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Unending violence in Indian-administered Kashmir claiming lives

Tuesday, 06 July 2021 12:25 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 06 July 2021 12:25 AM ]

Shahana Butt
Press TV, Kashmir

Last week shock waves spread across the southern district of Pulwama after unidentified assailants shot dead an ex-special police officer, his wife, and his daughter. Later the investigations by local police revealed the unidentified gunmen were anti- India fighters.

Scores of local policemen have been targeted in Kashmir after New Delhi launched an all out operation in 2017, aimed at neutralizing pro-independence activists. According to police sources at least 70 pro-India fighters and 17 government forces personal including 10 local policemen, have been killed in Kashmir so far this year.

In the recent gun battle between Government forces and anti-India fighters, police claims to have killed 5 people. According to media reports, family members of one of the slain men, Zakir Bashir claimed he was an innocent civilian, picked up from his home and killed in custody, and then presented as a militant who died in encounter. However, police insisted the youth had joined the anti-India group 'just days before his elimination'.

Following India’s unilateral move of stripping Kashmir;s autonomous status on August 5th 2019, New Delhi claimed to restore normalcy in the region besides providing equal opportunities, justice, and development. Observers say Kashmir is moved from its bad to worst times.

7 Decades of conflict over Kashmir between India and Pakistan has wreaked havoc in the region. Rough estimated by non-governmental organizations suggests over one hundred thousand people including government forces have died in this low-intensity conflict.

Analysts say as US forces have started to vacate Afghanistan a lot is expected to change in South Asia. Instead of hopes; fears are mounting among people as they say the animosity between India and Pakistan might take a fresh turn and open new chapters of hostility, resulting in further destruction in Kashmir.

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