J-K: Kashmiri Pandit employees seek enhanced security after fresh threats; CM Omar calls for probe

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday termed fresh terror threats to Kashmiri Pandit employees as a matter of serious concern, as panicked staff from the community sought enhanced security, a high-level probe, and permission to work from home following the online leak of their personal details.

The latest threat letter, purportedly issued on August 23 by the United Liberation Council (ULC), believed to be a shadow of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, named several Kashmiri Pandit employees recruited under the Prime Minister's Special Package.

The document, which went viral on social media, included confidential information such as Jammu residential addresses, vehicle numbers, and phone numbers.

Reacting to the development, Abdullah termed the threat a matter of serious concern, asking police, security, and intelligence agencies to thoroughly investigate the source of the communication and ensure that the employees are kept safe and treated with dignity.

Alarmed by the alleged safety breach, the All PM Package Employees Forum Kashmir approached Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, demanding a comprehensive review of security arrangements at their workplaces and residential accommodations across the valley.

Taking note of the incident, Chief Minister Abdullah emphasised that the police and security agencies must not treat the matter lightly.

"Such threats should not be issued. The law-and-order administration, security agencies, police and intelligence agencies should not take these things lightly," he told reporters in Srinagar.

Recalling the targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandit employees two-and-a-half years ago, including revenue official Rahul Bhat in Budgam and school teacher Rajni Bala, the chief minister warned of the consequences of administrative laxity.

"Two-and-a-half years ago, under similar circumstances, some Kashmiri Pandit employees were targeted, and we had to face serious consequences because of it," Abdullah said and made it clear that the security matters fall under the purview of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

He reiterated that the primary responsibility of the police is to ascertain the source of the threats and protect the staff.

Sunny Raina, a leader of the PM Package migrant employees, expressed deep distress over the breach of sensitive personal data.

"The latest threat letter contains our Jammu residential addresses, vehicle numbers and phone numbers, and this personal information has also been shared on social media," Raina said, seeking an immediate investigation into how the private data reached the threat-makers.

He urged the administration to allow employees to work from home as an interim precautionary measure or provide robust security at their workplaces and colonies.

Raina also clarified that the employees hold no affiliation with any political or ideological organisations, such as the RSS, and are in the valley solely to perform their official duties.

Political leaders across party lines have also demanded swift action in the incident.

BJP leader Chetan Wanchoo condemned the threats and called for an immediate, time-bound investigation to trace the entire chain behind the leaked information and hold accountable those facilitating or supplying details to terror front groups.

This incident marks the second threat targeting PM Package employees within two weeks. A similar ULC letter mentioning six employees surfaced online earlier this month, prompting security upgrades around sensitive Pandit settlements.

Police and intelligence agencies are currently evaluating the authenticity of the letter and investigating the source of the data leak.