'Terrorists Will Be In Jail Or Jahannum': BJP Minister Rai Asserts 69 Per Cent Reduction In Terror Attacks Since 2014

On Wednesday (24 July), Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai outlined the government's firm stance on the recent surge in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that active terrorists would either be imprisoned or sent to hell.

In reply to a supplementary question from Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, Rai assured that terrorists would not achieve their goals and that their activities would soon be curtailed.

Rai highlighted that there has been a significant increase in terrorist activity south of the Pir Panjal mountains, which separate Jammu from the Kashmir Valley, as per a report by Hindustan Times.

He reiterated the Narendra Modi government's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and stated that security forces had eliminated 28 terrorists in the region over the past few days.

"Modi government has zero tolerance for terrorism. We will end terrorism. They (terrorists) will be either in jail or jahannum (hell)... I want to assure the house," Rai affirmed.

He also noted a substantial reduction in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, from 7,217 during the UPA's tenure to 2,259 as of July this year.

Rai further criticised the opposition for politicising the issue and mentioned that between 2004 and 2014, 2,829 civilians and security personnel lost their lives due to terrorism, a number that has since decreased by 67 per cent. Additionally, there has been a 69 per cent reduction in terror incidents since 2014.

He highlighted the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir, evidenced by the influx of tourists. In 2023, 2.11 crore tourists visited the region, setting an all-time high. This follows 1.88 crore tourists in 2022, 1.13 crore in 2021, and 34.7 lakh in 2020.