SRINAGAR, April 29 – Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir halted the demolition of houses belonging to suspected militants on Monday, following mounting criticism from regional political parties. However, the crackdown on terror networks and their supporters intensified across the Union Territory, even as cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) entered its fourth consecutive day.
No demolitions using controlled explosions were carried out on Monday, officials said, according to The Hindu, following a joint condemnation by prominent regional political outfits including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Awami Ittehad Party, and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference. The parties warned that continued demolition activity risked deepening alienation among residents.
A senior official in the Jammu and Kashmir administration told The Hindu that the Union government had taken note of these concerns and was currently reviewing the strategy.
The demolition drive followed the April 22 militant attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead and 16 injured. The Ministry of Home Affairs subsequently identified more than 14 active militants, prompting a series of retaliatory actions.
At least 10 houses allegedly linked to militants from proscribed outfits including Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Lashkar-e-Taiba were razed prior to the pause, including those of three suspects believed to be involved in the Pahalgam assault. However, locals, particularly in Pulwama, protested the demolitions, citing collateral damage to adjacent structures.
Despite the halt in demolitions, law enforcement continued its crackdown. Police on Monday conducted raids at the residences of 36 suspected militants in Kashmir, with the majority of searches taking place in Srinagar.
“In its continuing persistent action against militant associates of proscribed militants outfits, and in furtherance of investigations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, searches were carried out at multiple locations in Srinagar,” a police spokesperson said.
In Chenab Valley, police searched the residences of suspected militants and their associates in the Doda and Kishtwar districts. Many of those targeted are believed to be operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to police sources.
Meanwhile, tensions persisted along the LoC, with the Indian Army reporting unprovoked small arms fire from Pakistani positions in Kupwara and Poonch districts late Sunday night.
“On the night of April 27, Pakistan army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts. Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively,” an Army statement said.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the cross-border skirmishes.
(Inputs from The Hindu)
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