Locals have referred to the punitive demolitions as an 'Israeli tactic' tactic which is frequently employed against Palestinians

India has demolished at least ten homes over the last week belonging to suspected rebels in the region after 26 people were killed in an attack in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, in April.

The ongoing demolitions have sparked anger with locals, who call the punishment an “Israeli tactic”.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a meeting with the military’s top brass in New Delhi, gave India’s armed forces “complete operational freedom.”

“It was dark when the Indian armed forces cordoned off the village in large numbers and directed us to leave our houses,” Ashiq Ahmad, a villager, told MEE.

“After some time, the earth beneath our feet shook,” Ashiq said, describing the explosion they heard from a mosque some distance away, where locals had been forcibly held for hours.

“When we came out after two hours, we found many houses destroyed and razed to the ground,” he said. “We were mourning the whole night.”

  • मुक्त@lemmy.mlM
    14·
    1 day ago

    When we came out after two hours, we found many houses destroyed and razed to the ground," he said. “We were mourning the whole night.”

    It was not only the home of the suspected rebel that was damaged, but 14 other houses in the neighbourhood faced significant damage.

    “This house was built after I put together my blood and sweat, but now it’s gone,” Ali Muhammad told MEE, adding that his son’s wedding was in ten days.

    "We just happened to be neighbours. They claim (forces) that our neighbours were at fault because of their son. But what was our fault and who will question them?" he said on the verge of tears.

    They blew up a house with explosives and hit many buildings in the neighbourhood to punish the family of a person who is not home and does not even own the home.

    This is basically the definition of terrorism

    Have the Indian authorities also confiscated all pics of these damaged houses and allowed the publication (Middle East Eye) to publish only the pics where just one house appears affected, and no evidence of explosives can be seen?

    What is the reason damage to houses of these “neighbours” can’t be seen, but just claimed? Marketing?

    • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
      31·
      1 day ago

      Yes all baseless lies. Apparently the Indian government is so lawful they got sued for doing this and lost already.

      Junaid is referring to a November 2024 ruling from India’s Supreme Court that bans what had popularly become known as “bulldozer justice”, where judges declared that authorities cannot demolish homes based on an accusation of a crime.

      More than 74 miles away, in the frontier border town of Kupwara, Muhammad Yaqoob Teedwa is in shock. He has little hope of justice. A resident of Kalroosa village, his brother Farooq Teedwa left for Pakistan in the 1990s for armed training. His home was also demolished by the armed forces.

      “He left 30 years ago. Why is the government punishing us now? I am a poor labourer, what was the fault of my children who have been left roofless,” he asks.

      • मुक्त@lemmy.mlM
        12·
        21 hours ago

        Mr. Juniad is giving a selective picture, which seems to be the theme of your citation, and argumentation.

        The demolitions are NOT just on basis of crime allegations. They are demolishing properties which are already illegal under Indian law, and ALSO belong to accused of heinous crimes, like terrorism, in present case.

        Supreme court has not banned that.