Valley’s political class faces rising militant ire

SRINAGAR: Suspected militants attacked eight houses of political workers in south Kashmir in the past one week from October 16-22, with observers saying the sudden spike indicated the failure of security apparatus in the state.

Though such attacks on political workers, perceived to be “proIndia”, have been occurring sporadically for long, the current spate caught attention because of its frequency.

The recent attacks began with the killing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former village sarpanch Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh by a group of suspected militants in Shopian on October 16. One of the militants was also killed in the attack. The next evening, after the funeral of the slain militant, a mob of 200 set the worker’s home ablaze, probably blaming the family for the extremist’s death. Since then, from October 19 to 22, there have been multiple instances every day in Tral, Kulgam and Shopian.

“Yes, these attacks are taking place and we are doing our best to stop this,” director general of state police (DGP) SP Vaid said.

Seven of the victims belonged to ruling PDP, while one was an EX-MLA of National Conference (NC). Commenting on the inci- dents, a senior police officer said police will get a breakthrough “very soon”.

On the other side of the narrative were allegations of vandalism by forces in the houses of active militants in Shopian and Pulwama last week. Locals in south Kashmir see the attacks by militants as a retaliation to the vandalism of their homes. When asked about a link between the allegations and the attacks, DGP Vaid said he “has no idea”.

Meanwhile, two videos emerged on social media on Sunday, which captured militants threatening political workers. HT could not verify the authenticity of the videos.

House of an EX-MLA of National Conference (NC) in Tral town attacked Militants ransack the house of a zonal president of PDP in Kulgam district

House of a PDP youth leader in Kulgam ransacked

Militants ransack house of a PDP zonal president in Dadsara area of Tral

Militants reportedly ransack house of PDP worker in Wachi

Grenade lobbed at house of PDP MLA in Tral

Militants attack residence of ruling PDP MLA in Zainapora area of Shopian

Suspected militants gun down a PDP worker in Shopian. One of the militants also killed

The next day, a mob set the worker’s home ablaze, probably blaming the family for the death of the militant.