Tauseef Ahmad, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: Following the landmark, peaceful elections held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time in six years since the revocation of its special status, the region has once again experienced a disturbing upsurge in terrorist activities. In the aftermath of the formation of the new government in the Valley, a wave of targeted killings and violent attacks has left the region on edge.
Since October 10, at least eight non-local laborers have been killed in targeted strikes, while 16 individuals — including 12 locals — have been injured. In response, security forces have intensified counter-terrorism operations. It resulted in the elimination of eight militants in just first 10 days of November.
Targeted Killings of Migrant Laborers
October saw a particularly alarming rise in attacks on non-local migrant laborers, with eight individuals shot dead across Central and South Kashmir. In addition, three non-local laborers were injured in these attacks. On October 20, a horrific incident near the Z-Morcha tunnel in Gagangeer, Central Kashmir, claimed the lives of six migrant laborers and a local doctor. The workers had been engaged in a critical construction project connecting Sonamarg to the Ladakh region, which aims to ensure year-round access.
The targeted killings have instilled deep fear among the migrant workforce. Many workers, particularly from outside the region, have now begun to leave early as the winter season approaches.
Shabir Ahmad, a mason from Bihar who had worked in Kashmir for several years, explained his decision to leave early this year: “Kashmir was peaceful; I visited every year from April to November. But with such killings, fear naturally grows. That is why, we decided to leave early this time,” he said.
Growing Concern Over Violence
The surge in violence has left local communities and business leaders concerned, particularly about the impact on the tourism industry and the broader economy. Aashiq Ahmad, a tour guide from Baramulla, expressed frustration over the lack of employment opportunities. “Our youth are suffering due to unemployment. We are highly educated but unable to find work. We hope peace will return, so the tourism sector can provide jobs to our people.”
The Kashmir Business Group voiced similar concerns. It called for an end to the violence. “As peace-loving citizens, we urge those responsible for these heinous acts to cease immediately. Continued unrest will only bring more suffering to our people.”
Security Forces Take Strong Action
Since the conclusion of the Assembly elections, security forces have launched a series of high-profile operations targeting militants. Eight militants have been killed in various encounters across the region, and a large cache of arms and ammunition has been seized from their possession.
In a stern address in Sopore, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha issued a strong warning to those supporting militancy. “Death and destruction await anyone promoting violence or disrupting peace in this region. No one will be spared,” he said.
These remarks came in the wake of multiple targeted killings, with local leaders and business owners calling for an end to the senseless violence. “We act on every credible input about terrorist movements. Security agencies do not ignore any information and immediately launch operations to neutralize threats,” a senior police official stated.
Intensified Operations and Rising Casualties
On November 2, a fierce gunbattle broke out in Srinagar’s Khanyar area. It marked the first major encounter in the city since September 2022. The police later identified the slain militant as Usman Lashkri, a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group.
In North Kashmir, security forces engaged in four separate encounters within the span of a week, killing five militants. In addition, two local militants were killed in a gunfight at Shangus, Anantnag as security operations intensified across both the northern and southern regions. The violence also spread to Jammu, where two Village Defence Guards were killed in Kishtwar district.
While these successful operations have been hailed by the security forces as significant achievements in the fight against militancy, the situation in Kashmir remains tense. Both the government and security agencies are focused on preventing further escalation and maintaining stability in the region.