefire violations were recorded along the LoC in 2024, the number rose to 163 in 2025.
Of these, 124 violations took place during Operation Sindoor, the report said.
2025 WITNESSED SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN DEPLOYMENT OF CHINA’S PLA
On the situation along the Northern Front, the Ministry of Defence said 2025 witnessed a significant reduction in the deployment of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces opposite the Northern Borders.
It said 10 combined-arms brigade-sized PLA forces remained deployed in areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in traditional training areas.
The Indian Army’s deployment across all sectors along the LAC remained “robust, well-poised and prepared” to deal with any emerging contingency, the report said—(KNO)
