PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti Blames Increased Casualties on Security Failures in Kashmir

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti criticizes the current state of security in Kashmir, blaming increased soldier casualties on regional political mismanagement and lack of accountability. She questions the government's narrative and calls for significant changes, including the dismissal of the current DGP.

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday criticized the current security situation in Kashmir, highlighting the rising number of soldier casualties. She claimed that while soldiers from across the country come to Kashmir, they often return in coffins, questioning the government's narrative that militancy in the valley has ended.

Mufti pointed to the high number of casualties in the past 32 months, during which the current Director General of Police (DGP) has been in office. She questioned who holds the responsibility for preventing infiltration and suggested that regional parties should not be blamed for security lapses.

According to Mufti, there has been no accountability for these failures, and she asserted that heads should have rolled by now, including the dismissal of the DGP. She criticized the DGP for focusing on political machinations instead of fulfilling his duty to protect the region.

Mufti accused the security forces of weaponizing verification processes to impose the UAPA on a large number of people and noted how religious leaders are being blackmailed. She argued that a focus on communal lines has not been seen to this extent before, calling for a DGP dedicated to effective policing rather than political agendas.

The comments came after an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Desa Forest area, which resulted in the deaths of Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay.

The Indian Army extended its condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, reaffirming their support for the bereaved families. Senior army officials, including Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, have been actively involved in briefing the government on this matter.