Violence, unrest surge in J&K ahead of polls: worker shot dead, IEDs recovered

No words strong enough to condemn heinous attack: LG

JAMMU: The resurgence of violence and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Lok Sabha polls has once again painted the headlines red as a worker from Bihar was shot dead by terrorists in the Anantnag today and Mendhar in Poonch reporting three ready-to-use improvised explosive devices (IED), each weighing between three to 20 kgs, recovered from a terrorist hideout.
Two suspected persons also have been apprehended along with the arms and ammunition in Naina area of Bijbehara in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district as Army in a post on X stated that a joint operation was launched by Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police today in the area
The post reads that two suspected individuals have been apprehended along with one weapon, one hand grenade and other war-like stores, adding that further investigation is going on.
“OP NAINA, #Anantnag On specific Intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on 17 Apr at Naina, Bijbehara in Anantnag. Two suspected individuals have been apprehended along with the recovery of one Weapon, one Hand Grenade and other war-like stores. Further investigation is in progress,” Army wrote on X
Earlier a worker from Bihar was shot dead by terrorists, officials here said. They said the terrorists fired upon Raja Shah from point blank range at Jablipora in Bijbehara area, resulting in critical injuries. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries, they said.
The incident took place in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency which is going to polls in the third phase on May 7.
This is the third such attack on non-locals in the valley so far this year.
On February 7, terrorists shot dead Amritpal Singh, a worker from Amritsar in Punjab, at the Shalla Kadal locality in the Habba Kadal area of the city here.
Another non-local worker, identified as Rohit Mashi, who also hailed from Amritsar, sustained injuries in the incident and succumbed a day later.
Three ready-to-use improvised explosive devices (IED), each weighing between three to 20 kgs, were recovered from a terrorist hideout in the border district of Poonch on Wednesday, officials said.
They termed it a "major breakthrough" ahead of Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The IEDs, planted inside steel containers of five-kg, 10-kg and 20-kg capacity, were found hidden inside a cave hideout during a joint search operation by the police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles in the forest area of Sanai-Gursai in the Mendhar sub-division, the officials said.
They said the bomb disposal squad later destroyed all the three IEDs in a controlled explosion, scuttling terrorists' plan to carry out blasts in the Union Territory.
“We received an input about the likely hideout and suspicious movement in the upper Sanai at 4 am and subsequently launched a joint 'search and destroy' operation with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Rashtriya Rifles.
"Three IEDs, one weighing 15 to 20 kgs, second eight to 10 kgs and third three to five kgs, having two mechanisms for initiating charge were recovered and destroyed,” CRPF officer Rajnesh Yadav said.
Yadav, who is second-in-command of the 246th battalion, said the seizure of the IEDs foiled terrorists' plan to carry out an attack.
“This is election time and terrorists are always on the lookout to disrupt elections by carrying out any sensational act,” he told reporters at the scene.
The officials said no one was arrested during the operation which concluded with the safe disposal of the seized IEDs.
Meanwhile , the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has condemned the terror attack in Bijbehara, Anantnag today. He has conveyed his condolences to the family of the martyred civilian Raja Shah, a resident of Bihar.
The Lt Governor said: No words are strong enough to condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Bijbehara, Anantnag, targeting Raja Shah, a resident of Bihar. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family of the innocent civilian martyred in this cowardly attack. Entire nation stands in solidarity with the family in this hour of grief.
We have full faith in the unparalleled valour of J&K Police and security forces, and I assure the people that terrorists responsible for this barbaric act will have to pay a very heavy price. We will hunt down the perpetrators and crush those elements, who are aiding and abetting the terrorists.
The attack was also condemned by political parties with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah asserting that such incidents will hinder peace.
"JKNC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and VP @OmarAbdullah express shock and sadness at the news of Rajshah Ji's death, who succumbed to grievous injuries after being shot at in Bijbehara today. They vehemently condemn the attack, emphasizing that such acts of terror hinder peace in J&K," the NC posted on X.
Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti called it a "senseless act of violence".
"My deepest condolences to his family," she added.
BJP's Jammu and Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur also condemned the killing.
"Such acts reflect frustration of adversaries and these acts will in no way revive election boycott politics in Kashmir. Urge police to track down the killers of this innocent man and punish them sternly," he said.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said people must stand together against such an act.
"Strongly condemn the tragic Bijbehara attack in which a non-local named Raja Shah of Bihar lost his life in this senseless act of violence... This must end, people want peace but militants don't want peace. We must stand together against this act!" Azad said on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone denounced the "senseless violence" and said such acts of brutality have no place in a civilised society.

Updated On 4/18/2024 1:37:38 AM