Security grid should be further strengthened to ensure zero terror incidents in order to push rapid social and economic development, says J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha
Amid growing panic among non-locals working in Kashmir, the Jammu & Kashmir Police on Tuesday assured them of “security and a safe environment to pursue their livelihoods without fear or intimidation” in the Valley. The police also busted a fresh module of militants.
The killing of seven civilians, including a doctor and six other workers, by militants on Sunday at an under-construction site of the Z-Morh tunnel in Ganderbal’s Gagangeer area has sent shockwaves among non-locals working in Kashmir, especially those who are part of the project. Security agencies have questioned around two dozen suspects so far. However, no arrests have been made, officials said. Two heavily armed militants were involved in the attack and remain at large.
J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha, who visited Gagangeer, directed that the security grid should be strengthened to prevent terror incidents in order to push rapid social and economic development. He underlined the need for securing vital infrastructure projects across J&K and putting in place a multi-pronged and foolproof mechanism for coordination with projectimplementing agencies to prevent security breaches.
Mian Mehar Ali, an MLA from Ganderbal’s Kangan, where the project site is located, urged non local workers to stay back and complete the project.
‘Creating difficulties’
Former J&K Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the local administration was pressuring non-local workers to leave immediately. “While I understand their obvious sense of panic, but asking them to leave in this manner is not a solution. [It] Will only create more difficulties and send a very bad message to the country. [I] request Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and LG Manoj Sinha ji to intervene and at least give them enough time,” Ms. Mufti said in a post on X.
However, the police rebutted Ms. Mufti’s claims. “Social media reports claiming the local administration has asked non-local workers to leave the Valley are false,” the police said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the family of the slain doctor in central Kashmir’s Budgam. He assured the family of help and promised “to cover the expenses of education of the victim’s son”. “I assured them that the perpetrators responsible for his martyrdom will be brought to justice. The government is fully committed to ensuring the welfare of the next of kin,” Mr. Abdullah said.
In Jammu, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary attended the last rites of Shashi Abrol, another victim. He said he will apprise the Chief Minister about the demand of the family for a government job.
Module busted
Launching a fresh drive against militants and their supporters in the Valley, the J&K Police’s special cell, Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), on Tuesday conducted searches at several locations.
“During the operation, a recruitment module of a newly formed terrorist organisation, Tehree Labbaik Ya Muslim, an off- shoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was uncovered,” an official said.
This newly floated terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility for a few incidents in recent past, the police said.