New Delhi: Relatives of Indian army soldiers killed in a recent operation in Jammu and Kashmir have voiced strong criticism of the Modi-led government’s handling of the situation, blaming it for the deaths in the disputed territory.

According to Kashmir Media Service, among the fallen was Sanapala Jagadeeswara Rao from Andhra Pradesh, who died alongside four others in an attack in the Doda district. His family expressed profound grief over his death, questioning the rationale behind deploying troops in such conflict zones for what they perceive as political purposes.

Rao’s brother, Vigneswara Rao, shared a personal anecdote about his late brother’s plans to buy a Royal Enfield motorcycle upon returning home, highlighting the human cost of the conflict. The family’s distress is compounded by their skepticism of the government’s motives, with one of Rao’s uncles pointedly asking why soldiers are sent to Kashmir to die for political gains.

The incident has left Rao’s community and family in mourning, with many remembering him as a sociable and kind individual. This tragedy underscores the broader discontent among families of service members who question the strategic and moral justification of the Indian government’s policies in Kashmir.