People took to the streets in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district to protest against the killing of two village defense guards by terrorists in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. The protesters demanded the “immediate elimination” of terrorists involved in the killings in order to restore confidence among the local population. Hundreds of people gathered in Drabshalla area of the district, burnt tires and blocked roads. They raised slogans against Pakistan and terrorists and raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
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The VDGs were identified as Kuldeep Kumar and Nazir. Kashmir Tigers terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for their killings. Senior officials in the district confirmed that both VDGs were reported missing earlier in the day, before their photographs were released by the terrorist organization. Police and security forces have reached the area. The area has been witnessing terrorist activities for the past several months, a senior official said, adding that during the recent assembly elections, there were exchanges of fire between terrorists and security forces in the area on at least two occasions.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and leaders of the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have condemned the incident. Paying tribute to the victims, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “No amount of condemnation is enough for the heinous terrorist attack on VDG members.” Sinha posted on the social media platform ‘X’, “I condemn this cowardly act.” I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the brave sons who were martyred in the attack. We are determined to destroy all terrorist organizations and avenge this barbaric act.”
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Chief Minister Abdullah and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah also condemned the incident. The ruling National Conference wrote on ‘X’ that the party president and the Chief Minister condemned the heinous killings and said that “such acts of barbaric violence remain a major obstacle in establishing long-term peace in Jammu and Kashmir.” And former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party supremo Mehbooba Mufti and State Congress Committee Vice President Ravindra Sharma also condemned the killings.
