Gunfire Returns to Srinagar: Residents on the edge

Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, has been rocked by a series of gunfights in recent weeks, leaving residents on edge. The violence has raised fears of a return to the days of intense militancy in the region.

On Tuesday, two militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in the Soura neighborhood of Srinagar. The encounter followed a similar incident in the Batamaloo area of the city on Monday, in which one militant was killed.

The gunfights have sparked panic among residents, who fear that the violence could escalate. Many people have been staying indoors, and schools and businesses have been closed in the affected areas.

A return to the past?

The recent violence has raised concerns that Kashmir could be returning to the days of intense militancy that plagued the region in the 1990s and early 2000s.

During that period, thousands of people were killed in a conflict between Indian security forces and militants seeking independence for Kashmir.

The violence eventually subsided, but the region has remained tense, with occasional outbreaks of violence.

What's behind the recent violence?

There are a number of factors that may have contributed to the recent violence in Srinagar.

One factor is the killing of a top militant commander in a gunfight with security forces in May.

Another factor is the ongoing political uncertainty in Kashmir. The region has been under direct rule from New Delhi since the state government was dissolved in June 2018.

What's next?

It is unclear what will happen next in Srinagar. The security forces have been deployed in strength, and the government has vowed to crack down on militancy.

However, it is also clear that the people of Srinagar are living in fear. They are worried that the violence could escalate, and they are calling on the government to take steps to restore peace.

Conclusion

The recent violence in Srinagar is a reminder of the fragility of peace in Kashmir.

The government must take steps to address the underlying causes of the violence, and it must work to restore the confidence of the people of Kashmir.

Only then can the region hope to achieve lasting peace.