Waqar Manzoor
Jammu, Feb 4: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed concern over the continued occurrence of militant encounters in the Union Territory, remarking that such incidents are still taking place in 2026 despite assurances made in 2019 that terrorism would end following the abrogation of Article 370.
Reacting to the killing of three Pakistani terrorists in separate encounters with security forces in the higher reaches of Ramnagar in Udhampur district and Chatroo in Kishtwar, the Chief Minister questioned how militants continue to infiltrate and operate in areas that were previously considered terrorism-free.
“Encounters are still happening. Militants are being neutralised, but the larger questions remain unanswered — where are they coming from, how are they reaching places like Udhampur, and how long will this cycle continue? We were told this would end after 2019, yet it persists even now,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Jammu.
He noted that regions which had remained largely unaffected by militancy prior to 2014–15 are now witnessing such incidents, underscoring the need for accountability and a thorough review of the prevailing security situation.
In the past three weeks, nine encounters have taken place in the Jammu region, resulting in the killing of five terrorists. Earlier, a Pakistani militant was killed in Kathua on January 23, while an Army paratrooper lost his life during an encounter in Kishtwar on January 18.
Commenting on the upcoming three-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Minister said discussions would be held face-to-face, adding that several important issues require direct dialogue rather than public debate.
Addressing concerns over the rising incidence of cancer in the Union Territory, Abdullah acknowledged the increasing trend and said that identifying the causes should be left to medical experts. He outlined three priority areas for the government — enhanced funding for research and infrastructure, strengthening cancer care institutions, and providing financial support to economically weaker patients.
“The government is working on a special assistance package for cancer patients who find treatment unaffordable. Details will be announced in due course,” he said.
