14 youths from Kashmir joined militant groups: Govt

Fourteen youths from Kashmir Valley have reportedly joined militant groups this year, the government told Parliament on Wednesday 1.

"Reports received from central agencies indicate that some Kashmiri youth have joined militancy. During the year 2012 only 14 youths of the Valley have reportedly joined terrorist groups," Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

The government, he said, had adopted various counter terrorism methods to neutralise the efforts and capabilities of terrorists and to watch the activities of those supporting such groups.

"The government has also encouraged policies to mainstream the youth and discourage them from joining militancy," he said.

The minister said a total of 67 'successful' infiltration attempts, out of the total 139, have taken place till July this year across the border in Jammu and Kashmir.

Similar 'successful' attempts, during the same period last year, stood at 26. The total infiltration attempts up to July last year were 93, he said.