J&K: Shopian Sees Exodus Of Kashmiri Pandit Families After Killing Of Community Member By Terrorists

Ten Kashmiri Pandit families fled to Jammu from their village in the Shopian district of south Kashmir as a result of recent targeted killings by terrorists.

Protest against Puran Bhat's killing

Source : PTI

As a result of recent targeted killings by terrorists, ten Kashmiri Pandit families fled to Jammu from their village in the Shopian district of south Kashmir, news agency PTI reported. 

Residents of Choudharygund claim that the recent terrorist attacks have triggered a fear psychosis among Pandits who stayed in Kashmir during the most difficult period of terrorism in the 1990s.

"Ten families comprising 35 to 40 Kashmiri Pandits have migrated out of our village due to the fear psychosis," a resident of Choudharygund village who faced a death threat recently told PTI. He said the village was now empty.

"The situation is not conducive for us to live in Kashmir Valley. We live in fear due to killings. There is no security for us," another villager said.

The villagers alleged a police station was established away from their village despite their repeated requests for protection.

They stated to have left everything in their homes, including the recent apple harvest.

Those who have arrived in Jammu are staying with relatives.

On October 15, terrorists assassinated Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat outside his ancestral home in Choudharygund village, Shopian district. According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the terrorist outfit Kashmir Freedom Fighters claimed responsibility for his murder. 

Monish Kumar and Ram Sagar were killed in a grenade attack by terrorists while sleeping in their rented accommodation in Shopian on October 18.

Last week, Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah stated that that the incidents of target killings of Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir are not going to stop until Article 370 is restored.

“This will never stop until justice is served. Earlier they said such killings happening due to Article 370, but it’s abrogated now, so why such killings haven’t stopped? Who’s responsible?” National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

Ravinder Raina, chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir, condemned the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit and said the terrorists responsible would be punished.

“All the conspiracies of Pakistan and terrorists will be made unsuccessful. Those who conspired to target a Kashmiri Pandit will have to bear the brunt. The Army-Police have put up check nakas, and the conspiring terrorists will be turned to dust,” Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina told ANI.

(With Inputs From Agencies)