Kashmir: Three More Terrorist Homes Demolished Amidst Political Debate
More Homes Razed in Kashmir Terror Crackdown
Security forces in South Kashmir demolished three more homes suspected to belong to terrorists over the weekend, bringing the total number of such demolitions to nine since the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22nd.
The latest demolitions targeted houses in Shopian, Pulwama, and Bandipora districts, belonging to suspected operatives of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF). The TRF has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people.
Political Backlash and Concerns
This ongoing crackdown has sparked intense political debate in Jammu & Kashmir. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the need for strong action against terrorists, he also stressed the importance of protecting innocent civilians from harm.
“After the Pahalgam terror attack, there must be a decisive fight against terrorism and its origin. People of Kashmir have come out openly against terrorism and the murder of innocent people, they did this freely & spontaneously,” he said on X.
“It’s time to build on this support and avoid any misplaced action that alienates people. Punish the guilty, show them no mercy but don’t let innocent people become collateral damage,” he further said.
Former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti urged the Centre to distinguish between terrorists and civilians, warning against actions that could alienate innocent people. She expressed concern that such actions could inadvertently benefit terrorist organizations by creating fear and division.
“It must not alienate innocent people, especially those opposing terror,” she said on X.
“Appeal Government to direct the authorities to take care that innocent people are not made to feel the brunt as alienation aids terrorists goals of division and fear,” she said in her post.
Controversial Measures
The demolitions have been met with mixed reactions. While some support the action as a way to deter terrorism, others criticize it as a violation of human rights and a potential source of further unrest.Security forces maintain that the explosives used in the demolitions were found inside the houses, while relatives of some of the suspected terrorists allege that the explosives were planted by the authorities.
The situation in Kashmir remains tense as authorities continue their crackdown on suspected terrorists, with the debate over the effectiveness and ethical implications of these measures intensifying.
