After the attack, the answer

Observers say the Hiranagar border is ideal for militants to infiltrate. The prospect, however, doesn’t deter Yashpal, or others like him, from facing them. ‘‘We are in no panic. A large number of us here have already suffered a lot from Pakistani shelling,’’ he said.

The residents sent out a clear message on October 1 when as many as 55 per cent of them cast votes. That was just the beginning of a long struggle, they know. The militant attacks, residents said, were aimed at preventing them from voting. ‘‘Aaye honge darane, par humne to vote dala tha (They came to scare us off. Yet we voted),’’ Parmatmi Devi, 65, said.

The youths are planning to set up village defence committees (VDCs). ‘‘To instill confidence among people, we need to start VDCs,’’ says Uttam Chand, a local youth.

Hiranagar is ready to put behind its past, but its people haven’t forgiven the state and the Centre for failing to take militancy seriously enough. ‘‘How come militants can strike in spite of heavy security?’’ Praveen Kumar, a resident, said. ‘‘It should be investigated at the local level.’’

Lal Singh, Congress MLA from neighbouring Basholi constituency, blames the state government for letting militants strike this far. ‘‘Strong action has to be taken to check militancy here,’’ he said.