terrorist attack | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:29:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png terrorist attack | SabrangIndia 32 32 A Tranquil Paradise Shattered: The Pahalgam terror attack https://sabrangindia.in/a-tranquil-paradise-shattered-the-pahalgam-terror-attack/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:29:35 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=41396 As 28 lives were lost in a brutal terror attack on Kashmir’s beloved tourist haven, the Valley mourns the dead, honours a local hero’s courage, condemns the terror attack and unites in grief and defiance against violence

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]]> Pahalgam, often called the “valley of shepherds,” is a serene and stunning tourist haven nestled about 50 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Known for its breath-taking beauty and the popular Baisaran meadow—nicknamed “mini-Switzerland” for its lush green expanse—it draws thousands of visitors each year seeking solace and scenic wonder.

On the afternoon of April 22, the area was bustling with families, couples, and individual tourists. Many were enjoying tea and snacks after a trek or pony ride to the high-altitude meadow, unaware of the horror about to unfold.

At approximately 2:45 pm, peace was torn apart when a group of four heavily armed militants, disguised in camouflage uniforms, emerged from the forest surrounding Baisaran. Without warning, they opened fire on the unsuspecting tourists, unleashing a hail of bullets that reverberated across the valley.

Witnesses described a scene of sheer panic and terror. Tourists, many of them with children, fled in every direction. One survivor from Nagpur, Simran Chandani, spoke to The Times of India and recalled the chaos: “We had just finished our tea and were preparing to leave. Suddenly, we heard what we thought was a balloon bursting, and then came the screams, the stampede. I ran, taking the name of God.”

Initial reports confirmed 28 civilians killed—most of them tourists—and many more injured, making it one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in India since the 2008 Mumbai carnage. Questions have been raised regarding the absence of any police, paramilitary, or army in or around the place of attack, as a large number of tourists were present at the Baisaran meadow. As per media accounts, ANI, PTI, Greater Kashmir, about six armed gunmen first encircled then selectively shot dead the men from among several visitors gathered there.

Claim of responsibility and motive

A group of four, including two locals, identifying itself as Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a front for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the heinous assault. The group cited opposition to the recent settlement of more than 85,000 outsiders in the region as their justification—a deeply troubling development, hinting at targeted violence based on identity and residency. Sketches of the suspected attackers—identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha (aliases Moosa, Yunus, and Asif)—were released shortly after the attack. 

Targeted horror and eyewitness testimony

A report of Deccan Herald provided the account of survivors, who says that the militants deliberately targeted men, asking them to identify themselves and even allegedly forcing some to recite Islamic verses. There were claims that some were made to remove clothing before being executed at close range. Although these details are still being verified, the cruelty and premeditation behind the attack are undeniable.

The firings lasted an excruciating 20 to 25 minutes at least, as per multiple media reports. Over 70 shell casings—belonging to American M4 carbine rifles and AK-47s—were found at the scene. The attackers later vanished into the forested terrain, triggering a massive search operation by Indian security forces.

One local, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator, emerged as a tragic hero. He attempted to disarm one of the terrorists in a desperate bid to protect a tourist under his care. Shah was shot dead during the attempt—becoming the only Kashmiri local killed in the attack. His grieving family, now without its only breadwinner, has appealed for justice.

The Victims: Lives interrupted, dreams extinguished

The true weight of the Pahalgam attack is not in the number of bullets fired or shell casings recovered, but in the lives so brutally cut short. Each victim was more than a statistic—they were sons, daughters, parents, and partners.

Among those killed was a young Indian Navy officer on his honeymoon, his uniform traded for a few days of peace in the hills. A retired banker from Andhra Pradesh was also gunned down without warning. A realtor from Karnataka, an accountant from Odisha, and a cement dealer from Uttar Pradesh—each on a simple holiday with loved ones—met the same cruel fate.

There was a man from Kerala who had recently returned from the Gulf, and a tourist from Nepal, the only foreign national killed, whose presence was a reminder of Kashmir’s reputation as a destination that once transcended borders. Now, their names are etched into a grim list of those who never made it home. The tragedy of this attack lies not only in the brutality of the act but in the ordinary, joyful moments it stole. This was not just an attack on individuals—it was an attack on the fundamental human desire to seek beauty, joy, and connection. And that is why it cuts so deep.

A Local Hero: The story of Syed Adil Hussain Shah

As bullets rained down on unsuspecting tourists in Pahalgam, amidst screams and chaos, one man stood his ground—not to flee, but to protect. A Gujjar local Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a humble pony ride operator from Pahalgam, displayed remarkable bravery in the face of terror. NDTV reported his heroic acts in a special report. In a moment that epitomised selflessness, Shah tried to snatch a rifle from one of the gunmen in a desperate attempt to save the tourists he had ferried to the Baisaran meadow. His valiant act cost him his life.

Adil Shah was the only local killed in the brutal attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. According to eyewitness accounts, the terrorists were selecting victims based on their religion, reportedly asking people to recite a Koranic verse before pulling the trigger. In the midst of this horror, Shah’s actions offered a fleeting glimmer of humanity. He refused to cower—his last moments defined by courage rather than fear.

As reported by NDTV, Adil leaves behind an elderly mother and father, a wife, and young children, all of whom depended on him. The grief in the Shah household is immeasurable. His inconsolable mother wept not only for the irreplaceable loss of her son but also for the uncertain future that now looms over the family. His father, Syed Haider Shah, speaking to ANI, said: “My son went to Pahalgam yesterday to work, and around 3 pm, we heard about the attack. We called him, but his phone was switched off. Later, at 4.40 pm, his phone turned on, but no one answered. We rushed to the police station, and that’s when we learned that he had been shot in the attack. Whoever is responsible must face the consequences.”

Adil’s story is more than a tragedy—it is a testament to the strength of character that often goes unsung in times of crisis. In a region haunted by decades of conflict, his death is a piercing reminder that violence knows no bounds, and its victims are often the very people who strive to preserve life. The family has appealed for justice, and the Valley mourns a son who died not in silence, but in struggle—trying to protect those who had come seeking peace in the meadows of Kashmir.

 

National and international response

The attack drew widespread condemnation and grief from both national and international quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, immediately cut short his trip and returned to India. In a statement, he described the assault as a “heinous act,” vowed that the perpetrators “will not be spared,” and promised all assistance to the injured and the families of the deceased.

Home Minister Amit Shah flew to Srinagar to oversee the investigation, while the government decided to transfer the probe from the Jammu and Kashmir Police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), indicating the gravity of the situation.

US President Donald Trump expressed deep condolences and assured India of America’s full support. The world watched in horror as images and videos of the aftermath—people screaming, bleeding, and desperately pleading for help—circulated across social media.

Across India, political leaders and citizens reacted with grief and anger. Leader of the Opposition (LOP), Rahul Gandhi expressed sorrow and condemnation at the attack but also stated on his account on X that he had spoken to Home Minister, Amit Shah.

“Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation. The families of the victims deserve justice and our fullest support,” Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi also spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the chairman of the National Conference, which leads the ruling alliance in the Union Territory, with the Congress as a coalition partner. After the 2001 attack on the Parliament, Sonia Gandhi, who was then the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, was among the first leaders to dial the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to enquire about his well-being.

Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah expressed heartbreak over the mass exodus of tourists and urged cooperation with controlled evacuation efforts, given the precarity of local roads.

Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and PDP leader, led a protest march with party workers in Srinagar. They held placards reading, “This is an attack on all of us” and “Stop innocent killings.” Iltija Mufti, a young local leader, expressed disbelief, saying Baisaran was heavily patrolled and the ease with which such an attack happened was deeply alarming.

CPI (M) leader and Kulgam MLA MY Tarigami speaking to PTI has said, “It is very unfortunate and painful for all of us. Especially for those whose family members, loved ones have been injured in the attack. When a tourist comes to Jammu and Kashmir, it opens employment opportunities for the locals here… It is a good thing for us when tourists come here again and again, but if they are attacked, then it is very shameful and painful… The government should take strict action against this.”

Senior advocate and independent Rajya Sabha member, Kapil Sibal has, in a statement quoted by PTI stated, “Quoting Pakistan Chief Gen Asim Munir’s ‘jugular vein comment’, Sibal called the attack as a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack. He says, “It will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it, we not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their historic struggle. So obviously this is (Pakistan) state sponsored because this was said just a week ago…. I would urge the Home Minister to proscribe the outfit as a terrorist organisation under UAPA and we should file a prosecution in the International Criminal Court, urge international community to boycott Pakistan.”

 

Security and evacuation efforts

In the immediate aftermath, the region saw a significant security build-up. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) urged airlines to increase flights from Srinagar and waive rescheduling fees to help tourists evacuate. 

Helicopters were deployed to airlift the severely injured, while locals—many of whom make a living from tourism—rushed to carry the wounded down the hill on ponies, a testament to the humanity still present amid horror.

Protests: A valley silenced by grief, united in defiance

This attack has dealt a severe blow to the region’s fragile calm, coming at a time when Kashmir was witnessing a revival in tourism. With the 38-day Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage set to begin in July, concerns over security are likely to grow.

While investigations continue, the horror at Pahalgam has brought back chilling memories of past tragedies in the Valley. It has reminded the country that terrorism still lurks, capable of destroying lives and peace in an instant.

On the morning following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that left 28 people dead—mostly tourists and local guides—Kashmir awoke to a sight it hadn’t seen in decades. Leading newspapers across the Valley printed their front pages in black, a visual lament echoing the sorrow, fury, and helplessness that had gripped the region. With headlines in stark white and crimson, the media offered a rare and haunting public protest against the brutality that once again ruptured the fragile peace of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prominent English and Urdu dailies—Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Aftab, and Taameel Irshad—eschewed the usual format, opting instead for a symbolic blackout. Greater Kashmir led with the chilling headline: “Gruesome: Kashmir Gutted, Kashmiris Grieving”, its subheading in blood red: “26 killed in deadly terror attack in Pahalgam.” The editorial beneath, titled “The massacre in the meadow – Protect Kashmir’s soul,” did not mince words. It described the assault not merely as a massacre but as an existential threat— “a deliberate blow to Kashmir’s identity and values — its hospitality, its economy, and its fragile peace.”

The editorial called for an urgent reimagining of security and intelligence coordination in the Valley. “The ability of terrorists to infiltrate a high-traffic, pedestrian-only tourist site undetected,” it warned, “points to severe gaps in our preventive mechanisms.” It urged a shift from reactive to proactive governance—demanding not just increased surveillance, but greater community engagement and a concerted effort to uproot terror infrastructure.

In a dramatic shift not witnessed since the early 1990s, the entire Kashmir Valley observed a total shutdown in response to the killings—marking the first bandh called to protest terrorism in over 35 years. The call for the shutdown was widely endorsed across the political spectrum and sections of civil society, including religious organisations, business federations, students’ unions, and trade bodies.

As per Hindustan Times, shops, fuel stations, and businesses remained closed in Srinagar and other districts. Public transport was scarce. Only essential services operated, and private vehicles plied the roads cautiously. Private schools suspended classes, while Kashmir University postponed all examinations. The silence that enveloped the Valley was not one of fear but of collective mourning—an unspoken but palpable declaration of unity against the forces that sought to terrorise the region.

Throughout the day, spontaneous and organised protests emerged in all corners of Kashmir. In Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, Mehbooba Mufti joined grieving citizens in a rare display of civilian solidarity. Holding placards that read “Stop innocent killings” and “Killing innocents is an act of terror,” protesters demanded accountability and protection. Addressing the crowd, Mufti said, “This massacre is not just an attack on tourists, but an attack on the very soul of Kashmir. We have always stood against violence, and we will continue to raise our voice until the bloodshed ends.”

South Kashmir towns like Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian saw markets voluntarily shut down. In Ganderbal and Kangan, traders staged processions through town squares, closing their establishments in mourning. Civil society participation was overwhelming. The Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU)—a collective of Islamic scholars led by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq—issued a rare joint appeal for peace and justice. Quoting the Quran during Friday prayers, the Mirwaiz said: “Whoever kills an innocent soul… it is as if he had slain mankind entirely.” He urged the people to observe the shutdown not in vengeance but as a dignified protest against a “heinous crime against humanity.”

Political parties that have often found themselves at ideological odds—National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference, Apni Party—all joined in a chorus of condemnation, signalling a rare moment of political consensus in the Valley. Leaders across affiliations called for a unified approach to security, a reaffirmation of Kashmir’s commitment to peace, and a crackdown on the networks enabling such attacks.

On social media, heartbreak and solidarity flowed freely. A photo of a woman cradling her husband’s bloodied body outside a hospital in Anantnag became emblematic of the grief sweeping through the Valley. Tributes poured in not just for the tourists who perished, but for local guides, porters, and shopkeepers who died helping others flee.

In Baramulla, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil led by students, while in Pulwama, elderly citizens marched silently, holding signs that read “We are Kashmiris, not terrorists.” In Budgam, schoolteachers and parents formed human chains outside education offices, denouncing the return of fear in a region already battered by decades of trauma.

Significantly, for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the administration did not clamp down on protest rallies. Officials confirmed that while security was heightened across sensitive areas, demonstrations were allowed to proceed. “We recognised that this was not an ordinary political agitation. This is a collective tragedy,” a senior police officer said. “The public anger is real, it is justified—and today, the people of Kashmir have made it clear: they reject terror in all its forms.”

The day-long shutdown, though sombre, was not a surrender to fear. It was a powerful, united act of remembrance and resistance—a statement that Kashmiris will not let violence define them. 

Other reports on the Pahalgam terror attack may be read here and here,

Related:

Muslims in Kashmir & across India strongly condemn Pahalgam terror attack

Indian Muslims, others, condemn the heinous massacre of tourists near Pahalgam, Kashmir

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]]> Islamophobia: Lessons from Canada on how to respond heinous hate crime https://sabrangindia.in/islamophobia-lessons-canada-how-respond-heinous-hate-crime/ Fri, 11 Jun 2021 05:54:41 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/06/11/islamophobia-lessons-canada-how-respond-heinous-hate-crime/ Four four members of a Muslim family mowed down by a pickup truck in Ontario, Canada PM called it "a terrorist attack."

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]]> Image Courtesy:news.yahoo.com

On Saturday June 12, Salman Afzaal (46), his wife Madiha (44), their daughter Yumna (15) and Salman’s 74-year-old mother, Talat Afzaal will be laid to rest in London, Ontario, Canada. On Sunday June 6, the family was out for their regular evening walk, dressed as always in salwar kameez, when a 20-year-old white male, later identified as Nathaniel Veltman, mowed them down with his truck and drove away. The Salman Family were killed and their youngest, nine-year-old Fayez, is the only survivor currently in hospital being treated for massive injuries.

The attack is a “premeditated hate crime against muslims”, said reports quoting London Police. The accused, now under arrest hasbeen charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. 

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Canadaian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called this a “terrorist attack” and recently visited the community and said, “To the Muslim community in London and to Muslims across the country, know that we stand with you. Islamophobia has no place in any of our communities. This hate is insidious and despicable – and it must stop.”

London city in southwestern Ontario is stated to have a close knit Muslim population, many who migrated from Pakistan. According to news reports, Canada’s The House of Commons had also observed a moment of silence for the victims. Trudeau added that Islamophobic attacks are happening in Canada and that the nation must “not become desensitized to this violence. We must not accept this as normal. Every time we witness such hate, we must call it out.”

While thousands continue to lay flowers and pay homage at the scene of the hate crime and elsewhere, the community of London, Ontario has also shown the world how to respond to communal hate crime. Across religious beliefs, community leaders have reached out to the residents, and grieved the murder of the much loved family that had migrated to Canada from Pakistan, and had roots in pre-Partition India. Salman Afzaa a physiotherapist, Madiha Salman (44) who was close to obtain her PhD at Western University in Civil engineering; daughter Yumna Salman, who on graduation from the local islamic school had pained an inspirational mural, and was now finishing grade 9 at Oakridge Secondary School and the much loved matriarch of the family have become symbols of love and charity and united a diverse community in the wake of their passing.

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One of the most visible symbols of that is a Gofundme fundraiser started by a close family friend and neighbour Sana Yasir. However, what stands out is that the donations collected will only be used for “sadaqa-jariya” on behalf of the Salman family. Speaking to SabrangIndia over the phone from Canada, Sana Yasir said that sadaqa-jariya is an Islamic concept that will benefit others in this life, and also the family in the next life. 

Sana Yasir told SabrangIndia, that while the community is grieving deeply they are not afraid. No one is hiding their Muslim identity or way of dress. “I wear a hijab, and though I do get the odd stare now and then I have never felt any threats. This was the first time we witnessed such Islamophobia here,” she says. Salman Afzaal and his family often wore Salwar Kameez and the older women draped a dupatta on their head. They walked around the neighbourhood most evenings spending some family time together and also greeting the neighbours. “Aunty Madiha would take my sister to school and her son. She brought us food when my mother was unwell. There is not one person who will have anything negative to say about the family. They were such good people, and such a big part of the community and the university,” said Sana, a student of the same university as the couple. “We live down the street… They were family friends, and my little sister is heartbroken at the loss of her close friend Yumna who had texted her a day before the horror,” she said.

The donations have been coming in waves from across the world, and if the pace keeps may even touch a million dollars. According to Sana, the London Muslim Mosque, and Islamic Relief  are supporting the fundraiser along with the London muslim community. Fayez, the sole survivor, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital and has his aunt and uncle with him. “Fayez has a very strong support system-his immediate family, extended family, and the London community,” said Sana. 

While the community, and the family and friends of the victims are being brave there is no denying that the cold blodded murder of the Salman family is yet another reminder of Islamophobia now rampant across the world Including India.

However, the response from the Canadian administration and London Police Chief Steve Williams was quoted as saying, “We understand that this event may cause fear and anxiety in the community, and in particular the Muslim community, in any community targeted by hate. I want to reassure all Londoners that all of us on the call today and many others stand with you and support you. There is no tolerance in this community for individuals who, motivated by hate, target others with violence.”

According to CNN, Trudeau said before the House of Commons, “This killing was no accident. This was a terrorist attack motivated by hatred in the heart of one in our community.” Earlier detective Superintendent Paul Waight of the London Police had said, “There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate. It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim.”

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According to CTV new the accused Nathaniel Veltman, 20, who faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, appeared via video link. The courtroom was closed to the public and a publication ban has been put in place on the proceedings. Meanwhile, the London Muslim Mosque, which the family belonged to, has called for a national summit on Islamophobia between all levels of government stated the news report.

Image courtesy: Sana Yasir

Related:

Being Muslim in the Workplace: A report by Parcham Collective
Swiss Vote for Burqa Ban and Its Reaction among Indian Muslims
Supersizing victimhood: Hindu Right’s appropriation of Islamophobia, the Jewish Holocaust & Indigenous struggles
How much green of the National Flag should be shown on TV?

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]]> Opinion: Incidents like Pulwama can be curbed by strengthening local leadership to isolate cross border terrorist organisations https://sabrangindia.in/opinion-incidents-pulwama-can-be-curbed-strengthening-local-leadership-isolate-cross-border/ Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:28:04 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2019/02/15/opinion-incidents-pulwama-can-be-curbed-strengthening-local-leadership-isolate-cross-border/ It is time to think of better and democratic strategies to bring normalcy in the valley so that army and paramilitary forces can crush any cross-border attempt to create unrest in the valley.     The terror attack in Pulwama (J&K) which killed more than 30 CRPF personnel is a grim reminder of the fact […]

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]]> It is time to think of better and democratic strategies to bring normalcy in the valley so that army and paramilitary forces can crush any cross-border attempt to create unrest in the valley.

 

 
The terror attack in Pulwama (J&K) which killed more than 30 CRPF personnel is a grim reminder of the fact that these ‘friendly’ Pakistan is not dealing with terrorism seriously.
 
The Pakistan based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed the responsibility of this suicide attack. On both the sides of the border, there are people who do not wish peace and love between the two nations even when it is a known fact that a majority of the people in India and Pakistan want peace and a good relationship with each other. No organisation can carry such blasts unless they have powerful support from the establishment.
 
Narendra Modi’s government has completely failed in bringing peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. It tried to play with Kashmir and use the situation there to validate itself to the rest of the country. There is no political initiative in the state. Today, it is run directly under the Central government and yet, the situation is tense and uncontrolled.
 
As India go for polls in the coming days, we might face more efforts from those who want India to be in a perpetual crisis. We know a failed government will communalise it at all levels as they want the elections to be fought on the binaries of Hindu Muslim rhetoric. Their PR agencies are already working overtime to create riots in college campuses and this dastardly attack will also be used as a tool.
 
The security forces are doing a tough job in Kashmir. The government has created a situation where the work of our Jawans, who live far away from their families, have become not only physically challenging but mentally disturbing. Those who shout slogans in their paid headquarters must know that fighting a never-ending battle creates a lot of distress. It becomes more difficult if you have alienated the majority of the local people.
 
The answer to terrorist organisations like the Jaish lies in our combined strength and determination to stay together and resolve all our issues democratically. Jargon and chest thumping do not work on the battlefield. The fact of the matter is that Kashmir for Pakistan is their unfinished task to justify a two-nation theory. India’s respective governments failed in respecting the sentiments of the Kashmiri people and continued to play with their sentiments and taking advantage of it for their nationalistic agenda. The ground situation worsened as the economy crashed where the political system was a farce and armed forces were present all the time.
 
In the last five years, the attempt to isolate Kashmiris and term each one of them as anti-national, deliberately provoking and challenging them even when they might have been raising their genuine demands have finally backfired. Today, the Kashmiri youth is isolated and the Islamic Jihadis in Pakistan want to use them and convert the entire battle to be fought between Muslims and non-Muslims.
 
The Sangh Parivar and its various offshoots have only helped aggravate the situation and given ammunition to these radicals on the other side of the border to create a narrative that Muslims can’t get any justice in India. You cannot build bridges with people after lynching them, challenging their loyalty to the nation and denying them justice.
 
Pakistan’s ruling apparatus has definitely been instrumental in such a ghastly crime and the Imran Khan led government will have to show some spine to take these terror organisations head-on. There cannot be a compromise on such issues that threaten the local people and sandwich them between terrorists and security forces.
 
This is a sad day. These Jawans who serve our nation are actually sons of our Kisans, the farmers. Most of them come from difficult backgrounds and look for a better life. It is time for the government to strengthen political discourse in the valley, bring normalcy there and take a tough stand against Pakistan.
 
If a terror organisation is openly taking up responsibility then it needs to be dealt with seriousness. Irresponsible talks and show of masculinity to make political devotees happy will only boomerang. We know the street rabble-rousers will find it useful to build their anti-Muslim narrative which might suit their political interest but will be detrimental for the nation.
 
The answer lies in winning Kashmir with a big heart, more decentralisation, more democratisation, allowing political parties and civil society to flourish and rule through people and not via the agents of the Delhi Sarkar. The government needs to investigate the issue seriously and take appropriate measures but don’t treat the Kashmir issue as purely an administrative one. Speak to diverse sections of people, bring them to the negotiation table and only then the terrorists and their promoters can be isolated and destroyed.
 
We condemn these killings of Jawans and express our deep condolences to the families of these martyrs who dedicated their lives for our safety and security. It is also time to think of better and democratic strategies to bring normalcy in the valley so that army and paramilitary forces can crush any cross-border attempt to create unrest in the valley.
 
Using paramilitary and the army for domestic purposes as administrative bodies acting as the local police, actually makes the work of these organisations difficult and tense. The jawans hail from different regions and find it tough to deal with these situations which need local help. That is only possible if you understand local sentiments and respect the cultural values. 
 
Therefore, it is essential that the government leaves its obsession of handling J&K from Delhi and central forces and encourage local leadership in handling this. Let the government create an environment now so that political process takes centre stage and our forces focus on ensuring our borders safety so that such gruesome and dastardly attacks are not repeated and innocent lives are not lost.
 

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]]> Chinese consulate attack puts Pakistan between a rock and a hard place https://sabrangindia.in/chinese-consulate-attack-puts-pakistan-between-rock-and-hard-place/ Sat, 24 Nov 2018 07:20:48 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2018/11/24/chinese-consulate-attack-puts-pakistan-between-rock-and-hard-place/ Two attacks in Pakistan, including a brazen assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, are likely to complicate prime minister Imran Khan’s efforts to renegotiate China’s massive, controversial Belt and Road investments as well as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout and ensure that Pakistan is shielded from blacklisting by an international anti-money laundering and […]

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]]> Two attacks in Pakistan, including a brazen assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, are likely to complicate prime minister Imran Khan’s efforts to renegotiate China’s massive, controversial Belt and Road investments as well as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout and ensure that Pakistan is shielded from blacklisting by an international anti-money laundering and terrorism finance watchdog.

Chinese consulate

The attack on the consulate by three members of the Balochistan Liberation Army, a militant nationalist group seeking what it terms self-determination for the troubled, resource-rich, sparsely populated Pakistani province that constitutes the heartland of China’s US$45 billion investment and the crown jewel of its infrastructure and energy generation-driven Belt and Road initiative.

The attack, together with an unrelated suicide bombing by unidentified militants that killed 26 people and wounded 55 others in a market in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, comes at an awkward moment for Mr. Khan.

With Pakistan teetering on the edge of a financial crisis, Mr. Khan has been seeking financial aid from friendly countries like China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as well as a bailout from the IMF.

Responding to widespread criticism of Chinese investment terms that go beyond Baloch grievances, Mr. Khan is seeking to renegotiate the Chinese terms as well as the priorities of what both countries have dubbed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will link the crucial Baloch port of Gwadar with China’s troubled north-western province of Xinjiang, the scene of a brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims.

Mr. Khan last month bought some relief by attending Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s showcase investors conference in Riyadh, dubbed Davos in the Desert, that was being shunned by numerous CEOs of Western financial institutions, tech entrepreneurs and media moguls as well as senior Western government officials because of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In talks with King Salman and the crown prince, Saudi Arabia promised to deposit US$3 billion in Pakistan’s central bank as balance of payments support and to defer up to US$3 billion in payments for oil imports for a year. The kingdom this week deposited US$1 billion in Pakistan’s central bank as Mr. Khan was visiting the UAE.

However, Mr. Khan’s visit to Beijing earlier this month was less conclusive. Despite lofty words and the signing of a raft of agreements, Mr. Khan’s visit failed to produce any immediate cash relief with China insisting that more talks were needed.

China signalled its irritation at Mr. Khan’s declared intention to pressure China to change the emphasis of CPEC by sending only its transportation minister to receive the prime minister upon his arrival.

Amid criticism of CPEC by Baloch activists who charge that the province’s local population has no stake in the project and members of the business community who chafe at China importing materials needed for projects from China rather than purchasing them locally and largely employing Chinese rather than Pakistani nationals, Mr. Khan only elicited vague promises for his demand that the focus of CPEC on issues such as job creation, manufacturing and agriculture be fast forwarded.

China’s refusal to immediately bail Pakistan out has forced Mr. Khan to turn to the IMF for help. The IMF, backed by the United States, has set tough conditions for a bailout, including complete disclosure of Chinese financial support.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in July that any potential IMF bailout should not provide funds to pay off Chinese lenders. US Pakistani relations dived this week with President Donald J. Trump and Mr. Khan trading barbs on Twitter.

The attack on the consulate coupled with Saudi Arabia’s financial support is likely to fuel long-standing Chinese concerns that Pakistan has yet to get a grip on political violence in the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in response to the attack that China had asked Pakistan to step up security. Pakistan has a 15,000-man force dedicated to protecting Chinese nationals and assets.

China also fears that Balochistan could become a launching pad for potential US-Saudi efforts to destabilize Iran by stirring unrest among the Islamic republic’s ethnic minorities.

The attack together with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bombing not only signals a recent spike in political violence in Pakistan but also comes against the backdrop of increased incidents involving Iran’s Kurdish, Iranian Arab and Baloch minorities.

Earlier this month, Pakistan said it had rescued five of 12 abducted Iranian border guards, saying efforts to recover the other captives are ongoing. An anti-Iran Sunni Muslim militant organization, Jaish al-Adl or Army of Justice, kidnapped the guards a month ago in the south-eastern Iranian border city of Mirjaveh and took them to the Pakistani side of the porous frontier between the two countries.

The attack on the consulate as well as the bombing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to increase pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international anti-money laundering and terrorism finance watchdog, and its Asian counterpart, the Asia Pacific Group (APG) to strengthen Pakistani compliance with international best practices.

An APG delegation expressed its dissatisfaction with Pakistani compliance in October and said it would report its findings to FATF by the end of this month. FATF put Pakistan on a grey list in February, a prelude to blacklisting if the country fails to clean up its act. Blacklisting could potentially derail Pakistan’s request for IMF assistance.

In sum, this week’s attacks put Pakistan between a rock and a hard place. Countering militancy has proven difficult, if not impossible, given the deep-seated links between government, political parties and militants, a web that includes Mr. Khan and many of his associates.

Dr. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, co-director of the University of Würzburg’s Institute for Fan Culture, and co-host of the New Books in Middle Eastern Studies podcast. James is the author of The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer blog, a book with the same title and a co-authored volume, Comparative Political Transitions between Southeast Asia and the Middle East and North Africa as well as Shifting Sands, Essays on Sports and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa and just published China and the Middle East: Venturing into the Maelstrom

Courtesy: https://countercurrents.org/
 

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]]> #AmarnathTerror Attack – Candle Vigils in Delhi today by Khudai Khidmatgar and #NotInMyName https://sabrangindia.in/amarnathterror-attack-candle-vigils-delhi-today-khudai-khidmatgar-and-notinmyname/ Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:00:52 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2017/07/11/amarnathterror-attack-candle-vigils-delhi-today-khudai-khidmatgar-and-notinmyname/ We are saddened by the news that seven pilgrims on their way to Amarnath have been killed in an attack by people who can only be described as enemies of humanity. The Kashmir police has issued a statement that the attack was on a police van and the yatris died while the fleeing attackers fired […]

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]]> We are saddened by the news that seven pilgrims on their way to Amarnath have been killed in an attack by people who can only be described as enemies of humanity. The Kashmir police has issued a statement that the attack was on a police van and the yatris died while the fleeing attackers fired indiscriminately. The Amarnath Yatris have never feared an attack even when the situation in the valley was worse than what it is at present. Kashmiri people have always taken pride in the fact that the Yatra was always safe and never came under any threat. It is tragic that this faith and trust today stands shattered by elements who obviously want to kick start a chain of incidents that will bring more tragedies, more deaths and more hatred.

Candle light vigil

We as citizens have to intervene in this situation and mourn the death of those civilians who unexpectedly became collateral damage and also take a firm stand against politcal violence no matter who the perpetrator. Kashmiris in the valley have been caught in a vortex of violence and it is not too long back that we saw all those disturbing images of young people carrying pellet wounds over their bodies. All lives matter and dead bodies should not become part of a politcs that divides people on the basis of religion. The seven dead did not deserve to die and it is only when we stand up and demand an end to this politics of hatred that we can prevent the deaths of innocents going on a pilgrimage or returning from Eid shopping.

Not In My name campaign gives a call to gather at Jantar Mantar and stand in vigil against hate and in grief with the families of those killed. Please carry posters of  #Notinmyname and solidarity with families of those killed. We stand against hatred and our posters too should reflect our stand. We call upon all citizens to ensure peace and resist any call to violence. #Notinmyname

Date – Tuesday, 11 July, 2017
Venue- Jantar Mantar
Time- 7:00PM

Khudai Khidmatgar strongly condemn the brutal killing of “Amarnath Yaatrees”, We are organising solidarity meet and candle vigil to condemn the shameful Terrorist attack on the yatrees and will pray for the peaceful Yatra and well being of Yatrees…
We request your participation or your representatives to do the coverage of the event.

The candle vigil will be held at Babe-Mahmoodul Hasan Gate no-17, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi.
Date: 11 July 2017@ 06:30 PM
Contact:
Rizwan khan-9990473885
Sahil Ahmad- 9808068062
Javed Malik 8512892342
Ehtasham Hashmi 9891010736
 
 

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]]> Carnage at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester a suspected terrorist attack https://sabrangindia.in/carnage-ariana-grande-concert-manchester-suspected-terrorist-attack/ Tue, 23 May 2017 07:27:13 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2017/05/23/carnage-ariana-grande-concert-manchester-suspected-terrorist-attack/ The pattern has become all too familiar. Young people gathered for a musical event find themselves subjected to what British Prime Minister Theresa May has described as an “appalling terrorist attack”.   A young woman sits on the ground as police guard the area following the explosion at a Manchester concert. EPA While there is […]

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]]> The pattern has become all too familiar. Young people gathered for a musical event find themselves subjected to what British Prime Minister Theresa May has described as an “appalling terrorist attack”.
 


A young woman sits on the ground as police guard the area following the explosion at a Manchester concert. EPA

While there is no confirmation as yet this was a terrorist-inspired incident, police suspect the Manchester attack, which has so far killed 22 people and injured 59 others, was caused either by a bomb contained in an abandoned backpack, or was the work of a suicide bomber.

At this stage no group has claimed responsibility. But it is not being overlooked that last week Islamic State released a 44-minute video in which fighters of different nationalities urged their supporters back home to carry out acts of violence.
Among those featured was a British man.

What makes Islamic State more dangerous – even desperate – in the current climate is that it finds itself under enormous pressure in its strongholds in Iraq and in Syria. Its grip on the northern Iraqi city of Mosul is slipping, and it is under threat in its Syrian redoubt of Raqqa.

It is important not to jump to conclusions about the identity of those responsible. However, whatever judgements might be made about the carnage at a Manchester music hall, this latest bombing underscores the vulnerability of European cities to such acts of violence.

Underscoring the deep-seated shock this will be causing in Britain is that this is the worst terrorism-related episode since the 2005 public transport bombings in London in which 52 people died.

Since 2015, more than half-a-dozen terrorist attacks have been carried out in various European locations, including France, Germany, Belgium and Britain, and in the case of several of these countries there have been multiple incidents.

What the governments of Europe have on their hands are threats to personal security that can strike at any time and in any place, as various terrorist incidents in the past year or so have demonstrated.

This poses an enormous challenge to security agencies, including the police, and, in the case of Britain, MI5, the spy agency responsible for internal security.

Such random acts of terrorism are enormously difficult, if not impossible, to counter unless open societies are subjected to security measures that most citizens would find difficult to accept.

If it proves to be the case the Manchester bombing was carried out by a sole suicide bomber, or a bomb-laden backpack placed strategically, this would underscore difficulties in policing a musical event in which large numbers of people gather in a specific location.

While France has been the main victim of a wave of terrorism in the past several years, Britain is running second.

In the most recent incident prior to the Manchester bombing, the driver of a vehicle mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and then shot a policeman outside the Houses of Parliament.

The concert hall attack in Manchester recalls a similar episode in Paris at a the Bataclan concert hall in November 2015 when shootings caused multiple deaths.

Islamic State claimed responsibility on that occasion.

What is adding to political complexities of the Manchester bombing is that it comes in the middle of a British election campaign in which immigration and Britain’s withdrawal from Europe are central questions.

How this will play out in the next days and weeks is difficult to assess, but as a rule of thumb such incidents would be more likely to benefit the parties of the right than the left.

On the other hand, governments in power and therefore responsible for security inevitably face awkward questions about levels of preparedness for such terrorist incidents, if indeed that is what we are talking about in the case of the Manchester bombing.
Terrorist violence is now baked into the European landscape. It is hard to see an end to this.

* Note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest information on fatalities.

Tony Walker, Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, La Trobe University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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