The recent surge in threats against Kashmiri Pandits has reignited fears of violence in the region, with a chilling letter circulated among community members warning of potential attacks. This comes amid heightened tensions following two recent incidents in South Kashmir, where a Jammu and Kashmir police constable and two migrant laborers from Chhattisgarh were killed. The letter, attributed to the United Liberation Council (ULC), a banned militant group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, echoes past patterns of intimidation that have left a legacy of trauma for the community. The ULC’s message, which surfaced just weeks after the attacks, serves as a grim reminder of the 2021-2022 period when the Resistance Front, another banned group, targeted Kashmiri Pandits, migrant laborers, and journalists with similar threats. These warnings culminated in the killing of prominent Pandit Makhon Lal Bindrue, whose pharmacy was renowned for its quality medicines. The current letter, however, has intensified anxiety, with some community members reporting that they have been instructed to vacate their homes or businesses by local police, citing the need to prevent a repeat of past violence. The situation has exposed the fragility of security measures in the region. Despite the government’s claims that the removal of Article 370 in 2019 had eradicated militancy, the recent attacks and threats suggest otherwise. Authorities have deployed central paramilitary forces, including the Border Security Force (BSF), to bolster security ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, but many feel these efforts are insufficient. A senior police official acknowledged that increased patrols and the presence of security forces have provided some reassurance, yet the underlying fear persists.#jammu_and_kashmir #amit_shah #kashmiri_pandits #united_liberation_council #resistance_front
