As Kashmir votes for phase II of the assembly elections on Sunday after an unexpected voter turnout in the first phase, another quiet but important trend has caught the government’s eye—Kashmiri youths escaping terror camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and coming back with stories of dwindling numbers in these camps.

Over the last six to seven months, there have been several examples of Kashmiri youths who escaped training camps in PoK and landed in India, largely via Nepal. While close to 20 have been apprehended and the government is considering a lenient view towards them, sources said, many more may have already reached their families.

Their accounts show a loss of morale in these camps, particularly those belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen—the only Kashmiri militant outfit. Sources said the reduced numbers mean that their handlers are compelled to use them sparingly so that the Kashmiri face is not lost from the effort.

According to the interrogation reports, Hizbul has three main camps in PoK. One, the Jungle Mangal Camp, has 20 rooms and 30 tents and can house over 200 members. Currently, there are only 60-70 militants. The second, the Garhi Habibullah camp, was a large camp that can take Now the strength is 70-80 militants. The Boi Camp, which could hold 100-120 members, now has only 30 members.

Of those who returned from these camps, about a dozen are Hizbul cadres and their stories are similar. They were first lodged in one of these camps and after a few weeks, were sent for arms training to a separate camp called Ilaqa-e-gair. This training lasted three months, where they followed a soldier-like regimen and were trained in weapons—AK 47, LMG, pistols and grenade throwing—and survival training.

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