Rajouri woman who lost both her sons in terror attack seeks justice

As polling approaches in the restive districts of Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi on Wednesday, Saroj Bala, who lost both her sons in a terrorist attack in Dhangri village, Rajouri, on January 1, 2023, is still seeking justice.

The attack claimed the lives of five members of the Hindu community on January 1, while two children died in an IED explosion the following day. Terrorists had planted the IED at the home of one of the victims, which detonated on the morning of January 2. Dhangri is a Hindu-majority village.

Several locals were injured in the attack, but Saroj Bala suffered the greatest loss — her entire family. Her husband had died of cancer years earlier. On that fateful evening, two terrorists reportedly entered the village and went door-to-door, allegedly identifying Hindu residents with the help of their Aadhaar cards.

Saroj’s two sons, Deepak and Prince, were fatally wounded by gunfire. “I cannot forget that evening. I still feel that justice has been denied to me, as the authorities have not apprehended the locals who marked the homes of Hindus,” she told The Tribune.

Saroj is convinced that a local individual aided the terrorists by identifying Hindu homes. She acknowledges that some of the terrorists involved in the attack have been eliminated, but insists that “the local link” needs to be identified.

A few days ago, Saroj called on the residents of Dhangri village to boycott the upcoming elections, and many agreed. However, during a recent visit to Rajouri, Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly met with her and assured her of all possible assistance. Following this meeting, the villagers decided to participate in the elections.

“We will no longer boycott the elections, but our demand to the next government is not only to provide security to all Hindu villages in the region, but also to deliver justice to me,” Saroj stated.