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8 Nepali Hindu laborers killed
in cold blood
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1 Hindu pilgrim killed in
Jammu in grenade attacks
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Chief Minister upset at
reports suggesting attack on Hindu pilgrims to Amarnath Yatrat
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About 15-18 unidentified gunmen lined up 15 Hindu Nepali laborers and in cold
blood killed 8 and injured an equal number in south Kashmir while another group
exploded 3 grenades in a crowded bus stand in Jammu killing 1 and injuring 31
Hindu pilgrims.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (south Kashmir range) Hemant Kumar Lohia
said that Army and security forces have launched search operations.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad visited the injured in the hospital and was
angry at media reports suggesting that the grenade attack targeted the
pilgrims. He said, “In the attack only few pilgrims from outside the State were
injured while the rest were residents of the State.”
It is not clear what Azad meant. Did he mean that because few pilgrims were
killed there cannot be a communal angle to the killing? Or, is it alright for
state residents being targeted on communal basis? Or that since only a few
pilgrims from outside the state were attacked, this incident could not be a
plan to stop the ongoing Amarnath Yatra?
Pakistan-supported terrorists often use a positive occasion—an international
visitor, peace talks, elections, or peaceful rallies to strike unsuspecting
civilians as a reminder that they are still around. While terrorists have
backed off attacking the yearly Amarnath Yatra the last few years, it is
foolish to think they will not this year because they will honor backroom
deals. Strong security, intensive participation of all communities in the Yatra,
and political pressure ensured peace the last few years.
Appearing weak, refusal to accept escalation of violence, or a fear to appear
successful cannot arrest the terrorist menace. Azad should ask for Federal help
in his fight against terror instead of suffocating journalism.
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