Kashmir: 11 relatives of J&K police abducted by terrorists
What's the story
On Friday, terrorists kidnapped two more relatives of policemen serving in the Jammu and Kashmir police, taking the total number of such abductions to 11 over the last three days. Notably, in the last 28 years of the Kashmir militancy, these abductions mark the first time that families of policemen have been targeted like this. Here's all about it.
Abductions
Details are sketchy, but here's what we know
While details of all the abductions aren't clear, what's known is that terrorists have kidnapped the brother of a deputy superintendent of police, the nephew of a superintendent of police, and nine sons of police officers. The abductions took place in Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Awantipora, and Pulwama districts. Meanwhile, terrorists released a recently abducted kin of a policeman after beating him black and blue.
Police action
The abductions come on the back of multiple police raids
Notably, the sudden abductions by terrorists follow police action over the last two days which saw multiple raids being carried out, and multiple relatives of terrorists arrested. On Thursday, security forces in Kashmir went on a rampage after four policemen were killed in Shopian, and set houses of several terrorists ablaze. Considering these facts, police sources believe the abductions are a pressure tactic.
Eye for an eye
Terrorists to follow an "eye for an eye" policy henceforth
While security forces in Kashmir are devising ways to find and rescue the hostages, Hizbul operational commander Riyaz Naikoo has reportedly said that the terrorists would follow an "eye for an eye policy" henceforth. "Policemen are advised in their own interest to give up their jobs or be prepared to face the worst," said Naikoo, whose father was arrested two days ago.
Reactions
Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah express their anguish
Reacting to the developments, former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to express their anguish. Mufti said that the targeting of families marked a "new low", and that families should be left out of tussles between state police and terrorists. Omar, meanwhile, criticized people for their selective outrage against security forces and their silence during these abductions.
Twitter Post
Omar Abdullah hits out against selective outrage
11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley. What’s worse is the selective outrage - people/leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions. https://t.co/8ucs3PWpJc
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 31, 2018