Attempt to disturb communal harmony, claims J&K DGP Dilbag Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 7

J&K DGP Dilbag Singh has termed the recent attacks on civilian as an attempt to “defame the Muslim community of Kashmir” and damaging the age-old communal harmony by creating an atmosphere of fear.

“The incidents of targeting civilians for the past few days are barbaric. Innocent people who are working for society and have nothing to do with anyone are being targeted. This is an attempt to create an atmosphere of fear and give it a communal colour so as to damage the communal harmony in Kashmir,” he said.

Sikh group condemns attack

• The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee urged Sikh government employees to boycott work till their safety was ensured.
• Panel chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said the killings were part of a conspiracy to create a wedge between the majority and minority communities.

It’s govt’s failure: Rahul Gandhi

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that neither demonetisation nor the abrogation of Article 370 could stop terrorism. The Centre has failed to provide security, he said.
• Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government would smoke the perpetrators “out of their holes and hold them accountable.”

CRPF jawan kills civilian, hadn’t stopped at checkpoint

A civilian was shot dead by a CRPF jawan in Anantnag district after he allegedly did not stop his vehicle at a checkpoint, officials said.

The incident occurred around 9.35 pm in Monghal area of the district. Further details are awaited, officials added. PTI

The DGP was talking to reporters at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School at Sangam, Eidgah, here where two teachers — Deepak Chand and Supinder Kaur — were shot dead by militants earlier in the day.

“Terrorists are terrorists and they are acting on the directions of the agencies across (the border) in Pakistan so that Kashmir is kept disturbed and hurdles are put in the way of peace in the Valley. I am hopeful that the people in Kashmir will not let this conspiracy succeed. We will work together and defeat their purpose,” he added.

The killing of the teachers took the number of civilians killed in the Kashmir Valley in the past five days to seven, including four from the Valley’s minority communities. Six of them were killed in the city. Singh said the people who are targeting humanity, brotherhood and the local ethos and values will be unmasked soon.

The Director General of Police said, “We regret the back-to-back attacks in which civilians have been killed. We are working on the previous cases and the Srinagar police has got many clues and we will soon get the people behind such terror and barbaric attacks.... I am sure the police will be able to unmask them soon.”

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the Thursday’s killing of two teachers. He said a befitting reply would be given to the perpetrators. He said the terrorists and their patrons would not succeed in disturbing peace in the UT.

The Thursday’s militant attack on teachers of Government Boys School, Sangam, including a woman, took place around 11.15 am. The deceased have been identified as Supinder Kour, a resident of Alochi Bagh area of the city, and Deepak Chand of Jammu. (With PTI inputs)

Have we lost intel or enemy has become sharper, asks Bukhari

J&K Apni Party (JKAP) chief Altaf Bukhari has said there is a need to ponder whether the ground and human intelligence has failed or the enemy has become sharper and more organised. He warned that any further “delay in revival of grassroots democracy will only lead us to mayhem, which we have started witnessing”. — PTI

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