LoC remains tense; J&K parties caution against demolition drive

Growing opposition to house demolitions in Kashmir after Pahalgam terror attack; LoC tensions persist; calls for justice and fairness.

Kashmir on Sunday (April 27, 2025) witnessed growing opposition from several regional parties to the ongoing demolition drive of houses of terrorists, as 10 buildings were dismantled in controlled blasts by security forces after the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead. 

Meanwhile, the Line of Control (LoC) remained tense with the Indian and Pakistani armies exchanging small arms fire for the third straight day. The situation has forced the residents along the border to vacate underground bunkers close to the international border in Jammu and the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

In north Kashmir, a civilian was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kupwara.

An Army spokesman said Pakistan initiated unprovoked fire across the LoC in the areas opposite Tutmari Gali and Rampur Sectors. “Our troops responded effectively with appropriate small arms fire,” the Army said.

In the valley, the house of Jameel Ahmad Shergojri on Sunday became the tenth house of terrorists – affiliated to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad and Hizbul Mujahideen – to be demolished by the security forces after the Pahalgam attack. Officials said Shergojri, a resident of Bandipora’s Naaz Colony, was suspected to have joined the terrorist ranks in 2016. The blast damaged one portion of the three-storey house. The occupants were later seen salvaging their belongings.

Referring to these incidents, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “People of Kashmir have come out openly against terrorism and the murder of innocent people, they did this freely and spontaneously. It’s time to build on this support and avoid any misplaced action that alienates people. Punish the guilty, show them no mercy but don’t let innocent people become collateral damage.”

Mr. Abdullah, however, sought “a decisive fight against terrorism and its origin”, while referring to the Pahalgam terror attack.