Seven years after the central government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir through a parliamentary amendment and bifurcated the state into union territories, the issue remains fresh and one of the most important ones for the political landscape of the region.
While the government has achieved significant steps towards ensuring peace and stability with some reforms, the majority of the population in the region are still fantasising about the return of the special status, while the political leadership demands the return of statehood.
The biggest achievement that the central government can actually take credit for is the reduction of militancy, violence and related incidents over the past seven years.
According to varied estimates, the figures have dropped sharply by 75-80 per cent since 2020. Stone-pelting is almost completely eliminated (99 per cent drop; near zero since 2022).
Local terrorist recruitment has collapsed to near-zero or single digits, according to statistics provided by different organisations and Jammu and Kashmir Police public databases.
As per the available data, 2025 was the least violent year in over decades, with 92 fatalities, including 28 civilians, 17 security forces personnel and 46 terrorists.
The region reported around 12 terror-related incidents until early August 2026. Infiltration attempts have reduced drastically and are reportedly below the 2019 levels.
While the above figures look promising and positive, deep and structural issues still persist in the Union Territory. The number of terror incidents dropped, but the intensity increased.
For the first time in recent decades, terrorists targeted tourists in Pahalgam — a worrying sign for the security agencies. The terror threat that once dominated the Valley plains has shifted to the more treacherous terrain in the Jammu division, including Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda and Kathua.
Terror 2.0
A method that in military terms consists of hybrid warfare is replacing traditional operational measures against the terrorists. Terrorists now target soft and civilian targets, so far outsiders, to make the situation more difficult for security agencies operating in the region.
Two back-to-back lone-wolf-style attacks killed two migrant workers and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel earlier last month. Both these attacks were carried out in South Kashmir.
On the governance and politics front
The domicile rules were expanded, and now those who fled the Pakistani side and took shelter in Jammu and Kashmir were brought under these rights, including West Pakistan refugees and Valmikis.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and then the Assembly elections, which were held after a decade, the region recorded the highest turnout of 64 per cent, with the National Conference winning three seats in the Lok Sabha and sweeping the Assembly elections.
Yet despite a decisive and overwhelming mandate, the region is still governed by the union government through the lieutenant governor's office. The LG office retains significant powers in the Union Territory.
With that, the restoration of statehood still remains in an abyss. Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised in Parliament that it would be restored very soon, seven years down the line, statehood still remains a distant dream for Jammu and Kashmir.
Development, Infrastructure & Economy
Most of the projects initiated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing tenure have either been completed or are being finalised.
Some major infrastructure projects include the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link completed in 2025, progress on Zojila and other tunnels, highway upgrades, and hundreds of bridges and rural roads.
The tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed mushrooming manifold in the past seven years before it dropped in 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack. The number in 2024 crossed 2.35 crore.
Investment inflows have risen sharply to ₹5,260 crore in the first nine months of FY26, but there are massive gaps between the investment inflow and job creation — a number that does not go in the government’s favour at all.
Education & health
As a mark of extending quality healthcare to the population of the Union Territory, AIIMS Jammu was made operational, medical seats were increased, and IIT expansion is taking place to boost literacy in the region.
Unemployment remains higher than the national average (especially youth unemployment). Job creation has not fully matched the rise in educated youth. Some local businesses and traditional sectors report mixed or negative impacts.
The government can claim substantial progress on the security, infrastructure and tourism fronts, along with receding violence. However, some issues, though addressable, remain to be resolved.
While the LG administration and government are trying to address the growing issues of unemployment and the rise of drug consumption through dedicated campaigns, the situation in the region remains largely normal and peaceful.
By Waseem Ahmad Ganie
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