Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah.
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: Amid escalation in violence in recent weeks, newly-elected chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah Sunday asked the security forces to do everything possible to end terrorism in the Union Territory.
While terming the grenade attack at a crowded flea market in Srinagar “deeply disturbing", Abdullah emphasised on the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
“The last few days have been dominated by headlines of attacks and 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,” Omar posted on X.
He said 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.
Under Jammu and Kashmir’s hybrid system of governance, the elected government has no role in security issues.
Earlier on Saturday, the chief of the ruling National Conference Farooq Abdullah questioned why the attacks had surged just when an elected government had assumed power and hinted at “agency” involvement and demanded an “independent inquiry”.
He expressed concern about the attacks but suggested that any plan to destabilise the government “won’t succeed”.
The NC government’s 18-day in power has witnessed a dramatic surge in militancy in Kashmir. Half-dozen attacks and three gunfights in the Valley since Omar’s October 16 swearing-in have left 15 people dead and 25 injured.
On Saturday, three terrorists were killed in two separate gunfights in Srinagar and Anantnag districts. The gunfight in congested Khanyar locality of Srinagar came after two years of calm in the city.
On Friday, terrorists shot and injured two migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh in a village in Budgam.