NEELUM VALLEY (Kashmir English): A deeply concerning toy bomb threat in Neelum Valley has been reported as Indian forces allegedly resort to dangerous tactics targeting innocent civilians, including children.
After suffering repeated defeats at the hands of the Pakistani armed forces, Indian troops are now being accused of throwing explosive devices disguised as toys into civilian areas near the Line of Control (LoC).
In the more disturbing trend emerging as a new worry, several tiny objects that look like matchboxes have been reported to have been left near some villages including Salkhala in Neelum Valley. Residents suggest that these could be explosive materials that they had found dumped together with mortar shells.
The fear is that children, mistaking them for toys, may pick them up, putting their lives at risk or leaving them permanently injured if the devices detonate. The presence of these toy bombs has sparked widespread fear, especially among parents who are now increasingly worried for their children’s safety.
When the local inhabitants of Salkhala informed the authorities about the items, the Bomb Disposal Squad arrived at the spot quickly, cordoning off the place and then disposing of the dangerous items for examination by other officers.
Community leaders and the community as a whole are now calling on parents to be cautious and ensure that they warn their children not to pick up any object they come across in their path.
They have urged people to report any suspicious activity to an adult or the police because in such a case, prevention is possible and it is possible to save people’s lives.
The threat of a toy bomb in Neelum Valley is a new modus operandi of the Indian military and it has been hugely condemned by the citizens and the local authorities. Many people consider that the strategy of attacking helpless people, including children, with the use of false offers is ethically doubtful.
This has raised questions on the safety of civilians living in border areas and more so the need for international bodies to pay attention and condemn such actions. Residents of Neelum Valley are still living in fear. There is constant awareness created among the locals about such threats.
