Omar Abdullah, other Kashmiri Leaders Warn Against Demolitions and Mass Arrests After Anantnag Attack

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with several prominent Kashmiri political leaders, has issued a strong caution to the government and security agencies, warning that the demolition of homes belonging to families of alleged militants and the mass detention of civilians in the aftermath of Wednesday’s ‘shoot‑and‑scoot’ attack in Anantnag may deepen public alienation rather than curb terrorism.

The attack claimed the life of India Reserve Police Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, sparking widespread outrage across the region.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Abdullah stressed that terrorism cannot be defeated through bulldozers or sweeping arrests, arguing that durable peace in J&K depends on public cooperation and trust. Security forces, he said, can only address part of the challenge; the complete eradication of terrorism requires people to stand firmly against it. He warned that punitive measures targeting large sections of the population risk worsening the situation. “We will not be able to improve the situation by demolishing houses or arresting thousands of people. The situation will only get worse. Terrorism cannot end without the support of the people,” he said.

While acknowledging the widespread anger over the killing of the police head constable, Abdullah urged authorities to avoid actions that could redirect that anger toward the state itself. He reminded reporters that similar demolitions were halted after the Pahalgam attack, when investigations revealed that the perpetrators had come from outside J&K. He also noted that the current demolitions appear inconsistent with the spirit of Supreme Court guidelines.

Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti echoed these concerns, describing the razing of two homes and the detention of over a thousand people as collective punishment, a practice she said has no place in a democratic society. In a post on X, she condemned the killing of the police officer but insisted that punitive actions against families and communities violate democratic norms. She argued that if the Government of India maintains that militancy has been reduced to “near zero,” then a more humane and lawful approach toward civilians is essential, rather than what she termed “tit‑for‑tat for an entire community.”

Sajad Gani Lone, former minister and chairman of the J&K People’s Conference, also criticised the sweeping police actions, warning that they may cause more harm than good. He questioned the legitimacy of arresting individuals based on decades‑old OGW (Over Ground Worker) lists, noting that many listed individuals are now elderly and that some names were added due to political motivations in earlier administrations. Lone emphasised the importance of reintegration in conflict‑affected societies, arguing that mass arrests resemble community punishment and lack legal justification. “We live amongst people here and are subject to questions. And which law of our country justifies this community punishment. It is patently illegal,” he said.