38 died in border firing in last two years in Jammu and Kashmir

Thirty eight people, including 10 security personnel, have died in border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border during the last two years in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government said on Monday.

In a written reply in the assembly, the government said 28 civilians and 10 security personnel were killed in cross border firing in 2014 and up to September 22, 2015.

"In the year 2014, the number of civilians killed was 14 and during the current year up to September 22, same number of civilians lost their lives in border firing.

"In these incidents, four security force personnel died in the year 2014, while six lost their lives in 2015," the government's reply stated.

It said 162 civilians were injured in 2014 and 2015 while 30 security force personnel were also injured during the same period.

The state government was replying to a question by opposition National Conference's legislator and former minister Mian Altaf Ahmad.

The state government also said 141 people lost their lives in militancy related incidents from 2014 to September 22, 2015.

"Thirty five civilians died in militancy related incidents in 2014, while 47 security force personnel were killed in the same year. In 2015, 20 civilians and 29 security force personnel died in the state in militancy related incidents."

"Nearly 278 people, including 155 security forces and 123 civilians, were injured in such incidents," the government said.

Over Rs.53 lakh were provided as ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of deceased or injured people.

As per divisional commissioners of the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region, Rs.34.43 lakh were paid in Jammu region and Rs.19.32 lakh in Kashmir Valley to the next of kin of victims.

"The remaining cases are under process at various stages," said the government.