Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have intensified security operations following the Nov. 10 blast near New Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed at least 10 people and injured 32, officials said. The crackdown has sparked fear and despair among locals, culminating in the self-immolation of a shopkeeper reportedly distressed by detentions of family members.
Bilal Ahmed Wani, 55, a dry fruit seller, set himself on fire after police briefly detained him and his relatives in connection with the blast investigation. He was treated at multiple hospitals but died a day later. Relatives said Wani was overwhelmed by stress and humiliation from the detentions. Police confirmed his death was due to “self-inflicted burn injuries.”
The blast investigation has focused on Kashmir, with hundreds detained, including students, professionals, and doctors alleged to have links to the suspected suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi. Authorities have demolished the bomber’s family home in Pulwama district and increased scrutiny of what they describe as a “white-collar terror ecosystem” involving radicalized professionals and students with possible foreign connections.
Officials said Wani’s eldest son remains in custody, accused of assisting Un Nabi in technical operations. Relatives insist the family members were innocent and used as scapegoats. The crackdown has heightened fear among Kashmiri doctors, who report unprecedented scrutiny of their personal and professional lives.
Security analysts say the measures reflect deep-seated tensions in the region. Militancy in Indian-controlled Kashmir has persisted since 1989, with India blaming Pakistan for supporting armed groups. Political disenfranchisement following India’s 2019 revocation of Kashmir’s special status has fueled anger and resentment among locals, analysts note.
Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the current crackdown risks worsening alienation and insecurity rather than curbing violence. Experts suggest that a more moderate approach by New Delhi could be more effective in preventing further cycles of unrest in the region.