Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday linked the rise in terror incidents in Jammu to the redeployment of army personnel to Ladakh to counter Chinese incursions. Speaking to reporters after meeting the families of four police personnel killed in an encounter in Kathua, Abdullah stressed the need for enhanced security measures in the Union Territory.
“Encounters and terror attacks are nothing new; they have been occurring in Jammu for the past three to four years. Even in Reasi district, a passenger bus carrying pilgrims was attacked last year. There were also attacks in Jammu city,” Abdullah said, as per news agency PTI.
Explaining the security dynamics, he said, “When the Chinese army made incursions into Ladakh, we needed troops to counter them. We could not remove the army from the valley, so personnel stationed in Jammu were sent to Ladakh. This created a shortage, which is now gradually being addressed.”
The chief minister assured that compensation cases for the slain policemen would be processed once government offices reopen after Eid. “We have to control militancy in a way that prevents further martyrdom,” he asserted.
The four policemen—Balvinder Singh, Tariq Ahmad, Jaswant Singh, and Jagbir Singh—lost their lives in a gunfight with infiltrating terrorists in Kathua’s Safiyan forest on Thursday. Two Pakistani terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), were also killed. A massive search operation is underway to track other suspected militants.
“Conspiracies Hatched From Across The Border”: J-K Deputy CM Choudhary
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, addressing reporters after the wreath-laying ceremony for Head Constable Jagbir Singh at the police headquarters in Jammu, blamed Pakistan for the continuing violence.
“Our children are being martyred due to conspiracies hatched from across the border. Pakistan has been killing our people for over 30 years but has achieved nothing,” Choudhary said, as per PTI. “The country sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has destroyed itself. We hope good sense prevails, and this militancy ends. They should understand that neither Jammu and Kashmir nor India will weaken because of terrorism.”
Choudhary underscored the unity among communities, stating, “Our brotherhood is strong, and no one can break it, no matter how hard they try.”
Funerals For Police Martyred In Kathua Held Amid Emotional Scenes
The last rites of the fallen police personnel were performed with full honours in their respective hometowns, drawing thousands of mourners. Emotional scenes unfolded as people raised slogans hailing the bravery of the slain officers and condemning Pakistan, as pe.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, along with former Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, attended the funeral of Constable Tariq Ahmad, who is survived by his wife, four-year-old daughter, and elderly parents. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Udhampur-Reasi range) Rayees Mohammad Bhat led the wreath-laying ceremony at Ahmad’s funeral.
“This saga of sacrifice has continued for a long time. We have lost many brave officers in this fight against terrorism, and we take immense pride in their sacrifices,” DIG Bhat told PTI. “This battle will continue until Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is completely wiped out.”
MP Jugal Kishore Sharma accused Pakistan of pushing terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir to divert attention from its internal crises. “Terrorism’s backbone has been broken; it is taking its last breaths and will soon be eradicated,” he said.
The bodies of Balwinder Singh Chib and Jaswant Singh were also cremated with full honours, with villagers vowing that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
Jagbir Singh’s body was taken to the police headquarters in Jammu, where Omar Abdullah led the wreath-laying ceremony before handing it over to his family. Singh, who joined the police force in 1997, is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Jammu and Kashmir minister Satish Sharma, attending Singh’s funeral, called for a decisive response against Pakistan. “I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat to take strong action. The time has come to give the enemy nation a befitting reply,” Sharma said.
He praised the fallen officers, stating, “They fought bravely, eliminating two terrorists and preventing greater damage.”
Former minister and Congress leader Choudhary Lal Singh also attended the funeral to pay his respects.
The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense, with authorities on high alert as the search operation for remaining terrorists continues.
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