How online threats have revived debate on security of Pandits employed in Kashmir

J&K CM Omar Abdullah has cautioned security agencies not to take the threats lightly while a former police chief suggests arms training for Kashmiri PanditsA second online poster threatening Kashmiri Pandits working in the Kashmir Valley has prompted members of the minority community to seek enhanced security for those among them recruited under the prime minister’s rehabilitation package.The threat had first emerged on August 6 when an online letter warned Kashmiri Pandits working in the Valley to “change their ways”. Authorities subsequently instructed concerned departments to send the Kashmiri Pandit employees on leave; community members were also advised to remain alert and take precautions.With a fresh threat raising serious concerns, chief minister Omar Abdullah has urged security agencies to act. “This has become a serious concern. They (Pandits) should not be receiving threats at all. The law and order and security administrations, including the police and our intelligence agencies, must not take these matters lightly. They need to make headway to determine where these threats are emanating from,” Abdullah said.Abdullah clarified that law and order and security were under the purview of lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha. “Two or 2.5 years ago, under similar circumstances, some Pandit employees were targeted, and we suffered significant losses as a result. While this is not my [government’s] direct responsibility —that falls under the purview of the J&K L-G —my advice to the law and order administration is simply this: do not treat this lightly. A full investigation must be conducted,” the chief minister said. The latest threat claims “every move” of migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees was being “watched”. The poster, issued by an unknown outfit, has prompted the All PM Package Employees Forum, which represents migrant Pandit employees in Kashmir, to write to J&K chief secretary Atul Dulloo for enhanced security and a review of arrangements at their workplaces, residences and transit routes.“A fresh threat poster, purportedly issued by a terrorist outfit calling itself the United Liberation Council and dated August 23, has surfaced on social media. The poster reportedly contains threats directed towards migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees and mentions personal details such as names, addresses and vehicle numbers of certain individuals,” the letter stated.Noting that the authenticity of the poster is yet to be verified by security agencies, the forum added that “repeated circulation of such threat letters and posters, particularly those containing sensitive personal information, is a matter of grave concern”.The posters have drawn particular attention because they include personal details of Kashmiri Pandit migrant employees. The first poster had emerged just a week after two migrant workers were killed at a brick kiln in Kulgam in south Kashmir on July 31. Just days ago, when J&K police head constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was killed by terrorists at a market in Anantnag, it had marked the first fatality in the Valley since the April 2025 Pahalgam massacre.Former director general of J&K police S.P. Vaid suggested proactive measures over the threat. “That the threat letter contains names, addresses, vehicle numbers and mobile numbers suggests someone with access to sensitive information may be involved. The source must be identified and booked under law. If the threat is emanating from outside India, the perpetrators must understand the consequences. As Israel demonstrated after 7 October 2023 (Hamas attack on its soil), those who threaten its citizens are not allowed to feel safe anywhere in the world. At the same time, Kashmiri Pandits must be given proper threat-awareness, dos and don’ts, and basic tactical training,” Vaid posted on X.Vaid suggested arms training for vulnerable Pandit employees in the Valley. “Wherever legally feasible, those facing credible threats should be considered for licenced small arms and trained in their safe and effective use. The ability to defend themselves can itself serve as a deterrent. Wherever possible, vulnerable employees should also be posted to secure government premises such as deputy commissioners’ offices, the secretariat and protected directorates, rather than leaving them exposed as soft targets,” Vaid posted.The BJP described the threats as an attempt to scare away Pandits. “Kashmiri Pandits were issued a threat letter before and now again with their names and addresses. There’s only one reason: they want to scare us as Kashmiri Pandits are slowly returning to Kashmir”, BJP state spokesperson Altaf Thakur said in a statement.Kashmiri Pandits made an exodus from the Kashmir Valley at the peak of militancy in the 1990s. Their rehabilitation has been espoused by the BJP-led central government as one of its priorities. One of the ways is through employment. According to data shared in Parliament, the Union government in 2015 approved the creation of 3,000 additional J&K government jobs for Kashmiri migrants besides other assistance, including financial help for construction of houses for the migrants.Subscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 20:20 IST