Jammu. 22years ago today, terrorists targeted the famous Raghunath temple in city, resulting in the deaths of 11 people. The Raghunath temple is located in one of the busiest areas of Jammu city, frequented by tourists and locals alike.
The history of the Raghunath temple is ancient, dating back to the 18th century when it was constructed by Dogra rulers. Dedicated to Bhagwan Ram, this temple attracts devotees throughout the day, resulting in a constant rush of visitors. Due to the high influx of devotees and tourists, the temple premises are heavily guarded by security personnel at all times.
On March 30, 2002, around 10:20 am, two terrorists (fidayeen) threw a grenade at a vehicle near the temple in the Hari Market area. This caused panic among the people, who started running in all directions. Meanwhile, the terrorists began firing from automatic rifles, killing 11 people and injuring more than 18 others. Among the deceased were seven civilians, three security personnel, and one woman. Both terrorists were also neutralized by the security forces in the retaliatory action.
Despite the severity of the attack, the temple sustained minimal damage because security personnel were able to neutralize the threat swiftly.
Then Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah, blamed Pakistan for the terrorist attacks on the Raghunath temple in Jammu and ruled out withdrawing troops from the border, saying Islamabad had done nothing to warrant it.
Attacks like these demonstrate that Hindu temples are often targeted by terrorists as part of their jihadi strategy, aimed at causing destruction and targeting innocent lives. These heinous acts reveal their main motives, which involve sowing fear and perpetrating violence against civilians.
