Oct 2001 J&K Assembly attack—lest we forget!

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

Twenty-two  years ago, on October 1, 2001, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was attacked in the worst ever strike by Pakistan-backed terrorists who killed about 38 innocent Kashmiris, including  four  security personnel  on duty and injured scores  of other passers-by.  It was exactly 72 days after Srinagar Assembly attack that an identical attack was attempted on Parliament of India the same year on December 13. While Parliament attack anniversary is being held every year to remember all those who lost their lives in guarding the Temple of Democracy, people in Jammu and Kashmir seem to have forgotten the lethal attack on the Legislative Assembly Complex by anti-national elements who used a four-wheeler loaded with explosives, rammed it into the main gate with three “fidayeen’’ suicide bombers,

Pakistan’s involvement

Terrorist outfit “Jaish-e-Mohammed’’ had claimed responsibility for the attack that had unnerved one and all. It was during the Prime Ministership of Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee that Indian Foreign Ministry had issued a strongly worded statement aimed clearly at the Government of Pakistan. “India cannot accept such manifestations of hate and terror from across its borders,” said the statement.

Aakhir Kab Tak?

Two days after the attack, in his address to the Legislators on October 3, 2001, the sobbing Chief Minister, and Dr Farooq Abdullah had expressed his helplessness and called for reprisal attacks on Pakistan to bomb the militant training camps there. “Aakhir Kab Tak’’—(How long) was Chief Minister’s poser to Home Minister Lal Krishan Advani as the State was “ running out of patience’’.

Kashmiris, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion have suffered immensely during the time when militancy was at its peak. Thanks to the present leadership at the Centre that all such incidents have now become the thing of the past. However, the Government cannot lower its guard. The enemy may be on the prowl.

Gory scenes

Kashmir Rechords is bringing out some of the gory pictures of that fateful day (October 1, 2001) to remind the readers how terrorism causes destruction, mayhem and causalities. It also is an indicator that terrorists can resort to any act in order to meet their nefarious designs. In the instant case, they had disguised as security personnel to hijack a vehicle 10 minutes before carrying out the attack.

Among those killed, included a school- going girl.  Five Assembly employees, including a Deputy Secretary and an Under Secretary had also lost their lives in this deadly attack. About 125 persons were inside the Assembly when the terrorists had struck.