After Pahalgam Terror Attack, India Strikes Back: Lashkar Terrorist Asif Sheikh’s House Demolished Amid Rising Tensions

Pahalgam Terror Attack Fallout: Lashkar Terrorist Asif Sheikh’s House Demolished in Kashmir as India Vows Swift Justice and Suspends Indus Waters Treaty

Immediately after the horrifying attack in Pahalgam killing 26 civilians, India has been gradually taking actions that are swift and unyielding. As part of the actions taken, the house of one of the masterminds behind the carnage, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist named Asif Sheikh, was demolished overnight in Jammu and Kashmir. His house was razed along with another house belonging to another accused terrorist, Adil Hussain Thokar, as part of India’s intensified crackdown on terror networks operating from within and across the border.

In a strongly worded statement, he has pledged to bring every terrorist and their handler to justice regarding the attack. “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,” he declared. “We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.” Such strong but obviously broad brush statements have found tremendous resonance across the country, as citizens hold candlelight vigils and marches to honor the victims of the attack at the picturesque Baisaran meadow close to Pahalgam.

In response to the attack, the Center had announced drastic diplomatic and strategic counter measures, which included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty-a treaty that has survived wars and is now on the verge of its suspension. To discuss the technicalities of the implementation of this suspension, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting. This has prompted a response from Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, who termed any disruption on the flow of the Indus River as an act of war, injecting even more venom in the two countries’ already strained relationship.

As the wound ran fresh, the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi landed in Srinagar to get the true ground reality. His visit is expected to include vital security briefings with the top military commanders and possibly go to Baisaran Valley, where the massacre took place. Reassuring the country of government efforts to strengthen security in this region has now become a national priority.

Read more: India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty After Terror Attack: Potential Water Crisis Looms Over Pakistan

In stark contrast, the tragedy has unveiled another heart-wrenching tale of heroism. It has been strikingly two men named Adil at the center of the incident: one Adil Hussain Thokar has gone to join the LeT and from there turned to terror. The other Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a simple pony ride operator, sacrificed his life trying to protect tourists from the bullets of the terrorists. Their lives are indeed stories that reflect the complex, painful reality of Kashmir’s ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, the financial capital stood unified as over 900 markets in Delhi shut down and traders led a massive protest march to Red Fort. This unprecedented bandh is likely to cost business worth Rs. 1,500 crore, underscoring the national sentiment of outrage and grief.

India has thus been complaining to The New York Times for its reporting on the attack, and has thus received the severe criticism from the US House Committee. The NYT made the “militant” attack the incident, downplaying it, instead of calling it what it was, a brutal act of terrorism.

Amid all this bad blood in India, a newly set bonfire resulted in firing along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan with both sides retaliating, although no casualties were reported. It is in this troublesome atmosphere that opposition leader Rahul Gandhi is poised to travel to Jammu and Kashmir for condolence and visit affected families.

Read more: Historic Low: Under-Five Deaths Drop Globally; Rwanda, Cambodia Lead Progress.

Formerly it was a sensitive but apparently defined situation, now it looks pretty determined to take action, besides grieving the loss, so that next mass shedding of blood does not happen.

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join. 

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.