Srinagar: Reacting to the killings of two Kashmiris – one in Kathua and another in Sopore – Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has said that the situation in the region is not under the control of the elected government.
“The situation in Kashmir is not good, and unfortunately, the elected government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is not in control,” Wani stated.
He further claimed that security-related decisions are being taken without consulting the elected government.
“It is very unfortunate that such incidents are happening in Kashmir. Whenever these things occur, questions are raised about the elected government. But the reality is that all security-related meetings and decisions are made without taking us into confidence. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha heads these meetings, and he should answer these questions instead,” he said.
Wani also pointed out that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was not informed about a high-level meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
“Just like yesterday’s meeting in Delhi, where crucial security decisions were likely taken, the Chief Minister was not even informed, let alone involved. This is precisely why we have been demanding the restoration of statehood,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for a probe into the killings.
Earlier, in Kathua’s Billawar area, 25-year-old Makhan Din from Perody was reportedly detained on allegations of being an Over Ground Worker (OGW).
He, according to reports and claims made by PDP leaders, including Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti, was subjected to brutal torture while in custody, allegedly forced into a confession, and later found dead under mysterious circumstances.
Following the incident, authorities sealed off the area and suspended internet services, escalating panic among residents.
In a separate incident in Baramulla’s Sopore, a civilian was shot dead by the Army after allegedly being chased for over 23 kilometers when the driver didn’t stop at a check point. Reacting to the incident, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, expressed shock over what she termed as the ‘unbridled impunity’ of security forces.
Taking to social media platform X, Iltija wrote, “Shocking that after a civilian killing in Kathua dubbed as an ‘OGW’, another civilian from Sopore was shot dead by the Army. How strange that after chasing the truck for over 23 kms, they claim to have fired at the tyres but somehow misfired at him instead. Are Kashmiri lives so cheap? How long will you justify this unbridled impunity by pointing everyone with the needle of suspicion?”
The twin killings have sparked outrage across political and civil society circles, with calls for transparency and justice growing louder.
Meanwhile, Police urged people to maintain peace and order. The police said that it received information that an RR party had established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) to intercept potential threats.
The police further stated that a suspicious civil truck was spotted moving at high speed. Despite repeated warnings, the vehicle did not stop and instead accelerated past the check post. Troops pursued the truck for over 23 km and, as per protocol, fired at the tyres to deflate them, forcing the vehicle to halt at Sangrama Chowk.
The statement added, “A detailed search was conducted, and the injured driver was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla, where he was declared dead.”
The police said that an FIR has been registered in police station Baramulla. The truck has been moved to the nearest police station for thorough search. Post mortem proceedings have been initiated to ascertain the cause of death.”
“We urge the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation regarding this incident,” the statement reads.
“Any attempt to disrupt public order or spread false information will be dealt with strictly,” said the police.
