Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked the security forces to "do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks", following an uptick in violent incidents in the union territory after his election as first UT CM.
Omar's comments came close on the heels of a grenade attack in Srinagar near Tourist Reception Centre which witnesses massive rush of shoppers on Sundays due to a flea market.
More than 10 civilians were injured in the grenade attack which was tossed towards a CRPF bunker near TRC, but missed the target.
"The last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks & encounters in parts of the valley. Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing. There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians. The security apparatus must do everything possible to end this spurt of attacks at the earliest so that people can go about their lives without any fear," Omar Abdullah wrote in a post on X.
The last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks & encounters in parts of the valley. Today’s news of a grenade attack on innocent shoppers at the ‘Sunday market’ in Srinagar is deeply disturbing. There can be no justification for targeting innocent civilians. The…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 3, 2024
Ever since Omar took oath as the first CM of J&K Union Territory in the backdrop of Article 370 abrogation on Aug 5, 2019, the region has witnessed a sudden spurt in militant attacks and encounters between the security forces and militants.
As already reported by ETV Bharat, October alone saw 18 militancy related killings.
On November 2 Saturday, three militants were killed in twin encounters in downtown Srinagar and Anantnag district down south. A search operation was also launched in Bandipora district up north. The encounters were preceded by a targeted attack by militants in central Kashmir's Budgam where two non-local workers were shot at and injured by the suspected militants.
The sudden uptick in the militant attacks in J&K has led the NC to smell a conspiracy with the party president on Saturday blaming “people who were trying to destabilise the government” for the attacks.
The grand old party's Srinagar MP, Aga Ruhullah also raised questions as to why the region was seeing a sudden rise in the militant attacks after the recent assembly elections, which concluded peacefully with the NC emerging as the single largest party.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra also condemned the grenade explosion at Sunday Market Srinagar.
"It was deeply disturbing to learn about the unfortunate and ghastly incident of a grenade attack on a shopkeeper resulting in injuries to six innocent people, Karra said.
J&K Police must take effective measures to contain such brutal and inhuman attacks, so that the public can move freely & without any fear, Karra added and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured persons," said Karra who is MLA from Central Shalteng in Srinagar.
People's Conference president, Sajad Lone, who is the legislator from Handwara assembly constituency of Kupwara district also condemned the attack.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent civilians injured in today’s tragic grenade attack near TRC in Srinagar.”
He said that this act of violence, intended to instill fear and cause harm, only serves to strengthen the resolve to work towards a safe and peaceful future for every citizen.
"We stand united against such senseless acts and pray for the swift recovery of those injured," he added.
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