November 21, 2024

Out-Of-The-Box Strategy Needed To Counter Targeted Killings In J&K

By A Special Correspondent
First publised on 2022-05-13 06:44:01

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 To fulfil their avowed aim of creating enmity between the Muslims and the Hindus in Kashmir and to create an atmosphere of fear among the Hindus, terrorists have been making targeted killings in the valley in recent months. On Thursday, they killed a Kashmiri Pandit who was employed by the revenue department of the J&K government and worked in the tehsil office in Chadoora in Budgam district. The deceased Rahul Bhat (35) was shot thrice by pistol-wielding insurgents from point blank range. Bhat was the third Pandit killed in the last six months while two others were injured in such attacks.

The Kashmiri Pandits living in transit camps all across the state came out to vent their anger after Bhat's killing. They blocked roads and held candlelight marches demanding security for the community. They raised slogans against the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Lt. Governor of the UT.

The targeted killings prove that despite almost all areas in J&K resembling garrison towns, no amount of security can ever be enough in such attacks. The terrorists are doing their homework well and are choosing their targets with precision. They are also working in very small groups of two or three persons which ensures secrecy and prevents them from being spotted easily. Also, they have turned to small arms to carry out such operations as they can be hidden on the body without becoming obvious in public places.

This makes any concerted security operation against such groups almost impossible to carry out. They are unknown groups who come out of the woods, carry out their reprehensible act and vanish. Informers are also evidently unaware of their operations. But they are managing to instill fear among the Hindu residents, migrant workers, tourists and also those Hindu traders who visit the UT for business. The security forces must think of an out-of-the-box strategy to foil their evil designs and provide security to the Hindus living in the valley.