PDP cautions Centre: Hardline stance alienating population in Pir Panjal region

Ten soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in the region recently: five soldiers died when militants targeted an Army vehicle that caught fire in the attack, and five more were killed during an operation earlier in May.

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PDP stated, “(The) GOI's hardline approach towards Kashmir coupled with the elimination of our political mainstream is creating fertile grounds for radicalisation where the azaadi sentiment is stronger than ever.” (Express Photo)

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Referring to the recent militant attacks in Pir Panjal region of Jammu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that “alienating an entire population comes with a price”, and that the Centre’s “hardline approach” has created “fertile grounds for radicalisation where azaadi sentiment in stronger than ever”.

In its monthly newsletter, ‘Speak Up’, the party stated, “(The) GOI’s hardline approach towards Kashmir coupled with the elimination of our political mainstream is creating fertile grounds for radicalisation where the azaadi sentiment is stronger than ever.”

The Pir Panjal region, comprising Rajouri and Poonch districts, has seen a rise in militant attacks over the last one year. Ten soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in the region recently: five soldiers died when militants targeted an Army vehicle that caught fire in the attack, and five more were killed during an operation earlier in May.

Maintaining that “Indian intelligence is losing its grip over the Pir Panjal region”, the PDP newsletter stated: “Not only did GOI fail to take adequate security measures to prevent the Poonch attack but they also tried to downplay it by calling it an accident…”

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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