Sources in Jammu and Kashmir Police told The Publish that since the by-elections of Panchayat were announced, security agencies made several intercepts between Kashmiri terrorists and their handlers in Pakistan. The terrorists were tasked to carry out standalone attacks on the candidates so as to spread terror in the valley.

Because of the crackdown by security forces in the Kashmir valley, the terrorists have not been able to carry out any major attack in the valley and hence to show their presence, they could have targeted the panches and sarpanches candidates. The decision to postpone the panchayat elections was taken after several security review meetings and it was decided that new notification would be issued in due course of time. The Government is committed to ensuring that free and fair elections are held, hence the decision was taken.

Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Thursday evening decided to deferred by-Polls of Panchayat in the newly carved Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Polls were scheduled to be held in 8 phases starting from March 5, 2020. 

In a midnight order, Election Commission said, "Whereas, recommendations of the Apex Level Committee constituted vide Government Order No. 10-JK(GAD) of 2020 dated 03-01-2020 regarding preparatory work for conducting elections to vacant Panchayat seats along with the security clearance was received from the General Administration Department.UT of J&K vide its No.GAD(Adm)01/2020-I dated 23-01-2020: and Whereas, under Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules,1996, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, vide S.O.53 dated 10th February 2020, issued a notification calling upon the Panchayat Halqas, to elect Sarpanches and Panches for the vacant seats in the UT; and"

"Whereas, the Election Authority accordingly has announced the schedule of the by-elections to the vacant seats of Sarpanches and Panches in the Panchayat Halqas as mentioned in the S.O.53 dated 10-02-2020 read along with errata dated13-02-2020;