2003 Nadimarg massacre

2003 Nadimarg massacre was killing of 24 Hindus in the village of Nadimarg in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists on 23 March 2003.[1][2][3]

Background

In 1990, bulk of the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit residents left the village due to selective killings and negative propaganda against Pundits at the start of Pakistan supported insurgency in Kashmir. Only four Hindu families comprising some 52 people stayed on in Nadimarg.[4]

The attack

The armed militants came dressed in counterfeit military uniforms.[5] The attack took place between 11 pm and midnight.[6] Victims included 11 men, 11 women, and two small boys who were lined up and shot and killed by the gunmen.[7][8] The victims ranged from a 65-year-old man to a 2-year-old boy.[2] On night of 23 March 2003 the terrorists entered at Nadimarg village near Shopian in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir and dragged the Hindus out from their homes, lined them and shot them from automatic weapons. At least 24 Hindus including 11 women and 2 children were killed. The policemen posted there fled the scene. The killers allegedly disfigured the bodies of the victims, looted their houses and took away the ornaments from bodies of the dead women.

The aftermath

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba miltants suspected to be responsible for this massacre were gunned down by Mumbai police on 29 March.[9] Another Lashkar-e-Taiba Militant suspected of participating in the massacre was arrested in April 2003.[10] Christina Rocca then US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia argued for the need for US to remain "actively and effectively engaged", pointing out to this massacre.[11] In an editorial in Pakistan's Dawn, Kunwar Idris criticised the massacre and said "Pundits are children of no lesser god that two hundred thousand of them should be driven out of their homes and the remaining few should be left to die a gruesome death."[12] Chris Patten European Commissioner for External Relations and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan also condemned the massacre.[13] India accused Pakistan to be involved in this massacre and said that it would deal with Pakistan with strength and resolve.[14] The police has challaned the Nadimarg massacre case, identifying Zai Mustafa alias Abdullah of Rawalkote, Pakistan as the perpetrator.[15] Intercepts by the intelligence agencies point out that there was a possible involvement of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed groups which have been operating the Shupian area.

Then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed promised increased police protection however terror stricken few remaining Hindus decided to leave the area.

The US Ambassador to India Robert D. Blackwill condemned the massacre of 24 Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir and said Washington "look forward to the terrorists being brought to justice swiftly".

The US Secretary of State Powell and British foreign minister Straw issued a joint statement of 27 March 2003 and condemned the Nadimarg massacre, urged respect for the Line of Control, called on Pakistan to end infiltration across it and urged Pakistan to do its utmost to discourage acts of violence by militants in J&K.

References

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