Political Outrage Over Security Concerns
NEW DELHI: The Congress party staged a protest march in Jammu on Saturday, criticizing the Central government’s handling of increasing terrorism in the region. The march, which began at Panjtirthi and ended at Parade Chowk, was in response to the recent loss of four police personnel in a two-day encounter with terrorists in Kathua district.
The attack, which started on Thursday, resulted in the deaths of two Pakistani terrorists and the tragic loss of four Jammu and Kashmir Police officers.
Congress Leaders Demand Action
Leading the march were J&K Pradesh Congress Committee working presidents Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla. Protesters voiced frustration over the rising terror attacks and the delayed restoration of statehood, a long-standing demand of the region.
-
Tara Chand expressed sorrow over the loss of security personnel and condemned the government’s failure to maintain peace.
-
He called for immediate action to prevent further casualties and stressed that statehood restoration was crucial for regional progress.
-
Raman Bhalla echoed these concerns, blaming the Central government’s inaction for the rise in terrorist activities.
Omar Abdullah Condemns Violence
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack. After visiting the families of the fallen policemen, he stated that Jammu’s security situation had deteriorated in recent years, particularly after troops were redeployed to counter Chinese incursions in Ladakh.
He assured that efforts were underway to strengthen security in the region.
Ongoing Security Operations in Kathua
The Kathua encounter began on March 23, following intelligence reports of suspected Pakistani infiltrators. The clash resulted in the deaths of:
🔹 Four police officers – Balvinder Singh, Tariq Ahmad, Jaswant Singh, and Jagbir Singh.
🔹 Two Pakistani terrorists, reportedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Security forces continue search operations in the area to eliminate any remaining threats.
J&K Police Reaffirms Commitment to Security
Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat vowed that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be in vain. He reiterated the commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police to fight terrorism and protect the region from external destabilizing forces.
