Story in numbers: In past three years, Kashmir Valley turned bloodier

As many as 209 militants were killed in 2017, up 65% from 136 in 2016

The Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir announced by the government on May 16, comes after a period of heightened armed violence and killings. “It is important to isolate the forces that bring a bad name to Islam by resorting to mindless violence and terror,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Twitter on May 16.

An analysis of Jammu & Kashmir Police data shows that in the three years since March 2015, when the current government assumed power in the state, armed encounters between militants and security forces have increased by 53 per cent over the preceding three years. Deaths