Today marks 23 years since the Bijbehara tragedy of December 21, 2001, when five women were killed by unidentified gunmen in two villages of Bijbehara, Anantnag district.
The attacks, which occurred late at night around 10:30 PM, targeted Sikh and Kashmiri Hindu families in Pushkreeri and Hugam, leaving the minority communities shattered and fearful.
In Pushkreeri, the gunmen reportedly called the male residents out of their homes to assemble at a specific location. When the women intervened to question their intentions, the gunmen opened fire, killing three young girls—Sumeet Kaur, Rosy Kaur, and Julie Kaur—on the spot.
Two others were injured in the attack. Recalling the night, a resident, Paramjit Singh, said, “The gunmen wanted the male members of the community to assemble at a particular spot. When the women tried to inquire about their intentions, they opened fire, killing three of them on the spot.”
Around the same time, in Hugam village, the attackers targeted Kashmiri Hindu families, killing two women, Sunita and Dora, and injuring two others.
A police constable, Shamas-ud-Din, stationed to protect the minority locality in Pushkreeri, was also injured during the assault.
The violence left the communities in shock, and residents questioned the effectiveness of the security measures in place.
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range) K. Rajindra stated at the time, “We are taking every step to ensure such incidents do not occur again. Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible.”
However, no individuals or groups were identified or held accountable for the killings.
This was not an isolated incident. Earlier that year, seven Sikhs were killed in Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar, and in March 2000, 34 Sikhs were massacred in Chittisinghpora, also in Anantnag district.
Despite the government’s assurances of enhanced security for the 150 villages inhabited by minority communities, these attacks highlighted the continuing vulnerability of these groups.
The Bijbehara tragedy remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by minority communities in the Valley.
The five women—Sumeet Kaur, Rosy Kaur, Julie Kaur, Sunita, and Dora—are remembered not just as victims but as symbols of the struggles endured by their communities.
Families of the victims continue to seek justice, but no answers have been provided, and the perpetrators remain unidentified.