This year, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) killed more civilians than security forces in various terrorism-related incidents. Statistics show that civilians, including well-known citizens and non-locals in Silicon Valley, were targeted and killed, reversing the trend of the past six years.
By October 5, 2021, as many as 22 civilians had been killed in the valley, while 20 security personnel had been killed during the same period. In 2020, 33 civilians were killed, 46 were killed by security forces, 36 were killed in 2019, and 78 security personnel were killed. On Tuesday, Makhan Lal Bindroo, a famous pharmacist in Srinagar, was killed by terrorists in his shop. The Resistance Front (TRF) is considered by the police to be the front of Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan, which claimed responsibility for the killing. The organization stated that Bindro was killed while working for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). J&K police chief Dilbag Singh told the Hindu that these killings were meant to “create a public environment” and instill a sense of fear among minorities.
He said the killing of civilians is a worrying trend. Another senior government official said that there are signs of serious attempts to target well-known businessmen in the valley and the Jammu area. At least two such previous attempts have been thwarted. “Innocent people who have nothing to do with any group were killed.
This is a terrorist incident to send a message to the ethnic minorities who have lived here peacefully for decades. Mr. Bindru has never left the valley. Street vendors were killed because They don’t want anyone outside to come and work here… the signal comes from the border,” Mr. Singh said. He added that the taxi owner was killed on suspicion of reporting to the police.
A street vendor from Bihar, Velendra Paswan, and the chairman of the Bandipora Taxi Association of North Kashmir, Mohamed Shafiron, were also killed on Tuesday. TRF accused Lone of being a police informer. Mr. Singh said that pistols were used in all three killings.
News Source : The Hindu
