Srinagar: Indian authorities demolished the home of a Muslim resident in Pulwama after alleging his involvement in the recent car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort. The blast killed twelve people. Rights groups and legal experts questioned the action because investigators have not released conclusive forensic proof.
Police said preliminary DNA findings point to Umar Un Nabi, a 35 year old doctor from Pulwama who worked in Faridabad. Officials claimed the initial match came from samples taken from a severed leg found inside the vehicle. They said the forensic laboratory shared verbal confirmation. The final written report has not been issued. The absence of formal documentation has raised doubts within legal circles.
The demolition highlights a pattern reported across India where homes and shops of Muslim families face punitive action after allegations of wrongdoing. Critics say this form of collective punishment ignores due process and violates rights protected under Indian law. India’s Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that such demolitions violate the right to life.
The action in Pulwama follows a warning from United Nations human rights experts after the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Their 20 page communication described mass detentions, home demolitions and restrictions that affected Muslim communities in Indian administered Kashmir. The letter noted around 2800 arrests made after the Pahalgam incident.
Security forces conducted sweeping raids this week across Awantipora, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Shopian and Sopore. Police said they searched locations linked to the banned Jamaat e Islami Kashmir and seized what they called incriminating material. More than 30 sites were raided in Sopore alone. Raids also took place outside the region including at Al Falah University in Faridabad.
The National Investigation Agency is leading the probe into the Delhi blast. Officials have not said whether the attack involved a local network or foreign links. India often accuses Pakistan of supporting armed groups in Kashmir. Pakistan denies the charge.
