Hundreds of residents detained after civilian killings in Kashmir
Shahana Butt
Press TV, Kashmir
Tensions are running high in the Indian-Administered Kashmir after Indian security forces arrested hundreds of people, allegedly in connection with the killing of seven civilians. Security has been tightened across the region after a militant group claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Indian-Controlled Kashmir is witnessing an uptick in tensions after seven civilians from Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities were killed in separate attacks last week.
The tensions soared after Indian security forces detained over 700 Kashmiris on alleged charges of having links with the gunman who killed the civilians.
Suspected militants have so far killed 28 civilians in the Indian-Administered Kashmir in 2021. Out of the civilians, 21 were Muslims, 5 belonged to local Hindu and Sikh communities and two were non local Hindu laborers.
Politicians in Kashmir have criticized Indian security forces for their failure to protect civilian lives, saying that Kashmir is now witnessing fresh attempts to disrupt its social harmony.
Muslims, who are the majority in Kashmir, have denounced the recent attacks. They say they do not want the tensions that gripped Kashmir in the 1990’s to be repeated.
Over the past two days, at least five Indian army personnel and five anti-India fighters have been killed during separate gun battles triggered by the earlier civilian killings and the subsequent mass arrests. Authorities also beefed up security across the region after a new pro-freedom militant outfit, dubbed 'The Resistance Front,' claimed responsibility for the civilian killings.
Kashmir is a disputed region claimed by both India and Pakistan. The two countries rule the region in parts and have fought several wars over it.
The fresh spate of violence in the region has terrorized people. Many here say religious disharmony in Kashmir is a fabrication and deliberately exploited for political gains especially in the run-up to elections in India.
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