Terrorists strike for fourth time in Jammu & Kashmir since Sunday

Militants launched four attacks in Jammu & Kashmir since Sunday, engaging security forces in Kathua and Doda. The violence, which killed civilians and security personnel, raised concerns as J&K prepares for elections and the Amarnath pilgrimage.

Militants have carried out yet another attack in Jammu & Kashmir in the fourth such incident since Sunday when gunmen opened fire on a patrol of security forces in Doda district on Wednesday. The incident took place only a few hours after an operation at Kathua where an encounter in the night culminated in the cold blooded killing of a second militant and a CRPF jawan. 

The recent spike in militancy started over the weekend when terrorists fired at a vehicle carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, killing nine and injuring 38. Following attacks occurred security forces in the Kathua and Doda districts.

Two militants suspected to be from the local arms factory in Saida village of Kathua entered a house late Tuesday night, leading to an exchange of fire. A militant and a CRPF constable died in the operation. The security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition, food items and medicines which were marked as Pakistani origin and Indian rupees from the bodies of the militants who are said to have crossed the border recently.

Militants on Tuesday night attacked the police and Army post in Chattergala area of Doda, where five soldiers and a special police officer were injured. The subsequent search operation resulted into another fire exchange at Kota Top near Gandoh in which a special police officer was injured on Wednesday.

Security forces are worried that string of attacks in a large part of Jammu province is a Militant’s attempt to reassert dominance in previously unaffected areas, and that the attacks are increasing in tempo. The violence erupts at a time that J&K state is gearing up for Assembly elections and annual yatra to Amarnath shrine.

Also Read: Nine Hindu Pilgrims Dead in Jammu Bus Rampage

Security forces have been conducting operations to arrest the attackers and released a sketch of one of the militants who attacked at Reasi. The government promised to come down hard on terrorism following outrage from political leaders across the dividing political parties’ benches for the alarming security situation and urged that immediate measures be taken to reverse the trend.