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Grenade Attacks: Civilians Bear the Brunt of Endless Confrontations

Sagrika Kissu |
The series of grenade attacks that followed the incident has torn the facade of peace in the Valley.
Grenade

Twelve civilians and four police officers were injured in a grenade attack today in Shopian district of Kashmir. This is the fourth reported attack after a youth was allegedly crushed to death under the wheels by a paramilitary CRPF vehicle in a regular protest after the congregation of Friday prayers on June 2. The incident had sparked a public outcry in the valley with people coming out onto the streets to protest against the government.

The series of grenade attacks that followed the incident has torn the facade of peace in the Valley. According to the reports, in the first attack, a grenade was hurled towards a security forces patrol party in Fatehkadal area of Srinagar. In less than three hours after the first attack, three CRPF personnel and a woman were reportedly injured in an explosion. A jawan and a civilian suffered injuries after second grenade was lobbed at a CRPF vehicle in Budshah chowk area near the city centre in Srinagar. Minutes after the second attack, another grenade was hurled at another CRPF vehicle in Magarmal Bagh area of Srinagar. Reports reveal that the militant outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) has owned the responsibility of the attacks.

The death of the youth by the CRPF vehicle followed by series of grenade attacks has ruptured the ongoing unilateral ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has urged separatists to respond to the offer of talks put forth by the government. The CM was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, “Such opportunity does not come everyday."

Strings of Grenade attacks

The series of grenade attacks in the valley and the ongoing conflict between the militants and armed forces in the valley have cost a number of lives of civilians. Last year, in September, 2017, three civilians were killed and 39 others were injured after a hand grenade was lobbed towards the security forces on duty in Tral area of Kashmir. The grenade had fallen on the road, and had resulted in on the spot death of two pedestrians, including one woman.

“The death of civilian in grenade attacks is definitely unfortunate and something that could be avoided. Kashmir is once again going through an increased armed movement, where two sides with guns are fighting with each other. In that scenario, civilians have paid the cost. It’s high time that the state takes measures to avoid such situation from arising, and I think the best way to do it is to withdraw forces from all civilian areas,” said Fahad Shah, editor of the news portal Kashmirwalla.

Experts say that it’s the civilians who bear the brunt of the endless confrontation between the armed forces and the militants in the valley. In such a case, state needs to intervene and listen to what people want.

 

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