The horses were part of the herd of animals including sheep and goat, that was on its way to Rajouri from Pahalgam as a part of their bi annual migration.
Thirteen Bakerwal horses were mercilessly mowed down allegedly by a security force vehicle at Frisal village in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Sunday sending shock waves across the valley.
The horses were part of the herd of animals including sheep and goat, that was on its way to Rajouri from Pahalgam as a part of their bi annual migration.
"We were on way to Rajouri from Pahalgam when our horses were mowed down at Frisal," said Mohammad Aslam, one of the herdsmen.
Police have registered a case and massive hunt has been launched to identify the vehicle and its driver for killing the pack of horses in the most brutal manner.
Police said a speedy truck like vehicle hit the horses so hard that they were thrown several feet away from the spot causing their instant death.
"Complainant who was on the spot said he was not able to recognise the vehicle because it was pitch dark and he could see only two lights. However he said it was big truck like vehicle," Shridhar Patil, superintendent of police, Kulgam, told dna.
Villagers have alleged that security force vehicle was patrolling during the night when it mowed down the horses before fleeing away taking advantage of the darkness.
"We are looking at all aspects. We are taking details of all those vehicles that crossed the particular point at that particular time. If villagers cooperate we will be able to catch hold of whoever he is," said Patil.
The nomadic Bakerwal (shepherds) community migrates along with their herds twice in the year to graze their cattle at greener pastures. "They have told us that they were returning to Rajouri from Pahalgam via Reasi when their horses were hit," said Patil.
The issue has taken political overtones with main opposition National Conference (NC) hitting out at the security forces for what they said deliberately mowing down about a dozen horses for no rhyme or reason.
"After losing the trust and confidence of the people security forces have now gone berserk. Having satiated themselves over the years with human blood they are now giving vent to their anger and frustration on domestic animals of these nomads. In such a situation no one is safe in J&K considering the fact that state is packed beyond capacity with the security forces and more being pushed in," said Dr Mustafa Kamal, additional general secretary of NC and uncle of former chief minister Omar Abdullah.
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