A recent spate of attacks across Kashmir has led to the deaths of both civilians and soldiers, underscoring the region’s persistent instability. Families in affected villages face profound loss, while political leaders voice outrage and demand accountability. The surge in violence highlights a fragile security situation, posing risks to recent efforts aimed at revitalising political activity and reinforcing community resilience in the region, reports Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
Emotions surged in Baramulla’s Nowshera hamlet as slogans echoed through the narrow streets. Women wailed and beat their chests, while men strained to catch a final glimpse of the young dead man.
These scenes unfolded during the funeral of Mushtaq Ahmed Choudhary, a 27-year-old civilian porter for the Army who died in an attack on October 24, 2024, about 50 km from his home. Among the mourners was a woman in her early thirties, crying inconsolably until she collapsed, shouting amidst the wails, “We lost him.”
As Choudhary’s body arrived in his native village, thousands gathered to offer funeral prayers and extend condolences to the family. Usually a tranquil place, Nowshera was swept into mourning at the news. The loss of this young man cast a shadow over the village.
The Gulmarg Attack
Mushtaq was among five individuals killed in the Butapathri ambush, a few kilometres from the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg. The deceased included two civilians and three soldiers.
The incident, which took place near the Line of Control (LoC) at Nagin Dhok, targeted a convoy of the 18 Rashtriya Rifles. Following the ambush, the Army swiftly initiated a large-scale counter-insurgency operation with reinforced strength into the rugged terrain. Army helicopters patrolled the skies early on Friday morning as the search for assailants intensified.
Security sources indicate the proximity of the spot to the LoC raises suspicions of an infiltration attempt. The Army has yet to officially confirm casualties from the incident. However, reports suggest the Army initiated a substantial search operation that continued throughout the night under senior officers’ leadership.
Security forces have sealed routes surrounding the area. Officials reported that the forces are employing both human and technical intelligence inputs to aid the search operation aimed at tracing and neutralising the terrorists responsible for the attack.
Authorities on Friday temporarily suspended the Gondola ropeway service at the resort town of Gulmarg as a precautionary measure following the attack. The area has historical significance; in 1965, it was the site of a notable infiltration attempt.
This incident follows a previous attack that sent shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the casualties of seven individuals, including a doctor.
The Gagangeer Ambush
The atmosphere in Budgam’s Naidgam village soon turned mournful upon the arrival of the body of a healer.
Dr Shahnawaz Dar, a 52-year-old physician, was among the seven killed on October 20, when militants attacked a construction site in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where construction workers are implementing a key tunnel project on the Srinagar-Leh national highway.
“He was honest and helped people beyond his duty. He wanted me to pursue medicine, but I aimed for the IAS. He promised to support my dream,” His son, Mohsin, said. Now, Mohsin feels burdened by family expectations. “After hearing the news, I thought my dream was over. What will I do now? Should I take care of myself or my family?”
Dar’s home, once lively, became a place of mourning upon receiving the tragic news. “He was busy celebrating when he got an emergency call and never returned,” a relative recalled.
The doctor is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter, who had married just a week earlier. While Mohsin is in college, his younger brother is still in school. Besides, six other individuals were killed in Jammu and Kashmir when militants targeted workers from APCO Infratech, who are constructing the Z-Morh tunnel along the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway. This incident marks the first major militant attack on a significant infrastructure project in the region, as militants have typically not focused on such initiatives in the past.
The 6.4-km Z-Morh tunnel will connect the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town in Ganderbal district. Located near Gagangir village, just a few kilometres before Sonamarg, the tunnel aims to provide all-weather access to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination along the Srinagar-Leh highway.
The tunnel derives its name from the Z-shaped road section at the construction site. Situated at an altitude exceeding 8,500 feet, this area is prone to avalanches during winter, which results in the road to Sonamarg being closed for much of the season. The road, a strategic piece of surface communication, is witnessing massive investment in the two tunnel projects, which will make access to Ladakh from Kashmir the round the year possible. The second tunnel will bypass the perilous Zoji La Pass.
Other victims of the attack were identified as Mohammad Hanif, Kaleem, Faheem Nasir (Bihar), Anil Shukhla (Madhya Pradesh), Sashi Abrol (Jammu), Gurmeet Singh (Punjab), and Dr Shahnawaz.
A Series of Attacks
These two attacks were not isolated. Post elections, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a series of attacks in which more than a dozen lives were lost. Almost seven attacks occurred over fourteen days, the latest on October 24, in Gulmarg. Earlier that day, militants shot a labourer from Uttar Pradesh in Tral, severely injuring him. This followed a brutal attack on October 20 in Ganderbal, where militants killed seven individuals, including six non-local labourers and a local doctor, at the Z-Morh tunnel construction site. On October 18, a Bihar labourer was shot multiple times in Shopian, and his body was found in a field.
Additionally, the bullet-riddled body of Territorial Army soldier Hilal Ahmad Bhat was discovered in Anantnag on October 9. He had been abducted alongside a colleague, who somehow escaped.
These incidents coincided with the formation of a new government after a six-year hiatus. However, since Jammu and Kashmir were downgraded to two union territories, the government has limited power, with key authority resting with the lieutenant governor.
In the wake of these attacks, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Delhi, meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Abdullah discussed various issues, including security and development, and urged the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood “in its original form.” The year 2024 is significant due to the revival of political activity in Jammu and Kashmir, as the political class reacts strongly to recent major attacks.
After the Ganderbal attack, LT Governor Manoj Sinha presided over a high-level security-related meeting in which the Chief Minister was missing. This irked the former Home Minister P Chidambaram who sought the early restoration of full statehood. Usually, the Chief Minister would head the meeting of the Unified Headquarters in which all the decisions related to the security situations are taken. This meeting was usually represented by all the security agencies. Dr Farooq Abdullah, however, told reporters that Omar was in Delhi and was not in a meeting. It remains to be seen if the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister has a right to sit in a meeting for an activity that does not fall under his authority.
Shifting Scenes
In the last five years, Kashmir remained by and large peaceful with the security grid being proactive and the fugitives on the run. For a change, the militancy-related incidents had moved to Jammu, mostly in the Rajouri Poonch region where some of the serious militancy-related incidents took place.
Till July 2024, when a major terror attack was reported in Kathua, reports appearing in the media suggest that 43 soldiers were killed in the region since October 11, 2021, when the 10-day encounter was reported in Surankote. The election campaign in Kashmir and Jammu for Lok Sabha as well as assembly remained completely peaceful. After the new government with skirted powers took over, the militancy-related incidents started getting reported in Kashmir.
Political Reactions
Region’s leaders have condemned the recent militant attacks in Baramulla and Ganderbal, expressing condolences and concerns regarding the escalating violence. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah denounced the Baramulla attack, which resulted in the deaths of four army personnel, including two soldiers and two porters. “This spate of attacks in Kashmir is deeply concerning,” he tweeted, offering prayers for the injured and condolences to the families of those lost.
People’s Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti expressed her shock over the “unequivocal tragedy” in Baramulla, particularly lamenting the loss of civilian life and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. Handwara MLA and Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone condemned the violence, describing it as a sign of disrespect for democratically elected governance in Kashmir.
Altaf Bukhari, President of the Jammu Kashmir Apni Party, condemned the attacks as “senseless violence” undermining the region’s well-being. Ravinder Raina, President of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized Pakistan’s involvement, vowing justice for those responsible.
The Ganderbal attack on a labourers’ camp, which killed six, drew widespread outrage. Chief Minister Abdullah expressed concern over the casualties and offered prayers for the injured. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha promised accountability and affirmed that security forces had full authority to respond effectively.
Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other politicians, condemned the attack as “cowardly” and called for action. Ruhullah, a neighbour of Dr Shahnawaz, expressed grief on X, stating, “It is heart-wrenching to know that the death toll from today’s dastardly attack on the labourers’ camp in Sonmarg has reached six, with many still in critical condition.” He extended condolences to the victims’ families, including Dr Shahnawaz’s.
Almost all the political leaders including Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and all the cabinet ministers visited the families of the slain civilians in the Ganderbal attack. LG Sinha also flew to Jammu to console the Abrol family.
