A model, a message in the Jammu attacks

The series of terrorist incidents in Jammu from June 9-12 shattered the illusion that the peaceful atmosphere in which the Lok Sabha elections were held was a sign of a change in mood on both sides of the line control.

In Reasi, nine people were killed when terrorists targeted a bus they were traveling on. After the driver was shot, the passengers were killed when the out-of-control bus fell into a gorge. Many passengers on the bus survived, although they were injured due to the fall. What could have happened if the bus had remained on the road at the mercy of the attackers is simply too horrible to contemplate. The timing of this attack, coinciding with the inauguration ceremony of Narendra Modi and his new cabinet, suggests that those responsible for the attack sought to challenge the new government which claimed to have restored peace to Jammu and Cashmere. Three other incidents followed over the next two days. Terrorists fired at two different checkpoints at Doda in Jammu’s Chenab Valley, injuring several security forces personnel. In Kathua, villagers alerted security forces about the presence of terrorists in the area. A CRPF jawan was killed in the ensuing exchange of fire.