JAMMU: At least 15 Hindus were gunned down by militants in Varshala Village in Kishtwar town of Doda district, officials said here last week.

‘The officials said an unspecified number of militants descended on the village while 17 people were watching video show in a house on Friday night. Militants have banned watching of video in Doda district and Kashmir Valley.

The militants shot dead the owner of the house on the spot and took away the other 16 persons to an isolated place, about two km away.

“The militants later shot’ them after: asking them to stand in a line. ‘While one of the 16 people managed to escape, another was set free by the militants to convey the incident to the village Numberdar.

The militants also looted about Rs 20,000 and some gold and silver jewelry from a house and set on fire a school building, the official said.

The militants set ablaze one primary school and one middle school in the village while fleeing, the officials said.

The general officer commanding Delta Force, in charge of Doda, DIG Doda Udhampur range and SP, Doda, along with security forces, rushed to the village and launched a search operation to capture the militants.

Condemning the killings, Pradesh Youth Congress chief Yogesh Sawney said it was “an act of cowardice,” Criticizing the Jammu and Kashmir authorities for, what he called, their failure to protect the life and property of the innocent citizens, Mr. Sawhney demanded proper relief to the victims” families.

Ten militants, including five Afghans, were among the 11 persons Killed elsewhere in the Valley, while security forces captured 34 militants and recovered arms and ammunition last week.

Meanwhile. A peace march by the

Congress leaders and activists from Uri to Qazigund, which started on Friday from) Jhulla, seven km from. The Line of Actual Control reached Chandan Wari in Baramulla district on ‘Saturday. The marchers were demanding the end of Governor’s mule and restoration of popular Government in the State, According to Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Ghulam Rasool Kar, the 200km march is (o built the confidence of the people and remove the fear of gun in the Valley. An official spokesperson said the Police recovered two bullet ridded bodies of Fayaz Ahmad Wani, resident of Tulbagh and Abdul Rashid Khan of Drangabal in Pampore area of Pulwama district. He said security forces killed one militant during an encounter al Badgam in central Kashmir while with the death of one more foreign militant at Zainakote the total toll in the encounter has gone up to seven, One Army Major was also killed. All the exit points in Barbar Shah, Munwar, Nowpora, Kawa Mohalla, Khanyar, Babdam and Khayan were sealed. The identification parade and house to house searches were going on when the reports last came in.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 10, 1996