JAMMU: Following an attack on yet another Kashmiri in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke to the CM of the state, and as per an official statement issued here by DIPR, the accused has been taken into custody, and necessary legal action is being initiated.
The statement issued by DIPR said that the Chief Minister has taken serious note of the incident involving the assault on a young Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand and has initiated immediate steps to ensure accountability and the safety of residents of Jammu and Kashmir living outside.
In this regard, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging him to take strict action against those involved in the incident.
In a post on X, the Office of the Chief Minister, J&K, stated: “Chief Minister spoke with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, @pushkardhami, regarding the incident of assault on a young Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand and urged him to take strict action against the perpetrators. @pushkardhami assured that strict action, including registration of an FIR, would be taken in the matter and the safety of J&K residents would be ensured.”
Subsequently, Uttarakhand Police took prompt action in the matter. In an official update, the police informed that FIR No. 26/2026 has been registered at Police Station Vikasnagar against the accused Sanjay Yadav and one other person under Sections 117(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The update further stated: “The accused Sanjay Yadav has been taken into custody and necessary legal action is being initiated, and he will be sent to jail.”
Reacting to the incident and similar recent occurrences, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a separate post on X, said: “This recent series of attacks including in Himachal Pradesh and now this one are unacceptable and must stop. It can’t be claimed that J&K is an inalienable part of India while people from Kashmir, in other parts of the country, live in fear for their lives. My Government will step in wherever necessary & will do whatever is needed to ensure these incidents are not repeated. I hope Home Ministry, Govt of India will also sensitise other states on the same lines.”
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity, security, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir across the country and ensuring that such incidents are dealt with firmly and decisively.
It may be recalled that an 18-year-old Kashmiri youth selling shawls in northern state of Uttarakhand suffered serious injuries after being assaulted by a group allegedly involving ‘fringe elements’ late on Tuesday evening, family sources said on Thursday.
The victim, identified as Danish Ahmad (18), son of Mohammad Yasin, according to his family, was going about his routine business in the crowded Vikas Nagar area when he was attacked by a group that they alleged included elements with extremist mindset, leaving him critically injured.
Family members alleged that Danish was stopped and asked to disclose his identity, claiming the group turned violent upon learning that he was a Muslim and from Kashmir, and allegedly assaulted him with iron rods.
They further alleged that other family members accompanying him were also dragged, slapped and kicked during the incident, with the assault taking place in full public view.
“They struck Danish with iron rods, causing serious head injuries and a fracture in his left arm. Some family members who were with him were also assaulted and dragged down the street,” a relative told Kashmir Images.
The injured youth was initially taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to Doon Hospital, Uttarakhand, for specialized treatment. His condition is stated to be stable.
Police registered FIR No. 26/2026 at Vikas Nagar police station under sections 117(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following the complaint. The main accused, identified as Sanjay Yadav, along with another person, was taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) condemned what it described as a “brutal assault” on a youth from a vulnerable community and demanded strict punishment for those involved.
“Every such act targeting vulnerable communities is strongly condemnable. We demand exemplary punishment so that such incidents are not repeated,” it said in a statement.
It further said that the matter was taken up at the highest level, claiming that Uttarakhand Director General of Police, Deepam Seth assured strict legal action against the accused.
PDP, PC, BJP, CPI(M) condemn attack
PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Thursday said the alleged attack on a Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand was a result of the BJP “mainstreaming” the fringe elements who “enjoy institutional impunity”.
“This 18-year-old Kashmiri shawl vendor was assaulted in Uttarakhand with irons rods till his bones crumbled. It’s one of many acts of violence against Kashmiris in India where perpetrators know they enjoy institutional impunity,” Mufti said in a post on X.
The PDP leader said the attackers were not fringe elements anymore.
“BJP is actively mainstreaming the ‘fringe’ which is no longer on the periphery. Sir @pushkardhami can we kindly request you to take action? @ukcmo @DIPR_UK @uttarakhandcops,” she added.
Meanwhile, Peoples’ Conference President and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone said such attacks did not show any signs of abating.
“The attacks against Kashmiris across the country show no signs of abating. Even a minor has not been spared. This shows a culture of tolerance across the country to such intolerant incidents. Regrettably not many voices in the country are perturbed about these events,” Lone said on X.
The BJP also condemned the attack.
Party leader, Sajid Yousuf Shah, a spokesman of BJP on Thursday condemned the attack on a Kashmiri shawl vendor in Uttarakhand and posted on X: “Strongly condemn the attack on Tabish Ahmad, an 18-year-old Kashmiri shawl vendor who was brutally assaulted by a mob while selling shawls with his family in Vikas Nagar, #Uttarakhand.”
He said Kashmiris are as patriotic as other citizens of the country.
“Such acts of hatred are unacceptable, and strict action must be taken against the culprits to ensure this is not repeated. Requesting immediate intervention by CM @pushkardhami Ji, Governor @LtGenGurmit Ji & @uttarakhandcops,” he added.
CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami also condemned the attack.
“Another young Kashmiri shawl seller has been brutally attacked in Uttarakhand. These traders travel across India to earn an honest livelihood, yet repeated assaults reveal a disturbing pattern that demands urgent action and accountability,” he said.
