Srinagar, November 08 (KAT): Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit, has claimed that they killed the VDGs in Kishtwar. They also shared what they called were the pictures of the bodies of the deceased with their eyes blindfolded.
The outfit has shared a photograph of the two dead VDGs with a letter written in Urdu language.
In the letter purportedly written on the letter head of Kashmir Tiger, a warning has been issued to the people to desist from joining village defence groups.
The translated crux of the letter read, “Two active VDGs Kuldeep Kumar and Nazeer chased Mujahideens in the dense forests of Kishtwar area of Occupied Kashmir this morning. The Mujahideens of Kashmir Tigers ignored them but they (two VDGs) didn’t give up the chase and came close. Mujahideens caught them. After they (two VDGs) confessed to all the crimes, both were executed. Mujahideens safely reached their hideout.”
The letter also had a warning for the people who joined as VDGs.
It read, “Our records are clear, we have not killed a common Hindu till date. We are fighting against the Indian Army. However, some ignorant people (naive and gullible) are joining the VDGs and becoming a tool of the Army. Such people should take a lesson from today’s incident and they shouldn’t be part of VDGs. Otherwise, they will also meet on the same date”.
The fresh attack comes at a time when J&K is witnessing spurt in attacks on non-J&K work force and encounters.
Meanwhile, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the gruesome killing of two VDGs in Kishtwar.
The leaders said that such acts of barbaric violence remain a significant impediment in achieving the long-lasting peace in J&K. “In this hour of grief, their thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased,” the NC wrote on X.
VDGs came into focus following a series of attacks by terrorists in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts in the Jammu region earlier this year that killed 22 people, including 11 security personnel and a VDG member.
According to the annual report of the home ministry for 2022-23, a total of 4,153 VDGs and 32,355 SPOs were engaged in Jammu and Kashmir in different responsibilities for the protection of civilians and anti-terrorists operations under the direct supervision of district superintendents of police or senior superintendents of police.(KAT)
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