Kashmir: On Eid, Suspected Terrorist Attacks Kill 3 Policemen And A BJP Activist

Eid celebrations in Kashmir were disrupted when four people were shot dead in four separate events on Wednesday. According to The Hindu, three policemen and a BJP activist were reportedly shot dead during the Eid festivities. According to the police officials, current evidence suggests that these were the heinous acts by militants.

The victims have been identified as sub-inspector Muhammad Ashraf Dar, Fayaz Ahmed Shah, an undertraining police constable, Mohd. Yaqoob, special police officer and BJP activist Shabir Ahmad Bhat.

As per reports, a 34-year-old policeman, Fayaz Ahmed Shah was shot dead at close range, in Kulgam’s Zazripora area, where he had gone to offer prayers. Kulgam is one of the terrorism-hit districts of South Kashmir. Mohd. Yaqoob who was recently promoted as the constable was shot dead outside of his home in Pulwama’s Louswani area. BJP activist Shabir Ahmad Bhat’s body was discovered in Pulwama after he went missing on Tuesday. He was the constituency president, also in charge of social media in Pulwama. NDTV reports that sub-inspector Muhammad Ashraf Dar was killed after militants barged into his house and opened fire on him.

https://twitter.com/MajorPoonia/status/1032294520698888192

Police officials are reacting strongly against the terrorists calling it a “cowardly act”. Director General of Police SP Vaid was quoted saying by The Tribune, “It only shows the frustration of militants who are resorting to such a cowardly act of attacking an unarmed policeman.” He added that Yaqoob and Dar had ignored the advisory by the officials asking the policemen not to go home without any protection. He also added that Bhat had opted to go home to South Kashmir without his security which led to his abduction and murder.

In response to the death of Shabir Ahmed, BJP president Amit Shah tweeted, “ Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won’t last long.”

Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won't last long. pic.twitter.com/hAOb4ptPeo

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 22, 2018

Abdullah Humiliated

National Conference Leader, and former CM of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah was humiliated and faced protests during the Eid prayer ceremony held at Srinagar’s Hazrat Bal. A video showing the crowd shouting pro-militant slogans, asking Farooq to leave the area. Later, Special Security Group (SSG) escorted Abdullah to leave the venue. Reportedly, In most of the Eid Prayer meetings speeches mentions Article 35-A.

“Azadi [freedom] won’t be achieved by shouting slogans because, in reality, the border dividing India and Pakistan in Kashmir has not moved anywhere in the past 70 years. People behind booing and heckling should know that I won’t be cowed down or silenced by such acts,” Dr Abdullah told The Hindu

Recently, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s prayer meeting held two days after his death, Farooq shout slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slipping him into severe criticism in the valley by pro-freedom activists.

Both the National Conference and the CPI(M) have condemned the act of violence and killings by the militants. Omar Abdullah NC vice-president, said, “My unequivocal condemnation of the use of violence to settle political differences.” M.Y. Tarigami, Kulgam MLA and CPI(M) leader were quoted saying, “The perpetrators of violence have achieved nothing except for rendering irreparable loss to the families of those killed.”

Also Read: 2016 & 2017 Prove To Be The Bloodiest Years For Security Forces In Jammu & Kashmir After 2007