January to March 2024:

• 1. Security Measures:
• – J&K saw a surge in counterterrorism operations. Several militant groups were banned, and their key operatives were either killed or arrested.
• – A significant crackdown on militant networks, including those involved in high-profile attacks, was reported. This included the arrest of militants responsible for attacking civilians and security personnel.
• – The Army and security forces continued search operations in border regions to counter infiltration attempts from Pakistan, which resulted in multiple encounters.
• 2. Development Initiatives:
• – Electrification and Transport: Several remote areas in the region were electrified for the first time. The region also celebrated the launch of J&K’s first electric train, boosting local connectivity.
• – PM Modi’s Announcements: During a visit to J&K, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated several development projects, focusing on improving local industries, agriculture, and tourism to boost employment in the region.
• 3. Political Landscape:
• – PDP Gains: Former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig rejoined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), signaling political repositioning ahead of the long-awaited Assembly elections.
• – Election Criticism: The continued delay of Assembly elections led to public criticism. Panchayat polls were expected to be held after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
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• 4. Judicial and Legal Changes:
• – The judiciary in J&K was strengthened with an increase in the cadre strength of judges to handle pending cases.
• – The introduction of an OBC (Other Backward Classes) quota opened new avenues for reservations in the region.
• – In a significant legal case, the J&K High Court ordered compensation for an individual detained unlawfully under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
• 5. Cross-Border Tensions:
• – Tensions remained high along the Line of Control (LoC) with regular ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces. These violations were met with heavy retaliation by Indian forces.
• – Multiple infiltration attempts were foiled by the security forces, highlighting the continuing threat from across the border.
• 6. Public Discourse and UCC Debate:
• – The debate over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) became contentious in J&K. Political leaders and civil society criticized the involvement of the Army in discussions related to UCC, considering it outside the military’s mandate.
• April to July 2024:
• 1. April 2024:
• – A prominent militant, involved in orchestrating multiple attacks in the region, was identified, leading to a series of counterterror operations.
• – Militants targeted migrant workers in Anantnag, killing two and wounding others, raising concerns about the safety of non-locals in J&K.
• 2. May 2024:
• – The Supreme Court rejected pleas to review its decision regarding the revocation of Article 370, which had revoked J&K’s special status in 2019. This remained a highly sensitive issue.
• – Multiple infiltrations and cross-border firing incidents continued, with several militants being killed in encounters.
• 3. June 2024:
• – A terror attack on pilgrims stirred tensions. The attack was widely condemned, and security for religious gatherings was ramped up.
• – PM Modi’s Statehood Promise: Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that full statehood for J&K would be restored soon, addressing long-standing demands of political leaders in the region.
• – Preparations for holding long-overdue Assembly elections intensified.
• 4. July 2024:
• – Militants continued to target security personnel and civilians in isolated attacks.
• – The central government expanded the powers of the J&K Lieutenant Governor, giving him more authority in handling administrative and security-related matters.
• – Jamaat-e-Islami expressed its intent to contest the upcoming elections, further expanding the political dynamic in the region.
• August to September 2024:
• 1. Land and Refugee Rights:
• – In a significant development, Pakistani refugees living in J&K were granted land ownership rights for the first time. This move stirred political debates, with some parties welcoming the decision, while others expressed concern over its impact on local demographics.
• 2. Election Preparations:
• – The Election Commission of India conducted a review of the situation in J&K to finalize preparations for the Assembly elections, which had been delayed since 2019. Security arrangements were a key focus, given the history of violence during elections.
• – Political parties were urged to participate and ensure free and fair elections, while the government emphasized its commitment to democratic restoration in the region.
• 3. Security and Infrastructure:
• – Security forces intensified their efforts to neutralize militant networks, and multiple militants were killed in encounters.
• – Infrastructure development projects, including a new township in Srinagar, were launched to boost the economy and create housing for local citizens and migrant workers.
• 4. Political Dynamics:
• – Major political parties, including the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, formed alliances to contest the upcoming elections, while the BJP prepared for a tough electoral battle.
• – Article 370 remained a highly divisive issue, with the opposition parties advocating for its restoration and the BJP defending the move as necessary for national integration.
• 5. Militant Attacks:
• – Sporadic militant attacks continued, keeping security forces on high alert. Counter-infiltration operations along the LoC foiled several attempts to smuggle arms and militants into J&K.

October 2024 – J&K Assembly Election Results:

• 1. Election Outcome:
• – The National Conference-Congress alliance emerged victorious in the J&K Assembly elections, securing a majority with 48 seats.
• – National Conference (NC) won 42 seats, Congress secured 6, while the BJP won 29 seats, achieving its highest-ever vote share in J&K.
• – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won its first-ever seat in the Doda constituency, marking its debut in J&K politics.
• 2. New Chief Minister:
• – Following the results, Farooq Abdullah announced that his son, Omar Abdullah, would be the next Chief Minister of J&K. Omar expressed a desire to cooperate with the central government while advocating for more autonomy for J&K.
• 3. Restoration of Statehood:
• – The Congress-NC alliance made it clear that one of their top priorities would be to work towards the restoration of full statehood for J&K, a key demand since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
• 4. Women Representation:
• – Three women candidates were elected to the Assembly, including former Minister Sakeena Masood, reflecting a growing emphasis on women’s representation in J&K politics.