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Outrage in Indian Kashmir over Demolitions and Arrests

In response to last week's deadly attack, Indian military forces demolished nine alleged rebel residences in Kashmir and apprehended close to 2,000 individuals, leading to public outcry and allegations of "mass punishment".

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Outrage in Indian Kashmir over Demolitions and Arrests

In the wake of the devastating April 22 attack in Pahalgam, a bustling touristic hotspot in Indian-administered Kashmir, nine families found themselves displaced, left to start anew after their homes were reduced to rubble. This brutal incident claimed the lives of 26 individuals, a heart-wrenching event that marked the worst instance of civilian casualties in Kashmir in a quarter of a century.

India swiftly pointed fingers at two Pakistani citizens among the alleged perpetrators, alleging that Pakistan supplied support for cross-border terrorism—accusations that Pakistan vehemently denies. However, the investigation doesn't stop at the borders. Indian authorities are hot on the trail of several of their own citizens, believed to be connected to the horrific killings.

A massive manhunt is underway, with police stations teeming with an extensive list of suspects being questioned. The senior police official in charge of the investigation told AFP that these are not traditional arrests, but rather targeted interrogations aimed at gathering information that could lead to the capture of the terrorists. The revolving door of interrogations and releases continues as the investigation unfolds.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been a disputed territory since its independence from British rule in 1947, with both India and Pakistan laying claim to the region in its entirety. Rebel insurgency in the Indian-controlled region, which began in 1989, seeks either independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Indian authorities have circulated wanted posters for three men—two Pakistani and one Indian—suspected of being members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a terrorist organization designated by the United Nations. A generous bounty has been announced for information leading to their capture. Houses of suspected associates have also been destroyed in nighttime raids.

Protests over the Pahalgam attack have been few and far between, but voices of concern are growing louder. Warnings have been issued about the potential suffering of the wider public as the search for the few continues. "Punish the guilty, show them no mercy, but don't let innocent people become collateral damage," urged Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a statement.

Federal lawmaker Aga Ruhullah from Kashmir emphasized the collective punishment being imposed upon the region and its people. Yasmeena, the sister of fugitive Ashif Sheikh, whose home was demolished, voiced her concerns, "If my brother is involved, how is it the family's sin? This house doesn't belong to him alone."

References:- [1] AFP, 2025. Indian Police Hunt Suspects, Offer Bounty in Worst Kashmir Attack in 25 Years. Retrieved from https://afp.com/en/news/781732- [2] BBC, 2025. India Searching for Attackers After Deadly Kashmir Strikes. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58560914- [3] Reuters, 2025. India Expels Pakistani Diplomats, Halts Water Treaty Over Kashmir Attack. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/india-expels-pakistani-diplomats-halts-water-treaty-over-kashmir-attack-2025-04-24/- [4] The Guardian, 2025. India Accuses Pakistan Army Chief of Masterminding Kashmir Attack. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/23/india-accuses-pakistan-army-chief-of-masterminding-kashmir-attack

  1. The investigation into the devastating April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, has led Indian authorities to suspect several of their own citizens, believed to be connected to the horrific killings.
  2. In the aftermath of the attack, Indian authorities have launched a massive manhunt for three suspects, including two Pakistani nationals and one Indian citizen, all alleged members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba group.
  3. General news outlets are reporting warnings about the potential suffering of the wider public as the search for the few continues, with calls to punish the guilty but avoid collateral damage.
  4. The latest incident in Kashmir has once again highlighted the ongoing conflict and war-and-conflicts that have plagued the region since its independence from British rule in 1947.
  5. The politics surrounding the Kashmir issue continue to be a source of tension between India and Pakistan, with the latest attack serving as a stark reminder of the crime-and-justice issues that still need to be addressed.
In Kashmir, nine homes of suspected rebels were destroyed by Indian soldiers, and over 2,000 people have been detained following a significant attack, fueling public outrage and allegations of excessive retaliation.

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