Violence in Jammu and Kashmir till July has declined by 24.5 per cent as compared to the corresponding period in 2004 due to border fencing and policies pursued by the government, Home Minister Shivraj Patil told Lok Sabha on Friday.
He was replying to the discussion on the attack on Ram Janambhumi complex in Ayodhya and terrorism.
Patil said the number of civilian casualties had also come down by 28.5 per cent during the period under review against 11 per cent drop in the previous year.
However, he made a veiled reference to Pakistan, and said terrorism in the valley had support from across the border.
"Some countries rely upon terrorism to wreak revenge upon their enemies. They have developed theories on terrorism. They think terrorism is a low cost option available to them to unleash a proxy war on their neighbours.
"The theory that their religions are superior to those of others gives rise to fundamentalism and terrorism," the Minister said.
"The terrorists who attacked Ayodhya had tried to ignite the fire of communal hatred and divide the country. They had no other reason to attack the place," he said.