Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 28: Several political, apolitical, and other religiously as well as socially oriented bodies today expressed their deep outrage and condolences over the recent terrorist attack in Kathua that led to the martyrdom of four police personnel.
They also expressed concern over the recent spike in terror activities in the region and demanded tougher action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
A gunfight, which broke out on Thursday near Jakhole village in Kathua, resulted in the loss of four brave cops’ lives, while three terrorists were also eliminated during the operation.
In a statement, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, who is also the incharge of the party in J&K, said that terrorism would be decisively defeated in J&K as a new vision of progress envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is already gaining ground.
Paying tributes to the security personnel killed in Kathua, Chugh said Pakistan ISI has been making desperate efforts to disturb peace and progress in J&K but the vision of PM Modi to structure new development paths would go a long way to defeat the designs of the ISI.
In a similar vein, BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia expressed his strong condemnation of Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in Jammu, especially in light of the recent violence in Kathua. Jasrotia asserted that Pakistan’s frustration over the development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the growing number of separatists joining the mainstream, had led it to revive militancy in the region. “Pakistan is directly responsible for the violence in Kathua and other regions,” he said.
Jasrotia made a bold demand for Pakistan to be declared a rogue nation, and called for international sanctions and potential military actions against Pakistan.
Former Minister and Working President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Raman Bhalla tore into the BJP’s oft-repeated assertion of having restored normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that terrorism to the peaceful Jammu region is the gift of the BJP.
Leading a protest march at the historic Bahu Fort area along with Working President and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, DCC President Manmohan Singh, Satish Sharma, TS Tony and other leaders, Bhalla said, “The BJP has been trumpeting its so-called success in bringing normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir but reality is laid bare by the situation in Kathua, where we are losing our soldiers and civilians.”
The Congress leader vowed that the party would continue to press the BJP on its failures, both on the streets and in the political arena.
Senior BJP leader Ajatshatru Singh also paid rich tributes to the fallen soldiers.
Ajatshatru expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of four soldiers in the Rajbagh gunfight, calling their sacrifice a testament to the bravery and commitment of India’s armed forces.
He further urged the Government to take stringent action against the anti-national elements and to fortify counter-terrorism measures.
BJP leader Nitish Mahajan also paid his tributes to the martyrs.
In a statement, Mahajan, President of BJP Trikuta Nagar Mandal, emphasized that such losses only strengthened the resolve to combat terrorism.
“The Government under Prime Minister Modi is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the region,” he said, calling on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to support security forces in their efforts to restore peace.
Former MLC Vikramaditya Singh expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of four soldiers and extended his heartfelt condolences to the family members of the slain soldiers.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to heroes of Kathua and will honour their sacrifice eternally,” he said.
Singh called for intensified efforts by the security forces to enhance intelligence operations and fortify security measures.
Ranvijay Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, also expressed deep anguish over the martyrdom of four valiant soldiers in a fierce gunfight with terrorists in Rajbagh.
In a press statement, Ranvijay Singh asserted that the sacrifice of these brave hearts would always be remembered and serve as an inspiration for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
He called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remain vigilant, united, and committed to the cause of a peaceful and terror-free homeland.
Rajat Singh Manhas, President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Jammu North, also condemned the terrorist attack in Kathua.
He denounced the heinous act of violence, which resulted in the martyrdom of four soldiers and the injury of several others.
“This barbaric act of terror will not go unpunished,” Singh said.
BJYM Jammu North also organized a protest where they burned an effigy of Pakistan to signify their condemnation of Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism.
Sunil Dimple, President of Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir, also led a protest rally condemning the martyrdom of four SOG personnel and the rising terrorism in the region.
Dimple accused Pakistan of waging a proxy war against India, stating that the militants operating in Jammu are part of a larger, coordinated effort by Pakistan to destabilize the region.
“Pakistan has revived militancy in Jammu, especially in areas like Billawar, Basohli, and Bani, where militants move freely,” Dimple said.
Kesri, addressing a press conference, stressed that Pakistan was changing its strategy by sending highly trained and well-equipped terrorists to the Jammu region.
Kesri condemned Pakistan for its continuous involvement in terror activities in the region and hailed the bravery of Indian security forces who eliminated terrorists during the ongoing operations.
Local organizations like Dogra Front & Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Ashok Gupta, also held a rally in Jammu city to pay tribute to the martyred soldiers.
Gupta called for unity in the face of terror, condemning those who advocate talks with Pakistan.
He stressed the need for stronger actions against the terror nation and reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s stance that “terror and talks cannot go together.”
Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad Jammu and Kashmir also condemned the cowardly terrorist attack in Kathua and paid tributes to the martyrs at Jammu Mahanagar, Marh, Jhiri, Sunderbani, Poonch, Rajouri.
Similar programmes were held in Kishtwar, Paddar, Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, and Batote areas.
A tribute ceremony was also organised at Diwana Temple, Jammu, to honour the four brave soldiers who were martyred in the encounter in Kathua.
There, the members of Movement Kalki, along with local citizens, administrative officials, social workers, and patriots, gathered to pay respects and remember the courage and sacrifice of the martyrs.
Addressing the gathering, Sanjeev Dubey, Core Committee Member of Movement Kalki, emphasized that the sacrifice of the nation’s defenders must not go in vain.
He called for the identification and strict action against those involved in anti-national activities.
Hindustan Shiv Sena State President Vikrant Kapoor also warned Pakistan against using its soil to harbour terrorists.
“Pakistan has been constantly making efforts to disturb peace in Jammu region but our forces will not let these efforts materialise and reply the nation befittingly,” he said.
CPI(M) leader Mohd Yousuf Tarigami also expressed sympathies with the bereaved family member.
“Extending my deepest condolences to the families of four police peronnel who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Kathua encounter, violence serves no purpose, it only bring pain and loss.” he wrote on X.
The Jammu Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Arun Gupta also condemned the killings of soldiers in Kathua and demanded a beffiting reply to Pakistan.
He also requested people in Kathua district to remain extra vigilant and cautious in view of the rising terror activities in the region.
Gupta requested the Government and security forces to identify and punish those elements who are facilitating the terrorists in the region.
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