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Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have intensified their crackdown following last week’s tragic attack that claimed 26 lives, demolishing homes belonging to at least 10 individuals identified as alleged militants. Additionally, security forces have detained numerous individuals for further inquiries.
In a display of force, Indian security personnel have resorted to using explosives to level properties associated with suspects linked to the attack on tourists that occurred last Tuesday. Reports indicate that some of these homes were connected to individuals implicated in the shootings.
The Indian government has accused Pakistan of harboring the militants responsible for the violence, although specific groups have not been publicly named. Islamabad, for its part, categorically denies these accusations.
This incident marks the deadliest assault on civilians in Kashmir in the past two decades, highlighting the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan over this disputed territory. Both nations assert their claims over the region and have engaged in armed conflict twice since their partition in 1947.
Since the attack, troops from both India and Pakistan have exchanged fire sporadically across the border, fuelling concerns about a potential escalation. Speculation prevails regarding whether India might conduct military operations against Pakistan, reminiscent of previous actions taken in response to militant assaults in 2019 and 2016.
Following the Pahalgam attack, authorities reported conducting extensive raids across Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in the detention of over 1,500 individuals for questioning. Further arrests have continued, though precise numbers remain unspecified.
While the authorities have not officially discussed the demolitions, it is believed that the targeted properties belonged to families of alleged militants or those who have reportedly crossed over into Pakistan.
The demolitions commenced last Thursday, with the most recent actions occurring overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Regional leaders have expressed support for measures against militants while raising concerns about the collateral consequences of demolishing the homes of suspects’ families.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the need to ensure that innocent lives are not affected by punitive measures directed at the guilty. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti echoed this sentiment, urging the government to make clear distinctions between militants and civilians.
In November, India’s Supreme Court had prohibited what is commonly referred to as “bulldozer justice,” a trend that has gained traction in the country in recent years.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident, numerous Kashmiri students studying in various parts of India reported facing hostility or threats from locals, prompting calls for their departure.
Kashmir remains a point of contention, with both India and Pakistan maintaining conflicting claims over the region, which has been a flashpoint since the end of British rule. The insurgency against Indian governance has persisted in Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989, with militants targeting security forces and civilian populations alike.
Although Indian authorities have not officially identified the group responsible for the Pahalgam attack, early reports mentioned a group known as the Resistance Front. The Front initially claimed responsibility but later retracted its statements, distancing itself from the incident. This group is believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant organization based in Pakistan.
Indian police have identified three out of four suspects in the attack, revealing that two are believed to be from Pakistan while one is a local from Indian-administered Kashmir. Details regarding the fourth individual remain unknown, and survivors have reported that the gunmen specifically aimed at Hindu men.
The incident has ignited significant public outrage across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi issuing a stern warning that those responsible will be pursued relentlessly and will face severe repercussions.
Within hours of the attack, tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, leading to reciprocal actions. India swiftly suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty—an agreement governing water sharing between the two nations—raising alarm in Pakistan, which characterized the cessation or rerouting of water resources as an act of war.
In retaliation, Pakistan announced it would suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement, reaffirming a commitment to resolving bilateral disputes through peaceful means. The diplomatic landscape has grown tense, with both countries expelling diplomats and revoking visas, leaving many civilians in distress. Since the attack, at least 500 Pakistani nationals have reportedly exited India via the Attari-Wagah border.
As hostilities persist, India has alleged that Pakistan has engaged in cross-border firing along the Line of Control for several consecutive nights, although Pakistan has yet to confirm these claims.
During a recent address, Modi reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice for the families impacted by the attack, suggesting motives aimed at undermining the stability returning to the region.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the US State Department conveyed ongoing communication with both India and Pakistan, advocating for a measured approach to resolve tensions. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also engaged with his Indian counterpart and Pakistan’s deputy prime minister to discuss the situation.
Source
www.bbc.com