J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, their first meeting since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and discussed the ground situation in Kashmir, said sources. Abdullah is learnt to have told the PM about the groundswell of solidarity and support for the victims of the attack in the Valley. He spoke about the outrage among the people over the deadly attack and their spontaneous protests in every nook and corner to convey their disapproval of the violence. In his 30-minute meeting with the PM, Abdullah is learnt to have also highlighted the sacrifice of pony ride operator Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who tried to snatch a weapon from one of the terrorists in a courageous attempt to protect the tourists. The issue of foolproof security for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra is also learnt to have come up in the meeting. The yatra has always been a target for terrorists, but following the Baisaran attacks, the government is likely to further tighten security for the pilgrimage. The main route of the Yatra passes through Chandanwadi in Pahalgam. Omar is learnt to have also raised the issue of vilification of the UT residents in connection with the attack, and the targeting of the local population, including demolition of homes of certain suspected militants. Notably, in the wake of these demolitions, Abdullah had on April 27 issued a statement saying: “After the Pahalgam terror attack, there must be a decisive fight against terrorism and its origin. People of Kashmir have come out openly against terrorism and the murder of innocent people, they did this freely & spontaneously. It’s time to build on this support and avoid any misplaced action that alienates people. Punish the guilty, show them no mercy but don’t let innocent people become collateral damage.” Following the killing of 25 tourists and the local pony ride operator at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, security forces have gone on a drive to demolish homes of suspected terrorists who are either active in the Valley or have crossed the border over to Pakistan. Politicians in Kashmir, however, have called the action unfair as the suspects left their homes years ago and their parents would now be homeless for no fault of theirs. Even the blanket repatriation of Pakistani nationals staying in India with short-term visas has ended up separating mothers from their children in the Valley. Recently, an 80-year-old man from the Valley, who had come back from Pakistan decades ago, died while being taken to the Wagah border for deportation.
