NEW DELHI, Feb 13: Many newly-elected municipal councillors and members in the Kashmir valley have decided to resign, fearing attacks from militants despite assurances by the government to provide security, United News of India said on Sunday.

It said the head of the pro-India National Conference, Omar Abdullah has announced that all 84 councillors and members of the party would resign en masse if they were not provided enough security.

The recent local polls in the valley were boycotted by the Kashmiri Resistance groups, including the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). "We have been left with no alternative but to ask all the party councillors to resign en masse if the government fails to provide us security immediately," Mr Abdullah said.

He said one of his councillors was shot dead by militants at Ikhrajpora when he was coming out of a mosque after offering prayers. One each elected member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference been killed by the militants while two of Abdullah's men were gunned down after they filed their nomination papers for the election.

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...