SRINAGAR: In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, security forces have launched extensive operations across Kashmir, demolishing about a dozen houses using explosives and conducting widespread searches and detentions.
At least 1500 people are said to have been detained.
The demolitions have occurred in multiple districts including Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara, and Bandipora. According to reports, approximately 100 residences have been searched since yesterday, with at least a dozen being destroyed, causing collateral damage to neighbouring properties.
Security operations have been particularly intense in Sopore, while three villages in south Kashmir’s Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama districts were raided yesterday. In scenes reminiscent of 1990s tactics, residents were reportedly ordered to gather in open fields while searches were conducted.
Houses Demolished
Among the properties destroyed were homes belonging Ehsan Ul Haq Sheikh, 23, from Pulwama’s Murran area, Zakir Ahmad Ganai, 29, from Kulgam’s Matalhama village, Shahid Ahmad Kutay, 27, from Shopian’s Chotipora, Farooq Teedwa in Kalaroos, Kupwara, Adnan Shafi Dar from Shopian’s Zainapora and Jameel Ahmad Gojri from Naaz Colony in Bandipora
Local residents in Pulwama’s Murran reported that the explosion at Sheikh’s property was so powerful that neighbouring houses developed cracks and windows were shattered from the impact.
According to Outlook magazine: “The house of LeT terrorist Farooq Teedwa was damaged in a blast in Kalaroos Kupwara on Saturday as he is allegedly involved in Pahalgam terror attack. Teedwa is currently in Pakistan, as per reports.”
On Friday night, the house of Ahsan ul Haq Sheikh in the Muran area of Pulwama district was torn down, officials said, adding that he was ‘trained in Pakistan’ in 2018 and had recently ‘infiltrated’ into the Valley. In a similar action in Chotipora of the Shopian district, the house of an active top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Shahid Ahmad Kuttay was razed, they said. Kuttay, active for the past three to four years, has been involved in many anti-national activities, the officials claimed, according to the report
At the Matalhama area of the Kulgam district, the residence of Zakir Ahmad Ganie, who has been active since 2023 and was under surveillance for his alleged involvement in multiple terror-related activities, was also pulled down during the night, they said.”
Earlier, the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, including that of the Pahalgam terror attack’s prime suspect, were destroyed when explosives believed to be stored there went off during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, officials said.
On Friday, the houses of Aadil Hussain Thokar, accused of helping in the execution of the Pahalgam bloodbath, and Asif Sheikh, also believed to be involved in the attack, were being searched by security forces when an explosion damaged the structures in Bijbehara and Tral.”
Outlook’s detailed report said that “Hilal Ahmad Thokar, 22, lost his parents when he was young and was brought up by his uncle Ali Mohammad Hokar. He was about to get married on May 10 and had even taken a loan for his wedding. Thokar works as a labourer and earns Rs. 10,000 a month.”
Several other adjoining houses were affected and suffered damages.
Mass Detentions
The crackdown has led to numerous detentions, with 175 people reportedly held in Anantnag district alone. In Srinagar, police searched 65 houses. According to a police briefing given to Delhi journalists, approximately 1,500 local youth have been detained thus far.
In Srinagar, raids were conducted in multiple areas including Safakadal, Soura, Pandach Bemina, Shalteng, Lal Bazar, and Zadibal.
While earlier reports suggested that The Resistance Front (TRF), the shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was responsible behind the Pahalgam attack, the group on Saturday denied any role in it.
Civilian Death
In a separate incident, 45-year-old Ghulam Rasool Magray from Kandi, Kupwara, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at around 10:45 PM on Saturday. The assailants fired at him inside his residence at Kandi Khas. Magray was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
While some media outlets described Magray as a social activist, his family has denied this characterization. According to family members and neighbors, he reportedly had a speech impediment and was said to be not fully stable.
Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, MLA from Langate constituency, stated: “The administration and government need to stand with the family members of Ghulam Rasool Magray.” He added, “We all need to stand with the people of Kashmir.”
The Pahalgam militant attack, which claimed 26 lives – 25 tourists and one local pony operator on April 22. While earlier reports suggested that The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was responsible behind the attack, the group in a statement in circulation denied any role in it. The veracity of the statement could not be ascertained.
“After the Pahalgam terror attack, there must be a decisive fight against terrorism and its origin. People of Kashmir have come out openly against terrorism and the murder of innocent people, they did this freely & spontaneously,” Omar said in a post on X. “It’s time to build on this support and avoid any misplaced action that alienates people. Punish the guilty, show them no mercy but don’t let innocent people become collateral damage,” he added.
Courtesy: Kashmir Times