#TheKashmirFiles
#NadimargMassacre
As you read this, the history comes in front of your eyes.
On the evening of March 23, 2003, gunmen wearing military-style clothing showed up in the remote Nadimarg village of Shopian and asked the Kashmiri Pandits there to assemble outside.
#NadimargMassacre
As you read this, the history comes in front of your eyes.
On the evening of March 23, 2003, gunmen wearing military-style clothing showed up in the remote Nadimarg village of Shopian and asked the Kashmiri Pandits there to assemble outside.
The gunmen lined up the Pandits and then opened fire, killing 24 Pandits including several women and two infants.
Before, the massacre, the hijadis first went to the police picket, set up to safeguard Pandits of the village. Presently, 9 policemen had been posted here, while 20
Before, the massacre, the hijadis first went to the police picket, set up to safeguard Pandits of the village. Presently, 9 policemen had been posted here, while 20
constables had been withdrawn before the assembly elections. These nine cops were supposed to look after the protection of 55 families in a radius of 15-20 km
At the time of the attack only 5 cops were present. These poorly motivated policemen meekly surrendered their weapons,
At the time of the attack only 5 cops were present. These poorly motivated policemen meekly surrendered their weapons,
four SLRs, three 303 Rifles, one carbine and the lone wireless set to the terrorists and escaped from the scene. Knowing the identity of police cops, the terrorists did not touch police. The cops even did not go to report the massacre to the nearby Zainpora police station.
The terrorists, after looting arms and ammunition of the policemen, went to knock at the doors of Kashmiri Pandit houses. They commanded them to assemble in the compound near the picket under a Chinar tree. Those who did not comply with orders had their doors broken open.
Terrorists, in fact, beat some people, who were reluctant to come out.
Phoola, who lost her husband and daughter told reporters, "The terrorists were calling the people by name. After identifying them they took them to the compound. They told us they were armymen, and had to
Phoola, who lost her husband and daughter told reporters, "The terrorists were calling the people by name. After identifying them they took them to the compound. They told us they were armymen, and had to
search the houses. They asked everybody to come out". While driving the residents out, the terrorists looted cash and snatched away gold and ornaments from women. This had not been the style of terrorists in previous massacres.
When the terrorists knocked at Phoola's house,
When the terrorists knocked at Phoola's house,
she and her daughter pushed Chand Ji, her son into a chimney, before opening the door Phoola herself slipped away from the line and hid in the bushes, just metres from the massacre site.
Soom Nath, a government servant had retired recently. He had brought his gratuity money and
Soom Nath, a government servant had retired recently. He had brought his gratuity money and
other pensionary benefits to home and kept these in the cupboard.
Soom Nath was slapped twice and asked to show other family members. His wife was taken outside and was asked to join other Pandits under the Chinar tree. Soom Nath's son smelt a rat and hid himself under the cot.
Soom Nath was slapped twice and asked to show other family members. His wife was taken outside and was asked to join other Pandits under the Chinar tree. Soom Nath's son smelt a rat and hid himself under the cot.
He and his wife gave slip to the terrorists and hid themselves behind the haystack. Though Chuni Lal's family was lucky to escape, the terrorists looted away his cash of Rs 1.7 lakhs and other costly items before fleeing from the scene.
After collecting the Pandits under the
After collecting the Pandits under the
Chinar tree, the terrorists began looting Pandit houses. The looted goods were put in a matador. The Pandits thought, possibly the intention of the terrorists was to loot them and their lives would be spared. But soon after the matador was despatched, the terrorists opened fire
in discriminately upon the hapless Pandits, killing 24 people. Chuni Lal, who had been hit in the thigh fell down, found himself in a pile of dead bodies. As guns fell silent, hijadis came to check for any living. In a pool of blood, Chuni Lal held his breath and feigned death.
The killers had left and reached near the school, a few dozen metres away, when they heard the cries of a child. Mohan Lal Bhat recalled, "I heard one of them shout to others that there is some work still to be done. Then I heard a gun shot. Later I got to know it was Monu"
Bullets had made sieve of his chest. Devki (75), w/o Jiya Lal was dragged upto carnage site, her pleas of mercy were turned down.
Gunwati, 90-year old paralytic asked the killers to kill her too. A terrorist told her in Kashmiri that there was no need to kill a dead person.
Gunwati, 90-year old paralytic asked the killers to kill her too. A terrorist told her in Kashmiri that there was no need to kill a dead person.
A 23 year old handicapped girl, who could not walk because of her disability was dragged out, and shot dead.
Justice for Pandits?
A petition was also filed in 2011 before the High Court under 561-A to seek a fresh trial and transfer of the case to any court of competent
Justice for Pandits?
A petition was also filed in 2011 before the High Court under 561-A to seek a fresh trial and transfer of the case to any court of competent
jurisdiction at Jammu, “so that statements of all the migrated witnesses available in the winter capital can be recorded without any fear”. However, the petition was dismissed by the court.
Thanks to Vivek Agnihotri, on October 29, 2022, the J&K High Court ordered the
Thanks to Vivek Agnihotri, on October 29, 2022, the J&K High Court ordered the
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