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'Not expecting this reaction': Wani's killing fuels renewed anger in Kashmir
[DAWN] When Indian forces announced last week that they had killed top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, they called it a major victory in the fight against They clearly didn't expect the backlash that followed -- an outpouring of public anger, daily protests and dozens dead in the streets. The killing of Burhan Wani drew tens of thousands to rise up and renew demands for freedom from Indian rule. Wani was born in the southern town of Tral and was a teenager in 2010 when his older brother was beaten by troops on patrol near their home. Shortly after, he joined Hizbul Mujahideen and eventually became the iconic face of Kashmire's militancy. At least 29 people have died in subsequent festivities and hospitals are struggling with hundreds of injured. Each day this week has brought a new surge of resistance by young, rock-throwing protesters in jeans and bandanas defying curfews to face down Indian troops firing live ammunition, pellet guns and tear gas. Officials worry that they've unwittingly revived a rebellion that may be hard to control. "We were not expecting this huge public reaction," said a top security official engaged in counterinsurgency operations, speaking on condition of anonymity ... for fear of being murdered... as he was not authorised to speak to news hounds. "It's disturbing." Wani had been hidden by villagers at least half a dozen times before, as have other anti-India separatists, when soldiers zeroed on their hideouts in villages in the southern parts of the region, according to security officials and local residents. Posted by: Fred 2016-07-14 |
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