India: Militants kill three police officers in Kashmir September 21 /update 4

Event

Suspected Hizbul Mujahideen militants kidnapped and killed three police officers in Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday, September 21. According to police sources, the victims were abducted from their homes in two villages in Shopian. Attackers attempted to abduct a fourth officer but were reportedly stopped by villagers. An investigation into the executions is ongoing and increased security measures may be implemented in the region in the coming days. Associated security operations are also possible in the near-term.

Context

Earlier in the week Hizbul Mujahideen released a video threatening to kill police officers who did not resign from their posts. Militants kidnapped three policemen and eight relatives of police officers in southern Kashmir on August 30. The victims were let go after authorities released around a dozen family members of terrorists.

Insurgents (locals or Pakistani nationals) have been fighting Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989. Some 70,000 people have died and many more have been injured in related violence, uprisings, and military crackdowns.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to parts of Kashmir, notably including areas along the Line of Control (LoC), due to the significant risk of violence.