Improvised explosive devices, grenades and landmines have emerged as the militants' most suitable weapons to kill people and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], particularly security forces during the 17-year long militancy.

Over 10,000 lives have been lost due to grenades, IEDs and landmines since 1990.

Use of IEDs and mines is increasing in the troubled state, particularly against security forces and police personnel as it involves no direct confrontration with troops," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Special Bureau of Criminal Investigation Department, Alok Puri says.

There were as many as 15,397 incidents of IED and mine explosions between January 1990 till the end of 2006.

In these, over 10,000 people, including 2,009 army personnel, 307 paramilitary and 197 policemen were killed and 21,372 others injured, according to official figures.

On the Jammu-Baramulla national highway-I, over 3,800 odd explosions took place during the period killing 2,147 people, 35 per cent of them security forces.

Not only this, 1,36,840 explosive devices including 57,230 grenades, 13,078 IEDs and 17,308 mines of different make besides other explosive devcies have been recovered during last 17 years in J&K.

Other 32,050 kg of explosive material including 9,078 kg of RDX was recovered during the militancy period.