A day after three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel received bullet injuries in a targeted strike on a security check post near Mir Bazar area of Kulgam, a joint team of security forces on Thursday intensified search operations to trace the whereabouts of a young boy who issued a stern warning to the CRPF personnel stationed there: ‘We will not spare you’.
Local police teams were trying to ascertain the identity and whereabouts of the youth who had walked up to the security check post and issued a clear warning to the CRPF personnel ahead of the targeted strike.
In another related development, Special Director General, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Zone, Sandeep Khirwar, on Thursday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar and discussed the prevailing security scenario in the Union Territory.
An official spokesman said Khirwar called on the Lieutenant Governor at the Lok Bhavan here.
The two discussed the prevailing security scenario in the Union Territory, the spokesman said.
On the political front, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday made a strong pitch for dialogue between India and Pakistan, asserting that bullets and military confrontation cannot resolve political disputes and that meaningful engagement must begin without waiting for hostilities to end.
The former chief minister also asserted that Kashmir is, was and will remain an integral part of India.
“Ab aap intezaar karenge, jab tak aap sabki goliyan band ho jayengi, tab tak raat ho jayegi” (If you keep waiting for everyone to stop firing, it will be too late by the time the guns fall silent), Abdullah said here.
He was responding to a question about the BJP-led government’s stated position that talks and bullets cannot go together.
Talking to reporters after visiting the family of retired information officer Madan Mantoo, who recently died of cardiac arrest, the National Conference leader urged Pakistan to abandon terrorism and work for creating a conducive atmosphere for dialogue with India.
“I have always told Pakistan to stop terrorism. Nothing can be achieved through terrorism. The process of dialogue must begin because only through talks can a way forward be found,” he said.
Reacting to the recent twin terror attacks in Kulgam and Kishtwar districts, which claimed the lives of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) and left three CRPF personnel injured within two days, Abdullah asserted that those harbouring ambitions of taking Kashmir must abandon such notions, asserting that terrorism would never succeed in its designs.
However, he expressed concern over claims in Delhi that terrorism had ended in Jammu and Kashmir, maintaining that the recent incidents indicate that the threat continues to persist and that concrete measures are needed to eliminate it.
“I have already said such incidents are still happening. One never knows where the next attack might take place,” he said.
Asked about claims of peace and normalcy in Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, particularly in view of recent attacks in Kishtwar, Abdullah acknowledged that while terrorism still exists, people should not be afraid, asserting that Kashmir was, is and will remain an integral part of India.
In Jammu, several right-wing groups, including the Shiv Sena Dogra Front and Bajrang Dal, staged anti-Pakistan protests and demanded action against those responsible.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary termed the twin attacks within 24 hours a matter of serious concern, saying the incidents contradict the BJP government’s claims of having made Jammu and Kashmir terrorism-free.
BJP’s Sunil Sharma and the leader of the opposition in the J&K Assembly also condemned the killing of the two SPOs and demanded decisive action against remaining terrorist elements.
“This is extremely tragic. We strongly condemn the attack, but condemnation alone is not enough. The remaining terrorist ecosystem must be completely dismantled. We are hopeful that the security forces, which are actively engaged in operations, will eliminate the remaining Pakistan-sponsored elements and ensure lasting peace across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Such incidents, he added, undoubtedly create hurdles in the efforts to restore peace.
PDP senior leader and spokesperson Firdaus Tak questioned the sudden escalation in violence and urged the Government to take serious note of the deteriorating security situation.
He also called for adequate support and rehabilitation for the families of the slain personnel and demanded that those involved in the attacks be apprehended and brought to justice.
Congress’ Ravinder Sharma said, “Such cowardly attacks won’t deter our brave forces from eliminating terrorists”.