Three bad news related to Kashmir came out on Thursday, the first one was the release of the biased UNHRC report on the crisis in Kashmir, and the second was the killing of Chief Editor of Rising Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari. The third one is probably more cowardly and heinous in nature as the killing of Shujaat Bukhari, Indian Army soldier Aurangzeb was found murdered in Pulwama who was abducted by terrorists. Aurangzeb was a rifleman with the 44 Rashtriya Rifles and was on leave and was going to his home (Poonch) for Eid. His friends in the army who had come to drop him off said that he took lift on a private vehicle to reach his destination. The vehicle was stopped near Kalampora by the terrorists who abducted him. His bullet ridden body was found last evening in Pulwama district, he was shot in the head and neck by the terrorists. The body was found by a team of police and army at Gussu village, about 10 kms away from the place where he was abducted.
44 Rashtriya Rifles have carved a niche for themselves in conducting successful operations in Kashmir. Their legendary exploits in the valley have made terrorists afraid for their safety. In the most recent and highlighted incidents they neutralised terrorist Sameer Tiger on the 30th of April, in less than a day when he had posted a video challenging the company commander to take action against him. Since the beginning of 2018 they have taken down 19 well known terrorists in its area which is the highest by any Indian Army unit in this year.
The cowardly abduction and murder of Aurangzeb in Kashmir is symbolic of how the terrorists operate in the valley. Murdering a lone soldier who was on leave and returning home for Eid will bring no valour to the separatists. This cowardly incident once again took place during the month long ceasefire ordered by the central Indian government. The ghastly acts of the terrorists have increased rather than decreasing owing to the ceasefire, this is exactly the opposite of what Indian government would have hoped for while announcing the unilateral ceasefire. These acts by the terrorists reveals their mindset, they are brutal killers who do not want peace in the valley.
The decision for ceasefire might have made sense if the separatists and terrorists would have maintained peace during the month long Ramzan period. Many other soldier and security force personnel lost their lives in the gunfire and grenade attacks committed by them. Death of Aurangzeb is a tight slap on the face of terrorist sympathisers who try to pin the blame of unrest in Kashmir on India. Indian forces were not operating in the valley at that point of time, Aurangzeb was not on duty, infact he was returning home for celebrating the biggest festival for Muslims around the globe with his family. If the death of Aurangzeb does not make the Indian government realize that the decision to implement a unilateral ceasefire was a wrong one, we do not know what will. It is yet to be seen how many security personnel will have to lose their lives before the Indian government decides to revoke the ceasefire and allow Army to begin a hearty crackdown on the terrorists.