Shopian attack: Situation tense as death toll reaches six, CM upset over killing of civilians

Schools and educational institutes, which were to open today after two-month-long winter break, were closed as a precautionary measure in the Valley. (Express photo by Renuka Puri)

Taking cognizance of the Shopian militant attack that took place on Sunday night, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed disappointment on the deaths of four alleged civilians and asserted that the four individuals were caught in the crossfire between the Army and the militants. “Deeply distressed by more deaths of civilians caught in the crossfire in Shopian. My heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s families,” Chief Minister Mufti tweeted.

The criticism on the alleged killings of civilians also came from Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik who was detained while attempting to organise protests. Malik, along with his group of supporters had reached Badshah bridge and were on the way to march towards Lal Chowk in Srinagar, an official informed news agency PTI. 

The situation, meanwhile, in Shopian remained tense as the death toll in the attack rose to six with two more bodies being recovered. “Two more bodies were recovered in Shopian district on Monday morning,” a police spokesperson said. Schools and educational institutes, which were to open today after two-month-long winter break, were closed as a precautionary measure in the Valley.

While Indian Army has claimed that the four deceased individuals were functioning as the ‘overground workers’ of the militants, J&K Police has stated that the investigation is still underway.

J&K DGP SP Vaid points out the futility of terrorism

Reacting to the Shopian attack, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police S P Vaid has said nothing is achieved through terror except loss of lives. “Dehashatgardi se kuch nahin milita,” he told media persons while talking about the death of six people in Shopian on Sunday night. “Apney dekha, chheh bodies hein. Gun uthaney se, dehashatgardi se janey jati hein, hasil kuch nahin hota,” (You have seen there are six bodies. Nothing is achieved by picking up the gun and through terror), he said.

When asked about one more local youth returning home after leaving the gun, DGP hoped that other mothers will also appeal their sons, who have joined militant ranks to return home.

About the six people killed in Shopian, he said that two of them are terrorists and police are investigating as to who are the other four. Two weapons have been recovered and details regarding ammunition etc are coming, he added. When asked about Army claims that they were overground workers accompanying the terrorists, he said that police are investigating into the matter.

Referring to the chain of events, he said that as per Army’s version, they had laid an ambush outside their camp. Two vehicles came and on being asked to stop, people sitting inside them opened fire on the Army naka. The army retaliated and in the process, six people got killed, he added. The police are investigating into the matter, he said, adding that situation in Kashmir was normal. About Rohingyas, DGP said that Government of India will take a call on it as the matter involved two nations.

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App

Get assembly election result LIVE updates from each constituency in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya