Man Singh, aged 55 and residing in Chakwa, Batote in Ramban District of Jammu, was declared missing from the Shivgarh forest area on August 13. The Indian Army and local police launched rigorous search operations following his sudden disappearance. In the Dudu-Basantgarh area, two Pakistani terrorists were eliminated during a special forces operation on September 11. While searching the terrorists’ possessions, the Indian Army found a smartphone with disturbing images of Man Singh’s murder carried out by the terrorists. The images displayed three terrorists choking Singh, while a fourth person captured the horrific deed. The deceased’s body, along with his possessions, was found on September 21.
According to security agencies, the brutal murder of Singh and similar recent events are efforts by Pakistan-backed insurgents to sow fear in communities and disrupt peace in the region.
This is happening at a moment when Jammu and Kashmir is approaching elections. The initial phase took place on September 18, with the second scheduled for September 25 and the third on September 28. Vote counting is scheduled to take place on October 4. In Jammu and Kashmir, there are a total of 87.09 lakh voters spread across 90 constituencies, with 42.6 lakh of them being women.
The most recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir took place in 2014. In 2019, the Modi administration divided the former state into two Union Territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The unique privileges given to the former state under Article 370 were taken away. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has been governing the Union Territory since 2019. Last year in December, the Supreme Court ordered the central government to finish the election procedure in the Union territory by September 30, 2024.
Those who secretly support Pakistan must condemn their interference in external affairs and incitement of conflict in the name of political and ideological agendas. News18 has pointed out through several reports the involvement of Pakistan in stirring up turmoil in the region. Experts argue that the time has come for international organisations and neighbouring countries to hold Pakistan responsible for their actions.
Sources believe that the scare tactics being used are not likely to weaken the determination of Jammu and Kashmir, whose residents have remained strong in tough times. The initial stage of inciting turmoil in the area. Experts suggest that it is now the moment for international organisations and countries close to Pakistan to demand accountability for their actions.