Crackdown Intensifies in Jammu & Kashmir: Terrorists’ Homes Demolished, Concerns Rise Over Innocent Civilians
In the wake of the heartbreaking terror attack at Pahalgam’s beautiful Baisaran meadows on April 22 — an attack that took away 26 precious lives and sent the entire nation into deep mourning — authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have launched a full-blown, no-nonsense crackdown on the terror network operating in the Valley.
One of the key steps taken as part of this intensified anti-terror campaign has been the demolition of houses belonging to alleged active terrorists. Over the weekend, security forces bulldozed three more houses — located in Bandipora, Pulwama, and Shopian districts.
Let’s quickly look at the fresh demolitions:
✅ In Shopian district, officials pulled down the house of Adnan Shafi, who had reportedly joined the terrorist ranks just last year.
✅ In Pulwama, the house of another suspected terrorist, Amir Nazir, faced a similar fate.
✅ And in Bandipora, the residence of Jameel Ahmad Shergojri, said to be an active Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist since 2016, was razed to the ground.
With these latest actions, the total number of houses demolished since April 22 has gone up to nine — all belonging to suspected terrorists or their overground workers.
Massive Raids Across the Valley!
In just five days following the Pahalgam attack, security forces have conducted over 500 raids across Kashmir. Hundreds of suspects have been rounded up for questioning, sending a strong and clear message that terror sympathizers will not find a place to hide.
However, amid this large-scale operation, concerns are steadily rising. Political leaders and civil rights activists are urging the government to exercise caution and ensure that innocent civilians are not caught in the crossfire.
Political Voices Sound a Warning Bell
Mehbooba Mufti, chief of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, didn’t mince her words. She posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The Indian government must tread with caution and carefully distinguish between terrorists and civilians following the Pahalgam attack. It must not alienate innocent people, especially those opposing terror.”
Mufti went on to express alarm over reports suggesting that thousands of people have been arrested and that homes of ordinary Kashmiris — alongside those of militants — were being destroyed.
Her message was clear: alienating common people could play right into the hands of terror groups that thrive on creating divisions and spreading fear.
Similarly, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, also made an emotional appeal. While condemning the Pahalgam attack outright, he urged authorities not to inflict collective punishment on the Kashmiri population:
“While it’s crucial to bring the perpetrators to justice, indiscriminate arrests and demolitions shared on social media are extremely disturbing and distressing. Please don’t punish innocent Kashmiri families.”
Rare Public Outrage Against Terrorism
What’s truly historic — and something that deserves the spotlight — is the way the Kashmiri people reacted to the Pahalgam attack.
For perhaps the first time in 78 years, there were mass protests across the Valley against terrorism. The outpouring of anger against the militants was a monumental shift — a sign that ordinary Kashmiris have had enough of violence and bloodshed.
Sajad Lone, leader of the People's Conference and a former minister, described it beautifully:
"The mass protests against the Pahalgam killings were rare and extraordinary — a first in generations. It’s a fragile but important milestone."
However, he warned that overzealous law enforcement actions could easily undo this positive shift in public sentiment:
"Please don’t allow short-sighted actions to push people back into fear and resentment. The gains after Pahalgam are too precious to squander."
Collective Punishment: A Dangerous Path?
There’s also a broader debate now raging across the Valley about the idea of "collective punishment" — punishing entire families or communities for the actions of a few.
Sajad Lone pointed out that such a strategy resembles the outdated and oppressive Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, a colonial-era law where British rulers branded entire communities as criminals based on their ancestry. He warned that repeating such practices today could damage efforts toward reconciliation and healing:
✅ Labeling entire families or villages based on one person’s action will only sow seeds of more division.
✅ Long-term peace can only come from targeted actions against real culprits, not from generalized punishment.
India-Pakistan Tensions Flare Up Again
Meanwhile, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s powerful vow to chase down the Pahalgam attackers “to the ends of the earth,” India has unveiled a string of tough retaliatory measures against Pakistan — which New Delhi squarely blames for fostering terror.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
🔥 Visa cancellations for Pakistani citizens.
🔥 Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty — an agreement that had survived wars and decades of hostility.
🔥 Warnings that India might divert the Indus River waters, a move Islamabad has already labeled as an “act of war.”
Not surprisingly, Pakistan retaliated by putting the Shimla Agreement of 1972 — a cornerstone of Indo-Pakistan diplomatic ties — "in abeyance."
The diplomatic war of words is heating up almost daily, with both countries exchanging sharp statements. Tensions are running high, and the world is watching closely.
The Road Ahead: Tough Choices
The situation right now in Jammu and Kashmir is at a critical crossroads.
✔️ On one hand, there’s a historic chance to break the back of the terror ecosystem that has bled the Valley for decades.
✔️ On the other, there’s the urgent need to protect innocent civilians, avoid alienating the masses, and build on the rare unity seen after the Pahalgam attack.
As one seasoned political observer put it, "Justice must be swift but also just. The wrong approach now could mean losing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for real change."
In Conclusion: A Delicate Balance
The Indian government faces a massive, high-stakes challenge: wipe out terrorism without trampling on the very people who want peace.
Kashmiris have shown that their hearts beat for peace and progress — but they must not be pushed back into isolation and fear.
The whole country is hoping that the path taken from here is firm against terror but fair to innocents.
Because only then can we truly honor the memory of those lost in Pahalgam — and build a future where such tragedies are never repeated.
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