1 week ago
Officials Urge Crackdown After Kashmiri Pandit Hit List Threat
A threatening letter named Kashmiri Pandit employees who work in the Valley.
It reportedly gave private details such as their homes, phone numbers and vehicle numbers.
This was the second such letter shared in one month.
The letter was blamed on a group called the United Liberation Council.
Former police chief S P Vaid said someone with inside access may have helped collect the information.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the threats were very serious.
He asked security agencies to find where the information came from.
Officials said the employees must be protected and the people behind the threats must be found.
A second threat letter in a month reportedly targeted Kashmiri Pandit employees in the Valley.
The list allegedly included names, addresses, mobile numbers and vehicle numbers.
The threat was attributed to the United Liberation Council, described as Pakistan-based and linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid said the detailed information suggested an insider was assisting terror handlers.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the threats highly concerning and ordered a thorough investigation.
- Who
- Kashmiri Pandit employees, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid, and security agencies are central to the report.
- What
- A second alleged terror threat letter listed Kashmiri Pandit employees' personal and vehicle details and prompted calls for an investigation and stronger protection.
- Where
- The employees serve in the Kashmir Valley, and the alleged threat was attributed to a Pakistan-based group.
- When
- The latest letter was described as the second threat letter circulated within a month.
- Why
- The reported aim was to intimidate or target Kashmiri Pandit employees; officials are investigating how detailed personal information was obtained.
Stronger Security Response
Work-From-Home or Leave Response
How employees should be protected
Stronger Security Response
S P Vaid said authorities should pursue the alleged masterminds and any insider who leaked the information, while creating a high-level protection plan led by senior security officials.
Work-From-Home or Leave Response
After an earlier threat letter, the administration reportedly asked Kashmiri Pandit employees to work from home or take leave.
Effect of withdrawal
Stronger Security Response
Vaid argued that retreating from work would embolden the perpetrators and was not a solution.
Work-From-Home or Leave Response
The earlier administrative response emphasized reducing employees' immediate exposure by keeping them away from workplaces.
Key facts
- Targeted group
- Kashmiri Pandit employees serving under the Prime Minister's special employment package
- Threat frequency
- The latest letter was reportedly the second in one month
- Information listed
- Names, residential addresses, mobile numbers and vehicle numbers
- Attributed group
- United Liberation Council
- Alleged links
- The group was described as Pakistan-based and linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba
- Government response
- Omar Abdullah asked security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation
- Former police chief's demand
- S P Vaid called for a high-level security action plan and an investigation into a possible insider
Quotes
S.P. Vaid
Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP
“Leaking such granular, personal information is clearly the handiwork of an insider. Either someone from within the department or someone in their immediate vicinity is carrying out surveillance and feeding this data to terror handlers. Otherwise, how would Pakistan know their lanes, houses and vehicle numbers?”
NDTV
“There is an urgent need for a high-level security action plan led by the Chief Secretary, DGP, ADG CID and other security chiefs, exclusively to protect Kashmiri Pandits. This threat must be taken seriously.”
NDTV
Sources
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