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Jammu and Kashmir Timeline - 2017
January
2 |
Pakistani troops violated the
ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch District, but there were no
casualties or damage on the Indian side. "There was firing by
Pakistani troops from 9 am along LoC in Shahpur sub sector of
Poonch district today," official sources said. The Indian troops
retaliated and there was a brief exchange of firing, they said,
adding there were no casualties. The firing took place in Shahpur
sector of Poonch for about an hour. There was slight panic among
the people during the firing but it subsided as bullets stopped
within an hour. The 2003 India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement has
virtually become redundant with a whopping over 300 incidents
of firing and shelling along LoC and IB in J&K by Pakistani troops
that resulted in death of 27 people, including 14 security personnel,
since the surgical strike on terrorist launch pads in PoK on September
28-29 in which over 50 Pakistani militants and army personnel
were killed.
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January
3
|
A LeT militant identified as Abu
Umar Khitab of Pakistan was killed in an encounter with SFs in
Sopore area in Baramulla District. SFs had laid an ambush at Haritar
in Sopore during the intervening night following information about
movement of militants through the area, a Police official said.
He said SFs on noticing suspicious movement in the wee hours challenged
the persons who opened fire. "In the retaliatory firing,
one terrorist was killed," the official said. The militant
affiliated with LeT and was active for last four years. He was
believed to part of the militant group, which escaped from the
SFs cordon several times last month in Hajjan area of North
Kashmir. Sources said that the militant was operating in Sopore,
Hajin, Gunde Jehanghir and Shah Gund areas of North Kashmir and
SFs were tracking his movement for long. They said one AK 47 rifle,
one hand grenade, three magazines, 70 AK ammunition rounds, one
I-com set, one compass, one bag and one torch was recovered from
his possession.
A CRPF ASI was critically injured
in a militant attack in Murran Chowk in Pulwama town in Pulwama
District. The ASI identified as BN Thakur was hit by a bullet
in his back and was shifted to army hospital for treatment. The
firing caused panic in the township and senior Police and CRPF
officers reached the spot immediately cordoned off the area and
searches were conducted in the area but the militants managed
to flee after carrying out the attack.
A search operation was launched
by SFs in Kuta Satri forest area of Bandipora District, following
an input about the presence of militants. The operation was, however,
later called off due to heavy snowfall.
Investigating Officers of nine
Police Stations of Kashmir valley are yet to recover, 63 rifles
and 186 magazines looted by the militants and mob from 16 different
locations, despite lapse of considerable period of time. According
to the official data provided by the Home Department in the Legislative
Assembly, 16 incidents of looting/snatching of rifles and magazines
besides huge number of rounds took place under the jurisdiction
of nine Police Stations in Kashmir valley during the period between
January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Of these incidents, maximum
four incidents took place under the jurisdiction of DH Pora Police
Station followed by Pulwama (three) and Kulgam and Shopian (two
each). The other incidents took place under the jurisdiction of
Batamaloo, Anantnag, Dooru, Chadoora and Budgam Police Stations.
Giving gist of the cases, the Home Department said that in some
cases the militants fired upon the Police personnel deployed in
the general areas and decamped with their service rifles after
killing them while as in other cases they attached the Police
deployed for the security of political workers and looted their
service rifles after eliminating or injuring them. In some other
cases the militants even entered the guarded places and snatched
rifles, magazines and rounds from the Police. The incidents of
militants forcibly snatching the weapons from the Police without
harming them physically were also reported from some parts of
Valley.
According to the official data,
five incidents of mob attacking guard posts and decamping with
the weapons and arms during the period of unrest in Kashmir valley
were reported from five different places. In all these 16 incidents
of weapon looting, FIR under different sections of RPC and Arms
Act were registered but till date no major headway has been made
by the concerned Police Stations as a result of which neither
the accused could be arrested nor looted weapons recovered. AK-47s,
SLRs, INSAS Rifles, Pistols and Carbines were among the weapons
looted by the militants and mob, the Home Department said in reply
to the question of independent MLA, Er Abdul Rashid. According
to the data, a total of 2690 cases of stone pelting were also
registered during the period between January 1, 2016 and December
31, 2016. The maximum cases were registered in Sopore (492) followed
by Srinagar (339) and Baramulla (318). The other stone pelting
incidents were reported from Ganderbal (65), Budgam (163), Anantnag
(271), Shopian (173), Pulwama (143), Kulgam (167), Awantipora
(121), Bandipora (109), Kupwara (218) and Handwara (111).
In reply to question of Hakeem
Mohammad Yaseen, the Minister Incharge Home said that during the
recent unrest 2632 FIRs were registered and almost all are still
under investigation. “Besides, 463 persons were detained under
Public Safety Act out of which 145 were released and presently
318 are under detention”, the Minister added.
Replying to question of NC MLA,
Mubarak Gul, the Government said that a total of 59 youths joined
militant ranks after the killing of HM militant Burhan Wani in
an encounter with Security Forces on July 8 last year. “As reported
by CID Headquarters, 59 youth have joined militant ranks after
8th July, 2016”, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written
reply, adding the Government has notified a Surrender Policy which
was superseded by Rehabilitation Policy to encourage the misguided
youths and militants to abjure violence and accept the integrity
of India and the Constitution.
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January
4
|
SFs arrested a LeT militant from
Handwara area of North Kashmir in Kupwara District, who was planning
to carry out attack on security convoys in the area. Police said
that on specific information one LeT militant identified as Ashiq
Ahmed alias Abu Haider was arrested by Handwara
Police and 21 RR of army near Fruit Mandi crossing in Handwara
in the District. “On sustained interrogation he disclosed that
he was a close associate of Abu Bakar a LeT ‘commander’ killed
in Sopore few days back. On further discloser the arrested militant
said that in near future he was planning to attack security forces
convoy in Handwara area”, Police said. Police said that huge cache
of arms and ammunition was recovered from him. These include one
AK-47 rifle, 3 Magazines with live cartridges, one Chinese Pistol
with one Magazine, three Hand Grenades, one Magazine Pouch, one
Map and one Haversack.
IG of CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan, said
that militants take advantage of presence of common people on
NH and at times escape after carrying out the attack. Speaking
to reporters on the sidelines of a function in South Kashmir,
Hassan said that at times militants flee after carrying out an
attack on the NH by taking advantage of common people and SFs
avoid collateral damage. “The attacks on National Highway occur
many times during a year. Many-a-times we are successful in killing
those who attack. Sometimes due to presence of common people we
don’t fire because that can result in collateral damage and we
restrain ourselves. The militants sometimes take advantage of
crowd and escape”, he said. Hassan said that at times militants
manage to escape from the security but SFs make their efforts
to prevent them from fleeing. “Sometimes the stone-pelting takes
place so that militants manage to escape. But security forces,
CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police try not to make it successful and
sometimes we do manage to stop militants from escaping”, he said.
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January
6
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Al-Badr terrorist Muzzafar Ahmed,
who had links with LeT, was gunned down by the SFs after heavy
exchange of fire in Budgam District. Ahmed, who was wanted in
several cases, was earlier associated with LeT. Also, a Policeman
sustained critical injuries during the encounter.
The call traffic between hawala agents
in India dropped almost by half post demonetisation, says a recent
assessment by the central intelligence agencies. Payments to the
end beneficiary of hawala deals are traditionally in cash, with
INR 500 and INR 1,000 being the favoured denominations. The demonetisation
of these high-value notes on November 9 severely affected hawala
operators, and going solely by call traffic, their business may
be down by 50%, said an intelligence source. Terror funds are
mostly sourced in counterfeit currency, comprising high-quality
fake notes that Indian agencies suspect are printed at the Pakistan
government printing press in Quetta and its security press at
Karachi. Given this fact and the drop in hawala transactions,
demonetisation has dried up funds used for organised stone-pelting
in J&K and paying overground terror supporters in the State.
Intelligence officials claim that terrorism-related violence in
J&K dipped by 60% post the cash ban, with only one major blast
reported from the valley in December. An intelligence official
claimed that apart from organised stone-pelting, a direct casualty
of demonetisation in J&K was the overground network of terror
facilitators. "The overground support base of terrorists
depends on instant cash payments. A weakened OGW network due to
demonetisation has resulted in several successful counterterrorist
operations in the Valley over the past several weeks," said
the officer.
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January
7
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Normal life in Jammu and Kashmir
was affected due to shutdown called by separatists. Shops and
commercial establishments remained closed across Srinagar and
public transport was partially off the roads. The private vehicles
were, however, plying normally. Street vendors had set-up their
stalls at multiple places in the city’s civil line areas.
A complete shutdown was observed
in Sopore town of Baramulla District, to mourn the killing of
senior militant ‘commander’ associated with Al Badr Mujahideen,
Muzzafar Ahmad Naiko alias Muz Molvi, who was
killed on January 6 in an encounter. During the shutdown, hundreds
of security men were deployed to prevent outbreak of protests
across the Sopore town.
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January
9
|
Three civilians working as labourers
were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a GREF
camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu District. Two or more
militants attacked the GREF camp around 1 AM near LoC in Battal
village, sources said. Militants likely infiltrated from across
the border to carry out the terror attack, sources said. In the
attack, three civilians were killed, they said, adding that the
victims were working as labourers with GREF.
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January 10
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A top LeT militant was killed
in a gun battle in Bandipora District. SFs including 13-RR of
army and SOG of JKP, Bandipora, cordoned off Parray Mohalla Hajan
in the District. A LeT militant, who was hiding in a house opened
fire on the troops, leading to a gun battle in which he was shot
dead by the troops. After the gun battle during searches one AK
47, three AK Magazines, three hand grenades, one radio set, one
pouch, one matrix sheet and 200 AK rounds were recovered from
the encounter site. The militant was identified as Abu Maviya
of LeT.
SFs including 55 RR and SOG Shopian
cordoned off Heff Shermal in Shopian District. There are seven
militants of LeT from the village and SFs had information about
their movement in the village. However, the operation was later
called off and no one was arrested.
SFs including 50 RR, 183 Battalion
of CRPF and SOG Kakapora cordon off Kandi Zal area of Pampore
in Pulwama District. Sources said that the SFs had information
about presence of Reyaz Dar of LeT and his associates in the village.
However, the operation was later called off.
SFs including 55 RR and SOG Awantipora
cordon off Khandaypora, Awantipora in Pulwama District. They had
information about presence of Reyaz Naiku of HM and his associates
in the village. However, the operation was later called off.
SFs including 42 RR and SOG Awantipora
cordon off Batpora, Noorpora, Tral in Awantipora area of Pulwama
District. They had information about presence of some militants
in the area. The troops also cordoned off Ratsuna in Tral area
of Awantipora. However, the operations at these places were later
called off.
A soldier was injured in a mine
explosion in forward area of Mankote sector in Poonch District.
Official sources said that Naik Deepak Singh of 15 Mahar Regiment
received serious injuries in his legs when a land mine exploded
as he over stepped it while patrolling. The injured soldier was
rushed to unit hospital and then shifted to Military Hospital,
Rajouri.
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January 11
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Two militants were killed by the
Army as it foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Poonch
sector in Poonch District. An Army spokesman said the troops present
along the LoC detected movement of two terrorists along the Betar
Nala in the wee hours of January 10 and engaged them with heavy
automatic fire. “While one terrorist was eliminated by afternoon
of January 10 the second was eliminated today (January 11),” he
said. He said the bodies of the slain terrorists and their weapons
lie on the LoC.
CM Mehbooba Mufti said that 4088
missing persons and terrorists belonging to J&K, who had crossed
the borders, are still in Pakistan and PoK. She was responding
to the question of BJP MLA from Jammu East, Rajesh Gupta, in the
Legislative Assembly. “As per the figures of the Home Department,
4088 missing persons and terrorists are still camping/residing
in Pakistan and PoK”, she said. It is pertinent to mention here
that during peak of militancy in this State huge number of misguided
youth had crossed over the borders to get arms training in the
camps established in different parts of Pakistan and PoK by the
outfits of terrorists and ISI, Pakistan's external intelligence
agency.
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January 12
|
Intelligence agencies have identified
12 active terror launch pads with 300 terrorists in Pakistan.
The launch pads were identified as Balakot, Garhi Habibullah,
Batrasi, Mashar-e-Akshah, Abdullah bin Mausam, Dalai, Chela Bandi,
Kotli, Dungi, Gulpar, Barali and Mandakuli. According to an intelligence
report there are "reception" areas within Indian State
of Jammu and Kashmir, where these terrorists would be received.
The reception areas where the terrorists meet their handlers,
who provide them logistics and money, are Lojab Valley, Rajwar
forest, Bandipora, Kazikund, Rafiabad and Naugam.
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January 13
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The BSF foiled major infiltration
attempt by a group of four to six militants, trying to infiltrate
into the Indian Territory, along the IB in Samba sector in Samba
District by killing one of them and forcing others to retreat
to Pakistan. Official sources said the BSF troops observed the
movement of four to six militants, who were moving towards the
Indian Territory along Tarnah Nullah between Samba and Hiranagar
sectors on the IB. As the alert BSF troops challenged the militants,
after heavy exchange of firing one of the militants was killed
on spot while others were reported to have retreated to Pakistan
taking cover of darkness in the area. The BSF didn’t suffer any
casualties in the encounter.
SFs busted a militant hideout
and recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Charmar area of
Surankote in Poonch District. Acting on tip off, police and army
launched joint operation in Charmar area of Surankote and recovered
the cache of arms and ammunition from an underground dump, which
included two AK 56, two Chinese pistols, two RPG guns, four HE
36 grenades, 10 AK magazines, 302 AK ammunition, LMG ammunition
88, sniper ammunition 12, one wireless set damaged, one bayonet
cover, three pistol magazines, two pistols ammunition, three M
16 Rocket and one 51 motor ammunition.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
made it clear that more surgical strikes cannot be ruled out as
India has the “right to retaliate” if Pakistan does not react
positively to offers of peace. General Rawat also said India needs
to “wait and watch” the Pakistani response in Jammu and Kashmir.
He accepted that challenges of proxy war, insurgency and terrorism
will keep India embroiled for “years to come”. The General said
the DGMOs of both sides have spoken to each other and want peace
and tranquillity along the LoC. The two officers spoke on November
23, 2016 and since then there has been relative peace along the
LoC, he said. Asked if surgical strikes conducted along the LoC,
and operations conducted in Myanmar, would now be part of the
doctrine, the Army chief said, “We have told the adversary to
accept peace and in case that offer is not reciprocated this method
of operations (surgical strikes) shall continue”. He also said
the aim is to ensure peace and tranquillity and it (surgical strike)
shall not be needed if there is peace.
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January 14
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The separatists in J&K have
further scaled down their ongoing agitation by restricting the
strike call to every Friday and have asked people to observe a
'black day' on Republic Day. In a fresh protest programme issued
late last night (January 14), the separatists - hardline APHC-G
chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate APHC-M chief Mirwaiz
Umar Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik - asked the people to observe
strike only on Fridays. In view of Republic Day, the separatists
have called for a shutdown on Thursday (January 19) as well this
week. They have also called for joint protest on Monday (January
16) after the afternoon prayer.
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January 16
|
Three LeT militants were killed
in an encounter with SFs at Awoora village in Pahalgam area of
Anantnag District. Acting on specific intelligence input about
the presence of three LeT militants, ‘commander’ Adil, Masood
and Abid, hiding in the village, Army’s 3rd RR
and SOG launched a search operation in the area on January 15.
An army official said as the SFs were conducting the search operation,
the hiding militants fired upon them and the SFs retaliated. The
exchange of fire went on till late in the evening after which
it was halted for the night, the official said, adding it was
resumed in the wee hours today and the three militants were killed
in the gunfight. Three AK-47 rifles have been recovered from the
encounter site, the official said adding the operation has been
called off.
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January 17 |
The three militants killed in
the overnight gun battle with SFs in Anantnag District of J&K
on January 16, were affiliated with HM and were identified as
Abid Sheikh, son of Farooq Sheikh, resident of Satkipora Srigufwara,
Maqsood Ahmad Sheikh alias Masoom, son of Ghulam Nabi, resident
of Bewoora Srigufwara, and Adil Reshi, son of Mushtaq Ahmad, resident
of Iqbal Mohalla in Bijbehara. Three AK-47 rifles, 9 magazines,
80 rounds and 3 pouches were recovered from the encounter site.
Police said that Adil Reshi was involved in number of incidents.
Adil along with Amir Nabi alias Ibn Qasim was involved in attack
on SDPO Bijbehara and his PSO on 24th of December 2015. The 1-Sector
Commander of RR Brigadier R Chakraborty stated, "It is a major
success as their moving freely and preparing a video, in which
they were playing with snow, appeared that they were challenging
us." The Commander urged the rest of the militants of the group
to join mainstream. "I urge rest of the three militants to surrender
and join mainstream", he said. He further said that they were
all A category militants with one each being A++ and A+. "They
are part of a six member militant group that recently appeared
in a video playing in snow. We ensured that there is no collateral
damage during the encounter", he added.
A man allegedly trying to sneak
into the Nagrota Army camp in Jammu District was shot and injured
before being arrested. "During last night, an unidentified man
was found moving suspiciously near the fence of the Nagrota Army
camp along the banks of river Tawi," a Defence spokesman said.
JKP has turned into an important
force in fighting militancy and modernization of the force has
become imperative to enhance capacity of the force, stated DGP,
Dr. S. P. Vaid in the meeting of the 16th CCTNS Empowered Committee
for implementation of CCTNS Project held at PHQ in Jammu District.
In order to make the department high-tech, we are focussing on
high security capacity building in future. Special focus is given
on technical up-gradation to enhance the capabilities of the force
in order to commensurate with the modern requirements, he added.
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January 18 |
SFs arrested Arzoo Bashir, a militant
of HM, from Tral area in Pulwama District. Sources said that the
SFs conducted an operation in Tral area during which they arrested
the HM militant who was active in the area and one pistol and
15 rounds of ammunition were recovered from his possession.
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January 19 |
A LeT militant was killed in an
encounter with SFs in Bandipora District. Acting on specific intelligence
inputs that there might be militants hiding in Parray Mohalla
in the Hajin area, SFs launched a search operation in the village.
As the forces were conducting the search operation, the hiding
militant opened fire on them. In the ensuing encounter, the LeT
militant Abu Musaib was killed and a SOG soldier was also injured
in the brief encounter, Police said.
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January 20 |
Militants hurled a grenade on
a Police party in Narbal area in Budgam District. The grenade
exploded on the road causing minor damage to a Police vehicle.
Police and Army launched an operation and laid a naka at Narbal
crossing on National Highway against the militants responsible
for the grenade blast.
The security agencies defused
an old live shell which was recovered from a pond at Kharote village
in Kathua District. A Police spokesman said that a villager noticed
a shell lying in the marshy pond and informed Police and the Army
and it was defused by the security agencies.
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January 21 |
Life was affected in several parts
of Srinagar, as authorities imposed restrictions amid shutdown
to thwart protests called by separatists on the 27th anniversary
of Gaw Kadal killings. Over 50 persons were killed on this day
of 1990 when security forces opened fire at Gaw Kadal on a procession.
To mark the anniversary, the separatists had called for a shutdown
and protests. In view of the separatists call, a complete shutdown
was observed in Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Gaw Kadal, Maisuma,
Amira Kadal, Jehangir Chowk, Basant Bagh and Habba Kadal markets.
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January 22 |
SFs cordoned off Fatehgarh Sheeri
area in Baramulla District, after inputs about presence of militants
in the area. Reports said that around 30 people were detained
for questioning and majority of them have been let off. However,
a Police official said that few of them who are OGWs are being
questioned.
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January 23
|
The Army in a joint operation
with JKP busted a suspected militant hideout and seized a huge
cache of arms, ammunition and war-like stores in the Hilnar area
of Chhatru tehsil in Kishtwar District. The team
came upon a suspicious natural cave, whereupon, on further probing
and digging, forces recovered one AK-47, one Pistol with Magazine
(Chinese), one UBGL, seven Grenades of UBGL, two Chinese Hand
Grenades, three AK-47 Magazines, 428 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 and
two Kenwood Radio Sets (Transistor TH 28A 144MH).
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January 24
|
SFs launched a search operation
against a group of militants in Ganderbal District. They said
5 RR and SOG of J&K launched a joint operation at Handoora
village in Ganderbal following a tip-off about the presence of
militants.
Two top militants of the LeT outfit
were killed in a gun battle on the outskirts of Srinagar in Ganderbal
District. Following a tip off about the presence of militants
in Hadoora, Shuhama area in Ganderbal District, Police from Srinagar
and Ganderbal along with 5-RR and CRPF cordoned off the area and
launched the search operation. “The hiding militants opened fire
on joint search party which was retaliated, triggering an encounter
during which two militants of LeT were killed. Two AK-47 rifles,
one grenade, six magazines and 180 rounds of AK ammunition were
recovered from the encounter site”, SSP, Ganderbal, Imtiaz
Ismail Parray, said. The two LeT militants have been identified
as Qari Hanzullah and Anas Bilal and both of them were residents
of Pakistan. They were associates of top LeT ‘commander’ Abu Hurraira
who is operating from Dachigam area in the outskirts of Srinagar
for last several years. They were operating in Srinagar and Ganderbal
districts since January 22, 2013 and had recently started coordinating
with HM.
SFs averted a major tragedy after
they detected and defused an IED on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad National
Highway in Baramulla District. Sources said that on receiving
specific input of planting of IED at Srinagar- Muzaffarabad national
highway a joint operation by 53 Bn of the CRPF, SOG Baramulla,
was launched and an IED of around 10 kilograms was recovered.
A Policeman was injured as militants
hurled a grenade at a Police party at Haal Pulwama and fired at
them. Police had established a naka at Haal when militants attacked
them. Massive operations have been launched in the area against
the militants.
Army and BSF foiled two major
infiltration attempts, along the LoC and IB killing a top Pakistani
militant and arrested another while three other infiltrators managed
to escape back to PoK following effective retaliatory firing brought
down by the troops. Official sources stated that the troops observed
movement of a group of four militants along LoC in Dadal Maneka
area of Sunderbani sector in Rajouri District when they were trying
to infiltrate into the Indian Territory along with a consignment
of heavy arms, ammunition and explosive material. Immediately
after the gunfight, troops conducted searches along LoC in Sunderbani
sector and recovered the body of the slain militant who was believed
to be a top Pakistani militant.
The BSF thwarted another infiltration
attempt along the IB in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil in
Jammu District when they captured a Pakistani national alive soon
after he entered into the Indian Territory. The captured person
reportedly disclosed his identity as Mohammad Ahmad (35), son
of Mohammad Aneef, a resident of Kot Din Dhan in Sialkot District
of Pakistan. He was carrying some currency with him when he was
captured.
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January 25
|
Unidentified militants opened
fire at a Police picket at Gofabal in Kulgam District. Police
returned the fire, forcing the militants to flee from the place.
No casualties were reported in the incident.
SFs detected an IED planted by
militants at Batamaloo area in Srinagar District. The IED was
later safely defused.
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January 26
|
A cordon and search operation
was launched by the SFs in Pulwama town in Pulwama District, after
an explosion, believed to be grenade thrown by militants, occurred
near local Police Station without causing any damage. However,
no one was arrested during the search operation.
SFs conducted search and cordon
operations at Hassanwadi and Badibagh villages in Pulwama, after
receiving inputs about the presence of militants. During
the searches, locals came out of their houses and pelted stones
on forces and hampered the search operations. Police fired teargas
shells and chased away the stone-pelting mobs. The search operations
were later called off.
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January 30
|
SFs busted a hideout of unidentified
militant and recovered large cache of arms and ammunition at Tranz
area in Shopian District. SFs recovered one SLR, which was snatched
by militants from guard at Samnoo Kulgam in October last year
(2016), two magazines of SLR, 37 SLR rounds, two RPG, one grenade,
503 AK rounds, one AK magazine, one ammunition pouch, one solar
charger, one charger pin and a small black pouch containing medicines
from the militant hideout.
Over 200 persons were killed in
unrests in 2008, 2010 and 2016 in Jammu and Kashmir, the State
Government told Legislative Assembly. CM Mehbooba Mufti, in a
written reply, told the House that 76 civilians and two Police
personnel were killed in “law and order disturbances” in the Valley
in 2016. In 2010, 101 persons were killed and 4,288 others, including
SFs, injured, she said. Mehbooba said 46 persons were killed and
1,265 others, including SFs, were injured in 2008. In 2016, as
many as 8,587 persons were arrested, out of which 8,473 have been
released till January 21, the Chief Minister informed. In addition,
522 persons were booked under the J&K PSA, and 265 persons
among 1,978 booked in the recent unrest, were still under detention
as on January 21, she stated. Further, Mehbooba said as many as
133 buildings, including Police Stations and schools, were damaged
or set ablaze during the “law and order disturbances” in the Valley
last year and 213 persons were arrested in this connection. She
said 2,655 cases have been registered in various police stations
across Kashmir since July 8 last year.
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January 31
|
Four persons were injured after
SFs fired to disperse protesters in Samboora village of Pampore
area in Pulwama District. An Army party conducted a search operation
in the Samboora village of Pampore area and people started stone
pelting on them and they fired injuring four persons.
SFs cordoned off Heff Shermal
area of Shopian District and launched searches. However, as the
searches were underway, locals came out of their houses pelted
stones on SFs. Police fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse
the locals hampering the operation. Later the search operation
was called off.
Pakistan army again resorted to
heavy mortar shelling and firing on forward Indian posts and villages
in Shahpur sector of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistani
troops started shelling forward areas in Shahpur at 9 pm, prompting
the Indian side to retaliate. Heavy exchange of shelling and firing
continued, however, there were no reports of any casualties or
damage on the Indian side. Sources said Pakistan army was trying
to push a group of militants into the Indian side from the LoC.
The shelling was aimed at facilitating the infiltration attempt,
they added.
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February 1
|
Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin
Rawat, stressed for high level of alertness and vigil along the
LoC and to foil the nefarious designs of militants and their masters
across. While interacting with the troops and the Commanders at
19 Division headquarters in Baramulla and 28 Mountain Division
in Kupwara, General Rawat stressed for alertness along the LoC
to foil the infiltration attempts from across. He stressed for
terminating infiltration attempts right on the LoC so that peace
is restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
|
February 2
|
SFs detected and defused an IED
on the Srinagar-Jammu NH in Pampore area in Pulwama District.
A patrol party of Police detected the IED planted by terrorists
between Kadlabal and Chursoo section of the NH and later the bomb
disposal squad destroyed the explosive.
The BSF foiled a major infiltration
attempt by the militants on the IB in Samba sector of Samba District,
in which the SF personnel had a very narrow escape in three UBG
thrown by the militants on them in a bid to enter into this side.
According to the sources, the grenade attacks and firing by the
militants was to be followed by the infiltration attempt. However,
finding the BSF troops on very high alert on the IB, the militants
retreated to Pakistan.
Pakistan army resorted to heavy
mortar shelling and firing on forward Indian posts and villages
in Baba Khori area of Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri
District. Sources said Pakistani troops started shelling forward
areas in Baba Khori area of Nowshera at 6.20 pm, prompting the
Indian side to retaliate. Heavy exchange of shelling and firing
continued for about half an hour. However, there were no reports
of any casualties or damage on the Indian side so far.
|
February 3
|
Police and paramilitary CRPF recovered
a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in Ganderbal
District. A joint party of Police and 118 BN (Battalion) CRPF
busted a militant hideout in Fraw area of Gund tehsil of
the District. SFs recovered two AK 47 magazines, 32 rounds, a
5-kilograms gas cylinder and few biscuit packets were recovered
during the operation.
SFs arrested a LeT militant from
Nowpora Payeen village of Lassipora in Pulwama District. Police
said that based upon specific input, SFs including Police and
Army’s 55 RR launched a cordon and search operation at Nowpora
area of the District, during which a local militant identified
as Manzoor Ahmad was arrested, along with one pistol, two pistol
rounds, 36 AK rounds, one Chinese grenade, two pistol magazines,
one pouch and first aid kit, from the possession of the arrested
militant. During the cordon and search operation, locals came
out of their houses and pelted stone on Police and Army. Police
fired several teargas shells on protesters and also resorted to
aerial firing to break up the stone pelting protest. However,
no protester was injured in the clashes and later the cordon was
lifted by forces.
|
February 4
|
Police and SFs thwarted a major
terrorist action by killing two HM militants in an encounter in
Sopore area in Baramulla District. SFs launched an operation in
Amargarh area in Sopore following information about presence of
militants in the area. When challenged, the militants lobbed a
grenade and fired upon the Police party in which SP operation
Baramulla, Shafqat Hussain and SI, Mohammad Murtaza were injured.
Two AK series rifles, one pistol, four hand grenades and other
arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. The
two militants have been identified as Azhar Khan of Kupwara and
Sajjad Ahmed Lone, a resident of Eidipora Bomai in Sopore. Sajjad
had gone to Pakistan in March 2016 via Wagah border.
|
February 5
|
A Pakistani infiltrator was arrested
by the BSF personnel from the IB in Ramgarh sector of Samba District.
Official sources said Jawans on duty observed suspicious movement
across the IB near Balhad Post along Basantar River in Ramgarh
sector this afternoon. They rushed and challenged the suspect,
who had intruded deep inside the Indian Territory and arrested
Mansheer (25), a resident of Kingra Morh in Sabekote area of Pakistan.
|
February 6 |
The BSF thwarted an intrusion
bid at IB, which originated from Pakistan side, in Samba sector
in Samba District, followed by heavy mortar shelling and firing
in the forward areas. Official sources said a group of heavily
armed militants reached close to the IB on Pakistan side taking
advantage of undulating ground in Samba sector and opened heavy
firing on the BSF personnel deployed on duty mound in forward
areas with automatic weapons. The BSF personnel swiftly organized
coordinated effected fire over the militants and forced them to
retreat to Pakistan.
|
February 7 |
Police said it have arrested miscreants
who pelted stones on vehicles at Baramulla town last week. "In
the evening of February 4 (Saturday) a group of miscreants boarding
three vehicles appeared in Baramulla market near Karripa Park
and started pelting stones on vehicles and created law and order
problem," a Police spokesman said. He said all these miscreants
were detained and a case was registered in Baramulla Police Station.
Sub-Judge/Judicial Magistrate
first Class, Rajesh Kumar ID Abrol of Chadoora in Budgam District,
denied bail to two militants of HM outfit. According to the prosecution
case, the militants identified as Younis Bashir of Checkpora and
Adil Ahmed of Lasjan were arrested under Sections 419, 506, 387,
511 and 120B RPC at Nowgam Police Station on the basis of the
complaint filed by Mohammad Amin Bhat of Checkpora. These militants
were demanding INR 500,000 from the complainant for HM outfit
with the warning that he and his family will face the consequences
of death if the complainant failed to follow their directive.
The J&K Police has prepared a
report, warning about the possibility of a 'more dangerous repetition
of 2016' after March and highlighted the 'lack of the preparedness
to handle such crisis on part of the civil administration and
Police'. DG of the J&K Police SP Vaid confirmed that there were
reports of 'possible unrest after March' but maintained that Police
was ready to handle any 'law and order' situation, adding that
APHC leaders who lead such agitations were to be 'squarely blamed'
for the consequences. The report submitted to the chief minister's
office in January sees joint APHC leadership of Syed Ali Geelani,
Mirwaiz Umer and Yasin Malik as a 'threat to peace' and their
'unification on Pakistan's insistence a trouble'. "The mass contact
programme of Hurriyat leaders and their meetings with their small
constituents are a matter of concern. And by reaching out to victims
of the 2016 unrest, they are reaching out to the common man and
thus preparing the ground for another unrest," the report said.
|
February 8 |
Sunderbani Police arrested nine
persons along with two weapons (.12 bore guns), in Rajouri District
and busted a racket involved in making fake gun licenses and recovered
13 such licenses from their possession.
|
February 10 |
During a joint operation by the
Army and the Police, a major terrorist hideout was busted at Mislai
Bonjwah area in Kishtwar District of J&K. SFs recovered a huge
quantity of arms and ammunition from the location, which included
one AK-47 rifle with 450 rounds, 224 Pika ammunitions, one UBGL,
two UBGL ammunitions and one binocular.
CRPF and SOG arrested a militant
from Janbazpora area in Baramulla District. Police said that a
local militant, Irshad Ahmad Khwaja, a resident of Seelo village,
was arrested after specific information by a team of SOG of J&K
Police and 53 BN CRPF. One pistol, two magazines and a hand grenade
were recovered from his possession.
|
February 12 |
Eight persons including four militants,
two Army personnel and equal number of civilians were killed and
around 24 civilians were injured in an encounter followed by clashes
in Kulgam District. Acting on specific information about the presence
of militants in Nagbal, Frisal area of the District, Kulgam Police
along with 1-RR and 18th Battalion of CRPF cordoned off the suspected
house and started the search operation, Police said. The four
militants killed in the encounter were identified as Farooq Ahmad
Bhat of Checki Dessand, Mohammad Younis Lone of Hawoora, both
were HM militants and Mudisir Ahmad Tantary alias Assim
of Redwani Kulgam and Wakeel Ahmad Thoker of Hadigam, both were
LeT militants. Two AK rifles, two pistols, one INSAS rifle and
ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. Further, people
in the area came out in street as the encounter was in progress
and pelted stones on SFs near the encounter site. The SFs fired
teargas and pellets in which around two dozen persons were injured,
out of which one Mushtaq Ibrahim Itoo succumbed to his injuries.
|
February 13 |
Pakistan army violated ceasefire
along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri District, targeting
forward Indian posts with small and automatic weapons and mortars.
"The Indian side effectively retaliated, leading to heavy exchanges
that continued for some time," sources said, adding that there
were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistan shelling
and firing. Casualties or damages, if any, on the other side were
not known.
Normal life was affected in Jammu
and Kashmir, due to a shutdown called by the separatists against
the killing of two civilians and four militants in an encounter
in Kulgam District of South Kashmir while curfew like restrictions
were imposed in parts of South Kashmir. Shops and commercial establishments
remained closed in Srinagar and Public transport was mostly off
the roads. However, some vehicles were plying.
|
February 14 |
Two top LeT 'commanders' were
among four militants and four soldiers including an Army Major
killed while six soldiers and a civilian were injured in two separate
gun battles in North Kashmir. Sources said that on a tip-off,
Army, SOG of JKP and CRPF launched a joint search operation at
Parray Mohalla Hajan in Bandipora District. They said that as
the SFs were sealing the area, militants hiding in the village
opened fire on troops and hurled hand grenades. The SFS returned
the fire killing one militant who has been identified as Abu Haris,
a top 'commander' of LeT. Srinagar based Defence Ministry spokesman,
Lt Col Rajesh Kalia identified the Army men killed in the gun
battle as Dharmendera Kumar of Pataliya, Uttarakhand; Rifleman
Ravi Kumar of Meen Sarkar Tabela of Samba and Gunner Astosh Kumar
of Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Three militants were killed and
an Army Major was injured in Handwara area in Kupwara District.
SFs received information about presence of three-four militants
in Khan Mohalla Hajin Kralgund area of Handwara's Kupwara District.
Major S Dhaiya, who was leading the operation, succumbed to his
injuries. One of the killed militants has been identified as Abu
Darda, a top 'commander' of LeT and the identity of other two
is being ascertained.
Three Pakistan army personnel
were killed in heavy exchange of firing between Indo-Pak troops
in Thoob area of Bhimber sector opposite Sunderbani in Rajouri
District along the LoC. Pakistan army has confirmed the killing
of their three personnel.
Army and Police averted two major
terror attacks by timely detecting and defusing an IED, planted
by the militants near Bhimber Gali on Jammu-Poonch road and recovering
huge quantity of weaponry in Mendhar sector of Poonch District.
A Bomb Disposal Squad later defused the IED.
A joint team of Army and Police
busted a hideout of the militants in Chajla forest area of Mendhar
tehsil in Poonch District and recovered large quantity of arms,
ammunition and explosives. Recoveries included one Pika Machine
Gun with 90 belted rounds, one AK-74 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, two
UBGL launchers, 22 UBGL grenades, two Chinese grenades, one I
Com radio set and antenna and 500 rounds of AK-47. Later, SFs
also undertook search operations in Chajla forest area but the
militants remained untraced.
The BSF pre-empted a major terror
strike by detecting a tunnel originating from Pakistan and opening
up just about 20 meters ahead of border fencing inside the Indian
Territory in Ramgarh sector of Samba District. The tunnels had
been dug beneath the border fencing to facilitate infiltration
by the militants. "The tunnel was under construction when the
BSF detected it during major anti-tunneling measures taken along
the International Border following very specific inputs that the
militants were being trained for infiltration at Rattu training
camp in PoK," official sources said.
|
February 15 |
Police and para-military forces
heavily deployed in Kulgam District foiled separatists' March
in the District. Separatist leaders had called for protest March
to Kulgam against the civilian killings during an encounter at
Frisal in the District on February 12. Four militants, two civilians
and two Army men were killed in the encounter. All entry routes
towards Kulgam were sealed off and curfew like restrictions were
imposed in the District. The situation remained peaceful and under
control, and no protest March or clashes were reported from anywhere
in the town. There were clashes in Pulwama as protesters pelted
stones on Police and CRPF, who, in retaliation, fired tear smoke
to disperse them. And in Srinagar city, there was a complete shutdown
and most of shops and business establishments also remained closed.
The areas like Old City and Maisuma witnessed shutdown.
JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was
arrested to prevent him from marching towards Kulgam. APHC-M chairman
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed house arrest to prevent him venturing
out to take part in protest march towards Kulgam.
The BSF seized a wireless set
from the IB in Londi area of Hiranagar sector in Kathua District.
"The wireless set resembled to the one that was seized by police
from near the border in Kathua few days after the terror attack
on Nagrota Army camp on November 30,2016,'' official sources said.
Sources added that a civilian Ashwani Kumar of Londi was spraying
his field when he spotted the wireless set and informed the BSF
officials, who rushed to the spot and seized the set.
Police identified the militants
who were killed in the encounter at Parray Mohalla Hajan in Bandipora
District on February 14, as LeT 'commander' Abu Darda alias Shafiq,
operating in North Kashmir between 2008 and 2010 and later he
ex-filtrated to Pakistan and again infiltrated in 2016 and was
operating in Handwara and Kupwara areas of North Kashmir, while
the other two militants have been identified as Abu Maviya and
Abu Saad.
Police detained three persons
during separate raids in North Kashmir. Sources said that Showkat
Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Azam Dar, both residents of Kachloo Kralgund
and Tanveer Ahmad Bhat of Trichoo Rafiabad were picked up in separate
raids by Police for questioning regarding the encounter at Parray
Mohalla Hajan in Bandipora District on February 14.
Army chief Bipin Rawat, warned
those attacking SFs during anti-militancy operations of "tough
action", as the hostile conduct of locals was causing higher casualties
in the Kashmir valley. The stern message from Rawat came a day
after three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting at Parray Mohalla
of Bandipora when they were about to launch an operation against
militants holed up there. Alerted by the stone-pelters, the militants
got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and empty a few magazines
from AK-rifles into the advancing troopers, leaving three jawans
dead and some others, including a Commanding Officer of CRPF,
injured. One terrorist managed to flee the area. General Rawat
said SFs in J&K were facing higher casualties due to the manner
in which the local population was preventing them from conducting
the operations and "at times even supporting the terrorists to
escape". "We would now request the local population that people
who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they
want to continue with the acts of terrorism, displaying flags
of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and Pakistan, then we
will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter
for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow.
Our relentless operations will continue," the Army chief said,
sending out a stern message to those who support militants.
|
February 16 |
Militants fired gunshots and forcibly
entered into Jammu and Kashmir Bank's Turkawangam Branch in Shopian
District and decamped with INR 304,000 from the bank. Police said
four militants were involved in the robbery. Police said that
two out of four militants involved in the bank robbery have been
identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat of Barburgh, Shopian and Zeenat-ul-Islam
of Sugan, Zainapora Shopian. Tariq was identified by the INSAS
he was carrying. Tariq was kept as guard outside while the other
three went inside.
Militants fired gunshots and forcibly
entered into Jammu and Kashmir Bank's Turkawangam Branch in Shopian
District and decamped with INR 304,000 from the bank. Police said
four militants were involved in the robbery. Police said that
two out of four militants involved in the bank robbery have been
identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat of Barburgh, Shopian and Zeenat-ul-Islam
of Sugan, Zainapora Shopian. Tariq was identified by the INSAS
he was carrying. Tariq was kept as guard outside while the other
three went inside.
Authorities asked the public in
Kashmir to stay away from the places of encounters between SFs
and militants and decided to impose prohibitory orders in the
radius of three kilometres from such sites in three Districts.
The decision came a day after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned
of tough action against those hampering counter- insurgency operations.
"District Administrations of Srinagar, Budgam and Shopian advised
people not to move towards or assemble near the places where encounters
take place between security forces and militants to avoid loss
and injuries to precious human lives," an official spokesman said.
"Prohibitory restrictions have been imposed within the radius
of three kilometers from the site of any counter- insurgency operation
in these districts," the spokesman added.
|
February 17 |
Two Police personnel were injured
when Militants hurled a grenade on a Police party in Nowgam area
of Srinagar. Police said that militants hurled grenade on the
Police party and ran away under the cover of darkness.
A militant was arrested in a joint
operation by Police, Army and CRPF in Srinagar. The militant was
identified as Irshad Ahmad Bhat of Wailoo, Pattan in North Kashmir.
"The accused offender Irshad has been an active militant of HM
terrorist outfit who had joined militant ranks after killing of
his militant father Fayaz Ahmad Bhat in inter gang rivalry in
year 2015", SSP Baramulla, Imtiaz Hussain, said. One AK series
rifle, 2 AK magazines, one Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine,
four hand grenades and other ammunition were recovered from the
possession of the militant.
Protesters clashed with SFs in
Srinagar and Sopore, after youth pelted stones on them post Friday
prayers. After the culmination of congregational Friday prayers
at Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area of the city, locals took to the
streets to protest against the civilian killings in Kashmir. They
pelted stones on the SFs, who were deployed there. Police and
CRPF intercepted the protesters, triggering clashes. SFs fired
several rounds of tear-gas canisters to disperse the protesters.
|
February 19 |
Two persons were injured in a
low intensity blast in a house at village Sungri in Mahore in
Reasi District. According to SSP Reasi, Tahir Sajjad Bhat, the
blast took place around 11.30 AM in the house of Shabir Ahmad,
when he was cleaning the junk on the roof top. In the blast, Shabir
Ahmed received injuries in hand while his brother-in-law Bashir
Ahmed, resident of Sar Mahore, who was also present at the scene,
sustained injuries in his leg.
A militant was arrested after
he fired at the CRPF camp in Nawdal village of Tral in Pulwama
District. A Police official said that Mohammad Maqbool Ganaie
of Lam Tral fired at the 180 Battalion of CRPF camp at Nawdal
before attempting to lob a grenade. The official said that a pistol
and a grenade were recovered from his possession and no casualties
were reported in the firing. Ganaie had joined militancy in 2007
and later surrendered before SFs in the same year after remaining
active for seven months. He was jailed for three years after his
surrender but was released in 2010. Sources said that he had become
active again and was arrested by the SFs.
|
February 20 |
A militant was killed by the BSF
during an infiltration bid along the LoC in Rajouri District.
Officials said the incident occurred around midnight when BSF
troops deployed along the LoC fence in Keri sector of Rajouri
detected some suspicious movement and a heavy exchange of fire
ensued in which the militant was killed. During search the BSF
party recovered the body of the militant along with an AK-47 rifle,
six loaded magazines and a monocular night vision device from
the Pakistan side. A black bag containing another loaded AK magazine,
dry fruits and juice was also recovered. The identity of the militant
is yet to be ascertained.
|
February 21 |
Three Kashmiri youth from Sopore
in Baramulla District were arrested by Special Cell of Delhi.
Three youth were identified as Yawar Muzaffar, Waseem Dar and
Danish Dar of Batpora Sopore, who were wanted by Sopore Police
in stone pelting cases, were evading arrest and had fled to Delhi.
Jammu and Kashmir Police in Sopore after getting information about
the presence of the trio in Delhi informed the Police who arrested
them in a raid. A Police officer said that they were on the run
and were instrumental in stone pelting incidents and protests
in Sopore area.
|
February 22 |
At least three militants including
'district commander' of HM, fled from the cordon after stone pelting
by locals on SFs during the operation in Kulgam District. Massive
stone-pelting clashes erupted in two villages of the District
as SFs launched search and cordon operations against a group of
militants including HM 'commander', Altaf Ahmad Kachru. Sources
said that Army's 1-RR, SOG of JKP and CRPF cordoned off Tarigam
village of Kulgam District after receiving an input about the
presence of three militants. Sources said that as the searches
were started, the locals including women came out of their houses
and held protests. The locals pelted stones on SFs involved in
operations and tried to break the cordon to give safe passage
to militants who were believed to be trapped inside.
Police fired teargas and fired
gun shots in air to disperse the protesters. Clashes between the
two sides continued for several hours and few persons were reported
to be injured. Following the clashes, the cordon and search operation
in the Tarigam village was called off and sources said that militants
managed to flee from the cordon. Clashes also erupted at Qoimoh
area of the District after SFs launched a cordon and search operation
following information that the militants who fled Tarigam have
taken shelter in nearby Makhdoom Mohalla locality of Qoimoh. SFs
called off the operation at Qoimoh following clashes. Minor stone-pelting
clashes were also reported from Kakpora area of Pulwama District.
However, the situation there was brought under control by Police.
|
February 23 |
Three jawans and a woman were
killed after terrorists attacked a patrolling party at Mulu Chitragam
in Shopian District of J&K. Four other army personnel were injured
in the ambush. The woman was killed in the cross-firing. The army
personnel, who belonged to 44th RR, were returning from an operation
at Kungnoo Shopian when the militants opened fire. The Police
said one woman, identified as Taja, "was hit by a stray bullet
inside her house during the cross fire". "She also succumbed to
her injuries," said Police spokesman.
|
February 24 |
Stone-throwing clashes broke out
in parts of summer capital Srinagar and in Sopore town of North
Kashmir, after Friday prayers during which Police used teargas
against stone-throwers. Witnesses said soon after the culmination
of Friday congregational prayers, dozens of masked youth came
out of Jama Masjid in Nowhatta and started sloganeering. Amid
sloganeering, the masked youth pelted stones on SFs deployed in
the area and clashed with them for nearly an hour. Later, the
clashes spilled over to nearby neighbourhoods and Police used
dozens of teargas shells against the stone-throwers at Saraf Kadal
and Rajouri Kadal localities. The clashes continued for several
hours.
Similar clashes raged soon after
Friday prayers culminated at Jama Masjid in northern Sopore town
of Baramulla District. Masked youth resorted to heavy stone-pelting
on SF personnel in Jama Masjid area and the forces retaliated
by lobbing teargas canisters. Police said no one was injured during
post-Friday clashes.
|
February 25 |
SFs arrested 12 persons on stone
pelting charges during which 15 persons were injured in Pulwama
town in Pulwama District. A shutdown was observed in Pulwama town
amid stone-throwing clashes against arrest of a shopkeeper. A
Police official said the arrested shopkeeper, Bilal Ahmad Mir,
is a stone-pelter and was held on charges of stone-throwing in
the town. Protesters came out of their houses and pelted stones
on SFs in the town. The clashes continued throughout the day and
security men lobbed dozens of teargas shells to disperse the rock-hurlers.
The protesters were seeking release of the arrested shopkeeper.
Eight SF personnel were among 15 persons who were injured in these
clashes. Police later detained 12 persons on charges of stone
pelting during the clashes in Pulwama.
|
February 26 |
Army and Police laid an ambush
in Ahmadpora-Tantraypora area of Magam in Budgam District in Central
Kashmir. A joint party of 2 RR Gagarpora and SOG Magam laid the
ambush late last night. One person was detained during the operation
and shifted to Budgam. His identification couldn't be established.
SFs also fired some gun shots in air as they had information about
militant movement.
Shutdown was observed in twin
Districts of Pulwama and Shopian to protest against the arrests
of youth on February 25. Over 12 persons were arrested in Pulwama
on charges of stone pelting from Pulwama on February 25.
|
February 27 |
CRPF DG K Durga Prasad said the
paramilitary force had taken the decision of modifying the pellet
guns to minimise injuries. The modified version of pellet guns
will have a "deflector", an attachment on the muzzle end to prevent
the pellets from going up. The force has tasked a special BSF
workshop to deploy metal 'deflectors' on the muzzle of these guns
so that shrapnels in the pellets do not hit above the abdomen
region. CRPF troops deployed in Kashmir Valley have been asked
to fire the pellets aiming at the feet of the protesters now as
against laid down procedure of hitting the abdomen area.
The CRPF is moving back to its
'old mandate' in J&K, when it was sent there in 1989 for carrying
out counter-insurgency operations aggressively, said CRPF DG K
Durga Prasad. He said that "we (CRPF) are now not just doing normal
law and order duty in Kashmir. We are engaged actively in intelligence
based counter-terror operations where our men hunt down the militants
in their den." Prasad said that CRPF was originally sent to J&K
two decades back for counter-insurgency operations only. However,
this role had been reduced to normal law and order duty in disturbed
areas in last several years.
|
March 1 |
According to Intelligence agencies,
stone-throwing protests in Kashmir, which picked up after militant
leader Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with SFs July 2016,
have now spread to rural regions. Report said that authorities
are worried as they say the crowds in the countryside are more
belligerent. Boys as young as four and five are participating
in the stone-pelting, said an officer. After being caught, many
of these kids reveal that they have no idea what they are involved
in.
The Central Government has given
a major push to equip the Army and central paramilitary forces
with advanced weapons and equipment in anticipation of increased
militant activity in Kashmir valley in summer. Intelligence agencies
have hinted that militant activity may reach an all-time high
this summer, people familiar with the matter said. This was the
first time in over a decade that any Government has overhauled
the entire weapon system of SFs deployed in the Valley, the people
said.
SFs arrested a HM militant, identified
as Hilal Ahmad Bhat from Dahwatoo in Awantipora area in Pulwama
District. Two Chinese grenades, one camouflage uniform, one knife
and some other incriminating material were also recovered from
Bhat's possession, said Police. Bhat had joined the HM ranks recently,
the official said adding a case under relevant sections of the
RPC have been registered against him.
|
March 3 |
Two OGWs of JeM were arrested
by the Police in Baramulla District. The Police also recovered
two Chinese pistols from their possession. The arrest comes a
month after the Police busted an OGW network of the JeM in Handwara
and arrested three persons. The OGW network, which was operating
since April 2015, was involved in various subversive activities
and determined to target political workers, SFs installations
and Police establishments. The operators were providing logistic
support to the JeM militants and were close associates of a top
commander of JeM.
One civilian was killed and four
others, including one CRPF personnel were injured in a grenade
attack on a CRPF party in Murran Chowk in Pulwama District. According
to sources, militants lobbed a grenade at a CRPF party in Murran
Chowk, resulting in injuries to four civilians and one CRPF personnel.
One of the injured civilians, identified as Mohammad Ayub Wani
succumbed to injuries at a hospital. However, militants fled after
carrying out the attack.
Protesters clashed with Police
and SFs at Ratnipora and Kakapora in Pulwama District after Friday
prayers. Protesters pelted stones on SFs who responded by firing
tear smoke.
Stone-throwing clashes and protests
also erupted in parts of Srinagar and in North Kashmir's Sopore
Town of Baramulla District after Friday congregational prayers.
After culmination of Friday prayers, large number of youths came
out of Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area here and started sloganeering.
Stone-throwing clashes and protests
also erupted in parts of Srinagar and in North Kashmir's Sopore
Town of Baramulla District after Friday congregational prayers.
After culmination of Friday prayers, large number of youths came
out of Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area here and started sloganeering.
Several separatist JKLF activists
were held by Police after they held a sit-in protest at Budshah
Chowk in Lal Chowk in Srinagar District post-Friday prayers. The
held leaders were shifted to Central Jail Srinagar.
|
March 3-4 |
A joint operation between the
Army and the SOG of J&K Police was launched against militants
on March 3 evening and the encounter is still (March 4) underway
in Chilli Pora village in Shopian District. Officials said that
troops of 55 RR and SOG of J&K Police launched the operation after
SFs received specific input about the militant presence in the
village. Officials said they had input that two to three militants
had been hiding in the village.
|
March 4 |
SFs had to call off anti-militancy
operation in Shopian District of South Kashmir after militants
holed up in a house managed to escape following intense protests
and stone pelting from locals.
In an incident of terror, as
many as 12 terrorists carried out a raid at a Policeman's house
and proceeded to ransack it thoroughly, virtually trashing the
establishment in Shopian District. The people affected had been
too terror-stricken to take the complaint to authorities initially
as they feared being attacked again. Militants have been targeting
Policemen in Kashmir as they have been maintaining law and order
despite repeated protests welling-up in the region. Militants
have warned cops to not obey orders from their superiors and to
let the situation deteriorate.
|
March 4-5 |
At least two militants, identified
as Aqib Molvi of Tral and Umar of Pakistan and one J&K Police
constable, identified as Manzoor Ahmad Naik of Uri were killed
while an Army major and four CRPF personnel were injured during
an encounter between SFs and militants which started on March
4 evening in Shikargah in Tral in Pulwama District. According
to reports, the house where the militants were hiding has been
demolished by the SFs. The identity of the militants hasn't been
revealed yet. However, at least two HM terrorists, including the
right hand man of slain Hizbul 'commander' Burhan Wani, Sabzar
Bhat, were believed to be trapped in the encounter, sources said.
As the news about the encounter
spread in the area, a law and order problem erupted, with civilians
pelting stone at the SFs. One assailant hit an ASI and snatched
his AK-47 rifle before disappearing into the crowd. A separate
operation is on to recover the weapon. A top officer said, "Security
forces were stopped by civilians. Resistance was shown. We had
to rush in reinforcement. An ASI of CRPF was injured his weapon
snatched by (the) belligerent crowd."
|
March 5 |
J&K saw a three-fold increase
in cases of rioting and a substantial rise in arson cases in 2016
which also witnessed five-month-long unrest after killing of terrorist
Burhan Wani, official data of Crime Branch of State Police showed.
According to data, J&K has witnessed as many as 3,404 cases of
rioting in 2016 as compared to 1,157 such cases in 2015, an increase
of 2,247. Similarly, Police registered as many as 267 cases of
arson in 2016 as compared to 147 such cases in 2015, thereby showing
an increase of 120 during the period, it said.
Officials of the Crime Branch
point towards this increase because of the 2016 unrest in Kashmir
Valley for five months following killing of HM 'militant commander'
Burhan Wani in July 2016. There has also been an increase of 143
cases of attempt to murder from 2015 to 2016. As many as 573 cases
of attempt to murder have been registered in 2016 as compared
to 430 such cases in 2015. There has also been an increase in
murder cases. As many as 140 cases of murder were registered in
2016 as compared to 133 such cases in 2015, it said. The statistics
reveal there has been no custodial death in 2016 and 2015.
Officials of the Crime Branch
point towards this increase because of the 2016 unrest in Kashmir
Valley for five months following killing of HM 'militant commander'
Burhan Wani in July 2016. There has also been an increase of 143
cases of attempt to murder from 2015 to 2016. As many as 573 cases
of attempt to murder have been registered in 2016 as compared
to 430 such cases in 2015. There has also been an increase in
murder cases. As many as 140 cases of murder were registered in
2016 as compared to 133 such cases in 2015, it said. The statistics
reveal there has been no custodial death in 2016 and 2015.
Of the total 2,690 incidents of
stone pelting, North Kashmir accounts for the highest number of
1,248 incidents followed by 875 incidents in South Kashmir and
567 in Central Kashmir, according to official data of State Home
Ministry. Sopore, which is part of Baramulla District, has recorded
the highest number of 492 incidents of stone pelting during the
unrest, while the total number of such incidents in the entire
Baramulla District is 810, the data said. Baramulla is followed
by Srinagar and Kupwara Districts with 339 such incidents each
reported, it said adding 271 such incidents took place in Anantnag
District, followed by 264 in Pulwama, 173 in Shopian, 167 in Kulgam,
163 in Budgam, 109 in Bandipora and only 65 in Ganderbal District.
A day after HM 'deputy chief'
Sabzar Ahmad along with some of his associates escaped from an
encounter site in Tral area in Pulwama District of South Kashmir,
CRPF has admitted that stone pelting is hampering anti-militancy
operations in the Valley and many militants have escaped from
the encounter sites during the clashes. "The stone pelting is
hampering our anti-militancy operations," said IG CRPF (Operations),
Zulfikar Hassan. At least six CRPF personnel, including an officer,
were injured on March 4 evening, in Hayena area of Tral in Pulwama
District when locals pelted stones on Police, paramilitary and
army men, who were laying siege around the village to conduct
operation to flush out a group of militants hiding there. An INSAS
assault rifle of a CRPF officer was snatched by the mob after
injuring him. During the clashes between locals and security men,
the HM 'deputy chief' Sabzar Ahmad along with some of his associates
managed to escape from the area, Police sources said.
|
March 6 |
SFs faced protests at Pinjoora
area in Pulwama District of South Kashmir, where they had gone
to conduct search operations after receiving inputs about presence
of the militants. Later, the operation was called off after no
militant was found. Asked what measures have been taken to prevent
protests and stone pelting at encounter sites, IG CRPF said, "The
local administration is taking steps to prevent people from staging
protests and pelting stones on security men during anti-militancy
operations in the Valley."
However, despite these measures
intense stone pelting takes place at some places during the encounters,
Hassan said. According to him, most of the stone pelting incidents
during anti-militancy operations have taken place in South Kashmir.
Pakistan-based terror groups finance
terrorism in J&K by generating millions in donations through their
charity organisations, said Atul Goel, SP, NIA. Falah-e-Insaniat
Foundation (FIF), a charity run by terror outfits JuD and LeT,
and Al Rehmat Trust, backed by another terrorists group JeM, have
been supporting terrorists and funding terrorism in Kashmir, said
Atul Goel, addressing a session at the 19th Asian Security Conference
on 'Combating Terrorism: Evolving an Asian Response' in New Delhi.
Goel said the NIA was looking into the activities of JuD, LeT
and JeM and also the working of trusts associated with them in
Pakistan. "These outfits collect donations from people in Pakistan
and then pass on the money to finance terrorism in Kashmir through
their overground workers," he said.
An operation against militants
was called off in the Newa area in Pulwama District after people
took to the streets and threw stones during the counter-insurgency
operation. The Army's 55 RR, the Police's SOG and the CRPF's 183
Battalion cordoned off the area around 10 p.m. on March 6. A tip-off
suggested movement of LeT militants in the area. Police sources
said the operation was called off at night when mosques in the
area started blaring pro-freedom songs and residents from many
adjacent villages marched towards the operation site.
|
March 7 |
Growing public interference in
anti-militancy operations forced the SFs to call off two anti-militancy
operations in south Kashmir in the past 24 hours. A search-and-cordon
team of the Army and the Police came under heavy stone throwing
in Mohamadpora village in Kulgam District, thus delaying the operation.
Police sources said the residents started throwing stones as the
SFs were throwing a cordon after a tip-off about militants' presence.
"Heavy teargas shelling was used to disperse protesters from the
site," said a senior Police official. Several local people, including
a woman, were injured in the process.
Mehmood Shah, an LeT spokesman,
praised people for "ensuring the safety of the militants". "We
won't let the people-militant bond to break. Till people are in
the field, militants will continue to outsmart Indian troopers,"
said the LeT spokesman.
Mehmood Shah, an LeT spokesman,
praised people for "ensuring the safety of the militants". "We
won't let the people-militant bond to break. Till people are in
the field, militants will continue to outsmart Indian troopers,"
said the LeT spokesman.
|
March 8 |
The J&K Police busted a HM module
by arresting its three suspected members, identified as Reyaz
Ahmad Wani, Ikhlaq Ahmad Khanday and Tawseeul-Nabi in Bemina area
of Srinagar District. The Police recovered two pistols, two pistol
Magazines, 20 rounds, four grenades, one wireless set and a packet
of explosive substance from the militants. During preliminary
investigation the trio said they were working with Jehangir, an
active militant in Kishtwar, the Police said.
DGP of J&K, Shesh Paul Vaid, on
March 8 warned terrorists to desist from attacking the families
of Police personnel in Kashmir valley. DGP Vaid said: "Don't bring
in families in this conflict, you too have families. If you harass
our families we will do same to your families." The remarks came
a day after some terrorists ransacked the house of a Police officer
and asked the families to tell the officer to quit the job else
face the consequences.
With the onset of spring and melting
of snow, BSF warned of increased infiltration along the LoC but
said it along with Army is alert to tackle it. IG, Subsidiary
Training Centre (STC), BSF, Sushil Kumar Shinde, said in Srinagar
that the infiltration of militants increases after melting of
snow. "Definitely after melting of snow, infiltration increases
because during snow accumulation, it is difficult for them (militants)
to cross the LoC. But after melting of snow, the infiltration
increases…," he said on the sidelines of a passing-out-parade
at STC Humhama on city outskirts (Srinagar). However, the IG,
BSF said that the infiltration could be prevented through alertness
of Army and BSF. "Our alertness accordingly increases and (as
a result) we are successful in securing our borders," he said
and added that as far as preparation (to tackle infiltration)
is considered, they are always ready (to curb militant infiltration).
|
March 9 |
Two militants were killed in a
fierce gun battle broke out between SFs and LeT militants in Padgampora
area of Pulwama District in the morning. "The slain militants
have been identified as Jehangir Ganai and Mohammad Shafi alias
Sher Gujri," a senior CRPF officer said, adding that Ganai was
involved in the killing of a local Policeman last year (2016).
SFs from the CRPF and SOG of J&K Police have started search operations
and cordoned off the area where two-three militants of the group
were holed up even. Army was deployed to carry out combing operations.
A fifteen year old teenager, identified
as Amir Nazir was also killed by a bullet-hit when he was throwing
stones to disrupt the anti-terror operations of SFs against two
hiding LeT terrorists at Padgampora in Pulwama District, DGP of
J&K, Shesh Paul Vaid said. Amir Nazir was part of a mob pelting
stones when a bullet hit him in the neck. The incident happened
despite Army chief Bipin Rawat's recent warning against those
attacking SFs during anti-militancy operations of "tough action".
The SFs came under intense attack from stone pelters, which forced
them to open fire, leaving several injured.
Locals hit the streets and started
pelting stones on SFs near the encounter site. Additional SFs
have been rushed to the area, where locals are pelting stones
to disrupt the operation. Sources said there could be two to three
militants in the area. SFs have sealed all roads leading to the
village, including from Awantipora to prevent people from moving
towards the encounter site
A HM militant, identified as Mushtaq
Ahmad Seergojri was killed and an Army major injured in a shootout
near Police Station in Bandipora in Bandipora District in the
evening. A joint team of Army and SOG of J&K Police had laid a
naka following specific inputs about the movement of militants.
A militant who was travelling in a vehicle opened fire on Army
in which Army Major was injured. In the retaliatory fire, the
militant was gunned down. One pistol and a grenade were recovered
from his possession.
The authorities placed separatist
Hurriyat Conference (G) leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah,
Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ayaz Akbar, Raja Mehrajudin, Mohd Ashraf
Laaya and Umer Adil Dar under house arrest following a strike
called by them against the killing of civilian. Security has also
been intensified to prevent violence in Kashmir.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti
has expressed deep anguish and grief over the killing of a 15
year old Amir Nazir in Padgampora village of Pulwama District.
Extending her sympathies to the bereaved, the Chief Minister said
it was highly unfortunate that youth are caught in the vicious
cycle of violence in the State which has consumed so many precious
lives and left behind a trail of death and destruction.
An Army jawan (trooper),
identified as Deepak Jaganath was killed when Pakistani troops
violated ceasefire in Poonch sector in Poonch District of Jammu
region. Official sources said Pakistani troops opened fire at
Indian posts around 2 pm at Gulpur area which was effectively
retaliated by the Army. The sources said the jawan was injured
in the firing from across the border and he was shifted to a hospital
where he succumbed to his injuries this evening.
|
March 10 |
A complete shutdown was observed
in Kashmir, following a call by the Valley's joint separatist
leadership against the killing of a civilian during an encounter
March 9, disrupting normal life. Shops, business establishments
and educational institutions were closed and the streets remained
deserted. Hardliner Hurriyat chief Syed Ali Geelani, moderate
Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and chairman of the JKLF Yasin
Malik had given call for a complete shutdown and after-prayer
protests on Friday (March 10) in the wake of Pulwama encounter
(March 9).
Two teenage boys from PoK, against
whom the NIA dropped charges of conspiracy in the Uri terror strike
(September 18, 2016), were reunited with their families at the
Wagah border after spending nearly six months in detention. Faisal
Hussain Awan and Ahsan Khursheed had been handed over to the Jammu-based
16 Corps of the Army this week after the probe agency came to
the conclusion that the two had strayed into the Indian side after
a tiff with their parents due to the pressure of studies. The
NIA had said that the evidence collected in the form of statements,
technical analysis of their mobile phones, seized GPS devices
and other circumstantial evidence collected by the NIA "did not
reveal any linkage of the suspects with the Uri attackers". Earlier,
the Army had detained the two on September 23, 2016 barely days
after the terror strike, and claimed that the two had allegedly
acted as guides of the four terrorists who carried out the attack
on the Uri garrison in North Kashmir.
Junaid Qureshi, son of Kashmiri
separatist leader Hashim Qureshi, said that Gilgit Baltistan is
an integral part of J&K and Pakistan has no right to divide the
state. "Gilgit Baltistan (region) is an integral part of (India's)
Jammu and Kashmir State. Pakistan has no right to divide the state
further and sell its resources under false rubric of infrastructure
development," Junaid Qureshi said, adding that the "state is not
for sale." Qureshi who also heads European Foundation for South
Asian Studies, was speaking at the UN's Geneva convention. He
also rejected the construction of CPEC along the line of control
through Gilgit Baltistan region. "Construction of CPEC is illegal
and a contravention of International law. It requires your (UN)
urgent attention and intervention," he said.
|
March 11 |
Two persons were arrested by Railway Police at
Mazhama railway station in Budgam District, along with old scrapped
currency notes worth over INR 3.4 million. An official said that
following a specific input, Railway Police officials intercepted
two persons identified as Farooq Ahmad Labru and Mohammad Shafi
Labru when they were about to board train at Mazhama railway station.
|
March 12 |
Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire by
resorting to firing and mortar shelling in Krishnagati sector
along the LoC in Poonch District.
|
March 13 |
A former Sarpanch was killed
by unidentified gunmen in Pulwama. Police said gunmen abducted
former Sarpanch Fayaz Ahmad from his Kakoora residence in Pulwama,
and his bullet riddled body has been recovered from Chewa Kalan
village in the District.
A former Sarpanch was killed by
unidentified gunmen in Pulwama. Police said gunmen abducted former
Sarpanch Fayaz Ahmad from his Kakoora residence in Pulwama, and
his bullet riddled body has been recovered from Chewa Kalan village
in the District.
In another incident of ceasefire
violation along LoC in border District Poonch of the Jammu region,
the Pakistani troops targeted the forward Indian posts along the
LoC for the third time in the last 24 hours, forcing the authorities
to suspend the Poonch-Rawalkote bus service and postpone examinations.
|
March 15 |
Three LeT militants and a minor
girl were killed while another minor boy and a SF person were
injured in an encounter at Hyhama area of Kupwara District of
North Kashmir. SSP Kupwara, Shamsher Hussain, said that three
militants of LeT, identified as Abu Mala, Anas Bhai and Abu Mansoor
(all of them were Pakistani nationals) were killed in gun battle
at Jagityal Kulnard area of Kupwara this morning (March 15). A
minor girl, identified as Kaneeza and a minor boy Faisal were
injured when they were hit by bullets during the encounter. Girl
Kaneeza succumbed to her injuries and boy was shifted to Srinagar
for treatment. A Police constable identified as Danish Ahmad was
also injured in the encounter. Three AK-47 rifles, six hand grenades,
one GPS, one wireless set, six magazines and large quantity of
ammunition was recovered from them.
The SSP said that these militants
were active in Kralpora, Dardpora, Marhama, Awoora and its adjacent
areas for last one year. He said that they had infiltrated last
year (2016) and were part of reception party of LeT. He said that
they were receiving infiltrated militants from Keran and Tangdhar
sectors and providing them logistic support before launching them
to Kashmir valley.
Cross LoC trade between India
and Pakistan via Chakkan-da-Bagh trade point in Poonch in Poonch
District has been suspended in view of the mounting tension along
the LoC after ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops. The Pakistan
Army has targeted Trade Centre complex during shelling on March
12 and March 13. A school building and another structure at Chakkan-da-Bagh
have been affected with the shelling by Pakistan.
Militants hurled a grenade on
District Police Lines Pulwama in Pulwama District in the night.
However, no damage was done. Police and SFs immediately cordoned
off the area and the searches are on for the militants responsible
for the attack.
|
March 16 |
Police disallowed a joint press
conference of separatist leaders, including the chairmen of both
factions of Hurriyat Conference, and took them into custody. The
separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq and Yaseen Malik were scheduled to hold a joint press conference
at Geelani's residence in Hyderpora in Srinagar District but Police
did not allow Mirwaiz and Malik to enter into Geelani's residence.
Police took the trio into custody and did not allow the press
conference. Before being taken away, the Hurriyat leaders called
for the boycott of the by-polls to two Lok Sabha constituencies
of Srinagar and Anantnag which are going to polls on April 9 and
12 respectively.
India termed as "entirely unacceptable"
any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan
region, bordering disputed PoK, as the fifth Province. Reacting
sharply to reports that a committee headed by Pakistan's Foreign
Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz has proposed status of a Province
to Gilgit-Baltistan, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal
Baglay said any such step would not be able to hide the illegality
of Pakistan's occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir which it
must vacate, forthwith. Noting that the issue pertains to the
sovereignty of India, he said the Government's position is very
well known on the matter.
"The entire State of J&K is an
integral part, has been an integral part and will be an integral
part of India. No attempt or unilateral attempt or step to change
that would have any legal basis, whatsoever, and it will be entirely
unacceptable. "Any such step would not be able to hide the illegality
of Pakistan's occupation of parts of J&K which it must vacate,
forthwith. It will also not be able to hide the tremendous, very
concerning human rights violations and denial of freedom that
has been going on in parts controlled by Pakistan for the last
70 years," the spokesperson said.
HM militant Zakir Rashid Bhat,
who took over from Burhan Wani who was killed in an encounter
July 2016, has urged Kashmiri Muslim youths to pelt stones at
SFs in the name of Islam, rubbishing Hurriyat's claim that the
militant movement was "secular" or for "freedom" and Kashmiri
"nationalism". In a 12-minute video, circulated widely on social
media, Zakir Rashid Bhat, alias Zakir Musa, is seen preaching
violence in the name of Islam. The terror outfit also separately
directed voters to boycott the upcoming by-polls for two parliamentary
seats and panchayat polls in the Valley. "When you pelt stones,
don't think you're helping just one Musa or one mujahideen. You
must do it to help and protect Islam," Musa said. "We'll hoist
Islam's flag in our Kashmir one day," he proclaimed. Wearing an
Afghan cap, a beige coat over a brown sweater, Musa appeared to
be imitating Wani's strategy of using Islamic State (IS)-style
videos and social media propaganda to lure youth into militancy.
Calling Kashmiri informers and J&K Police "kafir" (infidel),
Musa said both deserve to be killed. "We're fighting for Islam.
We want to be martyrs for our Islam."
|
March 17 |
An encounter broke out between
SFs and militants in Pulwama District of J&K, according to Police.
According to reports, the area has been cordoned off by defence
personnel as the militants have fled from the spot. This comes
two days after a clash between the militants and SFs in north
Kashmir's Kupwara District had killed three LeT militants and
a minor girl.
At least three militants managed
to escape from cordon after a brief gun battle in Batnoor village
of Pulwama District of South Kashmir. A Police official said that
SFs cordoned off village Batnoor during the night. Police official
said that SFs and SOG of J&K Police launched search operations
at several places in Pulwama after HM posters appeared asking
people to boycott bypoll in Anantnag Parliamentary constituency
on April 12. However, the operation ended as the militants managed
to escape and no arrests were made.
A day after HM posters put up
in Pulwama in Kashmir provoked the youth in Kashmir to "fight
for Islam, not Kashmir," posters have been put up by the LeT in
the neighbouring District of Anantnag asking the people not to
vote in the upcoming local polls. The posters have warned people
to stay away from the election process and not to cast their vote.
The J&K Police have taken cognizance of these threats and have
launched a probe to check the veracity of these posters. "The
terror outfits have trying their best to ensure terror in the
valley through the posters but not much heed should be paid into
it," Colonel (retired) VN Thapar said. "The government shouldn't
bring its own guard down; rather it should ensure swift action."
There were 15 terror attacks
on the Army last year (2016) as the force lost 68 soldiers, the
Lok Sabha was informed. 2016 also recorded 449 instances
of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the J&K border. In a
written response to a question in Lok Sabha, Subhash Bhamre,
Minister of State for Defence, said 10 cases of terror attacks
were recorded in 2014, followed by 11 in 2015, 15 in 2016 and
three until March 15 this year (2017). 2015 and 2016 also saw
a spike in the number of deaths of Army personnel, recording 67
and 68 casualties respectively in terror attacks and along the
border. In 2014, 38 army personnel died in terror acts while 13
have lost their lives this year.
Bhamre said, in 2016 the area
along the LoC, which is under operational control of the Army,
saw 228 instances of ceasefire violations while the area along
the IB in J&K, under the control of the BSF, recorded 221 instances
of ceasefire violations. This accounts for more than one instance
of ceasefire violation every day. In 2017, 30 instances of ceasefire
violations were recorded along the LoC while six such instances
along the international border were recorded until February 6
by the BSF.
|
March 18 |
A terror wave stares at SFs in
Kashmir with a massive influx of Pakistani terrorists, and spiraling
of local recruits pegging the number of armed radicals at 400
in the State, a three-fold increase following the killing of Burhan
Wani in July 2016. A recent review done by the Army shows there
are 250 local recruits and 150 Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir
as of now. The increase from 91 locals and 60 Pakistanis respectively
June (2016), a month before Wani, a local HM 'commander', was
gunned down, has alarmed security agencies. Wani's killing triggered
months of unrest in the State with frequent violent clashes between
civilians and SFs. Pakistani terrorists have also increased to
150, whereas the number was only 60 before Wani was killed. "With
increased numbers and infiltration bids scaling, the forces are
preparing for challenges in the summer," said an Army officer.
A day after separatists asked
voters to desist from participating in the bypolls to Srinagar
and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies, JKLF chief Mohammad
Yasin Malik was arrested from his office in Srinagar. "A posse
of Policemen raided Abi Guzar office of the JKLF in the heart
of Srinagar and arrested Malik to desist him from spearheading
the poll boycott campaign," a JKLF spokesman said.
|
March 19 |
Pakistan troops on March 19 violated
ceasefire and resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing with
automatic weapons in civilian areas and targeting forward posts
of the Indian Army at Bhimber Gali (BG) and Balakote sectors along
the LoC in Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan Army
started shelling with two inch mortars and firing with automatic
and semi automatic weapons in several forward areas falling under
BG and Balakote sectors in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch District at
6 am on March 19. "Troops from this side retaliated effectively,
leading to heavy exchanges that continued for 45 minutes. The
firing and shelling from Pakistan side stopped after befitting
retaliation was given by the Indian side to silence the guns of
enemy troops and prevent civilian casualties and loss of property,"
they said. There were no casualties of Army or civilians on the
Indian side in Pakistani shelling and firing. Also, no major damage
was reported as majority of mortar shells fired by Pakistan fell
away from the civilian population and exploded harmlessly. However,
Pakistan side claimed that a 60-year old woman was killed on their
side at village Thandi in Kot Kehera sector opposite Bhimber Gali
in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops.
Sources described ceasefire violation
by Pakistan army as totally unprovoked. They didn't rule out the
possibility of Pakistan army trying to push militants from other
parts of the LoC after firing in one sector. The troops were already
maintaining high alert along the LoC in anticipation of infiltration
attempts by the militants under the garb of ceasefire violations
by Pakistan army, which was trying to facilitate intrusions by
the militants.
A Pakistani national, awaiting
deportation after completing a jail term for illegally crossing
the border, has been slapped with PSA provisions and sent to the
Kotbalwal jail in the district, the Police said. The J&K Home
Department issued a warrant under the PSA against Khalid Parvez
alias Junaid, and it was executed by the Samba Police,
a Police official said. Khalid has been lodged in the Central
Jail, he said, adding that the detenue was awaiting deportation
to Pakistan after completing his sentence.
|
March
21
|
A HM militant wanted for arson
and looting last year, identified as Sabzar Ahmed Mantoo, was
arrested from a house in Thakrakot area in Reasi District. According
to Police, the captured militant was associated with HM outfit
and had been involved in arson and looting incident under Police
Station DH Pora in 2016.
Ahead of by-polls, Police have
arrested at least 24 persons accused of stone-pelting in multiple
raids at Pulwama and Kulgam Districts of South Kashmir. Police
raided Murana and Kangan villages of Pulwama District during nocturnal
hours and detained at least 21 persons, mostly youths. Police
said all the detained persons were involved in stone-pelting.
Three youths were also detained from Budroo and Chawalgam villages
of neighbouring Kulgam District. The trio was detained over their
alleged involvement in stoning recent election rally of ruling
PDP that was held at Chawalgam in the District.
Deputy CM Nirmal Kumar Singh said
terrorism has no religion and the people involved in carrying
out heinous crimes against humanity need to be condemned by every
section of the society. “We should all collectively synergize
our efforts to beat the forces preaching secessionism and give
befitting reply to the anti-national forces,” he said and added
that such elements are hell bent to create disturbances in the
country and are trying hard to disturb the social fabric of the
nation.
DGP of J&K, Shesh Pal Vaid
said that certain elements trying to radicalize young minds in
the Kashmir valley wouldn’t succeed as the youth wouldn’t accept
their ideology, which was also evident from thousands of youths
turning up for the Army recruitment in Baramulla District, which
was earlier a hub of stone pelters. Vaid said that some `Wahabi
elements’ were trying to change mindset of the youth but they
have out-rightly rejected them. “The youth of Kashmir are for
peace. No one likes violence. Kashmir is the land of Sufis and
Saints, which has been inhibited by them for centuries together.
There has been no place for radicalization of the youth, who have
themselves rejected this approach and want to grow with education
and jobs,” he said.
A total of 88 Kashmiri youths
joined militancy in 2016, the highest in last six years and the
infiltration almost tripled last year as compared to 2015, said
Central Government. In written replies to two separate
questions in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home
Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir shared data about Kashmiri youths
taking up arms, infiltration attempts and law and order situation
in the Valley. The data shows a steady increase in the number
of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards as compared
to ones between 2010 and 2013. It, however, said the situation
in Jammu and Kashmir has “improved to a large extent” in the current
year.
|
March
22
|
Terrorist violence in Jammu and
Kashmir has declined in the aftermath of surgical strikes executed
by the Army in September 2016, the Union Government said in Parliament.
According to statistics furnished by the Government in reply to
a question in the Rajya Sabha, terrorist incidents
fell to 87 between October 1 and December 31, 2016, from 110 between
July 1 and September 30, 2016. Union Minister of State for Home
Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told the House that 34 SFs were killed in
the three months prior to the surgical strikes, while 19 died
in the subsequent quarter. Civilian killings also fell from 7
to 6 in the corresponding period. According to sources, the fall
in number of terrorist incidents is largely on account of weakening
of violent protests that broke out after HM ‘commander’ Burhan
Wani was killed in an encounter in July. Law and order disturbances
peaked in the Valley state between July and September 2016, but
violence witnessed a sharp decline thereafter as the protests
died down and normalcy returned to the State.
|
March
23
|
Militants attacked the residence
and official vehicle of Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, a MLA from Shopian
in two separate incidents, in the Shopian District. Militants
attacked the residence of MLA Bhat, at Memander in the District.
Police said that militants fired several rounds at the residence
of Bhat at Memander and the security guards deployed there retaliated.
However, no one was injured in the attack. Earlier in the day,
militants fired on his official bullet proof vehicle at Hajipora
in Shopian. Several rounds of fire hit a Police bullet proof vehicles
and his ambassador car. However, the MLA was not in his car at
the time of attack. Police fired back but militants escaped.
SFs cordoned off Moshward village
in Keller area of Shopian District, after inputs about the presence
of three militants. However, the operation was later called off
after no militants were found in the village.
|
March
26
|
Two militants of the HM were killed
in an encounter with SFs in Awantipora area of Pulwama District,
after they fired at the vehicle of a Police officer. A Police
officer said that ASP Pulwama, Chandan Kohli, was on his way from
Pulwama to Anantnag in a car along with two PSOs when a group
of militants coming from opposite directions in another car fired
at the bullet proof vehicle of the ASP near Padgampora village
leading to an exchange of fire in which two militants were killed
on the spot while two of the militants fled from the spot leaving
behind the car. The slain militants have been identified as Shahbaz
Shafi Wani alias Rayees Kachroo, resident of
Beloo Rajpora of Pulwama and Farooq Ahmad Hurrah, resident of
Nazneenpora of Shopian. “Both of them belonged to Hizb ul Mujahideen.
The dead bodies have been handed over to the legal heirs for last
rites”, the Police officer said. One AK rifle, one SLR, one AK
magazine, 2 SLR Magazines, 2 pouches and a grenade was recovered
from the spot. The car in which militants were travelling was
also seized by the Police. IGP Kashmir, SMJ Gillani said, “An
AK-47 rifle and one SLR were recovered from them. Interestingly,
the SLR weapon was snatched from a minority picket in the month
of October”.
Soon after the encounter clashes
broke out between SFs and stone throwing protesters at Beloo,
Padgampora, Awantipora and Pulwama. SFs fired tear smoke to disperse
the protesters. And this morning (March 27) 1-RR of army and Kulgam
Police launched a cordon and search operation at Gretbal Qaimoh
area of Kulgam District. One SLR, three magazines and 132 rounds
of SLR ammunition were recovered during the searches.
Militants snatched five SLRs from
the security guards at the ancestral house of Minister of State,
Syed Farooq Indrabi, in Dooru area of Anantnag District. A Police
officer said that at least 13 militants including their OGWs attacked
the ancestral residence of Minister of State for Industries and
Commerce, Hajj and Auqaf and Power Development Department, Syed
Farooq Indrabi, at Shestargam in Dooru area of Anantnag District.
One of the security guards, Gulzar Ahmad, of the Minister was
injured in the attack.
Police arrested two more suspects
– one from Ban Toll Plaza at Nagrota and another from Shopian
taking total number of arrests in AK-47 rifle snatching of Police
constable to three, while the main accused remained at large along
with the rifle. IGP, Jammu Zone, SD Singh Jamwal told that one
of the suspects was arrested this morning when he was trying to
flee to Kashmir while another one was captured from Shopian. “We
are on the job to nab the main accused, who is absconding with
AK-47 rifle of police constable,’’ Jamwal said, adding a high
alert is being maintained throughout the region to nab the accused
and recover the snatched weapon,’’ Jamwal, who was monitoring
the search operation, said.
Reliable sources told that Shahid
Ahmad, a resident of Memander in Shopian was arrested by the Police
from Ban Toll Plaza at Nagrota on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway
this morning (March 26), when he was fleeing from Jammu in a Tavera
taxi car to Kashmir. Another accused Mohammad Asif, resident of
Shopian has been arrested by the Police from Shopian on a tip
off given by Jammu Police to their counterparts in Shopian. The
main accused Amir Hussain, resident of Hallpora, Ratnipora of
Shopian is absconding along with AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds. Fourth
accused Masrool Ahmed, resident of Ratnipora in Shopian was arrested
from the spot yesterday (March 25). Two motor-cycles have also
been seized from the accused.
|
March 27 |
Suspected militants opened fire
on the house of two Policemen, who are brothers, in Shopian District.
The militants opened fire on the houses of ASI, Dilbar Ahmad and
Constable Reyaz Ahmad at Keegam in Shopian. A Police official
said the militants broke some window panes of the house and vehicle
of the Policemen before fleeing. However, no one was injured in
the attack.
SFs busted a HM militant module
in Kulgam District, and arrested eight of its members who were
tasked to carry out attacks on SFs and snatch weapons. SP of Kulgam,
Shridhar Patil, said that the District Police and Army received
a specific intelligence input on March 21 that HM militant has
constituted a module of about a dozen OGWs to carry out attacks
on SFs, Police personnel and snatch weapons. Patil said that the
module was formed by district 'commander' of the outfit Altaf
Dar alias Al-Kachroo and Towseef Sheikh alias Mossad. "We registered
a case on the basis of this information and during the investigations,
it came to the fore that Zubar Ahmad Badar, a resident of Nai-Basti
in Qoimoh area of the district was the main king-pin of this module
and he was subsequently arrested along with one of his associates",
he said. The SP said that during further course of questioning,
it became evident that leader of this module and other members
were having large quantity of arms/ammunition for conduct of subversive
activities.
|
March 28 |
A HM militant was killed and a
Para-commando was injured in a fierce gun battle in Chadoora area
of Budgam District. A joint team of the Army, Police and CRPF
surrounded a house at Zuin village in central Kashmir's Budgam
in which the HM terrorist was hiding. Civilian protesters soon
gathered at the spot and began pelting the forces with stones,
injuring more than 60 Police and CRPF personnel along with four
soldiers, Army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said. The Army had to
fire at the protesters, killing three of them, before the eight-hour-long
operation ended with the terrorist, as Tauseef Ahmad Wagay of
Kanjijulla village of Yaripora in Kulgam District, being gunned
down. Sources said that one militant managed to escape during
massive stone-pelting.
A HM militant was killed and a
Para-commando was injured in a fierce gun battle in Chadoora area
of Budgam District. A joint team of the Army, Police and CRPF
surrounded a house at Zuin village in central Kashmir's Budgam
in which the HM terrorist was hiding. Civilian protesters soon
gathered at the spot and began pelting the forces with stones,
injuring more than 60 Police and CRPF personnel along with four
soldiers, Army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said. The Army had to
fire at the protesters, killing three of them, before the eight-hour-long
operation ended with the terrorist, as Tauseef Ahmad Wagay of
Kanjijulla village of Yaripora in Kulgam District, being gunned
down. Sources said that one militant managed to escape during
massive stone-pelting.
At least four militants ransacked
the house of SP, Hazratbal in South Kashmir of Kulgam District.
Sources said that four militants barged into the house of Mohammad
Ayub Mattoo father of SP, Hazratbal, Dawood Mattoo, in Khudwani
area of the District and ransacked the house. The militants also
beat up father of the SP, and broke window of the house. Before
fleeing, they fired in air.
Mohammad Amir, who along with
his associates had snatched rifle from a Police man near Tawi
Bridge in Jewel Chowk in Jammu, surrendered before SSP, Shopian,
Tahir Saleem, along with AK-47 rifle and magazine. Three Kashmiri
youth identified as Amir, Masood and Shahid, all residents of
Shopian District, attacked Police constable Mohammad Hanief posted
as PSO of Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool chairman Maulana Dehlavi, near
the main Tawi bridge in Jammu, last week. They attacked the Policeman
with a stick and also threw chilli powder in his eyes. They snatched
the AK-47 rifle from him and fled. Masood was arrested in Jewel
area in Jammu, and his bike was also seized, while Shahid was
arrested near Toll Plaza in Nagrota.
|
March 29 |
Militants attacked Police parties
in two separate incidents in South Kashmir. In the first incident,
Militants attacked a Police party at Yaripora in Kulgam District.
Militants opened fire upon the Police party outside the Police
Station Yaripora. However, no one was injured in the attack. SFs
launched searches in the area after the attack however, no one
was arrested. In the second incident, Militants threw a grenade
at a Police Party in Goriwan Chowk in Bijbehara area of Anantnag
District. Police in retaliation fired several rounds in air and
the militants fled under the cover of darkness. However, no damage
was done. SFs conducted searches in the area. However, no one
was arrested.
Strike was observed across Kashmir,
against killing of three civilians who were killed at Chadoora
in SFs firing during clashes amid a gun battle in the village
of Budgam District on March 28. In Srinagar, a complete shutdown
was observed.
Stone-pelting clashes broke out
at Rawalpora, Bagh-e-Mehtab, Zampa Kadal, Batamaloo, Habba Kadal,
Safa Kadal, HMT, Parimpora and other areas of the city. The clashes
were also reported from several old city areas including Rainawari.
Police used teargas shells to disperse the protesters. One civilian
was injured during clashes at Rawalpora. Reports of shutdown were
received from all parts of the Valley. Protests were also reported
from parts of Budgam District while massive clashes raged at Baramulla
Old Town and Palhallan hamlet. A protest was also reported from
Ajas area of Bandipora District.
As many as 104 local youths of
J&K have joined the militancy since 2016 and 65 of them are currently
active there, Lok Sabha was informed. Minister of State for Home
Hansraj Ahir said among the 104 local youths in J&K who have joined
the militancy in 2016-17, 12 were killed by SFs, 25 were arrested
while two have surrendered. Ahir also said the State Government
has reported that during the counter-insurgency operations, 18
incidents of stone pelting were reported during the last two years.
He further said that there were 371 incidents of attempts to infiltrate
in J&K from across the border in 2016 of which 119 were successful.
While 217 militants have returned, 35 were killed and three were
arrested last year, he added.
Replying to another question,
the Minister said J&K has been affected by terror violence which
is sponsored and supported from across the border. "The levels
of terrorist violence in the hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir are
linked to the infiltration from across the border. The activities
of separatist and militant outfits also remain a challenge in
Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
|
March 30 |
The CRPF recovered arms and ammunition
from Chardarie forest area of Baramulla District. 53rd Battalion
of the Force recovered one pistol, three grenades, two pistol
magazines, one AK rifle and SLR ammunition from Chardarie forest
area of the District during searches that were launched on specific
input.
Youths who storm the encounter
sites in the Valley to hurl stones at security personnel are committing
suicide, Jammu and Kashmir Police said, and appealed to them to
refrain from such activity. "In the encounter, even SFs and Police
take cover of a bullet-proof vehicle or a house. Youths coming
to the encounter sites are committing suicide," DGP, S P Vaid
said. He appealed to the youngsters not to rush to the encounter
sites, saying they were being misled and misused by elements inimical
to peace in the Valley for their short-term political gains. "A
bullet does not know whom it will hit. My appeal to all the young
boys is that they should remain in their homes and not come to
encounter sites. The youth must understand that they are being
used by people for their short-term political gains," he said.
|
March 31 |
An Army trooper was killed in
gun fire at a post located closer to the LoC, in Mendhar sector
of Poonch District. The incident took place during early morning
when Sepoy Kulwant Singh of 49 RR, hailing from Punjab had been
deployed at a forward post. He had sustained bullet injury in
his abdomen.
A top HM 'commander', identified
as Amir Nabi Wagay, surrendered before SFs in Anantnag District.
A Police official said that Amir was suffering from kidney failure
and doctors had advised him dialyses. He said that he was involved
in the grenade throwing incidents in South Kashmir and various
other militant activities. He had joined militancy on August 16,
2014 and was active since then. His surrender was facilitated
by the CIK, Police said. However, sources said that in the official
records he has been shown arrested by the SOG of JKP and 1-RR
from whose operational area he was hailing from.
UHM Rajnath Singh, accused Pakistan
of using the social media to incite youths in J&K to storm encounter
sites to help holed-up militants, after some members in Lok Sabha
raised the issue of death of three civilians in Budgam District
in firing by SFs. He said the strife-torn region had seen a "new
trend" of late in which youths from nearby villages gather at
the sites of encounter between SFs and terrorists and pelt stones
to help the militants holed-up there to flee. "I will appeal to
youths not to be misled by Pakistan. Some social media applications
like Whatsapp and Facebook are used to gather youths at places
of encounters. These groups are based in Pakistan. "Security forces
are dealing with terrorists exactly the way they should and will
continue to do so. I want to say that we will definitely be successful,"
UHM Singh said, adding, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists are trying
to destabilise not only J&K but entire India.
|
April 1 |
Three Army personnel were injured,
as militants attacked an Army convoy heading towards Baramulla,
on Srinagar-Bemina Bypass in Srinagar District. Terrorist group
HM has claimed responsibility for the attack.
|
April 2 |
A Policeman, identified as Shamim
Ahmad, was killed and 14 others were injured in a grenade attack
in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar. Militants hurled a grenade on
a patrol of SF personnel when they were withdrawing from security
duty in Botagali area of Nowhatta at around 7 pm.
Police raided Baramulla sub-jail
in Baramulla District. Police recovered 14 mobile phones, two
of them belong to hardline separatist Masarat Alam Bhat, and incriminating
material from Baramulla sub-jail during a search operation in
North Kashmir. Police suspects that these phones were being used
for creating trouble in Kashmir. SSP, Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain
Mir, said that Police received a request from sub-jail authorities
that they are suspecting use of mobile phones inside the prison."Thereafter
police and jail authorities jointly launched a search operation
there. During the search operation, we recovered 14 mobile phones
along with some incriminating material. Mostly, these communication
devices were recovered from those inmates who are involved in
stone pelting, its instigation and militancy activities." Sources
said that the incriminating material recovered include diaries
and books.
Life was affected in the Kashmir
Valley as separatist groups called a strike in protest against
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the State for inaugurating
the Chenani-Nashri tunnel on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Asking people to observe a general strike, the chairmen of the
two factions of the APHC, Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the APHC-G
and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the APHC-M, and JKLF chief Mohammad
Yasin Malik, in a joint statement on March 30, said "all rhetoric
about development or construction of tunnels and roads are futile
and will not succeed in luring us". They said the Prime Minister
was visiting the State at a time when the situation was "extremely
gloomy".
|
April 3 |
One CRPF trooper was killed and
five others were injured after suspected militants opened fire
at a CRPF convoy at Pantha Chowk area in the outskirts of Srinagar.
Unidentified militants fired at a civilian passenger vehicle carrying
CRPF personnel of 97 Battalion at Sempora in Pantha Chowk area.
Two civilians, including a 10-year-old girl, were also injured
in the crossfire. One of the injured personnel, Head Constable
Basappa, later succumbed to his injuries. LeT claimed responsibility
for the attack. The personnel were on their way to Srinagar for
election duty for Lok Sabha by-polls scheduled to
be held on April 9.
Pakistan army violated ceasefire
and resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing along the
LoC in Digwar and Balakote sectors of Poonch District. Official
sources said Pakistan army started heavy firing in all forward
villages and Army posts in Digwar sector of the District at 9.30
am and soon extended the ceasefire violation to Balakote sector
of the same District. Pakistan army used mortars, automatic and
semi-automatic weapons in shelling and firing, which was retaliated
very effectively by the Indian side, leading to heavy exchanges
that lasted till this afternoon. However, there were no reports
of any casualties or major damage on the Indian side.
|
April 5 |
Pakistani troops resorted to mortar
shelling and firing by automatic weapons along the LoC in Poonch
District, prompting the Army to retaliate. "There was unprovoked
ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Digwar sector of Poonch
today, using 82 mm mortars, automatic weapons," a defence spokesman
said. Indian Army personnel took positions and responded befittingly
to the Pakistani firing, the spokesman said, adding that intermittent
firing was going on. However, till the time of reporting there
is no casualty on either side. The defence spokesman said, on
April 4, Pakistani troops had resorted to firing and shelling
of mortar bombs on forward posts in Bhimbher Gali sector of Rajouri
District from 1100 hours and it continued for some hours. Earlier,
SATP had reported that Pakistan army, on April 3, violated ceasefire
and resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing along the
LoC in Digwar and Balakote sectors of Poonch District.
Suspected militants ransacked
house of a former PDP Sarpanch at Nagbal area in Shopian District.
A Police officer said that unidentified assailants knocked door
of the house of Abdul Qayoom Sheikh at Urpora village of Nagbal
in the Shopian, the door was, however, not opened from inside
and these persons broke window panes and glasses of the house,
adding that no one was, however, injured. He further said that
it was not immediately known whether the Sarpanch was present
inside his house. The official said the identity of the attackers
has not been ascertained so far but sources said that they were
suspected militants.
Clashes erupted in Pulwama town
in Pulwama District, against the arrest of nearly one dozen youth
in Police raids. The clashes erupted in the main market Pulwama
after some youths protested against the arrest of one Jehangir
Ahmad of Dallipora and others during night raids at neighbouring
Kakapora area. The protesting youth enforced shutdown in the main
market of Pulwama and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on SFs.
The SFs retaliated by lobbing teargas. The situation, however,
returned to normal later.
Clashes erupted in Pulwama town
in Pulwama District, against the arrest of nearly one dozen youth
in Police raids. The clashes erupted in the main market Pulwama
after some youths protested against the arrest of one Jehangir
Ahmad of Dallipora and others during night raids at neighbouring
Kakapora area. The protesting youth enforced shutdown in the main
market of Pulwama and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on SFs.
The SFs retaliated by lobbing teargas. The situation, however,
returned to normal later.
Sources further said that these
militants are still in the forests of North Kashmir after infiltration
and are waiting for logistic support to get into Valley. However,
SFs are keeping an eye on the possible routes which they can take
for entering into Valley from the forests and want to engage them
inside forests only. The infiltration of militants into Kashmir
has started early this year as compared to last year. Last year,
the first infiltration reports were received in May and as per
MAC figures, 114 militants infiltrated into Kashmir last year
which was highest since 2014. Sources said that over 150 militants
are on launch pads mostly in Neelam Valley area of PoK. These
militants have gathered in last two months and are waiting to
infiltrate into Kashmir.
|
April 7 |
SFs arrested two new militant
recruits of HM from Sopore area in Baramulla District. Acting
on specific information about the presence of HM militants in
an orchard near Achabal village of Sopore, the Police along with
Army and CRPF cordoned off the orchard and launched search operation,
a Police official said. The newly recruited militants were identified
as Yawar Nabi Mir and Arsalan Rasool Teli - both hailing from
Sheikh Sahib Locality of Chinkipora area of Sopore.
|
April 8 |
Militants opened fire on a Police
team near an election meeting venue of the ruling PDP in poll-bound
Anantnag District and fled from the scene. No one was injured
in the firing, even as the meeting, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir
Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Chowdhary
Zulfikar Ali, remained unaffected and later concluded peacefully,
a Police official said. The militants opened fire on a Police
party patrolling the area around Magray Mohalla in Achabal, 65
kilometres from Srinagar, the official said. However, there was
no report of any casualty on either side, the official stated.
The meeting was being held in connection with the Lok Sabha by-poll
to Anantnag parliamentary constituency scheduled for April 12.
Pakistan army resorted to heavy
mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector of
Rajouri District. Reports said Pakistan army started shelling
and firing in Jhanghar, Karali and surrounding areas targeting
forward posts of the Indian troops and civilian areas. The Indian
side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchange of shelling
and firing. Pakistan army used mortars, automatic and semi-automatic
weapons in the firing, drawing matching response from this side.
The shelling and firing continued till late night, reports said.
Yesterday also, Pakistani troops had shelling forward army posts
and civilian areas in Nowshera sector while prior to that, there
had been exchange of shelling and firing at Digwar, Khari Karmara,
Bhimber Gali and other sectors of Poonch District, the reports
added. However, there had been no casualties or damage on the
Indian side in shelling and firing, reports stated, adding that
civilians confined themselves to their houses and didn't venture
out.
|
April 9 |
Eight persons were killed and
around 200 injured during Poll violence at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Sharief
area of Budgam District. An official said that hundreds of protestors
stormed a polling station at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Sharief area
of Budgam district and ransacked a building housing a polling
booth and SFs fired several warning rounds to disperse the rampaging
mob, which did not relent. "Six persons were injured in the firing,
of whom two, 20- year-old Mohammad Abbas and 15-year-old Faizaan
Ahmad Rather, succumbed to bullet wounds", he said. Violence marred
polling in some other parts of Srinagar Parliamentary seat as
stone pelting incidents were reported from around 200 places across
the three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, which constitute
the Srinagar constituency.
One Nissar Ahmed was killed as
SFs opened fire to quell a stone-pelting mob in Ratsuna area of
Beerwah in the Budgam District. At the Daulatpura in Chadoora
Assembly segment of Budgam District, one person, identified as
Shabir Ahmed, was killed in firing by SF personnel. Another youth,
Adil Farooq, succumbed to multiple pellet injuries in the Kawoosa
area of Beerwa constituency in Budgam District. One Aqib Wani
was shot dead as Police opened fire on a crowd of protestors in
the Beerwah area in the afternoon. Amir Bashir Malla, resident
of Sogam, Chadoora in district Budgam, who was injured earlier
in the day succumbed to injuries in the hospital. And Omar Farooq
Gania, who was injured in SFs firing at Barsu in Ganderbal District,
also succumbed to injuries at hospital.
A Police official said that three
vehicles were also set on fire and 33 were damaged, 21 Electronic
Voting Machines were damaged and re-poll will be held at those
places, where polling could not be held. At several polling booths
in Budgam, Police had to rescue the polling staff for safety as
protesters attacked and ransacked the booths. Army was called
out to help SFs quell a rampaging mob which pelted stones and
hurled petrol bombs to set a polling booth ablaze in Ganderbal
District of the Srinagar constituency. Chief Electoral Officer
Shantmanu said that six people were killed and around 117 including
Police and para-military forces were injured in 200 incidents
of violence in Central Kashmir. He said that around 7.14 percent
voter turnout was recorded in Srinagar Parliamentary constituency.
Militants attacked Yaripora Police
Station in Kulgam District. However, there was no damage. Also,
the assailants set on fire the Government High School Arihal in
Pulwama where polling booth was set up for by polls in Anantnag
constituency that goes to vote on March 12.
Separatists called for a two-day
shutdown against the killing of protestors in SFs firing saying
it was the only way for them to express solidarity with the families
of those killed and the cause for which they laid down their lives.
"We know hartal would not affect Government policy towards us
but it is the only option to express our collective grief," the
separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani
and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint statement.
To strengthen Army's infantry
and held it in operations in J&K, Army has started the process
to procure around 1,500 anti-materiel lightweight rifles capable
of damaging targets like battle tanks, low-flying helicopters
and bunkers. Official sources said, a RFI for purchasing the rifles
which should have a range of at least 1.8 kilometers with a caliber
of 12.7 mm/0.50, has been issued. The light weight rifles will
boost operational capabilities of the troops both along the borders
as well as hinterland.
|
April 10 |
Army foiled infiltration bid on
the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District. Army spokesman said,
in the operation four terrorists were killed. "A group of militants
attempting to infiltrate was intercepted Sunday night by alert
troops deployed on the Line of Control. In the ensuing encounter
four terrorists were gunned down," Police official said. However,
no causalities were reported in the attack, the officer added.
|
April 11 |
Life across the Kashmir Valley,
remained adversely affected due to the separatist called protest
shutdown against the killing of eight civilians firing by SFs.
Shops, public transport, other businesses and educational institutions
remained closed for the second consecutive day. Tension in south
Kashmir's Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian Districts reduced
after the Election Commission announced deferment of April 12
poll in Anantnag. Voting for this Lok Sabha constituency by-election
will be held on May 25.
Army recovered a large quantity
of arms, ammunition and explosives during a search operation in
Tatta Pani Forests in Kalakote tehsil of Rajouri District. A team
of RR battalion of Counter Insurgency Force of the Army busted
a hideout of the militants in Tatta Pani Forests after developing
specific input about a dump of arms and ammunition and carrying
out searches in the area for past few days. Recoveries made from
the hideout included one sniper rifle with telescopic sight (Chinese),
one AK-47 rifle, one AK-74 rifle, one 7.62 mm pistol, one Chinese
pistol (Mauser), one .32 revolver (Made in Pakistan), four hand
held radio sets, one binocular and around 150 rounds of ammunition.
After effecting recoveries, Army conducted searches in the area
for suspected militants or their Over Ground Workers. No arrests
were made.
SFs arrested a LeT militant in
South Kashmir, as he was planning to carry out attack on SFs on
a National Highway in Kulgam District. A Police officer said that
based on intelligence input, Kulgam Police and RR of Army launched
a manhunt and established a special Naka at Sangus-Kaharoot road,
resultantly arrested one LeT militant, identified as Shakir Ahmad
Itoo of Qoimoh, and recovered one Chinese grenade form his possession.
According to Police, on March 26, a joint party of Kulgam Police,
9 RR and CRPF cordoned his house. "At the time of laying of cordon,
Shakir Ahmad Itoo gave slip to security personnel. During the
search, one SLR, 2 SLR magazines and 130 rounds which were dumped
by him in collaboration with banned outfit of LeT were recovered
from his residential house", he said. The recovered arms and ammunition
were earlier looted from the Police guards at Dalwatch, Qazigund
in Kulgam District.
As many as 33 terrorists were
neutralised in J&K in the first three months of the current year,
the Government told the Lok Sabha. In comparison, 149 terrorists
were killed in the Valley State in 2016 and 102 in 2015, Minister
of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told the MPs in written
reply to a starred question. As per data furnished with the reply,
the total number of encounters in the Valley State stood at 25
until March 2017, as compared to 101 in whole of 2016. While 10
security personnel were martyred in counter-terror operations
in J&K in the first three months of the year, last year's overall
figure stood at 60. Terrorists/terror suspects arrested so far
this year totalled 20, against 79 in all of 2016 and 67 in 2015.
The comparatively high terror
indices of last year are largely on account of violent protests
that broke out in the Valley following the killing of HM 'commander'
Burhan Wani in July 2016. The protests had caused a sharp rise
in stone-pelting incidents. Stone-pelting instances peaked at
837, 757 and 536 in July, August and September 2016 respectively.
However, they have now come down significantly, with only 17,
46 and 60 stone-pelting incidents recorded in January, February
and March 2017 respectively. In another question, Ahir informed
the Lok Sabha that there were 43 infiltration attempts on the
Indo-Pak border in J&K till February this year, as compared to
371 in 2016 and 121 in 2015. The number of infiltrating terrorists
killed stood at 4 in first two months of the year, as against
35 killed in all of 2016 and 46 in 2015. As many as 30 terrorists
were returned, against 217 in 2016 and 41 in 2015. Therefore,
the estimated net infiltration cases works out to 9 till February
this year, as compared to 119 in all of 2016 and 33 in 2015.
|
April 12 |
The NIA told a Delhi court
that it has no objection to the applications of two persons pleading
guilty of criminally conspiring to raise funds for the ISIS and
recruiting people for the terror outfit. The accused, Azhar-ul-Islam
(24) from Jammu and Kashmir and Mohammed Farhan Shaikh (25) from
Maharashtra, took a U-turn more than a month after the court framed
charges against them. The court in March had framed charges against
both the accused and 36-year-old Adnan Hassan for allegedly hatching
a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for the ISIS and recruiting
people for the terror outfit. The NIA had registered a case against
the three accused on January 28, 2016. They were arrested the next
day on arrival to Delhi from Abu Dhabi. District judge Amar Nath
posted the matter for further hearing on April 19. |
April 13 |
The CRPF has identified the place
where its personnel were heckled and kicked by unidentified youth
and forced to raise 'Go India, Go back' slogans on April 9, when
bypolls were held at the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, reports
The Indian Express. Officials said the video was shot at Kralpora
village in Chadoora Budgam District soon after polling had ended
and the paramilitary personnel were returning to their camp. "We
have collected all the details of the incident. This incident
took place at Kralpora village in Chadoora. We will formally lodge
a complaint at Chadoora Police Station against the protesters
involved in this incident,'' a senior CRPF official told the newspaper.
He said action will be taken against all the youths involved.
"In this case, our personnel showed exemplary restraint. They
could have easily opened fire as they had guns."
Repolling in the 38 polling booths
of the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency located in Budgam District
on April 13 registered only around 2% voter turnout, amid very
tight security arrangements.
|
April 14 |
Clashes erupted at several places
in Kashmir valley after Friday prayers against the civilian killings
in SFs firing on March 9. One person was injured in these clashes
outside Jama Masjid Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla District.
In view of the sensitivity of the day, SFs were deployed in several
areas of downtown and Budgam District to prevent post-Friday violence
as separatists had called for protests against the killing of
eight civilians. Clashes were also reported from Natipora area
located in the outskirts of Srinagar city, in Narbal area of Budgam
District and Tral and Tahab areas of Pulwama District.
SFs on April 14 foiled the separatists
call to offer joint prayers for the eight civilians killed in
Budgam District during the by-poll on April 9. A spokesman of
the Hurriyat said SFs detained all senior separatists and other
leaders were placed under house arrest. The authorities also sealed
the offices of the Hurriyat Conference and the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat
headquarters.
|
April 15 |
A civilian, identified as Bashir
Ahmad Dar, was killed and another injured when unidentified gunmen
opened fire in a place named Qasbayar of Pulwama District.
A civilian identified as, Sajad
Hassan, was shot dead in a firing incident in Srinagar's Batamaloo
area after an incident of stone pelting on a BSF patrol.
Unidentified militants barged
into the houses of five serving Police personals at Hajipora,
Chotgam and Landoora areas in Shopian District. Their families
were threatened, houses ransacked and they were asked for resignation
of the cops. The masked militants barged in residential houses
of Constable Mehrajdin Shah and Constable Abdul Rashid of Hajipora
Shopian. They thrashed Shah and broke the window panes of his
house. They also directed Mehraj to announce from local Masjid
loudspeaker that all policemen should resign immediately or face
consequences. Another constable was targeted at Chotgam in Shopian
when militants forced him to announce resignation publicly through
Masjid loudspeaker.
|
April 16 |
Unidentified militants barged
into the house of Advocate Imtiaz Ahmad Khan and killed him at
Pinjoora area of Shopian District. He was former public prosecutor
and affiliated with opposition National Conference. He was close
relative of NC leader Shabir Kullay who contested Assembly elections
from Shopian constituency in 2014. Advocate Imtiaz was campaigning
for him during the elections.
Unidentified militants shot dead
former counter-insurgent 'commander', Rashid Billa at Hajin area
of Bandipora District. He was top 'commander' of Ikhwan and close
associate of Imtiaz Ahmad Parray commonly known as Kuka Parray
who was killed by militants in September 2003.
|
April 17 |
Eight Pakistani Army soldiers
were reported killed when Indian troops retaliated to unprovoked
heavy shelling and firing from across the LoC in several areas
of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District. However, there was no
official confirmation of the Pakistani casualties. Two Indian
Army soldiers also sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Scores of protestors and a Police
Officer were injured as thousands of protestors of various colleges
across Kashmir valley protested on April 17 against last week's
Police action in Pulwama Degree College in Pulwama District that
left 54 students injured. A Police spokesman said: "Students of
different colleges protested at some places in Kashmir valley
today. While at most of the places the students protested inside
their college premises, at few places in Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian
and Kulgam the students assembled on the roads and indulged in
stone pelting thus disrupting the movement of general people and
traffic on busy roads.
The police at these places exhibited
maximum restraint and dispersed the stone pelting mobs of students
by using some teargas shells. At some places the College property
was also damaged. In the resultant chaos some students received
minor injuries and most of them were discharged after first aid.
While tackling the stone pelting SHO Kothibagh and four policemen
were injured at MA Road Srinagar. A lady constable had a fracture
in her arm."
|
April 19 |
A youth, Muzaffar Ahmad Mir (22),
injured in firing, allegedly by SFs, on the day of bypolls for
Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, died. While locals alleged that
BSF personnel had opened fire, BSF spokesperson Vishwa Bandu said
there was no BSF deployment in Ganderbal on the day of by-election
on Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency,
Police claimed to have foiled
a bid to snatch away weapons of CRPF jawans by some students during
a clash with them in Banihal District. The incident occurred on
the Jammu-Srinagar Highway after an altercation between the students
and the CRPF personnel when a vehicle carrying the former overtook
the security force's convoy in which one of their vehicles was
hit, they said.
The State Government ordered the
extension of teaching work in colleges across Kashmir for two
more days from April 20, as a precautionary measure following
the April 17 Student protests. "According to the divisional commissioner,
Kashmir, teaching work in all colleges of Kashmir division shall
remain suspended on 20 and 21 April as a precautionary measure,"
an official spokesman said.
|
April 20 |
Scores of mainstream political
workers have fled after militants broke into their homes, beat
them with sticks and guns, ordered them to tender a public apology
and dissociate from mainstream politics, before recording their
'dissociation' on mobile phones across South Kashmir's four Districts.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met dozens of her party workers
from these four districts and assured them that the government
would provide safety and security to all political workers, irrespective
of their political ideology.
Dozens of videos had started surfacing
on social media in which political workers, surrounded by gun-wielding
militants, were seeking forgiveness from the general public, before
the 3G and 4G services were snapped in the Valley. The gunmen
had periodically released these videos to "teach (political workers)
a lesson" and have, according to political workers in Pulwama
and Shopian District, recorded many such video, but are yet to
release them on the internet.
|
April 22 |
SFs killed two LeT militants,
identified as 'commander', Abu Ali and his associate Younis Ganai
in a brief gun battle in Chadoora area of the Budgam District.
According to Police, acting on specific information, 53 RR of
Army and SOG of J&K Police Budgam cordoned off Hayatpora village
of in Chadoora area of Budgam District on April 22 evening. The
troops zeroed in two militants who were hiding in an orchard and
in a brief exchange of gunfire, both the militants were killed.
Sources said that militants fired at the troops as they cordoned
off the area leading to a gun battle in which both of them were
killed. Two AK 47, four magazines, one pistol and Chinese hand
grenade were recovered from the possession of the dead militants.
On specific information, the CRPF
and J&K Police Awantipora raided a militant hideout in Charsu
area of Awantipora in Pulwama District and recovered 54 AK rounds,
two AK magazines, one round of AK ammunition, one pouch, one torch,
two bundles of wires, two mobile charges and one gas regulator.
|
April 24 |
The ruling PDP District President
for Pulwama, Advocate Abdul Gani Dar was killed by the militants
in Pinglena area of Pulwama District when he was on way to Srinagar.
No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the killing
so far.
The ongoing students' protests
spread to schools and colleges across Srinagar, with students
staying away from classes and taking to the streets. Kashmiri
students have been protesting against alleged Police excesses
at Pulwama Degree College on April 15 where SFs and students clashed.
At least 50 students were injured in the clash.
J&K, CM Mehbooba Mufti met PM
Narendra Modi to discuss deteriorating law and order situation
in the State. "We discussed the issue of less voting percentage
in recent elections, and security situation in state (J&K) with
the PM," Mehbooba said after the meeting with PM Narendra Modi.
|
April 27 |
In a fidayeen (suicide)
attack by suspected JeM militants, three Indian Army troopers
and two militants were killed at Panjgaon of Chowkibal in Kupwara
District in the morning. Militants attacked the Army garrison
in Kupwara's Panzgam area, around 90 km away from Srinagar. "Two
terrorists were killed. Three soldiers, including an officer,
were also martyred," said an Army spokesman adding, "The operation
is in progress." Five soldiers were also injured in the incident.
Police arrested separatist leader
Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM) 'chief' Asiya Andrabi under the PSA.
She was arrested in the morning from her residence, sources said.
She is alleged to be the main separatist leader who incites women
in the valley to pelt stones at security forces and disrupt normal
life.
Three major militant groups are
operating together in Kashmir. A video, being circulated on social
media, purportedly showed 30 militants of the HM, LeT and JeM
together in south Kashmir. The armed militants of the three outfits
were reportedly marching in front of the camera in the 45-second
video shot in a forested area. "Militants from HM, LeT and JeM…
are operating jointly. This trend started last year after the
July unrest. Before that, they had different areas of operation,"
an unnamed senior security officer from Kashmir said.
A civilian, identified as Mohammad
Yusuf (55), was killed and three others were injured after Army
opened fire on protesters seeking bodies of two slain militants
who attacked an Army camp in Panzgam village of Kupwara District.
In a fidayeen (suicide) attack by suspected JeM militants,
three Indian Army troopers and two militants were killed at Panjgaon
of Chowkibal in Kupwara District on the same day.
|
April 28 |
A CRPF jawan, Koshal Kumar
of 20 Battalion, was injured after militants opened fire at him
outside a Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch at Tehsil premises in
Anantnag town in Anantnag District. CRPF personnel managed to
nab one of the militant identified as Muneeb Malla. It is being
investigated whether the motive of militants was snatching the
rifle of CRPF personal only or bank robbery as well.
The Army launched a fresh search
operation around the garrison that was attacked in Kupwara's Panzgam
area on April 27. A militant had escaped from the scene following
a firefight that left three Army troopers and two militants dead.
The Army had recovered three weapons from the two, indicating
that one more militant was involved. It said the militant who
escaped could be hiding in the nearby villages or forest area.
Residents said the Army was looking for the militant and questioned
many civilians.
|
April 29 |
According to sources in the Army,
there have been 60 instances of ceasefire violations until mid-April
in the 16 Corps Zone, the area that falls south of Pir Panjal
mountain Range. There were two ceasefire violations during the
same period last year. Two-thirds of these ceasefire violations
this year have occurred in the Naushera sector, the area where
there are reports of militants congregating at launch-pads on
the Pakistani side of LoC. The Army, sources said, has been proactive
in taking pre-emptive action to prevent attempts at infiltration.
This has led to an increase in the number of ceasefire violations
this year. Four bids at infiltration have been foiled by the army
on the LoC so far this year, leading to the death of eight militants.
A total of 40 militants have already
been killed by the Army in the state during the same period. As
per Army sources, 371 militants had attempted infiltration from
across the LoC last year, of which 119 had been successful. The
comparative figures for 2015 were 121 and 33 respectively. The
rise in ceasefire violations in the 16 Corps Zone started after
the surgical strikes last year when Special Forces of the Army
targeted terror launch pads along the LoC. Of 226 ceasefire violations
last year, only 45 occurred before the surgical strikes. The number
of ceasefire violations have shown a rise since 2014, when they
shot to 153 from 99 in 2013. There were 152 ceasefire violations
on the LoC, south of the Pir Panjal range, in 2015.
|
April 30 |
A civilian was killed and five
persons, including four Policemen and a civilian, injured in a
grenade attack outside Khanyar Police Station in Srinagar District
in the evening. Militants hurled the grenade at a Police bunker
and it fell on the road injuring four Policemen and two civilians.
One of the injured civilians, identified as Ghulam Mohammad Khan
(65) was declared dead on arrival at the Gousia hospital adjacent
to the Police Station.
Militants shot at and critically
injured a man in Pulwama District of South Kashmir on April 30
night, reports Daily Excelsior. According to sources, militants
barged into the house of Nisar Ahmad Mir at Prachu in Pulwama
district but he was not present in the house. As the militants
were coming out of the house, he was heading home and militants
fired at him. He was critically injured and shifted to Pulwama
hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar for treatment.
Mir is plumber by profession.
Normal life in Kashmir was affected
due to a shutdown called by separatists against killing of a civilian
in Kupwara District in Army firing three days ago on April 27.
Most of the shops, commercial establishments and fuel stations
in summer capital Srinagar were closed.
|
April 30 |
Data released by the UMHA revealed
that over 40,961 people have been killed in different parts of
J&K from 1990 to March 31, 2017. In an RTI reply, Chief Public
Information Officer of the UMHA said 13,491 civilians and 5,055
SFs personnel were killed in different terror attacks. Around
21,965 terrorists have also been neutralized by the SFs in the
last 27 years. Nearly 13,502 soldiers have also been injured while
fighting with the terrorists. The 2001 was the bloodiest year
in the history of turmoil. Nearly 3,552 people were killed which
included 996 civilians, 536 SF personnel and 2,020 terrorists.
Around 1,587 SF personals were injured in the year.
The 1996 witnessed maximum number
of civilian deaths in the last 27 years. Nearly 1,341 civilians
were killed in 1996 followed by 1,031 civilians in 1995. "After
2006, there has been a steep decline in the terror-related causalities
till 2012. In year 2012, there were only 102 causalities that
included 15 civilians, 15 SF personnel and 72 terrorists, Nearly,
65 security men received injuries while fighting terrorists",
said Raman Sharma, RTI activist who had filed the application.
However, from 2013 onward there is a rise in the killings and
in the terror related cases in the State.
According to SATP data, a total
of 44,059 persons, including 14,635 civilians, 6,265 SF personnel
and 2,3159 militants were killed in various terrorism related
incidents in J&K from 1990 to March 31, 2017.
|
May 1 |
Five Policemen including an ASI
and two Bank security guards were killed when militants attacked
a J&K Bank van in Kulgam District. According to reports, the J&K
Bank mobile van carrying cash in the Kulgam District was attacked
by militants near Bombay village of the District. Terrorists decamped
with four INSAS and one AK 47 rifle.
HM claimed the responsibility
for the attack. However, it said that they killed five Policemen
and not bank guards. "They were killed by CRPF men," it claimed
and said that the attack was not aimed at looting cash.
Pakistani Special Forces, BATs
carried out an attack after sneaking about 400 to 500 meters inside
the Indian territory across the border fencing along LoC in Nangi
Tekri area of Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District and killed
two soldiers of Army and BSF. Two Indian soldiers, identified
as Prem Sagar and Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh were beheaded and
another soldier, Rajinder Singh injured by a Pakistani forces
that sneaked into Indian Territory under the cover of heavy shelling
in the Krishna Ghati sector.
|
May 2 |
Suspected militants barged into
a Police post of District Court complex in Shopian District and
decamped with five rifles including an AK-47. The militants attacked
the guard room of the court complex around 9 pm and snatched five
rifles from the Policemen posted there.
As many as 55 camps of Pakistan-
backed militant groups have come up across the LoC in PoK in the
last four months where terrorists are being trained to be pushed
into J&K, officials said. Quoting intelligence reports, Government
officials said at least 20 new terrorist camps have come up this
year (2017) taking the total number to 55 from earlier 35.
When the surgical strike was carried
out by the Indian Army on terror launch pads across the LoC in
September 2016, there were around 35 training camps of the militant
groups and many of them were dismantled and shifted deep inside
PoK. However, the officials said, all these camps have resurfaced
since January and at least 20 new camps too have come into existence.
All these 55 camps are "actively operating", an official said.
In the first four months of 2017, there were 60 infiltration attempts
along the LoC in which 15 terrorists managed to enter into J&K.
Unidentified gunmen had barged
into the Yaripora branch of Ellaquai Dehati Bank at Kadder in
neighbouring Kulgam District and taken away INR 65,000.
Blood samples collected by Indian investigators confirmed
that Pakistan army personnel killed the two Indian soldiers and
mutilated their bodies in the Krishna Ghati sector along the LoC.
|
May 3 |
In third incident of its kind
during preceding 24 hours in South Kashmir, militants in broad
daylight raided two banks in Pulwama District and decamped with
cash worth lakhs of rupees. Following these twin incidents, Police
claimed that LeT is involved in these robberies and said they
have identified three of its militants behind today's (May 3)
bank raids on whom heads it also announced cash reward.
A group of five militants entered
Ellaquai Dehati Bank Wahibugh, which is some 8-10 kilometers away
from Pulwama town. SP Rayees Bhat said that the militants fled
with INR 4.92 lakh from Ellaquai Dehati Bank at Wahibugh and they
concluded the raid in around 3-4 minutes. The militants, before
the arrival of SFs, managed to escape from the village in the
same car they had arrived.
The SP said that after some two-and-a-half
hours, another bank, a local unit of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, was
looted at Nehama village of Kakapora area in Pulwama District.
"Five militants were also involved in it. Four militants barged
into the bank and another was with the car. From there, they decamped
around Rs. 1.49 lakh rupees," he said.
Following series of attacks on
Police personnel, snatching of their rifles and looting of banks,
UHM Rajnath Singh is said to have directed J&K Police and Para-military
forces operating in the Valley to be "pro-active" and hit the
militants before giving them a chance to strike.
CM Mehbooba Mufti appealed youth
of Kashmir to help in progress and development of the State to
save the place from destruction. Mehbooba urged for ending the
destruction, loot and murder in Kashmir.
The moderate faction of APHC pressed
the Central Government to initiate a "meaningful dialogue" to
find a lasting solution to the "explosive" Kashmir issue, which
it said had become a "nuclear flash point". The conglomerate of
various separatist groups, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, held
a meeting in Srinagar to discuss the prevailing situation and
the way forward.
|
May 4 |
A civilian was killed and two
Army personnel were injured as militants ambushed an Army patrol
party in Imam Saheb area of Shopian District while SFs conducted
a massive operation against militants in the area. A civilian
driver, identified as Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, who was driving the
cab in which Army was returning after search and cordon operation,
was killed in the ambush and two Army men were injured. HM claimed
the responsibility of the attack on Army.
Army conducted massive search
and cordon operation in several villages in Shopian District after
militants intensified their attacks on Police and SFs in South
Kashmir and looted banks and weapons. However, no one was arrested
during the operation.
Recently, videos showing large
groups of terrorists moving freely in the area - in some cases
as many as 30 - have surfaced on social media, despite the ban
imposed by authorities on 22 such sites and applications.
At Maldoora, Turkawangam and Trenz
village, groups of protesters pelted stones on the SFs.
SFs also laid a cordon in Khudwani
of Kulgam District after a tip-off about the presence of LeT terrorists,
but they escaped with public support, Police said
J&K Police announced a cash reward
of INR 10 lakh on the head of Umer Majid, a suspected HM militant
responsible for killing seven persons including five Policemen
at Kulgam earlier this week.
At least 45 persons including
25 SFs personnel and 19 students were injured during stone-throwing
clashes between students and SFs in northern Baramulla District
while similar clash erupted in Gogji Bagh area of Srinagar.
|
May 5 |
Army along with SoG of J&K Police
busted a HM module of three of its OGWs, who were involved in
number of militancy activities and planning to snatch weapon from
SFs and luring youth into militancy. The members of the module,
Akeel Ahmad Malla, Asif Abdullah Wagay and Amir Hussain Ganie
were arrested from Shopian District.
A video showing two youths being
tortured and their hair being shaved by HM terrorists went viral
across Kashmir valley. The two youths were tortured and humiliated
by HM terrorists after being branded as Police informers in the
video.
In the wake of surge in armed
robberies, the banks in sensitive areas of two Districts of Pulwama
and Shopian in South Kashmir stopped cash dealings following a
Police advisory to evade further raids for cash by militants while
as Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu chaired a bankers meeting in
Srinagar to discuss the security scenario of banks.
|
May 6 |
A 12-year-old boy from PoK was
arrested by the Army after he crossed over into the Indian territory
along the LoC in Rajouri District, an Army official said. Army
strongly suspects that he was sent by the Pakistan Army along
with terrorists to conduct probe of infiltration routes and patrol
track of the Army.
Five persons including three civilians,
a Policeman and a militant were killed in a militant attack in
Kulgam District. Militants, travelling in a car, opened fire on
a police party which had gone to Mir Bazaar area to investigate
a road accident. Police also retaliated killing one of militants
and injuring another who has, however, escaped. A grenade and
ammunition rounds were recovered during frisking of one of the
dead persons who is a militant.
At least one incident of ceasefire
violation by Pakistan took place daily along the LoC in J&K in
2015 and 2016 in which 23 SFs personnel lost their lives, the
UMHA said in an RTI reply. As many as 1,142 terror incidents were
reported in the State between 2012 and 2016 in which 236 SFs personnel
and 90 civilians were killed, it said in reply to an RTI query
filed by a Press Trust of India Bhasha correspondent. In the same
period, 507 terrorists were killed in encounters, it said.
According to the reply, Pakistan
breached the truce along the LoC 449 times in 2016 as compared
to 405 violations in 2015. 23 SFs personnel were killed in the
two-year period. Compared to 220 terror incidents in J&K in 2012,
there were 322 incidents in 2016 in which 82 SFs personnel and
15 civilians were killed, the Ministry said. It said in 2015,
39 SFs personnel and 17 civilians were killed in 208 terror incidents,
while 108 terrorists were killed in encounters.
While 47 SFs personnel and 28
civilians were killed in the State, 110 terrorists were killed
in encounters in 2014, the reply said. In 2013, 53 SFs personnel
and 15 civilians were killed in 170 terror incidents in J&K. SFs
killed 67 terrorists in encounters that year, as per the Ministry.
In 2012, 15 SFs personnel and as many civilians were killed in
220 terror incidents, and 72 terrorists were killed in encounters,
it said.
Security agencies are not ruling
out the possibility of the banned Islamic State (ISIS) trying
to create a base in the Kashmir valley, noting that internet chats
and establishing of contacts with possible handlers in Syria and
Iraq by some youths have grown in the last six months. Officials
in the security establishment, who are not authorised to speak
to the media, said on condition of anonymity that there have been
small pockets in the Valley from where some youths are trying
to get in touch with one or more handlers in Syria and Iraq.
|
May 7 |
The militant who was killed on
May 6 night by Police during an attack on them at NH in Kulgam
was wanted by NIA for his role in 2015 Fidayeen attack on a BSF
convoy at Udhampur. The HM militant, identified as Fayaz Ahmad
Ishwar alias Setha was killed in retaliatory fire by police after
a group of militants attacked them on May 6. Police said that
the killed militant was active from last two years and was involved
in many subversive activities.
The militant who was killed on
May 6 night by Police during an attack on them at NH in Kulgam
was wanted by NIA for his role in 2015 Fidayeen attack on a BSF
convoy at Udhampur. The HM militant, identified as Fayaz Ahmad
Ishwar alias Setha was killed in retaliatory fire by police after
a group of militants attacked them on May 6. Police said that
the killed militant was active from last two years and was involved
in many subversive activities.
|
May 8
|
The Karvan-e-Aman bus service,
operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, was cancelled after
an attack on Army on the LoC near Chokas post overlooking Aman
Setu in Uri in Baramulla District. Sources said that Army repulsed
an attack on the LoC in Chokas and one Army jawan was injured
in the firing.
The student protests in Kashmir
entered fourth week and hundreds of students clashed with Police
in several areas including in summer capital Srinagar during which
several of them were injured while seven have been detained.
Exactly a week after the mutilation
of two Indian soldiers, Indian Army has hit back targeting Pakistani
forward posts and bunkers with `Anti Guided Tank Missiles’ across
Nowshera sector along the LoC inflicting heavy damages on the
Pakistani troops. At least four Pakistani posts and three bunkers
have been destroyed in massive retaliatory attack undertaken by
the Indian Army in Rajouri-Poonch sector.
While exact casualties suffered
by Pakistan in the attack were not known, sources said that four
to six Pakistani jawans appeared to have perished in the attack.
However, sources said, the attack was just a tip of iceberg and
Pakistan could face much bigger offence from the Indian side in
the days to come for mutilation of two Indian soldiers at Krishna
Ghati sector in Poonch District on May 1.
Sources said the troops targeted
forward Pakistan Army posts and bunkers, which had been resorting
to unprovoked shelling and firing on the Indian side apart from
giving shelter to terrorists to push them into this side. Troops
were reported to have used ‘Anti Guided Tank Missiles’ to hit
Pakistani posts and bunkers.
IGP, Kashmir, Syed Javid Mujtaba
Gillani said that by releasing their videos online, militants
in Kashmir are indulging in psychological warfare. The IGP said
in a press conference in Srinagar that as of now, there are about
200 militants which is roughly the same number that has been there
last year as well. “95 new recruits were there last year, now
there are about 200 militants, among them nearly 110 are local
militants,” he said.
|
May 9
|
A SPO, identified as Mohammad
Younis (35) who was injured in the firing by unidentified gunmen
at a STF post in Tanta area of Gandoh tehsil in Doda District
during the intervening night of May 7 and 8, succumbed to his
injuries at GMCH. Another SPO Kikar Singh (35), injured in the
firing has been referred to PGI Chandigarh for advanced treatment.
IGP Jammu Zone Dr SD Singh Jamwal has ruled out the firing incident
as militants’ attack, while investigation in the incident is going
on after registering a case under relevant Sections at Gandoh
Police Station.
Militants attacked a Police party
at Kumdalan village of Shopian District in the evening. Sources
said that the militants attacked a cavalcade of senior officers
including SSP, DySP and SHO at Shopian but they escaped unhurt.
They said that the Police officers were returning from an Army
camp and as they reached Kumdalan village militants fired at them
from the orchard. However, no one was hurt.
Police have sounded alert in parts
of Pulwama and Budgam after militants hijacked a car. A police
officer said that one Mohammad Rafiq Dar of Samboora village of
Pampore reported in Police Station Pulwama that a group of militants
hijacked his Alto Car at Gudoora village. All the Police stations,
control rooms and security agencies have been alerted following
the hijacking of the car by suspected militants. “We have alerted
security forces along National Highway”, a Police officer said.
Police restored to tear gas shelling
when a group of farmers allegedly started stone pelting in which
several persons including three Police personals received minor
injuries in Kishtwar District.
|
May 9-10
|
A young army officer was abducted
in South Kashmir by suspected militants from a wedding last night
(May 9) and his bullet-riddled body was found early morning today
(May 10) in Herman area of Shopian District. According to J&
Police, Umar Fayyaz, a Lieutenant rank Army officer, was kidnapped
around 10 pm by terrorists when he went to attend his cousin's
wedding at south Kashmir's Kulgam District. Later, on May 10,
his body was found in Shopian District with bullets in his head
and abdomen.
|
May 10
|
A woman was killed and another
man was injured in Pakistani firing along the LoC in Nowshera
sector in Rajouri District in the night. Pakistani Army initiated
indiscriminate firing from small arms and mortars along the LoC
in Nowshera sector around 10.30 pm. Indian Army posts are retaliating
strongly and effectively, Army sources said.
|
May 11
|
A dozen SF personal and six students
were injured when students from Government Degree College and
Government Higher Secondary School in Sopore town of Baramulla
District pelted stones on security personnel.
At least four students were injured
in clashes at Magam in Budgam District. The students of higher
secondary schools alleged that Army soldiers beat some of their
peers and boycotted classes. Witnesses said the students pelted
stones on security forces who retaliated by firing teargas canisters.
Two shopkeepers were injured following
clashes between them and SFs at Main Town of Pulwama District.
Shopkeepers downed their shutters
after clashes between students and SFs in Dooru town of Anantnag
District.
SFs have identified three militants
of HM, who, they believed, abducted and killed the Indian Army
officer in Kulgam District. The HM trio was identified as Abbas
Bhat of Materbugh, Gayasul Islam of Chekchalun and Ashfaq Ahmad
Thokar of Paderpora.
CM, Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief
over the death of woman and injuries to her husband in Nowshera
sector of Rajouri District due to cross LoC firing on May 10.
The ACM has directed the Rajouri District administration to provide
all assistance and help to the injured in the incident.
|
May 12
|
A BSF soldier was injured as Pakistan
yet again violated the ceasefire along the international border
(IB) in Arnia sector in Samba District. The ceasefire violation
took place between 7-7:30 AM today and the BSF promptly retaliated.
Pakistani troops resorted to heavy
shelling during ceasefire violation along the LoC in Nowshera
sector of Rajouri District, drawing sharp retaliation from the
Indian Army. "Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing
of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715
hours along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector",
PRO, MoD Jammu, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. The Indian
Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively, he said,
adding that the firing is currently going on.
J&K Police released posters
of three HM terrorists wanted for the killing of Lieutenant Ummer
Fayaz and pasted these at several places in Shopian town of south
Kashmir, offering a reward to anyone who could provide information
about them. The Police identified the three as Ishfaq Ahmad Thoker
(24) and Gayas-ul-Islam, residents of Padderpora, and Abass Ahmad
Bhat (26) of Mantribugh.
An audio slideshow in which HM
militant ‘commander’ Zakir Moosa is purportedly speaking about
establishing an Islamic caliphate in Kashmir has gone viral in
the Valley. The 5.40-minute long clip also warns separatist leaders
of Kashmir not to meddle in the move to set up a caliphate in
Jammu and Kashmir along the lines of the rule established by the
Islamic State (ISIS) in parts of Syria and Iraq.
|
May 13
|
Two persons were killed and three
others were injured when Pakistani army fired mortar bombs and
automatic weapons along the LoC in Rajouri District of J&K.
The Indian Army retaliated “strongly and effectively”, PRO MoD,
Jammu, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. “Two persons have
been killed and three others injured in the firing and shelling
by Pakistani Army along LoC in Nowshera belt,” DC of Rajouri Shahid
Iqbal Choudhary. “Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing
of small arms, automatic weapons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from
0715 hours along the LoC in Nowshera sector,” Mehta said. Over
100 more people have migrated to safer places from five hamlets
near the LoC which have been targeted, the DC said. Pakistani
troops are targeting Jangarh, Bhawani, Laam belts, officials said.
One person, identified as Azad
Ahmad Rather (18), was injured reportedly in a mysterious blast
at Pastuna Tral in Pulwama District. Police said that they are
investigating the incident in which two more persons received
minor injuries.
Police foiled a major attempt
to revive militancy in Chenab Valley, which had been reduced to
negligible during the past few years, by arresting seven militants,
who had developed links in Pakistan as well as with LeT commanders
in the Kashmir valley. The module was working to revive militancy
in the Doda- Kishtwar-Ramban region of J&K. IGP of Jammu Zone
S D S Jamwal said that the arrests were made by a SIT formed after
the attack on a Police post in Doda on May 8, in which one SPO
was killed and another injured. An AK-47 rifle and three magazines
and ammunition have been recovered from them, the IGP added.
|
May 14
|
Pakistani troops heavily shelled
areas along the LoC in Rajouri District for the second consecutive
day, causing heavy damage to buildings and forcing evacuation
of 1000 border dwellers. The Indian Army effectively retaliated.
DC, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said fresh ceasefire violation
has been reported in 'chitibakri' area of Chingus in Rajouri today
(May 14). "Heavy shelling started in Manjakote area of Rajouri
at O620 hours. More than seven villages have been affected",
the DC said. Choudhary said there was massive damage to buildings.
He said the number of migrants at relief camps swelled to 978
overnight. Till now 259 families have been evacuated from three
villages, he added.
Two LeT militants who escaped
from an Army base after carrying out Fidayeen attack on April
27 were killed in a gun battle in Handwara area of Kupwara District.
The two militants were killed in a brief encounter in Warpora
area of Handwara after 21 RR of Army and SoG of J&K Police
Handwara carried out an operation on a specific information regarding
the presence of militants in Warpora. We recovered large quantity
of war like stores which includes two AK rifles, two pistols”,
the Commanding Officer 21 RR, Colonel Kuldeep Singh said.
An AK rifle and three magazines
were recovered during the demolition of an old Masjid Sharief
in Rajwar area of Handwara in Kupwara District. Police said during
the demolition of an old Masjid Sharief in Lashipora, Rajwar area
of Handwara, locals found an AK rifle and three magazines. Later,
the villagers informed Handwara Police and handed the rifle and
magazines to them.
A civilian, identified as Mohammad
Hussain Dar injured in the May 6 Kulgam firing incident died in
the hospital on May 14 morning as the death toll in the incident
has risen to six. Officials said Mohammad Hussain Dar was critically
wounded when militants attacked a Police party at Mir Bazar on
Srinagar-Jammu NH in Kulgam District on May 6. SATP earlier
reported that five persons including three civilians, a Policeman
and a militant were killed in the militant attack.
|
May 15
|
Three persons including a senior
Police officer were injured as students clashed with Police in
Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. Dozens of students of Sri
Pratap College, Srinagar, at Maulana Azad Road boycotted their
classes and staged protests. The students pelted stones on Police.
Police retaliated to stone-pelting by lobbing tear and pepper
gas shells on students, ensuing clashes between the both sides.
Army and Police recovered a consignment
of arms and ammunition from a militant hideout at Nagseni in Kishtwar
District. According to reports, a joint team of Army, Police and
SOG Kishtwar conducted a joint search operation at Nagseni in
Kishtwar District and destroyed a hideout of the militants at
Horanmarg forest area. The hideout was detected and destroyed
during two-day long search operation in the forests. Recoveries
made from the hideout included one AK 56 rifle, two AK magazines,
60 rounds, four UBGL grenades, four hand grenades, one wireless
set, one Radio set antenna, three RPG rounds, one binocular, cooking
utensils and two blankets.
A BSF Assistant Commandant from
J&K, who had topped the recruitment exam, wrote to the Government
alleging that terrorists are threatening him and his sister. Nabeel
Ahmed Wani, the topper of the All India Examination for BSF Assistant
Commandant (Works) last year (2016), said his sister, a civil
engineering student in Chandigarh, had been staying in a hostel
but the college authorities now want her to move elsewhere. Wani
wrote to women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on
May 14 asking her to arrange for hostel facility for Nida Rafiq.
|
May 16
|
One person, identified as Raj
Kumar was injured as a powerful car blast rocked Kishtwar town
in Kishtwar District. Sources said that Raj Kumar had parked his
car at Old Bus Stand in the town on May 15 night as he was living
in a rented accommodation nearby. In the morning (on May 16),
when he returned from the temple and opened the front door his
car, there was an explosion inside the vehicle blowing off its
gear box, both the front seats and smashing the window panes and
windscreen of the vehicle.
Clashes between students and SFs
continued for the second day in Kashmir during which scores of
persons including policemen sustained injuries and affected routine
class work in educational institutions. Clashes erupted at Pattan
town in Baramulla District between hundreds of students and SFs
in the morning. Confronted by SFs including police in Main Market
of Pattan, the agitating students resorted to heavy stone-pelting
after which Police responded by firing teargas shells, ensuing
violent clashes between the two sides. The clashes rocked the
Town throughout the day and during which 14 students and 11 SFs
personnel were injured.
Dozens of students of Government
Higher Secondary School Hajin in Bandipora District staged a massive
protest and pelted stones on SFs against deployment of Army men
near their educational institute. Police fired dozens of teargas
shells to disperse the students. During these clashes, four students
sustained minor injuries.
Scores of students of Gandhi Memorial
College and MP Higher Secondary School at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan
came out of their respective institutes and resorted to stone-pelting
on Police. The Police retaliated by lobbing teargas and pepper
shells. A boy was detained by Police on the occasion.
The students in Main Town of Pulwama
District in Southern Kashmir attacked SFs with stones and bricks.
The Police retaliated by firing teargas and situation was brought
to normal.
The students of Dooru College
in Anantnag district staged a protest against alleged thrashing
of one of their counterparts by Army.
In Okay village in Kulgam District,
women staged a protest against alleged thrashing of a civilian
during a search and cordon operation. Some of the protesters also
pelted stones on SFs and Army fired in air to disperse them. However,
no one was injured.
Pakistan Army again heavily shelled
forward villages along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District
in the night, leading to fresh migration from the people amidst
panic even as the Indian side gave very effective retaliation
at all the places. Official sources said Pakistani troops resumed
heavy shelling targeting forward posts of Army and civilian population
at Pukharni, Ban Morha, Rezwa and Siya Bagla at 6.35pm.
Sources said a total of 3044 families
comprising 11,547 people from 10 villages falling on the LoC in
Nowshera sector have migrated. While 1720 people from 477 families
were putting up in the migrant camps, others were reported to
have left for the houses of their relatives in safer areas.
Ten villages badly affected by
the shelling included Khamba, Sarya, Bhawani, Kalsian, Manpur,
Dhanaka, Khori, Ganiah, Pukharni and Anwas Bhandar. The migrants
have been lodged in four Government schools, which have been converted
into the migrant camps including Boys Higher Secondary School,
Nowshera, Government Middle School Bawali, Government High School,
Nonial and Government Middle School, Nonial.
Pakistani troops had targeted
Pukharni and surrounding villages in Nowshera sector in Rajouri
District by resorting to mortar shelling and firing for over two
hours.
|
May 17
|
SFs conducted separate counter-insurgency
operations in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama Districts during which
locals resorted to stone-pelting to hamper these operations against
the militants, resulting in injuries to 12 persons. Police said:
“in an effort to flush out the holed up militants”, the SFs including
SOG, Army and CRPF conducted extensive searches in Heff and Shirmal
villages of Shopian District. The locals in a bid to disrupt the
operation pelted stones on SFs who retaliated by firing teargas
and pellets, ensuing clashes. Locals alleged that SFs thrashed
residents including family members of militants and vandalized
properties. Residents said 11 persons sustained injuries in the
clashes.
The SFs launched another search
and cordon operation at Mahmudpora village of Kulgam District,
after receiving an input about the militants’ presence.. However,
the locals disrupted the operation by pelting stones on SFs involved
in the anti-militancy operation. Police used teargas shells to
disperse the stone-pelting crowds during which one lady identified
as Zareefa was hit by a smoke canister.
SFs late in the afternoon launched
an anti-militancy operation at Seer village of Tral in Pulwama
District. Sources said that after receiving input about the presence
of four local militants, the Seer village was cordoned off by
the SFs. As the searches were ensued, locals started pelting stones
on SFs, sparking off clashes. SFs suspected presence of militants
in a hideout. As clashes continued, the SFs suspended the search
operation due to darkness till dawn. However, the cordon was intact.
Students in Valley once again
staged protests and clashed with SFs. The students of Gandhi Memorial
College and MPML Higher Secondary School at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan
in Srinagar boycotted their classes and started protests against
the detention of their peers. They pelted stones on Police deployed
near Baba Demb Road. Police fired teargas shells and used pepper
grenades to quell the stones.
The clashes between students and
SFs also broke out at Pattan in Baramulla District and in Hajin
town of Bandipora district. At these places, police used tear
and pepper canisters against the students, who were protesting
against the State and demanding release of their detained peers.
In another ceasefire violation,
Pakistan army resorted to heavy shelling and firing in Balakote
sector of Mendhar tehsil (revenue unit) in Poonch District
in wee hours of this morning. Official sources said that since
the migration from villages, located close to LoC in Nowshera
sector in Rajouri District continued even though there was no
major incident of Pakistani shelling and firing today, the administration
has increased number of make shift migrant camps from four to
five.
|
May 18
|
Three Policemen and a civilian
were injured as militants hurled a grenade towards Police station
in Safa Kadal in Srinagar. A constable, two SPOs and a civilian
were injured in the grenade attack. “The injured were immediately
rushed to the hospital. One SPO has received severe injuries in
the attack and is currently being treated in the hospital,” a
Police official said.
Fifteen persons including one
media person were injured as students staged violent protests
in Main Town of South Kashmir’s Kulgam District. Dozens of students
of Kulgam Degree College boycotted their classes and staged protests.
The students after being confronted by Police resorted to heavy
stone-pelting while the latter fired teargas canisters and pellets
in a bid to disperse them.
Massive clashes erupted in Main
Town of Anantnag District after an altercation between shopkeepers
and Police took an ugly turn. The shopkeepers alleged that Police
thrashed a trader and after which they staged anti-Police protests.
The shopkeepers were joined by locals and students. Police, in
a bid to disperse protesters, fired teargas and the latter responded
by pelting stones, ensuing clashes.
The Union Government ruled out
any dialogue with separatists in J&K in near future, saying
its priority was to improve the situation in the Valley first.
“Our priority is to improve the situation first,” Union Minister
for Defence and Finance Arun Jaitley said in Srinagar when asked
if the Centre had any plans to hold talks with separatist groups
like APHC. Jaitley, after reviewing the security situation in
J&K, said it was not as bad as the impression was being given
by some media outlets. The situation in the valley is improving,
he said.
|
May 19
|
The Police recovered a bullet-riddled
body of a 45-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Yousuf Lone
who was reportedly working for both militants and SFs in Gadoora
village of Pulwama District. The body had multiple bullet injuries,
Police official said, adding that the Police was investigating
the circumstances in which he was killed. Preliminary investigation
has revealed that Lone was working as an OGW for militants as
well as a source for SFs, the official said. Further details are
awaited, he added.
Massive stone-pelting clashes
and protests erupted in Kashmir after Friday prayers during which
two persons were injured and one was detained. The call for protests
was given by separatists against the detention of youth and Dukhtaran-e-Millat
chairperson Asiya Andrabi. Soon after Friday prayers were over,
APHC activists assembled outside Jama Masjid and staged a protest
against the detentions. As the protest concluded, dozens of youth
pelted stones on security forces deployed outside Jama Masjid
premises in Nowhatta in Srinagar District.
Intense clashes erupted between
youth and SFs at Main Town, Bellow and Tral areas of Pulwama District.
Police fired scores of teargas shells to disperse the stone-throwers
but they did not budge and continued pelting stones for several
hours.
The clashes between youth and
SFs erupted at Lal Chowk area of Anantnag District for the second
consecutive day. Some of the students including girls also resorted
to stone-pelting.
Police in a statement said: “Today
morning some miscreants tried to enforce the shutdown in Lal Chowk
of Anantnag town by pelting stones. Police reached the spot and
chased the miscreants away with the help of the traders. Normalcy
was restored and the market opened up.”
The Sopore town of North Kashmir’s
Baramulla District also witnessed stone-throwing clashes between
youth protesters and SFs after Friday prayers. Police used teargas
shells to disperse the protesters.
Similar clashes broke out at Hajin
town of Bandipora District.
The clashes also broke out at
Kralpora and Trehgam areas of border Kupwara District. Police
used teargas canisters against the stone-throwing demonstrators.
Dozens of JKLF also staged a protest
after Friday prayers at Maisuma in Lal Chowk area but it ended
on peaceful note.
Locals of Batapora village of
Kanihama in central Kashmir’s Budgam District staged a protest
against the detention of 10 youth on stone-pelting charges. They
also clashed with Police. However the situation normalized instantly.
In view of the situation, Police had placed many separatists including
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house-detention.
The APHC reacted with anger and
alarm to the Centre's announcement of the NIA's investigation
into the source of its foreign funding. The NIA stepped
in after allegations made by Hurriyat official Nayeem Khan of
the Geelani faction that separatists, including Syed Ali Shah
Geelani, received funds from Pakistan-based terrorist organisation
LeT to carry out terror activities in the Kashmir Valley. Hurriyat
spokesman Ayaz Akbar, also of the Geelani faction, denied links
to LeT, saying, "The agency has earlier harassed and questioned
party officials, including Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai and Syed Geelani's
son-in-law, but could not find anything. These are fabricated
charges to pressure us, as authorities are unable to control clashes
in Kashmir."
JKLF chief Yasin Malik, who joined
the Hurriyat in 2016, said, "They try to prove I'm receiving
funds from Pakistan.
|
May 20
|
The rising dissonance between
Kashmiri separatists and terrorists based in the Valley on the
one hand and Pakistan-based terrorist commanders and cadres in
Kashmir on the other has led Indian agencies to suspect that terror
masterminds across the border may be covertly planning a new terrorist
organisation in J&K, with focus on ex-HM ‘commander’ Zakir
Musa.
According to intelligence sources,
multiple statements over the past two weeks by Musa, the self-styled
successor of slain HM leader Burhan Wani, LeT, Kashmiri separatists
and United Jehad Council chief Syed Salahuddin, coupled with images,
videos and audio clips circulated on social media, point to "a
widening conflict between key stakeholders of violence in the
Valley". Intelligence sources said Pakistan may be attempting
a repeat of its Kashmir strategy of the 1990s, when the only terror
organisation - the JKLF - was supplanted and eventually replaced
by many new outfits by 1993-94.
|
May 20-21
|
Seven persons, including four
militants and three SFs personnel were killed as Army operation
in Nowgam sector along the LoC in Kupwara District against the
infiltrating militants. The operation started on May 20, as two
terrorists and two Army troopers were killed in the operation
while militants attempting to infiltrate into the State from PoK
in the Nowgam sector. Two militants and a soldier were killed
as Army operation in Nowgam sector along the LoC in Kupwara District
against the infiltrating militants continued on May 21 taking
the number of militants killed in the operation so far to four
and the number of Army men killed to three
Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia
said that four infiltrating militants and three soldiers were
killed in Nowgam sector in North Kashmir during the operation
that was launched by army last evening (May 20). “Four weapons
and war like stores were also recovered as Army sanitized the
area today (May 21)”, he added. The soldiers who were killed in
the operation have been identified as Havaldar Damar Bahadur,
Havaldar Girish Gurung and Rifleman Robin Sharma.
|
May 21
|
Amy launched a massive operation
in Macchil sector in Kupwara District after they received inputs
that a group of highly trained militants has managed to infiltrate
into the area. The troops are conducting searches in vast forest
areas in the sector.
SFs launched a massive operation
in Pulwama District of South Kashmir in vast forest area. SFs
launched searches in forest areas of Banderpora, Reshipora, Malangpora,
Puchal and Goripora. However, no one was arrested.
Troops along the LoC in North
Kashmir have been put on high alert after Army received inputs
that the small groups of Special Services Group (SSG) of Pakistan
Army have been deployed along with its troops in forward areas.
The NIA questioned Kashmiri separatists
for the second day in connection with its probe into the role
of LeT ‘chief’ Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and hardline Hurriyat Conference
leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in subversive activities in Jammu
and Kashmir. The NIA further questioned Farooq Ahmad Dar alias
'Bitta Karate', Javed Ahmed Baba alias Prince alias
Gazi in Srinagar regarding their involvement in raising, collecting
and transferring funds through hawala and other channels
for terror funding in Kashmir. The NIA is probing all aspects
of funding of separatist leaders and the use of these funds in
fuelling the unrest in the Valley, the NIA spokesperson said in
a statement.
Police arrested a civilian, identified
as Gazanfar Hajam after a grenade was found in his possession
at Bemina area in Srinagar. Police during routine checking along
Bemina Crossing, stopped the man for frisking. "During frisking,
a grenade was found from his possession. He was immediately taken
into custody and is being questioned," the sources said.
|
May 22 |
Students of several educational
institutes staged protests and pelted stones on SFs during which
at least eight of them were arrested in J&K. The students of all-boys
SPHSS, which re-opened after two weeks, at Maulana Azad Road in
Srinagar city centre again boycotted their classes and staged
protests against the State. There was brief standoff between the
students and Police during which both sides pelted stones on each
other. The police while chasing down the students detained three
of them. They were detained in local Police station and are being
questioned.
The students of Gandhi Memorial
College and MPML Higher Secondary School at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan
in downtown city engaged Police in pitched battles after staging
protests. The police fired several teargas canisters towards the
students, who, however, refused to budge and continued pelting
stones. Police detained at least five students during stone-pelting
at Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan.
The massive Amy operation in Macchil
sector in Kupwara District continued. The operation was launched
after Army received inputs that a group of highly trained militants
had managed to infiltrate into the area. The troops are conducting
searches in vast forest areas in the sector for last two days.
However, so far no traces of these infiltrated militants were
found.
Four militants of LeT who were
killed as Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Kupwara
District on May 20-21 were highly trained Fidayeen (Suicide Squad),
who were tasked to carry out major strike in Kashmir. Army sources
said that four killed LeT militants were highly trained and were
tasked to carry out a major Fidayeen strike in Kashmir. They said
that the amount of arms and ammunition which was recovered from
them indicated their plan of carrying out the major strike. The
recoveries include four AK 47 rifles and AK 47 ammunition, UBGL
grenades, hand grenades, GPS, wireless sets, Pakistan made medicine,
dry fruits, binoculars, wire cutters and matrix sheets.
A Police constable, who took away
four service rifles from a Police post in Budgam District of Kashmir,
has reportedly joined terrorist outfit HM. Constable Syed Naveed
Mushtaq had fled with four INSAS rifles from the guard post at
a FCI godown in Chandpora in Budgam on May 20, a Police official
said. He said there were intelligence inputs suggesting that Mushtaq
had joined the terrorist group.
A video showing anthem of PoK
being played before the start of a cricket match in South Kashmir's
Pulwama District has gone viral on the social media, prompting
Police to initiate a probe. The video shot at Pulwama District
stadium on May 21, shows two teams - Shining Stars Pampore and
Pulwama Tigers - lined up before the start of the final match
of a cricket tournament and the anthem of PoK was being played.
After it went viral on the social media, Police took cognisance
and started a probe. "Police has taken cognisance of the video
and started investigation," an official said. Posters of slain
militants were also allegedly put up around the ground while post-match
awards were named after some of the slain militants.
According to intelligence agencies,
top leaders of the HM are trying a patch-up with their former
'Kashmir commander' Zakir Rashid Bhat who severed ties with the
militant group a few days ago. Bhat, better known by his alias
Musa, released audio messages 10 days ago announcing his exit
after the leadership criticised him for threatening to behead
Hurriyat leaders for saying the "separatist movement" in the Valley
was political and not religious in nature. The Kashmiri militant
group is yet to name his successor. Jammu and Kashmir's Intelligence
agencies see the delay as a sign of his subordinates' reluctance
to take Bhat's position, which would amount to picking sides in
a feud between their former commander and senior leadership. Sources
in intelligence say Bhat's departure was not because of ideological
differences, as claimed by him. He and the Pakistan-based leadership
didn't agree on the group's activities in the Valley.
|
May 23 |
Indian Army took major 'pro-active'
and 'punitive action' against Pakistani troops and infiltrating
militants along LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District decimating
nearly dozen posts and bunkers of the enemy and eliminating about
a dozen Pakistani troops and militants, present inside the posts.
The big counter-terrorism strike was necessitated to neutralize
the militants well in advance before they could enter into the
Indian territory to launch terror attacks while the posts were
destroyed for giving shelter to militants and trying to aid and
abet their infiltration into this side.
Sources said that a total of six
strikes were carried out targeting Pakistani army posts and bunkers
across Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, which had witnessed
massive exchange of mortar shelling and firing between two hostile
neighbours last week, after developing "very reliable" and "specific
inputs" about presence of four to six militants inside Pakistani
army posts, from where they had to be launched into the Indian
side.
A large group of militants swooped
down on Naira village of Pulwama District and raided houses of
political workers and drug peddlers. Sources said that the militants
during night hours thrashed at least two dozen political workers
and drug peddlers. The militants threatened these persons and
asked them to mend their ways, sources added.
Students, who were seeking release
of their peers, resorted to violence, beat a Policeman and set
ablaze his motorcycle at Rajpora Chowk in Pulwama District. As
the students were protesting, they intercepted a Policeman, identified
as Constable Bilal on his motorcycle. Witnesses said after learning
about the identity of the Policeman, they thrashed him ruthlessly
and also set ablaze his motorcycle. While the students resorted
to heavy stone-pelting on Police and also paramilitary personnel,
the Police managed to rescue Constable Bilal who was left injured
due to beating.
The students of Government Degree
College Bemina in Srinagar also staged violent protests against
what they termed 'disappearance' of a student by Police. The students
while seeking whereabouts of missing student resorted to heavy
stone-pelting on Police throughout the day while the latter resorted
to teargas shelling.
The students of Kashmir University
also staged a protest inside Hazratbal campus against the arrest
of a media student, Tahir Ahmad, under PSA and sought his immediate
release. The protest, however, concluded on peaceful note.
IGP Kashmir range, Muneer Ahmad
Khan, said that 90 militants are active in North Kashmir and there
are no reports of enhanced infiltration from across the LoC into
Kashmir. Khan said whether a common man or a Policeman joins militancy
they will be equally treated as per the law. "A few of them, who
have been lured into this (militancy), whenever anyone - whether
a policeman or a common man - goes that way, he becomes a criminal
and treatment for either of them is simple and there would be
no differentiation. If he is a militant, he is a militant and
that is all" (sic), he said.
|
May 23-24 |
Search operation launched by the
SFs on May 23 in south Kashmir ended early this morning (May 24)
as militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness, official
sources said in Srinagar. They said with the first light this
morning, the SFs resumed search operation in village Hakripora
Kakpora in Pulwama District. However, the operation was called
off at 05.30 am as the militants managed to escape under the cover
of darkness.
The operation was launched on
May 23th night following a tip-off about the presence of three
militants including top LeT 'commander' in the village. There
was a brief encounter between the militants hiding in the village
and SFs. However, the operation was stopped due to darkness to
avoid any casualty, the sources said. SFs had sealed the entire
area after reinforcement was rushed there from nearby camps. However,
the militants managed to escape. No arrests were made, they added.
|
May 24 |
Army found a dead body of foreign
militant near the LoC in Safawali in Kupwara District. The body
was decomposed and one UBGL and three UBGL grenades were recovered
from the spot.
In another incident, a block president
of PDP, identified as Abdul Qayoom, was critically injured as
militants fired at him in Barzulla area of Srinagar in the evening.
Militants opened firing on Abdul Qayoom outside his residence
at Old Barzulla at around 8.15 p.m. Qayoom was rushed to SMHS
hospital where his condition is said to be critical. Sources said
that two militants who appeared outside his residence shot him
at point blank range
Militants hurled a grenade towards
camp of SoG of J&K Police at Imam Sahib in Shopian District in
which five civilians were injured. The grenade lobbed at the camp
missed the target and fell on the road outside the camp. Five
pedestrians, identified as Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Ishfaq Rashid Mir,
Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat and Rafiq Bhat were injured
in the attack and they were shifted to nearby hospital.
Unidentified persons sprinkled
chilli into eyes of a Jammu and Kashmir Bank guard in Imam Sahib
area of Shopian District. Police said two unidentified persons
sprinkled chilli powder into the eyes of bank guards at Imam Sahib
and the motive of the attack was not clear. Police is investigating
the matter and a manhunt to nab the culprits is going on.
Police continued massive searches
along the IB route leading towards the NH in Hiranagar sector
of Kathua District for second day after four suspected foot prints
were observed on May 23 morning in a field, located close to Tarnah
Nullah, falling between Dayala Chak and Chadwal. "There has been
no let up in the operations. At the same time, no movement of
suspects has been noticed," Police said.
|
May 25 |
LeT militants fired upon an Army
patrol party in Rajwar forests of North Kashmir's Handwara area
in Kupwara District in the night. A joint operation was launched
by Army and SOG Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Rajwar
forest area of Handwara in the morning. They had information about
presence of around three to four militants in forest area. The
entire area has been cordoned off and more troops have been rushed
to the area so as to prevent militants from fleeing.
Army fired in air at Ganjipora
Burran in Pattan area of Baramulla District in the evening. Army
had cordoned off the area and they fired few gun shots in air.
An apex body of former militants,
Ex-Militants Welfare Association pitched for peaceful solution
of Kashmir issue while it strongly denounced killings of both
combatants and civilians. Addressing a press conference in Barmulla
town, Ex-Militants Welfare Association said they, after realizing
importance of dialogue, left the path of militancy. The former
militants said that they stand against terrorism and condemn the
killings of security men as well as militants. "We also condemn
the killings of commoners," they said.
The ex-militants said that they
want to live a peaceful life and demanded an end to ongoing unrest
in Kashmir. "Kashmir should be resolved through peaceful dialogue,"
they said, adding that they had picked up guns for the solution
of Kashmir. The former militants also demanded that a sympathetic
attention should be paid towards them and the orphans and widows
of militants.
The Central Government said it
is keeping a close watch on illegal flow of funds to fuel militancy
in J&K and action is being taken by security agencies in such
instances. "All terror related incidents, including terror funding,
are being monitored by the agencies. Appropriate action is also
being taken", spokesperson in the UMHA Ashok Prasad said. Prasad
said the State police along with the Central paramilitary forces
is trying to bring back normalcy in J&K, which has been hit by
unrest. "All efforts are being made to bring back normalcy. The
Central Government is providing all help to the State Government,"
he said.
According to an estimate of the
NIA, Pakistan-based terror groups finance terrorism in Jammu and
Kashmir by generating millions in donations through their charity
organisations. Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a charity run
by terror outfits Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and LeT, and Al Rehmat
Trust, backed by another terrorists group JeM, have been supporting
terrorists and funding terrorism in Kashmir. These outfits collect
donations from people in Pakistan and then pass on the money to
finance terrorism in Kashmir through their over ground workers,
an NIA official has said.
J&K Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal
Kumar Singh said a comprehensive plan has been framed to deal
with militancy and violence in Kashmir and assured its positive
outcome. Dr Singh said in Srinagar that, "A comprehensive plan
has been prepared to deal with militancy and violence. Its results
should not be seen through one or two incidents. It is a comprehensive
plan and it's results will be positive. I am sure there will be
peace and law and order in Jammu and Kashmir." The Deputy Chief
Minister also backed Major Gogoi for his action of tying a man
to jeep in central Kashmir's Budgam District on April 9 and said
the matter should not be politicised.
|
May 26 |
The infiltration of militants
has increased this year and over 200 militants are waiting along
the LoC for sneaking into Kashmir. Army is on heightened alert
to prevent any further infiltration attempts. As per the Multi
Agency Centre (MAC) figures, 19 militants have infiltrated into
Kashmir till April this year (2017). These militants mostly infiltrated
from Keran, Gurez, Machil and Nowgam sectors. Two groups of these
militants managed to infiltrate in winter when the mountain passes
were covered with snow.
Last year (2016) there were no
reports of infiltration of militants into Kashmir till April and
the official figure this year has already reached 19, while unofficially
it is 29. In 2016, the first infiltration reports were received
in May and as per MAC figures, 114 militants infiltrated into
Kashmir last year, which was highest since 2014.
Sources said that around 200 militants
are on launch pads mostly in Neelam Valley area of PoK. These
militants had started gathering this year in winter only as there
is more pressure on these groups to infiltrate into Kashmir in
summer. Sources said that the militant groups are carrying out
reconnaissance along the LoC regularly but the tight vigil along
by the Army and regular patrols are preventing them from sneaking
in.
Army foiled BAT strike along the
LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District by killing two militants
and recovering war like stores. Army noticed suspicious movement
at Khalanaji Nallah near Kaman Post at Gulotha along LoC in Uri
sector at around 8.40 am. Pakistan's 31 Baloch Regiment is posted
in the opposite side of the LoC near Kaman Post where the BAT
action was foiled. On noticing the movement, Army opened fire
and killed two militants whose bodies were later recovered by
Army during searches of the area.
Sources said that there were 4-6
members of the team and they were wearing black Khan suits. Colonel
Bhanwar Singh said that the combing operation in the area is going
on as Army expects that more militants may be present in the area.
"We expect some more terrorists in the vicinity if it was a BAT
team. Since the combing operation is on and the forest is thick
it will take us some time to sanitise the area", he said.
SFs in the night launched an operation
in Tral area of Awantipora in Pulwama District after they received
inputs about presence of militants in the area. As 42 RR of Army
and SOG)Tral and Awantipora cordoned off Saimu village in Tral
area militants opened fire on them. SFs strengthened the cordon
and searches are going on.
Report said that as many as three
terrorists were reportedly cornered in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir,
while they attempted to attack an Army patrol party. "Encounter
started at Saimu Tral. Reportedly 3 terrorists trapped," tweeted
J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid late.
After receiving intelligence input
about fresh infiltration last night (May 25), the Army and BSF
launched massive searches in Bohri Pathar areas of Keran in Kupwara
District. However, no traces of militants have been found yet.
Clashes erupted in Srinagar and
Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday prayers during
which two youth sustained pellet injuries.
Soon after Friday prayers concluded
in Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area of Old City, youth staged protests
and clashed with SFs deployed in the area. Police fired teargas
canisters and pellets to disperse the stone-throwers who, however,
continued pelting stones. Two youth sustained injuries due to
pellet firing and were removed to hospital for treatment.
The clashes also raged in northern
Sopore Town in Baramulla District after Friday prayers. The youth
converged outside Sopore Jama Masjid and pelted stones on security
personnel. The clashes in the area continued for several hours.
The separatist leaders and activists
held protests against the awarding of Major Gogoi at Maisuma in
City Centre in Srinagar.
|
May 27 |
The Indian Army killed six militants
and foiled yet another infiltration bid along the LoC in the Rampur
sector in Baramulla District in J&K. Troops noticed suspicious
movement along the LoC in the early hours, an army official said.
He added that a fire fight broke out between the infiltrators
and the Army.
Infiltration attempts have increased
in the past few weeks, no thanks to the onset of summer, which
has led to snow-blocked mountain passes opening up making them
easier to traverse, the Army said recently. "With the mercury
rising and snow-melting in the valley, the chances of infiltration
increase from the Pakistani side. The Army is all geared up to
counter such threats," said Major General Ashok Narula earlier
in the week.
SFs, in an encounter, killed HM
'commander', Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and his aide Faizan Muzaffar in
Soimoh village of Tral in Pulwama District. One civilian was also
killed in the cross firing. The militants were trapped in the
village after SFs cordoned it off last evening (May 26). The militants
during the cordon and searches tried to flee but SFs fired back
and they were trapped in a house. The operation was put on hold
during the night and the SFs launched massive assault in the morning
killing both the militants. Two residential houses in which the
two militants were trapped were damaged in the encounter. Arms
and ammunition were also recovered from the encounter site. Police
said a civilian, identified as Aqib Ahmad Dar died in cross firing
near the encounter site. "During the cross firing one more person
was injured. He was rushed to the Tral hospital where he succumbed
to his injuries," Police said.
As the news about Sabzar's killing
spread, clashes amid spontaneous shutdown occurred across Kashmir.
Clashes and protests broke out
in Pulwama, Khanabal, Kulgam, Awantipora, Shopian, Ganderbal,
Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and all other
major townships.
In Srinagar, students of Amar
Singh College, SP College, SP School, MP School and Gandhi Memorial
protested and pelted stones on police and CRPF. Within no time,
clashes and protests spread in downtown and uptown areas of the
Srinagar. Police and paramilitary forces fired teargas and pellets.
Scores of students took out a protest march in Kashmir university
campus.
In Srinagar, students of Amar
Singh College, SP College, SP School, MP School and Gandhi Memorial
protested and pelted stones on police and CRPF. Within no time,
clashes and protests spread in downtown and uptown areas of the
Srinagar. Police and paramilitary forces fired teargas and pellets.
Scores of students took out a protest march in Kashmir university
campus.
Separatists called for shutdown
on May 28 and against killings of HM 'commander' Sabzar Ahmad
and other militants. They also called for Tral march on May 30.
One porter of Army was killed
and another one injured when militants opened fire upon them from
across the LoC in Keran sector of North Kashmir's Kupwara District
in the afternoon. Sources said that a group of porters had gone
ahead of forward posts in Janger Naar area in Keran sector in
the afternoon. Militants, who were waiting along the LoC saw the
movement near forward posts and opened fire on them. Two of the
porters managed to flee safely while two others were hit by bullets
and one died on the spot. The Army also fired back but the militants
managed to escape. Army has launched searches in the area. However,
no militant presence was observed inside Indian territory. The
operation is going on.
|
May 28 |
Indian Army shot dead an intruder
along the LoC in Poonch District of J&K. Troops along the LoC
in Krishnagati sector of Poonch District shot dead the intruder
in an ambush around 0230 hours, an Army officer said. According
to reports, the intruder had reportedly been sent for conducting
recce of the area to check troop preparedness before the militants
could be formally launched into this side. Though the intruder
was believed to be a Pakistani, his identity couldn't be established
as he wasn't carrying any identity card with him. He was in possession
of some Pakistani currency and Pakistan made toffees.
At least 30 persons were injured
in violent clashes between protestors and SFs in various parts
of the valley following the killing of the HM 'commander' Sabzar
Bhat in an encounter on May 27.
The separatists have called for
a two-day shutdown to protest the killing of the two terrorists.
The authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in the
valley, while the outgoing call facility on prepaid numbers has
also been snapped as a precautionary measure. Authorities also
imposed curfew-like restrictions in many parts of the valley to
maintain law and order in view of the protests.
Clashes broke out in Meemander
in Shopian and Warpora in Sopore, Trehgam in Kupwara as SFs fired
teargas shells on protesters to disperse them, while the protesters
pelted stones towards the forces, triggering clashes. A Police
spokesman said in Srinagar that except for six incidents of stone
pelting in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Sopore, situation across
the Valley remained peaceful and under control.
JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik
was arrested from his residence in Srinagar, the Police said.
A Police official said Malik has been shifted to central jail
in Srinagar. He was arrested from his residence in Maisuma near
Lal Chowk on May 28-morning. The JKLF chairman had on May 27 visited
the residences of slain HM terrorists
Malik and chairmen of both factions
of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq, have called for a two-day shutdown in the Valley to protest
the killing of the two militants and the use of "brute force"
against the protestors. The separatist trio has also called for
a march to Tral on May 30 to pay tributes to the two militants.
A day after the killing of Sabzar
Ahmed Bhat, HM identified Riyaz Naikoo, at 29 the oldest surviving
terrorist of the outfit, as its new 'commander' in Kashmir, sources
said. Tech-savvy Naikoo is considered a moderate among the hardline
HM terrorists, and speaks contrary to the deposed HM commander
Zakir Musa. He favours a secular society in the valley. A few
months ago, Naikoo had invited Kashmiri Pandits to return to the
valley.
Intelligence sources said HM is
likely to nominate Naikoo as its new chief to counter the narrative
of deposed 'commander' Zakir Musa that terrorists in Kashmir were
fighting for an Islamic Caliphate and imposition of Shariat. Pakistan-based
HM leadership, according to intelligence agencies, is under tremendous
pressure from ISI after deposed HM 'commander' Zakir Musa last
week spoke about establishing a Caliphate in the Valley, besides
threatening separatists against terming Kashmir's struggle as
political fight. "By appointing moderate Naikoo as new chief,
HM may overshadow Zakir, who gained prominence among hardliners
in Kashmir due to ISIS ideology. Also, HM would prove to the world
that it was not fighting for Islamic rule in Kashmir," an intelligence
source said.
|
May 29
|
Special Forces of Army targeted
Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector in Baramulla District
and killed two Pakistani troopers and injured to at least four
of them. Sources said that Para-commandos of the Army took positions
near the LoC on a hill overlooking Chakoti-Muzaffarabad road in
PoK and targeted a Pakistani troop convoy early in the morning.
Sources said that there were three vehicles in the convoy on Chakoti
Muzaffarabad road and they were targeted by the Para commandos
inflicting casualties on them. They said that the attack led to
the killing of two Pakistani troops and injuries to at least four
of them. They said that it was a pre-emptive move by the Army
as Pakistani troops have been attempting BAT strikes in the area
besides infiltrating militants.
Authorities said that curfew like
restrictions will continue in parts of Kashmir valley and educational
intuitions will remain closed on May 30 as separatists have called
for march to Tral in Pulwama District. The curfew like restrictions
continued in parts of Kashmir while in rest of the Valley normal
life remained paralysed due to strike called by separatists against
the killing of HM ‘commander’, Sabzar Bhat, his associate and
a civilian on May 27 in Tral area of Pulwama District.
Minor clashes/stone pelting incidents
were reported in few areas of Srinagar, Tahab in Pulwama, Batapora
area of Sopore and Trehgam, Kupwara.
As per Police statement, situation
remained peaceful and under control throughout Kashmir valley.
“A stray stone pelting incident was reported from Tahab in Pulwama.
No injury was reported till filing of this report. A group of
miscreants pelted stones on 182 CRPF Camp at Tahab. Police and
security forces used maximum restraint and chased them away. However,
restrictions under Section 144 CrPC remained imposed in some vulnerable
areas of the Valley to thwart any untoward incident,” it said.
Three Kashmiri separatists appeared
before the NIA in New Delhi for questioning in connection with
a case related to the funding of terror and subversive activities
in J&K. Sources said Farooq Ahmad Dar alias ‘Bitta
Karate’, Nayeem Khan and Javed Ahmed Baba alias ‘Gazi’
of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat have arrived in New Delhi for questioning
by NIA sleuths. Dar, Ahmed and Khan were asked to bring certain
bank and property documents, besides other papers, before the
NIA team that had questioned them here for four consecutive days
earlier this month.
A 21-year-old Kashmiri youth,
who was allegedly trying to join the terror group Islamic State
(ISIS), has been deported from Turkey to India after being picked
up by Turkish authorities, official sources said in Srinagar.
Srinagar resident Afshan Parvaiz was deported from the Turkish
capital of Ankara on May 25 and whisked away to an undisclosed
destination by security agencies in Delhi, the sources said. He
was being assessed by various security agencies, they said.
Earlier in March, Mohammed Taha,
a resident of Srinagar, was deported from Turkey and sent to India.
He has been put in preventive custody, they said. Security agencies
in India have viewed their alleged plans to join the ISIS with
concern. They believe that some Kashmiri youths are getting radicalised
by ‘jihadi’ propaganda material shared by the ISIS on the
Internet. The agencies feel that if the growing influence of the
ISIS is not checked, it can be detrimental to the situation in
the Valley.
Despite the unrest in Jammu and
Kashmir snowballing, UHM Rajnath Singh said that the problem would
be solved soon without any compromise with Pakistan. Singh said
certain forces were trying to misguide the Kashmiri youths but
this would be checked. “Kashmir is ours and so are the Kashmiris,”
he said at a programme to highlight achievements of the Modi government
in the past three years.
|
May 30
|
The Army released a list of the
12 most dreaded terrorists in J&K. SFs are searching for these
terrorists, army sources said. Among the most prominent names
in the list are Reyaz Naikoo alias Zubair and Zakir Rashid
Bhat alias Musa. Naikoo is a resident of Tokun, Awantipore,
and is likely to be the next HM ‘commander’ in Kashmir after the
death of Sabzar. He is known to be tech savvy and active on social
media like his predecessor, Burhan Wani. On the other hand, Musa,
was Wani's successor after the latter's killing by SFs on July
8, 2016. Earlier this month, Musa had released a video in which
he threatened to behead the separatists if they created hurdles
in establishing Sharia in Kashmir. For this the HM snubbed Musa,
who later announced to part ways with the group.
It was not only Pakistan which
pumped hawala money running into crores in Kashmir but
the illegal funds were also reported to have been routed in the
Valley from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Some cross-LoC traders were
also reported to have funded the separatists and OGWs through
the “extra money” sent to them from Pakistan under the garb of
trade. This and some other sensational disclosures were reported
to have figured during hawala investigations of separatists
being conducted by the NIA, whose high-level team had camped in
Srinagar for four days, and has now summoned three separatist
leaders to its headquarters in New Delhi to join the probe.
Sources said that while LeT was
using Pakistan soil to pump hawala money into the Kashmir
valley, some other cadre of the LeT and other militant outfits
had also used Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the two friendly neighbours
of India, to pump money to the separatists using hawala channels
in New Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Militants fired upon Abdul Rashid
Lone, a PDP worker, when he was coming out from a Masjid after
offering prayers in Khanpura area of Baramulla town in Baramulla
District in the night. The incident took place at 10:30 pm outside
the Khanpura shrine. Lone’s nephew also suffered injuries in the
attack. They were shifted to hospital. Lone had retired after
serving the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity department and is a
PDP worker.
|
May 31
|
Four Policemen were injured as
militants hurled a grenade at Police Station Sopore in Baramulla
District. At around 4.20 pm, militants lobbed a grenade at Sopore
Police Station which exploded outside it injuring four police
personnel, identified as Head Constable Noor Mohammad, Head Constable
Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Constable Abdul Rehman and Constable Bilal
Ahmad. All the injured are undergoing treatment and condition
of two of them is stated to be critical. No militant outfit has
claimed responsibility for the attack.
SF have issued list of top commanders
of the militants operating in South Kashmir and have evolved a
strategy to target them in order to prevent attacks in South Kashmir.
These militants are brain behind the attacks and running of militancy
in the area. Topping the list is Abu Hamas, who is divisional
commander of JeM. He is resident of Pakistan and is active since
2016. He has been categorized as A++ militant carrying a cash
reward of INR 12.50 lakh.
Normal life resumed in Kashmir
after being paralyzed for three days due to curfew-like restrictions
and shutdown following the killing of HM ‘commander’ Sabzar Ahmad
Bhat and his aide in a gunfight at Tral area of Pulwama District
on May 27. However, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in Pulwama
district while all the colleges and senior secondary schools remained
closed in Valley.
In Pulwama District, however,
a shutdown was observed to mourn the killings of militants. Witnesses
said most of the shops and commercial establishments were closed
in Pulwama areas including in Tral – the hometown of Sabzar Bhat.
During shutdown, youth clashed with SFs at Main Town and Tahab
areas.
A chemist, identified as Ghulam
Mohiuddin was injured after a teargas canister exploded in his
hand at Pulwama town in Pulwama District. He was shifted to local
hospital for treatment and his condition is stated to be stable.
Police said the situation across
Kashmir remained peaceful and no major incident of law and order
was reported. “Apart from two incidents of stone-pelting in Pulwama,
one such incident was reported from Papchan in Bandipora district,”
a police official said.
JKLF leader Muhammad Yasin Malik
was released from Srinagar Central Jail.
|
June 1
|
Two militants were killed in an
encounter that broke out between SFs and militants in Nathi Pora
area of Sopore in Baramulla District in the early morning. The
militants were suspected to be present in the area. With the killing
of the two terrorists, the Army launched a search and combing
operation. Army's Northern Command said that two weapons were
recovered from the slain militants.
Pakistan again resorted to unprovoked
ceasefire violation along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch
District and Nowshera sector of Rajouri District in J&K, Army
said. "Today Pakistan army carried out unprovoked ceasefire
violation in Poonch's KG sector and Rajouri’s Nowshera sector.
Befitting reply is being given," Army spokesman Lieutenant
Colonel Manish Mehta said.
In the morning, Pakistan army
resorted to ceasefire violations at 7.20 am targeting forward
Army posts and civilian areas in Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors
on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri Districts respectively in which
a civilian GREF labourer was killed and four others were injured.
A GREF vehicle, engaged in construction work at Balnoi Forward
was directly hit by a mortar shell fired by the Pakistan army,
leading to injuries to four workers including the driver, one
of whom, identified as Mohammad Parwaiz later succumbed to his
injuries. A BSF Havaldar, identified as Mohammad Nizam-ud-Din
was also injured in the shelling.
Indian Army launched yet another
major offensive against Pakistani troops at Bhimber and Battal
sectors along LoC between twin border Districts of Poonch and
Rajouri killing six Pakistani troopers and injuring five in the
afternoon. This was third fierce retaliatory action undertaken
by the Indian troops exactly during past one month. Some of the
Pakistani posts and bunkers were also destroyed in retaliatory
firing by the Indian troops, sources said, adding that mortar
shelling and firing by the Pakistani troops stopped immediately
after Indian forces undertook retaliatory action.
Pakistan also claimed that their
one civilian was killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian Army.
Sources also said that major counter attack against the Pakistan
army, which was undertaken this afternoon from Bhimber and Battal
sectors of Rajouri and Poonch districts, was necessitated to decimate
Pakistani posts, which were raining mortars on Indian civilian
areas and were also preparing to facilitate infiltration attempts
into the Indian territory.
Pakistan summoned India’s Deputy
High Commissioner JP Singh in Islamabad following Army’s killing.
Pakistan alleged that at least one civilian was killed and four
others were injured in the Indian firing in Battal sector in Rawalakot
District on June 1st morning. However, India categorically
denied Pakistan charge of resorting to ceasefire violation saying
Pakistan started mortar shelling and firing prompting Indian retaliation.
Indian Army foiled a major infiltration
bid in Macchil sector of LoC in Kupwara District during which
one Army personnel was injured. Sources said that troops deployed
at the LoC in Macchil sector of Kupwara noticed movement of at
least a group of six militants trying to infiltrate into the sector
during the wee hours on June 1. The troops deployed challenged
the infiltrators leading to a gun battle. However, the group managed
to escape back to PoK under the cover of darkness and thick foliage.
One Army personnel was injured in the encounter.
Army has foiled several infiltration
attempts along the LoC in Kashmir during last one month. So far,
19 militants, who were trying to infiltrate into Kashmir, have
been killed but equal number of them managed to sneak in since
winter this year. Army said that around 250 militants are waiting
on the launch pads for infiltration but troops are alert to thwart
their attempts.
UHM Rajnath Singh said infiltration
by militants from Pakistan has come down to a large extent after
India conducted surgical strikes on the terror hubs across the
LoC. Addressing a gathering of Central police and paramilitary
personnel during a BSF investiture ceremony in New Delhi, the
Home Minister also asked security personnel to be cautious against
using and forwarding unverified social media content. “There used
to be infiltration by militants from Pakistan. But I can say after
surgical strikes, incidents of infiltration have come down to
a large extent. I compliment both the Army and the BSF for ensuring
border security,” Singh said.
SFs busted an LeT OGW network
by arresting five persons, that was supplying arms and ammunition
to the militants in Bandipora District. Police said that an input
was received that one Wagon-R vehicle is roaming between Chandergeer,
Hajin, Shahgund and Gund-Jahangeer areas, carrying militants
and OGWs and arms and ammunition and were planning attacks. SFs
laid a naka at Khusarpora Hajin axis, leading to recovery of huge
cache of arms and ammunition, which was meant to be supplied to
LeT group operating in the Shahgund and Gund-Jahangeer areas.
During the checking, one white
color Wagon-R vehicle was intercepted and five boarding persons,
identified as as driver Bashir Ahmad Mir, Mohammad Younis Bhat,
Shabir Ahmad Dar, Hilal Ahmad Parray, and Sonaullah Dar, were
questioned. “The extensive search of the vehicle and personal
search of the people boarding the vehicle was conducted and 10
grenades, 2 AK-47 magazines and 27 rounds of AK rifle were recovered
from the vehicle. All the five persons were arrested and vehicle
was seized”, Police said
A HM militant, identified as Suhaib
Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Chursoo Awantipora in Pulwama District,
was arrested by SFs from Manigam area of Qazigund in Anantnag
District. One pistol, one pistol magazine and eight pistol rounds
were recovered from his possession.
Police arrested a youth, identified
as Tufail Mir who appeared in a video holding an AK-47 rifle,
after he returned to his home in Srinagar. Tufail Mir had appeared
holding an assault rifle in a video, which went viral on social
media, including Facebook and WhatsApp on May 24, about a week
after his disappearance. “Mir is with his family at home,” DIG
CKR Ghulam Hassan Bhat said. However, when asked whether the youth
has surrendered or was caught, he didn’t give any further details
about what led the youth to return home.
|
June 2
|
The central intelligence agencies
and Police in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir are on their toes following
an input that a highly trained handler of LeT from Pakistan, identified
as Hanzia Anan, is present in India to direct attacks against
civilian and military targets. According to alert shared with
the SFs, Anan's plans could include parts of Srinagar, Vijaypur
railway station in Jammu, industrial areas in Samba and Bari Brahmana,
boys hostel at Jammu Dental College, areas along Gurdaspur-Brahmana
Road to Tibri near the Indian Army camp and Gurdaspur and Dinanagar
in Punjab.
Intelligence agencies have not
been able to establish Anan's location yet but sources said that
he may have sneaked into India recently and could be helped by
local operatives to carry out the attacks. It is not known yet
whether the LeT operative came to India alone or along with other
cadres, but the input on his presence has seen security at all
locations being increased and efforts are being made to trace
him.
A Policeman and a woman were injured
as stone-pelting clashes raged at various areas of Jammu and Kashmir
on June 2 after Friday congregational prayers during which SFs
were attacked with petrol bombs.
Clashes broke out between youths
and SFs in Chota Bazar and Jamia market areas of Sopore town of
Baramulla District after Friday prayers. The youth pelted stones
on SFs and the latter fired teargas canisters. A Kupwara-bound
Police vehicle was stoned by youth on Sopore outskirts in which
a Policeman, identified as Fayaz Ahmad sustained grievous eye
injury.
An elderly woman, identified as
Sarwa Begum was injured after a stone hit her leg during clashes
at Reshi Bazar area of Anantnag District in the afternoon. The
woman was injured when dozens of youths after offering Friday
prayers were clashing with SFs. Minor clashes also broke out at
Vayilo village of Kokernag in Anantnag after Friday prayers.
A least five petrol bombs were
hurled by masked youth towards SFs at Saraf Kadal in Srinagar
during intense stone-pelting. However, no one was hurt in these
petrol bomb attacks.
Hundreds of youth assembled in
Nowhatta area in Srinagar after Friday prayers were over at historic
Jama Masjid. Unlike past occasions, there was no deployment of
SFs this Friday in Nowhatta and its adjoining areas. Youth, who
assembled in main square of Nowhatta, shouted slogans. The youth
later resorted to heavy stone-throwing on SFs near Gunj Baksh
Park in Nowhatta. Although the security forces chased these stone-throwers
multiple times but the latter repeatedly re-grouped and pelted
stones heavily. During clashes, a youth was detained by Police.
The clashes later spilled over to Saraf Kadal and Rajouri Kadal
localities.
The situation in restive Pulwama
District was by and large peaceful. However, incidents of stone-pelting
were reported from couple of places. A police official said that
some youth pelted stones on police station Pulwama after Friday
prayers. He said that in another incident, some youths pelted
stones on CRPF at Bellow in Rajpora area of the District. There
were, however, no injuries.
A stone-pelting incident was also
reported from Hyhama village of Kupwara District.
Police released moderate separatist
and chairman of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from
his house detention and was allowed to deliver sermon at Jama
Masjid in Srinagar.
One civilian, identified as Akhtar
was reportedly injured in yet another ceasefire violation by Pakistan
along the LoC in Shahpur Kerni area of Poonch District of J&K
in the night. This is the third case of ceasefire violation by
the Pakistan Army in the preceding 36 hours. The Pakistan Army
launched indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm
and 120 mm mortars at 11 pm on June 2 night. Heavy firing and
shelling from Pakistan took place in Poonch, Shahpur, Kerni, Sauujian
and Mendher Districts also.
The number of local Kashmiri youths
recruited by terror groups in the Valley in the first five months
this year (2017) alone has more than doubled as compared to the
whole of 2016, intelligence agencies cautioned the UMHA. This
comes a day after UHM Rajnath Singh said that infiltration of
militants from Pakistan has dropped following the Army’s surgical
strikes against terror launchpads in PoK in September last year.
According to a report by intelligence
agencies, the security establishment has expressed concern over
terror recruitments. While 128 locals joined militancy last year,
“the figure could be between 260 and 300 till May this year alone.’’
Another important issue flagged by intelligence agencies and
described as “alarming’’ was that the recruitment drive, particularly
by HM, was not just limited to south Kashmir but extended to north
as well as central Kashmir. One of the main reasons, sources said,
for the sharp increase in locals joining the ranks of militant
groups in the Valley was the sustained and aggressive campaign,
including through social media, carried out by terror modules
particularly after the killing of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani in
July 2016.
Intelligence agencies have also
alerted that terror outfits were facing a severe shortage of arms
and ammunition as security agencies have been successful to a
large extent in checking smuggling of weapons from across the
border. This, the report adds, could lead to an increase in incidents
of militants snatching weapons from security forces in the days
ahead and that most local Kashmir youths recruited recently would
be used for this purpose.
The report said, one of the main
reasons for local youths getting lured by HM, as compared to LeT
and JeM, the other two main terror outfits active in Kashmir,
is that HM is largely a local group with most of its cadre and
sympathisers from the Valley alone.
|
June 3
|
Pakistan resorted to heavy firing
and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas along
LoC in Poonch District, prompting Indian troops to retaliate.
A defence spokesperson said that, “the Indian Army is retaliating
strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on”.
NIA raided 14 locations in Kashmir
and eight in Delhi in connection with the terror funding case.
According to sources, the raids were in connection with alleged
hawala operations between Pak-based terror groups and Kashmiri
separatists. The NIA also raided separatist leaders’ house, office
and commercial locations. According to reports, NIA has registered
a case against hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani
in the matter. Earlier, the agency scrutinised five bank accounts
allegedly linked to Geelani as part of its probe into suspected
terror funding.
Two Army jawans were killed and
four others injured as militants attacked an Army convoy near
Toll Post Lower Munda on Srinagar-Jammu NH in Qazigund area of
Anantnag District. The firing by militants left six jawans injured
out of which two critically wounded soldiers succumbed to their
injuries. They have been identified as Manivang and Deepak Methi.
HM has claimed responsibility for the attack on Army convoy that
left two jawans martyred. "A Hizb squad carried out the attack.
We congratulate it for the successful attack," Hizb operational
spokesman Burhan-ud-din was quoted as saying by a Kashmir-based
news agency.
Pakistan resorted to heavy firing
and mortar shelling violating ceasefire on forward posts and civilian
areas along LoC in Poonch District, prompting Indian troops to
retaliate. "Pakistani army initiated indiscriminate firing
of small arms, automatics, 82mm and 120mm mortars from 11:00pm
yesterday along the LoC in Poonch sector", a defense spokesperson
said.
|
June 4
|
Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire
by firing two rounds along IB near Patawal BOP in Ramgarh sector
of Samba District. “Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire by firing
two rounds of small arm on BSF Patawal Border Outpost in Ramgarh
Sector at 6.30 am today (June 4),” official sources said. They
said that no casualty or damage was reported on the Indian side.
The BSF did not retaliate to the firing. The Rangers reportedly
targeted a BSF patrol party moving in the forward area but failed
to hit the target.
Pakistani Rangers had resorted
to similar kind of targeted firing in Arnia sector of the IB in
Jammu District. The BSF was maintaining high alert all along the
IB to thwart infiltration attempts by the militants.
For second consecutive day today,
the NIA conducted simultaneous raids in Jammu and Srinagar to
unearth the nexus of hawala funding to separatists, OGWs
and others to fuel militancy and unrest in the Valley even as
the raiding teams were reported to have recovered foreign currency
apart from yesterday’s (June 3) seizure of cash, gold and other
items including documents. The NIA has frozen bank accounts and
lockers of some of the separatists and traders, whose houses and
business premises have been searched in the biggest ever crackdown
to unearth hawala and terror funding in the Kashmir valley
from Pakistan and some other foreign nations during the past two
days. Nearly 40 locations have been raided and searched since
yesterday by large number of NIA personnel, assisted by the Enforcement
Directorate sleuths with the protection of paramilitary and Police
personnel.
Sources said that Pakistan and
its sponsored militant outfits, mainly LeT and HM had not only
used New Delhi and Haryana based hawala operators to pump
money to the separatists, OGWs and other influential persons to
keep the pot boiling in the Valley but they had also used cross-LoC
trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK through Poonch-Rawlakote
and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes to generate the funding.
|
June 5
|
Four militants were killed in
retaliatory fire by SFs as they attempted to attack a CRPF camp
at Sumbal in Bandipora District of J&K early morning. According
to report, the heavily armed militants tried to enter the camp
of 45 Battalion CRPF at Sumbal in Bandipora at around 3.45am by
opening fire at the sentry post. The gun battle between the SFs
and militants went on till 6.15am. "Four militants were killed
in the retaliatory firing and the suicide attack was foiled,"
the Police official said. Their bodies were recovered along with
four AK rifles, one UBGL grenades and hand grenades.
After the killing of four militants
in Sumbal area in Bandipora District early in the day as they
tried to storm into CRPF camp, clashes erupted between protesters
and SFs in the area as youth took to streets and pelted stones
on Police Station Sumbal to protest the killing of four militants.
The area observed shutdown against the killings. Authorities suspended
all cellular networks and mobile internet, except the BSNL phones,
in the area to prevent any flare up in the situation.
The DGP, Dr SP Vaid said that
Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is waging a major cyber war in Kashmir and
Police and other security agencies are effectively dealing with
it. “JuD has declared 2017 ‘year of Kashmir’ and they with their
malicious intentions are misleading children of Pakistan by saying
they have to fight Jihad in Kashmir and there is no need to go
to Kashmir and instead wage cyber Jihad from Pakistan only. A
cyber war has been launched and we are trying to effectively deal
with it. Their maximum efforts would be to create mayhem and disturbance
in Kashmir which security and people of Kashmir won’t let happen”,
he added.
Police foiled a proposed meeting
of three top separatist leaders to discuss raids by NIA during
past two days in Kashmir as part of alleged hawala funding
to them. The chairmen of moderate Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz
Umar Farooq, JKLF Yasin Malik and hardline Hurriyat Conference
Syed Ali Shah Geelani were scheduled to meet at Hyderpora of Budgam
District - the residence-cum-office of Geelani - at 11 am on June
5 and then address a press conference. However, Police did not
allow the meeting to take place and placed Mirwaiz and Geelani
under house detention while it detained Malik, who was lodged
in Maisuma Police Station after being detained from his residence
on June 5 morning. The Police also sealed off the lane leading
to the house of Geelani at Hyderpora by erecting concertina wire.
‘
DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhatt
categorically told his Pakistani counterpart that the Army would
give “appropriate and adequate’’ response to any attempt by Pakistani
troops to “aid and abet’’ infiltration attempts on the LoC. The
DGMOs of India and Pakistan spoke on hotline to discuss current
situation along the LoC while BSF and Rangers also held Commandant-Wing
Commander level flag meeting at the IB in Suchetgarh sector to
discuss host of issues including yesterday’s ceasefire violation
by the Rangers in Arnia sector and upcoming Baba Chamliyal Ji
mela in Ramgarh sector of Samba District on June 22.
|
June 6
|
The militants, who tried to storm
a CRPF camp in a pre-dawn suicide attack in J&K on June 5,
intended a prolonged siege and extensive damage, UHM Rajnath Singh
said. Giving the details of the attack in which four militants
were killed while attacking CRPF’s Sumbal camp in Bandipora District,
Singh said the heavily-armed “fidayeen” terrorists approached
the paramilitary camp with the intent of breaching it. “The terrorists
were heavily armed with automatic rifles, grenades and incendiary
material such as petrol, and were carrying dry rations which indicate
they intended a prolonged siege and extensive damage,” he said
in a statement.
A civilian, identified as Adil
Farooq was killed during clashes in Shopian District after SFs
trapped two militants of HM in the evening. SFs cordoned off Ganowpora
village in Shopian District in the evening after reports of two
militants of HM – Naveed and Zahid – were hiding in a house. As
the SFs cordoned the village, SFs fired few probing shots. The
residents of the area immediately came out and pelted stones on
the SFs, who were conducting the operation. Adil Farooq was hit
by a bullet and was removed to hospital for treatment. He, however,
succumbed to injuries.
Several persons were injured during
clash between the two groups and later Police lathi-charge and
stone pelting by locals at Mendhar town in the Poonch District.
|
June 7
|
A HM militant, who was seen in
a video taken during the funeral of outfit ‘commander’ Sabzar
Bhat last week, surrendered before authorities in Kashmir, Police
said. Investigations revealed that he was Danish Ahmed, a resident
of Handwara in the Kupwara District studying at the Doon P G College
of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun. “A few days back,
video clips of an unidentified terrorist wearing a battle pouch
with a grenade were in circulation on social media. “These video
clips were clicked in Tral area by local media persons during
the funeral of self-style terrorist commander Sabzar Bhat,” a
Police spokesperson said.
Four militants were killed in
a gun battle in Machil sector along LoC in Kupwara District while
Army foiled three infiltration bids along the LoC. Army’s 56 RR
launched a massive cordon and search operation at Sardari Nad
forest area after reports of infiltration of a group of militants
in Tangri post general area was reported. Militants hiding in
the area opened fire on the troops leading to gun fight in which
one militant was killed. However, the militants fled away and
additional troops including 4 Para-Commandos have been rushed
to the area and massive manhunt has been launched against these
militants. Three more militants were later gunned down. According
to report, one or two militants are still hiding in the area.
A Srinagar based Defence spokesman said that three militants were
killed in the operation and three AK-47 rifles were recovered.
Troops of 4 JAK LI and 4 Para-Commandos
launched massive operation after movement of 5-6 infiltrating
militants was noticed in Doba Sardar area of Uri (Baramulla District)
near the LoC in the afternoon. As a group of highly trained militants
infiltrated into this area, Army launched the operation. Militants
fired on the troops injuring two of them, identified as Vijay
Sharma and Firasat Ali. Militants are hiding in the dense forest
area near the LoC and Army have recovered 6 bags of militants
so far.
Army foiled an infiltration bid
by a group of highly trained militants in Kanzalwan area of Gurez
in Bandipora District. Army noticed movement of a group of 5-6
militants infiltrating into the area and challenged them. The
militants fired back but managed to escape back to PoK.
Army is on high alert along the
LoC after reports of over 250 militants waiting on the launch
pads in PoK for infiltration. They foiled several infiltration
attempts recently killing 23 militants so far this year. However,
few group of militants managed to sneak in this year and as per
the MAC figures, 19 militants infiltrated this year till April.
At least 25 persons including
Policemen and students were injured as clashes broke out in parts
of South Kashmir against the killing of a student on June 6 during
a counter-insurgency operation in Shopian District. A large number
of people gathered at Ganawpora village of Shopian District to
attend the funeral prayers of Adil Farooq Magray, a first year
student killed in firing on June 6, and staged massive protests.
A spontaneous shutdown was observed
in Shopian and Pulwama Districts against the student’s killing
during which students of various institutes took to streets and
clashed with Police. Intense clashes broke out at Pampore where
secondary students including girls boycotted their classes and
hit streets.
The students blocked the Srinagar-Jammu
NH and resorted to heavy stone-pelting on SFs after being intercepted
by Police. The Police fired back tear and pepper gas canisters
but students did not disperse and engaged the security personnel
in pitched battle. At least 17 students and two Policemen were
injured in the clashes at Pampore where a shutdown was also observed
against the killing at Shopian.
Scores of students at IUST Awantipora
came out of their classes and staged protests against the killing
of Shopian student. They marched towards Srinagar-Jammu National
Highway and blocked the road. The students clashed with Police
who fired teargas canisters in a bid to disperse them. A police
spokesman with regard to clashes at Pampore and Awantipora said
it exercised restraint and suffered injuries of its men.
Large number of police personnel
received injuries due to heavy stone pelting by the students in
Namblabal Pampore and University Road Awantipora. The situation
was brought under control and the National Highway was kept through
for vehicular movement. The students of Newa Higher Secondary
School in Pulwama District also held similar protests and clashed
with police. During clashes, three students sustained injuries.
The clashes between youth and
security forces also broke out at Memandar, Kellar and Sofanaman
villages of Shopian District against the killing student. Police
fired teargas to disperse the stone-throwers. A spontaneous shutdown
was observed in Shopian District. In Pulwama Town, three persons
were injured after clashes broke out between youth and SFs against
Shopian killing.
District Magistrate Shopian ordered
a time-bound enquiry into the killing. According to the order,
Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Shopian has been appointed Enquiry
Officer to “ascertain the circumstances” which led to death of
the student. The Enquiry Officer has been asked to submit the
enquiry report within 25 days.
India accused Pakistan of using
terror as an instrument of state policy and asked Islamabad to
vacate its illegal occupation of PoK. Raising the issue of Pak-sponsored
terrorism at the 35th session of UNHRC, India said "Pakistan
must rein in its compulsive hostility towards us." "The
entire state of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India
and that Pakistan remains in illegal occupation of a part of our
territory. Therefore, the neutrality of the phrase "Indian-administered
Jammu & Kashmir" is artificial," Rajiv K Chander,
India's Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN), asserted
during the session.
|
June 8
|
Three militants and one soldier
were killed in Nowgam sector in Kupwara District today morning
after Pakistan violated ceasefire in the area and sent a group
of infiltrators under the cover of firing. This is fourth infiltration
bid that was foiled by army along LoC since yesterday (June 7).
The CRPF is exploring technology
that could track and disable weapons looted by Left Wing Extremists
in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts and terrorists in Jammu
and Kashmir. Automatic and semi-automatic rifles/guns like AK
rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles and revolvers used by the Security
Forces in counter-insurgency and anti-Maoist operations are the
ones used by the ultras in ambushes and attacks on the camps.
CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar confirmed that the
force is looking at such technology. He, however, said that this
is in planning stage.
|
June 9
|
Army foiled a major infiltration
bid along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District killing
5 infiltrating militants. Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lieutenant
Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that Army foiled a major infiltration
bid by militants in Uri sector killing 5 militants. Five militants
were killed in the fierce gun battle that was going on since morning.
Troops suspected presence of one more militant in the area.
SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police
detained two youth, identified as Mir Showkat, who has done B.Tech
and Danish Gulzar, who is pursuing MA in Dangerpora area of Pulwama
District.
A shutdown against the killing
of a student in Shopian District early this week paralyzed normal
life across Kashmir during which authorities imposed restrictions
in seven Police Station areas of Srinagar city while stone-throwing
clashes left three persons injured.
Police detained separatist leader
and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik at Sarai-e-Bala area in Srinagar.
After offering Friday prayers, Malik along with dozens of JKLF
supporters staged protests and tried to march towards Lal Chowk
but Police deployed in the area did not allow the JKLF chief and
his supporters to proceed ahead. The Police detained Malik and
lodged him in nearby Police Station.
After Malik’s detention, clashes
between stone-pelters and SFs broke out near Iqra Masjid at Sarai-e-Bala.
The clashes also broke out at Sabzi Mandi in Soura, Chhattabal
and at HMT in city areas. Police fired teargas canisters to disperse
the stone-throwers. A youth was injured at Chattabal during clashes
and he was shifted to SMHS Hospital where his condition is stated
to be stable. Minor stone-pelting incidents erupted in downtown
areas after lifting of restrictions.
After Friday prayers, clashes
broke out at Memandar area of Shopian and in Tahab, Pampore, Main
Town and Bellow areas of Pulwama District. Police fired teargas
canisters to disperse the stone-throwers and at Pulwama town also
resorted to aerial firing.
In Chewa Kalan village of Newa
in Pulwama district, stone-throwers targeted Army vehicles after
which soldiers opened fire in air. The clashes also erupted at
Reshi Bazar area of Anantnag district during which one youth was
injured. He was hit by pellets in his eye and was shifted to hospital
for treatment.
The clashes also broke out at
Ajas, Papchan and Hajin areas of North Kashmir’s Bandipora District.
Similar clashes also raged at Sopore town of Baramulla district
and in Main Town of Kupwara District. A Police Head Constable
was injured in Kupwara clashes.
A police spokesman while detailing
Friday’s situation said that barring the five stray incidents
of stone pelting, situation across the Valley remained peaceful
and under control till filing of this report. “After Friday prayers,
these stone pelting incidents were reported from Memander, near
Mini-Secretariat in Shopian, near Reshmoual Sahib Shrine in Anantnag,
Near Jamia Masjid in Kupwara and at Main Chowk Sopore,” he said.
The UHM Rajnath Singh said that
the country’s borders were “more secure” than before and would
be further fortified to stop illegal infiltration. “India’s borders
are more safe and secure as compared to the past and the Government
has decided to make the borders highly protected in the years
to come so that no citizen of a foreign country can enter into
India without the permission of the Government of India,” Singh
said. He was speaking at the inauguration of a ‘MODI-fest’ in
Jaipur (Rajasthan) to mark the third anniversary of the Narendra
Modi Government.
|
June 10
|
Army, foiled an infiltration bid
along LoC in Gurez sector in Uri in Bandipora District killing
one militant. Srinagar based Defense spokesman Lieutenant Colonel
Rajesh Kalia said in Srinagar that Army foiled an infiltration
bid in Gurez sector of the LoC in Bandipora District. He said
that one militant was killed and an AK-47 rifle was recovered
from him.
Pakistan army tonight, again resorted
to heavy mortar shelling and firing along LoC in Krishna Ghati
sector of Poonch District targeting forward defense locations
and civilian population, prompting an effective retaliation from
the troops. Official sources said Pakistani troops started shelling
at Mankote, Balnoi, Nangi Tekri and surrounding areas of Krishna
Ghati sector around 8.20 pm. Initially, Pakistan army violated
ceasefire with small and heavy arms but later resorted to 82mm
mortar shelling. The Indian side was responding effectively, leading
to heavy exchanges.
|
June 11
|
Four Policemen were injured after
militants hurled a grenade at their bunker in Saraf Kadal area
of downtown Srinagar in the night. Police said that the attack
took place at around 10: 25 pm on a bunker. The injured have been
identified as Nazir Ahmad, Constable Tariq Ahmad and Selection
Grade Constable Farooq Ahmad of Police Post Urdu Bazar and SI
Vikas Panday of CRPF.
Militants fired at the camp of
SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Imam Sahib area of Shopian
District in the afternoon in which one SPO, identified as Khursheed
Ahmad was injured.
India, launched another major
offensive against Pakistan after latter’s Army targeted defence
locations and civilian areas along LoC in three sectors in twin
border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri and also activated IB in
Ramgarh sector of Samba District. At least nine posts and bunkers
of Pakistan Army were destroyed opposite Krishna Ghati and Nowshera
sectors in retaliatory fire by the troops while Pakistan claimed
civilian casualties on their side.
Official sources said that heavy
mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan Army on the LoC in Rajouri
and Poonch Districts, which began late June 10 night and continued
till June 11 afternoon, was a clear indication that troops across
the LoC were instructed to keep pot boiling on the LoC. However,
they said, the Indian troops, who were anticipating misadventures
by Pakistan following the visit of Pakistan Army Chief General
Qamar Javed Bajwa to the LoC, retaliated Pakistan shelling and
firing very effectively. According to sources, at least nine posts
and bunkers of Pakistan army have been razed to ground across
Krishna Ghati and Nowshera sectors in retaliatory firing by the
Indian troops. Pakistan claimed civilian casualties, both fatal
and non-fatal, on their side. Sources didn’t rule out fatalities
on part of Pakistan army in destruction of their posts but there
were no exact numbers.
Pakistan Army activated three
major sectors along LoC including Krishna Ghati, Bhimber Gali
and Nowshera in Rajouri and Poonch Districts, just a day after
General Bajwa visited Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK and some
forward posts on the LoC, where he inter-acted with Field Commanders
and jawans.
|
June 12
|
Two CRPF troopers were injured
as militants fired a grenade from UBGL towards 180th
Battalion of CRPF camp at Tral in Pulwama District in the night.
The grenade exploded near the gate of the camp injuring two CRPF
men. Police and Army immediately reached the spot and joined CRPF
to conduct searches in the nearby locality but militants had managed
to flee under the cover of darkness. Later, HM has claimed responsibility
for the attack.
Army foiled a major infiltration
attempt by Pakistan backed militants on the LoC in Poonch sector
in wee hours in the morning forcing the infiltrators to retreat
and effecting major recoveries while an Army Havildar,
Danesh Kumar was injured as Pakistani troops continued heavy mortar
shelling and firing at Krishna Ghati, Mankote and Lam sectors
in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Official sources said alert Indian
troops observed movement of infiltrators at 3.30 am on June 12
along LoC in Poonch sector, who were trying to sneak into the
Indian side with active support of Pakistan army, On being fired
upon by the Army, the militants retaliated but retreated as troops
stepped-up firing to eliminate them.
In the morning, Army conducted
searches in the area and recovered eight rucksacks carrying one
combat jacket each, one UBGL, one binocular, one radio set with
antenna, seven shawls, medicines, ready to eat meat, one mobile
phone, battery cells, eatables and clothing. A major tragedy has
been averted with thwarting of the infiltration attempt, sources
said. Meanwhile, Havildar Danesh Kumar was injured in continued
Pakistan shelling at Sagra in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District
in the evening.
SFs busted a HM module by arresting
two militants and two OGWs and recovered huge quantity of arms
and ammunition from their possession in Jammu and Kashmir. On
specific information regarding movement of militants, a joint
Naka of Handwara Police and RR was laid at Chogal, Handwara in
Kupwara District during which two persons identified as Mehrajudin
and Obaid Shafi Malla both residents of Awantipora were caught
while moving in suspicious circumstances. On their checking a
huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered. During the investigation,
they revealed that they had come to Handwara for receiving ammunition
and other war like stores for their militant outfit in South Kashmir.
Sources said that preliminary investigating revealed that these
militants were members of an HM militant module, which would not
only recruit youth into militancy by radicalizing them over social
media but also coordinate their training and arranged arms/ammunition.
On the discloser of these two
militants, two more members of the module working as OGWs were
arrested from Awantipora in Pulwama District. They were identified
as Shahid Ahmad Thoker and Irfan Ahmad, both residents of Awantipora.
The NIA has approached Pakistan
to provide details of four fidayeen (suicide) attackers
involved in Uri attack of September 18, 2017. The attack at Uri
became one of the main reasons for strained Indo-Pak relations
in the last one year. According to the sources in the anti-terror
probe agency, a judicial request (letter rogatory) has been sent
to Pakistan via diplomatic channels in which details of DNA samples,
medicines, clothes, shoes, accessories and DNA of one of the four
terrorists who was identified as Abu Anas by the agencies. NIA
wants to know from Pakistan the identities of other three terrorists,
their outfit and who sent them apart from other details. The agency
probe points to the role of LeT in the terror strike. Earlier,
the Army had claimed that JeM was behind the plot but later evidence
suggested that the four fidayeen belonged to LeT.
|
June 13
|
At least 14 SF personnel were
injured in seven separate militant attacks across J&K while
militants attacked residence of retired Justice and decamped with
four rifles. The CRPF, in the meantime, has sounded alert and
asked its troops across Kashmir to remain alert and launch offensive
against the militants.
At least 10 CRPF personnel were
injured as militants hurled a grenade on their camp at Lariyar
village of Tral in Pulwama District. Militants lobbed the grenade
on 180 Battalion CRPF camp at Lariyar resulting in injuries to
10 CRPF men. The injured have been identified as Charanlal, Ganpat
Singh, Santanu Gosh, Kundan Lal Chatry, Ramdulare, Meghnad Das,
Itlish Kumar, Motilal Meena, Gnanave A, B Sanjay Sadahsio. HM
has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Militants in the night attacked
Police Guard picket deployed at the residence of Retired Justice
Mohammad Attar at Anchidora in Anantnag District and decamped
with four SLRs. Reports said that a group of militants attacked
security guards deployed at the residence of Justice Attar and
decamped with four SLRs including magazines. They said that two
Policemen including a SPO were injured in the attack.
Militants hurled a grenade on
Police Station Pulwama in the night injuring two Policemen including
an SPO. They also fired at the Police, which retaliated but militants
managed to escape.
Militants in the night hurled
a grenade on 42 RR camp of Army at Largam Tral in Pulwama District.
The grenade exploded outside the camp and didn’t cause any damage.
Militants hurled a grenade on
130 battalion of CRPF at Padgampora Awantipora in Pulwama District
in the night. However, no one was injured in the attack.
Militants hurled a grenade on
116 battalion of CRPF at Sarbal Pahalgam in Anantnag District.
However, no one was injured in the attack.
Militants tonight also fired a
rifle grenade on 22 RR Camp of Army at Sopore in Baramulla District.
However, on one was injured.
|
June 14
|
Pakistan violated ceasefire along
LoC in Bimber Gali sector in Rajouri District. Indian Army gave
befitting reply to this unprovoked firing from Pakistan side,
the report said. Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing
of small arms, automatics and 82 mm mortars from 0500 hours to
0545 hours, report added.
Army personnel, who have been
maintaining strict surveillance all along the LoC in Rajouri and
Poonch, targeted forward Pakistan army posts in Nowshera, Bhimber
Gali and Balakote sectors, which were assisting the militants
in re-establishing their launching pads on the LoC for making
multiple intrusion bids in the next few days. “The Pakistan army
and militants’ move was pre-empted by the Indian troops, who targeted
Pakistani posts, which were helping militants to re-establish
their launching pads along LoC. As the Pakistani posts came under
intense shelling, they abandoned the plot to again set up the
launch pads,” sources said, adding there were Intelligence inputs
that the militants would make infiltration attempts together at
various places to force their way.
Stone-throwing clashes erupted
at Pulwama town of south Kashmir while a shutdown was observed
by locals in Yaripora area of Kulgam District against the ransacking
of their properties during night hours allegedly by SFs.
After June 13 night’s grenade
attack and firing, the situation in Pulwama Town was tense. Witnesses
said amid tense situation, dozens of youths including students
assembled in the Town and pelted stones on SFs, resulting in chaos.
Police chased away the stone-throwers and the situation normalized
later.
A shutdown was observed in Frisal
in Kulgam District against the alleged vandalisation by SFs of
their properties during night hours. The residents staged a protest
and sought action at highest level by authorities. Meanwhile,
Police denied the allegation of locals.
DGP Dr, S P Vaid said that said
that JeM carried out yesterday’s (June 13) serial attacks in South
and North Kashmir. “Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) has large presence
and it has been for quite some time and it is not today. These
incidents have been carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammed though
Hizb-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility”, he added. The DGP,
when asked about more attacks taking place in South Kashmir, said
that the area has more local militants. “South Kashmir has more
local terrorists and that is the reason. North Kashmir is in fact
other way round and foreign element is more and that may be the
reason”, he said.
After June 13 series of militant
attacks in South Kashmir, security has been tightened and Army
and other SFs have been asked to go for area domination to prevent
such attacks.
|
June 15
|
At least two Pakistani soldiers
were killed in fierce retaliation by Indian troops as Pakistan
Army violated ceasefire thrice along the LoC in two sectors in
Rajouri and Poonch Districts of J&K. The Pakistan Army resorted
to shelling of mortar bombs and firing of small arms and automatic
weapons on forwarding posts and civilians areas in the region.
Indian troops gave a strong retaliation
in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed opposite to Bhimbher
Gali sector in Rajouri District on June 15, defence sources said.
“Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing of mortars, small
arms, automatics RPG, Recoilless Rifles from 1840 hours in Naushera
sector along the LoC in Rajouri district today,” Defence Spokesman
Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. Before this third ceasefire
violation in the day, the Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate
firing of small arms, automatics RPG, Recoilless Rifles from 0930
hours in Naushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri District today,
he said.
A Policeman, identified as Shahzad
Dilawar was killed and another injured in a militant attack in
Hyderpora area of Srinagar city in Srinagar District in the night.
Militants travelling in a car opened fire on a Police party deployed
near J&K Bank in Hyderpora, resulting into injuries to two
Policemen. Later, one of the critically injured succumbed. The
Police and other SFs have been put on high alert and nakas were
immediately established at many places on the NH and Bypass. However,
militants had managed to escape.
Militants shot dead a Policeman,
identified as Shabir Ahmad Dar in Bogund village of Kulgam District.
Police said that he was shot at by militants near his home in
Bogund village in Kulgam District in the afternoon. SFs reached
the spot immediately and massive manhunt has been launched against
his assailants.
Militants fired at a woman, identified
as Suraya in Katrasoo in Kulgam District. She was removed to hospital
for treatment and her condition is stated to be stable.
In Srinagar outskirts at Rangreth,
some youth pelted stones at SFs. A youth was critically injured
after SSB opened fire to disperse the protesters. He was removed
to hospital and his condition is stated to be critical.
SFs launched a search operation
in the border town of Samba (Samba District) along Jammu-Pathankot
NH following reports of suspected movement of four persons in
the wee hours. Some labourers informed Police about movement of
four persons in civilian clothes from Samba Main Chowk on the
Highway towards SIDCO industrial area close to Basantar river
belt. Basantar river, which flows into Pakistan across the IB,
is one of the main infiltration routes of militants into the State
and in past many times militants have sneaked into Jammu through
the river basin. “Search operation was launched in Samba town
along the highway after some people reported about suspected movement
of four persons in the wee hours today,” a Police officer said.
Pakistani troops started heavy
mortar shelling and firing in forward areas of Nowshera sector
in Rajouri District. The Indian side gave befitting response to
the shelling and firing, leading to heavy exchanges that continued
till late night. Baba Khori, Sher Makri, Number, Sher Shalak,
Kharli and Jhanghar areas in Nowshera sector were the worst hit
by Pakistan’s mortar shelling from 1.45 pm to 3.50 pm and from
5.30 pm onwards. However, no casualties or major damage had been
reported on the Indian side.
|
June 16
|
A joint team of SFs, in an encounter,
killed three LeT militants, identified as Junaid Ahmad Mattoo
alias 'Jana, Adil Mushtaq Mir alias 'Nana' and
Nisar Ahmad Wani in Arwani village of Kulgam District. After getting
specific input about the presence of three LeT militants, SF surrounded
two houses in Arwani village. When the SFs closed in on the hiding
militants, they were fired upon by the militants, triggering an
exchange. The encounter continued throughout the day and firing
ended this evening. Bodies of the three slain militants were recovered
on June 17 morning.
Report said that scores of people
also received injuries during the clashes near the encounter site
in Arwani village. Two youths, identified as Mohammad Ashraf (34)
and Ahsan Mushtaq (15) were killed and 20 others injured during
the clashes near the encounter site in Arwani. According to the
Police, Mohammad Ashraf was caught in crossfire when the encounter
started at 10 AM at Arwani village.
In one of the major militant attack
against Police, six Police personnel including a SHO were killed
in Achabal in Anantnag District. Two civilians were also injured
in the attack. A group of at least 10 militants in the evening
laid an ambush on a Police party at Thajwara village in Achabal
in Anantnag District. They surrounded the Police party and opened
fire from all directions at their vehicle killing SHO of Achabal
Police Station, identified as Feroze Ahmed Dar and five others,
identified as Constable Shariq Ahmad, Constable Tasveer Ahmad,
Constable Shiraz Ahmad, SPO Mohammad Asif, SPO Sabzar Ahmad. Militants
also snatched 5 AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the dead Policemen.
Sources said that the SFs had inputs that the LeT are planning
to carry out militant strike in Anantnag. Later, LeT has claimed
responsibility for attack. The militants disfigured the faces
of the six Policemen in the attack before walking away with their
weapons, Police said.
Another youth who had received
severe bullet injuries in Rangreth area in Budgam District on
June 15 evening during protests succumbed to his injuries on June
16. The deceased youth, identified as Naseer Ahmad, was a resident
of Ashtengo village in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Dozens of persons were injured
in parts of Kashmir during massive stone-throwing clashes before
and after Friday prayers. Scores of youths in Pampore area of
Pulwama District took to streets and pelted stones on Police and
paramilitary. Police resorted to pellet firing and intense teargas
shelling to disperse the rock-throwing protests. Three persons
sustained injuries during clashes at Pampore and they were shifted
to hospital.
The clashes also raged in Main
Town of Pulwama District after Friday prayers. Large number of
youths converged in Main Town and resorted to heavy stone-pelting
on security personnel deployed. Police resorted to teargas shelling
in the area to contain the stone-pelting clashes.
Clashes also broke out in Kakapora
area of the Pulwama District. Police in Main Town of Anantnag
District used force to break up a protest after which stone-pelting
clashes erupted. The clashes continued for nearly an hour but
concluded without any major injury to anyone.
In Tral Town of Pulwama district,
groups of youth resorted to stone-pelting on security forces and
enforced a shutdown against the Arwani killings.
In Srinagar, clashes between youth
and SFs broke out near Jama Masjid in Nowhatta area after culmination
of Friday prayers. Scores of youth resorted to heavy stone-pelting
on Police and paramilitary in the area while police responded
by lobbing dozens of teargas shells.
The clashes in Nowhatta area continued
for several hours and later spilled over to Rajouri Kadal and
Saraf Kadal neighborhoods. One youth was detained by police while
he was pelting stones.
The clashes between youth and
SFs also erupted at Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday
prayers. No one was reported injured in the clashes in Sopore
and Bandipora areas.
Two youths were injured in Army
firing after they allegedly didn’t stop at a checkpoint in Bandipora
District on June 16. Locals said that Army opened fire on a car
near Chek Reshipora area of Bandipora. “Two youths were injured
in the firing. The Army signaled them to stop but they didn’t
and were ultimately fired upon,” they said, adding that both of
them sustained bullet wounds and were shifted to nearby hospital
from where they were referred to Srinagar.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti
expressed deep anguish over the killing of two civilians and six
Policemen across Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours. The
Chief Minister said she has reiterated it time and again that
violence and innocent killings would lead the State only to a
cobweb bloodletting and destruction and uncertainty rather than
paving the way for any peaceful solution.
DGP, Dr S P Vaid, said that militants
have adopted a new strategy of targeting local Police for their
work on anti-militancy front eagerly. “Targeting local cops is
a new strategy by militants. The local police works on the anti-militancy
front with eagerness, that is why they (militants) are targeting
them (police). But I am sure that we will control this soon”,
DGP said.
In the meantime, Director General
of CRPF, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, said that his force is well trained
and are ready for any challenges on militancy and law and order
front. Bhatnagar said: “During the law and order probe, we face
different kind of challenges as well as on militant front. So
we are ready to face those challenges. We are well trained, well
prepared, well motivated and we will face those challenges.”
An Army jawan, identified
as Naik Bakhtawar Singh was killed and another injured in heavy
mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan along LoC at Kalsian village
in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Sources said that Pakistan
army resumed heavy shelling using 120mm and 82mm mortars and firing
with automatic and semi-automatic weapons in Nowshera sector at
4.30 am on June 16. The Indian side retaliated effectively and
exchange of firing continued for about two hours. Two Army soldiers
were injured in the shelling and firing by Pakistan side. One
of them succumbed to his injuries while another injured has been
admitted to the hospital in stable condition.
GOC 16 (White Knight) Corps Lieutenant
General AK Sharma visited forward areas of LoC in Krishna Ghati
sector in Poonch District and reviewed situation with the Army
Commanders in view of continued shelling and firing. He met the
troops deployed along LoC and commended them for constant vigil
and valiant actions taken to thwart inimical designs of Pakistan.
|
June 17
|
Militants killed one Ajaz Ahmad
of Pinglana area in Pulwama District. Sources said that Ajaz was
fired upon by militants outside his house and was critically injured.
Militants fled after firing at him. He succumbed to his injuries
at a hospital.
Militants attacked a convoy of
CRPF in Budgam District. According to officials, bike borne militants
opened fire on a vehicle carrying jawans of CRPF's 174 battalion
at Duniwara village Budgam's in Chattergam area in the evening.
However, no CRPF personnel were injured in the attack.
The perpetrators of the ambush
in which six Policemen were killed would "face the law"
very soon, J&K DGP S P Vaid said and announced a bounty of
INR 10 lakh for LeT ‘commander’ Bashir Lashkari who is believed
to have orchestrated the attack.
|
June 18
|
A group of militants attacked
an Army convoy in south Kashmir's Anantnag District. The militants
fired at army vehicles in Bijbehara area and fled from the spot,
after which SFs started a search operation. No casualty was reported.
A spontaneous shutdown to mourn
the civilian and militant killings was observed in South Kashmir
areas amid tense situation. Majority of the shops and commercial
establishments were closed in Khudwani, Pampore, Qoimoh, Yaripora,
Pulwama and few other areas today against the killings of three
LeT militants and two civilians during an encounter at Arwani
area of Anantnag District on June 16.
A Police official said the day
passed off peacefully and no incident of stone-pelting occurred
anywhere. He said that the situation in rest of the Kashmir also
remained peaceful and commercial activities as well as transport
resumed in central and northern Districts.
Sources said, SFs are tracking
five local militants who have returned to Srinagar from South
Kashmir. These militants who joined militancy last year (2016)
but were operating in South Kashmir have been asked by their commanders
to return to Srinagar and operate in the city. Sources said that
there were no resident militants in Srinagar till they arrived
last month. Their return has made Srinagar a target.
Army’s 46 RR, 179 Battalion of
CRPF and SOG of J&K, Baramulla, cordoned off Binnar area of
Baramulla District in the afternoon after inputs that ‘divisional
commander’ of JeM Khalid Bhai is hiding in the village. They conducted
house to house searches in the village and its surroundings but
the JeM ‘commander’ had left the village before the SFs arrived.
Exuding confidence that the State
Government was capable of handling the prevailing situation in
Kashmir valley, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren
Rijiju ruled out direct intervention by the Union Government to
tackle the present state of affairs in J&K. “The State Government
is capable of handling the situation and input support will be
given by the Central Government in this regard,” he said in Srinagar.
|
June 19 |
Pakistani troops violated ceasefire
along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District, injuring a
soldier. Sources said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire
at around 9 am at Lower Garh post in Uri sector where 20th Sikh
regiment is posted. One soldier, identified as Sepoy Hiray Shriram
was injured. Army said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire
along the LoC to provide cover to the infiltrating militants.
Intense clashes broke out between
students and Police in Main Town of Ganderbal District during
which a Police personnel was injured while situation elsewhere
was normal. The students of Degree College Ganderbal assembled
outside their college and started sloganeering. They also burst
some firecrackers and then pelted stones on police at Dudherhama
in the town. A Police constable, identified as Gulzar Ahmad Magray
was injured after he was hit by a stone during clashes. Police
while chasing stone-throwing students detained more than a dozen
among them.
Among the five militants who came
to LeT 'commander' Junaid Matoo's funeral on June 17, two were
from the HM, their attendance reflective of a co-ordination between
terror outfits that SFs and the Police find worrisome. LeT militants
Matoo, Nasir Ahmed Wani and Adil Mushtaq were killed in an encounter
in Anantnag District on June 16. Nasir's funeral, too, was attended
by two HM commanders. At both places - Matoo's Khudwani village
in Kulgam and Nasir's family home in Heff, Shopian - the militants
came armed and raised anti-India slogans. A senior Police officer
said the presence of militant leaders at funerals of militants
who did not belong to the same outfit, was a way to glamourise
their movement. "It is a matter of concern for us," said the officer.
"By appearing at militants' funerals, they are trying to attract
more youths towards militancy and they have been successful sometimes."
|
June 20 |
Militants in the evening fired
two UBGL grenades at 180 battalion of CRPF at Tral Babla in Pulwama
District. However, there was no damage. SFs immediately launched
searches in the area but the militants had fled away.
Police recovered arms and ammunition
from Old City area of Srinagar. However, no one was arrested in
this connection. Sources said that Police station Kral Khud recovered
one pistol, four pistol magazines and four grenades from Babdemb
area of Srinagar. They said that the arms and ammunition were
in rusted condition and were stored by militants.
A SPO was beaten by unidentified
assailants at Arampora locality of Ganderbal District. Police
said that the SPO, identified as Riyaz Ahmad had gone to offer
prayers at Arampora mosque and when he came out of the mosque,
he was thrashed by 'miscreants'. "The injured cop has suffered
fractures and he has been hospitalized at Bone and Joint Hospital
Barzulla," said the Police.
Clashes broke out at Frestbal
area of Pampore in Pulwama District between protesters and SFs.
The clashes broke out on the occasion of 'Chahrum' (rituals
on the fourth day following a death) of a local militant namely
Adil Mushtaq who was killed last week at Kulgam District in an
encounter. Police used teargas shells to disperse the stone-throwers
but they remained unfazed and continued pelting stones for several
hours. However, no one was reported injured.
SFs resorted to aerial firing
at Churat village of Kulgam District in the evening after their
vehicle was stoned by youth. Police said that the vehicle developed
some snag and stopped midway on road. As some youth spotted the
vehicle, they pelted stones on it and to disperse them, the forces
opened fire in air, the police added. No loss of life or injury
was reported from area.
|
June 21 |
At least two HM militants, identified
as Gulzar Ahmad and Basit were killed in an encounter with SFs
in Rafiabad area of Baramulla District in the morning. According
to report, the militants were holed up inside a house in Pazalpora
village in Rafiabad in Baramulla District. Following intelligence
inputs about the presence of militants, SFs had launched a cordon
and search operation last night (June 20). The Army official said
two weapons were also recovered and operations were still on in
the area.
Army foiled an infiltration attempt
by Pakistan backed terrorists on the LoC in Palanwala sector in
Jammu District. The attempt was made in the wee hours around 4.30
AM when alert troopers, deployed along the LoC, detected some
suspicious movement on the border. On being challenged and fired
by the Indian troops, the suspected group of terrorists fired
in return but also ran back to other side of the LoC. Later an
intense combing operation was conducted in the area which resulted
into recovery of one AK-47 rifle along with ammunition and some
other items, being used by the group of terrorists.
|
June 22 |
Three militants of the LeT were
killed during search operation in Pulwama District. On a tip off
about presence of a group of LeT militants hiding in New Colony
Kakapora in Pulwama, SFs had launched cordon and search operation
last evening (June 21). Militants fired upon SFs on seeing them,
leading to an encounter in which an army Major, identified as
Major Kartik suffered minor shoulder injury due to bullet hit.
The encounter continued till morning and three militants were
killed subsequently. Two of them have been identified as Majid
Mir and Shabir while the identity of the third militant is yet
to be ascertained.
A joint team of Army's first RR
and SOG of JKP have laid a cordon in several villages in Baghpora,
Magraypora of Marhama in Bijbehara in Anantnag District, after
some inputs of militants hiding there. Further details are awaited
as the search operation is currently going on at the time of reporting.
Two Army personnel were killed
and two others injured when the BAT of Pakistan comprising Special
Forces and highly trained militants carried out an attack on the
Army personnel in Karmara area of Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch sector
in Poonch District. Immediately after the BAT attack, the Indian
Army launched massive offensive against Pakistani troops and decimated
their four posts from where the BAT members had been launched
into the Indian side to carry out the attack, official sources
said adding that Indian troops retaliated swiftly killing two
members of the BAT team. Sources said the BAT members could be
either Pakistan Special Forces or dreaded terrorists of LeT and
JeM outfits or mixture of Pakistan army and terrorists.
Army foiled an infiltration bid
along the LoC in Keran sector in Kupwara District, killing one
militant. Sources said that Army launched a massive operation
in Keran sector of the LoC in Kupwara after reports that a group
of 5-6 infiltrators had managed to sneak in. During massive searches
in the forests near the LoC in Keran sector one body of the militant
was recovered so far. Army also recovered one AK 47, one rucksack,
one radio set, one magazine pouch, one knife and some eatables
from the spot.
A DySP, Mohammed Ayub Pandith,
was beaten to death by an irate mob in Jamia Masjid in Srinagar
on the auspicious occasion of Shab-e-Qadar in the late night.
There are conflicting reports about the incident and witnesses
said that he was beaten to death by an irate mob after he allegedly
opened fire at a group of people, who caught him clicking pictures
outside Jamia Masjid injuring three persons. However, DGP Dr SP
Vaid said that Pandith was checking the access control in the
area. "When he came out after checking, he was surrounded by some
miscreants who started manhandling him and asking for his identification.
Initial investigation revealed that there was an altercation and
the officer fired to get away from the mob. He was, however, overpowered
and killed near Bata Chowk in Nowhatta area," he said. DGP added
that two persons have been arrested in connection with lynching.
"Two people have been arrested, third person has been identified.
They will have to face the law," he said.
|
June 23 |
The situation in old city (Srinagar)
turned tense following the killing incident of DySP, Mohammed
Ayub Pandith. The mob went on a rampage targeting empty security
pickets erected in the area. Police reinforcement were rushed
in to restore normalcy in the area.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
warned people of severe backlash if Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police
loses its patience over killing of Police men. Terming the lynching
of DySP, Mohammad Ayub Pandith outside the Jamia Masjid in downtown
Srinagar as shameful, she said, J&K Police is one of the best
police forces in the country and is showing maximum restraint.
Report said that the DySP Mohammad
Ayub Pandit, who was lynched on the premises of Jamia Masjid in
Srinagar on June 22 night, is the third officer of Jammu and Kashmir
Police to be killed on duty in the past two months and among 17
policemen to be killed this year. Most of the policeman deaths
this year were reported from Anantnag and Kulgam Districts. Eleven
Policemen were killed in two attacks in Achabal and Kulgam. A
total of 13 policemen were killed in militancy-related incidents
in the Valley last year (2016). The Police sources have expressed
concern about the rising casualty figures, especially in the last
two years.
Army recovered arms, ammunition
and sharp-edged weapons from Karmara village in Chakan-Da-Bagh
area of Poonch sector in Poonch District, where two members of
BAT were eliminated while two jawans were martyred and two others
injured on June 22 afternoon. Recoveries made from the site of
BAT action included one rifle, magazines, ammunition, explosive
devices, dagger and war-like stores, which indicated nefarious
designs of the BAT members, sources said. Body of one of the slain
intruder was recovered from the spot, sources said, adding body
of his second slain associate was lying near the LoC and couldn't
be recovered. Sources said the BAT members had planned to cause
more casualties but their plot was thwarted by the troops with
timely retaliation. The BAT members were also carrying with them
sharp-edged weapons, headband and cameras, sources said.
|
June 24 |
One SF person was killed and another
one injured after heavily armed militants attacked a CRPF's patrol
party in Pantha Chowk area on the Srinagar-Jammu NH in Srinagar
District. A CRPF official in Srinagar said that militants armed
with AK-rifles fired indiscriminately around 5:50pm on a vehicle,
which was part of a 29 battalion CRPF patrol party, near Pantha
Chowk bus stand in Srinagar. "The injured soldiers were evacuated
to military hospital at Badamibagh, Srinagar, where Sub-Inspector
(SI) Sahab Shukla and other jawan injured in the attack is undergoing
treatment," he added. A civilian too has sustained minor injuries
in the attack. Later, LeT claimed responsibility of Pantha Chowk
attack. "Mujahideen Lashkar-e-Toiba attacked on CRPF party at
Pantha Chowk on Srinagar-Jammu highway," LeT spokesman Dr Abdullah
Ghaznavi said in a statement.
Pakistani forces violated ceasefire
by firing from automatic weapons and shelling mortars at Shahpur
and Kirni forward areas along the LoC in Poonch District. The
Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from
small arms, automatic weapons and mortars at Shahpur and Kirni
from 11.30 am on Indian Army posts along the LoC in Poonch sector,
official sources said. The Indian troops returned the fire strongly
and effectively, they said, adding that the firing stopped at
2.10 pm.
|
June 25 |
Pakistan Army again violated ceasefire
in Naushera sector along the LoC in Rajauri District.
Investigations into a case of
terror funding in the Kashmir Valley being carried out by the
NIA revealed that the founder of JuD, Hafiz Saeed, pumped in almost
INR 500 million for subversive activities in the region following
the killing of top HM 'commander' Burhan Wani in July 2016. The
FIR lodged by the NIA in connection with the case also names Saeed,
who is the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, as one
of the main accused for financing terror activities in the Valley.
The ED, which also lodged a case
on June 23 to investigate the money laundering angle in terror
financing, too has named Hafiz. "Initial investigations have confirmed
that Hafiz Saeed routed at least Rs 50 crore over a period of
almost a year since last July during which time the Valley witnessed
unprecedented violence. This is a conservative estimate and the
figure could be much higher. Most of the money came through a
well organised hawala network through Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh
and UAE. We are trying to piece together the entire chain to establish
clearly who were the end receivers of this money," a senior intelligence
official said.
The ED, which also lodged a case
on June 23 to investigate the money laundering angle in terror
financing, too has named Hafiz. "Initial investigations have confirmed
that Hafiz Saeed routed at least Rs 50 crore over a period of
almost a year since last July during which time the Valley witnessed
unprecedented violence. This is a conservative estimate and the
figure could be much higher. Most of the money came through a
well organised hawala network through Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh
and UAE. We are trying to piece together the entire chain to establish
clearly who were the end receivers of this money," a senior intelligence
official said.
DGP SP Vaid, issued advisory to
the Police personnel asking them not to offer Eid prayers in Eidgahs
and in Masjids at isolated places. They have been asked to offer
prayers at Police Control Room and other secure places for security
reasons. The advisory has been issued after recent attacks on
Police personnel and lynching of a Police officer in Jamia Masjid
on June 22-night.
Pakistan Amy again resorted to
heavy mortar shelling and firing in Nowshera sector along the
LoC in Rajouri District twice during the day directly targeting
civilian population and forward posts of the Army. An Army jawan
was injured in the shelling while some houses were damaged. Official
sources said Pakistan Army fired 120mm and 82 mm mortars and opened
firing with automatic and semi-automatic weapons at Dhanaka, Kalali,
Bhawani, Kalsian and Gania forward villages and their surroundings
in Nowshera sector around 6 am. Indian Army gave befitting reply
to Pakistan, leading to heavy exchanges of shelling and firing.
|
June 26 |
Pakistan Army resorted to heavy
mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Balakot Sector of
Poonch District at 8.30 pm. Indian side retaliated effectively.
However, there was no report of casualties or damage on the Indian
side when the reports last came in.
Amidst regular exchanges of mortar
shelling and firing on the LoC, the Indian and Pakistan Army officials
exchanged sweets at Chakan-Da-Bagh cross-LoC point in Poonch District
while BSF and Rangers also celebrated Eid jointly at various places
along the IB.
A few incident of stone-pelting
and clashes between protestors and SFs were reported in J&K as
Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across the state. Clashes between protestors
and law enforcing agencies were reported from Sopore, Anantnag,
Rajpora, Shopian towns and Safakadal area of the Srinagar City.
There were no reports of any casualties in these clashes.
The authorities have placed top
separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq, under house arrest, fearing that their presence at large
Eid gatherings could spark violence, the officials said. JKLF
chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik has been taken into preventive custody
and lodged at Central Jail, Srinagar.
UHM Rajnath Singh hoped that violence
will end in Kashmir and peace and happiness will be restored in
the Valley soon to pave the way for emergence of new dawn. In
a video message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on Eid festival,
Rajnath said new Sun will rise in Kashmir, which will bring peace
and normalcy back to the Valley and happiness for people of the
State. He hoped for return of peace in the Valley, which has been
facing series of violent incidents including spurt in militant
activities, attacks on police personnel etc though the Government
has taken various measures to maintain peace.
UHM Rajnath Singh hoped that violence
will end in Kashmir and peace and happiness will be restored in
the Valley soon to pave the way for emergence of new dawn. In
a video message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on Eid festival,
Rajnath said new Sun will rise in Kashmir, which will bring peace
and normalcy back to the Valley and happiness for people of the
State. He hoped for return of peace in the Valley, which has been
facing series of violent incidents including spurt in militant
activities, attacks on police personnel etc though the Government
has taken various measures to maintain peace.
As a senior leader of HM, the
State Department said in September, 2016, Salahuddin, also known
as Syed Mohammed Yusuf Shah, vowed to block any peaceful resolution
to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide
bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley "into a graveyard
for Indian forces". "Under Salahuddin's tenure as senior HM leader,
HM has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the
April 2014 explosives attack in Indian-administered Jammu and
Kashmir, which injured 17 people," the State Department said.
Following the designation of Salahuddin
as the global terrorist, the State Department in a notification
said he has committed, or poses a significant risk of committing,
acts of terrorism. Designations of terrorist individuals and groups
expose and isolate organizations and individuals, and result in
denial of access to the US financial system. Moreover, designations
can assist or complement the law enforcement actions of other
nations, it said.
India welcomed the US' move. "India welcomes this
notification. It underlines also quite strongly that both India
and the US face threat of terrorism," Ministry of External Affairs
spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. |
June 27 |
Shifting its focus to the Indian
subcontinent, global terror outfit al Qaeda has said it will target
Indian security installations and leaders of Hindu "separatist"
organisations. The outfit has released an elaborate document titled
'Code of conduct for Mujahideen in the subcontinent' detailing
its objectives, targets, and do's and don'ts for members. "All
personnel of the military are our targets, whether they be in
the war zone or in barracks at their bases. Even the personnel
on vacation are not exempted due to their battle against implementation
of sharia," the outfit said in the document. This is an exact
reproduction of the text, "Officers are a greater priority than
soldiers. The greater is the seniority, greater is our priority
to kill him. Those officers of the military who have the blood
of our Kashmiri brothers on their hands are our targets," the
outfit said. The document makes several references to Kashmir,
and the opening note even refers to a resident of UP's Sambhal,
Maulana Asim Umar, as the 'emir' or chief of the so-called AQIS.
Indian intelligence sources said
they were keeping a close tab on the development as it comes soon
after former HM 'commander' Zakir Musa floated a new outfit and
openly acknowledged support from al Qaeda. The document also mentions
that hostages should either be traded for a brother, given up
for ransom or be killed, besides elaborating on targets in Pakistan,
Arakan (Myanmar) and Bangladesh. Sources said the most worrying
part was that the outfit had invited different groups fighting
in the subcontinent to pledge their allegiance to what they refer
to as the "Islamic emirate of Afghanistan", and stand up against
intelligence agencies and the groups they sponsor.
According to an official dealing
in counter terror operations, al Qaeda is also trying to establish
that its objectives and modus operandi are completely different
from that of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), its arch rival.
"The document mentions that the Mujahideen will not attack common
Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists and also not strike places of worship.
This is in sharp contrast with ISIS which has been targeting mosques
on priority," the official added.
SFs conducted search operations
at several places in Srinagar to hunt a group of JeM militants
who are in the city for past two weeks and five more militants
who are locals and have shifted to city recently. SFs for last
two weeks are tracking the militants and on June 27 they conducted
searches at five places in the city during which two persons were
detained. Police and CRPF conducted searches at Firodus Abad and
Khadi Mill areas of Batamaloo and detained two persons during
the searches. According to sources, a group of five JeM militants
headed by their 'commander' Mateen Bhai is in Srinagar for two
weeks and SFs are on alert to prevent them from carrying out an
attack in the city.
SFs also conducted searches in
Khanyar, Lal Bazar and Anchar areas of Srinagar against them and
other militants who are present in Srinagar. The army also conducted
searches in Galib Abad and residents said that they were seeking
details from the people about number of their families members.
The army exercise followed reports that a group of militants was
sighted in Zanakote area of Srinagar last week who are being provided
logistic support by 2-3 OGWs of the area. The group was later
sighted in Noorbagh area but had fled the area a day before the
security operation was conducted there last week.
Jammu and Kashmir Police has put
three Hurriyat Conference leaders, identified as Ayaz Akbar, Altaf
Ahmad Shah and Raja Mairaj ul din Kalwal, under preventive detention
ahead of their pre-planned protest in Valley. The leaders, who
are said to be in close circle of Hurriyat leader SA Geelani,
were previously interrogated in a money laundering case. According
to reports, the Police raided the houses of these leaders and
arrested them. Police also raided the residence of another Tehreek-e-Hurriyat
leader Pir Saifullah, however he was not present. Tehreek-e-Hurriyat
confirmed the arrests but did not confirm the charges on which
the arrest has been made.
The US Government's decision to
declare Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist would help in choking
his movements and financing, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi
said. Salahuddin, head of the Kashmiri militant group HM, was
a "coward" who had "run away" to Pakistan, Mehrishi said. "What
the US did is correct. He (Salahuddin) is a terrorist and he has
now been declared so. This declaration by the US may probably
help in impacting his movements and funding," Mehrishi said.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar
had said in Washington that the designation was "a strong signal
coming out of the administration that it is committed to ending
terror in all forms". "We should take the step for what it is.
It is fixing responsibility, highlighting the problem. There is
a signaling out of it, it is focusing on a particular group and
particular individual. None of us can really miss that message,"
he said.
|
June 28 |
Pakistan army again resorted to
heavy mortar shelling in Balakote, Mendhar and Nowshera sectors
along the LoC in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Report said that Pakistan army directly targeted civilian areas,
apart from forward defence locations, at Sandot, Dabbi, Panjni,
Chouhala, Trala and Basuni areas on LoC in Balakote and Mendhar
sectors of Poonch District at 3.30 pm. Indian side retaliated
very effectively, leading to heavy exchanges of mortar shelling
and firing with both automatic and semi-automatic weapons
Pakistan army targeted Baba Khori,
Gania and Kalal forward villages of Nowshera sector in Rajouri
District from 2 pm to 5 pm. In all three sectors, there were no
casualties of Army or civilians. Also, no major damage was reported
to the civilian property.
|
June 29 |
Two Indian soldiers were injured
in a ceasefire violation along the LoC in Poonch District by the
Pakistan army. "Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked shelling and
firing along the LoC in Poonch," Defence Ministry sources said.
They used small arms, automatics and mortars. The firing started
at 1.30am. The Indian Army retaliated effectively and strongly,
the defence sources said.
Pakistan had summoned India's
Deputy High Commissioner to lodge a protest over the alleged killing
of a civilian in cross-border firing by Indian troops.
Separatist groups in Kashmir fear
that categorising HM 'chief' Syed Salahuddin as "a global terrorist"
may "drift militancy in a different direction in Kashmir as the
decision has the potential to shrink space for pro-dialogue groups,
too". In an interview, Hurriyat 'chairman' Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
expressed apprehensions that the US' move has "far alarming ramifications"
internally in Kashmir. "Indigenous militant outfits here never
linked up with global terror and worked around the Kashmir issue.
My fear is that militancy can drift in a different direction as
any wrong branding of forces will pave way for those forces who
completely reject the international system. Unfortunately, the
U.S. decision will be responsible for this."
Condemning the US' stand on Salahuddin,
who also heads the UJC that comprises around 13 militant outfits
and is based in PoK, the Mirwaiz said the Hurriyat commitment
to dialogue and its position on seeking U.S. intervention "will
stay the same." "However, I fear the new U.S. position may shrink
space for those canvassing for dialogue processes in the J&K,"
he added. The Mirwaiz said hostility between India and Pakistan,
and Srinagar and New Delhi had "reached a new level." "The militaristic
position taken by India on the Kashmir issue pushes south Kashmir
to the brink of a nuclear war. In this situation, the U.S. has
to take more pragmatic decisions."
The Government of India defended
the US' use of the term "Indian-administered J&K", saying that
it only affirmed India's position that HM 'chief' Syed Salahuddin
is involved in "cross-border" terrorism. "Use of term 'Indian-administered
J&K' affirms our position that Syed Salahuddin been involved in
cross-border terrorism against India," said the MEA.
|
June 30 |
A woman, identified as Naseem
Akhtar (35) was injured as Pakistani troops continued mortar shelling
in Balakote sector of Poonch District for the second day. Sources
said that she sustained a splinter injury in her lower back. The
victim was sitting inside her house when a shell fell into the
room after piercing through the roof. A house was partially damaged
at Sandote in the morning, while some cattle were also killed
in Sohala-Panjani area on June 29 as mortar shells were falling
near residential areas. All the three panchayats in the area were
affected, sources said, identifying some of the affected areas
as Dharati, Sohala, Panjani, Balakote, Basooni, Sandote, and Behrote.
A Defence Ministry spokesperson,
Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta, said in Jammu that Pakistani
troops initiated firing at 4.15 am. They were indiscriminately
firing mortars, automatics and small arms, he said, adding that
the Indian army was retaliating strongly and effectively.
Pakistan Army violated ceasefire
by targeting Indian posts and civilian areas with mortar bombs,
small and automatic weapons along the LoC in Rajouri District.
This is the 23rd incident of ceasefire violation in June, report
said.
Reports said that two Pakistani
soldiers were killed as the Indian Army deployed at the forward
posts in Uri sector in Baramulla District sniped them after they
noticed suspicious movement near the LoC in PoK. Sources said
that the Army deployed along the LoC in Uri sector noticed suspicious
movement near the LoC early on June 30 and targeted two soldiers
with snipers killing them on the spot. Sources identified the
two soldiers as Qamar and Hafiz belonging to 652 Mujahid Battalion
of the Pakistan army. They were posted near the Sallan village
of PoK. The Pakistani troops later targeted Indian posts. However,
no damage was caused.
Pakistani troops continued cease
fire violations along the LoC by pounding civilian areas with
82mm shells causing fresh wave of panic among the people in the
border. A woman, identified as Shakeela (45) was injured as Pakistan
violated ceasefire in Uri sector of Baramulla District along LoC.
Pakistani troops violated ceasefire at Gailta sector of Uri in
the morning. Army also retaliated the Pakistan fire. However,
there were no reports of casualties on either side. Clashes between
SFs and protesters broke out at several places in J&K after Friday
prayers, though the authorities imposed restrictions to prevent
protests called by separatists.
Five persons, including a Police
officer, identified as Arif were injured in clashes with the SFs
in Shopian District in the afternoon following inputs about the
presence of militants in the area. As the area was being cordoned
off, some youths assembled there and started pelting the SFs with
stones that led to clashes. Police had to resort to teargas and
pellets to disperse the protesters, causing injuries to five persons.
Protests broke out in Shermal
village of Pulwama district also hampering search and cordon operations
of the Army and the Police. The clashes also broke out at Bellow,
Chatpora and Tral areas of Pulwama District.
The clashes between youth and
SFs broke out at Nowhatta and Safakadal areas of downtown (Srinagar)
in the evening after withdrawal of forces from there.
The clashes also broke out in
South Kashmir after Friday prayers. At Reshi Bazar locality of
Main Town in Anantnag District, a protest march was taken out
after Friday prayers and later youth clashed with SFs during which
Police resorted to teargas shelling. A house was partially gutted
after allegedly being hit by a teargas canister at Reshi Bazar.
Clashes between youth and SFs
broke out at Sopore town of Baramulla District after Friday prayers.
There was no report of any injury to anyone.
|
July 1 |
LeT 'commander' Bashir Ahmad Wani
alias Bashir Lashkar and his associate, identified as Azad Ahmad
Malik alias Dada along with two civilians, identified as Tahira
Begum and Shadab were killed in a fierce encounter in Dailgam
village in Anantnag District. A Police spokesman said gunfight
between the militants and the SFs raged after siege was laid in
the area following specific inputs. Police said 17 civilians,
who were inside the house, where militants were trapped, were
rescued. After the house was cleared of civilians, Police and
Army blasted the house and it resulted in the killing of two militants.
"While the cordon was being laid, some militants outside a house
fired upon the security personnel which was retaliated. In the
cross firing one woman sustained injuries and later succumbed,"
the Police spokesman said. Another youth was also injured in clashes
who later died.
As the news about the operation
spread in the area, a large number of people took to streets and
tried to approach towards the encounter site and pelted stones
at the SFs. SFs fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.
DGP Dr SP Vaid said that people assemble at the encounter sites
at instigation of enemies of peace. "If you see the social media,
there is instigation to youth to reach to the site of encounter
to save Bashir Lashkar, these people assemble on the instigation
of enemies of peace of this unfortunate Valley", he said.
Soon after the news about the
killing of two militants including Bashir spread, clashes broke
out at Kokernag, Pulwama and areas adjoining to Dialgam between
protesters and SFs. Around a dozen civilians were injured in the
clashes amid shutdown in the area.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
expressed grief over the death of two civilians at Anantnag during
an anti-militancy operation. Terming the deaths as tragic and
unfortunate, the Chief Minister appealed the people to keep away
from the points of conflagration so that precious human lives
are not lost.
There has been a sharp drop in
the number of stone-throwing incidents in the Kashmir Valley this
year (2017), DG, CRPF, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar said. "Last year [2016],
around 1,600 incidents were reported when CRPF personnel were
attacked with stones. This year [2017], the number has fallen
to fewer than half, around 700 incidents maybe. There are days
when there is no such incident," Bhatnagar said. The 1,600 incidents
were reported in five months after Wani's killing, while the 700
incidents were recorded from January to June in 2017. Around 30,000
personnel of the CRPF are deployed in the Valley to assist the
local police in maintaining law and order and conducting anti-militancy
operations. Attacks on SFs by stone-throwing youth escalated in
the Valley after July 8, 2016 when HM 'commander' Burhan Wani
was killed in an encounter.
|
July 3
|
Militants shot at and critically
injured a Policeman, identified as Ghulam Hassan in Anantnag town
in Anantnag District. Constable Ghulam Hassan was shot in the
neck by militants from close range at Anantnag bus stand, a Police
official said. Hassan was unarmed at the time of the attack, the
official said.
|
July 3-4
|
At least three terrorists were
killed in an encounter in Bahmnoo area of Pulwama District. Three
soldiers, including an officer, were also injured. The gun battle
began in the morning of July 3 after the SFs launched a search
operation following a specific tip-off about the presence of terrorists
in the area. Two terrorists were killed on July 3 and the body
of third terrorist was found in the morning of July 4.
|
July 4
|
Police said that during the last
few months 54 youth have been arrested from different Districts
of the Kashmir Zone. These youth were attempting to join militancy
in Kashmir. “Out of these, 28 youth have been arrested in Baramulla,
Kupwara, Sopore, Handwara and Bandipora of the North Kashmir Range”,
Police said. 13 youth have been arrested in Central Kashmir Range
Srinagar while an equal number of youth have been arrested in
Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Awantipora and Kulgam of South Kashmir.
Kupwara police arrested four boys who were attempting to cross
the LoC.
India said the interview telecast
by a Pakistani TV channel of HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin on July
1, is further proof of Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism.
"The brazen admission by Syed Salahuddin of perpetrating
terrorist attacks on India and having the capacity to carry out
such attacks at any place and time in India is a further proof
of Pakistan's continuing policy of cross-border terrorism,"
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.
"His (Salahuddin) confession
of assistance in such activities from Pakistan also affirms the
complicity of Pakistan's state structure in using terrorist proxies
as a matter of policy against the neighbours," Baglay said.
He added, "The interview only highlights the unabashed manner
in which terrorist organisations and leaders enjoy freedom of
operations in Pakistan, including access to terror financing and
procurement and supply of weapons for terrorism."
JKLF chairman Yasin Malik was
arrested by Police and sent to the Central Jail in Srinagar. "Malik
was arrested today when police raided the JKLF's office at Abi
Guzar. He has been shifted to Central Jail, Srinagar, on a judicial
remand," a spokesman of the separatist group said. The Police
did not give any reason for the arrest but it is believed to be
a preventive action since HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin has given
a call for agitation to observe first anniversary of its slain
militant Burhan Wani on July 8.
|
July 5
|
Birmingham city council withdrew
its permission for a planned rally to mark “Burhan Wani Day” on
July 8 after India lodged a protest with the UK Government against
the “glorification of terrorists”. The rally was being planned
by UK-based Kashmiri groups to mark the first death anniversary
of the ‘commander’ of the HM militant outfit killed in a gun battle
with Indian armed forces in the Kashmir valley on July 8, 2016.
India on July 3 protested to the UK over the planned rally. “We
took a booking for a peaceful rally highlighting the human rights
abuse in Kashmir. However, we are now aware of concerns raised
about the promotional leaflet and, having assessed the material,
have not given permission for the use of Victoria Square,” a Birmingham
City Council spokesperson said.
DIG of Police, North Kashmir Range,
Nitesh Kumar said that there has been growing tendency over past
few weeks of young boys attempting to join militant ranks and
the recruiters are using ISIS (Islamic State) modus operandi in
luring these youths to join militancy. The DIG said that the Police
have been able to save five boys from Pattan and Naidkhai areas
of Baramulla and Bandipora Districts with the help of their families
who approached Police and with joint efforts of family and Police
these boys were rescued. “After counseling they were handed over
to families. Although we have been able to save many such boys
but this dangerous trend can be stopped only with the help of
conscientious citizens of the society,” he said.
A senior Police officer said that
footprints of militants have been sharply increasing in the Kashmir
Valley with as many as 50 young men taking to arms in the past
six months. Most of these new recruits came from Pulwama, Shopian
and Kulgam Districts in South Kashmir, which had become the hub
of tech-savvy, young militants. "A total of 50 Kashmiri youths
joined militancy in the valley in 2017," the Police officer
said. Rising footprints of militants have raised concern among
the security agencies, which believe the trend reflects the worsening
situation in Kashmir. The officer said that 88 Kashmiri youths
joined militancy in 2016, the highest in the past six years. Since
2014, there has been a constant rise in the number of people joining
militancy. As many as 66 youths joined militancy in Kashmir in
2015 and 53 in 2014, data compiled by security agencies revealed.
In 2010, 54 youths joined militancy and in 2011, the number came
down to 23. It further dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it
said.
|
July 6
|
As many as 92 terrorists were
killed till July 2, 2017 in J&K, against 79 in the corresponding
period of 2016. In fact, the numbers of terrorists killed in counter-insurgency
operations so far this year have surpassed the year-wise figures
for 2012 and 2013 when UPA was in power at the Centre. While 72
and 67 terrorists were eliminated in J&K in 2012 and 2013
respectively, the numbers picked up during NDA's tenure, touching
110 in 2014, 108 in 2015 and 150 in 2016. "Terrorists killed
till July 2 this year are only slightly less than killings through
2014 and 2015," a senior UMHA official said, attributing
the successes to seamless coordination between the Army, Central
Forces, State Government and Intelligence Agencies.
"The forces have been given
a free hand to track and intercept the terrorists holed up in
the valley, before launching intelligence-based operations with
due mapping of the target and how to neutralise terrorists with
minimum collateral damage," said a senior UMHA functionary.
The official underlined that among the 92 terrorists killed in
J&K till July 2, most of the targets were big and prominent
terror operatives. Infiltration figures also show a decline. As
against 371 infiltration cases recorded in 2016, 124 were recorded
till May-end this year. "Many of these 124 terrorists have
been neutralised since," said a UMHA official.
While terror-related incidents
were higher at 168 till July 2 this year as compared to 126 in
the corresponding period of 2016, stone-pelting incidents witnessed
a dip with 142 incidents till June 2017. In July 2016 alone, there
were 820 incidents, though this was largely on account of outbreak
of violence after the killing of HM leader Burhan Wani on July
8, 2016. The central security establishment feels that better
statistics of terror-related violence in J&K, are largely
to do with the Centre's strategy to actively engage with the terrorists
holed up in the valley with full backing of the State Government.
"Not only are pro-active operations being undertaken but
the response of the Army and para-military forces to terror attacks
against their personnel and installations has improved manifold,"
said an officer.
IGP Kashmir range, Muneer Ahmad
Khan, said that security across Kashmir has been put on high alert
ahead of death anniversary of HM militant Burhan Wani. Khan said
that security has been alerted all across Kashmir. “And the alert
is not for only unlawful assemblies and rallies but also for probably
militant strikes and it has also been alerted vis-à-vis soft targets”,
he said. The IGP said that the anti-militancy measures have been
taken and the necessary measures for law and order maintenance
have also been taken. The IGP said that miscreants across Kashmir
have been put under preventive detention on Burhan’s anniversary
in view of United Jehad Council and separatist strike call.
The IGP also said that there are
more local militants in South Kashmir and more foreigners in North
Kashmir. “There are more local militants in South Kashmir compared
to North Kashmir and similarly there are more foreign militants
in North Kashmir than local militants. So the number is varying.
In South Kashmir, there are 100-125 militants”, he added. On recent
militant videos, IGP said that they are not bothered about them
as their job is to get information for successful operations.
“Jammu and Kashmir is a professional force. Videos or no videos
don’t make a difference to us. Our work is to get good information
and then operate…Militants have their own agenda and we have our
own agenda”, he added.
A soldier belonging to Territorial
Army (TA), identified as Zahoor Ahmad Thakur went missing from
North Kashmir's Baramulla District and Police suspect that he
may have joined hands with militant group HM. Zahoor Ahmad Thakur
was reportedly missing from his camp in Gantmulla area along with
an AK-47 rifle. "Thakur belongs to Pulwama district. A search
operation has been launched," Police sources said. Thakur's
suspected joining of HM becomes more relevant as the terror outfit
is planning to recruit more 40 local militants.
|
July 8
|
Two civilians were killed as Pakistan
violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch District. Pakistan
Army began indiscriminate firing and shelling on our positions
on the LoC in Gulpur area and the firing is ongoing and our forces
are effectively retaliating, sources said.
Three Army personnel were seriously
injured in a militant attack in Bandipora District early today.
An Army convoy was attacked by militants in Hajin area of Bandipora
early in the morning. The attack takes place on the death anniversary
of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani.
A Policeman was injured in a grenade
attack on a Police party in Tral area of Pulwama District. Police
said that militants hurled a grenade on a Police party in Aripal
Tral area of South Kashmir at around 11 pm and a Police man was
injured in the blast and he was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Indian Army destroyed three bunkers
and two posts of Pakistan Army and eliminated their at least two
jawans in massive offensive launched against them in Chakan-Da-Bagh
sub sector of Poonch District along LoC. Sources said the counter
attack was necessitated to silence the Pakistani guns, which were
pounding civilian areas in Khari, Karmara, Digwar and Chakan-Da-Bagh
areas of Poonch sector. “Pakistan has suffered extensive damage
in retaliation by the Indian troops,” sources said, adding that
at least two Pakistan army personnel were killed and half a dozen
others were injured when their posts and bunkers were destroyed.
Number of the casualties on Pakistan side could be even higher,
they pointed out saying “it was not possible to ascertain exact
number of casualties and damage suffered by the Pakistani troops
in the Indian offensive”.
|
July 9
|
Normal life resumed in Jammu and
Kashmir a day after a shutdown was observed on the first anniversary
of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani and curfew imposed by authorities
in many parts of the Valley to thwart the protests. The Valley
observed a complete shutdown on July 8 on the first death anniversary
of Wani, with authorities clamping down on all access to roads
and internet services suspended across the Valley. Mobile Internet
services in Kashmir were restored last night (July 8), two days
after the facility was snapped in view of apprehensions of law
and order problems on the first death anniversary of Wani.
PM Narendra Modi held high-level
review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Union Home
Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval. Rajnath and Doval gave
detailed briefing to Modi in half an hour long meeting at his
residence on the situation along frontiers, internal security
and other aspects including implementation of GST in Jammu and
Kashmir after which `One Nation, One Tax’ regime has come into
force in the entire country.
India slammed Pakistan for making
a martyr out of HM militant Burhan Wani, who was killed on July
8 2016. Criticising the Pakistani Government for glorifying the
dead terrorist, MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted, "First,
Foreign Office of Pakistan read from banned LeT's script. Now,
Pakistan COAS (army chief) glorifies Burhan Wani. Pakistan's terror
support and sponsorship need to be condemned by one and all."
Baglay's comments came a day after Pakistani Army Chief General
Qamar Javed Bajwa praised Wani. Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif too
paid tributes to Wani, saying his death "infused a new spirit
in the struggle for freedom" in Kashmir Valley.
Pakistan Army evening again started
mortar shelling and firing at Digwar, Gulpur, Chakan-Da-Bagh,
Karmara and Kasalian forward villages of Poonch sector in Poonch
District. Indian troops retaliated the shelling and firing effectively
at all the places, sources said, adding heavy exchanges continued
for couple of hours after which intensity of shelling reduced.
The exchange of small arms firing also continued. However, there
were no reports of any casualties or damage in Pakistan shelling.
Pakistan summoned India's deputy
high commissioner in Islamabad for the second consecutive day
on July 9 over alleged ceasefire violations along the LoC, claiming
that more civilians were killed in firing by Indian troops. J
P Singh was summoned to "condemn and lodge protest over more
civilian casualties at the LoC due to unprovoked ceasefire violations
by India", Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement.
A Pakistani spokesperson alleged three more civilians were killed
in Chirikot and Satwal sectors on July 8 by Indian troops, taking
the total civilian toll to five.
India said Pakistan’s support
for terrorism should be condemned by all and criticised the neighbouring
country’s army chief for glorifying HM militant Burhan Wani on
his first death anniversary. Wani was killed in a gunfight with
SFs in south Kashmir on July 8, 2016. “Sacrifices of BurhanWani
& generations against Indian atrocities are a testimony of
their resolve,” Addressing the G20 summit in Hamburg, Indian PM
Narendra Modi equated Pakistan based LeTand JeM to Islamic State
(IS) and al-Qaeda, saying their names might be different but their
ideology was the same.
Army foiled an infiltration bid
along the LoC in Dulanga area of Uri sector in Baramulla District
killing one militant. Sources said that Army noticed suspicious
movement of a group of militants near the fence in Dulanga area
of Uri sector and carried out a massive operation during which
they challenged the militant group. The searches continued in
the area and Army on July 12 saw body of a militant lying near
the fence. The other members of the group have managed to flee
back to the PoK.
|
July 10
|
In a worst attack on the annual
Amarnath pilgrimage, militants killed seven pilgrims from Gujarat,
including six women, and injured 32 others as they struck at a
bus in Anantnag District. According to Police, the bus was attacked
at around 8.20 pm near Khanabal when it was on its way to Jammu.
The bus was not a part of the yatra convoy which is being
provided elaborate security, Police said. The militants first
attacked a bullet-proof bunker of the Police at Botengoo (Baramulla
District), a Police official said, adding it was retaliated. There
were no injuries in this attack. Thereafter the militants fired
on a Police picket near Khannabal (Anantnag District), the Police
added. When the Police retaliated, the militants fled, firing
indiscriminately in which the bus carrying the pilgrims got it.
Seven of the pilgrims were killed and 32 were injured, the Police
said. Later, IGP Kashmir Range, Muneer Ahmad Khan said that the
terror attack was carried out by the LeT and was masterminded
by a Pakistani terrorist Ismail.
The Police and top Government
sources said the bus driver had violated rules for the pilgrimage,
which state that no yatra vehicle should be on the highway
after 7 pm as the security cover is withdrawn after that. It was
the “irresponsible” act of the ill-fated bus driver and its passengers
that exposed the Amarnath pilgrims to tonight’s terror attack
in Kashmir in which seven were killed and 32 injured, according
to top security officials.
Several political organisations,
including the VHP, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party,
the National Conference and the Congress called for a bandh
(General Strike) in Jammu on July 11 to protest the killings.
Indian Army foiled a major infiltration
bid along the LoC in Nowgam sector of Kupwara District killing
three infiltrators. The Army troops deployed along the forward
posts in Nowgam sector noticed the suspicious movement along the
LoC in Nowgam sector on July 9 night and troops challenged the
group of infiltrators. They, on being challenged, fired on the
Army leading to a gun battle. The Army rushed more troops to the
area and conducted searches in the vast forest area near the LoC
during which three militants were killed.
Brigadier Neeraj Kumar said that
Army foiled a major infiltration attempt along the LoC at Nowgam
sector in Kupwara District on July 10. “The terrorists, who tried
to infiltrate by exploiting the thick jungle along the LoC were
detected by the Army troops on duty close to the LoC”, he said.
The Army officer said that the operation that was conducted in
a very difficult terrain lasted for 18 hours. “Army troops conducted
prolong search operations in thick jungle and difficult terrain
conditions which lasted over 18 hours, resulting in elimination
of three terrorists and recovery of large cache of war-like stores”,
he said. Brigadier Kumar said that this is the fourth infiltration
bid that was foiled along the Nowgam sector in last two months.
A non-local militant of LeT, hailing
from UP, identified as Sandeep Kumar Sharma alias Adil
along with another militant, identified as Muneeb Shah were arrested
by Police from Anantnag District. IGP, Kashmir Range, Muneer Ahmad
Khan said that Police arrested Sandeep Kumar Sharma, resident
of Muzaffarnagar, UP, associated with LeT during an operation.
Sharma was involved in a number of attacks on security forces,
besides planned bank robbery, the IGP said, adding that he robbed
four banks and shared the booty with the LeT members. “Sandeep
helped the LeT militants to loot ATMs while they also indulged
in immoral activities in the villages,” he said. The IGP said
Sharma had come to Kashmir valley in 2012 and was working as a
welder. However, he came into contact with Shahid Ahmad before
joining the LeT. The IGP said that UP Police has been alerted
and “we are trying to get more information about his background”.
Meanwhile, a team of the UP Police
Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to interrogate
Sandeep Kumar Sharma alias Adil, an LeT suspected arrested
in Kashmir valley on July 10, adds Daily Excelsior. Inspector
General of Police (IGP) ATS Aseem Arun said that a team of UP
ATS have rushed to Kashmir after hearing the news about the arrest
of Sandeep, a native of Muzaffarnagar District. Arun said a separate
team has also been rushed to Muzaffarnagar to get details about
the accused.
|
July 11
|
Three youths, who were planning
to join militant ranks in South Kashmir’s Shopian District, have
been arrested, Jammu and Kashmir Police said. A Police spokesman
said it have arrested three accused involved in the attempt of
bank robbery and weapon snatching at Jammu and Kashmir Bank Imamsahab
in Shopian. “By arresting these three accused, police have foiled
their plans to join militant ranks,” he said. The spokesman said
that the incident took place on May 25, 2017 and a case has been
registered. “The trio had a plan of joining the militant ranks,
upon successful completion of their attempt,” he said.
A manhunt has been launched for
LeT ‘commander’ Mohammad Abu Ismail believed to have carried out
Monday's (July 10) attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir
that killed seven people. It was one of the deadliest attacks
by the 26-year-old terrorist who had been operating in south Kashmir.
Sources in Delhi said that Abu Ismail, a Pakistani national, had
infiltrated from across the border with Pakistan about two years
ago and was a local commander of the LeT in south Kashmir.
With heavy security arrangements
by the Army and other Government forces in Kashmir, the LeT had
activated its OGWs to find easy targets for its terrorists. "The
OGWs had been tailing this group from Gujarat comprising mostly
women for the last two days and tipped off the terrorists to attack
the group when there was no security around," top Government
sources said. Sources said Ismail, the mastermind, is from Mirpur
in Pakistan and has been indulging in bank loots for the past
year to sustain the operations of the LeT along with Abu Dujana,
the LeT head for Kashmir valley. With an INR 10 lakh bounty on
him, the category ‘A’ terrorist is active around the areas of
Pampore and Anantnag and was involved in the killing of a sarpanch
there in April 2017.
Even though central agencies are
yet to conclusively link July 10's attack on Amarnath pilgrims
to LeT, the latter's prompt denial of its role is being seen in
the context of international pressure on Pakistan to crack down
on its top leadership including Hafiz Muhammad Saeed as well as
its terror activities. "A key factor that may have led LeT
to disown the Amarnath attack is that civilians, and not Security
Forces, were a target. Hitting innocent civilians obviously draws
international condemnation, which could create problems as Pakistan
has been told time and again to rein in Saeed and the LeT terror
network," an intelligence officer said.
|
July 12
|
Three HM militants were killed
in an encounter in Radbugh village in Budgam District in the morning.
The slain militants were identified as Javid Sheikh, Dawood Ahmad
Sofi and Aaquib Gul. The gun battle started on July 11 evening
after SFs launched a search operation following a tip-off about
the presence of militants in Radbugh village in Budgam's Magam
area at around 7.30pm, a senior Army officer said. "Their
bodies along with three assault rifles have been recovered,"
he added.
US State Department spokeswoman
Heather Nauert said that "We consider it to have been a terrorist
attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in which seven religious
pilgrims were killed. That's of great concern to us." Nauert
further said that the terror attack is particularly "reprehensible"
because it targeted civilians. "These were civilians, they
were killed as they were exercising their right to worship, and
that is in large part what makes this so reprehensible. That is
a great concern to us," the State Department spokeswoman
added.
Two soldiers were killed as Pakistan
army violated ceasefire in Keran sector of Kupwara District. An
Army spokesman said that Pakistan violated ceasefire in Farkian
Gali in Keran sector of North Kashmir this afternoon and targeted
Balbir Post. He said that two Army personnel of 3 JAKRIF, identified
as Lance Naik Ranjit Singh and Rifleman Satish Bhagat were killed
in the firing.
Pakistan is arming the militant
group HM with chemical weapons to carry out terror strikes in
Jammu and Kashmir, audio excerpts intercepted by security agencies
have revealed. According to this report, these transcripts are
undeniable and damning proof of how Pakistan is aiding and abetting
terror activities in Pakistan. Terror outfits have lost 90 members
to military offensives during the past few months, and hitting
back with chemical weapons may be a desperate way for HM to get
back at the Indian security establishment. According to the accessed
transcripts, HM members have already got their hands on these
chemical weapons. Plans to use these weapons, primarily at forces,
seem to be a desperate attempt to retaliate against the back-to-back
successful offences launched by the SFs.
Members of this outfit hope to
surprise the Indian security forces, which have so far been dealing
in conventional weaponry, with this chemical attack. “Inshallah,
we are going to get lots of support from Pakistan...things are
happening along the border. In days to come, Pakistan will step-up
its anti-India game,’ a HM operative can be heard saying at one
point. At another instance, this operative adds, “Till now we’ve
used grenade launchers on the Indian army...killing just 3-4 and
injuring a few. But now it’s time to change our tactics. We will
straightaway use chemical weapons...to kill as many as possible
at the same time.” Hizb-ul-Mujahideen is the biggest terror outfit
in the Valley with around 200 active members.
Even though there was no specific
intelligence about Monday's (July 10) attack on Amarnath pilgrims
in Anantnag District, the primary analysis by agencies suggests
that it could be the result of frustration among terrorists who
are on the run due to the aggressive line of SFs. According to
official figures, Army, CRPF and Jammu & Kashmir Police are
literally hunting down terrorists in the Valley with over 100
killed till July 11 this year (2017) as compared to 150 in the
whole of 2016.
Officials said out of the 100
terrorists killed in major joint operations this year, 33 belonged
to LeT and 23 to HM. Sources said some of the big names gunned
down in the last months included LeT's ‘district commander’ Basir
Lashkari (who was listed among A++ category of wanted terrorists
in the valley); another top commander of Pakistan-based outfit
Abu Haris; outfit's ‘divisional commander’ Abu Musaib; and HM
‘commanders’ Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, Aquib Ahmad Bhat, Abu Hamza and
Gulzar Ahmad Lone.
According to a senior official
who coordinates joint operations with army, CRPF and J&K Police's
SOG, most of the terrorists have been neutralised in Budgam, Kupwara,
Kulgam, Baramulla, Anantnag, Bandipore and Pulwama. He said while
57 terrorists have been killed in joint operations, 43 were killed
while infiltrating from Pakistan. "Specific intelligence
is being gathered on terrorists hidings in villages and they are
being targeted as part of coordinated operations. For example,
three terrorists - Javid Ahmed, Sheikh Dawood Ahmed and Aaquib
Gul - were neutralised in Budgam on Tuesday (July 11) night after
security forces zeroed in on the house where they were holed up,"
said an official who didn't wish to be named. The officials are,
however, concerned about 150 terrorists, including 40-50 who infiltrated
from Pakistan, who are still present in south Kashmir.
In a first, the corpse of a militant
was wrapped in the flag of the Islamic State (IS) terror group
as hundreds of supporters joined his funeral in Srinagar. They
waved flags with pictures of slain HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani
and his protégé Zakir Rashid Bhat alias Musa. This was
a departure from previous instances when the bodies of slain militants
used to be covered with Pakistani flags. Sajad Gilkar, a resident
of downtown Srinagar, was killed along with two other HM militants
in an encounter on July 12. Police said Gilkar had played a key
role in the lynching of DySP Mohammad Ayub Pandith. Gikar's funeral
prayers were held in the premises of Jamia Masjid where Pandith
was lynched by a mob on June 22.
|
July 13
|
Authorities imposed curfew in
Shopian town and restrictions in many other parts of Jammu and
Kashmir to maintain law and order as a strike called by separatists
disrupted normal life in the Valley. Curfew has been imposed in
Shopian town of south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain
law and order, a Police official said. He said these measures
were taken to prevent any untoward incident in view of the strike
called by separatists to mark the death anniversary of 21 persons
who were killed in firing by the Dogra Army on this day in 1931.
More than 50 per cent of around
220 active terrorists in J&K are Pakistan nationals, a UMHA
official said. He also said that infiltration bids have seen a
rise in last five months. Around 220 terrorists are active in
the Kashmir Valley and majority of them are Pakistanis, the official
said. At least 120 attempts of infiltration have been made till
May, with 30 militants having been successful at the attempt,
he said. In 2016, there were 370 attempts of infiltration in Jammu
and Kashmir, the official said, adding as many as 119 terrorists
had sneaked into the country that year.
According to data compiled by
the UMHA, 88 Kashmiri youths had joined militancy in 2016, the
highest in last six years. In 2014, 222 terrorists tried to enter
the country, but only 65 could make it, and in 2015, 121 ultras
attempted to cross the border, but 33 of them were successful.
Besides, there has been a steady increase in the number of youths
taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards as compared to
ones between 2010 and 2013, the data said. In 2010, as many as
54 youths joined militancy, in 2011, however, the number came
down to 23. It further dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it
added.
India asserted that cross- border
terrorism in J&K was at the “heart” of the matter that was
threatening regional peace and snubbed China for its offer to
mediate to resolve the Kashmir issue, insisting it was a bilateral
matter between it and Pakistan. India’s strong reaction came a
day after the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said China
was willing to play a “constructive role” in improving Indo-Pak
ties, especially after the increased hostility along the LoC.
He also said the situation in Kashmir has attracted “international”
attention.
|
July 14
|
A LeT militant was arrested by
SFs in Sumbal area of Bandipora District. A Police official said
that acting on specific information regarding the movement of
militants in Markundal-Pushwari area, a joint ambush was laid
in the orchards by Police, Army’s 13 RR and CRPF this morning
at around 6 am. He said during the ambush, suspicious movement
of a person was noticed in the area and he was challenged to stop
but he tried to run away from the spot. “He was, however, overpowered
by the alert security forces and apprehended subsequently,” the
official said, adding that later on during investigation he identified
himself as Shahbaz Rasool Mir of Mir Mohalla Hajin of the Bandipora
District. The Police official said that Shahbaz was a recent militant
recruit and he had joined the LeT few months ago. Police recovered
a Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, four pistol rounds, one
grenade and a knife from his possession.
Police detained driver of ruling
PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir, identified as Touseef Ahmad for his alleged
links with the militants. Sources said that Touseef Ahmad was
picked up by Police for questioning following inputs that he is
in touch with the militants. According to reports, Police has
arrested two more persons along with Touseef for their links with
militants. Sources said that Touseef has worked with the SOG of
Jammu and Kashmir Police in the past and is accused of supplying
ammunition and facilitating militant movement.
Police constituted a SIT to probe
attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag. IGP Kashmir, Munir Ahmad
Khan, said that the SIT will be headed by DIG of South Kashmir
Range SP Pani. “The SIT has been constituted to expedite the probe
and investigate all the pros and cons. The probe involves foreign
militants so it will take some time,” he said. Asked whether anyone
has been detained so far, the IGP said: “As of now, I cannot divulge
any details with regard to the probe.” Police have named LeT ‘commander’
Abu Ismail as prime suspect in the attack on Amarnath Yatra bus
that left seven pilgrims dead and 19 others injured on July 10.
The SIT will probe all the angles of the case.
Srinagar town had witnessed intense
clashes between stone-pelters and SFs shortly after Friday prayers.
Auqaf Committee headed by Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir Ahmad
accused SFs of ransacking the Jamia Masjid during the clashes
and arresting 14 persons from there.
|
July 15
|
At least three militants were
killed in an encounter with SFs in Tral in Pulwama District. Official
sources said SFs and State Police launched a joint search operation
in the woods at Dantiwan Satoor forest in Tral in Pulwama District.
When the forest area was being sealed, militants hiding there
opened fire, they said, adding that SFs also retaliated ensuing
a fierce encounter. It is reported that three militants were killed,
they said, adding that the bodies of militants have not yet been
recovered.
Another operation against militants
has been launched at Aripal in Tral in Pulwama District. However,
details are awaited.
An Army trooper was killed as
Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting
forward defence location and civilian areas along the LoC in Manjakote
sector of Rajouri District. A forward patrol party of the Army
was reportedly caught in shelling by Pakistani troops at Tarkundi,
falling between Manjakote and Balakote sectors of Rajouri and
Poonch Districts, in which an Army soldier was seriously injured.
Later, the trooper identified as Lance Naik Mohammad Naseer (35),
succumbed to his injuries.
Jamia Masjid area in downtown
Srinagar also observed a shutdown on July 15, to mourn the death
of militant Sajid Ahmad Gilkar who was killed along with two of
his associates in an encounter with SFs at Radbugh village in
Budgam District on July 12.
|
July 16
|
Anantnag town in south Kashmir
observed a shutdown in response to a call given by a religious
organisation against the alleged vandalism of the local Jamia
Masjid and the arrest of over a dozen youths during clashes. The
town had witnessed intense clashes between stone-pelters and SFs
on July 14 shortly after Friday prayers. Auqaf Committee headed
by Mirwaiz south Kashmir Qazi Yasir Ahmad accused SFs of ransacking
the Jamia Masjid during the clashes and arresting 14 persons from
there.
At least five Pakistani soldiers
were killed after Special Forces of Indian Army targeted their
vehicle along the LoC in Furikiyan sector in Kupwara. Sources
said that Special Forces of Army (Paras) targeted a Pakistani
Army vehicle on Neelam Valley road. The vehicle that was targeted
by the Special Forces fell into Kishan Ganga River called as Neelam
River by Pakistan which is the LoC in the sector. They said five
soldiers drowned in the river and one body has been recovered
so far. “Pakistani troops were seen searching for the bodies in
the river”, they said. Pakistani troops later targeted forward
posts of Army but there was no loss of life. The intermittent
firing in the area continued.
Pakistan’s ISPR confirmed the
incident and said that Indian Army targeted an army vehicle which
fell in the river at Athmuqam in PoK. The ISPR said the body of
one of the soldiers had been found while the search for the others
was under way. “Pakistani troops effectively responded to the
ceasefire violation”, the ISPR added.
A woman pilgrim, identified as
Lalita (47) injured in the militant attack on Amarnath Yatra bus
on July 10, succumbed to her injuries at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar
in the morning, taking the death toll in the July 10 attack to
eight. The Commander of 1-Sector RR, Brigadier R Chakraborty,
said that the attack on the Amarnath Yatra in which 8 pilgrims
were killed and 19 others injured was an aberration. “We believe
that this attack was an aberration and we have intensified our
drills and hope such type of attacks won’t take place in future”,
he said.
Police arrested four persons including
a Policeman and bank official for their involvement in providing
logistic support and participation in the killing of SPO Khurshid
Ahmed in Imamsahab Shopian last month. Police said that during
the investigations of the case, it was revealed that the attack
was carried out by HM outfit based in Shopian. “One Nazim Nazir
Dar on the direction of other HM militants Saddam Padder and Irfan
Abdullah Ganie, both residents of Heff carried the attack”, said
Police. Police said that in the criminal conspiracy four OGWs
provided logistic support to the militant group who were identified
as Amir Mohidin - a bank official, Constable Towseef Ahmad of
Chakoora, Basharat Yusuf Mir - working as private teacher and
Iftikar Rather alias Jamshed. “After sustained questioning
they were arrested and are being investigated for their roles”,
Police said.
SFs busted a HM militant module,
luring youth to militancy, by arresting three persons in Baramulla
District. The arrested HM militants were identified as Ansarullah
Tantaray, Abdul Rashid Bhat, and Mehrajuddin Kak. SSP Baramulla,
Imtiyaz Hussain said that Baramulla Police, assisted by other
SFs, busted the module which has been active in the area to lure
young boys to militancy. The SSP said the module was being spearheaded
by HM ‘commander’ Parvez Wani alias Mub-ashir, a resident
of Gagloora, Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara District.
The SSP said the module had plans
to send many boys to Pakistan on valid visa to get them trained
in militant camps of PoK. “One of the accused Abdul Rashid Bhat
had visited Pakistan in the month of May this year and got training
for undertaking terrorist activities in Khalid bin Waleed camp
of HM located in PoK,” he said. The SSP said Bhat had got the
visa from Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi on the recommendation
of a separatist organization. “Arms, ammunition and Rs one lakh
in Indian currency has been recovered from their possession,”
he said. He said that module has not only been luring young boys
to militancy, but providing all logistic support to other militants
of the outfit as well. Imtiyaz said recently Baramulla Police
saved around 10 boys meant to be inducted in militant ranks and
handed them over to their parents.
|
July 17
|
Pakistan Army resorted to heavy
shelling and firing targeting the Indian positions on the LoC
in Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri District, Defence Ministry spokesman
Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said. "The indiscriminate
firing using small arms, automatics and mortars that started from
7.30am is still on," Mehta said. The Indian Army was retaliating
strongly and effectively, he added.
Three LeT militants were killed
in an encounter in Bul Bul Nowgam area in Anantnag District. SSP
Anantnag, Altaf Khan said that a joint team of SOG of Jammu and
Kashmir Police, 19 RR of Army and CRPF cordoned off Bul Bul Nowgam
area following specific inputs about the presence of militants.
“As the security forces intensified the searches, the militants
hiding in the area opened fire triggering an encounter in which
three militants were killed”, he said. The militants have been
identified as Showkat Lohar of Arwani, Bijbehara in Anantnag District.
He was an ‘A-category’ militant and was recruited by LeT last
year (2016) in August. Another militant has been identified as
Mudasir Ahmad Hajam of Danwatpura village in Kokernag in Anantnag
District. He was ‘B-category’ militant and joined LeT in January
2017. Both the militants were part of Bashir Lashker group, who
was killed early this month. The third militant is said to be
a Pakistani and has not been identified as yet. One AK 47 rifle,
an SLR and a pistol was recovered from their possession.
Militants, in the morning, attacked
an Army convoy at Bijbehara in Anantnag District of Jammu and
Kashmir, an army official said, adding that a man was injured
when the forces fired back. SFs have cordoned off the area and
launched an operation to track down the militants, the official
said. "Terrorists opened fire on the last vehicle of the
army convoy near Bijbehara. We retaliated and a man was injured
in the incident," he said.
SSP Kupwara, Shamsher Hussain
said Police rescued and foiled the plans of four minor boys of
Gulgam village area of Kupwara District to join militant groups
when a Police party deputed for the purpose near LoC intercepted
them. After proper counselling at Police Station Kupwara, they
were handed over to their parents, he said. The SSP said that
last week, Police in Kupwara prevented four more youth from joining
militant groups. They were identified as Hilal Ahmad Fafoo (18),
Firdous Ahmad Bhat (19), Touseef Ahmad Shah (16) and Ahteram-ul-Haq
Shah (16). “After receiving the information about their fleeing
from their homes, Police parties were sent to different locations.
The parents of the missing boys and their relatives were also
involved, who played the positive role for their motivation and
providing timely information with regard to their contact numbers
and other details,” Shamsher said.
“During the swift operation, two
boys from Shatmuqam Lolab were intercepted from Pulwama area who
were heading towards Tral and other two boys hailing from Bumhama
were intercepted from Vodhpora area who were also planning to
move towards Shopian area, the spokesman said. During the course
of investigation, all the four boys have confessed that they were
going to join the militant ranks as they are being reprimanded
by their parents owing to various reasons including poor in studies
besides they were also fed up with life style at home due to poverty”,
the SSP said. “All the rescued boys have been properly counselled
and motivated for their re-union with the families,” he added.
An Army soldier and an infant
were killed in heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan army while
three others including two civilians and a jawan were injured
along the LoC in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Indian troops gave befitting response to Pakistan’s ceasefire
violations at all the places. A mortar shell fired by Pakistan
army struck an Army bunker in Tarkundi area of Manjakote sector
in Rajouri District in which an Army jawan, identified
as Naik Mudassar Ahmed attained martyrdom while another
soldier, identified as Naik Firdous Ahmed was injured. Another
mortar shell fell on roof of the house of Mohammad Kafeel at village
Barhuti in Dadiana area of Balakote sector of Poonch District
killing nine year old female child, Sajida Kafeel daughter of
Mohammad Kafeel. Two more civilians including Shah Begum (54)
and Sharief Ahmad, both residents of Naika Panjgrain were injured
in mortar shelling in Manjakote sector of Rajouri District.
Report adds that the escalated
tensions along the LoC prompted DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhat
warning his Pakistan counterpart Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza
that though India was sincere to maintain peace on LoC, it reserves
the right to retaliate appropriately. Heavy shelling forced the
district administration to close down Government schools, located
close to the LoC while cross-LoC bus between Poonch-Rawlakote
route was suspended for second consecutive week in view of shelling
and tensions on the LoC, keeping 55 citizens of PoK stranded for
more than a week, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K
Bhandari said. He added that a Contingency Plan has been put in
place to help the border dwellers.
Pakistani troops targeted forward
posts of army in Kamalkote sector in Uri in Baramulla District
by firing mortars. One soldier was injured and he was removed
to hospital for treatment.
|
July 18
|
Two militants were killed by Army
when a group of militants were attempting to infiltrate into Gurez
sector along the LoC in Bandipora District. Sources said that
a group of six militants tried to sneak in at around 11:30 pm
in Gurez sector of the LoC. Army personnel of 13-Sikh regiment
noticed their movement and challenged them. Militants fired at
them and Army retaliated leading to an encounter in which the
two militants were killed. Three AK-47 rifles and ammunition was
recovered during the searches of the area.
Army also foiled an infiltration
bid along the LoC in Macchil sector in Kupwara District. Sources
said that Army troops deployed at the forward posts in the sector
noticed the movement of 5-6 infiltrators near the fence and they
were challenged but they fled under the cover of darkness leaving
behind some ammunition. Search operation has been launched in
the area and more troops were rushed to ensure that no militant
is hiding in the area.
A 60-year-old civilian who was
injured in Army firing at Bijbehara town in Anantnag District
on July 17, succumbed. Mohammad Abdullah Ganaie was shot in leg
and was referred to SKIMS Soura, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Two Army jawans were killed
and six persons, including three civilians, were injured as Pakistani
troops pounded several villages and forward areas with mortar
bombs along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir officials said. An Army
sepoy Jaspreet Singh was killed in the Pakistani shelling in Naushera
sector in Rajouri District, a Defence spokesman said. "Pakistani
troops initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Naushera
sector in Rajouri at around 1350 hours today. The Indian Army
retaliated strongly and effectively," the Defence spokesman
said. Another Army jawan was killed in Pakistani firing
in the Nowgam sector in Kupwara District of Kashmir Valley, an
Army official said. Three civilians were injured in Pakistani
shelling along the LoC in Naushera sector, the Defence spokesman
said, adding that they have been hospitalised. The reports said
that three Army jawans also suffered injuries in exchanges of
the firing and shelling along LoC.
The Government informed Parliament
that the situation in J&K is "much better" than
that of the last year (2016) even as it is keeping a close watch
on all developments, which have a bearing on India's security.
Citing statistics of violence reported from the State, which has
been affected by stone pelting since the killing of HM militant
leader Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016, the UMHA said in a written
reply in Lok Sabha that 583 cases (of violence) have been
reported this year (2017) till date against 2897 total registered
in 2016. UMHA informed that 12,650 miscreants (referring to the
stone pelters) and separatists have been arrested or bound down
(charged) under substantive and preventive laws since last year.
It added that separatists/trouble mongers have been kept under
close surveillance to check their activities. The J&K Police,
Army, CRPF and NIA have taken strong action the stone pelters
and terrorists in last one year. This year, 100 terrorists have
already been killed in action with SFs in J&K.
The UMHA added that while 2808
incidents of stone pelting were reported from J&K in 2016
in which 85 civilians were killed, 8932 were injured and two security
personnel were killed and 8378 personnel were injured, 664 such
incidents have been reported this year till July 9. In 664 incidents
this year, 21 civilians have been killed, 107 civilians have been
injured (till May 31), one security personnel has been killed
while 1073 have been injured.
The UMHA data shows that infiltration
attempts from LoC has gone up this year as compared to the last
year around the same time. In January this year, there were 7
infiltration attempts at LoC as compared to 2 in January 2016,
while 10 attempts have been made in June 2017 as compared to 7
last June. Total 42 infiltration attempts have been made by terrorists
from Pakistan this year till June end, said UMHA. The Government
added that the Army has adopted a robust counter infiltration
strategy along the LoC which is an appropriate mix of technology
and human resources put together to check infiltration.
|
July 19
|
Following three days of intense
shelling and firing by Pakistan army in twin border Districts
of Rajouri and Poonch, Indian troops decimated nine posts and
bunkers of Pakistani troops, which were engaged in targeting civilian
areas including the educational institutions to cause more casualties.
“A major counter attack against Pakistani troops was necessitated
across Rajouri and Poonch districts along the LoC to silence the
enemy guns, which were targeting civilian population and schools.
Huge damage has been caused to Pakistan army,” official sources
said. They said: “enough and far more damage than what we suffered
has been inflicted upon Pakistan army in all parts of the LoC
across Poonch and Rajouri districts, where heavy mortar shelling
and firing with automatic weapons continued for third consecutive
day today”. According to sources, at least nine posts and bunkers
of Pakistan army have been decimated while many more were damaged
in retaliatory action undertaken by the Indian troops. Pakistan
army has also suffered several casualties, both fatal and non-fatal,
they said.
Report said that fresh migration
took place from forward areas of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District.
Three hundred people along with their 150 cattle were safely shifted
from forward village of Gania, located within the firing range
to a Government Middle School in the same village, which was in
the safer location. Similarly, around 600 more people have reached
the relief camps set up for the border dwellers by the civil administration
of Rajouri in Nowshera sector.
Sources said there were 3361 people
from 839 families in the relief camps at Nowshera prior to fresh
round of shelling and their number has now swelled to around 4000.
The educational institutions in Manjakote and Nowshera sectors
of Rajouri District and parts of Balakote and Mendhar sectors
in Poonch District, falling in the shelling and firing range,
remained closed on July 19 on the orders of administration to
avoid casualties as Pakistan army was targeting civilian areas
including the schools.
The most wanted militant in Jammu
and Kashmir and ‘divisional commander’ LeT, Abu Dujana, slipped
out of SFs ambush in Pulwama District of South Kashmir after a
brief gun battle and a massive operation has been launched against
him. Sources said that LeT ‘divisional commander’, Abu Dujana,
who is the most wanted militant in Kashmir valley slipped out
of Police dragnet this evening in Pulwama District of South Kashmir
by firing at a vehicle in which Police was chasing him. Sources
said that Abu Dujana was on his way from Tral to Pulwama and Police
in civvies was following him in a civil car.
They said that at Banderpora village,
Abu Dujana got suspicious of a Bolero car that was chasing him.
He fired at the tyre of the car before abandoning the Sumo in
which he was travelling and also fired at the tyre of an Army
vehicle that had laid ambush against him in the village. Police
and Army also fired at him several rounds but he managed to slip
out of their dragnet. More troops were rushed to the area and
a massive hunt has been launched against him in the nearby villages
by joint team of Police and Army. Police seized the two vehicles
and arrested the driver of the Sumo and he is being questioned.
Army continued searches for the
infiltrators in Gurez sector along the LoC in Bandipora District.
As SATP reported earlier, the Army foiled a major infiltration
bid in Gurez sector by killing two militants on July 18. However,
the searches for the rest members of the group is going on.
SFs said that there are over 250
militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir with majority of them
Pakistanis against whom operations to eliminate them are going
on across the Valley. GOC Counter-Insurgency Victor Force Major
General BS Raju said in Anantnag that there are 110 militants
active in South Kashmir out of which nearly 100 are locals. “There
are around 110 militants operating in South Kashmir out of which
around 100 are locals and around 10-15 are foreignness. We are
conducting operations against them which will continue”, he said.
The GOC, however, appealed the local militants to shun the path
of violence and assured them that Army will help in their rehabilitation.
“I appeal to the militants, who have taken to arms to shun the
path of violence and return to mainstream. We assure you that
we will work for your safety”, he said.
DIG of CRPF, R K Yadav said that
are 156 foreigners militants active in North Kashmir. He, however,
didn’t specify the locals who are working with them and their
OGWs. He said that we are ready to face any challenge posed by
these militants in the area.
|
July 20
|
At least 36 persons including
14 Police personnel were injured after massive clashes raged at
Zainapora area of Shopian District against death of a minor girl
who was hit by an Army vehicle. Police seized the vehicle and
arrested the driver. A Police officer said that in an incident
of alleged reckless driving, an Army vehicle crushed to death
a minor girl namely Aruba Jan in Aglar area of Zainapora in Shopian.
The incident triggered massive demonstrations in the area and
the angry youth vandalized offices of Sub Divisional Magistrate
and Tehsildar Zainapora. Some youths pelted stones on SFs who
retaliated by firing teargas and pellets. At least 22 protesters
sustained injuries in the clashes, 11 of them were hit by pellets
while 14 Policemen were also hurt. Police said it exercised maximum
restraint while dealing with angry protesters.
Two boys were injured as a bomb
exploded at Bamnoo village in Pulwama District. An official said
that an unexploded shell went off near the July 3 encounter site
at Bamnoo village and resulted in injuries to two boys, identified
as Muzzamil Ahmad Khan alias Wakeel (16) and Umar Ahmad
Khan (24). While Muzzamil sustained splinter injuries in his hand,
Umar sustained abdomen and chest wounds.
India accused Pakistan of "deliberately
targeting" villages and school children in ceasefire violations
across the LoC, which remains volatile with the two armies exchanging
heavy fire on a daily basis in J&K. Indian DGMO Lieutenant
General A.K Bhatt told his Pakistani counterpart Major General
Sahir Shamshad Mirza over the hotline to exercise "strict
control" over his troops and instruct them to refrain from
any "nefarious activities". During the telephonic conversation
at about 3.30pm on July 20, Bhatt said Pakistan army troops had
deliberately targeted villages and also fired at school children
in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri District when they were being
evacuated from the area on July 18.
Pakistan summoned Indian deputy
high commissioner JP Singh after two civilians were killed in
alleged ceasefire violations across the LoC by Indian troops.
Director General (SA and SAARC) Mohammad Faisal who summoned the
Deputy High Commissioner "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire
violations". Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement that
firing by Indian troops in Nikial and Nezapir sectors yesterday
(July 19) killed two civilians and inured five others. "The
deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary
to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian
laws," Faisal said. He urged the Indian side to respect the
2003 ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents
of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect
the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the
LoC.
|
July 21
|
Army jawan, identified
as Rifleman Jayadrath Singh was killed in unprovoked firing on
forward Indian posts by the Pakistani troops along the LoC in
Sunderbani sector in Rajouri District. Official sources said Pakistan
army initiated unprovoked firing on forward Army posts in Sunderbani
sector, which was hitherto calm despite heavy shelling in neighbouring
Nowshera sector. The Indian troops retaliated strongly and effectively.
Pakistani troops violated ceasefire
along the LoC in Naugam sector of Kupwara District for the third
consecutive day, but there were no casualties in the unprovoked
firing from across the LoC. An army official said the Indian
Army is retaliating to the Pakistani aggression in equal measure.
An eerie calm prevailed along
LoC in shelling-hit sectors of Nowshera, Manjakote, Balakote,
Mendhar, Sabjian and Shahpur besides other villages falling close
to LoC in Rajouri and Poonch Districts with frightened people
staying indoors and educational institutions remaining shut following
Pakistan army’s direct shelling of civilian population and the
Government schools.
A protester was killed after Army
opened fire during the clashes in Beerwah area of Budgam District
while police foiled separatist march to UNMOGIP in Srinagar by
imposing curfew like restrictions. Soon after the Friday prayers,
protests broke out in Beerwah area of Budgam District during which
protesters pelted stones at the Police and SFs. Army opened fire
when they were heading towards their camp in the area, which resulted
in severe injuries to two youth. One among the youth, identified
as Tanveer Ahmed Wani who had received bullet injuries in his
head, succumbed to his injuries.
India has lodged a strong protest
with the US over the state department's "Country Report on
Terrorism 2016", released on July 19, referring to PoK as
"Azad Jammu & Kashmir" even as it states that the
area is being used by terrorist groups to target India. The Indian
Government approached US authorities after the release of the
report. An official spokesperson of the MEA said, "The government
has seen the mention of the term 'Azad Jammu & Kashmir' in
the US state department's country report on terrorism for 2016.
We have raised the matter with the US authorities and lodged our
protest."
This is the first time the US
has referred to PoK as "Azad Jammu & Kashmir" despite
the fact that the region is closely controlled by the Pakistan
military in the face of Indian protests. Till recently, the US
has used the nomenclature "Pakistan-administered Kashmir".
The report, however, praises India's efforts to combat terrorism.
On the other hand, India has reason
to feel satisfied that the report refers to the Indian state as
"Jammu & Kashmir" instead of its previous reference
to it as "Indian-administered Kashmir". The report,
in the section on US government-designated foreign terrorist organisations,
talks of HuM and says "the outfit conducts its operations
primarily in the state of Jammu & Kashmir and Afghanistan".
It adds: "HuM operates from Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu &
Kashmir, as well as several cities in Pakistan". Similarly,
while talking about Hafiz Saeed-led LeT, responsible for several
attacks in India including 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the state department
report says "the precise size of LeT is unknown, but it has
several thousand members in Azad Jammu &Kashmir and Pakistani
Punjab; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Provinces in Pakistan; and
in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India". Muzaffarabad
is the headquarters of LeT and other anti-India terror groups
and PoK is used to launch terrorists into India and plan attacks
on Indian military and civilian targets on the direction of the
Pakistani army.
|
July 22
|
An Army jawan, identified
as Sepoy RV Yadav was injured when Pakistan army initiated unprovoked
firing on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. “A jawan
sustained injury in cross border firing early this morning in
Nowshera sector,” sources said. It said that the soldier reportedly
hit by a sniper shot and admitted to Army Hospital.
|
July 23
|
Army foiled an infiltration bid
along the LoC killing one militant while operation is going on
in Machil sector in Kupwara District. Sources said that troops
in Macchil near the LoC noticed suspicious movement of some infiltrators
and immediately challenged them. The militants opened fire on
the troops leading to an encounter in which one militant was killed.
More troops were rushed to the area and a major search operation
is going on in the forest area near the LoC as Army believes that
3-4 militants are still in the area.
Police arrested six OGWs of LeT
in Tengpora area of Srinagar. Acting on specific information,
Srinagar Police had laid a naka at Tengpora bypass and as a vehicle
in which they were travelling approached the naka, it stopped
and the persons boarding the vehicle fled leaving behind the vehicle.
Police chased and arrested them along with an AK-47 and other
war like stores. They also seized two vehicles in which they were
travelling. The arrested OGWs have been identified as Mastan Sirul
Saba, Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, Arif Ahmad Dar, Masrat Ahmad Dar and Nisar
Ahmad Lone.
SFs conducted searches in Tankipora
area of Srinagar near Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Srinagar.
However, no one was arrested. SFs also conducted searches in Shalteng
area of Srinagar after inputs about presence of militants in the
area. However, during searches, residents pelted stones at the
SFs leading to clashes. The search operation was later called
off.
|
July 24 |
The NIA arrested seven separatist
leaders including son-in-law of APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani
from New Delhi and Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and charged them
with acting in connivance with top militant outfits like LeT,
HM and DeM. IG of NIA, Alok Mittal, described arrests of seven
separatist leaders as "one important step'' and declared that
investigations in the case would continue and all those found
connected/involved in the case would be examined, raided and appropriate
action taken against them at an appropriate time. "We have arrested
the separatist leaders based on the evidence gathered during raids
at various places few days back and follow up investigations,"
Mittal said, adding that six arrests were made from Srinagar and
one from New Delhi.
All those arrested in Srinagar
are being shifted to New Delhi for questioning after Police remand
from the court, he added. Those arrested include Altaf Ahmad Shah
alias Altaf Fantoosh, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Raja Mehrajuddin
Kalwal, Peer Saifullah, Aftab Hilali Shah alias Shahid-ul-Islam,
Nayeem Khan and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karate. Bitta Karate
was arrested in New Delhi and the other separatist leaders were
arrested from Srinagar and have been taken to New Delhi. They
will be produced before the Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House,
New Delhi on July 25.
|
July 25 |
SFs averted a major catastrophe
when they recovered five kilograms IED from village Loran in Poonch
District. Sources said the IED along with wire and other accessories
was being fabricated by the militants at an isolated area of Loran.
However, joint teams of Army and Police detected the IED during
a search operation and recovered it. The IED was subsequently
defused. Sources didn't rule out the possibility of the IED being
fabricated by the militants to target annual Budda Amarnath Ji
yatra.
Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir
Shah was arrested by the ED in connection with over a decade-old
money laundering case against him for alleged terror financing.
Officials said Shah was arrested in Srinagar and is expected to
be brought to New Delhi on July 26. He would be produced in a
court in New Delhi. A Delhi court had earlier this month issued
a NBW against the separatist leader. "The warrant has been executed,"
a senior official said.
HC leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's
son-in-law is among seven separatist leaders who will be interrogated
by the NIA for 10 days as a Delhi court allowed its plea to examine
their complicity in a case of alleged terror funding in the Kashmir
valley to fuel unrest. District judge Poonam A Bamba allowed the
agency to interrogate in custody Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known
as Altaf Fantoosh, along with six others to unearth the "complete
conspiracy". They may be taken to the Valley for investigation
for unearthing their modus operandi to raise funds to carry out
secessionist and terror activities in the Valley.
The NIA, while analysing social
media activity of "habitual" Kashmiri stone-pelters as part of
its J&K terror funding probe, found at least 28 WhatsApp groups
whose creators, administrators and some members are based in Pakistan
and include identified cadres of terror outfit JuD. Sources in
NIA stated that the WhatsApp groups together have 5,000 members,
of which majority are local Kashmiris but a significant number
are linked to Pakistani mobile numbers. Many of these groups have
either been created by a Pakistani or have Pakistanis as their
administrators. "We have identified Pakistani numbers in the WhatsApp
groups. Some of these numbers also show up in JuD posters and
publicity material, confirming JuD link to the J&K youth who regularly
pelt stones to disrupt ongoing anti-terror operations, allegedly
on payment arranged by Hurriyat separatists," said an unnamed
investigator.
|
July 31
|
Indian Army foiled a major infiltration
attempt in Torna area of Rampur sector in Uri in Baramulla District
and killed one infiltrator so far while massive searches for other
members of the group are going on. Sources said that 21-Sikh regiment
deployed in the forward areas of Torna noticed movement of an
infiltrating group on July 27 and launched massive operation.
The Army patrol had a brief gun battle with the militants but
they managed to flee that area. However, during the searches one
body was recovered and the army also recovered AK-47, 5 magazines,
Hand grenades, pouches and dry food. The searches are going on
as the Army felt that more militants are hiding in the area which
has dense forests and rugged terrain.
Army sources said that there are
over 250 militants waiting on the launch pads in PoK near the
LoC and they want to sneak in the summer. Army has intensified
its vigil along the LoC to prevent them from infiltrating. Army
is conducting round the clock patrolling along the LoC to foil
the infiltration attempts of the militants. SFs this year achieved
major successes against militants and killed 118 militants so
far. Last year they had killed a record 150 militants. SFs said
that there are 266 militants operating in Kashmir with 110 in
South Kashmir, which is worst affected by militancy. Out of these
militants nearly 100 are locals while in North Kashmir majority
of the militants are Pakistanis who have infiltrated into Kashmir
by crossing the LoC.
Suspected HM militants robbed
and decamped with a cash amount of over INR 5 lakh from Arwani
branch of J&K Bank in Bijbehara area of Anantnag. Around 12:40
pm, a group of four HM militants, who had boarded an Alto Car,
stopped outside the Arwani branch of J&K Bank. They said while
two militants stayed outside the bank, rest others armed with
one AK 47 rifle and one INSAS rifle barged into the J&K Bank
branch where they asked officials to handover cash. Interestingly,
both the militants had donned a veil, locally called Burqa, and
after looting the cash on gun-point, they also ransacked the computers
of the bank branch. Police said that militants fled with around
INR 5.20 lakh amount. A police spokesman said that during the
initial investigation and with the help of CCTV footage, it was
found that HM militants are involved in the crime.
|
August 1
|
At least two top LeT militants,
identified as LeT Kashmir ‘head’ Abu Dujana alias Hafiz
and another LeT militant Arif Lilhaari were killed during a fierce
encounter in Pulwama District. Dujana was the LeT's so-called
'divisional commander', and reportedly hailed from northern Pakistan.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants
in Hakripora village in Pulwama District, SFs launched a cordon
and search operation in the area, a Police official said. The
militants opened fired during the operation, prompting retaliation
from the forces which triggered a gun battle, he said.
Following news of Dujana's and
Lilhaari's killing, clashes broke out near the encounter site
in Hakripora in Pulwama District between protesters and Police
and fifteen people were reportedly injured in the violence, Police
said.
One civilian, identified as Firduos
Ahmad Bhat was killed in the firing incident when a mob tried
to march towards the encounter site to disrupt the anti-terror
operation in Pulwama District. Soon after the news about Dujana’s
killing spread, hundreds of people took to streets in several
areas of Pulwama including in Kakapora. The protesters pelted
stones on SFs who retaliated firing teargas, pellets and bullets.
Firduos Ahmad Bhat was hit by bullet during clashes near encounter
site. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his
injuries.
The clashes were also reported
from Chadoora in Budgam and in Bijbehera.
In Srinagar, clashes between students
and Police in Lal Chowk, Exchange Road, Abi Guzar, Regal Chowk
and adjoining areas created panic and chaos. Police used teargas
in city centre to disperse the student protesters. Some protesters
were also detained by Police. As the protests spread, authorities
ordered suspension of mobile internet services across Kashmir.
The colleges and schools were closed for two days in Kashmir.
As many as 86 of the 117 terrorists
killed by the SFs in J&K so far this year have been "foreign"
ones or those who have sneaked across the LoC from Pakistan or
PoK like the slain LeT ‘commander’ Abu Dujana. "This clearly
indicates that the flow of intelligence from the `local' population
against the foreign terrorists from LeT and JeM has definitely
improved. Successful counter-insurgency operations, after all,
are a direct result of good and real-time intelligence inputs.
There also seems to be a growing schism between foreign and local
terrorists," said.
Infiltration bids, incidentally,
have registered a jump in the first seven months of this year
as compared to the same time-frame last year (2016), though the
SFs have managed to thwart many of them. Officials say 19 infiltration
bids from across the LoC have been thwarted from January till
July 31 this year, in which 42 terrorists were killed. In the
first seven months of 2016, 18 terrorists were killed while thwarting
11 infiltration bids.
|
August 2
|
Curfew like restrictions were
imposed in parts of Srinagar and strike called by separatists
against the killings paralysed life in Kashmir. Restrictions were
imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of even
Police Stations including Khanyar, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Rainawari,
Kralkhud, Nowhatta and Maisuma. The life in rest of the Valley
remained paralysed due to strike called by separatists against
the killings of two militants and a civilian in Pulwama on August
1.
|
August 3
|
Two Army personnel including an
Army Major, identified as Army Major Kamlesh and Sepoy Tanjin
were killed in a gun battle in South Kashmir. A joint team of
Army and Police launched a cordon and search operation at village
Matribugh, Zoipora in Shopian District following a tip off about
the presence of some militants. The militants hiding in the area
opened fire triggering off an encounter in which an army Major
along with two soldiers sustained bullet injuries. Two soldiers
including an officer later succumbed to their injuries. The militants
believed to be three in number managed to escape while taking
advantage of darkness. HM claimed responsibility for the attack
Two HM militants, identified as
Aaqib Ahmad Itoo and Suhail Ahmad were killed in an encounter
with SFs in Kulgam District. SFs had laid an ambush at Gopalpora
village in DH Pora following a tip off about the movement of some
militants in the area. As the militants entered the ambushed area,
they were challenged after which a fierce gun battle took place
between the SFs and the militants in which two militants were
killed. Bodies of the two militants were recovered along with
two AK 47 rifles.
One HM militant, identified as
Yawar Nissar Shergujri and an unidentified civilian were killed
in an encounter with SFs in Kanelwan village in Bijbehara in Anantnag
District. One soldier, identified as Rohit Kumar sustained injuries
during the encounter. The unidentified person who was killed was
riding a motorcycle in the area and was caught in the crossfire
during the encounter between terrorists and SFs. SFs conducted
search operations in the area based on intelligence inputs that
three militants had been spotted in the area. During the search
operations, the militants opened fire on the SFs and the latter
retaliated. While the HM militant Shergujri was killed in the
exchange of fire, two militants managed to escape in the cover
of darkness. Police recovered an SLR, two magazines, 40 rounds
and one Chinese hand grenade from the slain militant.
|
August 4
|
The Friday prayers at the Grand
Mosque concluded peacefully but a group of youth pelted stones
on SF men from the entrance of the Jama Masjid in Srinagar for
more than an hour. SFs responded firing teargas. The protester
later dispersed and clashes erupted in nearby Saraf Kadal locality.
However, SFs managed to contain the stone-pelting instantly and
the order was restored.
The situation in rest of the city
remained normal except a stone-pelting incident in Parimpora interiors,
said a Police official. In four Districts of south Kashmir – Anantnag,
Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama – situation remained tense. A spontaneous
shutdown was observed in most parts of these Districts against
recent militant and civilian killings.
In Main Town of Anantnag District,
clashes erupted in the morning after the burial of local militant
Yawar Nissar, who was gunned down by SFs on August 3. The clashes
also erupted in parts of Pulwama District including at Haal, Tahab
and Prichal.
In neighbouring Shopian District,
clashes were reported from Memandar area after Friday prayers.
The clashes also erupted at Sopore town of Baramulla District
in North Kashmir after Friday prayers. Police said that no major
injury was reported from anywhere in the day and situation is
under control.
Army and Police recovered arms
from a natural cave hideout at Baurgalli village under the jurisdiction
of Kandi Kotranka Police Station in Rajouri District. “A joint
team of Police and Army today (August 4) recovered two AK rifles,
three pistols and two AK magazines from a natural cave in Baurgalli
area,” official sources said. They said that acting on a specific
input, a joint search operation of Police and Army was launched
in the area during which an old hideout of the militants was detected
and destroyed.
Budgam Police said that they foiled
an attempt of two local youth to join militancy. Police spokesman
said that on July 31, Police Station at Charari Sharief received
a missing report stating that two boys, identified as Basharat
Ahmad Dar (15), student of 10th class and Anayat Qayoom Bhat (17),
a 12th class student had gone to appear in the golden test at
Higher Secondary School Baghlipora, Chadoora but did not return
home. “After receiving this information, Budgam Police lodged
missing reports and started the investigation,” the spokesman
said, adding that after proper verification and checking of their
movement, it was found that the duo had gone to Tral area of Awantipora
in Pulwama District. “Acting swiftly, SHO Charari Sharief sent
a team to Awantipora on August 2 where from the duo were brought
back,” he said.
A special court sent three separatist
leaders from Jammu and Kashmir to the jail till September 1 while
granting custodial remand of four others to the NIA, which told
the court that it wanted to further interrogate the four separatists
in connection with terror funding and other aspects of the case.
The NIA had arrested a total of seven separatist leaders from
Kashmir and New Delhi in connection with terror funding, hawala
operations, fuelling unrest etc on July 24 and was engaged in
their sustained interrogations. Simultaneously, the ED had arrested
another separatist leader Shabir Shah in connection with using
foreign money to fund terrorism. His custody with the ED had been
extended only yesterday (August 3) by the Court for six days.
|
August 5
|
At least three militants of LeT
were killed and a Police constable was injured in an encounter
at Amargrah, Sopore in Baramulla District early morning. Official
sources said that on specific information about the presence of
militants, SFs and SOG of State Police launched a joint search
operation at Amargrah early this morning. During the operation
militants attacked the SFs with automatic weapons ensuing a fierce
encounter in the open ground. Three LeT militants were killed
and three AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered
from the slain militants, source said.
At least three persons, identified
as Hilal Ahmed Wani, Latief Ahmed Khan and Suhail Ahmed Bhat were
injured when SFs opened fire on protesters, who were protesting
against the militant killings at Sadarkoot Bala in Bandipora District
on August 5. As SATP reported earlier, three LeT militants,
identified as Javed Ahmed Dar, Abid Hamid Mir and Danish Manzoor
were killed and a Police constable was injured in an encounter
at Amargrah in Sopore in Baramulla District early morning on August
5. Soon after the bodies of the militants reached their areas,
there were protests.
Police and SFs arrested three
OGWs of LeT, identified as Showkat Ahmad Mir, Waseem Ahmad Sofi
and Junaid Ali Bhat, from Zainapora area of Shopian District.
Three hand grenades were also recovered from them. Police said
that during questioning, the OGWs admitted that they were working
at behest of LeT operative Wasim Shah and were tasked to lob grenades
on police establishments, cause death and injuries to Police personnel
and snatch weapons in Shopian. The OGWs had also carried out observation
of some Police guards for militant attacks.
|
August 6
|
A LeT militant from Pakistan,
identified as Umar was killed in an encounter with SFs in Samboora
village of Pulwama District. Umar was part of the ‘Abu Ismail
group’ of Kashmir, which is behind the July 10 attack on Amarnath
pilgrims that left eight devotees killed and several others injured,
a Police official said. The official said that SFs launched a
cordon and search operation in Samboora village late night following
information about presence of militants there. The search party
of forces was fired upon by militants triggering a gunbattle,
the official said. One militant was killed in the encounter, he
said.
After a lull of few days, Pakistan
Army again resorted to shelling and firing on LoC in Nowshera
sector of Rajouri District. Official reports said Pakistan violated
ceasefire at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector at about 10.30 pm by
resorting to firing with small and medium fire arms and few shells
of mortars. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to
exchanges, which continued till late in the night. No casualties
were reported on the Indian side.
Nearly a month after eight Amarnath
pilgrims were killed during a terror attack (July 10, 2017) in
Pahalgam area, the State Police said that they have cracked the
case. "Ismail, a Pakistani terrorist of LeT along with two
other associates and a local Kashmiri terrorist carried out the
attack," IGP – Kashmir, Muneer Ahmed Khan said while addressing
a press conference in Srinagar. Another terrorist in the group
of four had been identified as Yawar, a local recruiter for the
LeT, the Police said. Efforts are on to identify the other two,
believed to be Pakistanis. The police also released pictures of
Abu Ismail and Yawar. He also said that the attack was "initially
planned for July 9, but that day there was no movement of CRPF
or yatri vehicle in isolation." Giving details about the
attack, the IGP said, "Three locals provided logistical support
to the terrorists. All of the accused have been arrested and produced
before court, currently under police remand." "During
investigation the accused completely revealed everything about
the modus operandi of the terror attack," he said, adding,
"They had code word 'Shaukat' for yatri vehicle and 'Bilal'
for CRPF vehicle. It was purely a terrorist act." "There
was yatri vehicle that day so they attacked it, had there been
CRPF vehicle they would've attacked that, they had planned it."
The three "co-conspirators"--
Bilal Ahmed Reshi, Aizaj Wagey and Zahoor Ahmed --had carried
out reconnaissance exercises and chosen Botengo near Khanbal as
the spot where the attack could be carried out, the IGP said.The
trio had also provided shelter to the four militants in Khudwani
and Sriguffwara of south Kashmir, he said. Bilal's elder brother
Adil, an alleged LeT terrorist, was killed by SFs earlier this
year.
The ED arrested alleged hawala
dealer Mohammad Aslam Wani in coonection with a decade-old money
laundering case involving Kashmiri separatist Shabir Shah from
Srinagar. A Delhi court sent alleged Mohammad Aslam Wani to ED
custody till August 14.
|
August 7
|
Indian Army foiled a major infiltration
bid in Macchil sector of Kupwara District killing five infiltrating
militants and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from
them. Army’s 57 RR noticed the movement of five infiltrators near
Dat Post in Kamkadi area of Macchil sector of Kupwara at around
5 p.m. They were challenged by the troops leading to an encounter
in which five militants were killed. Army recovered five AK-47
rifles and huge quantity of ammunition from the killed militants.
They also recovered dry fruits and war like stores. The search
operation in the area is going on, report said. Sources said that
these infiltrators made an attempt during the night on July 29
and 30 but went back to PoK after seeing huge army deployment
of the LoC.
A soldier, identified as Narendra
Singh Bisht (43) was critically injured in sniping by Pakistani
troops along the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla District in the
evening. The soldier deployed in forward area was hit by a sniper
in his head injuring him critically. He has been airlifted to
Army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh, Srinagar for treatment.
A weapon snatching bid was foiled
by a J&K Bank guard in Charar-e-Sharief area of Budgam District
but perpetrators were caught on CCTV camera. A Police official
said that three unidentified men attempted to snatch a rifle from
a J&K Bank guard in Charar-i-Sharief area of Budgam District
in the afternoon. “The policeman deployed at the guard foiled
their attempt. The trio managed to escape from the spot but was
caught in the CCTV footage. A case has been registered in this
regard and investigation taken up,” he said.
Amid shutdown in South Kashmir’s
Pulwama District, clashes erupted between youth and SFs in Pulwama
District. Clashes erupted in Pulwama town following the killing
of a militant in Samboora during which SFs used tear gas canisters
to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them. CASO was
launched in Pinglin area of Pulwama District following the inputs
about the presence of militants there during which the youth took
to streets and pelted stones on forces.
In North Kashmir, a shutdown was
observed in Hajin, Baramulla and Sopore areas. All the shops,
business establishments and the educational institutes remained
closed in these areas today while the traffic was also thin ion
the roads. Meanwhile, the mobile internet services continued to
remain suspended in north Kashmir.
Joint separatist leadership called
for a shutdown in Kashmir on August 12 against alleged attempts
to abrogate the Article 35-A of Indian Constitution. In a statement
issued in Srinagar, the joint separatist leadership comprising
of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik
appealed people to observe shutdown on August 12 and take to streets
against alleged attempts of abrogating State Subject law which
has remained in place since centuries. The separatists also said
that the shutdown would be observed to protest the alleged “excesses
on the people of South Kashmir, crackdowns across Valley and NIA
raids on their leaders.
|
August 7-8
|
HM ‘commander’ Sameer Tiger along
with his two associates fled from cordon in Drubgam village of
Pulwama District on August 7 night. The militants, who were hiding
in a house, fired on troops during searches leading to a gun battle
but they managed to escape. SFs later cordoned off the entire
villages and conducted house to house searches. The operation
continued till 9 a.m on August 8 but was called off.
Police and Army have launched
hunt to trace an injured militant in Pulwama District. Reports
said that a militant of LeT, Ayub Lone alias Ayub Lelhari
was injured during an encounter in Samboora village in Pampora
area two days ago. One Pakistani militant was killed but Ayub
and his associate managed to escape from the cordon but he was
injured. SFs on August 7 cordoned off Pahoo, Bougam Kakapora and
Pinglana village to trace out the injured militant. The hunt to
trace out him continued on August 8.
|
August 8
|
An Army jawan (trooper),
identified as Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra was killed in Pakistani
firing from across the LoC in Mankote sector of Poonch District.
Official sources said Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing
on forward posts of the Army at Balnoi in Mankote sector of Poonch
District around 2.50 pm. The Indian troops retaliated “strongly
and effectively” to the Pakistani firing, sources said.
Police busted a module of HM in
Kreeri area of Baramulla District by arresting its three members.
Police said that assisted by Army’s 29 RR and CRPF on a specific
information laid a joint checkpoint at Behrampora Tilgam crossing
in Baramulla District and arrested three suspected HM militants,
identified as Waseem Ahmed Mir, Umer Hassan Rather and Hussain
Rather. Police said that two Chinese pistols along with ammunition
was recovered from their possession. “On sustained questioning,
the trio admitted that they are working for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen
terror outfit and motivating young boys into militancy”, said
Police.
|
August 9
|
Three militants of Zakir Musa-led
al Qaeda group, Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (supporters of holy war
in India), identified as Zahid Ahmad Bhat, Mohammad Ishaq Bhat
and Mohammad Ashraf Dar were killed in an encounter at Tral area
of Pulwama District while a protester was killed during protests
in pellet firing by SFs. Sources said that a group of militants
belonging to Zakir Musa group were taking bath in a local stream
in Gulab Bagh Tral and were zeroed in by SFs. SFs opened fire
on them killing two of them on the spot while others fled. One
of the militants was killed inside the village. Two AK 47 rifles
and one pistol were seized from the encounter site.
Protests broke out during the
operations and SFs fired teargas and pellets to disperse the protesters
during which a 16-year old boy, identified as Mohammad Younis
of Saimoh Tral, was also killed. Hundreds of people staged violent
protests at Gulab Bagh during the operation. They clashed with
SFs and the forces retaliated by firing teargas and pellets during
which the boy was critically injured due to pellets. Police said
that after encounter a huge mob pelted stones upon a camp. “During
law and order situation, one person sustained pellet injuries
and later succumbed to his injuries”, he said.
All educational institutes shall
remain closed in Pulwama District today, according to district
administration. The clashes also raged at Pampore area of the
district where SFs resorted to aerial firing. In Qoimoh area of
Kulgam District, SFs fired in air after locals clashed with them
during a raid on a hospital.
Army said that five militants
who were killed while attempting to intrude on August 7 in Machil
sector of Kupwara District were heavily armed and prepared to
undertake prolonged operations. Brigadier RK Suresh of Machil
Brigade said that the militants were heavily armed with AK-47
rifles, a large quantum of ammunition bulk of which was expended
“on own as troops as well”, under barrel grenade launchers, multiple
ammunition of grenades and other war-like stores. “They were also
prepared to undertake prolonged operations. In the end, they were
carrying good quantity of rations, medicines which have a lot
of Pakistani markings,” the Brigadier said. He said that the troops
carried out their operations efficiently with speed without any
casualties.
Even as Pakistan accuses India
of carrying out ceasefire violations, the Indian Government has
conveyed to Islamabad that there has been a spurt in terrorist
activities along the LoC and in infiltration attempts. A ceasefire
violation by Pakistan had on August 8 led to the killing of an
Indian soldier in the Poonch District. Pakistan, however, summoned
India's deputy high commissioner J P Singh and condemned "unprovoked
ceasefire violations'' by Indian forces which, it said, had targeted
Pakistani civilians. The senior Indian diplomat though is learnt
to have told the Pakistan foreign office that Pakistani forces
had first violated ceasefire after which Indian troops responded
with appropriate action. The Indian side also conveyed to Pakistan
that it had noticed an increase in infiltration bids and that
Pakistani forces were providing cover fire to terrorists in PoK
seeking to cross the LoC.
India had summoned Pakistan High
Commission official Tariq Karim and issued a demarche "lodging
strong protest" over the death of an Indian soldier in unprovoked
ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Krishna Ghati sector the previous
day, terming it as "deplorable". Despite repeated calls
for restraint and call to adhere to the ceasefire understanding
of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquility, Pakistan forces
have carried out 301 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations
along the LoC this year, the MEA said.
|
August 10
|
A civilian, identified as Mohammad
Sharief (60) was injured in a mine blast on the LoC in Keri sector
of Rajouri District. According to report, Mohammad Sharief
had gone to forward area for grazing cattle and accidentally stopped
over the mine, leading to a blast in which he was injured. The
victim was evacuated from the spot and admitted in the District
Hospital, Rajouri, where he was undergoing treatment.
SFs arrested a LeT militant, identified
as Ishfaq Ahmad Kanna from Sopore area in Baramulla District and
recovered a pistol and two grenades from his possession. During
Naka checking, one suspected person jumped the Naka and fled to
a nearby orchard. The area was cordoned off by the police and
security forces and the suspected person was apprehended. During
the search his identity was revealed as Ishfaq Ahmad Kanna son
of Mohammad Shafi Kanna of Jamia-Qadeem Sopore district Baramulla,
who recently joined LeT outfit”, Police said. One pistol, one
magazine, five rounds and two UBGL grenades were recovered from
him. Police said that he was part of Lashkar module, three members
of which were killed last week at Jamia Mohalla Amargarh Sopore.
“Before joining LeT outfit, he worked as an active recruiter/OGW
for LeT outfit in Sopore and other areas of North Kashmir”, said
police adding that he was involved in a grenade throwing case
on Police Station Sopore.
Normal life remained paralysed
\ in Pulwama District, where three militants of Zakir Musa group
were killed in an encounter by SFs. The mobile service also remained
suspended in the district for the second day on August 10 to prevent
spread of rumors on social media. The DM, Pulwama had ordered
closure of all educational institutions as precautionary measure.
Business and other activities were crippled and traffic was off
the road in the district though there was no strike call from
any organisation.
The DG of the CRPF, Rajeev Rai
Bhatnagar visited CRPF installations in South and North Kashmir.
While interacting with the reporters, he said that the anti-militancy
operations in Kashmir are an ongoing process and they will continue
in future. He said that Army, CRPF and Police work jointly and
in future also there will be successful operations as had been
recently. He said that CRPF along with Police and Army conducted
18 successful operations recently and they were also managing
law and order effectively with minimum collateral damage. “We
didn’t allow stone pelters to disturb the anti-militancy operations”,
he said. On infiltration of militants from Pakistan, the DG CRPF
said that this is a kind of threat from Pakistan and our border
forces, Army and Police are ready to fight back.
The ED conducted searches at a
few locations in Srinagar in connection with an alleged terror
funding and hawala (illegal money transfer) case involving
over INR 20 crore funds. Officials privy to the operations of
the ED said the agency conducted searches against Sheikh Ashiq
Ahmad and three premises connected to him. They said Sheikh’s
house in Ahmad Nagar and his firms, ‘Al -Khudam Tour and Travels’
and ‘Ms Ferozsons Exports Private Limited’ in Srinagar town, were
searched. “Some documents related to foreign firms have been seized
after the searches,” they said.
Six top militant ‘commanders’,
including LeT’s Abu Dujana, and Burhan Wani’s successor Sabzar
Ahmad Bhat of HM, were among 132 terrorists killed in encounters
with SFs in J&K, so far this year, according to official figures.
SFs and Police are going after the militants, as they have fiercely
intensified operations to hunt them down by acting on the hit-list
of top terrorist leaders in Kashmir. The number of terrorists
killed in the past seven months this year is the highest in the
same period over the past seven years. “As many as 132 terrorists
have been killed in encounters with police and security forces
in Kashmir Valley in over seven months this year,” a senior security
official said. While 115 militants have been killed till July-end,
as many as 17 militants have been killed since then till August
9, as per official statistics.
While 38 LeT militants were killed
in over seven months till August 9, 37 HM terrorists were eliminated
along with three of the al Qeada-linked Zakir Musa group, and
another 54 unidentified militants were killed, mostly on the LoC.
“The relentless operations by the SFs have defeated the desperate
attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu
and Kashmir. Operations will be continued,” a senior Army officer
said.
|
August 11
|
Indian and Pakistan troops exchanged
fire with small arms at Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla District.
Sources said that the Pakistani troops targeted 20 Sikh and 8
RR regiments of Army at Kamalkote at around 6.25 pm. The fire
was retaliated by the Army. The exchange of fire continued for
few minutes but there was no injury or fatality on either side.
An army soldier was injured after
militants attack army camp in forest area of Kalaroose in Kupwara
District of North Kashmir in the late night. A group of militants
attacked army’s 41 RR headquarter camp which is located in upper
belt of Kalaroose forests along LoC. The indiscriminate fire continued
on the RR headquarter for at least 10 minutes, the troops retaliated
the fire which resulted a brief clash. During the incident, a
soldier of 21 J&K Rifles was injured and has been shifted
to military hospital Drugmulla, sources said.
SFs launched a cordon and search
operation at Noorpora village of Tral in Pulwama District after
suspecting presence of at least three militants including Zakir
Musa. The youth pelted stones at the SFs during the operation
and they fired tear gas to disperse them. The operation was called
off in the afternoon and re-launched after an hour as the SFs
got intercept about presence of militants inside the village.
Sources said cordon and search operation will remain in place
at Noorpora as they suspected presence of militants in a hideout
inside the village.
SFs also launched cordon and search
operations in Pehlipora Shopian, Nawa Kadal and Zaldagar areas
of downtown Srinagar. However, no one was arrested during these
operations.
Clashes and protests erupted in
multiple parts in Valley after Friday prayers against alleged
attempts of abrogating Article 35-A of the Constitution. The call
for protests was issued by joint separatist leadership. Soon after
Friday prayers were over, the activists of moderate Hurriyat Conference
led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq held a protest outside Jama Masjid
in Nowhatta area of Srinagar. While Hurriyat activists protested
peacefully but dozens of youth assembled inside the compound of
Jama Masjid and pelted stones on Police and paramilitary personnel.
The security personnel retaliated with stones and teargas canisters.
The clashes in the area continued for many hours. However, no
one was reported injured.
Dozens of JKLF activists also
staged a protest after Friday prayers in Srinagar at Maisuma area
of Lal Chowk while a similar protest was held at Hyderpora by
hardline Hurriyat activists.
Clashes broke out between protesters
and SFs at Nowdal and Batagund villages of Tral in Pulwama District
after Friday prayers. The clashes also erupted in Tahab village
of the Pulwama District. Police fired teargas against the stone-pelters.
Clashes also erupted at Sopore and Hajin areas of North Kashmir’s
Baramulla and Bandipora Districts respectively.
|
August 12
|
A 40-year-old woman, identified
as Raqia Bi was killed in firing by the Pakistani Army at border
villages and Indian posts along the LoC in Poonch sector of Poonch
District. “The Pakistani army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate
firing of small arms, automatic weapons and mortars from 0515
hours in Poonch sector along the LoC,” a Defence spokesman said.
Indian Army personnel guarding the border posts retaliated strongly
and effectively. The exchange of fire stopped at 0645 hours, he
said. Till August 1 this year, there have been 285 instances of
ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces. In 2016, the number
was significantly less at 228.
An Army jawan was killed
while another jawan was injured when Pakistani troops resorted
to heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting forward defence
locations and civilian areas on the LoC in Mendhar and Krishna
Ghati sectors in Poonch District. The Indian side retaliated very
effectively decimating three Pakistani posts and bunkers, which
were engaged in targeting civilian population in the area. In
the exchange of fire, Naib Subedar Jagram Singh Tomar and Sepoy
Mohit Kumar were injured. Tomar later succumbed to his injuries.
A civilian, identified as Imtiyaz
Ahmad, injured in a petrol bomb attack in Srinagar on August 12,
died in a hospital on August 13th morning. According
to Police, unidentified assailants hurled a petrol bomb on a Police
naka (checkpoint) at Badyari Chowk in Dalgate on the bank
of Dal Lake on August 12 evening in which a civilian Imtiyaz Ahmad
was critically wounded. The injured was rushed to SKIMS, where
he died, Police spokesperson said.
Life across Kashmir was paralyzed
by a shutdown amid restrictions against the alleged attempts to
abrogate Article 35-A during clashes erupted in few parts of Valley.
Police said that the day passed off peacefully and no major incident
of violence was reported from anywhere in the Srinagar city. However,
evening clashes erupted at Nowhatta, Safa Kadal and Zaldagar areas
of downtown, Police said.
While the day passed off peacefully
in Valley, clashes also erupted between youth and SFs at Arampora
locality of Sopore Town in Baramulla District. There was, however,
no injury to anyone.
|
August 12-13
|
In a major success to the SFs,
HM ‘commander’ Yasin Ittoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi was killed
on August 13 in an overnight encounter at Awnera village in Shopian
District, taking the death toll to five; two army personnel and
three militants. The night-long fierce encounter that started
on August 12 evening ended on August 13th morning after
the killing of HM ‘commander’ Yasin Ittoo. His two associates,
identified as Umar Majid Sheikh and Irfan ul Sheikh were killed
by SFs on August 12 night and the dead bodies were recovered in
the August 13th morning. Two Army personnel, identified
as identified as Sepoy Gawai Sumedh Waman, and Sepoy Ilayaraja
P were also killed and three others injured in the encounter on
August 12 night.
Ittoo, from Chadoora area of Budgam
District of central Kashmir, had a long association with HM.
He was oldest surviving militant in Valley who joined HM in 1996
and was arrested in 2007 and later released on parole in 2014
after remaining in jail for seven years. He joined the militant
group again and was ‘commander’ of the outfit. One KK series rifle
used by Ittoo and two AK series rifles of his associates were
recovered from the encounter site. The militants were shifting
from one house to another during the encounter and four houses
were damaged in the gun fight that ended this morning. Authorities
suspended internet services in Shopian and Kulgam to prevent spreading
of information about the encounter and mobilization of people
towards the encounter site.
|
August 13
|
Report said that two protesters
were killed in SFs firing in the evening on protests that broke
after the gun battle at Awnera village in Shopian District. Soon
after the gun battle ended, clashes erupted in Zainapora and other
areas in Shopian with protesters pelting stones at SFs. Several
protesters were injured among which one identified as 26-year-old
Mohammad Sayed Bhat later succumbed to injuries.
Another youth, identified as Owais
Ahmad Dar was killed after he was hit by pellets in Kakapora area
of Pulwama District during clashes between SFs and protesters.
The SFs coming from Shopian were attacked with stones at Kakapora
in Pulwama and they fired pellets which hit Owais in right part
of his chest. He was shifted to nearby hospital from where he
was declared him brought dead.
Two Policemen and an Army jawan
were injured when militants fired upon a search party of SFs in
Bandipora District. SFs launched a cordon and search operation
at Wahab, Parray Mohalla in Hajin area of the District in the
morning after receiving specific intelligence about the presence
of some militants there, a Police spokesman said. He said as the
forces were conducting the search operation when the militants
fired upon them, resulting in injuries to two Police Constables,
Mukhtar Ahmad and Mohammad Ashraf, and Sepoy Raj Kumar.
Three soldiers, identified as
Lans Naik Balwinder Singh, Rifleman Gurjeewan and Sepoy Kulwinder
were injured as militants attacked an Army post in Uri sector
of Baramulla District. According to report, a group of militants
targeted an army post of 20 Sikh Regiment at Baaz in Uri at 1730
hours. The firing resulted in injuries to three soldiers who were
airlifted to Srinagar for treatment.
Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire
along the LoC in Uri sector in the Baramulla District by opening
fire at Indian posts, resulting in injuries to three Indian soldiers.
The Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian positions at Baaz Post
in Uri in Baramulla District at around 4 pm, Indian Army sources
said. The sources said three soldiers suffered bullet injuries
in the firing and were admitted to the 92 Base Hospital of the
Army in Srinagar.
Pakistani troops violated the
ceasefire four times in Rajouri District. "Cross border shelling
started in Kalal, Khori, Manpur and Ganiah villages of Nowshera,"
DC Rajouri, Shahid Choudhary said in a Tweet. The Indian
side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges, which
continued till late night. However, there were no reports of any
casualties on Indian side.
Pakistan Army opened firing with
small arms in Mankote area of Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District
prompting effective retaliation from the Indian side. No loss
of life or damage was reported on Indian side in Mankote sector.
Sources said that some militants
were also camping across LoC waiting for infiltration into the
Indian territory and Pakistan army was also trying to facilitate
the intrusion bids but was finding it impossible to push the militants
due to high alert being maintained by the Indian troops on the
LoC.
According to a senior official,
seventy young men have joined militancy in the past seven months
this year (2017) with most of the recruits from three Districts
in South Kashmir. The new recruits mostly belong to Pulwama, Shopian
and Kulgam Districts in South Kashmir, which has become the hub
of tech-savvy militants. “As many as 70 Kashmiri youths joined
militancy in the Valley in seven months period this year,” the
senior security officer said quoting official statistics. The
officer claimed 88 Kashmiri youths joined militancy in 2016.
Since 2014, there has been a constant
rise in the number of people joining militancy. As many as 66
youths joined militancy in Kashmir in 2015 and 53 in 2014, according
to data compiled by security agencies. In 2010, 54 youths joined
militancy and in 2011, the number came down to 23. It further
dipped to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013, it said.
The Pulwama-Shopian-Kulgam region
has become a hotbed of home-grown terrorists, the officials said.
Security officials say Pulwama, which has of-late emerged as the
terror epicentre, is strategically important as it is the central
point to connect Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Budgam
Districts of central Kashmir. “The areas have seen the highest
number of encounters and attacks,” the officer added.
SFs have also foiled attempts
by dozen others to cross over to the PoK for arms training, the
officer said. In 2017, as many as 54 men were stopped from joining
the ranks of militants, the officer said. 132 terrorists have
been killed in encounters with Police and SFs in Kashmir Valley
in over seven months period this year, security officials said.
While 115 militants have been killed till July end this year,
17 militants have been killed till August 9, as per official statistics.
While 38 militants belonging to
LeT were killed in over seven months till August 9, it was followed
by killing of 37 militants of HM and three militants belonging
to Musa Group of al Qaeda followed by killing of 54 unidentified
militants mostly along the LoC. Out of them, six top ‘commanders’
of LeT and HM were killed in encounters in Kashmir during the
period.
As per the data, the number of
terrorists killed in the past over six months is the highest in
the past seven years. In 2010, 156 militants were killed in the
first 7 months period of the year followed by 102 in 2017, 77
in 2016, 61 in 2011, 51 each in 2014 and 2015 respectively, the
data showed.
Terrorists in the Kashmir Valley
are now on the run and they cannot continue to terrorise the people
for decades, Arun Jaitley, the Defence Minister said, maintaining
that the Government’s priority was to clean up the Kashmir Valley
of armed militants. He said the terrorists in Kashmir were “now
under great pressure” and the financial crunch caused by demonetisation
and the actions taken by NIA on illegal foreign fundings have
checked illegal activities in Jammu and Kashmir in large scale.
“Today no big militant can dream of committing terror acts and
continue to terrorise the Valley for decades, but today their
life shelf has dwindled to a few months. I will specifically praise
the Jammu & Kashmir Police for working hard (towards eliminating
terrorists),” he said.
|
August 14
|
Four SF personnel were injured
in a grenade attack by militants in Budgam District. Militants
hurled a grenade at a ROP of CRPF and Police at Batpora in Magam
area, 20 kilometres from Srinagar, a Police official said. He
said three CRPF personnel and one Policeman were injured in the
grenade blast.
Two HuM militants were arrested
by SFs in Kupwara District. Official sources said on a tip-off,
SFs arrested two HuM militants identified as Youns Ahmad Mir and
Tahir-ul-Islam in Handwara area of Kupwara. They are being questioned,
they said, adding further details are awaited.
A 17-year-old youth, identified
as Danish Ahmad Khanday was injured when a shell, he found near
last month’s encounter site at Bamnoo in Pulwama District, exploded.
An explosive, apparently left behind at an encounter site around
40 days back at Bamnoo Pulwama, went off injuring a boy. On July
3, an encounter took place at Bamnoo where three militants were
killed by SFs.
SFs fired teargas to disperse
protesters in Kakapora area of Pulwama District against the killing
of a youth in pellet firing on August 13. Owais Ahmad Dar, a resident
of Kakapora, was killed on August 13 after SFs fired pellets to
disperse protesters.
Four Kashmiri separatists, including
the son-in-law of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali shah Geelani, were
sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court in a terror funding
case. Duty Magistrate Pankaj Sharma sent Geelani’s son-in-law
Altaf Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, Peer Saifullah,
Mehrajuddin Kalwal and Nayeem Khan to jail for 14 days. The court’s
order came after the NIA submitted that they were not required
for further interrogation. The agency had arrested seven persons
on July 24 in the case of alleged funding of terror and subversive
activities in the Kashmir valley to fuel unrest. The other three
separatist leaders — Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Mohamad
Akbar Khanday — were sent to the judicial custody till September
1.
|
August 15
|
A woman was injured in ceasefire
violation by Pakistan army in Baaz and Nambla areas of Uri sector
in Baramulla District. The Indian Army retaliated to the unprovoked
firing by the Pakistani forces.
The NIA teams are carrying out
raids at 12 places in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla, Handwara
and Srinagar in connection with its terror funding and civil unrest
probe involving Hurriyat leaders. Sources said that fresh raids
have been carried out on those people who have financial links
with the pro-Pakistani Hurriyat leaders including Syed Ali Shah
Geelani. The names of these persons have been disclosed by seven
separatists, who were arrested by the agency last month for allegedly
organising the funds and civil unrest in the valley.
|
August 16
|
Pakistan Army again today violated
ceasefire along the LoC at the Poonch sector in Poonch District.
The Indian forces are retaliating strongly, reports state.
No casualty has been reported so far.
LeT’s Pulwama ‘district commander’,
Ayoub Ahmad Lone alias Ayoub Lelhari was killed in an encounter
in Pulwama District. SSP Choudhary Mohammad Aslam, said that he
was travelling in a Tavera car along with the driver and a civilian
in Banderpora, Koil area when security forces intercepted the
car. “He opened fire but was killed in the retaliatory fire by
security forces,” he added. Two Police personnel were injured
in the initial firing after which an encounter started in which
Lelhari was killed. The SSP said that driver of the car has been
arrested but the civilian fled from the spot. Lelhari had been
active in South Kashmir areas and had recently been designated
as ‘district commander’ by the LeT.
A CRPF trooper, identified as
Reyaz Ahmad who was injured in a grenade attack by militants in
Budgam District on August 14, succumbed to injuries. Reyaz Ahmad
died at SKIMS hospital in Soura. He was among the four SF personnel
injured in the attack on August 14. The militants had hurled a
grenade at a road opening party of CRPF and Police at Batpora
in Magam area.
A soldier, identified as Havaldar
Narendra Singh who was injured in sniping of Pakistani troops
in Rampur sector in Baramulla District on August 7 succumbed to
injuries at 92 Base Hospital in Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar.
Havaldar Narendra Singh who was deployed at a forward post in
Rampur Sector was injured during sniping by Pakistani troops on
August 7. He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to
92 Base Hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed.
Pakistan troops shelled forward
posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch District. “Pakistan
army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms,
automatics and mortars from 0534 hours in Poonch sector along
the Line of Control today,” sources said. Indian Army retaliated
strongly and effectively,” they added. According to reports, firing
and shelling were reported at six places in Mankote, Basuni, Mendhar,
Malipur, Dharna and Patri of Poonch District.
The J&K Government has begun
the construction of 100 bunkers in border villages along the LoC
in Rajouri District where there have been repeated ceasefire violations
by Pakistan forces. "The district administration has started
the construction of 100 bunkers in villages along the LoC in Nowshera
sector," DC, Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said. These
bunkers will accommodate around 1200-1500 people in case of ceasefire
violations, especially shelling from across the border, he said.
Choudhary on August 16 visited the forward areas along the LoC
in Nowshera and inspected the construction of these bunkers. An
inter-departmental team headed by DC is supervising the construction
of these bunkers.
The US designated militant outfit
HM as a “foreign terrorist organisation”, nearly two months after
declaring the group’s ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.
The designation, which slaps a series of US sanctions on the outfit,
came against the backdrop of an upsurge in terror activities by
the militant group in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months. “These
designations seek to deny Hizb-ul-Mujahideen the resources it
needs to carry out terrorist attacks,” the State Department said
in a statement. All of HM’s property and interests subject to
US jurisdiction are blocked, and people in the US are generally
prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the group. The
decision marks a severe blow to Pakistan which has been projecting
the militant group as a voice of the Kashmiri people.
|
August 17
|
Two terrorists were killed as
the Army foiled an infiltration bid near the LoC in Gurez sector
in Bandipora District. "Army had launched a massive search
operation yesterday [August 16] evening at Dhurmut forest area
at Kundalwan in Gurez after noticing suspicious movement when
they were on routine patrol of the forests," a senior Police
official said, adding, "Two terrorists were shot down today
[August 17] in the ensuing gunfight." This year, the Army
has foiled a total of 24 infiltration bids along the LoC in Jammu
and Kashmir, and 41 armed intruders have been eliminated in such
operations.
Two persons including a civilian
and an Army jawan were injured in firing by the Pakistani
troops on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Sources
said an Army soldier, identified as Naik Sushil Kumar was injured
in Pakistani firing at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector while a civilian,
identified as Sushil Kumar was injured at Sanya village in Jhanghar
sector in two separate ceasefire violations by Pakistan. The Indian
side retaliated the firing and the exchanges lasted only for a
brief period, sources said, adding that panic gripped the border
dwellers due to fresh round of firing by Pakistan army in Nowshera
sector.
Police said that SFs in a joint
search operation arrested three persons and recovered arms and
ammunition from their possession in Sumbal area of Bandipora District.
According to Police, on specific information, Bandipora Police
and 13 RR launched a cordon and search operation in the orchards
of Wangipora in Sumbal in Bandipora District. “During search operation,
three accused persons identified as Altaf Ahmad Mir, Irshad Ahmad
Mir and Waseem Ahmad were arrested”, Police said. “Two hand grenades,
one AK 47 magazine and 15 AK 47 rounds were seized from his possession.
The NIA arrested a prominent Kashmiri
businessman Zahoor Ahmad Watali from New Delhi for terror funding
and separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Watali is accused
of playing a key role in receiving the funds from Pakistan and
then forwarding them to the separatists and even kept account
books for it. He is a prominent businessman who has links with
mainstream politicians and separatists. His brother, Ali Mohammad
Watali, retired as DIG in Kashmir Police and nephew is serving
IG in Kashmir Police. A statement by NIA stated said that Watali’s
arrest followed the searches conducted by the NIA on August 16
at multiple locations in Srinagar, Handwara, Kupwara and Baramulla
belonging to his relatives and employees. The searches have unearthed
incriminating material pertaining to receipt of funds by Zahoor
Watali from foreign sources and its further distribution to the
terrorists and separatists in Kashmir valley for anti-India activities.
|
August 18
|
UHM Rajnath Singh asserted that
by 2022, a solution would be found to the ‘Kashmir problem’ as
also other problems like terrorism, naxalism [Left Wing
Extremism] and North East insurgency. “There are a lot of problems
- terrorism, naxalism, Kashmir problem. Much is not needed
to be said about these problems. But I can assure you this much
that by 2022, we have pledged to create a ‘new India’…So a solution
will be found to all these problems before 2022. We want to assure
the countrymen on this,” he said.
India has welcomed the US’ decision
to designate HM as a foreign terrorist organisation, saying it
follows a joint commitment by the two countries to fight the menace
of terrorism. "I welcome this step by the United States state
department to designate Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as a foreign terrorist
organisation, that has been responsible for carrying out heinous
act of terrorismIt reflects the joint commitment of India and
the US to firmly deal with terrorism in all its forms and manifestation,"
spokesperson of MEA Raveesh Kumar said. Syed Salahuddin, the ‘chief’
of HM, had been declared a ‘global terrorist’ by the US in June,
coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.
The move was criticised by Pakistan which calls HM a group of
freedom fighters.
Despite strict vigil along the
LoC to foil infiltration of militants from PoK, around 80 militants
have sneaked in this year (2017) while SFs achieved major successes
against them by killing 133 militants including seven top ‘commanders’.
According to MAC figures, around 80 militants have infiltrated
into Jammu and Kashmir till July 2017 from PoK. These militants
mostly infiltrated from Keran, Gurez, Machil and Nowgam sectors
of Kashmir and majority of them are in North Kashmir.
Last year (2016), as per MAC figures
114 militants infiltrated into Kashmir which was highest since
2014. As per MAC figures, 35 militants infiltrated into Kashmir
in 2015, 65 in 2014, 97 in 2013, 121 in 2012, 52 in 2011, 82
in 2010, 99 infiltrated in 2009 and 27 in 2008.
Last year, there were no reports
of infiltration of militants into Kashmir till April and but this
year some groups managed to sneak in when the peaks were covered
in snow in January and February. After the infiltration of militants
in winter this year, Army along the LoC was put on heightened
alert as security agencies had inputs that the militant outfits
across wanted to push in more militants this year. The vigil
along the LoC was increased and patrolling was intensified to
foil the infiltration attempts. Sources said that the militant
groups carried out and are carrying reconnaissance along the LoC
regularly but the tight vigil along LoC by the Army and regular
patrols prevented and are preventing them from sneaking in. Sources
said that around 300 militants are on launch pads mostly in Neelam
Valley area PoK. These militants had started gathering this year
in winter only as compared to previous year’s when they were waiting
for the snow to melt.
SFs have also achieved major successes
this year and eliminated 133 militants so far including seven
top ‘commanders’. Majority of them were killed in last two months
after SFs launched massive offensive in South Kashmir. Last year
150 were killed in Kashmir while 108 militants were killed in
2015, 110 in 2014, 67 in 2013, 72 in 2012 and 100 in 2011. Despite
the killing of 133 militants this year, sources said that 135
are operating in Kashmir and operations against them has been
intensified
Even as the joint combing operation,
‘Operation All-Out’, has succeeded in killing 35 militants in
South Kashmir since April, 2017 the Police’s counter-insurgency
data suggest 34 new faces have joined the rank. Police data, portray
a grim picture of South Kashmir’s four Districts despite “great
successes” made by the SF) by killing eight top commanders of
HM and LeT. “We have reports of 34 new faces joining the militants
ranks of both HM and LeT in South Kashmir since April when the
operation against active militants was launched,” said a top counter-insurgency
Police officer. He said militant groups in the highly volatile
of district of Pulwama, adjacent to Srinagar, had roped in 21
new youths into their ranks. “Since April, 20 militants were killed
in Pulwama,” he said.
As many as 224 people, including
136 militants, were killed in operations in Kashmir so far this
year. The ‘Operation All-Out’, launched in April in the wake of
growing militant activities in South Kashmir, saw June witnessing
highest 48 deaths, including 30 militants and 15 SFs. The Police
claim that the worrying trend is that youth from urban pockets
of Bijbehara, Anantnag, Kokernag and Srinagar “are joining the
militant ranks”. “Earlier, rural pockets of Shopian, Kulgam and
Kareemabad and Kakpora were hubs of militants. Recruits from more
urbane pockets have picked up too,” said the Police official.
According to the police, new pictures
of armed youth posted by the militant outfits on the social media,
including Instagram, suggest “many of these recruits are around
20s.” The Police, however, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing
operation that saw “elimination of entire militant leadership”
in South Kashmir. “Recruiters and strategists like Abu Dujana,
Sabzar Bhat, Junaid Matto, Yasin Ittoo and Bashir Lashkari have
already been killed,” said the Police official. The Army is now
zeroing in on “Hizbul ideologue Riyaz Naikoo” and encounter specialists
Wasim Shah and Sadam Padder of Shopian.
Since April, over 16 foreign militants
have joined the depleting militant ranks in south Kashmir, especially
the LeT, by crossing into the north Kashmir valley through the
LoC. “We have completely blunted the striking capability of the
militant groups in south Kashmir. All of them are on the run,”
said another Police official.
|
August 19
|
Suspected militants shot dead
a PDP worker, Mohammad Isaaq Parray at Uggen in Dailgam area of
Anantnag District. A Police officer said that the militants opened
fire upon the PDP worker Mohd Isaaq Parray at Uggen in Dailgam
in the afternoon. In the incident, Parray sustained serious bullet
wounds and has been shifted to nearby hospital where doctors declared
him brought dead on arrival. Soon after the incident, a joint
team of SFs launched a man hunt to nab the militants.
A low intensity blast occurred
inside BJP office in Jawahar Nagar area of Srinagar causing minor
damage to boundary wall and window panes in the evening. The explosion
took place in J-2 Quarter which houses BJP office at Jawahar Nagar
in the evening. SHO Rajbagh, Ghulam Moihuddin said that Police
is ascertaining the nature of the blast.
SFs cordoned off and conducted
searches in 10 villages of Shopian including Chakoora, Mantribug,
Zaipora, Pratabpora, Takipora, Ranipora, Ratnipora, Dangam, Kellar
and Wangam. The joint operation was launched by Jammu and Kashmir
Police, Army’s 62 RR and 114th Battalion of CRPF. The cordon and
search operation was launched after inputs about the presence
of a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant group in the area.
|
August 20
|
A local cable network operator,
identified as Hilal Ahmad Malik was shot dead by militants near
his residence at Malik Mohalla in Shopian District. Malik was
shifted to nearby hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar
for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries on way to
hospital in Srinagar. Police, Army and CRPF immediately reached
the spot and a massive manhunt has been launched against the militants
responsible for his killing.
A bullet- riddled body of a 16-year-old
youth, identified as Gowhar Ahmad Dar was recovered in Nagbal
in Shopian District in the morning. The Police recovered the bullet-riddled
body soon after locals informed that the youth was lying in pool
of blood near the peripheries of an orchard at Nagbal. Police
said that he was missing since last evening (August 19) and perhaps
kidnapped by militants.
The killing of cable network operator
is third killing since August 19 in South Kashmir. As SATP
reported earlier, militants shot dead a PDP worker, Mohammad Isaaq
Parray at Uggen in Dailgam area of Anantnag District on August
19. The series of killing took place after SFs launched a massive
operation in Shopian District in South Kashmir on August 19 to
flush out the militants.
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley
said in Mumbai that SFs with their resolute action had established
dominance over terrorists in J&K and the Centre was firm that
armed militancy must end in the border State. He said the ‘Kashmir
issue’ had become complicated because of cross-border support
to terrorists and also because local groups. “The Kashmir issue
had become complicated because of cross-border support (to terrorism)
and (also) our own groups supporting the armed militants. “Mass
civil protests were seen in the form of stone- pelting and sometimes
this was used to help terrorists escape,” he said.
Incidents of stone-pelting have
reduced in Jammu and Kashmir due to the role of the NIA, UHM Rajnath
Singh said. He said the incidents of naxalism, terrorism and extremism
have also seen a downward trend in the last three years. “You
have seen role of the NIA in Jammu and Kashmir, where incidents
of stone pelting have come down. We have taken pledge for India’s
security and strict action is being taken for this. We will accept
challenges and in the past three years incident of naxalism, terrorism
and extremism have seen a downward trend,” he said. Singh was
speaking after inaugurating the office and residential complex
of the NIA in Lucknow. “We will win over naxalism, terrorism and
extremism. In the past three years, extremism has come down by
75 per cent in the northeast and naxalism has come down by 35-40
per cent,” Singh said. Emphasising on “finishing terror funding
sources”, he said, “If we plug sources of fake currency and terror
funding, it will be a big blow to terrorism. NIA is doing a great
job here. Its name sends fear down the spine of those indulging
in terror funding.”
A sustained crackdown on militancy
in J&K, aided by strong ground intelligence, has seen the
killings of terrorists outstrip recruitment by terror groups this
year, with ranks of separatists increasingly dependent on infiltration
of ‘foreign’ operatives into the State. The infiltration from
PoK and Pakistan is slightly higher with 78 terrorists sneaking
into J&K till July against 123 in entire 2016 but intelligence
agencies said, given the current trend, it is a matter of time
before the total number of active terrorists in the Valley sees
a decline. The number of terror recruits in J&K this year,
going by intelligence records, is around 71, while as many as
132 terrorists have died in security operations.
Of the 132 terrorists killed as
a result of intelligence-based operations this year, 74 were foreign
nationals and 58 locals. As many as 14, were top ‘commanders’
of LeT, HM or Al-Badr. These included two in the "A++ category,
four in A+ category and eight in A category". Sources said
cooperation between Central and State agencies are paying off.
J&K Police, CRPF and Army have jointly accounted for top HM
leaders even before they could settle down to their roles as one
succeeded the other. Though more youth joined terror groups in
the Valley over the past 3-4 months, deaths of terrorists exceed
recruitment levels. Fatalities among terrorists surged from an
average 9.5 killings a month till April to 18 in May, 30 in June
and 25 in July.
With squads of 400-odd terrorists,
HM cadre in J&K do not seem unnerved by the US state department
declaring the outfit a ‘global terror group. In fact there are
experts who suggested that given the degree of anti-Americanism
in Muslim-dominated Valley, this could even have a multiplier
effect. One cannot ignore the jolts suffered by HM in the past
by way of internal feud over money, ideology, and with other terror
groups like JKLF, which ultimately gave up arms in 1994 with the
release of their chief Yasin Malik from jail.
Nonetheless, HM is still operating
in the Valley and continues to get local support. "Hizb is
now operated directly by Syed Salauddin from PoK - albeit through
their south Kashmir-based conduits," a top Hurriyat separatist
said. Mainstream political parties like the PDP, NC and even Congress
did not sound too upbeat about the State Department's action against
the Hizb and termed it a "diplomatic gesture" which
will hardly deter the outfit's cadre. "It has rather given
legitimacy to the group in Muslim majority Kashmir due to its
hatred against the US, whom it blames for Palestine and wars in
several Muslim countries," said Nasir Aslam Wani, senior
NC official and former minister. PDP avoided coming on record
considering it's in governance with the BJP, which has branded
US action as India's victory on the international stage.
"Hizb's 100-odd homegrown
militants, under newly minted commander Riyaz Naikoo, are stooges
of Pakistan's ISI. Outfits like Hizb have no international base
except in Pakistan; therefore, it would not choke their resources
in terms of the funding, etc.," a top PDP official said.
Intelligence sources said the US declaration will have little
impact in the Valley. The Hizb cadre comprises stone pelters and
hardcore Muslim radicals. While stone-pelters are oblivious of
the facts of the insurgency, radicals are unbothered about US
utterances, sources said. "They firmly believe they are fighting
jihad against Hindu India," a senior intelligence officer
said. Hizb is unhassled in the Valley with substantial public
support. Notwithstanding a few incidents of flow of information
about presence of militants in the villages, they get food, shelter
and other comfort from sections of locals.
|
August 21 |
SFs unearthed a militant hideout in Kangan area
of Ganderbal District and recovered arms and ammunition. Police
said that a search operation was launched by SFs in Cheki Akhaal
forests in Kangan area, following a tip off. "During the searches,
a militant hideout was unearthed. An AK assault rifle, two AK
magazines and 44 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the
hideout. A case has been registered in this regard", Police said.
SFs, during a raid, arrested a HM militant, identified
as Shahid Ahmad Wani from Zainapora village of Shopian District.
"A Chinese pistol, nine rounds and a magazine were recovered from
his possession," Police said, adding that a vehicle has also been
seized.
Police said that it has identified the militants
responsible for the killing of a cable operator and a student
in South Kashmir's Shopian District and launched massive searches
to nab them. Police on the basis of human and technical intelligence
identified the militants who killed the cable network owner Hilal
Ahmad Malik on August 20. The terrorists involved in the attack
are Zubair Ahmad Turray a resident of Bonbazar, Shopian and Umar
Nazir Malik alias Khattab a resident of Malikgund, Shopian.
Police also identified the militants, who killed
a student, Gowhar Ahmad Dar of Urpora Nagbal on August 20. Police
blamed LeT for his killing. They identified the two LeT militants
responsible for the killing of Gowhar as Waseem Shah, resident
of Heff and Nazim Dar, resident of Urpora. They said a manhunt
has been launched to nab them.
With SFs stepping up action in South Kashmir,
the militants are targeting the civilian population to discredit
the forces by shifting the blame onto them and also create fear
psychosis in the minds to make people to support them. With decline
in incidents of stone pelting on the SFs during anti-terror operations
and better intelligence gathering about militants' movements,
the unnerved militants are now targeting young civilians. Three
civilians were killed in South Kashmir during last three days.
|
August 22 |
A suspected LeT militant was reportedly killed
in an encounter with SFs in Kupwara District. According to official
sources, SFs and SOG of J&K Police launched a joint search operation
in a village at Handwara in the frontier district of Kupwara.
When the SFs were sealing the area, the militants hiding there
opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, sources said,
adding that the fire was returned, ensuing an encounter in which
a militant was reportedly killed. There are three to four militants
holed up in the area which has been cordoned off, they said.
J&K Governor N N Vohra called on UHM Rajnath Singh
and discussed with him various issues including repeated ceasefire
violations by Pakistani forces. During the meeting in New Delhi,
the Governor apprised Singh about the prevailing situation in
the Kashmir Valley and steps taken for restoring normalcy. They
also discussed, among other issues, the ceasefire violations from
across the border, increasing infiltration attempts and the incidence
of terrorism in the Valley.
|
August 23 |
Separatists announced multiple protests starting
from Friday (August 25) this week and a strike on August 29 when
SC will be hearing PIL on Article 35-A. Separatist leaders including
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, 'chairman' of the APHC-G, Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq, 'chairman' of the APHC-M and Yasin Malik, chief of JKLF,
in a joint statement, warned of agitation if "Supreme Court rules
against Article 35-A".The separatists called for a shutdown in
State on August 29 when the Apex Court will hear the case. Besides,
the separatists said that Kashmir Bar Association will hold peaceful
protest demonstration on August 25 against "conspiracies to finish
State Subject law".
The Indian Army charged Pakistan with abetment
and support to cross border terrorism and deliberate targeting
of civilian populations along LoC in the twin border Districts
of Poonch and Rajouri. The charge was conveyed to Pakistan by
the Indian Army officers at Battalion Commander level Flag Meeting
held at Chakan-Da-Bagh on the LoC in Poonch District, which was
the first high-level contact between India and Pakistan since
May 1 after fresh ceasefire violations broke out at various sectors
of Poonch and Rajouri Districts, leading to casualties of Army
and civilians and loss of property.
The Indian delegation highlighted abetment and
support of Pakistan army to cross border terrorism and deliberate
attempts of targeting civilian population by firing mortar shells
in the populated villages along LoC in the two border Districts
of Rajouri and Poonch. The Indian Army delegation also charged
Pakistan with indulging in sniping actions on the LoC to target
the Army soldiers during ceasefire violations.
According to Army, the year 2017 has seen a sharp
increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Till August 1, there
were 285 such violations by the Pakistan Army while in 2016, the
number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according
to the Army figures. Eleven people, including 9 soldiers, were
killed and 18 injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army
in the month of July, the Army data says. There were 83 ceasefire
violations, one BAT attack and two infiltration bids from the
Pakistani side in June in which four people, including three jawans,
were killed and 12 injured. In May, there were 79 ceasefire violations,
according to the officials.
UHM Rajnath Singh directed the Para-military Forces
and JKP to step-up operations against the militants and their
OGWs and to ensure that there was no fresh infiltration of the
militants from Pakistan. The UHM is understood to have issued
these directions at a very high-level security review of J&K situation
with top brass of UMHA, heads of Para-military Forces, Intelligence
Bureau and senior officers from J&K at his North Block office.
"The anti-militant operations undertaken by security forces and
police, infiltration attempts foiled and successful along the
borders and related issues for the last two months of summer were
taken up at the meeting in which the top brass of MHA, para-military
forces, Intelligence agencies and State police officers briefed
the Union Home Minister,'' sources said, adding Rajnath Singh
was satisfied the way SFs have tackle militancy and eliminated
a number of militants including the top commanders especially
those belonging to LeT and JeM outfits. "Infiltration by the militants
from Pakistan side has been contained to maximum extent this summer
and this process must go on to keep it at zero level,'' UHM Singh
said at the meeting.
|
August 24 |
The NIA has again summoned two sons of Syed Ali
Shah Geelani, 'chairman' of the APHC-G for questioning in New
Delhi, in connection with terror funding and hawala cases. Sources
said the NIA, which had earlier also quizzed Geelani's two sons-Nayeem
Geelani and Naseem Geelani and then allowed them to leave for
Jammu and Kashmir-has called the duo again at its headquarters
in New Delhi for fresh round of questioning. The NIA is likely
to quiz the Geelani's sons on their assets and other issues, which
have surfaced during questioning of already, arrested separatist
leaders and a businessman, sources said, adding the NIA could
call some more persons from the Kashmir valley for interrogation
in the next few days.
The NIA questioned two sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani,
'chairman' of the APHC-G at its headquarters in New Delhi in connection
with terror funding probe and hawala operations in the Kashmir
valley. This is for the second time that both sons of Geelani
have been questioned by the NIA. Sources said that the NIA wants
to know the source of funding for assets managed by them and their
other family members, apart from some benami transactions, which
the Agency suspects were owned by the family members of the separatist
on various names. Sources said Nayeem and Naseem, sons of Syed
Ali Shah Geelani, were questioned earlier on August 8. The elder
son Nayeem is a surgeon by profession, while Naseem is an employee
of the Jammu and Kashmir Government. According to sources, the
two were asked to bring certain documents related to financial
transactions that have come under the scanner of the NIA.
The UMHA has described the settlement of Rohingyas
and Bangladeshis in Jammu as 'illegal' and declared that they
would be deported. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj
Gangaram Ahir made the UMHA's stand clear on deportation of Rohingyas
and Bangladeshis at a press conference at Jammu after high-level
review of security situation along the IB and another meeting
on the issues of West Pakistani, PoK and Kashmiri refugees.
Responding to a question, Ahir said the Rohingyas
and Bangladeshis were living "illegally" in Jammu and the Home
Ministry was clear that they have to be deported at an "appropriate
time". "We have given instructions to the authorities to identify
the colonies, where Rohingyas and Bangladeshis have been settled…the
nature of work they were doing here…whether they were indulging
in non-violent activities and posing threat to security and society,"
the Minister said, adding that the UMHA was firm on its stand
that Rohingyas and Bangladeshis have to be deported. On the issue
of citizenship rights to west Pakistani refugees, he said that
certificates would be given to them very soon.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Gangaram
Ahir said that stone pelting incidents and terrorist activities
have decreased in J&K after the modernisation of Police in the
State. After visiting the BoP in Baba Chimilyal area of Samba
District, he said that the Centre was spending about INR 500 crore
on modernisation of the State Police, which included the latest
equipments, arms and ammunition.
|
August 25 |
A BSF jawan was injured in a sniping incident
by Pakistani Rangers along the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu District.
Official sources said BSF constable KK Appa Rao was manning an
Observatory Post in forward area of Arnia sector when he was hit
by a sniper shot fired by the Pakistani Rangers at 12 noon. The
ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the IB were very rare these
days though they had been quite common on the LoC, report said.
Significantly, on July 17, the BSF and the Pakistan
Rangers had held a Commandant-level flag meeting in Samba sector
along the IB and "committed" themselves to maintaining peace.
In the flag meeting, the two sides had agreed to re- energize
instant communication between field commanders, whenever required,
to resolve petty matters. On August 23, senior Army Commanders
of India and Pakistan also held a flag meeting on the LoC in Poonch
sector and agreed to institute mechanisms for durable peace and
tranquility on the border. The year 2017 has seen a sharp increase
in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
Kashmiri separatists withdrew their five-day protest
programme against a move to get Article 35A of the Constitution
repealed, after the Supreme Court deferred hearing on a petition
challenging the validity of the provision. "The protest programme,
including the proposed strike on August 29, is postponed for the
time being as the hearing," separatist leaders, including chairmen
of both factions of APHC Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq and JKLF chief Yasin Malik said in a statement in Srinagar.
A new protest schedule would be issued whenever needed, they added.
SF's major offensive against militants including
top commanders of various outfits in the J&K has started bringing
desired results with nearly half of 30 fresh recruits from the
Valley getting fed up within few months of their sojourn to the
'world of violence' and sending feelers either directly or through
their family members to the Army for surrender. "The Army's decision
to go for kill through 'Operation All Out' in which large number
of militants including dreaded commanders like Abu Dujana have
been eliminated, is reported to have panicked majority of the
fresh recruits of the militancy as well as their family members,
who were now knocking doors of security forces for mercy and accept
their surrender," official sources said. They said the "shortened
life span of militants" including their commanders after SFs started
their massive search operations in the entire Kashmir valley to
flush out the militants was another major reason behind disenchantment
of the fresh recruits from militancy and their desire to return
to mainstream.
|
August 26 |
Eight SF personnel, including four CRPF jawans,
were killed when a group of fidayeen (suicide squad) attacked
DPL in Pulwama District, triggering an encounter in which the
three militants were also killed. Police sources said that some
militants on "suicidal mission" entered Police family quarters
inside DPL Pulwama at around 4 am. They said that the Police's
SOG, CRPF and Army started clearing the quarters by evacuating
families of security personnel. "In the process, we suffered some
casualties. Unfortunately our four CRPF men and four police personnel
were martyred and we have searched two blocks so far and two dead
bodies of two terrorist were recovered. They have not been identified
yet and they look foreign terrorists," Police sources said. Later,
SFs shot dead third militant who was trapped in third residential
block. The body of the militant was later recovered from the debris
during the searches. JeM has claimed the responsibility of the
attack.
As the encounter was underway against militants
in the day, some youth took to streets in Pulwama town and resorted
to heavy stone pelting on Police and CRPF. Police retaliated by
lobbing dozens of teargas canisters. Authorities sealed off Pulwama
town and snapped mobile Internet services across the District
as a precautionary measure.
The BSF killed at least three Pakistani Rangers
personnel in retaliatory firing after an unprovoked ceasefire
violation by Pakistan on IB in Akhnoor and Sunderbani sectors
in Rajouri District. "Today Pakistan resorted to unprovoked to
ceasefire violation and fired four 51mm mortar and two 81mm mortar
shells towards the forward Indian posts in Dewra village of Sunderbani
of Rajouri district," a BSF spokesperson said, adding that the
jawans retaliated strongly and shot dead at least three Pakistan
Rangers. The force also said it is "engaged in a befitting retaliation"
after the Rangers began unprovoked firing in the Pargwal area
of Jammu since around 3 PM. Earlier in the day, the force said,
at least half-a-dozen mortar shells were fired from across the
border and they exploded in the Dewra village of Sunderbani sector
along the IB.
|
August 27 |
Pakistani troops resumed heavy mortar shelling
and firing on civilian locations along the LoC in Poonch District,
injuring five civilians including a woman. Pakistani troops started
heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting forward posts of the
Indian Army followed by civilian population at Kirni, Shahpur,
Gountrian and Digwar in Poonch sector at 6 pm. The Indian side
retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges which continued
till late night (August 27) when the reports last came in. Report
said that five civilians were injured in forward villages of Bandi
Chechian and Qasba in Shahpur area of Poonch sector as they were
trapped in mortar shelling while working in their fields and didn't
get a chance to take shelter in houses or bunkers. The injured
persons were identified as Zahid Hussain Shah, Mohammad Qasim,
Mohammad Zameel, Parveen Akhtar and Mohammad Safeer.
One person, identified as Jan Mohammad Dar was
injured when a shell went off at the EDI building in Pampore in
Pulwama District where an encounter had taken place between SFs
and militants last year (2016). He was injured when a shell exploded
at the EDI building in Pampore near the Srinagar-Jammu NH on the
city outskirts, a Police official said. Dar, who is an electrician,
was working at the building at the time of the incident. The EDI
building was the scene of a 60-hour gunfight between SFs personnel
and militants in October 2016. Two militants were killed in the
encounter. The building had also suffered damaged in the exchange
of fire.
|
August 27-28
|
Indian troops launched a major
counter offensive against Pakistan in the mid-night after latter
targeted civilian areas in various parts of Poonch sector in Poonch
District, leading to heavy damages across the LoC including five
fatal casualties, two of them Pakistani Army personnel, apart
from nearly a dozen injuries and destruction of forward posts
and bunkers. Sources said that the troops launched massive assault
on Pakistani troops to silence their guns, which were targeting
civilian population causing heavy losses across the LoC. Pakistan
officially admitted its three fatal casualties and injuries to
several others and lodged protest with India. According to sources,
two Pakistan army personnel were among five persons dead on Pakistani
side while eight to 10 others including troopers were injured.
Several Pakistani posts and bunkers suffered extensive damages
in retaliatory shelling and firing by the troops. Majority of
casualties and damages of Pakistan took place in their Nezapir
sector on the LoC, which follows opposite Shahpur sector of Poonch
District, which was targeted by Pakistan army on August 27th
evening, leading to injuries to five civilians including a woman,
who were undergoing treatment in the hospital.
However, officially, Pakistan
only named its three civilians killed in the firing as 32-year-old
Naveed and 25 year old Ansar, both brothers and their sister Asma
(20). Sources said that at least two Pakistan army personnel were
killed and some others were injured in retaliatory firing by the
Indian side in Nezapir sector. However, as usual, Pakistan didn’t
name its army casualties. Few Pakistan army personnel were among
those injured.
|
August 28
|
UHM Rajnath Singh discussed various
infrastructure projects in border areas, including a strategic
road in Ladakh, officials said. In the meeting with Ministry officials,
he discussed the progress of various infrastructure projects in
border areas, including a stand-alone road from Marsimik La to
Hot Spring in Ladakh. The road has been given to the BRO for construction
and it will ensure access to “vantage points” for SFs, the officials
said. Rajnath also reviewed progress of infrastructure projects
in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir and other States with focus
on the projects falling along Pakistan and China borders.
A Police officer, identified as
ASI, Abdul Rashid Peer, was shot dead by militants at Mehandi
Kadal in Anantnag District. The militants fled leaving him in
a pool of blood and he was rushed to district hospital Anantnag
by his colleagues where from he was shifted to Srinagar for treatment
but he succumbed to injuries.
SFs launched massive search operations
against militants in Shopian villages of South Kashmir to flush
them out. Search operation was launched early morning by SOG Shopian
and 62 RR of Army in Matribugh, Zoipora, Dangam, Wangam, Shahpora,
Chakoora and several other villages of Shopian. Few months ago
videos circulating on social media where a group of 30 militants
brandishing with AK 47 were seen was shot in the area.
SFs conducted searches in Kulgam
near the Mini Secretariat after reports of presence of militants
in its vicinity. The operation was later called off and no one
was arrested.
IG – Operations, CRPF, Zulfikar
Hussain, said that militants are desperate to strike to inflict
casualty but SFs are ready to foil their designs. “In recent days,
some top militants were killed in South Kashmir in which there
was important role of CRPF battalions. We understand that those
people (militants) in their desperation are trying to attack security
forces and inflict damage. We are ready to tackle this situation
and in coming days, our success will surge”, he said.
Hussain said that CRPF and J&K
Police displayed exemplary courage and saved lives of civilians
inside the DPL Pulwama during fidayeen attack. “The CRPF’s
182 and 183 battalions displayed extreme bravery in partnership
with Jammu and Kashmir Police during recent attack on DPL Pulwama.
It was a challenging moment as there were families, police lines
security and also companies of CRPF. So, with extreme bravery,
all three terrorists were killed and civilian families were protected.
Our four brave hearts were martyred and some personnel of Jammu
and Kashmir Police were also martyred and some of our personnel
were injured. Three people are very critical among injured who
are in hospital.
A Delhi court extended the NIA
custody of Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested
for allegedly collecting money from Pakistan-based terror outfits
for Hurriyat Conference leaders, five more days. District Judge
Poonam A Bamba, in an in-chamber proceeding, passed the order
after the agency sought 10 days custody of Watali for further
interrogation, court sources said. The NIA had earlier told the
court that it had found various suspicious documents from the
accused during the searches, including details of bank accounts
and cash received by him from various terror outfits.
Pakistan-based terror outfit JeM
has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack in which eight
SFs personnel and three militants killed on August 26. The three
slain JeM militants were identified as Abu Saad, Dawood and Al
Bakr.
The workers of DFSS under the
leadership of their president, Ashok Gupta held a protest in old
Jammu city against the Pulwama terror attack in which eight SFs
personnel lost their lives. Dubbing the neighbouring country as
a threat to the peace in South Asian region Ashok Gupta castigated
Pakistan for pushing fidayeens to carry out terror attacks
on the SFs personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, besides endorsing support
to secessionists in the Valley.
The J&K DGP S. P. Vaid said
that the ultimate outcome of the "war" being waged by
Pakistan is that people of the state were getting killed. Speaking
to reporters at the wreath laying ceremony of ASI Abdul Rashid,
who was shot and killed by militants in Anantnag District on August
28, he said, "I will only say that one more citizen of Jammu
and Kashmir has been martyred". "It is the blood of
our people that is being spilled and the ultimate outcome of the
war that has been waged from across is that people of J&K
are getting martyred which is not a good thing," the DGP
said. Asked about the warning by the militant outfit JeM that
more attacks like the one on DPL Pulwama on August 26, the DGP
said "we will take them on".
|
August 29
|
Pakistan-based militant group
JeM is planning more attacks on SFs in Jammu and Kashmir, DGP
S. P. Vaid said and asked SFs to remain vigilant. S. P. Vaid said
that the movement of militants has been noticed in many places.
“We have inputs that they are planning strikes on security forces,”
he said. He noted that with “most local militant ‘commanders’
killed, foreign ultras were being pushed through the border to
“attack security installations”, but said there was “no high alert”
in the Valley. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF is
likely to work out a joint strategy to tackle the situation.
South Kashmir has been put on
heightened alert after JeM fidayeen attack in Pulwama DPL
that led to killing of eight SFs personnel including 4 CRPF personnel.
The DPL attack surprised the security agencies as it came after
over two months of successful operations during which over two
dozen militants were killed in the area including top commanders.
SFs this year achieved major successes against the militants killing
a record number of 136 militants and putting pressure on them.
A top SFs official said that SFs
have been put on heightened alert following inputs that there
are around one dozen JeM militants in South Kashmir who have recently
infiltrated into Kashmir and are trying to carry out DPL like
strikes in South Kashmir. Sand bunkers have been established at
certain places on roads leading to sensitive security locations
in Pulwama and other district and mobile bunkers have also been
put in place at various places to prevent any DPL like strike.
The official said that since there
was no JeM presence in South Kashmir till last month, the new
development came after SFs achieved major successes against the
LeT and HM whose militants including their ‘chief commanders’
Abu Dujana and Yaseen Itoo were killed by SFs. Sources said that
SFs had already made inroads in the two outfits of LeT and HM
which has blunted their striking capability. However, they said
that security agencies didn’t know much about the JeM as it surfaced
in the region this month only. However, sources said, two local
boys, one each from Tral and Bamno areas of Pulwama, have joined
the JeM and are providing logistic support to these militants.
The JeM was trying to set up base in South Kashmir and its two
senior commanders, Adil Pathan and Burme stayed in South Kashmir
for two years but failed to get any foothold before they were
killed in Tral on October 8, 2015. However, they had some OGWs
network which the security agencies felt these newly infiltrated
militants may use. They, however, have been put under surveillance.
|
August 30
|
Two days before the August 26
deadly Pulwama attack, in which eight SFs personnel and three
militant killed, the IB had shared two specific inputs with the
SFs claiming that heavily armed and trained fidayeen attackers
of Maulana Masood Azhar-led JeM had infiltrated from Pakistan
and their targets were camps of military and other SFs. The information
shared by IB was of "high priority" nature and it was
felt that JeM was planning something on a major scale like last
year's (2016) Pathankot IAF base attack. The first input, shared
on August 23 claimed that seven JeM suicide attackers have entered
India through the LoC at Poonch (Poonch District) on the intervening
night of August 16-17 and have split into two groups - of four
and three members. It added that one group was headed towards
Jammu, while another was going to Srinagar.
The second IB communiqué, sent
to ground forces on August 24, two days before the Pulwama attack,
informed that four heavily armed JeM attackers had successfully
infiltrated into the Jammu sector via Shakargarh in Narowal (Pakistani
Punjab) to Gurdaspur on Indian side, on the intervening night
of August 16-17. The border in Poonch sector on LoC is secured
by Indian Army while Gurdaspur at IB is under the control of BSF.
The report also said that the
DPL campus in Pulwama, which houses J&K Police families, was
already abuzz with huge presence of security personnel on August
25 and August 26 due to some VIP movement. Sources said that the
three JeM terrorists entered the camp wearing combat fatigues
same as Indian SFs, hence they went unnoticed. Officials in SFs
said they were aware of infiltration and all campuses were on
high alert in J&K and Punjab but the IB inputs were not specific
to Pulwama district lines. What is worrying the Government now
is that out of 11 JeM fidayeen, who infiltrated on August
16-17 night, eight are still present in the Valley or Punjab due
to which all SFs premises are on high alert. Senior Government
officials added that infiltration of so many fidayeens
in a day suggests that JeM is planning something big. The attackers
were trained in 'targeted firing', had come prepared for a long
hostage situation, and knew the SFs' drills at campuses, which
suggests they were trained by Pakistan military. IB had informed
that one "Burmi" from Pakistan had escorted the fidayeens
to the border for crossing over to India and he will bring another
group after he returns to Pakistan.
Pakistan army resorted to heavy
mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Nowshera sector of
Rajouri District, targeting civilian areas, prompting the administration
to close educational institutions falling within the firing range.
Official reports said Pakistan violated ceasefire by resorting
to heavy mortar shelling and firing at Kalal, Kalsian, Bhawani
and Anwas forward areas of Nowshera sector at 10.30 am. Pakistan
was directly targeting the civilian population with mortar shells
that led to panic among the border dwellers, who rushed to their
houses or bunkers from the fields.
Indian Army retaliated effectively
to silence the Pakistani guns and save civilian population, which
was being pounded with mortar shells and heavy firearms, sources
said, adding that heavy exchanges between the two sides continued
for more than two hours. However, there were no casualties or
major damages on the Indian side in shelling and firing by the
Pakistani troops. Pakistan might have suffered some casualties
and damages in retaliatory firing by the Indian side but exact
details were not available immediately.
The administration ordered closure
of educational institutions in the areas, falling within the shelling
and firing range, to avert any casualties as some time back, Pakistani
troops had targeted educational institutions in the same sector,
a result of which many students and teachers were trapped and
had to be rescued in bullet-proof bunkers.
IGP Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad
Khan, said that the local militants have gone into hiding in upper
reaches after ‘Operation All-Out’ was launched and they have given
space to their foreign counterparts. The IGP denied that the SFs
have lost grip on counter-insurgency operations. “There is no
loose grip in our operations. The successes which the security
forces got in which top commanders of Lashkar [LeT] or HM were
eliminated, the militants have went into hiding and are trying
to look for other ways to survive,” he said. Khan said the militants
have gone into hiding and they have reports that they have gone
to higher reaches. “They used to freely roam in buildup areas
that has now stopped,” he said, adding that the local militants
have “now given space to foreign militants whether of JeM or any
other”. The IGP said that one or two groups of JeM are still operating
in South Kashmir and in the fringes of Srinagar District, even
after the killing of three in August 26 Pulwama encounter that
left eight security personnel dead.
|
August 31
|
A Police officer, identified as
SI, Gowhar Ahmad Malla was injured after militants fired at him
in Imamsahab area of Shopian District. Militants opened fire upon
the Gowhar Ahmad while he was playing Volleyball in a local ground
near his home at Barbugh area of Imamsahab in the evening. Gowhar
Ahmad who is posted at Srigufwara in Anantnag was immediately
shifted to nearby hospital where from he was referred to Srinagar
hospital for specialized treatment. Soon after the attack SFs
launched a hunt to nab the attackers of the Police officer.
Pakistan summoned India's deputy
high commissioner J P Singh over alleged ‘ceasefire violations’
by Indian troops along the LoC which resulted in the killing of
a civilian. Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Dr Mohammad
Faisal summoned Singh and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire
violations" by the Indian forces, the Foreign Office said.
It claimed that a 55-year-old man was killed in Kotera Sector
on August 29 in alleged firing by Indian forces. "Despite
calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations,"
it said. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed
deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human
rights and humanitarian laws," the Foreign Office said. The
Foreign Office also accused India of committing more than 700
ceasefire violations this year (2017) which resulted in the killing
of 29 Pakistani civilians.
On the eve of Bakr-Eid,
the ‘chief’ of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, al Qaeda's Kashmir cell,
Zakir Musa issued a 10-minute audio message, threatening to ‘liberate’
India from the rule of ‘cow-worshipping’ PM Modi and Hindus. Zakir
Musa, former HM ‘commander’, also warned the Government against
deporting Rohingya Muslims in Jammu. Lashing out at Pakistan Army
and Government for betraying Kashmir's jihadi movement
by supporting the US in its war against ‘Mujahideen’, Musa
said Islamabad "shut down training camps (for terrorists),
martyred many Kashmir-centric Mujahideen and put some behind
bars". The message was released on YouTube channel
Ansar Ghazwa and circulated by his followers on messaging platforms.
Earlier, the outfit's media wing,
Al Hurr, released a poster with a message, "Soon, by the
will of Allah". Police in Srinagar said they were reading
it as an open threat of a terror attack by Musa. "Narendra
Modi, the worshipper of cow, can gather as much might with his
politics and diplomacy but won't be able to stop us... We will
hoist the flag of Islam on Hind (Indian subcontinent) and we will
have the Hindu rulers chained and dragged." Stuttering and
stumbling through his Kashmiri-accented Urdu speech, Musa sounded
as if he was reading from an al Qaeda drafted script. After sermonising
on the supremacy of Islam and its Wahhabi interpretation, Musa
called Kashmir's militant movement a shining example of Islamic
jihad. He said despite numerous betrayals and setbacks, jihad
in Kashmir had prevailed only because of Allah's mercy.
Musa claimed that Pakistan had
joined hands with India to prevent Mujahideen from pursuing ‘jihad’
in Kashmir. Pakistan, he said, "back stabbed the jihad-e-Kashmir"
through back channel and peace diplomacy with India. Musa called
Pakistani government and the army his "enemy" while
sparing the Pakistani citizens. Musa declared that Kashmir jihad
did not require any state's (Pakistan) support. He said the Mujahideen
had "kept alive jihad with their own blood and by
turning stones into weapons and snatching arms and weapons from
Indian soldiers". Recalling various terror groups, including
JKLF, HM, he reiterated that they all fought only for Islam and
Sharia (Islamic law).
Few days after the UMHA made a
formal announcement that Rohingyas and Bangladeshis were illegally
settled in J&K and that they had to be deported, the Ministry
has formally asked the administration to send complete profiling
of the illegal immigrants putting up in Jammu with their actual
location before initiating their process of deportation. “The
process of profiling has been set into motion,” official sources
said, adding it would take some time as the UMHA has sought fully
particular of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis including the period
they reached Jammu and accurate address in their countries. The
Home Ministry has asked the administration to complete profiling
within a month and forward it to them as the Centre was under
intense pressure not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in some
other States on deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis following
Intelligence inputs that they could become security threat in
the country.
The NIA visited DPL Pulwama where
fidayeen attack took place on August 26 in which eight
SFs personnel and three terrorists killed. A four member team
of NIA visited Pulwama and met the senior Police officers of the
district and later went to DPL Pulwama, the scene of the fidayeen
attack. The Police officers gave them details about the attack
and investigations carried out so far. Sources said that the NIA
is keen to investigate the DPL attack which was carried out by
JeM. As per sources, these militants had recently infiltrated
into Jammu and Kashmir and carried out the attack at a time when
SFs had put the militants under pressure after carrying out successful
operations in which over three dozen militants including seven
top ‘commanders’ of HM and LeT. However, sources said that the
Jammu and Kashmir may continue to investigate the DPL attack.
With over 140 militants already
killed this year (2017) in the ongoing anti-militancy operations,
HM ‘operational commander’ Riyaz Naikoo has banned its cadre “from
using mobile phones to minimise the losses”. “It seems they [Hizbul
militants] have damaged their old SIM cards. It’s not possible
for them to survive without mobile phones. They have either managed
new numbers or are staying without mobile phones,” said IGP, Kashmir,
Muneer Khan.
Sources said the killing of HM
‘operational commander’ Yasin Itoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi
in an encounter in Shopian on August 13 had “struck a major blow
to striking capability of Hizb” in south Kashmir. A top counter-insurgency
official said that after Itoo’s killing, the new commander Naikoo
has taken centre stage, and ‘is trying to keep the organisation’s
ranks intact and disallow any defection to the more hard-line
group led by Zakir Musa, who claims to represent the Kashmir arm
of al Qaeda’. In a bid to “revive striking capability”, Naikoo
has asked militants to “surrender their mobile phones”. “In case
of suspension of use of mobile phones, the police too will chalk
out a fresh strategy to track them down. The ‘Operation All-Out’
will continue,” said IGP Muneer Khan.
Days after the fidayeen
attack by the JeM in Pulwama on August 26, pro-Afzal Guru slogans
have been found scrawled at the encounter site. Police view this
as JeM’s “bid to announce its comeback in mainland Kashmir”, from
where it had been eliminated in 2014. A top Police official confirmed
that the three fidayeen militants who had stormed the DPL,
Pulwama, on August 26 had used charcoal to write slogans in favour
of Guru, who had been executed for his role in the Parliament
attack in 2013.
Starting with “AGS (Afzal Guru
Squad)”, the slogan written inside one of the burnt DPL complexes
read, “Afzal Guru ka intikaam” (Revenge of Afzal Guru). Eight
security personnel had been killed in this attack.
This is the fourth time that the
JeM has used the site of an attack to mention Guru’s name, in
an attempt to refer to the ‘Al-Shohada Brigade’ or ‘Shaheed Afzal
Guru Squad’, formed by the organisation that reportedly carries
out ‘suicide missions only’. Earlier, similar pro-Guru graffiti
had been found at the encounter sites in Pathankot and Nagrota
in 2016. In Afghanistan, after India’s consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif
was attacked in 2016, similar graffiti had been found at the site,
with a slogan written in blood claiming “revenge for Afzal Guru”.
“A majority of Hizbul Mujahideen
and Lashkar-e-Toiba militants have gone into hiding in the upper
reaches of south Kashmir, and are banking on the JeM cadre. Our
investigations reveal that the Jaish cadre has taken a leading
role in carrying out strikes the government forces,” said IGP,
Kashmir, Muneer Khan.
Another senior official of the
counter-insurgency cell said that the deadly Pulwama attack is
the first by the JeM in mainland Kashmir in the past three years.
“The attack was meant to announce its comeback in the Valley,
from where it had been wiped out in 2014, either through the killing
or arrest of its 16 members,” a top counter-insurgency official
said. Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, S. P. Vaid said
that ‘small groups’ of JeM militants ‘have infiltrated into Kashmir
with the sole objective of carrying out suicide attacks on security
establishments’.
|
September 1
|
Having failed miserably this year
(2017) to push terrorists into India, the Pakistan Army is frantically
trying to help around 450 of them sneak across the LoC to revive
their activities and launch attacks against the Indian Armed Forces
in the Kashmir valley. Most of these jihadis have been
trained in new camps under the supervision of the ‘Alpha 3 Company’
of the Pakistan Army, which is headed by a senior officer of the
force. This unit is deep into training and exporting terrorists
across the globe, Indian Army sources said. As part of the new
strategy of the Pakistani Army, the terrorists have been trained
in assembling IEDs to create trouble in the Kashmir valley to
make up for the setback terrorist groups have suffered as SFs
have eliminated around 130 of them this year, the sources said.
Most of the terrorists waiting
to infiltrate are from the HM, followed by the LeT, and their
movements have been noticed frequently at the new launch pads
created by the Pakistan Army after the 2016 surgical strikes by
India. The sources said about 200-250 terrorists are active in
the Valley, spread between North and South Kashmir areas. "In
South Kashmir, it is the local terrorists of the Hizbul who are
mostly active while foreign terrorists are mostly active in the
northern part of the valley," they said. Sources said the
terrorist organisations wield more influence than the Pakistan
Army in some parts of PoK because of accretion in patronage by
successive Governments and Army chiefs.
Sources added that the jihadis
are paid about INR 18,000 to INR 19,000 a month for getting killed
by Indian SFs. Security officials have attributed the availability
of low-cost terrorists to lack of job opportunities on the other
side of the LoC and the growing radicalisation among youth on
both sides of Kashmir. The sources said Army troops across the
Kashmir valley and LoC have already been maintaining high operational
tempo against terrorists and would continue to do so to tackle
the renewed efforts by the Pakistani forces to ramp up terror
activities in the state.
A Policeman was killed and seven
others were injured as suspected LeT militants attacked a Police
bus in Pantha Chowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar. Police
said that militants ambushed a bus on its way from Zewan to Srinagar
at Pantha Chowk area in the outskirts of Srinagar on September
1st evening. Police said that eight Policemen were
injured and one of them succumbed to injuries. Later, LeT has
claimed responsibility for the attack. Senior Police and SFs officials
reached the spot and massive search operation has been launched
in the area against the militants responsible for the attack.
A BSF ASI, identified as Kamaljit
Singh was killed in Pakistan Army firing in Krishna Ghati sector
of Poonch District. Official sources said Pakistan Army targeted
the BSF jawan through a sniper shot when he was manning
forward post in Krishna Ghati sector at 5.45 pm on September 1,
causing serious injuries to him. The BSF soldier was given medical
aid at the spot and evacuated to hospital, where he succumbed
to his injuries.
Two youths were injured as clashes
broke out in old city areas of Srinagar after Friday prayers.
Dozens of youth carrying flags and banners of militants took out
a protest rally from Jama Masjid after culmination of Friday congregational
prayers and marched up to Nowhatta square where they resorted
to sloganeering. They later attempted to march towards Nowhatta
Police Station but were intercepted by Police after which clashes
started between the two sides. The police used teargas canisters
against the stone-throwers who continued pelting stones. Later,
the youths dispersed and situation returned to normal. During
clashes however two youths sustained minor injuries.
The clashes also erupted in Rajouri
Kadal and Saraf Kadal areas of Old City. Police fired several
teargas canisters to disperse the stone-pelters. The business
and transport activities in these areas came to standstill for
short span of time due to clashes.
Police detained JKLF chairman
Yasin Malik from his residence at Srinagar, reports Daily Excelsior.
A spokesman of the JKLF said Malik was detained by Police from
his Maisuma residence and taken to Central Jail along with his
associate Bashir Ahmad.
A Delhi court, extended the judicial
custody of three Kashmiri separatist leaders in a terror funding
case by a month. District Judge Poonam A Bamba extended the judicial
custody of Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmed Dar and Mohamad Akbar
Khanday till September 27 when they will produced before the court
along with four other accused, including the son-in-law of APHC
leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Besides Geelani’s son-in-law Altaf
Ahmed Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, the other accused
who are in judicial custody are Peer Saifullah, Mehrajuddin Kalwal
and Nayeem Khan.
|
September 2
|
A suspected LeT militant, identified
as Irshad Padder was killed during an encounter in Tantray Pora
in Kulgam District in the morning. It is being said that the slain
terrorist was involved in the brutal killing of 22-year-old Army
officer Ummer Fayaz in Shopian District in May this year. The
encounter is still underway and the exact number of militants
is unknown till the report last came in.
SFs have launched a major drive
to track down at least ten terrorists of JeM, who infiltrated
into Kashmir Valley ten days ago from POK. Their three fellow
militants were killed in a gun battle when they carried out a
suicide attack on a Jammu & Kashmir Police complex in Pulwama
on August 26. Admitting that tracking the elusive terrorists was
proving to be difficult, sources in the security establishment
said that the ultras were hiding in the densely populated Districts
of Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama.
|
September 3
|
Pakistan Army continued to violate
ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch sector in Poonch District for
third consecutive day, leading to heavy exchanges and triggering
panic among the border dwellers. While there were no casualties
or damages on the Indian side, Pakistan claimed one casualty in
Abbaspur sector opposite Krishna Ghati in Poonch District. Official
sources said that apart from one casualty, which Pakistan officially
admitted, there were some infrastructural damages across LoC in
heavy retaliation by the Indian side in the morning. Mortar shelling
and firing from Pakistan stopped only after retaliatory action
was taken by the Indian side, report said.
Sources said Pakistani troops
started heavy shelling using 81mm and 82mm mortars and firing
with both automatic and semi-automatic weapons in forward areas
of Balakote, Mankote and Mendhar along LoC in Poonch District
at around 8.50 am. Pakistani troops targeted forward posts of
the Army and civilian areas at all three places prompting the
people, who had started leaving for day’s work in fields and other
places, to rush back home and take shelter. “Pakistan army directly
pounded the civilian areas, a result of which many mortar shells
landed close to houses of the people. However, the civilians had
narrow escape at many places,” they said, adding that the Indian
Army retaliated effectively at all places to silence the Pakistani
guns.
Pakistan later claimed that a
civilian girl was killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops
at village Polas in Abbaspur sector of PoK. Reports said that
there has been strong resentment among the people of forward areas
of PoK against Pakistan army for resorting to mortar shelling
unnecessarily, leading to casualties and damages in the Indian
retaliation. Reports said that large number of people gathered
at Abbaspur and held protests against Pakistan army and civil
administration for making their lives miserable on LoC with their
acts of unprovoked firing and shelling on the Indian side, which
invited strong retaliation from India and, in turn, led to casualties
and damages. Reports added that people in Abbaspur continued their
“anti-Pakistan protests” for couple of hours till some civil officers
reached the spot and persuaded them to disperse.
Pakistan troops violated ceasefire
along the LoC in Kupwara District. However, there was no loss
of life. “The Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on
our forward posts along the LoC in Karnah sector in Kupwara today
[September 3],” an Army official said. He said the Pakistani troops
fired upon the forward posts of Army at midnight and continued
the firing till early hours of the morning. “The firing was effectively
retaliated by the troops during which forward posts of Pakistani
troops were targeted,” the official said. However, there was no
loss of life or damage on either side.
The officer said that Pakistani
troops resort to ceasefire violations to facilitate the infiltration
of militants into Kashmir. He, however, said that Army is on high
alert to foil any infiltration attempt. He added that the security
forces launched searches in the area to ensure that no militants
infiltrated under the cover of firing by Pakistani troops. The
officer said that there are over 400 militants waiting on the
launch pads in PoK ready to infiltrate. However, the Army is on
high alert to foil their designs. He said that the militant leaders
across want infiltration of more and militants before the onset
of winter.
|
September 4
|
Two HM militants, identified as
HM ‘divisional commander’ Pervaiz Ahmad Wani alias Mudasir
alias Bashir alias Ishfaq and his associate Naeem
Ahmad Najar were killed in a fierce encounter in Sopore area of
Baramulla District. Acting on specific information about presence
of militants in Chek-e-Brath village in Sopore Area SFs launched
a cordon and search operation in the village. Militants, who were
hiding in the house of Peerzada Bashir Ahmad Shah, fired on the
SFs during the searches leading to a gun battle which lasted for
three hours during which two militants were killed. Police recovered
two bodies of the militants from the debris of the house in which
they were hiding. Two AK rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds,
one INSAS rifle, one INSAS magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other
ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. Senior SSP Sopore,
Harmeet Singh said that these militants were involved in many
anti-national and anti-social activities.
Four CRPF troopers were injured
in a grenade attack by militants on a patrol party of the SFs
in Anantnag District. The attackers hurled a grenade on the CRPF
patrol, resulting in injuries to three jawans, a Police
official said. He said the injured jawans have been rushed
to a nearby hospital for treatment. SFs have launched a search
operation in the area to nab the attackers.
SFs busted a hideout and recovered
arms, ammunition and explosives in Poonch District. Police and
SFs launched a search operation in forest area of Beri Rakh in
Mendhar belt of the District and busted the hideout, Police said.
The recovery effected from the spot includes one AK-56 rifle,
12 AK magazines, 550 rounds of ammunition of AK rifle, 440 rounds
of PIKA gun, two Chinese hand grenades, one pocket diary, two
water containers and two rain coats, they said.
The BSF foiled an infiltration
attempt backed by Pakistani Rangers on the IB in Arnia sector
of Jammu District by killing one militant as others retreated
to Pakistan. Official sources said alert BSF troopers observed
movement of militants in Arnia sector at 3.40 pm when they were
trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory taking advantage
of Pakistan `bundh’ and tick wild growth. The militants fired
towards the BSF posts with a view to push their infiltration.
The BSF troopers immediately challenged the militants and opened
firing aiming the direction from where they were trying to intrude
into this side.
Simultaneously, sources said,
the Rangers also violated ceasefire and gave covering fire to
the militants in their intrusion bid. “One of the intruders jumped
over the BSF fencing towards Indian side,” sources said, adding
the BSF troopers gunned him down within 50 meters of the border
fencing. Other militants were reported to have retreated to Pakistan
after the killing of their colleague. Sources said a major planned
and forced infiltration attempt of the militants with active support
of Pakistani Rangers has been foiled by the BSF on the IB.
Earlier in Arnia sector of Jammu
District, the Rangers had fired sniper shot on a BSF trooper in
which he was seriously injured but survived. The BSF, in retaliatory
action, had gunned down three Rangers opposite Akhnoor and Sunderbani
sectors.
Pakistani troops again violated
ceasefire on the LoC in Digwar and Maldalyan areas of Poonch District.
However, the ceasefire violation was confined to small arms fire,
sources said, adding the Indian side retaliated.
The cross-LoC travel on Poonch-Rawlakote
along the LoC remained suspended for ninth consecutive week due
to continued ceasefire violation by the Pakistani troops in twin
border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
For the first time, Pakistan-based
terror groups like the LeT and the JeM were named for causing
violence in the region by the BRICS Summit that also asserted
that those responsible for committing, organising or supporting
terror acts must be held accountable. In a significant diplomatic
win for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was joined by Chinese
President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian
President Michael Temer and South African President Jacob Zuma
in strongly denouncing terror activities of such groups, as they
expressed determination to collectively fight the scourge.
NIA summoned noted Kashmiri lawyer
and president of Kashmir High Court Bar Association Mian Abdul
Qayoom to its Delhi headquarters for questioning with regard to
ongoing terror funding probe. The NIA issued summon to Mian Qayoom,
considered a top separatist figure, for appearance at its Delhi
headquarters on September 6 (Wednesday) for questioning. The NIA
delivered summon notice to his house in uptown city Srinagar.
|
September 5
|
The NIA arrested two persons,
photojournalist Kamran Yusuf, working for a local English daily
newspaper from Pulwama and Javed Ahmad Bhat from Kulgam for their
involvement in instigating youth to indulge in stone pelting and
protests. According to the NIA, Bhat and Yusuf were involved in
stone pelting incidents besides organizing groups of youths who
would throw stones at security personnel involved in counter insurgency
operations. Yusuf, who had often been warned by the local Police,
was allegedly mobilizing the youth and clicking their pictures
for circulation in local and national newspapers. The arrests
came just a day before Kashmir Bar Association Mian Qayoom was
scheduled to appear before the NIA at agency’s New Delhi headquarters
in connection with a case of terror funding in which 10 separatists
and others have already been arrested.
India summoned the acting High
Commissioner of Pakistan and issued a demarche over the infiltration
by a group of JeM terrorists who killed eight security personnel
in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir on August 26. The MEA
lodged a strong protest with Acting High Commissioner Haider Shah
over the infiltration by the group hailing from Pakistan who staged
a terror attack on August 26. In a statement, the MEA said Pakistan
was asked to investigate the incident and bring to justice the
individuals and entities responsible for orchestrating the heinous
attack. The MEA said it was conveyed to the envoy that DNA samples
of the neutralized terrorists have been preserved and can be made
available for investigation in Pakistan.
GOC Kilo Force, Major General
AK Singh said that Army is closely monitoring situation in Kashmir
Valley even as infiltration attempts from across the LoC have
increased this year. “Infiltration attempts from the last some
months have increased but the soldiers are alert to fight such
attempts and give a befitting reply to the attempts by Pakistan,”
Major General Singh said. The GOC said that SFs are ready to foil
“terror activities” of militants. “Militant organizations always
look for opportunities of terrorism but all the security forces
are ready to foil their terror activities,” he said. The General
said that there were 70 to 75 militants still active in Kilo Force
jurisdiction (North Kashmir) and “most of the active militants
were from foreign origin”.
|
September 6
|
Stone-pelting clashes erupted
in Bellow village of Pulwama District after SFs launched a cordon
and search operation in the area. Five persons were injured in
clashes. The SFs launched the cordon and search operation in Bellow
after receiving an input about the presence of two-three militants
in the villages. As the search operation was started, local residents
came out of their houses and pelted stones on security personnel.
The Police retaliated by firing teargas canisters and the clashes
between the two sides continued for several hours. The operation
was later called off as no militant was found in the area.
Militants hurled a grenade towards
Shopian Police Station in Shopian District which, however, didn’t
explode and was later defused by the BDS. Militants at around
4.30 pm lobbed a grenade towards Shopian Police Station which
fell near its gate but didn’t explode. Police immediately summoned
BDS and it was defused without any damage to life or property.
Later, a search operation was launched in nearby areas against
the attackers but no one was arrested.
Militants attacked a minority
Police Post in Panzer village of Shopian District to loot weapons.
However, the attempt was foiled by the Police personnel who retaliated
by opening fire on the attackers. An official said that militants
attacked the Police guard in Panzer village of the District. He
said Policemen retaliated and the militants fled away. “A major
weapon snatching bid was foiled by the cops,” he said.
The NIA carried out searches at
27 places in various parts of the Kashmir Valley and Delhi and
seized nearly INR 22 million in cash in raids relating to probe
into terror-funding activities in the State. During the operations
that began in the morning houses and business establishments of
those suspected of channelizing funds to fuel secessionist and
anti-India activities were searched, an NIA spokesman said in
New Delhi. “During the searches, cash amounting to approximately
INR 22 million were recovered,” he said.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat
said the country should be prepared for a two-front war, insisting
China has started “flexing its muscles”, while there seems to
be no scope for reconciliation with Pakistan whose military and
polity saw an adversary in India. Referring to the 73-day long
Dokalam standoff, the Army chief warned that the situation could
gradually snowball into a larger conflict on the northern border.
He said there is a possibility that these conflicts could be limited
in space and time or can expand into an all out war along the
entire frontier, with Pakistan taking advantage of the situation.
“We have to be prepared. In our context, therefore, warfare lies
within the realm of reality,” he said, adding the Army’s supremacy
among the three services must be maintained to successfully combat
external security threats.
|
September 7
|
One person was killed and 13 others
were injured as militants hurled a grenade targeting CRPF personnel
at Jahangir Chowk in Srinagar in the evening. The grenade was
hurled at the CRPF at busy market place which exploded on the
road injuring 14 persons, including Traffic Police personnel.
One of the injured people died later.
Two porters were injured when
Pakistan army violated ceasefire and resorted to unprovoked firing
on the LoC in Shahpur sector of Poonch District in the afternoon.
Reports said the two porters, who were working in the forward
areas, were hit by bullets fired by Pakistan Army with small weapons
in Shahpur. Indian side retaliated the firing.
The NIA raided the house of one
Mohammad Razak alias Ashoka, a close aide of APHC leader,
Shabir Shah, in Jammu. “The NIA team this afternoon raided the
house of a property dealer, who is a close aide of Separatist
leader Shabir Shah in terror funding case,” official sources said.
“The house was cordoned by the CRPF men and the NIA team later
raided the house,” they said.
In a similar development, the
NIA raided the house of senior leader of APHC Aga Syed Hassan
at Badgam in Badgam District. The search operation was going on
when the reports last came in, sources said, adding that details
are awaited. The NIA raid came after chairmen of both the factions
of the APHC - Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq
- and JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik announced to court arrest
before the NIA headquarters at New Delhi on September 9 in protest
against the ongoing investigations in terror funding case.
The Enforcement Directorate opposed
the bail plea of alleged hawala dealer Mohammad Aslam Wani
in a city court in Delhi, saying that he had a key role in bringing
money from Pakistan for terror activities in Kashmir. The probe
agency, in its written response to Wani’s bail plea, said the
investigation in a decade-old money laundering case involving
Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah was at a crucial stage
and Wani may threaten witnesses and destroy evidence if enlarged
on bail.
The Northern Army Commander Lt
Gen Devraj Anbu said that terror camps and launch pads across
the LoC in PoK have gone up and around 475 militants are waiting
to sneak into the Indian side. “We cannot tell you the exact number
of the militants. But the militants, who are waiting to cross
over to this side (via the LoC from PoK) are nearly 250 in north
Kashmir and around 225 in south of Pir Panjal (Jammu region).
We are firmly in control of the situation along the LoC… (the
number of) launching pads and terrorist camps along LoC has increased
as compared to the previous years.”
He further asserted, “While infiltration
attempts have increased, the success to infiltrate has been much
less than previous years despite large number of infiltration
attempts. That is because of our robust counter-infiltration grid
that we have on LoC. The (number of) militants coming to this
side have decreased to a large extent this year,” Lt Gen Anbu
said. According to MAC of intelligence gathering, the number of
militants who have managed to infiltrate is 75 during the last
eight months, he said, adding, “But according to our assessment,
it is 45 to 50.” He also said the Army has created a “strong deterrence”
at the LoC so that militants do not enter the Indian side. “While
attempts are more, we are preventing them from entering this side,
whether in Kashmir valley or Jammu region,” the Army Commander
said.
About the militancy situation
in the hinterland, Lt Gen Anbu said, “It is improving. Those (militants)
who are operating in the hinterland are foreign terrorists in
North Kashmir and South Kashmir has presence of local terrorists
more and foreign terrorists are lesser.” He said the Security
Forces are trying to dominate the South Kashmir region. “We have
killed 100 militants in the past four months. A total of 144 militants
have been killed so far (in Kashmir this year),” he said. “The
effect of what is happening now will manifest in a couple of months
from now. But there is decrease in local youth getting recruited,”
he added.
|
September 8
|
A Police vehicle was torched and
six cops were injured as violent protests and clashes broke out
across Kashmir Valley after Friday prayers against violence on
Rohingyas in Myanmar. The protests which were called by Valley’s
religious and separatist outfits two days ago prompted the authorities
to impose restrictions in certain parts of downtown city Srinagar.
Hundreds of people soon after
culmination of Friday congregational prayers hit streets in Lal
Chowk area of Anantnag District and resorted to stone-pelting
on Police. Witnesses said the Police retaliated by firing teargas
canisters but irate protesters cornered them at multiple places
and thrashed many of them including an officer while many other
cops managed to save themselves.
A group of youth attacked an armoured
vehicle of Police outside District Magistrate Anantnag’s office
and damaged its glasses and window panes. The Policemen already
abandoned the vehicle and later the protesters set the vehicle
on fire. A Police spokesman in a statement said “some miscreants
from a mob started pelting stones on the police and security forces
deployment at Lal Chowk in Anantnag” today after Friday prayers.
“These miscreants also set a police vehicle on fire. The miscreants
were chased off by using mild force,” he said. The spokesman said
six Police personnel including two officers identified as Deputy
Superintendent (Headquarters) Anantnag Mohammad Yousuf, Sub Inspector
Junaid Ahmad, Head Constable Gurdeep Singh, Constable Shabir Ahmad,
Constable Bilal Ahmad and Constable Javaid Ahmad were injured
in today’s Anantnag violence and they were shifted to hospital
for treatment. Police said a case was registered and “investigation
was set into motion to identify these miscreants”.
Protests against violence on Rohingya
Muslims in Rakhine State of Myanmar broke out at dozens of places
in Srinagar city and other Districts of the Valley. Police said
the protests remained largely peaceful and only few incidents
of stone-pelting were reported. In summer capital here, the protests
broke out at Khanyar, Maisuma, Lal Chowk, Safa Kadal, Nowshehra,
Hyderpora, Shalimar and few other places. The incidents of stone-pelting
were reported from Safa Kadal and Nowshehra. All the four districts
– Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam – of South Kashmir witnessed
post-Friday protests and rallies against Myanmar. The protests
remained peaceful and no violent incident was reported, the Police
said.
In North and Central Kashmir,
protests were held at Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam and
Baramulla after Friday prayers but all of them concluded peacefully.
|
September 9
|
A 22-year-old civilian, identified
as Mohammad Younis was injured in a ceasefire violation by the
Pakistani Army along the LoC in Poonch District. The Pakistani
troops opened fire from heavy weapons and mortars from across
the border in Debraj, Krishna Ghati and Ishapur in Mendhar sector
starting at around 10.30 am, prompting retaliation by Indian troops
guarding the border, a Police official said.
A ‘district commander’ of HM,
identified as Shahid Ahmad Sheikh alias Shabir was killed
in an encounter with SFs in Sopore area of Baramulla District.
He was earlier affiliated with JeM. One AK rifle, two AK magazines,
one grenade, 23 AK rounds and a pouch was recovered from the encounter
site. Police said that he was involved in many anti social, anti
national and criminal activities.
A Police Constable, identified
as Imtiyaz Ahmad was killed and another, identified as constable
Shabir Ahmad injured in a militant attack in Anantnag District.
Militants attacked a Police party near General Bus Stand in Anantnag
chowk by firing indiscriminately upon them. The area was cordoned
off and a hunt was launched to nab the attackers. However, no
one was arrested. The site is barely a kilometre from the venue
of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s scheduled meeting with
security personnel on September 10, a Police official said.
Pakistan army opened fire from
heavy weapons and mortars in civilian areas at various places
on the LoC with mortars and heavy fire arms causing injuries to
two persons including a civilian and a SFs personnel at Mankote,
Mendhar, Balnoi and Shahpur sub sectors of Poonch District. Reports
said Pakistan started heavy mortar shelling and firing at 10.30
am (September 9) at forward villages including Sonawali Gali,
Balnoi, Nangi Tekri, Dabraj and surrounding villages of Mankote,
Mendhar and Shahpur sectors of Poonch District. The Indian side
retaliated effectively to silence the Pakistani guns and save
civilian population. The Pakistani troops also tried to target
some forward posts of the Army with mortars and heavy fire arms
but failed. Heavy exchange of shelling and firing continued till
1.35 pm in which Pakistan side was reported to have suffered heavy
losses but the details were not available immediately.
DG of CRPF Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar
said the ongoing NIA raids have affected stone-pelting incidents
in Kashmir which otherwise were on rise since July last year.
"There is an affect following actions by all the agencies. There
is also an affect because of what NIA is doing. The way stone-pelting
was happening in a coordinated manner, this will definitely stop
that," the CRPF DG said while responding to a question with regard
to decrease in stone-throwing incidents after NIA started probe
into terror funding. The top paramilitary officer said the counter-insurgency
operations will continue despite changing situations. "Situation
keeps changing. The anti-militancy operations are intelligence-based
and we are achieving success in them. They are ongoing operations
and will continue," he said, adding that so far 148 militants
including top commanders have been killed this year.
DG of CRPF Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar
said the ongoing NIA raids have affected stone-pelting incidents
in Kashmir which otherwise were on rise since July last year.
"There is an affect following actions by all the agencies. There
is also an affect because of what NIA is doing. The way stone-pelting
was happening in a coordinated manner, this will definitely stop
that," the CRPF DG said while responding to a question with regard
to decrease in stone-throwing incidents after NIA started probe
into terror funding. The top paramilitary officer said the counter-insurgency
operations will continue despite changing situations. "Situation
keeps changing. The anti-militancy operations are intelligence-based
and we are achieving success in them. They are ongoing operations
and will continue," he said, adding that so far 148 militants
including top commanders have been killed this year.
|
September 9-10
|
Two HM militants were killed and
another one surrendered during an overnight operation by the SFs
in Shopian District which started on September 9 and ended on
September 10. The encounter which started on September 9 evening
in Barbugh area of Shopian District after militants attacked an
Army patrol, which retaliated killing a militant on the spot and
trapping two others in a house in the village. The operation was
put on hold for the night and in the morning (September 10) as
the operation was resumed heavy gun fire followed in which one
militant was killed. Another militant later surrendered. A 14-year
old girl, identified as Khusboo Jan was also injured in the firing
and she was immediately shifted to nearby hospital.
A Police spokesman said that acting
on specific information, Shopian Police along with 44 RR launched
a cordon and search operation in Barbugh area of Shopian. “During
searches, terrorists hiding in the area fired upon the search
party. Two terrorists were gunned down in this encounter who were
identified as Altaf Ahmad Rather son of Mohammad Maqbool resident
of Awneera Zainapora, Shopian and Tariq Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad
Ibrahim resident of Barbugh, Shopian and one identified as Adil
Hussain Dar son of Nazir Ahmad Dar resident of Chitripora, Shopian,
surrendered”, he said. He said arms and ammunition were also recovered
from the encounter site.
|
September 10
|
Three Army personnel, identified
as identified as HB Swami, Yankiwali Wala Subramaniyam and K Mahesh
were injured in Keran sector of LoC in Kupwara District. Sources
said that Army troops of 16 Madras Regiment noticed movement of
a group of infiltrating militants near Khawaja Baikh post in Keran
sector at around 4 p.m. The group was challenged but they opened
fire on the troops in which three Army men were injured. The group
managed to escape and massive searches have been launched in the
area.
|
September 11
|
Two HM militants, identified as
Dawood Ahmed Ali and Shaiyar Ahmed Wani were killed in a gun battle
with SFs and another militant, Arief Sofi was arrested in Khudwani
area of Kulgam District. Acting on a tip off, the SFs cordoned
off a village in Khudwani area at 3a), when they were fired upon
by holed up militants. An AK-47and an INSAS rifle were also recovered
from the encounter site.
Assuring them of rehabilitation
and bright future, SFs made an appeal to militants operating in
Jammu and Kashmir to lay down their arms and join mainstream,
saying they don't feel happy while killing them during gunfights
and instead would be welcomed with open arms. The top officers
of Police, Army and Paramilitary CRPF made the appeal during a
joint press conference at Police Control Room in Srinagar and
produced a militant -who surrendered at Shopian District on September
10, and an OGW, who was arrested at Kulgam District, before media.
The officers who addressed the
press conference include IGP Munir Ahmad Khan, GOC Victor Force,
Major General BS Raju and IG (Operations) CRPF Zulfikar Hassan.
The top officers while speaking to reporters made a joint appeal
to militants to lay down their arms and join mainstream while
assuring them rehabilitation and secure life ahead. IGP Kashmir,
Munir Khan said they had "back to back very good result oriented
operations in Shopian and Kulgam in last two days but were different
this time". "The operations were a bit different this time. In
Shopian, in spite of the fact that one of the militants namely
Adil Hussain Dar, a local guy who had joined militancy around
3 months back, was firing during the course of encounter. "He
was firing at the forces. He lobbed a grenade at the forces. Somehow
he lost balance and could not fire anymore," said the top cop,
adding: "he could have been killed by the forces, there was no
other way out, but we preferred to give him a chance to come to
the mainstream. We preferred that he should join his parents again,
that's why we opted to catch him alive, with a very clear message
to others who have been lured into all this that if they come,
we will receive them with open arms. Not necessarily during the
encounters, even now they can come and join the mainstream."
UHM Rajnath Singh said that tree
of peace in Kashmir hasn't dried up and that a permanent solution
to Kashmir based on five 'Cs'- Compassion, Communication, Co-existence,
Confidence Building and Consistency-will be found even as he declared
that situation in the Valley has improved significantly over the
past year. He described people living in the border areas as "strategic
assets" and announced increase in compensation paid to kin of
Pakistan ceasefire victims' from INR 1 lakh to INR 5 lakh. He
declared that the BSF has been given free hand to deal with ceasefire
violations and militants on the borders. "The situation in Kashmir
valley has improved significantly over the past year and some
green shoots of peace are visible," Rajnath Singh said and expressed
willingness to meet every stakeholder to resolve long-standing
issues.
Rajnath Singh assured people living
in border areas of the Jammu region that India was taking steps
to ensure Pakistan was forced to stop firing. "Just wait for some
more time. Pakistan will forced to stop firing. If a single bullet
is fired from Pakistan, then India should not count the bullets
fired in retaliation," he told a rally of migrants from the LoC.
Over 5,000 people living along the LoC were forced to move out
their homes in the Naushera sector of Rajouri District four months
ago in the wake of heavy firing and shelling by Pakistan forces.
Singh said, "Whether they (Pakistan) stop firing today or tomorrow,
they will have to stop firing and ceasefire violation."
Uprooted from their homes after
firing by Pakistan Army, people from border areas living in schools-turned-camps
have demanded individual bunkers at their residences. Over 5,000
people living in 23 hamlets along the LoC were forced to leave
their houses in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District following
heavy firing and shelling four months ago. Four civilians were
killed and five others were injured in firing and shelling by
Pakistani troops in different sectors of Rajouri in the recent
past. The residents made the demand for individual bunkers to
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on September 11 during his visit
to one of the six camps set up in Nowshera by the Government.
"Our first and foremost demand is that Government should set up
individual bunkers in each of the border house, if we have to
live again along the LoC. This is most and first demand of the
LoC people," Jangarh resident Prashtom Kumar said. Kumar, who
is the president of Border Migrants Coordination Committee, conveyed
the demand to Singh and said, "We need bunkers more than food.
It serves as a bullet-proof jacket for us and our families."
Police arrested another OGW of
HM, identified as Waheed Ahmad Bhat from Larganapora Bichwara
village of Kralgund in Kupwara District. Police recovered a hand
grenade from him.
|
September 12 |
One woman, identified as Rahmat Bi was injured
as Pakistan army violated ceasefire on the LoC in Nowshera sector
of Rajouri District. Official sources said Pakistani troops resorted
to firing at Lambi, Patti and Pukharni forward areas of Nowshera
sector at 5.30 am. A woman sleeping inside her house was hit by
a bullet and injured. Indian troops retaliated the firing, leading
to exchange that lasted half an hour.
India launched a scathing attack on Pakistan at
the UN and held it responsible for disrupting peace in the Asian
subcontinent by providing succour to terrorism on its soil. Dr
Sumit Seth, first secretary at the Permanent Mission of India
to UN, said the Islamic nation's actions had affected not just
India but all the countries in its vicinity. Nevertheless, India
was willing to assist Pakistan in removing the scourge of terrorism
from the region. "The world watches with concern as the consequences
of Pakistan's actions have spread beyond its immediate neighbour.
All of us stand prepared to help if only Pakistan, creator of
this malignant monster, wakes up to dangers of what it has done
to itself," Seth said while exercising the Right to Reply in response
to a statement by Pakistan. Raising the issue of Kashmir once
again at the 36th session of the UNHRC on September 11, Pakistan
had blamed India for human rights violations in the restive state
and denying the right of self-determination to Kashmiris.
India rejected these claims and sharply reminded
Pakistan of its own track record in Balochistan. "J&K is an integral
and inseparable part of India and will always remain so. We reject
attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has
been regularly exercised by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan
is a country that has systemically abused and violated human rights
of its own citizens, including in Balochistan as well as the people
of PoK," Seth charged. Calling out Pakistan on its "doublespeak
and hypocrisy", he accused it of fomenting the current unrest
in the Kashmir Valley. Seth added that the SFs had borne heavy
losses by exercising restraint while dealing with terrorists and
other dissident forces in J&K. "Present situation in Indian state
of J&K is a direct result of sustained cross border terrorism
emanating from Pakistan. High number of casualties sustained by
Indian security forces is reflection of tremendous restraint displayed
in difficult circumstances," he said.
Seth went on to say that Pakistan has consistently
denied that it sponsors terror outfits, despite harbouring JeM
founder Masood Azhar and LeT leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, both
of whom have been recognised as global terrorists. The Indian
emissary appealed to the UNHRC to recognise terrorism as an "extreme
violation of human rights" and the same should be acknowledged
by the international community.
Police also arrested a OGW of HM, identified as
Mohammad Shafi Mir along with a grenade at a checkpoint in Qalamabad
village in Handwara Tehsil in Kupwara District.
|
September 13 |
Four persons including two BSF jawans and two
civilians were injured as Pakistan army stepped up mortar shelling
and firing along the LoC and IB. Reports said that Pakistan army
started mortar shelling and firing with automatic weapons on the
LoC at Sabjian, Degwar and Kassalian in Poonch District. Pakistan
also shelled civilian areas and forward posts of the troops. Two
civilians were injured when a mortar shell fell near their house
at Taglo, Degwar in Poonch sector while two BSF jawans were injured
in Sabjian area. Injured civilians have been identified as Mohammad
Khurshid son of Mohammad Hussain and Kabir Hussain son of Mohammad
Sharief, both residents of village Taglo, Degwar. Two BSF jawans
injured in the shelling have been identified as Head Constable-cum-Radio
Opera-tor Sandeep Jehangir and Constable Ravinder Singh. Intermittent
exchange of shelling and firing continued till late this evening
on the LoC.
Pakistani Rangers also opened firing on the IB
at Brahman Bela and Raipur forward villages in Pargwal sector
of Akhnoor tehsil (revenue unit). Initially, the Rangers resorted
to firing with semi-automatic weapons but later also lobbed mortar
shells. The BSF retaliated effectively. Intermittent exchange
of shelling and firing continued till late night.
Police arrested a key militancy instigator and
motivator of HM outfit in Baramulla District. SSP, Baramulla,
Imtiyaz Hussain said that an OGW Ishtiaq Ahmad Wani, resident
of Goushbugh village of Pattan in the District, who was at large
and wanted for motivating and instigating young boys of Pattan
and Palhallan area to join HM outfit, was arrested. "Due to continuous
pressure, encounters by police and other security agencies, most
of the militants, who were active in North Kashmir, have been
neutralized because of which the controllers of HM from across
and with Kashmir are trying to accelerate the recruitment process
in this area," SSP Wani said. The SSP said recently, Police prevented
around 10 boys from being inducted in militant ranks. They were
handed over to their parents. "Out of these 10 boys, four boys,
were motivated by the arrested recruiter to join militant ranks
of Hizbul Mujahideen," he said.
Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra
Singh, who accompanied the Home Minister in the present trip,
said that they had held a meeting with the youth in Srinagar where
the findings of the recent NIA probe against separatists were
shared.
|
September 14 |
In a major success for the SFs, the 'commander-in-chief'
of LeT, Abu Ismail, who was the mastermind behind the Amarnath
yatra attack (July 10, 2017), along with his associate, Abu Qasim
alias Chota Qasim were killed in an encounter at Nowgam area of
Srinagar District. Qasim was most wanted militant in South Kashmir
as he was mastermind of attack on Amarnath yatris at Anantnag
District in which eight pilgrims were killed. IGP, Muneer Khan
revealed that a joint operation was launched in Nowgam after contact
was established at 4.15 pm with the two militants hiding in a
house in the area. "In a brief, crisp encounter, both terrorists
were shot dead," he said. "Abu Ismail had 15 FIRs against him
for murder, dacoity and other militancy related incidents," Khan
said adding that two AK-47 rifles and other materials were recovered
from the dead bodies.
Police arrested a militant of HM, identified as
Zameer Ahmed Khatana Gujjar in Ajar area of Bandipora District.
Police said that based on specific information about the movement
of some militants, a joint naka (checkpoint) was laid by Bandipora
Police, Army's 14 RR and CRPF 3rd Batallion at Gurezmod in Bandipora.
"During naka checking, one militant of HM outfit was apprehended
along with arms and ammunition," Police said. A Chinese pistol,
magazine and eight rounds were recovered from his possession.
The Central Government has asked the J&K State
Government to re-activate defunct VDCs and create new, where they
have ceased to exist, in villages falling along LoC and IB to
serve as another defence line behind Army and BSF to tackle infiltration
attempts by the militants. Official sources said that the Union
Ministries of Home and Defence were of the view that the VDC members
being locals, their activation could serve as "third line of defence"
on LoC and IB behind Army and BSF to ensure that if the militants
managed to breach "first two lines of defence", they are spotted
and engaged at the third line and killed or captured. "The idea
of creating yet another line of defence behind Army and BSF was
revived following inputs that large number of militants have been
camping across LoC and IB in Pakistan and that upcoming days could
see spurt in infiltration attempts by the militants. Pakistan
was desperate to push the militants in the wake of large number
of killings of terrorists in the Kashmir valley during Operation
All Out," sources said.
|
September 15 |
One BSF jawan, identified as Constable Brijendra
Bahadur Singh was killed as Pakistan violated ceasefire at IB
in RS Pura in Jammu District. One civilian is also reported injured
in the firing which took place in Arnia in Jammu District. "One
BSF trooper has been killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan
rangers. They are using mortars, automatics and small arms to
target nine BSF posts in Arnia. BSF troopers are retaliating strongly
and effectively", said BSF sources. "BSF troops retaliated strongly
and gave befitting reply," said the source. This is the fifth
ceasefire violation by Pakistan in six days, and the third consecutive
day of such violations, according to report.
Four persons including two Pakistani Rangers were
reportedly killed in Pakistani side of the IB in Arnia sector
of Jammu District, when India retaliated Pakistani shelling in
the area. Pakistan confirmed its casualties and summoned Indian
Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh in Islamabad in Pakistan to
lodge protest. Acting swiftly, the administration put its `Contingency
Plan' for the border villagers for three districts of Jammu, Samba
and Kathua immediately in place and ordered closure of educational
institutions falling within the firing range on the International
Border in Arnia sector and surrounding areas to avoid any eventuality,
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari said.
Sources said that heavy retaliation to the Pakistani
shelling and firing had been necessitated to silence Pakistani
guns, which had directly been targeting civilian population in
the border areas of Arnia sector and there were apprehensions
of civilian casualties. Pakistan suffered losses in retaliatory
firing by the BSF, sources said. A number of houses in forward
villages of Arnia sector were hit by mortars and their splinters
causing damage to them while some cattle were also injured. In
most of the villages, the people didn't come out and preferred
to stay indoors in anticipation of fresh shelling by Pakistan
in frustration.
Authorities imposed curfew like restrictions in
parts of Srinagar as separatists had called for protests against
the NIA raids and arrests. The restrictions (under Section 144
CrPc) were imposed in parts of Srinagar falling under the jurisdiction
of five Police Stations including Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari,
Khanyar and Safakadal. These restrictions were imposed as a precautionary
measure to avoid any untoward incident. Huge contingents of SFs
were deployed in these areas to thwart any possible protest called
by separatists against the NIA raids and arrests.
As soon as the Friday congregational prayers culminated
at Gaw Kadal Masjid, separatist leaders and activists took to
streets and protested against the NIA raids and arrests. The protesters
were holding placards and were chanting slogans against NIA and
Government. Separatist leaders termed the NIA raids and arrests
of political leaders, journalists and others as frustration of
the Government. They said that the NIA raids are aimed to defame
the separatist leaders.
|
September 16 |
Two militants were killed as the Indian Army foiled
an infiltration bid along the LoC in Machhil sector of Kupwara
District. "An infiltration bid has been foiled in Machhil sector
and two terrorists have been killed," defence spokesman Colonel
Rajesh Kalia said. He said troops noticed suspicious movement
along the LoC and challenged the intruders, leading to a gunfight
in which the two militants were killed. Weapons have been recovered
from the slain militants, the spokesman said.
Pakistani Rangers, in another ceasefire violation,
targeted forward BoPs of BSF along the IB in Arnia sector of Jammu
District. "From mid night till early this morning (September 16),
there was exchange of fire and shelling in Arnia Sector," official
spokesman said. He said that the exchange of firing took place
in the area of 6 to 8 BoPs of BSF, adding no human loss or injury
was reported.
A woman, identified as Ratano Devi was killed
and five others were injured, as Pakistani Rangers shelled almost
entire Arnia sector on the IB in Jammu District throughout the
night. A number of cattle were killed or injured in Pakistan's
shelling and firing. Meanwhile, Pakistan claimed that it lost
four persons and five others were injured in Sialkot sector during
exchange of shelling and firing. According to reports, nearly
50,000 civilians in forward villages of Pakistan's Sialkot sector
have deserted their homes following heavy retaliation by the BSF.
"It was a war like situation last night. Mortar
shells were raining in every village close to the International
Border. It was very narrow escape for the civilians," Ram Lal,
a shopkeeper of Arnia town, said. He added that it was "worst
ever shelling" witnessed in Arnia town during the recent past.
Almost similar was the position at Sei Khurd, Nikowal, Jabowal,
Allah, Treva and surrounding villages in Arnia sector, where bullets
continued to rain throughout the night striking houses, shops
and cattle sheds of the people, causing them heavy damages.
|
September 17
|
Pakistan resumed shelling and firing in forward
villages of Arnia sector in Jammu District in the night.
Sources said the BSF has been retaliating Pakistan's
unprovoked firing and shelling very effectively as there had been
reports that LeT's militants have also mixed up with Pakistan
army to target the BSF and infiltrate into the Indian territory.
Taking no chance, the BSF was taking all steps to counter infiltration
attempts by the militants on the IB. Confirming presence of militants
especially those of LeT outfit on Pakistan side of IB opposite
Arnia sector, sources said unprovoked mortar shelling and firing
by the Pakistani Rangers on the BSF posts and civilian areas was
also aimed at diverting attention of the troopers and civilians
to push the armed infiltrators into this side. However, they added
that the BSF while countering shelling and firing was also keeping
strict vigil on the "unwanted movements" to ensure that the militants
didn't manage to intrude taking cover of Rangers' provocations.
The streets of Shopian (Shopian District) are
splashed with posters bearing HM stamp blaming al Qaeda-appointed
'head' of Kashmir jihad, Zakir Musa, for 'helping Indian forces
kill Kashmiris' and asking people to 'chase him to death', while
also describing him as an 'Indian agent'. Written in Urdu, with
Musa's picture displayed prominently, the posters claim that the
former HM militant got many 'innocents killed by Indian tyrants
in lieu of huge money'. 'This traitor is creating different outfits
in league with the government. Initially, he was part of Hizb
and thereafter, he joined hands with the government of India.
He even termed Hurriyat wrong. Therefore, wherever you find him,
kill him,' the posters said.
Pakistani Rangers continued mortar shelling along
the IB in Arnia sector in Jammu District for the third consecutive
night. The latest round of shelling rendered some and other structures
damaged but there were no casualties either on BSF side or civilians.
“Intensity of mortar shelling and firing was very less last night
as compared to the two previous nights when shelling had continued
throughout the night. However, shelling, which started around
9.30 pm last night, stopped around 11.30 pm though intermittent
firing with small arms continued till wee hours of this morning,’’
official sources said.
|
September 18
|
No militant is ready to become
‘chief’ of the LeT terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir after the
killing of Pakistani terrorist Abu Ismail in an encounter last
week, said J&K DGP S P Vaid. "I heard there is a vacancy
for the commander's post in Lashkar, but no one is ready to apply,"
Vaid said while replying to a question about the recruitment of
a new LeT ‘chief’ in the Valley. He urged local militants to renounce
the path of violence and join the mainstream. "Be it elders,
religious leaders, parents or political leaders, I appeal to all
to help children distinguish between the good and bad. One must
tread upon the right path and fulfil the mission of life. Bloodshed
won't yield anything," he added.
Vaid said the J&K Police have
recently rescued 60 youths from militancy and counselled them.
"We're counselling out of militancy all those boys whose
cases are brought to our notice. They are our kids and we don't
want them to go the wrong way," said the DGP, adding that
there are clear instructions to the SFs to give a chance to those
militants who are ready to surrender. Attempts are being made
to bring the youths back into the mainstream. Security personnel
are trying to engage them so that they remain away from drugs
and militancy, said Vaid.
|
September 19
|
The NIA arrested two LeT militants,
who were close associates of dreaded Pakistani militant Bahadur
Ali, and had been helping LeT cadres to infiltrate into the Indian
territory from the LoC in Baramulla and Kupwara Districts. The
two militants, identified as Zahoor Ahmad Peer and Nazir Ahmad
Peer were on NIA radar for helping Bahadur Ali and other cadre
of the LeT outfit but since their full identity and address was
not known to Ali, the NIA had to work a lot to identify and arrest
them. Sources said that both the militants were called for interrogation
by the NIA officers at their Sainik Colony office in Jammu District
and immediately taken into custody as they turned out to be the
same persons, who had figured in the interrogation of Bahadur
Ali. The NIA is expected to shift both the militants to New Delhi
on September 20 for detailed interrogation after taking their
transit remand from a Court in Jammu.
Anticipating that the arrested
militants might have helped more Lashkar cadre in infiltration
and carrying out their activities, sources said it was in this
context that both of them were being taken to New Delhi for detailed
interrogation to ascertain LeT network in Kupwara District especially
on the LoC. Bahadur Ali was among very few Pakistani militants,
who have been captured alive by SFs during the raids, which had
helped security agencies to nail Pakistan’s direct support to
militants operating in the Kashmir valley. Bahadur Ali’s case
was later handed over to NIA, which had prepared a detailed dossier
of Pakistan’s involvement in the militancy on the basis of disclosures
made by Ali. Ali had disclosed as to how Pakistan army and ISI
were radicalizing local youth and pushing them into the militancy.
He has also mentioned involvement of LeT commanders in training
of the militants and helping them infiltrate into the Valley.
A Delhi court sent two men, including
a freelance photo-journalist, to judicial custody for a month
in connection with an alleged case of stone- pelting in the Kashmir
valley. District Judge Poonam A Bamba sent Javed Ahmed
Bhat from Kulgam and Kamran Yusuf from Pulwama to jail till October
17 after they were produced before the court during in-chamber
proceedings on the expiry of their Police custody. The NIA counsel
said they were not required for further custodial interrogation,
court sources said. During its probe in the funding of terror
and separatist activities in the Kashmir valley, the NIA had arrested
Bhat and Yusuf on September 5.
CM Mehbooba Mufti sought an end
to the hostilities between India and Pakistan on the borders,
saying it is the people of the State who bear the brunt of the
skirmishes. Mehbooba, who was addressing a public meeting at Tanghdar
sector near the LoC in Karnah area of Kupwara District, said the
recent skirmishes along the border area has led many people to
migrate. “I appeal the leadership of both the countries to work
for maintaining peace on the borders. The people of the State
have been the worst victims of this hostility which has led to
their killing, dislocations and damages to the property on both
the sides,” she said. The Chief Minister said peace in the State
and between the two South Asian countries holds key to the progress
and development of the region.
|
September 20
|
One Head Constable of the SSB,
identified as Ram Pravesh was killed and an ASI, Shyam Sood was
seriously injured as suspected militants attacked the SSB camp
at Thathar in Banihal Tehsil of Ramban District. The suspected
militants also took away with them one INSAS rifle and one AR-M1F41
Assault Rifle of the SSB jawans, sources said. However,
senior Police officials remained non-committal on the attack though
they admitted that everything including a terror attack was under
investigation and that two weapons were missing from the SSB camp,
which appeared to have been snatched. Sources said that the SSB
jawans were returning to their camp at Thathar, which was
located just 200 meters from the NH after patrol duty at the site
of construction of new tunnel at Banihal on the NH when the suspected
militants opened firing on them at around 7.15 pm.
A soldier, identified as Sepoy
Rajesh Khatri was killed and three others injured in a sniper
fire by Pakistani troops at Keran sector along the LoC in Kupwara
District. Sources said that Pakistan Rangers opened sniper fire
at 5/9 GR unit of Army near Pimple post in Keran sector along
the LoC. Army retaliated the fire and targeted the Pakistani posts
and intermittent firing was going on in the area at the time of
reporting.
The sniping of soldiers by Pakistani
troops has increased this year (2017) along the LoC in Jammu and
Kashmir. Sources said that Pakistani troops are frustrated after
Indian troops this year foiled infiltration of militants from
PoK along the LoC. They said that after continued failure following
stepped up security along the LoC, Pakistani troops are resorting
to such tactics. Sources said that they are also resorting to
ceasefire violations to push in militants by providing them cover
fire. They, however, said that the troops are on heightened alert
and ready to foil Pakistani troops’ and militant designs.
Police recovered a hand grenade
concealed underground near a bank building in Budgam District.
“An old grenade buried underground near a bank branch at Ompora
was detected by security forces this afternoon,” a Police official
said.
Police arrested a HM militant,
identified as Aadil Hussain alias Badam from Bijbehara
in Anantnag District. A Police spokesman said that Aadil Hussain
of HM was arrested by Police, Army and CRPF in a joint operation
in Bijbehara today. However, a HM spokesman said that Adil was
not the militant of the outfit.
|
September 20-21
|
In another ceasefire violation,
Pakistani troops on September 21 night pounded major areas of
IB in Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura sectors in Jammu and Samba Districts
with 82mm mortars and heavy arms firing taking the number of civilians
injured in the shelling last midnight (September 20) and tonight
(September 21) to seven. Sources said seven civilians including
a couple were injured in heavy mortar shelling by Pakistani Rangers
on the IB in Arnia and RS Pura sectors last night as well as tonight
while Pakistan also suffered heavy losses in retaliatory firing
by the BSF. Large number of people in Ramgarh sector on September
21 night migrated to safer areas while many people from forward
villages of Arnia and RS Pura sectors have already shifted to
the houses of their relatives and other locations. SSP Samba Anil
Magotra said that people from Jerha, SM Pura, Nanga, Samandhu,
Dagg and surrounding villages of Ramgarh sector in Samba district
have shifted to Thandi Khui, Ramgarh town and other places in
view of heavy mortar shelling and firing by the Rangers at these
places.
|
September 21
|
At least three civilians including
a woman were killed and 30 others including two officers of the
R&B Department were injured when suspected HM militants attacked
the cavalcade of Public Works Minister and senior leader of ruling
PDP, Naeem Akhtar, in Tral town of Pulwama District. The slain
civilians were identified as Pinky Kaur (a Sikh woman student
of Islamic University), 80-year-old Ghulam Nabi Trag and Mohammad
Iqbal Khan. Naeem Akhtar, one of the closest aides of CM Mehbooba
Mufti, had gone to Tral for inauguration of a civil works project
in the town. PDP MLA of Tral Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, who was traveling
in one of the cars, said the terrorists attacked the motorcade
with a hand grenade and gunfire from automatic rifles. "The
minister escaped unhurt but my bullet-proof car received several
gunshots," Shah said. DGP, S P Vaid said, the target of the
attack was the Minister. The assailants, he said, managed to escape
in the melee caused by the grenade attack.
Soon after the attack, local youth
came to the streets raising pro-Azadi and pro-Pakistan slogans
and pelted stones on the SFs deployed in the Tral town for the
Minister's security. To disperse the agitating mob, SFs used tear
gas shells, Police claimed. More than two dozen people including
one Police constable sustained pellet injuries, according to BMO
of Tral sub-district hospital.
The J&K Police arrested two
militants, identified as Arif and Ghazanfar; both are responsible
for recent Banihal attack on SSB camp, from Banihal in Ramban
District. Two service rifles, including an AK assault rifle and
an INSAS rifle, which were snatched during the attack, have been
recovered from their possession. At least one SSB jawan (trooper)
was killed and another injured after militants attacked a camp
of SSB in Banihal in Ramban District on September 20
The BSF in the night, launched
major counter offensive against Pakistani Rangers along the IB
targeting their Chappar, Harpal and Charwa sectors opposite Ramgarh,
Arnia and RS Pura sectors in Jammu District in which nine Pakistanis
including three Rangers and six civilians were killed and 26 others
were injured while five posts and some bunkers were decimated.
The strong retaliation from the BSF was necessitated as Pakistani
posts in these three Sectors were raining mortars and bullets
in civilian areas falling along the IB from Ramgarh to RS Pura,
leading to migration and evacuation of the civilians in bullet
proof bunkers.
|
September 22
|
Pakistan Army opened firing in
civilian areas along the LoC at Khari Karmara in Poonch sector
in Poonch District causing injuries to a civilian, identified
as Mohammad Shoaib.
Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar
shelling and firing in entire Ramgarh sector and parts of Arnia
and R S Pura sectors along the IB in Jammu District. In Hiranagar
sector, many people shifted to safer areas late tonight anticipating
firing from across. Authorities pressed bullet proof bunkers to
evacuate civilians from Joura Farm in RS Pura, Arnia town, Jerda
and SM Pur in Ramgarh and some other villages as Pakistani Rangers
were pounding civilian areas with 82mm mortars and there was apprehension
of civilian casualties. “As many as 727 civilians, majority of
them women, children and elderly citizens were evacuated in the
bullet proof bunkers and shifted to safer locations,” sources
said.
DGMO Lieutenant General AK Bhat
talked tough with his Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir
Shamshad Mirza on the hotline stating that India reserved the
right to retaliate appropriately to any incident leading to loss
of lives of our troops in Pakistan shelling and firing. The talks
were held at the behest of Pakistan DGMO.
A fresh statement issued through
the official media of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, the Kashmir-based
al Qaeda affiliate led by former HM leader Zakir Musa, has warned
that it will not rest until it ‘liberates occupied Hindustan’.
The release, while citing the 8th century example of
Muhammad bin Qasim who allegedly killed the then Hindu king of
Sindh and established the rule of Shariah there, appealed
to all Muslims to sacrifice their comforts and join the battle
to re-establish the Islamic Caliphate. "Al-Sindh' is the
region in the Indian Sub-continent (in present day Pakistan) which
was once ruled with Islamic Shariah by Muhammad bin Qasim
who was the Army General of Umayyad Caliphate. Al-Sindh is the
first part of land in the sub-continent to implement Shariah.
The caravan started from Al-Sindh 1400 years (ago). It will not
stop until it liberates occupied Hindustan & joins the Army
of Eesa(AS) in Shaam," said the statement put out on Ansar
Ghazwat-ul-Hind's official Telegram channel Al Hurr media
on September 21st night. Incidentally, intelligence
sources said that while the statement was indeed issued via Al
Hurr media, the official media network of Ghazwat ul Hind, its
source could not be verified.
Chairman of APHC Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq said that the separatist leadership will extend full support
to meaningful dialogue meant to resolve Kashmir issue. Addressing
a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that all
stakeholders need to sit together if Centre wants to resolve Kashmir
issue through dialogue. “If they (Centre) wants to resolve Kashmir
issue through dialogue then it is imperative that all stakeholders
sit together. And GoI needs to adopt a political approach instead
of military policy. If that happens, we will render our full support
so that this long pending issue is resolved,” said Mirwaiz. The
APHC chairman said that they want end to hostilities and better
Indo-Pak relations. “We want better relations between India and
Pakistan so that all issues, including Kashmir are resolved peacefully”,
he said.
|
September 23
|
Two BSF personnel and five civilians
were injured when Pakistani troops targeted Indian BOPs and hamlets
in Jammu, Samba and Poonch Districts. Three civilians in Satowali
village of R S Pura sector were injured in the Pakistani shelling
and another villager was injured in Treva in Arnia sector. In
Ramgarh sector in Samba, two BSF personnel suffered minor injuries
in the Pakistani firing, the officials said.
Over 500 people were evacuated
by the police from a few border hamlets targeted by Pakistani
troops on Friday night and have been housed in a camp. Over 20,000
people have also fled their homes and hearths in Arnia and R S
Pura sectors in the past few days, the officials added. “At least
32 villages in Ramgarh, Arnia and RS Pura sectors have been badly
affected by shelling forcing large number of people to desert
their houses and taken shelter in safer areas-either in the houses
of their relatives or in the premises of religious and social
organizations and relief camps set up by the administration,”
sources said.
A senior BSF official said 20
BOPs were affected by Pakistan’s shelling and firing along IB
last night. He added that the BSF responded very effectively and
gave befitting response to the Rangers. The shelling stopped at
around 4 am at all three Sectors.
The ED filed a charge sheet against
Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah and a suspected hawala
dealer in connection with a 2005 money laundering case filed against
him for alleged terror financing. The final report, filed before
Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma, also named the alleged
hawala dealer Mohammed Alsam Wani, who is in judicial custody
along with Shah. The case dates back to August 2005 in which the
New Delhi Police’s Special Cell had earlier arrested Wani.
|
September 24
|
Army killed three JeM fidayeens
(Suicide Squad) in Kalgi area near the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla
District and prevented last year’s Uri Brigade headquarter type
attack in which 19 Army personnel were killed. Early in the morning,
SFs rescued a family where one of the militants was hiding and
later the militant was killed in the gun battle. Another militant
was hiding in the Masjid and he was later killed and third one
was killed in the evening. Three AK series rifles, 10 AK magazines,
10 grenades, one UBGL and other war like stores were recovered
from their possession.
GoC 19 Division of Army Major
General RP Kalita said that they had inputs for long that militants
are trying to carry out fidayeen attack in Uri this month.
“We were already alert. Last night, we got information about presence
of three terrorists in Kalgi area of Uri and we launched an operation
that resulted in the encounter. There were 19 houses in the area
and we tried to avert any collateral damage and in the evening
we neutralized all the three terrorists”, said Major General Kalita.
“They seem to be newly infiltrated and must have come two nights
before they were trapped in the village. We have recovered three
bodies and weapons and operation is over. However, we will continue
searches of the area to look for other items they must have been
carrying”, the GoC said. However, sources said that Army had inputs
that militants were planning a major attack on Army installations
in Uri area for long and they had planned it for the month of
September.
Three SF personnel were injured
in a grenade attack by militants in Sopore town of Baramulla District.
The grenade lobbed by the militants inside a SF’s vehicle in Sopore
town could have led to more casualties but an alert Special Police
Officer saved many lives by throwing away the explosive. Three
security personnel, including two SPOs and one CRPF trooper suffered
minor injuries in the grenade blast. “The alert SPO threw away
the grenade to a safer place, thus saving the lives of his colleagues
and civilians. The grenade was hurled by militants inside the
security forces’ vehicle,” a Police spokesman said.
Army’s 47 RR busted a militant
hideout in the forest area of Chak Kigam Handwara area of Kupwara
District. A large cache of explosive material and ammunition,
including one anti aircraft gun and other heavy arms were recovered
from the hideout. The weapons recovered included one anti aircraft
gun, one RPG, one LMG, one AK 47 rifle with 3 magazines, two pistols
with 4 magazines, one IED, one RS Kenwood and one dagger.
Police arrested the third militant
who was allegedly involved in attacking SSB camp at Thathar, identified
as Aqib Wahid from Nowgam in Anantnag District. With the arrest
of Aqib Wahid, son of Abdul Wahid Najar of Kaskoot, Banihal, all
three militants involved in September 20 attack on SSB camp, have
been apprehended. According to SSP Ramban, Mohan Lal, the arrested
militant is a B Sc Part III student of Anantnag Degree College
and he was held from Nowgam by a Police party from Ramban after
successful raid on a hideout.
|
September 25
|
Army recovered body of another
militant in Kalgi area near the LoC in Uri sector of Baramulla
District, taking the number of militants killed in the operation
to four. Earlier, Army on September 24 killed three fidayeens
(Suicide Squad) in the operation and prevented last year’s Uri
Brigade headquarter type attack in which 19 Army personnel were
killed. Army on September 25 said that they recovered body of
another militant from Kalgai area of Uri taking the number of
militants killed in the operation to four. The operation was launched
on September 24 and it was resumed on September 25 morning following
reports that more militants were hiding in the area.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
said that surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC
could be repeated, if necessary, seeking to send a stern message
to Pakistan. He said cross-border infiltration will continue because
camps across the LoC, from where terrorists are launched, are
still operational, and warned that the Indian Army is ready to
“receive” them and keep dispatching them to their graves. “The
strike was a message we wanted to communicate to them and they
have understood what we mean…That things could follow up, if required,”
Rawat said
Kashmir witnessed a shutdown over
the NIA’s move to summon KTMF president Yasin Khan and Kashmir
University scholar Aala Fazil to New Delhi for questioning in
an ‘illegal funding case’. Several supporters of Yasin Khan held
a silent sit-in in Lal Chowk in Srinagar against his summoning.
The NIA had asked Yasin Khan to present himself before the NIA
on September 25. “We would continue our peaceful protest until
Yasin sahab leaves the NIA headquarter,” said a protesting trader.
The shutdown call by traders, supported by separatists, impacted
the daily life in the Valley.
The ‘chairman’ of the APHC-M,
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “The NIA is resorting to coercive and
intimidating tactics against people of Kashmir”.
The NIA continued with its raids
in Kashmir Valley. Police sources said two youth, one from Ganderbal
and another from Baramulla, were questioned regarding their involvement
in stone pelting.
|
September 26
|
Army killed a most wanted Kashmiri
militant, Abdul Qayoom Najjar alias Jan Sahab alias
Abid alias Wazir alias Qyoom Chacha and foiled a
major infiltration attempt in Lacchipora area of Uri in Baramulla
District. Sources said that a group of JeM militants attempted
infiltration from Zorawar Post of Lacchipora in Uri sector during
the night and alert troops spotted them at around 3 am on September
26. The troops challenged the infiltrating group of militants
leading to an encounter in which one militant who was later identified
as Qayoom Najjar was killed. The other militants of the group
including his long time associate, Imtiaz Kandu fled away taking
advantage of terrain and darkness. One AK-47 rifle, 4 AK magazines,
several rounds of AK ammunition, one Chinese pistol, six pistol
magazines, one matrix sheet, IED making equipment, one grenade,
one GPS, one night vision, dry fruits, Pakistan made medicine,
Pakistan and Indian currency, one stick and one rucksack were
recovered from the spot.
Qayoom Najjar was a resident of
Mumkak Sopore area of Baramulla District and was one of the longest
surviving Kashmiri militant ‘commanders’ carrying a reward of
INR10 lakh on his head. Najjar, had joined militancy at an age
of 16. He was arrested in 1992 and later released. After his release,
he recycled into the militancy in 1995. Though for many years,
Najjar was a militant, but he always aspired to become a top commander
after killing and arrest of top HM commanders, Najar was the senior
most active commander and thus the de-facto operational chief
of HM. Qayoom until 2015 was affiliated with HM but he broke away
from the outfit and formed his own Lashkar-e-Islam which carried
out series of attacks on mobile towers and killed several former
militants and Hurriyat activists for their alleged links with
SFs. Later in 2015, he crossed over to Pakistan and met HM ‘supreme’
Syed Salahudin but failed to patch up with his former boss. He,
however, later joined JeM and had come to Kashmir to revive the
outfit but was killed while sneaking in.
Police said that Najjar was active
since 1999 and ex-filtrated to Pakistan in 2015 and was returning
to take command of HM. The killed commander was despatched by
UJC ‘commander’ Syed Salahudin to revive the HM whose commanders
of North Kashmir Pervaiz Wani alias Mubashir and of South
Kashmir Yasin Yatoo had got killed recently. Police said his return
was also necessitated because of wiping out of HM from North Kashmir.
“He was involved in dozens of killings of civilians, police and
security forces”, Police added. Police said that he was behind
the killing of then HM ‘Commander’ Abdul Majid Dar who had entered
into dialogue process with Government of India in year 2000. “The
killed terrorist was also involved in number of IED blasts carried
out by HM in North Kashmir in Sopore, Pattan, Handwara and Baramulla.
He briefly fell out with HM/Hurriyat leadership in 2015 when he
orchestrated multiple attacks on mobile towers and killing of
some civilians affiliated with Hurriyat. He was recalled to base
camp in Muzaffarabad, PoK to sort out the differences”, Police
added.
SSP Imtiaz Husain said that Najjar
was involved in over 50 killings and his killing is a major relief
for security agencies. “He was involved in the killing of 50 civilians
and security force personnel and was most dreaded terrorists in
the history of Kashmir. It is a major success and we are thankful
to army for neutralizing him. If he would have managed to infiltrate
it would have been big problem for us as he had huge network in
Baramulla district. He was sent to take the command of Hizb in
Kashmir after killing of top Commanders of the outfit. His killing
is relief for us and people”, he said.
Army foiled an attack by Pakistani
BAT near the LoC in Keran Sector of Kupwara District. The attackers
were forced to retreat to PoK without causing any damage on the
Indian side. “A BAT action was attempted by seven to eight armed
intruders (from PoK side) today at 1.00 pm in the area of Keran
Sector of Kupwara. The armed intruders came near own posts,” Army
sources said. They said the BAT intruders were supported by nearby
Pakistani posts with mortar shelling and small arms firing.
SFs arrested a suspected OGW of
militants, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Najar and recovered arms
and explosives from his possession in Waripora village of Handwara
area in Kupwara District. Two hand grenades, one pistol, one pistol
magazine and eight rounds were recovered from his possession.
|
September 27
|
Militants shot dead a BSF constable,
Rameez Ahmad Parray and injured his four family members in Hajin
area of Bandipora District. A group of three to four militants
barged into house of Rameez Ahmad Parray, a BSF constable posted
at Rajasthan and presently on vacations, at Parray Hajin and thrashed
and threatened him. The militants then left the house and came
back again. Second time, they fired upon the BSF constable and
his brothers Mumtaz and Javed Ahmad, his father Ghulam Ahmad and
aunt Habla Begum. The injured were referred to hospital but Rameez
succumbed to injuries.
A civilian, identified as Mushtaq
Ahmad, who was among 30 persons injured in Tral grenade attack
(Pulwama District) on September 21, succumbed to his injuries
at SKIMS Soura in Srinagar, taking the death toll in the attack
to four. As SATP reported earlier, at least three civilians including
a woman were killed and 30 others including two officers of the
R&B Department were injured when suspected HM militants attacked
the cavalcade of Public Works Minister and senior leader of ruling
PDP, Naeem Akhtar, in Tral town of Pulwama District on September
21.
Soon after people learned about
the death of Mushtaq, shopkeepers downed their shutters in Tral
and observed a shutdown. The deceased was working as salesman
and was father of two.
A complete shutdown was observed
amid restrictions in Sopore town of Baramulla District against
the killing of Valley’s longest surviving militant ‘commander’
Qayoom Najjar in an encounter on LoC on September 26 while infiltrating
into Kashmir. Najjar was buried last night and authorities had
imposed restrictions in Sopore town to prevent any protests. All
the Education institutions were closed as precautionary measure.
An official said that the restrictions in Sopore will continue
on September 28 and schools and colleges will also remain shut
as a precautionary measure.
Two civilians were injured as
Pakistan Army resorted to heavy mortar shelling in Poonch (Poonch
District) and Bhimber Gali (Rajouri District) sectors along the
LoC. Official sources said that Pakistan army, after a lull of
few days, again resorted to ceasefire violations by firing and
shelling, targeting civilian areas in Balakote, Shahpur and surrounding
villages in Poonch District at 8.15 am. The Indian side retaliated
effectively, leading to heavy exchanges that continued till 10.30
am.
The civilians, who had started
working in the fields and children, who had gone to schools, were
virtually trapped but the authorities shut down the educational
institutions falling within the firing range and shifted students
back to houses carefully. However, students of Government Primary
School, Basooni were trapped inside for some time in view of continued
shelling and firing by Pakistani troops. They too were rescued
later and shifted to their houses. By the time, the civilians
could rush back to their houses, two of them, identified as Shamim
Begum and Reyaz Ahmad were hit by splinters of mortars at village
Dharati in Balakote sector and injured. They were evacuated by
security personnel and people from the spot and admitted in the
hospital.
SFs busted a major hideout of
HM and recovered a huge cache of arms in Thanna Forests of Dessa
area in Doda District. Recoveries made from the hideout included
two AK-47 rifles, two UBGLs, two Chinese pistols, two Chinese
grenades, four RPG rounds, 300 rounds of AK-47 and certain other
items. However, no arrests were made from the spot. “Security
forces continued their persistent operations to keep Doda district
safe and sanitized from terrorists as well as their support infrastructure.
Recovery of war like stores from Thana forests of Dessa will deal
a severe blow to nefarious designs of terrorists to revive militancy
in the area,’’ sources said.
|
September 28
|
J&K Police said that killing
of a BSF constable and targeting his family is desperation on
part of militants after success achieved by SFs against them.
IGP, Nitish Kumar said that after huge successes achieved by SFs,
militants are desperate to act. “So, there is so much desperation
among terrorists to do something and you might be knowing that
security forces in recent days achieved major successes at different
places in north Kashmir, be it at Kupwara, Uri or at Sopore area.
So we have achieved success in all areas and lots of terrorists
have been killed and apprehended. As a result there is desperation
and I will say that they choose a soft target. Martyring a jawan
who has come home on leave is a shameful, dastardly and cowardly
act and not only this but also injuring family members. They didn’t
spare even his 50-year old aunt”, he said. Kumar said that LeT
militants are involved in the killing of the BSF jawan.
“Name of Lashkar-e-Toiba has come to fore after talking to injured
and probe that we conducted. Around 3-4 militants carried out
this attack and one Mehmood Bhai, a Pakistani resident, was accompanying
them”, he said.
One person, identified as Gulzar
Ahmad Shah was arrested along with FICNs worth of INR 29,000 from
Srinagar city. "Police Station Shaheed Gunj received information
that the man was trying to spend the notes near Jahangir Chowk,"
a Police spokesman said.
|
September 29
|
JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik
was arrested in Srinagar. JKLF sources said that a Police party
reached the uptown Abi Guzar area of Srinagar and arrested Malik
and another JKLF leader, Bashir Ahmad. Both have been shifted
to the Srinagar Central Jail.
The BSF and Pakistan Rangers held
a flag meeting along the IB in Suchetgarh sector of R S Pura in
Jammu District while issues like sniping and ceasefire violations
were discussed. “On the request of Pakistan Rangers from 1100
hrs to 1245 hrs, a Sector Commander level Flag Meeting was held
between Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers on International
Border in Suchetgarh area,” official spokesman said.
The spokesman said during the
meeting, BSF objected on dastardly acts of snipping of two BSF
soldiers - Late Constable Brijendra Bahadur and Constable K K
Appa Rao on 14 September and 25 August 2017, respectively while
performing their duty on forward duty points along the border
security fence by Pakistan Rangers and further carrying out unprovoked
cross border firing and shelling on a number of Indian border
villages targeting innocent civilian and their properties. “BSF
conveyed strong protest with message that such provocative acts
will not be tolerated and are unacceptable by BSF and shall be
responded with equal and more measures,” he added. The spokesman
said that besides discussion on number of other issues related
to border management, BSF strongly objected for allowing movement
of armed intruder in close vicinity of International Boundary
during night time for infiltration attempts into India from Pakistan
territory. “During discussion, Pak Rangers assured for taking
required measures to maintain peace at border with request that
BSF should also restrain as much as possible in counter measures
to see that minimum civilian loss caused on Pak side,” he added.
|
September 30
|
The BSF unearthed a 14-feet-long
tunnel near the zero line in Arnia sector in Jammu District which
was being dug from the Pakistani side, scuttling a major infiltration
bid and a possible terror attack. IG of BSF, Jammu Frontiers,
Ram Awtar said an area domination party noticed the suspicious
movement of nearly a dozen armed people near the zero line who
fled after seeing the uniformed men. “The unfinished tunnel, dug
from the Pakistani side, approximately having three-feet height
and two-and-a-half feet width on the slope of bank at Dhamalla
nullah (stream) ahead of border fence was detected by the alert
BSF jawans this morning,” Awtar said.
The BSF patrolling party commander
got suspicious and launched a thorough search and survey operation
of the area which led to the detection of the tunnel and recovery
of ‘war-like stores’. Among the items recovered from the location
included a US-made compass, two magazines, 60 rounds of ammunition,
a hand grenade, four pairs of shoes, polythene bags, sharp-edged
weapons, four sleeping bags, batteries cells and number of eatables
including chicken, chapattis and curry etc and other items, most
of which were carrying the marking of Pakistan, Awtar said. These
items were reported to have been used by the militants during
digging of the tunnel. Terming the tunneling activity as a “nefarious
act” of Pakistan, the IG BSF said timely action by the BSF foiled
a major attack on the Indian soil.
|
October 2
|
The Army foiled a major infiltration
attempt by a group of 4-5 militants in Tanghdar sector of Kupwara
District and killed three militants. Sources said that troops
had laid ambush at Nadgali Post area in Tanghdar sector after
inputs that 4-5 militants are trying to infiltrate into the sector.
They said that the Army had laid ambush and after seeing suspicious
movement in the area, they fired at the group leading to an encounter.
Army said that they have recovered three dead bodies and three
weapons so far besides war like stores. Sources said that Police
had passed on information to the Army that last night (October
1) a group of four militants had infiltrated in Tanghdar sector
and Army traced this morning (October 2) them in Balcharian village.
They were challenged leading to a gun battle in which three militants
were killed. Sources said that four Army personnel including an
officer were also injured in the encounter. They have been removed
to hospital for treatment.
Army foiled another infiltration
bid along the LoC in Torna area of Rampur sector of Baramulla
District, killing two militants. A senior Army officer said that
21-Sikh regiment of Army deployed at Torna had laid ambush ahead
of fence after inputs of infiltration attempts by highly armed
militants. He said that the troops deployed on the forward posts
fired at the infiltrating militants after they saw suspicious
movement during the night. Two dead bodies of militants and two
AK-47 rifles were recovered in the morning (October 2) during
the search of the area. The searches were going on and the other
members of the group may have fled back to PoK under the cover
of darkness, report said.
Pakistani troops violated ceasefire
along LoC near Keri and Digwar areas of Poonch sector in Poonch
District, killing two children and injuring 12 others, apart from
causing damage to several houses and other structures. Sources
said that Pakistani troops started heavy shelling using 82mm mortars
and firing with automatic and semi-automatic weapons targeting
Shahpur, Kirni, Kasba, Digwar, Malti, Bigial Dara, Terwan and
surrounding villages, located close to LoC in Poonch sector at
6.30 am when the people had just started moving out of their houses
towards the fields and other places with the onset of Sun. “The
people were trapped in the fields and other places as Pakistani
troops used heavy mortars and firing, directly aiming the civilian
population living close to the LoC,” sources said, adding that
two children-a boy and a girl-were killed as mortar shells exploded
inside or close to their houses while a dozen other civilians
were injured, four of them seriously.
The Indian Army retaliated shelling
and firing very effectively to silence the Pakistani guns and
save the civilian population from any further damage. Pakistan
claimed that one of its Army jawans and two others were killed
while three jawans were seriously injured at Neja Peer, falling
opposite Digwar village of Poonch, in PoK in retaliatory firing
by the Indian troops.
In the evening, Pakistan army
again fired two sniper shots on a forward BSF post in Rajouri
sector of Rajouri District, which injured constable R Ramachari.
Sources said Pakistani troops targeted the BSF post with sniper
shots around 6.15 pm. The injured jawan has been hospitalized.
CM Mehbooba Mufti has expressed
grief and anguish over the killing of two children in cross-LoC
shelling in Poonch District. In a statement, she said: “it is
very unfortunate that the children became victims of fire power
when they were yet to understand nuances of politics”. She directed
the district administration to ensure specialized treatment to
the people injured in the shelling.
A Police personal, identified
as Aashiq Hussain, who was posted as Munshi in Awantipora Police
Station of Pulwama District was shot dead in Padgampora village
of Pulwama District. According to report, Hussain had gone to
Padgampora village to attend marriage and militants barged into
the house and fired at him. They fled leaving him in a pool blood.
He died on the spot. Senior Police officers reached the spot and
a massive hunt has been launched against his killers.
Two policemen were injured in
a grenade attack by militants on a nakka party in Baramulla District.
Official sources said that militants hurled grenade on a checkpoint
established by Police at Juhama in Baramulla at around 1850 hrs.
They said two Policemen were injured in the attack, adding both
were rushed to a hospital, where their health condition is stated
to be stable. They said the militants managed to escape under
the cover of darkness. However, a search operation has been launched
in the area to nab the militants. Al-Jehad militant outfit that
was operating in Kashmir in early 1990s has claimed responsibility
for the attack. They have circulated posters in some areas of
Baramulla claiming that they have hurled grenade at SF in the
evening.
J&K Police said that it arrested
two persons and recovered FICN worth of INR 92,000 along with
the electronic items used for counterfeiting the currency in Srinagar.
A Police spokesman said that during the investigation of the case,
a printer used for counterfeiting, a laptop, stamp papers, ATM
cards, papers and cheque books were recovered from the possession
of Abdul Rouf at Rajbagh in Srinagar city. “Pertinent to mention
here that during the investigation of the case, Rs 92,000 fake
currency notes have been seized so far and two persons arrested,”
he said.
|
October 3
|
JeM militants carried out a pre-dawn
fidayeen (suicide) attack on a BSF camp near the high-security
Srinagar International Airport in Srinagar District, in which
an ASI of BSF was killed and three other SFs personnel were injured.
Three militants were also killed in the exchange of fire with
SFs. BSF officials said an ASI of the force was killed in the
attack on the 182nd Battalion camp. Two BSF jawans (troopers)
and a Policeman were also injured in the attack, the officials
said. The attack took place at 4.00 am, they said. JeM has claimed
responsibility for the attack.
While addressing a press conference
after eliminating the three fidayeen, Inspector General of Police
Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan said that the attackers entered the
BSF camp by cutting the fence between Friends Colony and Gogoland.
“They cut the fence and taking advantage of darkness entered administrative
block and GOs Mess. One of them was eliminated outside the building.
They were wearing Army uniform and two of them were later killed
in a brief gun fight”, said Khan. “The operation was delayed to
ensure zero collateral damage as there are residential houses
near the camp. The operation which started at 4 am ended at 1
pm,” he said. Khan said that JeM is responsible for the attack.
“The group is from JeM and they have taken responsibility as well”,
he said. “They had infiltrated in July-August from Shakkarpur
in Jammu. Three of them were killed in Pulwama when they attack
Police Lines last month. They are now left with 6-7 members and
we are looking for them and we will eliminate them”, he said.
The IGP said that the JeM is a threat as they are known for doing
such type of attacks. “We will deal with them differently”, he
added. Khan said that the OGWs network of Jaish has been identified
and they know who provided them logistics for reaching the airport
and DPL Pulwama. “We have started acting against them”, he added.
Operation against militants, who
are suspected to be holed up in forests continued in Rampur sector
of Uri area in Baramulla District on second consecutive day after
two infiltrators, as reported earlier by SATP, were shot
dead on October 2 along the LoC. In reply to a question with regard
to identity of two slain infiltrators, the Commanding Officer
of 21 Sikh, Col Ashutosh Mehta said that they have not recovered
any such thing or paper from militants by which their outfit affiliations
could be established. Asked about the number of militants that
were part of the group which attempted infiltration, he said:
“We think it was a group of three militants and two have been
gunned down while searches are on for another one. The operation
is on.”
An Army trooper was killed as
Pakistani troops again violated CFA on the LoC and resorted to
heavy firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch District. Official
sources said Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian
Army posts in Krishna Ghati sector at 12.50 pm along LoC in Poonch
district, which was retaliated effectively by the Indian side,
leading to heavy exchanges. Exchange of shelling and firing continued
for about half an hour. While one Indian trooper was killed, there
were no other casualties or damage in today’s firing on the LoC,
sources said, adding that Pakistani troops were also reported
to have suffered extensive damage in retaliatory firing by the
Indian troops but exact details of the enemy losses were yet to
pour in.
|
October 4
|
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis
said Pakistan has a "convoluted history" with terrorism.
Mattis told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that
the US administration is being very clear and firm in what it
expects from Pakistan and is using all aspects of the government
to bring about the change, working internationally. "There
are a number of lines of effort being put together now in Secretary
of Treasury's office, Secretary of State's office, my own office,
the intel agencies. We are also working with Secretary General
Stoltenberg to ensure that NATO's equities are brought to bear,"
Mattis said. Certainly, India has a role to play as a neighbour,
and potentially a very strong economic benefit to Pakistan, if
Pakistan can find a way to carry out its international responsibilities
and end any kind of safe haven inside their country, he noted.
"There's a great deal that Pakistan can benefit economically,
diplomatically, financially for its government; economically for
its people; by finally sensing that the tide has shifted against
this," Mattis said.
Three Army jawans (troopers),
identified as Naik Ripple Mapa, Naik Lijanthung Lotha and Sepoy
Kiyeka Zhamio were injured in fresh round of mortar shelling and
firing by Pakistan rangers along the LoC in Poonch sector of Poonch
District. Sources said that a mortar shell fired by Pakistani
troops fell close to a forward Army post in Poonch sector on October
4 morning causing injuries to three troopers, who were manning
the post. Army personnel evacuated the injured and shifted them
to hospital.
In Poonch sector, forward villages
of Digwar, Terwan, Malati, Bigial Dara and surroundings witnessed
intense shelling from 8 am to 12.30 pm while villages in Balakote
sector including Balakote, Balakote Forward, Panjni, Suhala, Dabbi,
Kanga, Sandot and Gulad Top were shelled during wee hours of October
4 morning. Bhawani and Lam in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district
received few mortar shells in the afternoon. Authorities ordered
closure of educational institutions once again in the areas falling
within the range of mortar shelling and firing in Balakote and
Poonch Sectors. The panic-stricken people mostly remained confined
to their houses in majority of villages falling on the LoC in
Poonch District, which bore brunt of the shelling.
Sources said India has been giving
very strong and effective response to shelling and firing by the
Pakistani troops and there have been reports that Pakistan army
has suffered heavy losses, both in terms of casualties and infrastructure.
Some forward posts and bunkers of Pakistan have been decimated.
DG of BSF KK Sharma warned Pakistan
against its aggression in Jammu and Kashmir and said as long as
it doesn’t behave, attacks like that on BSF camp near Srinagar
Airport will continue. Speaking to reporters after participating
in the wreath-laying ceremony of a killed BSF officer, KK Sharma
said “As long as our ‘friendly neighbour’ does not behave, I think
we will expect to have many more attacks”, he said. Sharma said
that the attackers were targeting arms and ammunition stored at
the BSF camp. “Fidayeens cannot be stopped from coming, so the
response is important. Without causing collateral damage and without
causing much harm to our own forces, we were able to neutralise.
BSF has done a good job,” he said.
While three JeM militants were
killed by BSF at Humhama camp near the Srinagar Airport on October
3, Police said the dead infiltrators were part of a group of seasoned
and trained jihadis who had crossed over sometime in August,
and they are bracing for more attacks. A senior intelligence officer
said around 16 armed JeM terrorists had infiltrated into the Indian
side. While some spread out into Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and
Shopian districts of south Kashmir, three to four terrorists are
believed to be in Srinagar alone. IG-Kashmir range, Munir Ahmad
Khan said the group of three terrorists, who carried out the Humhama
Fidayeen attack, were from the same group that struck DPL Pulwama
on August 26, in which eight security personnel and three militants
were killed. "Four terrorists were killed in Uri on September
25. Six to seven of them are still at large and could carry another
attack," IG Khan said, adding that SFs are on high alert.
Sources said the terrorists had infiltrated from two places and
four more jihadis are on their radar.
According to intelligence reports,
October 3's attack was carried out by 'Afzal Guru Squad', which
had started out of Pulwama district and sought shelter in residential
buildings in Srinagar before attacking the BSF camp. Sources said
the terrorists' initial target was the Srinagar airport but they
changed their plan because of the strong security arrangement
there. Plus, porous fencing on the BSF camp's rear side made it
a relatively easy target. IG Khan, however, denied reports of
damaged fencing and said the terrorists carried out the attack
by cutting the barbed fence around the camp.
According to a senior Police officer,
there are nearly 70 terrorists, mostly Pakistanis, operating in
north Kashmir's Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara Districts. On
September 28, four Pakistani LeT terrorists had barged into the
home of BSF officer Mohammad Ramzan Parray at Bandipora's Hajin
area and killed him, while injuring three of his family members.
Police suspect these four terrorists might have sneaked into Srinagar
city. "We suspect the terrorists may have come to Srinagar
from north Kashmir. We're trying to track them down," said
an intelligence officer.
|
October 5
|
Army thwarted major terror attack
on an Army Unit location in Akhnoor town in Jammu District, as
they detected movement of the militants well in time and recovered
large quantity of explosives and other material including an IED,
which the militants had planted near the Unit. Sources said during
area sanitization process, SFs recovered large quantity of explosive
material and other items from the spot which included one fully
installed IED, two mines, Army combat dresses, identity cards,
sharp-edged weapons, sensitive route and other maps and various
incriminating stores, which clearly indicated that the militants
were planning a terror attack on “sensitive and soft targets”
in Akhnoor.
Immediately after recoveries were
made, Army and Police launched massive search operations in Akhnoor
town and surroundings including the routes leading to the border
with Pakistan to track down the militants responsible for planting
the IEDs near the Army Unit. Though searches continued, there
were no reports of any arrests. SFs said that alert and vigilant
troops of Army observed suspicious movement close to an Army Unit
location near Akhnoor market in wee hours of October 5 morning
and immediately activated the “response mechanism”, wherein entire
area was cordoned off and massive search operation was conducted.
SSP Jammu Vivek Gupta said that Police have initiated high mechanism
of alert after the reports.
Reliable sources, however, said
since movement of the suspects was observed close to the Army
Unit, the possible target of the militants could be the same Unit
but in view of high degree of alert being maintained by the troops,
the attack was thwarted and militants failed in their nefarious
designs.
Police foiled a rifle snatching
bid by two to three unidentified persons in down town area of
Srinagar city in Srinagar District. The youth tried to snatch
the SLR of a constable Fayaz Ahmad of IRP 2nd Battalion outside
Jamia Masjid Srinagar at around 4.45 pm. However, he resisted
and foiled the attempt. The youth later fled from the spot. Soon
after the incident, a joint team of SOG, Police and CRPF arrived
at the spot and started searches to nab the youth who tried to
snatch the rifle.
This is the second incident of
its kind in less than 24-hours as some youth snatched a rifle
from an IRP constable who was guarding Khankahi Moula shrine in
down town on October 4 evening.
|
October 6
|
Militants shot dead at former
militant, identified as Rafiq Ahmad bhat alias Dada in
Tral town of Pulwama District. In the incident, Dada sustained
serious bullet injury and was immediately shifted to nearby hospital
where from he was shifted to Srinagar for specialised treatment.
However, doctors at SMHS declared him brought dead.
A SPO, identified as Mohammad
Altaf Khan and his 11-year-old son, Waqif Altaf were injured in
a militant attack at Hanjin village of Kralgund in Handwara area
of Kupwara District. According to Police, the militants barged
into the house of Mohammad Altaf Khan and fired indiscriminately
in which Altaf and his minor son Waqif Altaf were injured. Soon
after the incident, a joint team of Police, SOG, Army and CRPF
arrived on the spot and launched searches to nab the militants.
Authorities in Srinagar had imposed
restrictions in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, MR Gunj, Kralkhud,
Maisuma and Rainawari Police Station areas of the city to foil
protests which were called by separatists.
Pakistan has violated the CFA
over 600 times so far this year (2017), the highest in the last
one decade, a UMHA official said. “Pakistani troops have opened
fire on Indian territories more than 600 times till September
30. Eight civilians and 16 security personnel were killed in the
firing”, a UMHA official said. It is the highest number of ceasefire
violations in nearly a decade, the official said.
There were nearly 450 ceasefire
violations in 2016 in which 13 civilians and as many security
personnel were killed. The truce between India and Pakistan along
the IB, the LoC and the AGPL in Jammu and Kashmir had come into
force in November 2003.
UHM Rajnath Singh ordered constitution
of a high-level five-member Committee comprising officers from
UMHA and J&K Government to study problems of border people
on LoC and IB in the State to help Centre as well as State Governments
take immediate steps to minimize their problems in the wake of
heavy mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan. Sources said that
a decision to constitute the high-level team was taken after Rajnath
Singh, who had visited Nowshera sector of Rajouri District during
his four-day J&K tour from September 9 to 12, listened to
the plight of border migrants, who had shifted to Nowshera town
in the wake of Pakistan shelling. Later, more people had to desert
their homes from Arnia, Ramgarh and RS Pura sectors on the IB
following shelling and firing, though they had returned after
few days. Sources said the UMHA had asked the team to study problems
faced by the people living on LoC and IB including their peace
time as well as shelling time requirement and steps the Centre
and State Governments can take for safety and security of the
border dwellers, who become victims of shelling as they had to
migrate repeatedly, which seriously affect their livelihood as
well as studies of the children.
Two persons arrested for allegedly
providing logistical and material support to terrorists infiltrating
from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir for carrying out subversive
activities were sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court for
a month. District Judge Poonam A Bamba sent Zahoor Ahmed Peer
and Nazir Ahmed Peer to jail after they were produced in the court
by the NIA which submitted that they were not required for further
custodial interrogation. Both the accused, residents of Wahama
in Kupwara District, were arrested on September 19 by the NIA
from Jammu in connection with a case registered in July 2016.
Police in Jammu and Kashmir had
arrested a Pakistani national, Bahadur Ali, from Handwara in Kupwara
District in July 2016 and allegedly seized a large quantity of
incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, from him.
The case was later handed over to the NIA. The two accused allegedly
provided material and logistical support to Ali and his associates
soon after their infiltration into Indian territory, the NIA said.
Both the accused were local supporters of Ali and had visited
Pakistan thrice and met terrorists from HM and LeT and were still
in their contact, it was alleged.
|
October 7
|
A CRPF officer, identified as
ASI Anwar Ali was injured as militants fired upon a CRPF party
near Malpora in Mir Bazaar area in Kulgam District in the evening.
Soon after the incident, a joint team of SFs launched hunt to
nab the attackers. No militant outfit so far has claimed responsibility
for the attack.
SFs launched a cordon-and-search
operation at Bellow village of Pulwama District during which violent
clashes erupted while a local house was damaged after catching
fire. A joint team of Police, Army and CRPF laid a cordon-and-search
at Bellow village following inputs about the presence of some
militants. Soon after the cordon, locals took to streets and pelted
stones on SFs. SFs also fired tear smoke shells to disperse them.
Meanwhile, house belonging to one Ghulam Ahmad Dar caught fire
during the clashes.
SSP Pulwama Mohd Aslam Choudhary
said the search operation was launched following inputs about
the presence of some militants. After hours of clashes, SFs called
off the search operation as no militant was found in the area.
The demonetisation has resulted
in a sharp reduction in insurgent and terror activities in J&K
where stone throwers were no longer active in the last 8-10 months,
said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The Finance Minister said
following the demonetisation, there has been sharp reduction in
insurgent and terror activities in States like J&K and Chhattisgarh.
The terror funding itself has gotten squeezed, Jaitley said. “You
are having terrorist incidents (now), but the fact that you were
finding 5,000-10,000 stone throwers being provided with money
by the terrorist organisations, why is it that in the last 8-10
months it has not happened?”, he asked.
|
October 8
|
Report said that the shutdown
was observed by traders in old town of Anantnag District for the
second consecutive day amid violent clashes against alleged Police
excesses. All the markets of old town of Anantnag were shut on
the call of United Traders Association, an amalgam of local traders,
against what they alleged Police highhandedness. They alleged
that several shopkeepers were detained by Police on October 6
during stone-pelting clashes while a senior Police officer posted
at Saddar police station also abused them. The traders said that
they will not end their protest till the officer is transferred
from the area. During the shutdown on October 8, clashes between
local youth and SFs erupted in parts of Anantnag town during which
Police used teargas canisters. Police have denied all the allegations
of traders.
After a lull of couple of days,
Pakistan in the night again violated CFA at Khari Karmara and
Digwar areas of Poonch sector in Poonch District. However, there
were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian
side. Official reports said Pakistan army fired few mortars and
resorted to firing on forward Indian posts and villages at Khari
Karmara and Digwar areas of Poonch sector at about 11 pm. The
Indian side retaliated.
J&K Police arrested another
militant involved in the terror attack on the SSB camp in Banihal
Tehsil of Ramban District on September 20, taking the total number
of arrests to four, a senior Police officer said. "Nazir
Ahmad, a resident of Verinag in south Kashmir, was arrested in
connection with the 20 September attack on the SSB personnel which
left a head constable dead and another injured," said SSP,
Ramban, Mohan Lal.
Earlier, Gazanfar Iqbal Khan and
Mohammad Arif Wani, both residents of Banihal, were arrested on
September 22 in connection with the attack and two service rifles,
including an AK assault rifle and an INSAS rifle, snatched during
the attack, were recovered from them. A third terrorist involved
in the attack, Aquib Wahid of Banihal, was arrested on September
25 and a pistol along with some ammunition was recovered from
him.
"The questioning of the trio
led to the arrest of Ahmad who provided the weapon to them,"
Lal said. "Some more arrests are expected in the coming days
as their interrogation is still going on," he said. He said
HM had recruited the Banihal youth to set up a base in the otherwise
peaceful Chenab Valley.
A Junior Commissioned Officer
of the Army, identified as Subedar Rajkumar was killed after he
suffered a bullet injury in Drang village of Khag Tehsil of Budgam
District. Defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that Subedar
Rajkumar received a bullet injury when the Army patrolling party
came under fire on October 8th night in general area
of Drang. The fire was returned. However, one Army man was killed
in cross-fire.
UHM Rajnath Singh said that Indian
soldiers along the India-Pakistan border had been neutralising
at least five-six terrorists every day and that he has asked them
to give a fitting reply if Pakistan opened fire. Singh said that
he had ordered Indian soldiers not to fire at their Pakistani
counterparts first, but give them a fitting reply by “firing countless
bullets” if Pakistan opened fire.
|
October 9
|
Three militants of HM including
‘district commander’ Zahid Malik alias Zahid Mir were killed
a fierce encounter in Shopian District. The other two militants
were identified as Irfan Abdullah Ganie and Asif Ahmad Paul. A
joint team of 43 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search
at Gatipora village in Kellar at around 4 pm. During the searches,
the hiding militants opened fire triggering an encounter. Three
militants were killed in the gunfight and all the bodies along
with three AK rifles were recovered from the site.
An Army soldier, identified as
Vijay Kumar was injured in a mine blast on the LoC in Mendhar
sector of Poonch District. The Army personnel evacuated him from
the site of blast in an injured condition and rushed him to the
hospital. He had sustained splinter injuries in the mine explosion,
reports said. The Army jawan was part of the patrol party
along LoC in Mendhar sector when he stepped over the mine, leading
to a powerful blast in which he was injured.
A five-year-old boy, identified
as Sipti Hyder was injured in a stone pelting incident in Pulwama
District. A Police spokesperson said that the boy was injured
in stone pelting by miscreants at Pahoo bridge in Pulwama, He
said the injured was immediately taken to a hospital.
The ‘Chief operational commander’
of JeM, Khalid Ahmad alias Khalid Bhai alias Shahid
Showkat, was killed in a gun battle in Ladoora village of Sopore
area of Baramulla District. Acting on a specific input regarding
the movement of JeM ‘chief operational commander’ in Ladoora area
of Sopore, Police laid an ambush at Woveri Mohalla Ladoora. Khalid
fired upon the naka party which was retaliated, ensuing an encounter.
He was injured but managed to escape from the spot and entered
into a residential house. The SFs immediately cordoned off the
house and in the meanwhile CRPF and Army also joined the operation.
During search, the JeM commander fired again upon the search party.
The fire was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter, he was killed.
Khalid Ahmad, who is a Pakistani
national, was the mastermind behind the fidayeen (suicide)
attacks in Jammu and Kashmir including recent attack on BSF near
Srinagar Airport (October 3, 2017) and District Police Lines Pulwama
(August 26, 2017) and on 46 RR Army Camp in 2016 at Khajabagh,
Baramulla (October 2, 2016). A Police spokesman said that, “Khalid
alias Shahid Showkat was constantly exploring the opportunities
to kill the security forces/ police personnel and to attack police/
security establishments in the State. He was motivating youth
and poor boys to join his outfit for execution of grenade attacks
against monetary benefits on behalf of Pak based JeM commanders.”
The spokesman said that he was involved in a number of civilian
killing cases and many fidayeen attacks in Kashmir valley.
“The terrorist was involved in the recent attack on one SPO namely
Altaf Ahmad Khan at Hajin Handwara in which the SPO along with
his son and father got seriously injured”, he said.
|
October 10
|
Suspected militants fired at a
convoy of 132 Battalion of CRPF at Sanatnagar Bypass in Srinagar.
The CRPF men fired back. However, militants managed to escape
without causing any damage. SFs launched searches in the area
against the militants who attacked the CRPF.
Army foiled a major infiltration
bid of militants along the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District.
A Defence spokesman said that Army deployed in forward posts in
Keran noticed movement of a group of militants who were trying
to infiltrate. The troops challenged them leading to a gun battle.
However, during the search of the area, no militant or body was
found. “An infiltration bid was foiled by the Army in Keran sector
of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district last night,” the spokesman
said. The spokesman said during the searches this morning, soldiers
recovered two AK rifles, four magazines, 60 rounds, one pistol
and other war-like stores. Sources said that 5-6 militants tried
to sneak in but fled back under the cover of darkness when troops
challenged them. Massive searches have been launched in the area
to ensure that no militant managed to sneak in. Army said that
over 150 militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration
ahead of winter but troops are on high alert to foil their attempt.
Army arrested a Pakistani national,
identified as Mohammad Hanif Bhat from the LoC in Shahpur sector
of Poonch District. Mohammad Hanif Bhat, a resident of Mujhat
Raiya in Narowal District of Pakistan, was about 50 years old
and was held near the fencing. However, no recoveries were made
from him. He was being questioned as to how he reached close to
the LoC.
|
October 11
|
Two Army personnel and two LeT
militants were killed while three SFs personnel were injured in
an encounter between SFs and militants at Hajin area of Bandipora
District. The slain LeT militants were identified as Ali Bhai
and Nasrullah. "Terrorists opened fire on a joint party of
13 RR of Army and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police laying siege
to Rakh (Paribal) area of Hajin today morning following inputs
about the presence of about eight terrorists in the area,"
Defence spokesperson based in Srinagar said. "As the forces
were closing in, the hiding terrorists fired upon them around
5 am, resulting in injuries to jawans. Two Garud personnel were
martyred in the action. They were operating with the Army for
operational experience and training," he said, adding, "Two
terrorists were also gunned down and their weapons recovered."
Police arrested two Police personnel
and an OGW who supplied ammunition to HM militants in Shopian
District. Police said that a naka party of Police arrested Adil
Ahmad Negroo near Circuit House Shopian in suspicious conditions
and recovered 20 live rounds of AK-47 from his possession on October
9. “He is a strong OGW of active militant Waseem Wagay alias
Saifullah and Ishfaq Thoker alias Abrar of HM outfit,”
Police said. “On questioning, the said person revealed that he
and his friend namely Mudasir Ahmad Mir of Okay Kulgam had received
40 rounds of AK-47 from one constable Shabir Ahmad Malik of Amshipora
Shopian and posted in District Ganderbal”. Police said that Constable
Shabir Ahmad Malik was arrested. “He further revealed that he
had received the said 40 rounds from Constable Nazir Ahmad Najar
of Kulgam who is currently posted in Kot DPL Shopian,” Police
said. Shopian SP Shriram Ambark Dinkr said that both the policemen
have been arrested and further investigation is on.
|
October 12
|
A soldier and a civilian porter
were killed as the Pakistani army opened fire on Indian positions
on the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District. Sources
said five soldiers were also injured in the ceasefire violation.
The Defence PRO said the Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked
firing with small arms and automatics and the Indian Army retaliated
strongly. The firing stopped in the afternoon. The slain soldier
has been identified as Sepoy TK Reddy (21) from Obulapuram village
of Andhra Pradesh. The porter has been identified as Mohammed
Zahir (22), a resident of Kalali village in Rajouri District of
Jammu and Kashmir.
Two girls suffered injuries after
militants lobbed a grenade towards Rani Beauty Parlour near Shaheed
Park in Pulwama District. Confirming the incident, Pulwama SSP,
Mohammad Aslam Choudhary said the grenade was aimed at the parlour
and two girls working there were injured. The SSP said the parlour
was also damaged. He said some youth later assembled at Shaheed
Park and threw stones on SFs, forcing the Police to fire tear
smoke shells. Reportedly, posters of militant outfits had surfaced
in and around the beauty parlour, asking it to shut down or face
dire consequences.
Militants had robbed a J&K
Bank branch at Marhama in Sangam area of Anantnag District.
|
October 13
|
In second incident of its kind
within 24 hours, militants raided another bank and decamped with
nearly INR 2 lakh in Shopian District. Police sources said that
three masked militants at about 11.20 am barged into Ratnipora
branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank in Shopian and decamped with
a cash amount of INR 1,93,000. Sources said that the militants
also beat up peon of the bank and managed to escape before arrival
of the SFs. A Police official said that the militants involved
in the robbery have been identified as Mohammad Abbas Bhat, Ishfaq
Thoker and Zubair Turray. He said the trio is associated with
HM and have been identified on the basis of “human and technical
intelligence”.
A JeM militant, Gulzar Ahmad Dar,
who targeted Public Works Minister, Naeem Akhtar, in Tral on September
21 killing three civilians and injuring 30 others, was arrested
by SFs from Naristan village in Tral in Pulwama District. One
Chinese pistol was recovered from his possession.
Police said that Dar joined JeM
after hurling a grenade upon motorcade of R&B Minister at
Bus Stand Tral in which 3 civilians were killed and 30 persons
including 7 CRPF and 2 Police personnel were injured. Police said
that during sustained questioning, Dar admitted that he had hurled
grenade on the instructions of JeM ‘commander’ Mufti Vikas, resident
of Pakistan and Noor Mohammad Tantray, resident of Darganie Gund,
Tral in Pulwama District. “Pertinent to mention here that the
said terrorist was earlier active with JeM outfit in 2014 and
he has lobbed a grenade at bus stand Tral in which five persons
lost their lives on 5th of December 2014. A case FIR number 121/2014
under Section 307/RPC, 2/5 explosive substance already stands
registered in Police Station Tral. He was arrested and released
after 2 years in January 2017”, Police said. During questioning,
Dar admitted that his four associates, all foreign militants,
are hiding in a hideout in Pastuna forest Tral area of Pulwama
District. SFs immediately launched a search operation in the forest
area. During searches, militants hiding in the hideout fired upon
the search party. The fire was retaliated but taking advantage
of the dense forest, they managed to escape from the hideout.
Clashes erupted during cordon
and search operation launched by the SFs in Vijpara locality of
Hajin in Bandipora District. The residents pelted stones on the
SFs during the operation. SFs fired dozens of tear smoke shells
and pellets, triggering clashes.
|
October 14
|
Two LeT militants, including its
‘district commander’, Waseem Ahmad Shah alias Abu Usama
Bhai and his associate Nisar Ahmad Mir were killed in an encounter,
while a civilian was killed in the clashes that followed in Litter
village in Pulwama District. According to sources, SFs cordoned
off Litter village in after inputs about the presence of militants
in the village. The militants were hiding in the house of former
militant Pintu Malik and when the SFs encircled the house, the
holed up militants opened fire on the SFs resulting in an encounter
lasted for over an hour in which two militants were killed.
One civilian, identified as Gulzar
Ahmad Mir was also killed and four others were injured as clashes
broke out between protesters and SFds in Litter area of Pulwama
District after killing of two LeT militants. SFs used teargas,
pellets and fired some gun shots in which one civilian was killed
and four others were injured. The slain was hit by a bullet and
succumbed in hospital. However, a Police spokesman said that the
civilian was hit during cross firing.
Large number of people attended
the funeral of both the militants in their respective villages.
Major parts of Pulwama and Shopian Districts observed shutdown.
The authorities also downgraded mobile Internet services to 2G
in both the Districts. Police said that the day passed off peacefully.
A Police constable, identified
as Khurshid Ahmad Tak was killed after militants opened indiscriminate
fire on Police vehicles at DH Pora area of Kulgam District. A
Police spokesman said that a Police team on duty for medical
camp, comprising the AST team and a bunker vehicle while returning
from duty was fired upon by the hiding militants at Nandinarg
crossing in DH Pora area of Kulgam District. “The police party
retaliated and due to brave retaliatory action, Police foiled
the attempt of weapon snatching conspired by the militants,” he
said. The spokesman said that during attack, driver of the AST
vehicle Khurshid Ahmad Tak got injured in the firing of the militants.
“Despite being injured, he displayed conspicuous act of courage
by successfully taking the vehicle out of arch of fire and saved
life of others. He attained martyrdom in the process,” he said.
The spokesman denied that the
attack was on cavalcade of MLA Noorabad. “The news item regarding
the attack on the Honorable legislator Noorabad is incorrect and
is denied,” he said, adding that perpetrators behind this attack
have been identified as Gulzar Paddar group and Umar Majid Ganie
group of HM. “In this connection investigation was also set into
motion,” he said.
For third consecutive day, Pakistan
Army violated CFA along the LoC in Poonch District targeting civilians
in Balakote sector of Mendhar tehsil in which three children,
all from a family, were injured after a mortar shell exploded
inside their house. “Several civilian areas were heavily shelled
by Pakistan from 6.30 pm till late tonight. Indian side retaliated
effectively to silence the Pakistani guns,” sources said. Sources
said Pakistani troops started firing mortars and bullets with
automatic and semi-automatic weapons directly targeting civilian
areas including Balakote, Balakote Forward, Tarkundi, Langiot,
Kanga, Sandiot, Khanetar, Dhar Galoon and surroundings in Balakote
sector of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district at 6.30 pm. Three
children of the Police constable, who were injured in mortar explosion,
have been identified as Tahira Naseeb (16), Tariq Naseeb (14)
and Rafiq Naseeb (8). Sources said condition of Tahira was serious.
SFs busted a militant module with
the arrest of three militants - two from the LeT and one from
the HM - from Kulgam area of Kulgam District. IGP Muneer Khan
said that “On October 14, two terrorists with the intention to
snatch weapons of personal security guards of a protected person
fired few rounds at Kund in Qazigund area. But they had to beat
a retreat due to hue and cry raised by locals.” He said on receipt
of this information, a joint party of the Police, Army and the
CRPF established a check point and nabbed the two militants, who
were riding on a motor cycle. “They were identified as Khursheed
Ahmad Dar and Haziq Rather. One pistol, some ammunition and a
live grenade were recovered from their possession. They belong
to LeT,” he added.
IGP Muneer Khan said an OGW of
militants, Rameez Yatoo, who works in a medical agency in Kulgam,
was arrested. “Arms and ammunition were recovered from his home.
He had helped the militants in carrying out the attack on the
Police vehicle at Damhal Hanjipura on Saturday (October 14) in
which one cop had lost his life,” the IGP said adding the attack
was carried out by militants of HM.
The IGP added that the number
of militants in Kashmir has come down due to continued successful
operations. “As far as the number is concerned, again the number
of militants has certainly decreased after continuous successful
operations. The militants who are in field we will face them and
what is the strategy for them we will formulate that but our main
concern is recruitment. We want that there should be no further
recruitment. And I have been telling you this thing that previously
also and I reiterated today that we target the leadership of militants
and one of the reasons for that is these leaders are more involved
in recruitments for their cadres and that is our concern”, he
said. Khan said the offer of surrender to local militants still
holds good and there has been excellent response to their offer.
“There has been excellent and tremendous response to our appeal
which we made last time. As far as coming and surrendering before
us is concerned, it is not important and necessary and mandatory
that we disclose every surrender. We have to keep certain things
up our sleeves and disclose the things at appropriate time because
we have to see and care for security of surrender (militant) as
well”, he said.
|
October 15
|
Pakistani army, in another violation
of CFA, resorted to indiscriminate unprovoked firing targeting
forward Indian posts and civilian areas on LoC in Keran sector
in Kupwara District. Indian troops also retaliated, sources said.
A SF trooper was reportedly injured in the Pakistani firing, they
said, adding that the casualties suffered by Pakistani troops
was not immediately clear.
SFs launched a massive search
operation the woods to foil any infiltration attempt from PoK
under the cover of Pakistani troops firing.
|
October 16
|
A PDP worker and former Sarpanch,
identified as Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh was killed by HM militants
in his house at Huomhuna village in Imam Sahib area of Shopian
District while one of the militant was killed by the sons of PDP
worker in the scuffle. Sources said that at least three HM militants
barged into the house of Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh in the night.
As the militants called out PDP worker, his sons accompanied him
but militants shot Sheikh wounding him critically. Sons of the
PDP worker snatched rifle from one of the militants in scuffle
and fired from it killing a militant of HM, identified as Shoukat
Ahmad Kumar of Trenz Shopian. Sheikh was rushed to hospital where
he succumbed to his injuries. Senior Police and Army officials
reached the spot and massive searches have been launched against
the other two militants, who managed to escape from the scene.
Stating that Pakistan was encouraging
cross border terrorism against neighbours as a State policy, Vice
President M Venkaiah Naidu urged the world community to isolate
States that sponsored terrorism. ”Our neighbour has made a state
policy to aid, fund and train terrorists,” Naidu said in his address
at the 33rd raising day of the NSG at the Manesar
Garrison in Gurgaon in Haryana. Naidu said it was high time that
the international community put up a joint front against the menace.
He stressed on the fact that terrorism knows no religion or boundaries
and nobody should be allowed to get away with acts of violence
in the name of ideology. The Vice-President emphasised on the
importance of information and its confirmation over other aspects
such as arms and ammunition in anti-terror related operations,
as intelligence forms the basis of how the counter action has
to be executed.
|
October 17
|
The house of PDP worker and former
Sarpanch, Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, who was killed on October
16 by HM militants, was set ablaze by a mob in Shopian District.
Around 200 youth from Trenz village of Shopian District after
completing last rites of Showkat Falahi, a HM militant, killed
on October 16 in a scuffle after militants killed Ramzan, marched
to Homun village of Nagbal in Shopian and set the house of the
PDP worker on fire. The youth first sprinkled petrol on the house
of the slain PDP worker and then set it on fire. The house and
two cow sheds were gutted in the blaze and Police immediately
reached the spot. The family of Ramzan had fled away in the morning
after completing his last rites.
SFs cordoned off Parray Mohalla
of Hajin area of Bandipora District. However, the operation was
called off after youth pelted stones on SFs personnel during the
operation. The operation was launched in the wee hours in Parray
Mohalla Hajin area in wee hours after receiving inputs of the
presence of militants in the area. As the SFs personnel were laying
siege around the area, youth threw stones at the SFs and they
fired teargas to disperse them triggering clashes. The operation
was later called off.
The GOC Victor Force Major General
B S Raju said on the sidelines of a function in Anantnag District
that SFs are tacking decisive action against the militants so
that peace returns to the area. “Our main aim is to take decisive
action against the militancy so that common masses and students
don’t face any hurdle in their routine work. If we go with the
speed with which we were going then hopefully peace will return
soon in this area”, he said.
A court in New Delhi extended
till November 14 the judicial custody of seven Kashmiri separatists
arrested on various charges, including receiving funds from Pakistan
to sponsor terror activities and stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir.
During the in-camera proceedings, District Judge Poonam Bamba
extended the judicial custody of Aftab Hilali Shah alias
Shahid-ul-Islam, Ayaz Akbar Khandey, Farooq Ahmad Dar alias
Bitta Karate, Nayeem Khan, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Raja Mehrajuddin
Kalwal and Bashir Ahmad Bhat alias Peer Saifullah.
On July 24, the NIA had arrested
the seven on charges of criminal conspiracy and waging war against
India. Altaf Ahmad Shah is the son-in-law of hardline APHC leader
Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Islam is a close aide of moderate APHC
leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Khandey is the spokesperson for the
Geelani-led APHC.
|
October 18
|
Seven civilians were injured as
Pakistani Army violated the CFA by firing unprovoked along the
LoC in Rajouri District. Some vehicles were also damaged as the
shells landed in the forward villages close to the LoC. “Pakistan
Army on Wednesday [October 18] morning at around 0745 hours initiated
unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics
and mortars from in Bhimber Gali sector along the Line of Control
(LoC),” defence spokesman said. He said that the firing was still
on last reports came in adding that,” Indian Army is retaliating
strongly and effectively to the provocation”.
A teacher, identified as Aijaz
Ahmad Lone was found dead with slit throat in Wathoo village of
Shopian District. Aijaz Ahmad Lone was found dead under mysterious
conditions near Lar Maadan Stadium in Wathoo area in the morning.
He was a resident of Gatipora village of the District. Sources
said that last evening (October 17) he got a phone call from the
militants as he was also working as OGW with HM for last few years.
He was severely beaten up by the militants and then his throat
was slit.
It may be mentioned here that
three militants of HM including ‘district commander’ Zahid Malik
who were killed in a fierce encounter in Shopian District of South
Kashmir on October 9 were hiding in his house. As SFs launched
a cordon-and-search at village Gatipora in Kellar area of Shopian
on October 9, the militants hiding in the house of Aijaz fled
and took shelter adjacent house belonging to his father. All the
three militants were later killed by SFs and his father’s house
was damaged in the encounter.
Militants shot dead a SPO, identified
as Haleem Gujjar at Gutro in Tral area in Pulwama District. He
was fired upon by militants inside his house. He was critically
injured and shifted to nearby hospital where doctors declared
him as brought dead. The SPO was posted at Aripal Tral with SOG
and had gone home. Sources said that two militants barged into
his house and entered his room and fired at him indiscriminately.
They left him in a pool of blood and fled from the spot.
Special Director General of CRPF,
S N Srivastava, said that SFs have achieved major successes this
year against the militants. “See, the CRPF has made sound arrangements
for carrying forward operations and we have formed strategy plan
on how to fight militancy and for the safety of our jawans. We
are working accordingly (as per plan) and we are happy that we
have been successful in our plan to a large extent and we have
achieved lot of successes in our operations”, he said.
A day ahead of Diwali festival,
Pakistan army created a war-like situation in three sectors of
Balakote, Mendhar and Manjakote in twin border Districts of Poonch
and Rajouri, directly targeting the civilian population with heavy
mortars and automatic weapons, injuring eight civilians including
a two year old infant. Three vehicles parked by the people inside
their houses were extensively damaged after being hit by mortars.
An electric transformer was among the infrastructure that suffered
damages in Pakistan shelling that started around 7 am and continued
for nearly three hours, sources said. Indian Army retaliated Pakistan’s
shelling and firing very effectively at all the places in three
Sectors along LoC causing heavy damages on Pakistan side. A number
of forward Pakistani posts and bunkers were reported to have been
destroyed in retaliatory shelling by the Indian side. Pakistani
troops were also reported to have suffered casualties, both fatal
and non-fatal in massive counter offensive launched by the Indian
troops.
Sources said Pakistan army started
targeting civilian areas, located near the LoC, in Balakote and
Mendhar sectors of Poonch District at 7 am with 82mm mortars and
heavy fire arms. Simultaneously, they violated ceasefire in Manjakote
sector of Rajouri District, bordering Balakote sector of Poonch,
at 7.30 am, leading to panic among the border dwellers. Intense
mortar shelling was reported in Langiot, Balakote, Balakote Forward,
Basooni, Darati, Suhala, Panjani, Goi, Gulad Top, Sandiot, Tarkundi
and Kanga in Balakote and Mendhar sectors while Mangal Narh and
Khori Narh villages were worst hit by shelling in Manjakote sector
for almost three hours. Five civilians were injured in Balakote
and Mendhar sectors and three in Manjakote sector after mortar
shells fell inside their houses.
|
October 20
|
Militants lobbed a grenade at
the residence of a MLA of the ruling PDP, Aijaz Mir in Zainapora
village in Shopian District. The grenade landed in the premises
near the security picket, outside the house, and exploded. However,
there was no report of any damage to life or the property. The
Policemen deployed for security duty fired several rounds in the
air following the blast that created panic in the village. Soon
after the incident, SFs rushed to the spot and conducted searches.
A Police officer said that no damage was caused due to the mysterious
blast. “It was a mysterious blast. We are ascertaining what happened
actually. No damage has been reported. But security men posted
there have fired several round in air,” he said.
|
October 21
|
A group of militants in the evening
barged into the house of a PDP worker, Mohammad Ashraf Peer at
Dadsar Tral in Pulwama District and ransacked his house. They
also threatened Peer of dire consequences for his association
with the PDP. They also fired in air after they came out of the
house.
RR and 183 CRPF and SOG of Jammu
and Kashmir Police cordoned off Monghama village in Pulwama District
after reports about presence of two HM militants hiding inside
the village. Sources said that two HM militants Zahoor Ahmad and
Mohammad Zahid were hiding in the village when troops cordoned
it off. Both of them are locals and Zahoor was with Territorial
Army and early this year he fled from an Army camp along with
a weapon to join militancy. However, as the cordon of the village
was laid at around 1.30 p.m residents pelted stones on the SFs,
who, in return, fired teargas to disperse them and the ding dong
battles continued for four hours. The operation was later called
off at around 5.30 p.m.
An Army porter was killed and
a teenage girl and a woman were injured as Pakistani troops violated
CFA along the LoC in Kamalkote sector of Baramulla District. An
Army official said that Pakistani troops deployed opposite to
Shanker Post in Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla District
resorted to unprovoked firing on the post held by 12 Dogra Regiment
of the Army at around 1130 hours on October 21. An Army porter
identified as Mohammad Abbas, 18 year old Nasreena Bano and 40
year old Asifa Begam of Mariya in Kamalkote were injured in the
Pakistani firing. The injured were shifted to Uri Hospital for
treatment and Mohammad Abbas succumbed to injuries while condition
of the two other injured is stated to be out of danger. Indian
Army personnel gave befitting reply to the CFA violation of the
Pakistani troops in Kamalkote sector and the firing between the
troops of two sides continued till 1400 hours.
The Army officials said that Pakistani
troops are desperate as they have failed to infiltrate militants
into Kashmir due to tight vigil along the LoC. They said that
the militants are desperate for infiltration ahead of winter.
He said that the CFA violation was aimed at giving cover to the
militants for infiltration.
|
October 22
|
A woman was killed and another
one injured as militants fired on them at Seer village of Tral
in Pulwama District. Militants barged inside a house in Seer Jagir
in Tral and fired at the women present there. Among them, 18-year
old girl, identified as Yasmeena was killed and another one identified
as Rubeena was injured. She was shifted to SDH Tral where from
she was referred to SMHS hospital for further treatment. SFs immediately
reached the spot and massive searches were launched against the
assailants.
Militants shot dead a street vendor,
identified as Shakir Ahmad, resident of Uttar Pradesh in Arwani
area of Anantnag District.
One militant was killed in an
encounter with SFs in Handwara area of Kupwara District. Acting
on a specific information regarding presence of three militants
including top LeT ‘commander’ Abu Maaz in Hajin area of Kralgund
in Handwara, Army’s 9 Para and SOG Handwara launched a cordon-and-search
operation at around 5 am. The militants hiding in the area opened
fire on the troops, triggering an encounter. A Pakistani militant
was killed and his identity is being ascertained. The two other
militants including Abu Maaz managed to escape but SFs have launched
a massive operation against the two militants. However, no contact
was established with them so far, report said.
A CRPF officer, identified as
Ali Mohammad was injured after militants lobbed a grenade on the
house of a NC leader and former legislator Mohammad Ashraf Bhat.
The security guards also retaliated by firing but militants managed
to escape. SFs have launched a hunt to nab the assailants.
SFs cordoned off Kota Sernard
forest area of Bandipora District and conducted searches as they
had reports about presence of some militants in the area. Army’s
14 RR and SOG cordoned off the forest area after reports about
presence of a group of two to three militants hiding inside the
forests. Troops fired some warning shots. However, there was no
response from militants.
Pakistan violated CFA in Kamalkote
sector of Uri in Baramulla District for second consecutive day.
Pakistani troops fired on Army posts in the sector in the morning.
The Pakistani troops started firing at 10.50 am and continued
till 11.20 am. The Army gave befitting reply to Pakistani ceasefire
violations. However, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone
in the firing.
|
October 22
|
Militants barged
into the house of PDP Zonal president Farooq Ahmed’s house at
Ashmji Kulgam in Kulgam District and vandalised the household
items besides window panes in the night. Sources said Farooq somehow
managed to flee from the house and militants before leaving the
spot also fired three shots in air.
Soon after harassing
the family of Farooq Ahmad, militants barged into the house of
Sheeraz Ahmad, PDP Youth President Kulgam District, at Ashmuji
Kulgam in Kulgam District. Militants vandalised his house too
and Sheeraz jumped from window of the house to save his life.
|
October 23
|
A man, identified
as Muhammad Maqbool Bhat alias Magge Khan was shot and
injured by militants in Kellar area of Shopian District in the
evening. Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, resident of Battmurran village
of Kellar area of Shopian District was fired upon by militants
near his house. He sustained bullet wounds in his leg and was
rushed to nearby hospital where his condition is stated to be
out of danger. Soon after the incident, SFs rushed to the spot
and launched manhunt against the attackers.
Police said that
they arrested two persons of border town of Teetwal in Srinagar
and recovered ammunition from them. “At about 1800 hours, police
while Naka Checking on NHW near N.R Colony Bemina, under Batamaloo
police station apprehended two persons namely Shakoor Ahmad Ksokhar
son of Sanyee Khee and Tanveer Ahmad Raja son of Abdul Rashid
Raja, residents of Teetwal Karnah Kupwara and recovered 400 live
rounds of AK-47 from their possession”, a Police spokesman said.
IG of CRPF, Ravedeep
Sahi, said that attack on the families of the political workers
and police men is frustration on part of militants after successful
security operations against them. Sahi said that militants are
targeting these unsecured people in frustration. “The successes
which security forces have achieved in recent past in our joint
operations has led to control on militancy to a large extent but
with this, there is also frustration among militants and that
is why they attack unsecured people who are without security”,
he said.
The IG CRPF said
that the successes achieved by the security forces in these months
is due to high level of coordination between Police, CRPF and
Army. “Whatever is happening is their frustration, otherwise the
operations of forces that have taken place in last few months
have been well and we have achieved lot of success and number
of militant commanders have been eliminated. There has been good
coordination with JKP and RR and that is why we have achieved
so much success”, he said. Sahi said that security forces will
carry out area domination in the areas where militants are targeting
the families of the political workers and police men. “One is
personal security and apart from is area domination in general
area like our patrolling, foot patrolling which is done by CRPF,
police and Army and this is what would be our objective and we
will carry out effective area domination in the areas where political
activists reside”, he said.
IG CRPF Sahi said
that there has been reduction in the stone pelting incidents since
September. “We have seen in September there was reduction in stone-pelting
but in October we have witnessed increase. But the reason has
been mostly braid chopping and not encounters, if we particularly
talk about central Kashmir. There has been more stone-pelting
in Srinagar but it has nothing to do with operations. In operations,
we have seen some reduction but has not ended”, he said. Sahi
said that the security forces are ready for any challenge including
from Fidayeen. “Our security forces are ready for every challenge
and we have inputs about fidayeen attacks. We have adopted our
strategy and we will work accordingly”, he said.
India and Pakistani
troops continued to exchange fire along the LoC in Kamalkote area
of Uri sector in Baramulla District for third consecutive day
forcing closure of schools. “Intermittent exchange of firing took
place between our soldiers and Pakistani troops along the LoC
in the Uri sector (in the Kamalkote area) till 6.00 am today,”
an official said.
|
October 24
|
Pakistani troops
violated CFA along the LoC in Nowgam sector in Kupwara District.
It is for the fourth consecutive day that Pakistan has violated
the truce agreement along the LoC in the Kashmir valley. “Pakistan
started unprovoked firing in Nowgam sector along the LoC at 9.30
am today,” an Army official said. He said Indian troops retaliated
strongly to the Pakistani action and intermittent exchange of
fire was going on till afternoon. He said no casualties have been
reported in the ceasefire violation on the Indian side.
A militant of HM,
identified as Arizoo Bashir Najar was arrested in Tral area of
Pulwama District. A joint team of SOG of Police and CRPF, following
a tip off, raided the area and arrested the militant. Arizoo Bashir
Najar, a resident of Mandoora Tral, had gone missing on September
20 and later his pictures with AK-47 rifle surfaced on sections
of social media. Arizoo was earlier arrested in January this year
and remained behind bars for almost five months before released
on bail.
A day after UHM Rajnath
Singh announced dialogue on J&K and designated retired IB
Director Dineshwar Sharma as the Special Representative for talks,
the NIA arrested Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of HM ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin,
in connection with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving
money from his father. Syed Salahuddin, a resident of Budgam
District in Kashmir is operating HM outfit from PoK and fanning
militancy in Jammu and Kashmir by sending armed terrorists to
the State, apart from hawala money to fuel unrest in the
Valley.
While announcing
the talks and appointing Dineshwar Sharma as the Interlocutor,
the Centre Government had made it clear that there would be no
let-up in NIA raids against separatists and others, who were receiving
hawala money to boost terrorism and unrest in the Kashmir
valley. The Centre has also stated that ‘Operation All Out’ against
the terrorists would go on uninterrupted. Sources said that 42-year-old
Shahid, at present working as Village Agriculture Extension Assistant
in the Agricultural Department of the Jammu and Kashmir Government,
posted at village Soibugh, Budgam, was summoned to the NIA’s headquarters
in New Delhi on October 24th morning and was arrested
after questioning. He will be produced before a designated NIA
court on October 25 for taking Police remand during which he will
be subjected to questioning for his links with Aijaz Ahmad Bhat
alias Aijaz Maqbool Bhat, a HM member, originally resident
of Solina Payeen, Srinagar, now residing in Saudi Arabia, who
was reported to have sent funds for terror financing in Kashmir.
Sources said Shahid
used to receive funds through a US-based international wire transfer
company from Aijaz Ahmed Bhat, who is also an accused in the case
but was absconding and putting up in Saudi Arabia. Shahid was
“one of several Indian contacts of Bhat” who had been in telephonic
contact with him for receiving money transfer codes,” sources
said. The NIA claimed so far he had received a total of nearly
INR 4.5 lakh through eight international wire transfers The case,
registered by the NIA in April 2011, relates to the transfer of
money from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir through hawala channels
via Delhi, which the agency believed was used in funding terrorism
and secessionist activities.
|
October 25
|
A Policeman, Asher
Hussain, was shot at and injured by militants in Shopian District
in the evening. Militants fired upon Asher Hussain, Personal Security
Officer of National Conference leader Shabir Kullay, when he (Asher
Hussain) was at petrol pump to refill his vehicle.
SFs conducted series
of search operations in Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag Districts.
The searches were extensively conducted in at least 20 villages
of Shopian District. The villages that were cordoned off include
Sugan, Heff, Shirmaal, Nagbal, Barbugh, Chitragaam, Turkawangam,
Maldeera, Kashew, Kadgam and Nullayposhwari. The SFs conducted
searches for residential house and orchards. This time, unlike
past, there was no stone-pelting from local residents on SF personnel
involved in the search operation as the siege was strict, sources
said. “As you know militants targeted several civilians, political
workers and Government servants in South Kashmir since past week
and there are reports with Army about huge presence of militants
in this area. So, CRPF, police and Army launched a search operation
in around 20 villages,” said Brigadier Harbeer Singh of 12 Sector
Rashtriya Rifles.
After conducting
searches for nearly 10 hours, the operation was called off at
2 pm in the afternoon as no contact was established with the militants.
The SFs also launched cordon and search operations in Chandgam
village of neighbouring Pulwama District. The operation was conducted
after SFs received inputs about the presence of two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen
(HM) militants. However, as the searches were underway, the local
residents took to streets and pelted stones on SFs. Police fired
teargas and used pellet shots guns to disperse the protesters.
The operation was called off in the evening without any contact
with militants.
In Bellow village
of Pulwama District, Army had to open aerial gunshots after some
youths pelted on soldiers. There were minor clashes in the village
but later situation normalized. The SFs also launched a cordon
and search operation in Lisser village of Kokernag in Anantnag
District as it suspected presence of some militants. However,
no militant was found in the village and the operation was called
off.
The DIG, (South Kashmir
Range), S.P. Pani said that they have got many leads about recent
“sensational” incidents that occurred in the Tral area of Pulwama
District. The DIG told reporters that with the arrest of HM militant
Arizoo Bashir on October 24 in a joint operation, there has been
various revelations. “We have come to know lots of things with
this arrest and most importantly, we have come to know about the
involvement (of persons) in recent two-three sensational incidents
in Tral. We also have come to know about Arizoo’s involvement
(in many cases) and the investigation is on…we have got some leads
with this arrest and all the cases have been detected,” he added.
The NIA claimed that
Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of HM chief Syed Salahuddin, had admitted
he received funds for subversive activities in the Kashmir valley.
Yousuf, who was sent to seven days of custody to the agency for
further questioning, had also given the names of overseas HM members
involved in fund-raising for the terror outfit, an unnamed NIA
spokesman said. The NIA claimed during questioning he “admitted
to having received funds from cadres of the Hizbul Mujahideen
on the direction of his father, Mohammed Yusuf Shah alias
Syed Salahuddin, for fomenting terrorist activities in the Valley”.
The NIA said he also “revealed the names of his associates abroad
who were linked with the Mujahideen and involved in raising, collecting
and transferring funds from other countries to India”. This was
being verified and investigated, the NIA said. As reported earlier,
the NIA on October 24 arrested Syed Shahid Yousuf in connection
with a 2011 terror funding case for allegedly receiving money
from his father.
Army Chief General
Bipin Rawat declared that appointment of an Interlocutor by the
Centre Government will have no impact on the ‘Operation All Out’
launched by Army in Kashmir to eliminate and apprehend the militants
and their top ‘commanders’. Asked whether the appointment of former
Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as Kashmir Interlocutor
would impact the Army’s operations in the troubled State, he said,
“My one word answer is no, it will not.” Responding to a question
on whether Sharma’s appointment meant that the tough policy on
Kashmir was not working, Gen Rawat said, “I do not think so. What
is in your mind is not correct.
The policy of the
Government has worked. The Government is speaking from a position
of strength.” He said incidents of cross-border infiltration had
come down and the overall situation in the State had improved
significantly in the last few months. “In January, you had asked
me whether the situation has deteriorated in Kashmir, whether
we have lost Kashmir. Now you analyze where is Kashmir?”, he asked.
“We have killed terrorists on the Line of Control because of which
the situation has improved.”
The Army Chief also
stressed that Army keeps on getting reports of Uri and Pathankot
like attacks by the militants. Gen Rawat said security of installations
in hinterland is becoming a cause for concern. “We are getting
report of Uri and Pathankot like attacks well in depth”. He said
the Army was looking at Electronic Warfare (EW) system to keep
an eye not just on border but in hinterland also. This would help
in maintaining strict vigil on the militants and neutralizing
them.
|
October 28
|
A J&K Police
Constable, identified as Isfaq Ahmad Dar is suspected to have
joined the militant LeT in what could be the third such switch
by a security personnel in the Valley this year. Police ordered
a probe after Isfaq Ahmad Dar, last week announced on social media
that he has joined the LeT, a Pakistan-based militant outfit blamed
for several terror attacks in India. A photograph of Dar holding
an AK-47 assault rifle was also widely circulated on social media
and messaging apps in the Valley over the past few days. “There
are reports we are trying to confirm. The matter is being investigated,”
State Police chief SP Vaid said on October 28. He added that police
are yet trying to “know the facts”.
|
October 29
|
A Police constable,
identified as Zahir Abbas was killed in an encounter at Mir Mohalla
village in Hajin area of Bandipora District. SFs received intelligence
inputs about the presence of militants in Mir Mohalla village.
As searches were being conducted, the militants started firing
at the SFs, triggering a gun battle. Later two militants escaped
from the spot
There have also been
reports of youths pelting stones on the SFs to disturb the ongoing
operation.
|
October 30
|
SFs launched a cordon-and-search-operation
(CASO) at Rawalpora village in the Khansahab area of Budgam District.
An unnamed official said that the SFs launched the operation after
inputs about the presence of militants. However, the CASO was
ended peacefully after several hours.
|
October 30 |
Pakistan initiated talks with its DGMO Major General
Sahir Shamshad Mirza speaking to Indian DGMO Lieutenant General
AK Bhatt seeking peace on the borders while as India maintaining
that Pakistan was brazenly aiding and abetting infiltration attempts
by the militants and targeting civilians directly during CFA violations
on the LoC in J&K. According to sources, Pakistan DGMO, in a sudden
and unscheduled move, sought talks with the Indian DGMO over hotline
on October 30th afternoon to which India agreed. "Request for
the talks was made by Pakistan. It was an unusual and unscheduled
move. However, India agreed for the talks after which both the
DGMOs spoke for nearly 20 minutes in which the situation along
Indo-Pak borders, mainly the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, largely
figured," sources said, adding that Pakistan, which has suffered
heavy losses in retaliatory shelling and firing by the Indian
side, called for peace on the LoC and urged India to exercise
restraint.
|
October 31 |
A 13-year-old girl, identified as Gulnaz was injured
when the Pakistani army fired from small arms in forward area
of Karmara along the LoC in Poonch District. "There was ceasefire
violation by Pakistani troops today [October 31] along the LoC
in Karmara belt of Poonch", official sources said, adding that
the firing only lasted 15 minutes. The injured girl was admitted
to a district hospital.
Kupwara Police achieved a major breakthrough
by busting a militant network that was trying to revive Al Badr
outfit in Jammu and Kashmir by sending youth across the LoC to
PoK for arms training. Police arrested two youths, identified
as Danish Ghulam Lone and Suhail Ahmad Bhat who were trying to
cross the LoC to enter PoK for arms training through border District
of Kupwara. They also arrested four OGWs who were facilitating
their ex-filtration. The interrogation of these arrested youth
has revealed that a militant Ishfaq Paul who is in Central Jail
is trying to revive the Al-Badar in Kashmir. The two youth, who
railed from Pulwama, were motivated by HM 'commander' Riyaz Naiku
to join militancy and sent by him to meet Ishfaq Paul in Central
Jail before they left for PoK and were arrested by Police near
the LoC. Police is investigating from the four arrested OGWs whether
they have been successful in sending any youth to PoK for arms
training so far or not.
SSP Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain said that based
on specific information, Police's SOG cordoned off Manigah village
of Hyhama area in Kupwara District. "During search of the area,
two youth were found moving suspiciously and were nabbed," the
SSP said. "Some incriminating documents including the map of areas
adjoining to LoC and some posters of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit
were also recovered from the possession of the arrested youth.
During preliminary interrogation, they disclosed that they were
motivated by one active Hizb militant namely Adnan operating in
Pulwama area for joining the militant ranks and exfiltration to
PoK for obtaining arms training," said the SSP.
Eight days after UHM Rajnath Singh announced 'sustained
dialogue' on Jammu and Kashmir and appointed former IB Director
Dineshwar Sharma as Centre's representative, the Kashmir separatists
dismissed the talks offer as futile exercise. The three top separatist
leaders of Valley including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah
Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a joint statement, said the
Government of India is continuously refusing to acknowledge Jammu
and Kashmir as a dispute which, they said, is 'basic premises'
for talks. "In principle, the (separatist) leadership always advocated
and supported sincere and productive dialogue as a means of conflict
resolution over Jammu and Kashmir. What it inherently entails
from all participants to dialogue is the basic acknowledgment
that there is a dispute that has to be resolved. But Government
of India continuously refuses to accept this basic premise and
the reality on the ground," said the separatist trio in the statement.
The decision to dismiss the talks offer was taken after a joint
meeting of Geelani, Mirwaiz and Malik at former's Hyderpora residence
in Sri Nagar.
|
November 1 |
SFs launched an operation against top LeT 'commander'
Abu Maaz in Handwara in Kupwara District. SoG of Handwara Police
and 21 RR of Army in the evening cordoned off Harnipora Shailhall
in Handwara after reports that Abu Maaz was present in the area.
However, the operation was later called off as he was not found
in the village.
Syed Shahid Yousuf, son of HM 'chief' Syed Salahuddin,
was sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court in a 2011 terror
funding case. District Judge Poonam A Bamba sent the accused to
custody till November 27 after he was produced before the court
on expiry of his seven-day custody of the NIA. The NIA had earlier
alleged that the accused had links with proscribed terrorist organisation
like HM. The NIA said the case was registered on the basis of
information regarding funds from Pakistan being sent to Jammu
and Kashmir through hawala channels via Delhi to fund terrorism.
Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden closely followed
developments in Jammu and Kashmir and the trial of Pakistani-American
terrorist David Coleman Headley in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case,
indicated the documents seized during the 2011 US raid on a Pakistani
compound that killed the Osama bin Laden. The Central Intelligence
Agency on November 1st released 470,000 additional files seized
in May 2011 when US Navy SEALs burst into the Abbottabad compound
and shot dead Laden. The files include Laden's sons wedding video
and diaries left by the Saudi-born militant. The documents revealed
that Laden closely followed news related to the arrest of LeT
operative Headley and was a regular reader of some of the top
Indian publications.
|
November 2 |
At least five CRPF personnel were injured in a
militant attack on the vehicle of SFs in Anantnag District. Militants
opened fire on the vehicle of the 96 Battalion CRPF at Lazibal
in Anantnag District at 8.30 am, a Police official said. He said
three CRPF jawans (troopers) received bullet injuries while two
others were injured after getting hit by broken glass panes of
the vehicle. An operation has been launched to track down the
assailants. LeT militant outfit has claimed responsibility of
the attack.
President of BJYM, youth wing of the ruling BJP,
Gowhar Ahmad Bhat, was killed by militants in Shopian District.
Police recovered the throat slit body of Bhat from Kiloora village
with visible torture marks on body parts.
Two Army personnel and a militant were killed
in an encounter at Samboora area of Pulwama District. Army's 50
RR, SOG and CRPF acting on a tip about presence of four militants
in village Samboora, Pampore cordoned it and as SFs were conducting
searches and fired some warning shots towards a suspected spot,
the hiding militants opened fire on troops, triggering an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, a militant was killed and he has been
identified as Waqas Ahmad. Three soldiers were also injured in
the gun battle and two of them later succumbed to injuries. The
other three militants managed to flee from the village under the
cover of darkness. The operation has ended and SFs recovered one
AK-47 rifle and one UBGL from the site.
One live hand grenade was recovered by Police
after it was found lying on the roadside near Old Bridge adjacent
to DC office in Main Town of Kupwara District. The grenade was
detected by Police on the roadside and BDS was immediately summoned
who later recovered the device.
Army's 19 Mahar posted at Asha Post in Gulmarg
sector during searches of forest area at Kuthyali Dokh in Drung
area of Tangmarg busted a militant hideout and recovered huge
cache of arms and ammunition. The recovery included one AK 47
rifle, 147 rounds of AK ammunition, one Pistol, three hand grenades,
six Wireless sets, one UBGL thrower, one UBGL, one MLG round,
one stamp of Jammu and Kashmir LeT unit, stamp of District 'commander'
LeT, one solar panel and one walki talki.
One BSF jawan was killed in Pakistan's firing
on the IB in Samba sector in Samba District. Also, two Rangers
were killed and their two to three posts were decimated in retaliation
from the Indian side to the ceasefire violation. Sources said
that the Pakistani Rangers resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation
on the IB in Samba sector at 9.30 am today targeting a BSF patrol
party. The Rangers targeted the patrol party with heavy fire arms
and mortars in which BSF constable Tapan Mondal was seriously
injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Sources also said
the two Pakistani Rangers, who had sustained multiple splinter
injuries in retaliatory firing by the BSF, have succumbed to their
injuries and there were reports that another Ranger was injured.
Three posts of the Rangers have been completely destroyed in retaliatory
firing by the BSF.
|
November 3 |
Army troops of 57 RR killed a militant while foiling
a major infiltration bid along the LoC in Macchil sector in Kupwara
District. Srinagar based Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia
said that Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Macchil
sector killing a militant. "One militant was killed and a weapon
was recovered," the spokesman said, adding the operation was on.
Shopian Police have identified the killers of
Gowhar Ahmad Bhat, President of BJYM, youth wing of the ruling
BJP, who was killed in Shopian District on November 2, as Hamas,
resident of Pakistan, Umer Nazir, resident of Malikgund and affiliated
to the LeT, Ishfaq Thoker, resident of Paderpora and Zubair Turay,
resident of Shopian and affiliated to the HM. Police have announced
cash reward for the persons whose information will lead to their
arrest or killing.
GOC Victor Force, Major General BS Raju, said
that after failing to take on SFs, militants in desperation aimed
at soft targets like killing of BJP youth president. Speaking
to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Budgam, Major General
Raju said that SFs will take necessary actions against militants
to restore peace in South Kashmir. "Two to three such incidents
have taken place in recent past. We are given to believe these
are acts of desperation by the terrorists. They are not able to
make any concerted action against the security forces. So obviously
they are looking at weaker targets and I am given to believe that
police is taking necessary action against the perpetrators of
these crimes and we as Army and other security agencies will continue
to take all necessary actions against the militants so that people
of South Kashmir can live in peace", he said.
Major General Raju further said that there are
around 115 militants in South Kashmir, majority of them locals
and this year they have already neutralized 80. "There are around
115 militants in south Kashmir and out of them, 99 are local and
15-16 are foreign terrorists. And the actions that we have taken
since past 6-7 months; we have neutralized nearly 80 terrorists
including top leadership. We believe this will continue and as
soon as number of terrorists would decrease, the situation will
improve", Major General Raju said. Adding to it, the Major also
said that the situation in South Kashmir is much better. "And,
I want to say this that apart from these one-two political killings,
the situation in South Kashmir is much better. The stone-pelting
and random acts initiated by terrorists have also decreased. So,
as the winter season sets in, our actions would be more effective
and peace shall return", he said.
The GOC said that security forces are in the process
of neutralizing the JeM militants. "There are indeed members of
Jaish in South Kashmir and the process of neutralization of the
Jaish cadre began yesterday (at Samboora) and we intend to act
particularly against the Jaish", he said, adding, there are 10-15
JeM militants in South Kashmir. "Definitely there is some strength
of JeM and we are given to believe that there could be some 10-15
people in south Kashmir. We look at all them as terrorists and
we will be taking action to neutralize them", he said.
Major General Raju also said that recruitment
of the militants is a concern but efforts are being made to stop
it. "New recruitment of militants is definitely a cause of concern.
A lot of stakeholders need to work in a concerted manner to ensure
that new recruitment is put in check. I would put the onus on
the parents to ensure that they are able to take care of their
children and I would put the onus on village elders, to the Moulvis
in the villages and towns to ensure that they get right message
across to the young people. I would like to put the onus on teachers
and principals of schools and colleges where these people study
so that they are able to bring sense into them that this is not
the route that is going to take them anywhere and of course, the
role of the security forces to ensure that they conduct operations
in such a manner that would not alienate the population and the
youth", he said. The GOC further said that Zakir Musa group has
been given much attention but its strength is not more than 8-10
people. "I think Zakir Musa phenomenon hasn't caught that much
of attraction as it appears to be. We are given to believe that
the strength is not more than 8-10 people who are with him", he
said. On the picture of Hizb 'commander' Sameer Tiger holding
M4 weapon, Major General Raju said, "That is also a weapon and
that also fires same bullet which an AK 47 fire. So we believe
it won't make any impact."
|
November 4 |
One Policeman was killed while another injured
after terrorists fired on a Police team in Pulwama District. "Terrorists
fired upon a naka party of police near Police Station Rajpora
in Pulwama, resulting in injuries to two of our personnel - Abdul
Salam and Munir Ahmad," DIG of Police S P Pani said. He further
said both the injured personnel were taken to Army's 92 base hospital,
where Salam succumbed to his injuries.
Militants hurled a grenade on SOG camp at Imam
Sahib in Shopian District. However, no one was injured in the
attack and entire area was cordoned off to arrest the militants
responsible for the attack.
RS Pura Police arrested three persons with fake
currency worth INR 44,000 in Jammu District. According to a Police
official, after getting specific information a joint naka was
laid at Bhatyari, Bishnah by Bishnah Police and DSB officials.
He said during naka checking, one Scooty was intercepted and all
three riders were thoroughly checked and during checking, INR
10,000 fake currency was recovered from one Harmeet Singh of Sanjay
Nagar Jammu, INR 12,000 from Mohinder Kumar alias Baba of Chak
Bala, RS Pura and worth INR 22,000 fake currency from Ramesh Kumar
alias Doctor of Chak Bala, RS Pura. All the recovered fake currency
was in denomination of INR 500 and INR 2000 notes.
|
November 5 |
Two unidentified militants were killed as the
Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Uri sector in
Baramulla District. The infiltration bid was foiled in Uri sector,
when troops noticed suspected movement during the night hours.
"The group was challenged and militants opened fire, triggering
a gunfight. So far two militants have been killed in the gunfight
and the operation is on," Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh
Kalia said. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain
militants could not be established immediately.
Militants hurled a grenade on SOG camp at Imam
Sahib in Shopian District. However, no one was injured in the
attack.
SFs launched a CASO at Monghama village in Pulwama
District after reports of presence of some militants in the village,
including Zahoor Ahmad, a Territorial Army man, who fled from
Army camp in North Kashmir three months ago and joined militancy.
However, clashes erupted between protesters opposing the CASO
and SFs which lasted for about four hours in which four protesters
were injured. The CASO was later called off. Similar clashes also
erupted at Murran Chowk in Pulwama, though no injury was reported
on either side.
Army operation at Lashdat in the Macchil sector,
near the LoC, in Kupwara District continued for third consecutive
day.
|
November 6
|
Three JeM militants and a soldier were killed
while two soldiers were injured during an encounter at Aglar Kandi
village of Pulwama District. Two AK-47 rifles and a pistol were
recovered from the debris of the house, where the encounter took
place. One of them slain militant was identified as Waseem of
Drubgam in Pulwama while two others were from Pakistan. A civilian
Tariq Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Aglar Kandi,
was also injured when clashes between locals and SFs erupted in
the area amid encounter.
SFs busted a militant hideout in the forests of
Najwan in the Kangan area of Ganderbal District. Though no one
was arrested, the SFs recovered cache of arms and ammunition.
IG of CRPF, Ravideep Sahi, said that militants
may strike during the visit of Centre’s ‘Interlocutor’ to Kashmir.
“There is an input. May be a grenade throwing. May be hit and
run attack. There is indication that they may step up violence.
Whenever, any such step takes place, which leads to peace, enemy
will not want peace. So they may try to step up. It would be like
grenade throwing, hit and run on standing CRPF and Police jawans,”
he said. Sahi also said that militants do come to Srinagar but
they have no permanent bases here.
Cross-LoC travel on Poonch (Poonch District, J&K,
India)-Rawalakot (‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’ in PoK) route resumed.
The bus service, which has been named as `Paigam-e-Aman’ (message
of peace), resumed after 17 weeks. However, no citizen from this
side boarded the bus to visit PoK while 20 civilians reached Poonch
from Rawlakote to meet their divided family members and friends,
mostly in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Sources added that trade between businessmen of
J&K and PoK was also likely to resume on November 7. Cross-LoC
trade takes place from Tuesday to Friday every week. Senior civil
officials from Poonch and PoK had held a meeting at the crossing
point near the LoC on November 3, 2017, and reached a consensus
to resume the suspended bus service and trade between the two
sides. The trade, which works on the barter system, between the
two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008.
|
November 7
|
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said that they will
continue their operations in eliminating militants in Jammu and
Kashmir. “We can easily understand from where these terrorists
get support. It is clear that from beyond the border, they are
getting assistance. The operation will continuously take place.
If the terrorists attack the people, buildings, police stations
or political entity, the Army will try to neutralise them as soon
as possible,” the Army chief said, without naming Pakistan on
recovery of a United States Army-issue weapon, appearing to be
a Colt-manufactured M4 carbine, from site of encounter in which
three JeM militants were killed on November 6. Reacting to the
killing of militants the General said, “Our main aim is to end
terrorism whether the terrorist is nephew of Masood Azhar or from
other religion.”
An unnamed senior UMHA official stated that one
of the three terrorists killed by SFs in Pulwama District is believed
to be Tallah Rashid, son of Abdul Rauf, the key conspirator behind
the 1999 hijacking of an Air India plane and brother of JeM ‘chief’
Maulana Masood Azhar. The other killed militants were identified
as Mehmood Bhai, the ‘divisional commander’ of JeM in the South
Kashmir; and Wasim Ahmed Ganie. While the first two were in the
category of ‘most wanted’ militants carrying cash rewards, the
third was a local and had joined militancy in May 2017. A JeM
‘spokesperson’, identifying himself as Hassan Shah, sent a statement
to local news agencies claiming that one of the slain militants
was Tallah Rashid, the nephew of Maulana Masood Azhar.
IG (Kashmir Range) Munir Khan thanked the militant
outfit for acknowledging the identity of the killed militant,
and said the State police would like to request Pakistan to claim
the body of the two foreign militants. “I am thankful that for
the first time they have owned a Pakistani militant, that ‘yes,
he is nephew of Maulana Masood Azhar’. Now, we will take up the
matter through proper channels and we will very firmly request…
Please claim the body and take it because they have owned it,”
he said.
Major General B S Raju, who heads Victor Force
and is responsible for security in South Kashmir and parts of
Budgam and Bandipore, said Pakistan’s special forces use M4 carbine
rifles and it is likely that they supplied the weapon to the JeM.
The weapon is mostly used by the US Army in its wars in Afghanistan
and Iraq. “M4 Carbine is a US-made weapon, presently with a lot
of armies in NATO and it is also with the Special Forces of the
Pakistan Army. So we have reason to believe that this particular
weapon was given by the Pakistan army to the JeM cadre. This clearly
shows the complicity between the JeM and Pakistan and its nefarious
designs in Kashmir,” he said.
The Army Commander said it was the first time
that a US- made weapon was recovered in Kashmir. He added that
there were reports that 10 such rifles were brought by terrorists
who infiltrated from across the border recently. While the number
of militants has not come down, the level or quality of militancy
in Kashmir “definitely has come down”, Raju said. “The quality
of people who are joining is definitely being compromised and
the relative level of peace that is there in the environment is
ensuring that the Government is able to function better… That
is an important development,” he said. According to him, the presence
of JeM militants in the valley is an indication that Pakistan
thinks the “capacity and the propensity” of the HM to survive
has reduced. “My understanding is that there is too much relationship
between this and radicalisation… This void is being filled by
JeM… So, this fundamentally tells me that the Valley wants peace
and to get back to normalcy but is not being permitted by Pakistan,”
he said.
|
November 8
|
A surrendered militant, Mohammad Masook, who had
been absconding for past about a decade, was arrested by Police
in the Chillad area of Arnas in Reasi District. SSP, Reasi, Tahir
Sajjad Bhat said that Mohammad Masook, 41, son of Mohammad Ramzan
resident of Chillad had surrendered in 2007 after giving up the
path of militancy. However, he didn’t appear in the court in the
FIRs registered against him during the period of militancy and
had been declared as absconder by the court. Instead, Masook fled
to Pulwama District, where he was reportedly working at a private
place. He was arrested on November 8 when he returned to Chillad.
|
November 9
|
Militants shot at and injured a SPO attached with
Traffic Police near the office of Deputy Commissioner Anantnag
in Anantnag District. The policeman was shot while he was on his
routine duties.
Personnel of Army’s 62-RR, 3 RR, Shopian Police
along with SOG of J&K Police and CRPF launched cordon and
search operation in 13 villages of Shopian District to flush out
militants. The SFs cordoned off Kadgam, Barbugh, Chiterwich, Imamsahab,
Hillow, Manihel, Amarbugh, Badimarg, Yamrch, Munad, Gofan, Woyen
and D K Pora villages in Shopian district and conducted house
to house searches and were looking for militants at suspected
places. However, no one was arrested during the operation. It
was first such major operation in the district in 2017 after the
SFs launched Operation All Out in Kashmir against militants.
Sources said that the operation was launched to prevent militants
from attacking the political workers, SF personnel and their families.
Police arrested an OGW of HM, identified as Showkat
Ahmad Lone, resident of Charsoo, in Kulgam District. “One pistol,
pistol magazine and 4 pistol rounds were recovered from his possession”,
an unnamed Police spokesman said. He also said that HM’s ‘operational
chief’ Riyaz Naikoo had provided weapons to some OGWs for carrying
out subversive activities in District Kulgam. “These OGW’s were
roaming in the area from one place to another to seek a chance
to attack on police security personnel”, he said. He further said
that acting on this information, Kulgam Police launched a manhunt
and arrested one of them, adding, “More arrests are expected in
coming days.”
Pakistani troops violated CFA and resorted to
firing on LoC in Shahpur Sector of Poonch District. In the firing,
which last for five minutes, no casualty was reported.
|
November 10
|
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat that stone pelting
in Kashmir has come down "to some extent". He that combined
efforts of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, and the J&K Police
has helped. "Solution to this can't be achieved overnight.
Government, intelligence agencies, state administration all are
making efforts. Will be successful if things go in this direction,
can say this with belief," he added.
The Pakistani Army violated CFA along the LoC
in Rajouri District. No casualty or damage was reported from the
Indian side. Using mortars, automatics and small arms they targeted
Indian positions as they resorted to unprovoked and heavy firing
in Laam area of Nowshera sector in the evening, the Defence Ministry
sources said. "Our troops retaliated strongly and effectively.
Firing exchanges began at 5 p.m. and continued for two hours,"
the sources said.
SFs repulsed a militant attack on a Police post
near general bus stand at Anantnag District. The militants resorted
to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons near the bus stand
causing panic. People in the area ran for safety after hearing
the firing. SFs and Police personnel immediately retaliated but
the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
|
November 11
|
SFs launched massive search operations in Pulwama
and Shopian in south Kashmir. On specific information about the
presence of militants, the SFs launched a CASO in about half-a-dozen
villages, including Kanigam and Kasbaiyar in south Kashmir District
of Pulwama, official sources said.
SFs continued their anti-militancy operations
and in the process carried out cordon and search operations in
over a dozen villages and towns across Jammu and Kashmir. The
SFs cordoned off various villages of the twin districts of Pulwama
and Shopian, including Bongam Kellar, Chakoora Bamno, Qasbayar,
Kanigam, Maspuna, Aglar Kandi, Sugan and adjacent villages and
launched searches. The search operation that was launched in early
hours was then called off by noon in both Shopian and Pulwama
Districts as there was no contact with any militant. The villages
remained under tight cordon for several hours but there was no
incident of stone-pelting from locals.
The SFs also carried out similar search operations
in Kulgam and Anantnag Districts. The SFs cordoned off Laram village
of Qazigund and Rampura in Kulgam District and carried out searches
which ended peacefully. The cordon and search operation was also
carried out at Maliknag in Anantnag District but it also concluded
peacefully.
SFs also launched a cordon and search operation
in Qazi Hamam Mohalla of old town in Baramulla District. During
the operation, several houses were frisked but no suspect was
arrested. The cordon and search operation was also carried out
at Budnumbal village of border Kupwara
UHM Rajnath Singh said that in spite of Pakistan
continuing with its antics and making efforts to break India,
the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had improved significantly
and that there was a decline in the incidents of extremism. Singh
said, “Pakistan is continuing with its antics and making efforts
to break us, but the co-ordination among our Army, paramilitary
forces, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and intelligence agencies
has been excellent.” He said there were 86,000 terror-related
incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 1995, adding that over the last
one year, the number of such incidents had come down to 300 in
that state.
|
November 12
|
Amidst concerns raised from various quarters on
radicalization of youth in J&K, including from Centre Government’s
Special Representative Dineshwar Sharma and Army Chief Gen Bipin
Rawat among others, the UMHA has decided to set up two Special
Divisions named Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR)
and Cyber and Information Security (ICS). “Each of the two divisions
will be headed by an officer of the rank of Joint Secretary in
the MHA,” official sources said. Sources said: “The CTCR division
will exclusively deal with radicalization, the ICS will tackle
cyber crimes including instigating the youth to take to terrorism
and stone pelting in the Valley”. They added that the new UMHA
division is being tasked not only to prevent youths from falling
into the trap of various terrorist outfits across the country
including the Kashmir valley but also launch online initiatives
to counter the propaganda unleashed by various terrorist outfits
including LeT, JeM and HM to give correct picture of the situation
to the youth.
|
November 13
|
Two militants of HM were killed
in a brief exchange of fire at Handwara area of Kupwara District.
Militants fired upon a joint party of Police and Army near Galganzer,
Zachaldara in Rajwar area of Handwara in the frontier District.
The attack was, however, repulsed and both the militants were
killed in exchange of fire. The militants have been identified
as Toyib of Sopore and Ashiq of Palhallan in Baramulla District.
They were affiliated with HM outfit.
SFs conducted a cordon and search
operation in Hajin area of Bandipora District. The Army’s RR,
Police’s SOG and CRPF personnel carried out an early morning search
operation at Mir Mohalla in Hajin after receiving an input about
presence of militants. The SFs conducted house-to-house searches
and also cordoned off adjacent areas but no militant was found
in the area. Later, the searches were called off. A cordon and
search operation was also launched by SFs in Rangwar village of
Lalpora in Kupwara District but it ended peacefully.
Kashmiri youth visiting Pakistan
are being imparted training in cyber-communication and used as
conduits for conveying specific instructions, a multi-agency body
constituted by the Government to probe terrorism and smuggling
of drugs across the Indo-Pak border found. Kashmiri youth, who
are either studying in Punjab or involved in some business there,
are being encouraged to visit Pakistan on valid visa documents,
said a report of the agency that has members from the Punjab Police,
BSF and the Army. It was underlined that a particular pattern
with the Kashmiri youth visiting Pakistan was observed from the
data of 2016. The frequent overstaying of visa period by Kashmiri
youth was pointed out and it was observed that the database and
details of Indians who have either under stayed or over stayed
the visa period should be closely monitored and shared with all
the concerned agencies.
In one such case, a resident of
Kulgam in Jammu and Kashmir was found carrying specific instructions
from Saifullah Ghazi, a terrorist active in Rawalpindi, the report
recorded. The youth was provided money to purchase a mobile phone
and install BBM app in order to receive further instructions from
his handlers in Pakistan which he was supposed to convey to his
commander in Kulgam, the report said. The report expressed concern
over the trend for it was done at the behest of JeM ‘chief’ Masood
Azhar. The role of Azhar’s younger brother Talha Al-Saif has also
come to light. It might be mentioned here that a petition pertaining
to drugs and cross border terrorism is pending adjudication in
the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The agency has learnt about
the involvement of banned Pakistani terrorist outfit JuD, which
the report said, has increased its training activities all across
PaK and PoK particularly after Eid. Over the period of two months,
three to four reports of infiltration from Gurdaspur and Amritsar
area have been received.
The Indian intelligence agencies
were informed that JeM student wing, Al-Murabitun (AM) organised
a second annual congregation for Jihadi indoctrination
titled “Islamic and Training Convention” at Balakot from July
28 to 30 which was addressed by Talha Al-Saif. Besides, JeM inducted
a batch of 12-13 students at Markaz Usman-o-Ali, Bahawalpur from
July 10 to 21 in which 70 students from Peshawar, Manshera and
Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa participated. Another JeM centre
in Karachi was scheduled to conduct a Daura-e-Tarbiya course from
July 21to 27.
|
November 14
|
Two encounters broke out between
SFs and militants in Kulgam and Pulwama Districts. SFs launched
a cordon and search operation in Nowbug Kund village in Qazigund
area of Kulgam District after receiving specific information about
the presence of militants in the area, a Police spokesman said.
As the forces were conducting the searches, the militants fired
upon them, triggering an encounter, he said. The firing was going
on when last reports came in, the spokesman said. He also said
another encounter broke out in Laam village of Tral in Awantipora
area of Pulwama District after the militants fired upon a search
party of SFs. Gunfight was going on, the spokesman said.
An Army soldier and a HM militant
were killed and another two soldiers were injured in a day long
encounter in the Nowbug Kund village area of Qazigund in Kulgam
District. Acting on specific information, that six HM and LeT
militants, including LeT’s ‘district commander’, Altaf Kachru,
were hiding in the village the SFs cordoned off the village in
the morning. As searches were launched, the hiding militants fired
upon the SFs triggering an encounter. The intermittent firing
continued throughout the day between the two sides in which one
soldier and a militant were killed. The slain militant, identified
as Muzamil Ahmad of Badroo Yaripora, Kulgam, was an Engineering
Graduate, and was active since 2015. Searches were on against
the rest members of the group and SFs suspected that they were
still hiding in the forest area and had intensified the operation
to track them down.
The SFs neutralized a militant
hideout in the Lam forest area of Tral in Pulwama District. The
hideout was busted after exchange of fire between militants and
SFs. Sources said that SFs cordoned off Lam forest area after
reports about presence of at least 3-4 militants of JeM hiding
there. However, militants fired on the SFs and managed to escape.
The searches against the group continued throughout the day.
The SFs in the evening launched
a search operation in the Ahmad Nagar area of Srinagar after reports
of two local militants hiding there. However, the operation was
later called off after no militants were found there.
|
November 14-15
|
Two militants were arrested in
Kund Nowbug village of Kulgam District in an operation launched.
“One local militant Shamsul Waqar son of Mohammad Amin Teli of
village Ganjipora, Kulgam was held by the joint team of Army,
SOG and CRPF last night [November 14] while as another militant
Aqib Iqbal Malik alias Tahir Bhai son of Mohammad Iqbal
Malik of Ringath Kulgam was arrested today [November 15] in an
injured condition when the joint team of security forces resumed
the combing operation against the hiding militants”, an unnamed
Police official said. Sources said that the injured militant Aqib
Iqbal Malik received two bullets in his legs and had slipped out
of cordoned area. He was arrested from a medical facility centre
in the area where he was being treated. He was associated with
HM. The other militant Shamsul Waqar alias Abu Saqib of
LeT was arrested from near the Railway Station in Qazigund as,
he after fleeing the cordoned area, was trying to board the train.
One AK-47 rifle, one carbine, one AK and carbine ammunition were
recovered from his possession. Sources said that the operation
in the area is still going on and the joint teams have also launched
searches in the adjoining Waltengo Nar village to trace out the
two more militants, who are hiding in the area. As reported earlier,
a local militant and an Army soldier were killed in the encounter
in the area on November 14th, after which the SFs had
launched their search operation.
|
November 15
|
Pakistani troops violating the
CFA opened fire and shelled areas along the LoC in Poonch District.
“Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing
of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0815 hours in Poonch
sector along the LoC”, an unnamed defense spokesman said, adding
the firing is still on. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly
and effectively.
Reports indicate that a high-level
meeting of Home and Defence Ministries decided that there will
be no let up in the operations against militants despite the opening
up of channel of dialogue by the Centre Government with the appointment
of Dineshwar Sharma as Special Representative of the Government
on Jammu and Kashmir. “The talks will go on. Dineshwar Sharma
has completed his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir and would undertake
another visit to the State after sometime during which he will
also cover remote districts of Leh and Kargil. However, as the
talks go on, the anti-militancy operations will also continue,”
sources said, adding that this aspect has been made clear to all
security agencies in the State. Instead, they asserted, the anti-militancy
operations will be further stepped-up in the winter. Sources also
said the Centre was satisfied with the impact the NIA raids had
in choking terror funding in Kashmir as Intelligence inputs suggested
that terrorists, separatists and OGWs were clearly running short
of funds. “Lack of funding has contributed a lot in reducing violence
in Kashmir,” they observed.
|
November 16
|
SFs arrested a LeT militant, Azad
Ahmad Mir, from Kralgund area of Handwara in Kupwara District.
SFs recovered one pistol, one magazine and five pistol rounds.
Special Director General CRPF-J&K,
SN Srivastava said that very few educated youths have joined the
militancy in Kashmir and it was not “worrisome phenomenon” even
as he expressed confidence that `Operation All Out’ launched jointly
by all security agencies would progress smoothly during winter
also. “The operations against militants will continue in winter
as well despite harsh weather conditions. We are not going to
relent. All militants operating in the Valley have to be killed
or arrested or they would have to surrender,” SN Srivastava said
IGP Kashmir Muneer Khan said that
Pakistan is using social media to lure youth into militancy but
Police have foiled their design by arresting several of them.
IGP Muneer Khan, “There is a relentless social media campaign
by Pakistan to lure the youth also. Most of them you will find
college or school dropouts”. The IGP said youth in the age group
of 15 years to 25 years are vulnerable to be exploited as they
find it hard to differentiate between right and wrong.
Pakistan Army, violating the CFA,
fired on forward posts along the LoC in Khour belt of Akhnoor
Sector in Jammu District in the night. The Indian troops retaliated.
An Army trooper sustained minor injuries in the exchange of fire.
|
November 17
|
A Police officer, SI Imran Tak,
and a militant were killed and a SPO was injured in a shootout
in the Zakoora area of Srinagar in the evening. Reports indicate
that the shoot-out ensued when a Police party which had gone in
the area after receiving information about presence of militants
in the area was fired upon by militants, who were travelling in
a car. Out of the two Policemen injured in the firing, one (the
SI) died later. A militant, identified as Mugees Ahmad Mir, son
of Abdul Aziz Mir, of Parimpora, who was active since last many
years, was injured in the shootout but managed to escape from
the spot at Zakoora. However, he succumbed to injuries later and
his body was recovered from nearby area. Mugee was presently affiliated
with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind led by Zakir Musa. One militant was
also arrested from the spot besides some cell phones were seized.
Acting on specific information,
the SFs busted a militant hideout in the forests of Naidgam, approximately
15 kilometers north of Kishtwar (Kishtwar District) and recovered
arms and ammunition. The recoveries included two Chinese pistols
with two magazines and five rounds, a .303 rifle with one magazine
and 10 cartridges and one UGBL with five grenades were recovered.
College student and footballer
Arshid Majid Khan ‘surrendered’ before security agencies, barely
days after he had joined the LeT, officials said. His surrender
was seen as a whiff of fresh air in South Kashmir which has witnessed
large-scale recruitment of local youths by militants in the past.
Unofficial estimates have put the figure of such youths at nearly
150 since July 2016. IGP, Muneer Khan said: “The question is has
he surrendered. I said no. The question was has he been apprehended,
I said no. Again at this time also, I would say neither has he
surrendered nor has been apprehended. He has come to the family
on his own. He went on his own to see how it tastes, he came on
his own. And, of course, his father, friends were instrumental
in bringing him back”, he said. LeT, however, said that Majid
Arshad Khan was permitted to leave for his home on the request
of his mother, since he was the only guarantor to his household.
Referring to State CM Mehbooba
Mufti’s tweet, subsequent to Majid Khan’s ‘surrender’, dropping
hints towards Rehabilitation Policy for the surrendered youth,
sources said the State Government’s Home Department was drafting
the Policy, which would be completely different from previous
NC-Congress Government’s Surrender Policy for the militants. While
Omar Abdullah Government’s Surrender Policy had focused on return
of militants from Pakistan and PoK through four designated routes,
the upcoming Rehabilitation Policy was likely to focus on surrender
of local youths and ensure their rehabilitation. Omar Government
had designated four routes including Uri-Muzaffarabad in Kashmir,
Poonch-Rawlakote in Jammu, Wagah border in Amritsar District of
Punjab and Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. However,
not even a single militant returned from these four routes. Only
Nepal border with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was used by some of
the militants to return along with their families, which have
come up during their stay in Pakistan and PoK.
Also, Pakistan Army again resorted
to heavy mortar shelling and firing with automatic weapons at
Shahpur, Khari Karmara and surrounding villages in Poonch District.
There were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in Pakistan
shelling and firing. However, casualties, if any, on Pakistan
side couldn’t be ascertained. Indian side, according to sources,
retaliated very effectively.
Authorities in India subsequently
ordered closure of both Government and private educational institutions
in shelling hit forward areas of Poonch District and suspended
cross- LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route through Chakan-Da-Bagh.
Trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK takes place every week
from Tuesday to Friday. Today (November 17) was last day of this
week’s trade.
|
November 18
|
Six LeT militants including the
nephew of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi,
and a Garud commando of the IAF were killed in an encounter at
Chandergeer village in Hajin area of Bandipora District. SFs cordoned
off and launched a search operation in Chandergeer village in
Hajin area of the District, which resulted in an encounter with
the militants hiding there. "Six terrorists have been killed
in an ongoing encounter at Hajin," Srinagar-based Defence
spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said. An IAF Garud commando was
killed and an Army soldier was also injured in the encounter,
he said. "Nephew of Mumbai Attacks mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman
Lakhvi was among six terrorists killed in J&K encounter,"
said DGP J&K, S. P. Vaid.
|
November 19
|
Unidentified persons from within
a stone pelting mob lobbed a grenade at SFs near foot bridge in
Parimpora area of Srinagar during the strike call called by separatists.
The Parimpora area is tense since November 17 over the killing
of local militant Mugees Aziz Mir in Zakoora shootout.
SFs arrested three JeM militants
in Budgam District. SFs recovered one SLR rifle, one pistol and
grenades from the arrested militants.
Indian Army said that the top
leadership of the Pakistan-backed LeT in the Kashmir valley has
been wiped out with the killing of six militants in Bandipora
District and 180 militants have been killed this year while 200
are still active. GOC of Srinagar-headquartered 15 Corps, Lieutenant
General J S Sandhu, said in Srinagar during a press conference:
“With the elimination of six of its commanders yesterday, the
top leadership of LeT in the Valley has been wiped out.”
The Central Government has taken
note of reports about global terror group Islamic State (IS) claiming
an attack in the Kashmir Valley that left a Police officer dead,
the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra
Singh said adding that the future course of action would be adopted
after taking an appropriate view. The Union Minister also said
that the recent "back to back" successes achieved against
terrorists in J&K was the result of the free hand given to
Security Forces to wipe out the nearly three-decade-old militancy
which is in its "last phase".
Reports said that even as Indian
agencies and J&K Police verify the alleged Islamic State (IS)
claim owning up the November 17 attack in Srinagar that killed
a Policeman, officials doubt any direct involvement though they
are concerned over the outfit's capability to attract self-radicalised
recruits. "IS does not have a presence or any resources in
Kashmir to carry out an attack, even though its online propaganda
may be followed by the Valley's youth. It is more likely that
an IS franchise or Pakistan-based elements influenced or owing
allegiance to IS could be involved. However, this too needs to
be verified", a senior intelligence operative said. The officer
added that while the IS may not have planned, financed or deployed
its men for such an attack, which it has claimed to be its first
strike in J&K, the outfit may be seeing this as propaganda
to rope in Kashmiri youth and promote their radicalisation. "As
long as IS is making its presence felt in Pakistan, we are not
bothered. But if these groups start getting to Kashmir, it is
a cause for worry," the official said.
|
November 20
|
A HM militant, identified as Adil
Rashid Chopan of Larow in Tral was killed in an encounter with
the SFs in the Gujarbasti forest area of Tral in Pulwama District.
According to reports, the SFs launched a cordon-and-search operation
in the area on the bases of information about the presence of
some militants. During the searches, gunshots were heard, prompting
the SFs to intensify the combing operation. As the SFs zeroed
in towards the area where from gun shots were heard, militants
fired on the troops leading to a gun battle in which one militant
was killed. Other militants of the group, however, managed to
escape.
SFs launched a search operation
in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District after reports
of presence of a heavily armed militant group. The SFs, however,
couldn’t spot the militant group but the operation in the forests
will continue.
The SFs cordoned off several orchards
of Shopian District after reports about presence of militants.
The operation launched in orchards of Amshipora, Chitterpora,
Nowgam, Shamsipora and Ramnagri villages of the district. The
operation was limited to orchards only.
Police said that a 16-year-old
boy who had joined militancy heeded to parents’ call and returned
home in Kulgam District. An unnamed official said that the boy,
a resident of Chimmer village – a far flung area in Damhal-Hanjipora
tehsil (revenue unit) ‘surrendered’ before police following
an appeal by his parents. He had left his home on September 27,
2017. IGP, Kashmir, Muneer Khan, however, said that the boy hasn’t
surrendered, adding, “He has neither surrendered nor been apprehended.
He has just returned to his family.”
Dismissing reports of the Islamic
State (IS) gaining a foothold in Jammu and Kashmir, UHM Rajnath
Singh said that Indian Muslims would never allow the terrorist
outfit to have a base in the country. Singh also said he has complete
faith in the Indian youth that they would not let Islamic State
misled them. "Any Indian Muslim who believes in Islam would
not allow any opportunity to the Islamic State to have a base
in the country," he said. He dismissed reports about Islamic
State gaining a foothold in the Kashmir Valley and said there
was no confirmation about such reports. He said the matter was
being investigated by security agencies and any conclusion should
be arrived at only after their report was submitted to the Government.
Singh urged the young men, who live near the India-Pakistan border
and who have been misled into joining terrorist groups, to return
to the mainstream, saying proper assistance would be provided
to them.
His remarks came in wake of claims
that the global terror outfit was involved in an attack on SFs
in Srinagar on November 17, in which one terrorist, Mugees, was
killed and a SI, Imran Tak, lost his life. The terrorist group
claimed the attack through its propaganda news agency Amaq. Photographs
of Mugees with the Islamic State flag had surfaced on the social
media. Even his body was wrapped in the flag of the banned terror
group during the funeral.
There is no authoritative information
about the presence of Islamic State (IS) in J&K, an unnamed
senior UMHA said. He was responding to claim made by the IS. Notably,
Amaq, which is the ‘official news agency’ of IS had claimed
the responsibility for the November 17, 2017, Srinagar attack
in which a Police officer, SI Imran Tak, and a militant, Mugees
Ahmad Mir, were killed and a SPO was injured. Pictures of Mugees
with the IS flag in the background surfaced on social media. Even
his body was wrapped in the IS during funeral. The UMHA official
said it has come to light that Mugees belonged to Tehrik-ul- Mujahideen
and was its Pulwama ‘district commander’. The Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen
was among the first few militant groups that emerged at the onset
of terrorism in J&K in the early 1990s, the official said.
It follows the ideology of Salafism which is ultra radical like
IS. However, the Police have found no logistical connection between
the two, another unnamed official said. The cadre strength of
Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen is very small and it has been facing an extreme
shortage of weapons. After the killing of Mujees, Adil Ahmed has
been appointed the group’s ‘commander’ in Pulwama district.
The Union Minister of State for
Defence Subhash Bhamre said that the Government has “zero tolerance”
for terrorism and it is determined to flush out terrorists from
J&K. “Our policy is clear. There is zero tolerance for terrorism.
We are going to stop cross border infiltration of terrorists.
Our Army is trying to flush out terrorism from the Valley,” he
stated.
Declaring that Afghanistan's stability
and security was tied to that of the entire region, India has
demanded an end to the ‘Special Terrorist Zones’ in Pakistan where
militant outfits, the LeT and JeM are protected. "It
is imperative to address the support that terrorist organisations
like the Taliban, Haqqani Network, Islamic State (IS), al Qaeda
and its designated affiliates such as the LeT and JeM operating
outside the fabric of international law, draw from outside Afghanistan,"
India's Deputy Permanent Representative, Tanmaya Lal told the
UN General Assembly during a debate on the situation in that country.
"The Special Terrorist Zones, safe havens and sanctuaries
beyond Afghanistan's border must end," he added, without
naming Pakistan while the context made clear the country he was
referring to.
|
November 21
|
The SFs cordoned off Gujarpati
forest area in the Zurhama area of Kupwara District following
specific inputs about the presence of two to three militants there.
As the SFs launched the searches, the hiding militants opened
fire on troops, triggering an encounter in which, an Army soldier
was killed and two soldiers were injured. The operation was going
on till the time of reporting. Sources said that it was a group
of LeT militants headed by one Saifullah which was on its way
towards LoC to receive a group of infiltrators.
Three LeT militants were killed
in an encounter in the Magam area of Handwara in Kupwara District.
The SFs launched a cordon-and-search operation at Khar Mohalla
in Magam after inputs about presence of a militant group in the
area. As the SFs intensified the search operation, the militants
hiding in the area opened fire, triggering an encounter. Three
militants were killed during the gunfight and their bodies were
recovered along with three AK rifles.
The operation launched by the
SFs in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District on November
20 after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group
continued. The operation was launched by the SFs in the Forest
Compartment of 8,9,10 and 11 in Handwara.
A Delhi court sent nine persons,
arrested in connection with the seizure of INR 360 million worth
of old currency allegedly linked to terror activities in J&K,
to judicial custody till the month end. District Judge Poonam
Bamba sent the accused persons to custody till November 30 after
the NIA said they were required for further custodial interrogation.
The arrestees included Pradeep Chauhan, Bhagwan Singh and Vinod
Shreedhar Shetty (all residents of Delhi), Deepak Toprani of Mumbai
(Maharashtra), Ejajul Hassan of Amroha (Uttar Pradesh), Jaswinder
Singh of Nagpur (Maharashtra) and J&K-residents Umar Mushtaq
Dar (Pulwama), Shahnawaz Mir (Srinagar) and Majid Yousuf Sofi
(Anantnag).
The UMHA had announced four major
Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) for J&K based on the preliminary
recommendations of centre’s newly appointed special representative
Dineshwar Sharma. The CBMs included manifold increase in compensation
for loss of lives, property etc in Pakistan shelling and firing,
enhancement of relief for J&K Police martyrs to take it at
par with CAPFs, 800 mw free electricity to the State for winters
and amnesty for first-time stone pelters. All these major CBMs
were based on recommendations made by Sharma after his maiden
visit to Jammu and Kashmir from November 6 to 11. He is scheduled
to visit the State again by the end of this month. Sources said
taking the suggestion of Sharma forward, over 4,500 cases against
youths involved in stone pelting for the first time will be dropped
in a bid to win hearts in the Kashmir valley. Over 11,500 cases
have been registered against stone pelters since July 2016 when
unrest broke out in Kashmir following the killing of Burhan Wani.
Out of these, over 4,500 cases were registered against youths
who were found indulging in stone pelting for the first time.
|
November 22
|
Intelligence agencies are scrambling
to verify an input that JeM ‘chief’ Maulana Masood Azhar is setting
up a special squad to target prominent politicians, including
senior cabinet ministers and a high-profile chief minister. The
input was shared with all stakeholders at an intelligence meeting
last week, sources said. As per the initial tip-off, JeM and LeT
have come together for the task and are using a Bangladesh-based
cadre for logistics. Some of the men assigned to execute the task
are learnt to have already crossed the border, the intelligence
input suggested. As per intercepted chatter, reports about a CM
moving around with minimal security has made him one of the prime
targets. Sources, however, said the input was yet to be fully
corroborated. Teams from a foreign intelligence agency is learnt
to have visited the hideout mentioned near Dhaka but did not find
anything.
One militant and a soldier were
killed and another two soldiers sustained injuries in a gun battle
along the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District. Srinagar based
Defence spokesman said that soldiers manning the fence near Chunkun
post in Farkian Gali of Keran intercepted a group of infiltrators
this afternoon. “A militant and a soldier have been killed in
an ongoing operation so far”, the spokesman said, adding that
two more soldiers suffered injuries.
A search operation in the Zirhama
area of Kupwara District continued on second day but the SFs could
not intercept militants anywhere. As reported earlier, a soldier
was killed and two others were injured in the encounter at Zirhama
on November 21.
The operation launched by the
SFs in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District on November
20 after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group
continued on November 22.
A cordon and search operation
was launched by the SFs at Bamnoo in the Keller area of Pulwama
District. The forces conducted searches in the village but no
one was arrested.
The SFs launched a cordon and
search operation in the Harmain area of Shopian District after
inputs about presence of militants in the area. No further information
is available.
CM Mehbooba Mufti in the night
announced that she has set the process in motion for withdrawal
of FIRs against first time offenders of stone pelting. She asserted
that her Government had initiated the process (of withdrawal of
cases against first-time stone pelters) in May 2016 but it was
unfortunately stalled due to the unrest later that year. She was
referring to the trouble that followed after the killing of HM
‘divisional commander’ Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
said that the policy of the Government is aimed at bringing normalcy
in J&K. Responding to a question on the Centre’s proposal
to withdraw cases against first-time stone-pelters in Kashmir
valley, he said that the Government’s aim was to ensure peace
and it worked on the basis of what steps were required to bring
normalcy back. “There was a situation when civil disobedience
was at its peak. Thousands of stone-throwers used to come out.
Terrorists were picking their targets at will. Hurriyat (Conference)
would give a call whenever they liked and everything was paralysed,”
Jaitley told reporters. He said the situation today has changed.
The Security Forces have an upper hand and it has become difficult
for stone- pelters to gather a crowd. “The Hurriyat leadership
has been exposed,” he said. Through its new initiatives, the Government
intends to engage with all who want to talk to ensure return of
normalcy. “What efforts are to be made will be decided by our
Special Representative and the State Government,” he said.
GOC 16 Corps, Lt Gen Saranjit
Singh said that Pakistan army has used its civilians as shield
and resorted to mortar shelling and firing from civilian areas
on their side of LoC to target Indian villages during recent ceasefire
violations. “Pakistan army had fired from its civilian areas targeting
populated villages on the Indian side,’’ the GOC said. He charged
Pakistan army with using terrorism as weapon towards India and
declared that the troops were fully prepared to meet with any
kind of situation on the LoC including infiltration attempts as
he maintained that large number of militants were waiting at launching
pads on Pakistan side of the LoC to infiltrate into the Indian
territory.
|
November 23
|
The SFs resumed search operation
in the forest area of Kupwara District; where as reported earlier,
four militants, including an infiltrator, were killed in two different
encounters during last three days.
The SFs continued searches for
infiltrators in the Keran sector of Kupwara District, where as
reported earlier, a militant and a soldier were killed along the
LoC on November 22.
The search operation that was
initially launched on November 22 near Chunkun post in Farkian
Gali of Keran, where a group of infiltrators was intercepted,
continued on November 23.
The search operation launched
in the Zirhama area of Kupwara District continued for third day
on November 23 The operation was launched on November 21 in which,
as reported earlier, a soldier was killed and two soldiers were
injured.
Another operation launched by
the SFs in Rajwar forests of Handwara in Kupwara District on November
21 after reports of presence of a heavily armed militant group
continued for the third n November 23.
The DG of CRPF RR Bhatnagar said
that this year (2017) SFs have achieved major successes against
militants which has led to improvement in security situation in
Kashmir. “The security situation is improving with the successful
operations of the security forces and this is possible due to
coordination between various security agencies”, he stated. “This
year, 195 militants were killed. They include top commanders of
JeM, HM and LeT. Security forces have achieved these major successes
this year and will continue their operations against the militants”,
he said.
The chief of JuD and LeT and 26/11
Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed walked from house
arrest as a free man. The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province
comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) had unanimously
ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house
arrest. He was set free after the Pakistan Government decided
against detaining him further in any case. Moments after the release
he said, “I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for
Kashmir. I fight the case of Kashmiris. I will gather the people
from across the country for the cause of Kashmir. And we will
try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom."
Saeed said he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity
for Kashmiris this January.
He used the release order to buttress
his claims of "innocence". "I am very happy that
none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the
LHC ordered my release... The LHC's review board decision has
proved that I am innocent," Saeed said. On January 31, 2017,
Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal,
Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the
Punjab government for 90 days+ under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and
the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. However, the
last two extensions were made on the 'public safety law'. The
board had refused to give further extension to the detention of
Saeed's aides. They were set free last month (October). Under
the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months
under different charges but for extension to that detention it
needs approval from a judicial review board.
|
November 24
|
SFs arrested a Pakistani militant
belonging to the LeT from Magam area in Kupwara District. The
official said that the arrested militant, whose identity has not
been disclosed, is being interrogated.
The ‘chief’ of JuD and the 26/
11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s comments on Kashmir
are nothing but rearticulation of the agenda of terrorists who
have ‘thrived’ across the border, the UMHA said after Saeed walked
free from house arrest in Lahore. Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir
‘is and will remain an integral part’ of India, it said that such
repeated utterances by terrorists have been given an appropriate
response on the ground every time by the law enforcement agencies
and the people of the State.
After his release on November
24, Saeed said he would gather people across Pakistan for the
‘cause of Kashmir’ and try to help Kashmiris get their ‘destination
of freedom’.
|
November 25
|
Militants abducted and killed
a Territorial Army jawan identified as Irfan Ahmad Mir (23), a
resident of Sezan Keegam, in Shopian District. The bullet-riddled
body of Mir was recovered from an orchard area in Watmullah Keegam
area of Shopian, an Army official said. Mir was working in the
Territorial Army and was abducted by militants and later killed,
the official said.
The SFs conducted searches in
at least four different villages of Kupwara District. A search
operation was started at Bawan village in the Zachaldara area
of Handwara after reports about presence of militants in the village.
Another search operation was started at Kutlari Mawar in the Qalmabad
area of Handwara following inputs about presence of militants
in the area. One more operation was launched at Chandigam in the
Sogam area against a group of militants. At village Jagerpora
a search operation was launched against another group of militants.
The SFs launched cordon and search
operation in the Astan Mohalla area of Kakapora in Pulwama District.
House to house searches were conducted in the village but militants
had managed to escape before the operation was launched.
Army in the night arrested a Pakistani
militant belonging to the LeT from a forest area in Kupwara District.
“A Pakistani LeT militant was apprehended in a joint operation
by Army and JKP in Magam forests. One AK-47 along with ammunition
was also seized from him”, an unnamed Defence spokesman said.
|
November 26
|
Militants attacked the house of
Congress party leader Imtiyaz Ahmad Parrey in the Hajin locality
of Bandipora District. Sources said that militants lobbed a grenade
and fired around 10 rounds towards the house of Imtiyaz Parrey.
They said that the grenade was hurled from back side of the house,
but it exploded outside. “The CRPF guarding the house also fired
few shots in retaliation,” they said. However, there was no loss
of life.
The SFs resumed search operation
at Hanjin in Handwara area of Kupwara District after fresh inputs
about presence of militants in the area, Daily Excelsior
reports. However, there was no contact with militants.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
said the situation in Kashmir has changed and for the first time
the SFs have established dominance over terrorists in the region.
“…And the situation in Kashmir that our Government had got as
a legacy 2 to 3 years ago have also changed. Now the crowd of
stone pelters who used to assemble on every petty issue are not
visible. Today the intelligence system has again been restored
across the villages and for the first time the security forces
were dominating the terrorists there. The demonetisation move
has dried up the funds of those who used to gather stone pelters
by giving them money. After November 8 last year in such incidents
never a crowd of more than 100 people has been seen,” he added.
He further said, “On November
8 last year, we introduced note ban and it had a major impact.
Those who used to distribute money to stone pelters are not able
to gather even 100 youth to pelt stones in the past eight to 10
months after demonetization.” “Our biggest problem is Kashmir.
Narendrabhai [Narendra Modi] Government inherited a situation
where there was a civil disobedience- like situation three years
ago. Thousands of stone pelters would gather to protest against
stray incidents. Terrorists would mount attacks with impunity
and Hurriyat [APHC] leaders could close down the valley with one
call. Today, the situation has changed. The person who becomes
the commander of Lashkar (LeT) knows he will be alive for two
to three months. The intelligence network has been strengthened
right down to the village level,” he added. “The Hurriyat leadership
stands exposed today as it has been revealed from where they used
to get money,” he said, referring to money laundering cases filed
against some of the Hurriyat leaders.
|
November 26
|
Rehabilitation Policy for local
militants, addressing the issues of West Pakistan, Chhamb, other
refugees, Kashmiri Pandit migrants and comprehensive development
plan for Ladakh region, were set to become part of second phase
of CBMs, which the Central Government was planning in consultations
with the State Government and could announce after one or two
more visits of the Special Representative, Dineshwar Sharma to
Jammu and Kashmir. Official sources said that the State Government
has been formulating Rehabilitation Policy for the militants,
which would overrule previous such Policy which had been announced
during NC-Congress Government headed by Omar Abdullah. Sources
said the new Rehabilitation Policy, which is being formulated
by the experts, might be confined to local Kashmiri militants
who surrender and give up the path of violence. During past one
week, two militants have returned homes following appeal made
by their parents. After this, more parents have made similar appeals
to their militant sons. However, according to sources, the State
Government was likely to get the new Rehabilitation Policy approved
by the UMHA and it (the Policy) could become part of second phase
of CBMs, which the Centre might announce before third visit of
Dineshwar Sharma to the State. “The new Rehabilitation Policy
could focus on permanent settlement of the surrendered militants
instead of providing them with cash relief or other monetary benefits.
It might focus on the measures that would help the surrendered
militants in earning their livelihood,” they said.
|
November 27
|
A CRPF jawan sustained
minor burn injuries in a petrol bomb attack in Safakadal area
of Srinagar District during a shutdown called by separatists that
affected normal life across Kashmir. A CRPF spokesman said that
some persons lobbed a petrol bomb towards a CRPF party deployed
for law and order duty near Malik Sahab area of Safa Kadal and
one of their jawans, whose identity could not be ascertained yet,
came under it. “He suffered minor burn injuries in his hand and
was given first aid at the moment. He is fine now,” the spokesman
said.
Life in Kashmir was affected due
to the shutdown called by separatists against the ‘plight of prisoners’
who are lodged in local and outside jails during which restrictions
were imposed in downtown areas of the Srinagar. The shutdown was
jointly called by three separatist leaders – Syed Ali Shah Geelani,
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik. Due to the strike call, most
of the shops, commercial establishments and fuel stations were
closed in city here. The educational institutes were shut and
private and public offices recorded thin attendance. The public
transport was partially affected while private vehicles were plying
normally.
SFs including Army’s 9 RR arrested
car-borne persons along with two grenades and cash at a checkpoint
in Kund area of Qazigund in Kulgam District. Sources said that
during searches, the SFs recovered two grenades, a cheque worth
INR 55,000 and a cash amount of INR 12000 from the trio, who hailed
from Awantipora. “A case has been registered in this regard and
investigation started,” they said.
The NIA took the custody of a
Pakistani LeT militant who was arrested along the LoC in Handwara
area in Kupwara District recently. The militant, identified as
Mohammed Amir Awan, was arrested by the Army on November 24 during
an intensive search launched after an encounter in the area on
November 21 that left three LeT militants killed. One soldier
was also killed during the encounter. The matter was transferred
to the NIA which registered a case and took the custody of the
terrorist. During interrogation, the militant identified himself
as Mohammed Amir Awan whose code in the Lashkar terror group was
‘Abu Haamaz’, the officials said. The terrorist told his interrogators
that he hailed from Bardiya town of the port-city Karachi in Pakistan
and was recruited and trained by the terror group. He was pushed
into the Kashmir valley from PoK for carrying out attacks on various
important installations in the Valley, the officials said.
|
November 28
|
Pakistan army violated ceasefire
twice on the LoC in Rajouri District. However, there were no casualties
or damage on the Indian side. Sources said Pakistan army opened
firing with automatic and semi automatic weapons targeting forward
posts of the Army and civilian areas at village Malla Parot and
surroundings in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri District, bordering
Pallanwala area of Jammu District in the afternoon. The Indian
side retaliated immediately, leading to exchanges that continued
for only few minutes. Sources said Pakistan army was reported
to have suffered some casualties and damage in retaliatory firing
by the Indian side but there were no exact details. Again in the
evening, Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts along the
LoC Janghar area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri District in violation
of the ceasefire. “Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Janghar
forward area from 1845 hours to 1900 hours,” sources said. Last
night’s violation of the ceasefire came after a lull of over a
week in firing by Pakistani troops at Indian posts.
The NIA has unearthed major LeT
plot hatched by associates of recently released terrorist in Pakistan,
Hafiz Saeed to rattle Jammu and Kashmir with a series of terror
strikes with the arrest of Pakistani LeT militant, Mohammad Amin
Awan alias Abu Hamaaz of Pakistan’s port city
of Karachi. Hamaaz was captured alive by Army on the LoC in Handwara
area of Kupwara District on November 24, when his three Pakistani
associates were killed by the troops in an encounter. Hamaaz,
who hailed from Karachi’s Bardiya town, has turned out to be a
“very rare catch” for the NIA as he has spilled lots of LeT plans
not only pertaining to create turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir but
also about plots being hatched by the outfit in Pakistan and PoK
to send more militants into the Valley to compensate for the heavy
losses suffered this year with the killing, arrest and surrender
of large number of militants. Sources said Hamaaz was “close confidant”
of the associates of Hafiz Saeed, who had recently walked free
in Pakistan, and had been pushed into this side along with other
militants by them. Meanwhile, a New Delhi court sent Abu Hamaaz
to 10-day custody of the NIA.
IG, CRPF, operations, Zulfiquar
Hassan appealed to local youth who joined militant ranks, at an
event in Budgam District, to return to mainstream and said all
the SFs would together help them lead a better life. IG, Hassan
said, “It is a good thing that the families are appealing their
children to return. We are with them and we all – the forces,
the State Government and such families – want them to return.
We have said it before as well and are saying it again, the youth
of Kashmir who have joined militancy, we want them to leave it
and return to mainstream. We, all the security forces, will provide
them all the help and try to provide them a better life.”
|
November 29
|
Pakistan Army resorted to ceasefire
violation on the LoC in Poonch District using heavy fire arms
and mortars but failed to cause any casualties or damage for the
third consecutive day. Official sources said Pakistan army resorted
to sudden unprovoked firing and shelling on the LoC targeting
forward areas in Krishna Ghati and Poonch sector at 2.30 pm. Initially,
the Pakistan troops violated ceasefire with small fire arms but
later used automatic weapons and 82mm mortars to target forward
posts of the Army and civilian areas. The Indian side retaliated
very effectively and strongly to silence the Pakistani guns, leading
to very heavy exchanges that continued till 3.45 pm. However,
small arms firing lasted till 6 pm, intermittently. There were
no reports of any casualties or damages on the Indian side in
Pakistani firing and shelling though some mortars fell in the
civilian areas in which the people had narrow escape. However,
reports indicated that Pakistan army might have suffered some
casualties and infrastructural damages in retaliatory firing by
the Indian troops.
A militant, identified as Altaf
Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Qoimoh area of Kulgam District, who
was wanted by SFs, surrendered before surrendered before Army’s
1 RR in Khanabal in Anantnag District. Altaf was a close confidante
of LeT and HM militants and he was activated as OGW by slain HM
Dawood Sheikh who was gunned down by SFs in March 2016. Sources
said that Altaf had surrendered last on March 4, 2016, but then
again became the OGW on November 25 last year. He was involved
in weapon snatching from a constable Zahid Ali on September 11,
2015. Sources said that the OGW is also a notorious stone-pelter
and also leader of other stone-pelters in Qoimoh area.
Jammu and Kashmir CM, Mehbooba
Mufti, ordered the withdrawal of cases of stone-pelting against
4,327 youths. The decision follows the recommendation of a high-powered
committee headed by DGP, S P Vaid which submitted its report to
her on November 29, an official spokesman said. "Today's
decision marks the revival of process of withdrawal of cases started
by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti last year immediately after taking
over," he said. Mufti had initiated a process of review of
cases against youths from 2008 to 2014 and in the first instance,
104 cases involving 634 youths were withdrawn within two months
of her assuming power, the official said. Mufti ordered the withdrawal
of cases of stone-pelting against 4,327 youths in 744 cases, he
said. "With this, the total number of cases withdrawn so
far on the directions of the chief minister has gone to 848 and
the persons benefiting out of these withdrawals stands at 4,957,"
the spokesman said.
|
November 30
|
An encounter raged between the
SFs and the militants in Budgam District. Official source said
that on a tip off about the presence of militants, SFs and SOG
of Jammu and Kashmir launched a joint search operation in a village
in Charar-e-Sharief in the District early in the morning. However,
when the SFs were moving towards a particular area in the village,
militants hiding there resorted to indiscriminate firing with
automatic weapons, they said adding SFs also retaliated, ensuing
an encounter. At least two JeM militants are reportedly trapped.
Sources said that it is believed two to three militants are hiding
in the area. No further details waited.
Four militants of the JeM were
killed in an encounter in Futli Pora area in Budgam District.
A Police spokesman said: “Acting on specific information, Budgam
Police along with 10 Gadwal and CRPF launched a CASO in Futli
Pora area of Police Post Pakherpora, Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam.
During the search operation, terrorists hiding in the area fired
upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated, ensuing
an encounter. Four terrorists were killed in the encounter. One
of the killed terrorists was identified as Shabir Ahmad Dar resident
of Thokerpora Pulwama. The identity of other two foreign terrorists
is being ascertained. Three AK rifles, 3 AK magazines, 111 AK
rounds and other ammunition was recovered from the encounter site.”
During the encounter, locals staged protest and clashed with the
SFs, who fired teargas and pellets against the stone-throwing
protesters to bring the situation under control. During protests,
one boy sustained bullet injuries in arm. Locals set ablaze a
vehicle in the area as they suspected it had been hired by Army.
Internet services were suspended in Pulwama and Budgam Districts
in the wake of the encounter. Police have handed over the body
of militant Shabir Ahmad Dar of Thokerpora to his family.
In an encounter in North Kashmir’s
Sopore area in Baramulla District, a LeT ‘divisional commander’
was killed and two Army personnel were injured. Sources said that
9 Para of Army laid an ambush in Zaloora forests of Sopore in
Baramulla District, acting specific information regarding the
presence of militants in Kumar Mohalla Sagipora, Sopore. One Para-commando
was injured in the ambush and militants fled but were again trapped
by the SFs in Bomai area of Sopore. Army’s 22 RR and SOG Sopore
cordoned off Bomai Sopore and in an encounter killed a LeT commander
while one Army jawan was injured. “During searches, terrorist
hiding in a Nallah near water point of Kumar Mohalla, Sagipora
fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated in
which the said terrorist was gunned down. The terrorist was later
identified as Muzzamil from Pakistan affiliated with LeT outfit,
commander of North Kashmir. One AK rifle, 5 AK magazines, 124
AK rounds, one UBGL, 5 UBGL rounds and other ammunition were recovered
from the encounter site”, the spokesman added.
The number of terrorists killed
in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed
200, for the first time in seven years, according to the State
Police. "Today by the collective effort of @JmuKmrPolice,
Indian Army, @crpfindia, CAPF and people of Kashmir have led to
neutralisation of more than 200 terrorists in the year of 2017
alone, This marks a huge landmark for establishing peace &
stability in the state of J&K &our country." DGP
Shesh Paul Vaid tweeted. The DGP's tweet came on a day five militants
were killed in two separate encounters by the SFs in Budgam and
Baramulla Districts, officials said. According to official figures,
200 terrorists have been killed by the SFs during counter-insurgency
operations from 1 January till date this year, which is the highest
since 2010. In 2010, 270 terrorists were killed. However the number
dropped to around 100 per year by the end of 2015. In 2016, 165
terrorists were killed by the SFs along the LoC and in the hinterland.
There has been an increase in civilian killings in militancy-related
violence as well with 54 civilians getting killed this year compared
to 14 last year. The number of SFs killed in militancy-related
incidents this year was 77, lower than the 88 fatalities witnessed
last year.
|
December 1
|
Police arrested a LeT militant
in Handwara area of Kupwara District. Police said that Affaq Ahmad
Bhat alias Abu Huraira, a resident of Panditpura,
was arrested by Handwara Police after it acted on specific information
about his presence in the village. Police said that Bhat was involved
in providing logistic support to militant Abu Maaz of the LeT.
“Handwara police has also busted two hideouts maintained by the
said OGW Affaq,” said Police. “Huge cache of ammunition including
one pistol, two pistol magazines, 11 pistol rounds, two wireless
sets, one YSMS [pairing of smartphones with radio sets to send
out short SMSs] set, four mobile sets, one UBGL thrower, one UBGL
grenade, two AK magazines, 105 AK rounds, two compass, one Binocular,
one Wire cutter, five battery chargers, 48 batteries, first aid
(Made in Pakistan), medicines /cotton bandage, two cooking flames,
one perfume, two maps, one jacket, two bags and cosmetics etc
were recovered from the hideouts”, Police said.
Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman
said that people of Kashmir have completely rejected terrorism
as she declared that there will be no let up in “anti-militancy
operations” in the Valley and the terrorists, who don’t surrender,
“will be identified, targeted and eliminated” by the SFs. At the
same time, she said, there will be a lenient approach towards
the militants, who want to surrender and join the national mainstream.
She also charged that Pakistan hasn’t stopped “entertaining and
facilitating” terrorism and even the “non-state actors” continued
to create trouble by preparing militants and pushing them to this
side to create trouble.
UHM Rajnath Singh said the SFs
have eliminated over 200 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir this
year. UHM Singh further said, "What has happened to our neighbouring
country Pakistan...Every day they are doing some mischief or the
other, but you would have seen that the morale of our security
forces is high, they are ferreting out and eliminating two, four,
five, six or seven terrorists every day. The month of December
is yet to pass, but we have already gotten rid of more than 200
terrorists (during 2017)." UHM Singh made the remark at a
BJP rally in Mahudha town in Kheda District of Gujarat.
|
December 2
|
Militants shot at and injured
an apple trader, Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat, outside his residence at
Keegam in Shopian District.
Militants hurled a grenade towards
Police Station Baramulla (Baramulla District). However,
it missed the intended target and exploded on road. A policeman,
who was performing his duty as Sentry on the entrance of police
station, opened fire in air. However, no one was injured.
SFs launched a CASO at Rathsuna
village in Budgam District after reports about presence of militants
in the village. The operation was launched around 3.40pm but was
called off after no militants were found in the village.
SFs conducted searches at Arigam
village of Tral in Pulwama District after reports of presence
of militants. House to house searches were conducted but the operation
was later called off as, sources said, militant had fled the village
before the operation was launched.
Clashes erupted at Trichal village
in Pulwama District after ‘youth’ pelted stones on the SFs near
Naira village where a cordon-and-search-operation was launched.
Reports said that ‘youth’ took to streets and pelted stones on
the vehicles carrying SFs near Naira village. SFs, however, conducted
searches in the village but no militants were found as sources
said they had fled before the operation was launched.
SFs launched cordon and search
operation in Naira and Tahab villages of Pulwama District after
inputs about the presence of militants in these areas. However,
no contact was established with the militants and militants had
fled before the operation was launched.
|
December 3
|
Militants lobbed a grenade at
Kralgund Police Station in Handwara area of Kupwara District.
However, there was no loss of life or damage.
Pakistani troops violating the
CFA opened fire at forward village of Khari Karmara, along the
LoC, in Poonch District. Indian troops retaliated. “There was
no report of any casualty in the latest CFA violation on the Indian
side. However, casualties or damages, if any, on other side of
the LoC in retaliation by the Indian troops, were not known,”
sources said. Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling
along the LoC after a gap of three days. Pakistan had violated
CFA on the LoC for three consecutive days from November 27 to
29 at Sunderbani and Janghar areas of Rajouri District. According
to the data compiled by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Pakistani
forces have violated CFA 724 times along the International Border
and the LoC till October in comparison to 449 times in 2016. As
many as 12 civilians and 17 SF personnel were killed in the firing
from across the border till October this year, an unnamed official
said. A total of 79 civilians and 67 SF personnel were also injured
in the firing.
|
December 4
|
Two militants and a soldier were
killed in the Qazigund area of Kulgam District. A group of militants
belonging to LeT fired upon Army’s patrolling party at Bounigam
in Qazigund on the National Highway, leaving three soldiers injured.
One of the injured soldiers died later. The militants fled
away after carrying out the attack and took shelter inside a building
near the National Highway. As the SFs intensified searches to
trace out the hiding militants, they were fired upon, triggering
an encounter. The firing between the two sides continued throughout
the day. The SFs finally blasted off the building in which the
militants had taken refuge. After searches of the debris were
conducted following end of gun fire, two bodies of militants were
recovered. However, they were not identified as yet. One of them
is believed to be a local and another foreigner. One civilian
was injured during the encounter. Another civilian was injured
in pellet firing on stone pelters who had gathered in the area
and pelted stones on the SFs who were conducting operation.
Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind militants
led by their ‘chief’ Zakir Musa ‘raided’ Noorpora branch of Jammu
and Kashmir Bank in the Tral area of Pulwama District and decamped
with around INR 100,000. An unnamed Police official said three
armed militants, including Zakir Musa, were involved in the incident.
An unnamed Police spokesman claimed that the locals who were present
near the Noorpora branch pushed back the militants with stones.
“The militants retreated from the bank while firing few aerial
gunshots and meanwhile managed to take around Rs 1 lakh currency
with them,” he claimed.
Two militants were arrested by
Police in Anantnag District. The arrestees were identified as
Younis Ahmad Wagay, resident of Hawoora village of Kulgam District;
and Rashid Ahmad Allai, son of Farooq Ahmad Allai, resident of
Sangam area of Anantnag District. Sources said both the militants
were fresh recruits and a Chinese pistol was recovered from the
possession of the duo.
|
December 5
|
IGP, Kashmir, Muneer Ahmad Khan,
stated that three bodies of militants were recovered from the
debris of the building at Qazigund in Kulgam District where an
encounter had taken place on December 4. [SATP had earlier reported
that two militants were killed in the encounter.] He said that
two of the slain militants were identified as Furqan and Maviya.
Furqan was ‘divisional commander’ of LeT and had replaced Ismail
in South Kashmir and was responsible for the recent attacks carried
out by LeT in South Kashmir. The third killed militant was a local
and was identified him as Yawar. Khan said that Yawar and Maviya
were involved in the in the July 10, 2017, Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage)
bus attack in Anantnag District in which eight pilgrims were killed
and 19 others injured and almost all the militants involved in
that attack are now dead. He further added one of the militant,
identified as Rashid Ahmad Allai, arrested from Janglat Mandi
maternity hospital in Anantnag District on December 4 (SATP had
reported the arrest earlier) along with a Chinese pistol and live
cartridges had joined the Yawar group of LeT. “Investigation conducted
so far have established that he was with the three militants at
the encounter site and managed to escape”, Police said.
As four militants ‘returned home’
in last few days, Police in Shopian District have started an initiative
to reach out the families of the youth who have joined militancy
for getting them to the mainstream. IGP, South Kashmir, S P Pani;
SSP, Shopian, Sriram Ambarkar, and the Shopian Police team met
almost 30 families in a bid to call back their near ones. During
the interaction police assured to the families that the doors
to mainstream are open to these “misguided” youth and every care
will be taken for their dignified rehabilitation if they shun
the path of violence.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
asserted that there will be no let up in the operations against
militants in Kashmir. “Operations in Kashmir are going on continuously
and we are trying to bring an improvement in the situation in
the Valley. Such operations will go on,” Rawat stated. Reacting
to former Pakistan President General (retd) Parvez Musharraf’s
statement welcoming an alliance with JuD chief and founder of
LeT Hafiz Saeed for the 2018 general election in Pakistan, he
said, “If they want to come into the system then why not the terrorist
organisations which are present this (Indian) side participate
and be part of the electoral process. How the neighbouring country
deals with terrorist organisations is their matter but we will
keep raising this,” Rawat said. We do not want that such organisations
are promoted, he added.
|
December 7
|
Pakistan Army violated the CFA
in Degwar sector of Poonch District, along the LoC, by using mortar
shells, automatic and semi automatic weapons. Reports said Pakistan
Army started pounding forward Army posts. Pakistani troops also
targeted civilian population by firing few mortar shells aiming
the villages in Degwar and surroundings. The Indian side retaliated
very effectively and strongly, leading to exchanges that continued
for about one and a half hour. Unconfirmed reports said that an
Indian Army trooper was injured in Pakistan shelling and firing,
though there was no official confirmation from the Army on injuries
suffered by the trooper. There were no other casualties or damages
on the Indian side. Sources didn’t rule out damages on Pakistan
side in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops. “Pakistan was
reported to have suffered heavy damages in retaliation by the
Indian side,” they said but added that exact losses were not known.
|
December 8
|
SFs arrested a militant, identified
as Muhammad Younis Sheikh, from Chadoora area of Budgam District.
SFs recovered four live grenades have been recovered.
|
December 9
|
SFs launched cordon and searches
operation in Shopian District after a brief encounter with militants.
Army’s 44 RR cordon off Ganawpora and Barthipora villages of Shopian
District, following inputs regarding movement of three militants.
As they challenged militants, the latter opened fire on the Army
men leading to a brief gun battle. Militants, however, fled from
the spot and were believed to have taken shelter either in Ganawpora
or Barthipora.
A LeT militant was arrested by
SFs during operation in Handwara area of Kupwara District. Police
said that on a specific input, Handwara Police, 30RR and 92 CRPF
launched a joint operation and arrested one OGW of LeT identified
as Rayaz Ahmed Khan alias Bita Khan alias Baba, son
of Abdul Rashid Khan from his home at Hajin in Handwara area.
SFs also destroyed one hideout in his house and recovered one
AK 56 rifle, 2 magazines, 25 rounds of AK 56, one spare butt and
one wire cutter from the hideout.
|
December 10
|
SFs killed three militants suspected
to be Pakistani, in an encounter, at Unisoo village in Kupwara
District. Unconfirmed reports say that a lady was also killed
in the exchange of firing between militants and forces.
An Indian Army JCO was injured
in Pakistani firing in Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri
District. He was reportedly hit by a sniper shot fired by Pakistani
troops, leading to injuries.
Pakistan Army violated ceasefire
on the LoC at Shahpur Kirni sub sector in Poonch District.
SFs cordoned off Hanjin village
of Kralgund Handwara in Kupwara District following intelligence
inputs about the presence of militants. The area continued to
be under cordon. SFs conducted searches in the village several
times during last 10 days.
Officials said that that suspected
LeT operative Abdul Nayeem Sheikh, who was arrested from Lucknow
(Uttar Pradesh) in November 2017, had spent some time in south
Kashmir and pictured some Army installations. Sheikh, a resident
of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, was on the radar of central intelligence
agencies for quite some time before he was arrested with the help
of Uttar Pradesh Police in the last week of November. During interrogation,
Sheikh disclosed that he had stayed in Pulwama, moved to various
places with the help of one Malik and even photographed some Army
and Para-military camps, the officials claimed. Sheikh, who was
wanted in connection with a 2014 terror case and was since on
the run, told investigators that some important power projects
and railway tracks in the Valley were surveyed, they said.
|
December 11 |
Two private security guards of Jammu and Kashmir
Bank were killed after militants attacked a cash van of the Bank
in Kellar area of Shopian District. Police said militants intercepted
a Scorpio of the Bank at Poju Kral Check in Kellar area and fired
indiscriminately at it. Two bank security guards sustained injuries
and died later. Due to firing, the driver of the vehicle lost
his balance and the vehicle turned turtle. Police, however, said
that no cash was looted from the van as it had already been deposited
in the bank. The officer said that the van was on way to Kellar
from Pulwama. DIG of Police, South Kashmir range, SP Pani through
official Twitter handle said: "Militants attacked a JK
bank cash van # Shopian. In the attack two bank guards lost their
lives. No cash looted. Driver of the vehicle is stable…search
continues."
Giving details about the encounter at Unisoo village
in Handwara area of Kupwara District in which three militants
were killed, Police said, that acting on a specific input, SFs
launched a cordon and search operation in Mir Mohalla. "During
search operation, terrorists hiding in the house of Abdul Hamid
Mir fired upon the joint search party," an unnamed Police official
said, adding that the fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter.
"Three unidentified terrorists of LeT were killed in this encounter.
The identity of these terrorists is being ascertained. Three AK
rifles along with other ammunition were recovered from the encounter
site," the spokesman added. Police said that five members of the
family got trapped inside a house and one member believed to be
daughter-in-law of the house owner tried to escape during which
she sustained wounds and subsequently died. Soon after the encounter,
protests broke out at Unisoo against the 'killing' of the woman,
identified as Mysara.
|
December 12 |
Police said that a boy hailing from Rainawari
area of downtown Srinagar (Srinagar District) was arrested at
Qamria Chowk in main town of Ganderbal District and thus prevented
from joining Zakir-Musa led AGuH. SSP, Ganderbal, Fayaz Ahmad
Lone said the boy was in surveillance and being tracked as he
was in contact with some Pakistani militants who are also under
surveillance. "Acting on a tip off, police intercepted the boy.
He was in touch with Pakistani militants on social media sites
and later on confessed that he was going to join Ansar Ghazwatul
Hind," the SSP said, adding that after counseling, the boy was
handed over to his parents. He appealed parents to watch the activities
of their children and prevent from those elements who wash their
minds to indulge in militant activities.
SDGP, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Zone, S N Shrivastava
said that the situation in Kashmir was fast returning to normal
as the people of the Valley were rejecting terrorism and appealing
to misguided youths to shun the path of violence and return to
the mainstream. He said the situation has witnessed a sea change
as recruitment of local youths into militancy was declining along
with stone-pelting incidents. "I don't want to give the number
of active militants but positive action and good behaviour have
a very good impact on the overall situation in the Valley which
has improved a lot", adding, "The situation (in Kashmir) has normalised
to a large extent and we are hopeful that complete normalcy will
return very soon." He said SFs were moving in the right direction
and "anything positive that will help normalise the situation
will be done". About the threat posed by AGuH, the officer said,
"I feel the people (of Kashmir) have rejected that idea as well."
"Almost the entire militant leadership was neutralised which left
all the terrorist organisations weak," he said.
|
December 15 |
Authorities foiled separatist public rally at
Anantnag town by imposing restrictions in Anantnag town and parts
of Srinagar while senior resistance separatist leader Mirwaiz
Umar Farooq was detained by Police as he attempted to march towards
Anantnag from his residence. To foil the rally, Police placed
Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest while Yasin Malik was
lodged in Central Jail Srinagar.
|
December 16 |
A foreign militant of JeM, identified as Umar
Bhai of Pakistan, was killed in a mine blast at Tral in Pulwama
District. Police said on a tip-off, the SFs recovered body of
the dead militant. The militant was killed when an IED, he was
preparing exploded.
|
December 17 |
SSP, Kupwara, and around a dozen protesters were
injured in clashes that broke out in Kupwara District, after a
driver was killed in an Army ambush in Kupwara District in the
night of December 16. SSP, Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain, said that
the killing of the Sumo driver was a case of "mistaken identity".
He said that locals said that he was killed when he was coming
out of his house but Army said he was killed in an ambush laid
against the militants in the village. Deputy Commissioner Kupwara,
Khalid Jahangir, has ordered time bound probe into the killing
of the driver. Army's Srinagar based Defence spokesman said: "Based
on information of presence of militants in Thandipora village,
army placed ambushes to maintain surveillance over the area on
night 16/17 December. At around 2255 hours, ambush party observed
suspicious movement of three persons near Nallah in Thandipora
village. The individuals were challenged by troops. However, they
did not respond. Thereafter, militants opened fire towards Army
ambush party which was retaliated. In the crossfire, one person,
later identified as Asif Iqbal Bhat, son of Mohammad Iqbal Bhat,
resident of Thandipora was killed due to gunshot wound. It is
learnt that he was a sumo taxi driver. Investigations are in progress",
the spokesman said.
|
December 17-18
|
Police on December 18 busted a militant hideout
at Chandergair village of Hajin in Bandipora District. A search
operation was launched by the SFs at around 10:30 pm in the night
of December 17. The operation was launched on the disclosure of
a youth, Rayees Ahmad Baba, a resident of Bon-Mohalla Asham, who
was arrested from Shopian by a SIT of Police. During the search
operation, SFs recovered arms and ammunition from the cowshed
of one Abdul Rehman Parrey, son of Muhammad Anwar Parrey, a resident
of Chandergeer Hajin.
|
December 18
|
SFs launched a cordon and search-operation in
several villages of Shopian District. The searches were launched
in Chatripora, Vehil, Nowgam, Panduchan, Kapran, Rey Kapran, Dangam
and Wangam villages. The operation was launched after inputs about
the presence of militants in the area. However, the militants
were not traced and search operation was called off.
|
December 18-19
|
Two unidentified militants were killed in an overnight
encounter with SFs in Shopian District, the Army said on December
19. SFs launched a cordon and search operation in Wanipora area
of Shopian in the evening of December 18 following information
about presence of militants in the area, an unnamed Army official
said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter as
militants opened firing towards the SFs. “Two militants have been
killed so far and the operation is still in progress”, he further
said.
A woman, identified as Rubby Jan alias
Beauty (24), wife of one Manzoor Ahmad Mir, was killed in cross-fire
during the overnight (December 18-19) encounter at Bata Murran
village in the Wanipora area of Shopian District. As reported
earlier (SATP), two militants were killed in that encounter at
Bata Murran village. “Two JeM militants were killed in the encounter
and have been identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran Shopian
and Ali alias Qari, a foreign militant. Two AK rifles and
other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site,”
an unnamed Police spokesman said. A soldier and a Policeman were
also injured during the encounter. Subsequent to the encounter,
clashes broke out near the encounter site. SFs fired tear smoke
and fired some aerial shots to disperse them, resulting in the
injuries to more than 40 persons, including Rubby Jan, 24. Rubby
Jan later succumbed to injuries.
|
December 19
|
Militants in the evening hurled a grenade towards
DPL Pulwama (Pulwama District). The grenade missed the intended
target and exploded on the road. Police also fired in air and
launched searches around the DPL. However, no one was arrested.
The UMHA said there has been considerable improvement
in security situation in J&K and maintained that in view of
“encouraging response’’ to Centre Government’s Special Representative
on J&K, Dineshwar Sharma, the Government was expecting that
all stakeholders in the State, who believe in peace would support
the Government initiative and join the dialogue process. Union
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir told the Lok
Sabha that there were 341 terror incidents in J&K between
November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 in comparison to 311 such
incidents in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Terror-related incidents in the State till December
10 2017 were also the highest at 335 as compared to 322 in calendar
year 2016, 208 in 2015 and 222 in 2014, he added. He said that
203 terrorists were killed in J&K in 2017 till December 10,
as compared to 150 in calendar year 2016, 108 in 2015 and 110
in 2014. Talking about the number of civilians killed in terror-
related violence in the State, he said while 37 of them were killed
till December 10 2017, 15 were killed in calendar year 2016, 17
in 2015 and 28 in 2014. According to the data provided by the
Minister, while 75 SF personnel were killed in J&K till December
10 2017, 82 were killed in calendar year 2016, 39 in 2015 and
47 in 2014.
In response to another question, Ahir said Pakistan
violated the ceasefire a total of 881 times along the LoC and
the IB in J&K this year, killing 30 people. “Pakistan violated
the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till
December 10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end,’’ he
added. In these incidents of firing from across the border, 30
people — 14 Army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel
— were killed. No cross-border firing has been reported in other
States except Jammu and Kashmir along the border with Pakistan,
he said. In 2016, there were 449 incidents of ceasefire violations
in which 13 civilians and 13 SF personnel were killed and 83 civilians
and 99 SF personnel were injured.
|
December 20
|
The US has expressed its grave concern over JuD
‘chief’ and LeT’s founder Hafiz Saeed’s confirmation of his candidature
in General Elections in Pakistan scheduled to be held in 2018.
Saeed, Earlier, Hafiz Saeed had confirmed that his organization
- JuD- will contest the 2018 general elections in Pakistan under
the banner of the MML, which is yet to be registered with the
EC.
Without naming China, India’s permanent representative
to the UNSC Syed Akbaruddin told that it protects JeM ‘chief’
Masood Azhar for its ‘narrow political’ concerns and blocks India’s
move from sanctioning him as an international terrorist. Notably,
in November 2017, China blocked a ‘move’ by the UK, France and
the US to enlist the mastermind of the attack on Pathankot Air
Force base— Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by using its Veto
power.
|
December 21
|
Pakistan army violated CFA on the LoC in Nowshera
sector of Rajouri District using mortar shells and semi-automatic
weapons. According to report, Pakistan army opened firing and
then lobbed few mortar shells in forward villages of Kulhadi and
Numb in Janghar area of Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri
District at 5.40 pm. The Indian side retaliated effectively to
silence the Pakistani guns. Exchanges lasted about an hour but
there were no casualties or damages on the Indian side in Pakistan
shelling and firing. Losses, if any, on the other side, couldn’t
be ascertained, report said.
SFs cordoned off Hajin area of Bandipora District
and conducted searches as they suspected the presence of at least
three militants hiding there. RR and SOG of Police cordoned off
Banger Mohalla and Wahab-Parray Mohalla of Hanjin village in the
evening after inputs about presence of militants inside the village.
However, there was no exchange of gunfire.
Police arrested a youth from Pulwama District
for allegedly posting a photograph on social media with a caption
that a boy from Budgam District has joined the militant ranks.
SSP Budgam Teijinder Sighh said that recently a photograph of
a boy Shahnawaz Rashid Wani (15) was in circulation on different
Whatsapp groups for having reportedly ‘joined’ the militant
ranks of HM. He said that the parents of the boy lodged a complaint
at police station Beerwah and accordingly a vide FIR No 178/2017
U/S 505 RPC, 67 IT Act was registered against the ‘mischief monger.’
“A team from police station Beerwah was constituted to ascertain
the facts. During the course of investigation, it came to surface
that the boy is a student of 9th class at government
high school Chewdara and is busy with his studies and has not
joined any banned outfit,” Singh said.
Police withdrew cases of stone pelting against
146 youth in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District. A Police spokesperson
said they have withdrawn cases against 146 youth, who were named
in 21 cases of stone pelting. DIG - South Kashmir, SP Pani while
making the announcement said that the youth granted amnesty would
not be called to Police stations. “146 youth, who were named in
21 cases, were granted amnesty today. These youth will not face
any issues in getting passport or other services. They don’t need
to follow their cases anymore,” he said while addressing scores
of such youth and their families at Police Lines Pulwama.
PM Narendra Modi said that there will be no compromise
on terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir but at the same
time the dialogue process initiated through Special Representative
Dineshwar Sharma would go on for restoration of peace in the troubled
Valley.
UHM Rajnath Singh cleared the recruitment of 10,000
posts of SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir, which he had blocked after
complaints from the State BJP leadership and some other quarters
about ‘‘regional bias’’ in the recruitment.
These and some other significant announcements
on Jammu and Kashmir were conveyed by the PM and the UHM during
separate meetings with Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in
New Delhi in the morning. Modi and Rajnath while reviewing security
and political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, directed that the
State should encourage stakeholders in the State to join dialogue
process initiated by the Centre Government through its Special
Representative Dineshwar Sharma. They indicated that more CBMs
could be taken by the Centre to boost dialogue process in the
State. Rajnath Singh lifted the ban imposed on 10,000 vacancies
of SPOs sanctioned by the Union Home Ministry for recruitment
in Jammu and Kashmir for “operational purposes’’ to “counter terrorism’’.
|
December 22
|
Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar
to foil protests called by separatists against civilian killings
while two petrol bombs were hurled at CRPF. Authorities once again
disallowed Friday prayers at historic Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta
in Srinagar and clamped strict restrictions in various parts of
downtown to prevent post Friday protests in view of the call given
by the joint resistance leadership (JRL) on December 19 against
civilian killings in recent gunfights.
Police and CRPF imposed restrictions in Nowhatta
and adjoining areas. They also imposed restrictions in adjoining
Rajouri Kadal, Bhori Kadal, Malarrata, Saraf Kadal areas of the
city.
Situation across Kashmir remained peaceful barring
some incidents of stone pelting at Braripora area of Safa Kadal
in Srinagar District, footbridge in Parimpora and Janglat Mandi
in Anantnag District. At Braripora area of Safa Kadal, some youth
pelted stones on CRPF 161 battalion who chased them by using few
tear smoke shells.
Some youth hurled three petrol bombs on CRPF and
Safa Kadal in Srinagar District. Two petrol bombs were hurled
at Braripora area and another at a Police post at Bagiyas, Safa
Kadal. However, no one was reported injured in the incidents.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said peace talks
with Pakistan can take place only when it stops supporting terrorists
in Jammu and Kashmir. Given its actions, it doesn’t appear that
Pakistan really wants peace, the Army Chief added. Rawat said
Pakistan should stop supporting terrorists. “Only then can we
say that peace talks should take place,” he said. “We also want
that relations should be better but given what kind of actions
there are (from their side) and terrorism is spreading in Jammu
and Kashmir, it doesn’t appear that they really want peace,” Rawat
said.
According to official statistics, at least 327
persons including 208 militants, 75 SF personnel and 40 civilians
were killed in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir
this year, highest in last five years. According to the data,
as many as 338 militancy incidents were reported from the State
this year so far. In these 338 violent incidents, 327 persons
were killed.
As per the data, 208 militants, 75 security men
including Police, CRPF, BSF and Army men and 40 civilians were
killed in the State this year. “Four bank guards were also killed
in two attacks on Jammu and Kashmir bank cash vans by militants
in volatile south Kashmir this year,” reveals the official figures.
The militant and civilian casualties this year is highest in last
five years.
The SFs launched ‘Operation All Out’ against militants
in the Valley this year after surge in militancy violence in the
first part of this year. Among the 208 militants killed in encounters
with SFs this year include top ‘commanders’ of HM, LeT and JeM.
Most of the wanted militant commanders have been killed by the
SFs this year. Now Zakir Moosa, who is head of al Qaeda’s Kashmir
affiliate Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and HM’s Riyaz Naikoo are among
half a dozen wanted militant commanders still active.
According to the official data, 148 militants
were killed in 2016, 150 in 2015, 108 in 2014 and 110 in 2013.
Similarly, 14 civilians were killed in militancy violence in the
State last year, 15 in 2015, 17 in 2014 and 28 in 2013. As per
the official statistics, 78 security personnel were killed in
militant violence in the State last year followed by 82 in 2015,
39 in 2014 and 47 in 2013.
The SFs this year also revived CASOs in the Valley
after 15 years. The CASOs were the permanent feature during anti-militancy
operations in the Valley in 1990s. However, the CASOs were discontinued
by the security in 2002 after facing stiff opposition and resentment
from locals, civil society members, mainstream groups and separatists.
In view of success of “Operation All Out” against militants, the
security agencies have decided to continue the operation in the
winter months in the Valley also. A security official said there
would be no let up in heat and pressure against the militants
and ‘Operation all-out’ would continue. “We will be targeting
every militant commander active in the Valley,” the official said.
|
December 23
|
A Major and three soldiers of the Indian Army
were killed in CFA violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC
in Keri sector in Rajouri District.
IG - CRPF, Ravideep Sahi said that amnesty given
to first-time stone-pelters in Kashmir was a ‘large-hearted’ approach
of the Government. Ravideep Sahi said in Srinagar that youth who
have been granted amnesty should take benefit of this ‘large-hearted’
approach. “It is a good step. It will encourage people to shun
the path of violence. I wish and hope that people who have been
granted amnesty should channelise their energy in a positive way,”
said Sahi. He also praised the efforts of the forces to wean off
youth from militancy. “Off late, we have had success in this direction.
Several people, including a footballer, shunned the path of violence
and returned home,” said Sahi.
|
December 24
|
Indian SFs killed at least two snipers of Pakistan
army at Rajouri and Poonch District. Unidentified number of Pakistani
troopers has also been wounded in the incident.
Two hours of mortar shelling and firing was reported
on December 24 at Shahpur sector of Poonch. A number of Pakistani
posts and bunkers were reportedly damaged extensively. Later another
CFA violation was also reported in Balakote sector of Mendhar
in Poonch District.
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a total of 881 ceasefire
violations this year, highest in the past seven years, along the
LoC and the IB, resulting in the death of 34 persons.
According to officials, Pakistan has violated
ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till December
10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end this year. Thirty
people including 14 Army personnel 12 civilians and 4 BSF personnel
were killed in such incidents.
|
December 25
|
Indian Army in the
night killed three more Pakistani soldiers at Rawlakote opposite
Nowshera sector in Rajouri District and seriously injured another
after targeting Pakistani posts located close to the LoC as ‘pre-emptive
measure’ as these enemy posts were planning subversive act on
the Indian side. With this, five Pakistani troopers have been
killed during last two days and another injured. Pakistan army
confirmed killing of their three jawans (troopers) and
serious injuries to another in retaliatory firing by the Indian
troops at forward Pakistani area of Rakhchikri in Rawlakote opposite
Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. Sources said massive retaliatory
action by the Indian troops was necessitated as forward Pakistani
posts were planning ‘some kind of activity’ on Indian side, which
could be facilitating infiltration attempt by the militants.
People living in
the villages close to LoC are up in arms against Pakistan army
for repeatedly targeting civilians areas, risking their lives
every time and wanted Indian Army to take ‘decisive action’ against
the enemy troops to settle the issue once and for all. A number
of civilians in Shahpur sub sector of Poonch District, which was
rocked by heavy Pakistani shelling and firing charged Pakistani
troops with targeting civilians in utter frustration as the enemy
was unable to match the might of Indian Army.
A JeM ‘commander’,
identified as Noor Muhammad Tantray was killed in an encounter
in Samboora in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir. Noor Muhammad
Tantray, was on the wanted list of the Indian Army. Acting on
a tip-off, a crack team of Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off
a house where two JeM militants were believed to be holed up,
the Police said. Tantray was the ‘divisional commander’ of the
militant group and was reportedly behind the recent attack by
the JeM in Kashmir. He was lodged in Tihar jail and then later
released on parole.
According to reports,
Noor Mohammad Tantray had taken over command of the JeM in South
Kashmir in October 2017 and was engineering the outfit’s bid to
regroup in the Valley. He was arrested in Delhi in 2003 and sentenced
to life by a POTA court in 2011 but had jumped parole a few months
ago and rejoined militancy. In January 2011, Tantray and four
others, including two from Kashmir, were sentenced to life imprisonment
by a POTA court in Delhi. After being lodged in Delhi’s Tihar
Jail for some time, he was shifted to Srinagar. Tantray was released
on parole in 2015, after which the Jammu and Kashmir High Court
extended his parole several times. Tantray’s death is seen as
a big blow to the militant outfit as he was the key man in reviving
JeM in south and central Kashmir
Union Government’s
Special Representative for sustained dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir,
Dineshwar Sharma arrived in Kashmir on his third visit and drove
to border district of Kupwara where he held meetings with scores
of delegations. A total of 41 delegations comprising students,
traders, political leaders and activists and civil society members
were scheduled to meet him. The Special Representative kept meeting
these delegations until late in the evening. Sources said that
the delegations took up wide range of issues with Sharma and those
include holding talks with all stakeholders, Article 370 and Article
35A, amnesty to first time stone throwers, conduct of SFs and
recent civilian killings. Peoples Conference (PC) leader and MLA
Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar also called on Sharma. After meeting,
the MLA Kupwara told reporters that he asked the Centre’s Special
Representative to make his stand clear on Kashmir issue.
|
December 26
|
The UMHA is set to
step up efforts to strengthen border security in 2018 amid a surge
in ceasefire violations by Pakistan and frequent terrorist strikes
in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2017, as many as 61 militant attacks
were reported across Jammu and Kashmir. However, the decision
to strengthen security along India’s border has been prompted
by the more than three-fold jump in violations of a ceasefire
agreement by Pakistan in 2017. The western neighbour violated
ceasefire 771 times along the LoC in 2017, compared with 228 violations
in the previous year (2016). “With the Doklam stand-off happening
this year, these ceasefire violations and Pakistan-orchestrated
terror attacks were a third front that kept Indian troops busy.
To remove the troops’ focus from Doklam, Pakistan was nudged by
China to keep the northern front active. Our troops also responded
in equal measure to such violations,” said an unnamed senior intelligence
official. Defence experts, however, said that the spurt in attacks
by militants as well as ceasefire violations were reflective of
Pakistan struggling to keep pace with India’s increased military
watch.
A pro-Islamic State
(IS) Kashmir-centric media unit Al-Qaraar has released a video
of an alleged Kashmiri 'fighter' asking fellow fighters and Muslims
in the Valley to pledge allegiance to the terror group IS and
join its so-called 'caliphate'. The nearly 14-minute long video,
carrying English subtitles, has a fighter identified as 'Abu al-Bara
al-Kashmiri' delivering a speech in Urdu while sitting in front
of a flag bearing the words 'Kashmir Province', according to an
update put out by the SITE Intelligence Group website.
He calls upon the
'fighters' and Muslims in Kashmir who fight to establish a 'caliphate',
including Zakir Musa-led Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, to swear allegiance
to IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. Men can be seen in the video
marching through the street carrying the IS' banner.
On December 22, Al-Qaraar
had published a poster calling Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind fighters
and its leader, Zakir Musa, to join the IS. Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind
was floated by al Qaeda as its Kashmir wing, with former HM leader
Zakir Musa in the lead. Al Qaraar uploaded the poster carrying
the message: "We invite soldiers of Ansaar Gazwat-ul-Hind
and their Ameer Zakir Musa to join the caravan of the Caliphate
respond to the call of time... don't listen to the blames of the
blamers" — on its Telegram channel and Twitter
account on December 22.
In a video released
online on jihadist forums in the night, al Qaeda said that
the key to victory in Kashmir lies in waging war on other Indian
cities. “India is already using 600,000 troops just to hold on
to Kashmir,” al Qaeda’s ‘subcontinent second-in-command’ Usama
Mehmood said in the video. “If it is attacked in Kolkata [West
Bengal], Bangalore [Karnataka] and New Delhi, it will come to
its senses and release its grip on Kashmir.” For this to come
about, Mehmood argues, “it is necessary that the jihadi
movement becomes strong at the level of the subcontinent, and
Muslims in the whole region stand behind the Kashmiri people.”
“Look at America,” he says. “In the same way securing itself has
become difficult for America throughout the world, the Indian
army and Hindu government’s peaceful world should be made a war
zone.”
The video is made
in a form of an interview with Mehmood, wherein he says, "In
the caravan of al Qaeda, there were, and still are, many Mujahideen
who migrated to Pakistan to fight for Kashmir, but were forced
to shut down their operations by the Pakistan Army." The
video follows another interview with Mehmood earlier this year,
wherein he stated that the organisation’s aim was to "reform
Pakistan, Kashmir, India, Bangladesh and the whole of the subcontinent,
into an Islamic subcontinent".
The Central intelligence
agencies cautioned both BSF and Army, the two border guarding
forces in Jammu and Kashmir, to remain on high alert amid specific
inputs that there was significant movement of Pakistan Army, BAT
and SSG in areas close to the border. Both BAT and SSG have a
notorious reputation of targeting Indian soldiers and mutilating
their bodies in the past along with terror outfits. According
to the intelligence alert, “Pakistan Army has increased its deployment
of BAT and SSG teams in sensitive areas close to the border with
the intention of targeting patrolling teams of our security forces
which should remain on high alert.’’ “In view of these inputs,
the border guarding forces, primarily the BSF and Army, should
follow all security protocols and SOPs while going on patrolling
assignments close to the LoC and IB. The situation is more sensitive
close to the LoC,’’ the intelligence input further states.
Terror groups operating
out of PoK, particularly the LeT, have in the past assisted both
BAT and SSG of Pakistan Army in carrying out brutal attacks on
Indian patrolling teams close to the border.
Pakistan summoned
India's acting deputy high commissioner to protest ‘unprovoked’
firing by the Indian Army that killed its three soldiers along
the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Foreign Office in a
statement rejected reports that the Indian Army commandos crossed
the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir and smashed a post.
"The false claims by India about the alleged cross LoC adventures
are a figment of their imagination and counter-productive for
peace and tranquility on the LoC," it said. "The Indian
actions got a befitting response from the Pakistani side and their
guns were silenced," it claimed.
The Indian Army sources
in New Delhi said a "small group" of 'Ghatak' commandos
carried out a tactical level selective targeting of the Pakistani
post around 200-300 meters across the LoC on December 25th
evening in which three Pakistani soldiers were killed and one
was injured. The operation is seen as avenging the killing of
four Indian Army personnel by a BAT of the Pakistan Army in Keri
sector Rajouri District on December 23.
Notwithstanding the
tension along the LoC due to recent ceasefire violations, the
cross-LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK via Chakan-da-bagh
in Poonch District was conducted with 50 goods laden trucks transacted.
"The trade happened normally as per schedule. While 30 trucks
from Indian side laden with different items were sent to PoK,
20 trucks were received from the other side," Custodian,
LoC Trade centre Poonch, Tanveer Ahmad, said. The cross LoC trade
takes place between Indian and PoK four days a week from Tuesday
to Friday.
APHC leader Syed
Ali Shah Geelani's younger son Naseem Geelani ignored the NIA
summons in connection with its probe into alleged terror funding
by Pakistan-based terrorist groups to stoke unrest in Kashmir
Valley. "He did not depose before the agency investigators
today (December 26)," an NIA official said. The official
declined to say if any new summons had been issued to the younger
Geelani.
Earlier, the NIA
had summoned Naseem, a professor at Sher-e-Kashmir Agriculture
University in Srinagar, last week to appear before the agency
on December 26 at its headquarters in south Delhi's Lodhi Road
area. The anti-terror agency, which has been probing terror funding
by Kashmiri separatists and has so far arrested half-a-dozen separatists
including Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmad Shah,
suspects that Naseem was also involved in the terror funding.
The NIA had registered a number of cases in connection with terror
funding in the Valley against several top separatist leaders in
the month of May.
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December 27
|
Pakistani troops,
in a CFA violation, fired indiscriminately from across the LoC
at forward posts in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, prompting
retaliation by the Indian Army. The exchange of fire between the
two sides in Nowshera sector continued for nearly four hours but
there was no immediate report of any casualty or damage on the
Indian side. “Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate
firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0815 hours.
Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively,” official sources
said. They said the firing stopped from both sides at 1200 hours.
Jammu and Kashmir
witnessed a total of 881 ceasefire violations this year, highest
in the past seven years, along the LoC and the IB, resulting in
the death of 30 people. According to officials, Pakistan violated
the ceasefire along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir 771 times till
December 10, and 110 times along the IB till November-end. In
these incidents of firing from across the border, 30 people -
14 Army personnel, 12 civilians and four BSF personnel - were
killed. The truce between India and Pakistan along the IB, the
LoC and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came
into force in November 2003. India shares a 3,323-km-long border
with Pakistan of which 221 km of the IB and 740 km of the LoC
fall in Jammu and Kashmir.
Coinciding with Union
Government’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma’s stay in
Jammu and Kashmir, three senior separatists leaders were released
from jails. In an apparent move to soft pedal on separatists for
time being, the Government also allowed JKLF chief Yasin Malik
to visit volatile Handwara, while an NIA summon to Syed Ali Geelani’s
son was cancelled "without citing any reason".
Muslim League chairman
and former Hizbullah commander Mushtaq-ul-Islam, arrested in July
this year, was released. Two days ago, Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief
Syedah Asiya Andrabi and secretary Sofi Fehmeeda were also released.
The Government also allowed JKLF chief Yasin Malik to meet the
families, who relatives died in counter-insurgency operations,
in volatile Handwara. Otherwise, the government has been consistently
placing the separatist leaders under the house arrest.
Both the factions
of the Hurriyat Conference refused to comment on the releases.
However, the spokesman of Democratic Front Party, whose chief
Shabir Shah was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier
this year, said, “Releasing political prisoners is a positive
step and the positive steps always bring positive results. It
is of utmost importance to take positive steps to bring a change
on the grass root level.”
Over 300 infiltrations
were reported from the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017, which
was a four-year-high, according to figures available with the
UMHA. An official said this explained the over 230% increase
in ceasefire violations along the LoC this year compared to 2016.
“Till four years ago, the ceasefire violations along LoC stood
at 153; this year it has increased to 820 (till December 15);
last year it was 228. The increase also explains the 310 infiltration
attempts from Pakistan,” a senior UMHA official said. Another
official said there had been no let-up in the infiltration attempts
even after the September 29, 2016 cross-LoC raid publicised by
the Government.
As per the data available
with the Army, which is deployed along the LoC, at least 33 infiltration
bids were foiled this year. In 2014, when the NDA government came
to power, the maximum cross-border firing took place along the
densely populated border areas in Jammu region along the IB. “In
2014, cross-border firing at IB stood at 430 and this year it
came down to 110. We are seeing a reverse in the pattern as Pakistan
has become desperate to push in terrorists through LoC. Any violence
along the IB attracts international scrutiny as it is a settled
boundary,” said the official. The year also saw the record number
of terrorists being killed in J&K even as the number of terror
related incidents-335, were at a four-year-high.
Minister of State
for Home, Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the incidents of stone-pelting
against SFs in Jammu and Kashmir had come down from 2,808 in 2016
to 1,198 till November this year. He said an adequate number of
CAPFs personnel were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir to assist the
State Government in maintaining public order.
Asked to explain
the rise in incidents along the LoC, the Union Minister of State
for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that, “The increase suggests
that Pakistan is frustrated and desperate. It is trying hard to
help militants cross over to India.”
Security agencies
said that they have possibly identified the person in a new 14-minute
video released by the Al Qaraar media of the Islamic State (IS)
on December 25. In the video, a masked man with the black IS flag
in the background criticises Pakistan’s ISI and says various terror
outfits - HM, LeT and JeM - active in the Kashmir Valley are working
as ‘proxies of the ISI’. Agencies suspect the person is Aizaj
Ahmed Ahanger alias Ayaz, a local Kashmiri youth who has
been introduced as Abu-ul-Braa-Kashmiri in the video. An official
said they were yet to trace the location where the video was shot
and from where it was uploaded.
Criticising the ISI,
the masked man in the video said, “You see the irony the ways
they have endorsed — strikes, right-to-self-determination ....
and many of their filthy ways have no place in deen [religion]
… they are the ones bombing believers in Waziristan bowing to
America, whose history is drenched with blood of Muslimeen. We
declare our animosity and disassociation from your methodologies
and Pakistan and declare our disassociation from Hizb, Lashkar,
Jaish, Tehreek.”
It is said to be
the first Kashmir-centric video to have been posted by a media
group associated with the Islamist group. The newly created group
has been engaged in fierce competition with the al Qaeda to promote
its propaganda in India through various messages posted on social
media. In the past few months, both the IS and the AQIS have been
pushing several provocative messages on various social media platforms
but the video by the IS was a new development, an official said,
adding that AQIS has been routinely uploading such videos.
Like posters released
on earlier occasions, the IS fighter in the video is inviting
former HM commander Zakir Musa and now the head of the AQIS-affiliated
Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind group to join them. Asked why the IS was
wooing Zakir Musa, the official said, “On earlier occasions he
has shown an inclination towards joining the group.” Ashok Prasad,
UMHA spokesperson, said, “Security agencies are aware about this
particular input and are monitoring it for specific threats.”
Another UMHA official
suspected the motive behind the video, and said it could well
be a ploy by Pakistani agencies to show themselves as “victims
of terror”. “They are giving aspirational kind of messages but
so far nothing specific in the nature of preventable action has
come to notice so far. We have not been able to trace the origin
of the video,” said the official. He said there was no credible
evidence of the presence of the IS in Kashmir Valley and this
could be an effort by the outfit to divert the attention of supporters
after it lost ground in Iraq and Syria.
The AQIS released
yet another video on December 27 featuring two clips on “saffron
terror.” One of the clips is three-year-old. Security agencies
suspect the ISI to be running the AQIS propaganda since 2014.
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December 28
|
Pakistani troops
violated CFA twice in Poonch District as they resorted to unprovoked
and indiscriminate firing from across the border, targeting forward
posts and villages along the LoC. The Indian troops guarding the
LoC retaliated the firing but there was no immediate report of
any casualty. Sources said the small arms firing from Pakistani
side was reported for nearly three hours in the morning in three
villages of Digwar sector, causing panic among an border residents.
The firing from across the border again started in the evening
at Khari Karmara sector in Poonch and the exchange of firing between
the two sides was continuing when last reports were received,
sources said.
The nearby Rajouri
District also witnessed heavy exchange of firing between Indian
and Pakistani army after the latter initiated the firing in Nowshera
sector.
Four militants including
a Pakistani were arrested from Pattan area of Baramulla District.
A special team of Jammu and Kashmir Police and 2-RR of Army intercepted
a car at Chichloora, Kunzar area and arrested four persons along
with one AK-47 rifle, three magazines and a grenade. The arrested
militants have been identified as Jammel Ahmad Bhat (20) and Amir
Ahmad Bhat (18) and Mohammad Yaseen Bhat. The fourth person is
a Pakistani militant and he has been identified as Sajid. They
are being questioned and Police is expecting more leads from them.
A Police official said that the local militants were recently
recruited.
SFs cordoned off
Noorpor village in Tral area of Pulwama District and conducted
searches following inputs about the presence of militants in the
village. Noorpora is native village of Ansar Ghazwatul Hind ‘chief’
Zakir Musa. The searches were launched by a joint team of Jammu
and Kashmir Police, Army’s 42 RR and CRPF 180 battalion. The operation
was later called off as during house to house searches no militants
were found in the village.
Clashes erupted in
Pinjura village of Shopian District in South Kashmir after the
SFs launched a cordon-and-search-operation. A joint team of 44
RR, SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police and 14 battalion of CRPF cordoned
off the village after inputs about presence of two militants in
the village. However, during the operation protests broke out
and protesters pelted stones on the SFs leading to clashes. SFs
fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. The operation was later
called off.
SFs cordoned off
Wani Mohalla in Keller area of Shopian District after reports
about presence of top HM ‘commander’ Sameer Tiger in the village.
They conducted house to house searches in the village but the
operation was later called off after no militant was found there.
SFs conducted searches
at Dougam Kakapora in Pulwama District after suspicious movement
in near PHE’s Water Tank. However, nothing was found there.
Separatist leaders
in Kashmir have called for a boycott of the upcoming panchayat
polls in the State, as the authorities on December 28 clamped
down on its top leadership in Srinagar. “Any sort of election
under the Indian occupational system, be it for so-called Assembly,
Parliament, municipal committee or panchayat, is meant only to
harm the interests of Kashmiris. The Indian rulers have been using
this election drama to negate Kashmiris’ demand for self-determination
and freedom,” said a statement issued by the JRL, comprising Tehreek-e-Hurriyat
chairman Syed Ali Geelani, APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and
JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik. Appealing for “a complete and
comprehensive boycott of the panchayat elections”, they said,
“By an exemplary boycott of these elections, Kashmiris will deliver
a message to India and to the international community that Kashmiris
want freedom.” The government recently announced to held panchayat
polls in February next year.
Chief Secretary BB
Vyas briefed Centre’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir
Dineshwar Sharma in the Civil Secretariat while the the Special
Representative met more delegations and individuals before winding
up his four-day third visit to Jammu and Kashmir and returning
to New Delhi. Sharma visited the Civil Secretariat, the seat of
the Government, and had half an hour long inter-action with the
Chief Secretary. Vyas was reported to have briefed the Special
Representative on developmental works, security and other aspects
of the situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir.
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December 29
|
UHM Rajnath Singh
said that the security situation in J&K has considerably improved
with the efforts of the SFs and the development initiatives undertaken
by both the Centre and the State. The Minister made these remarks
while chairing an inter-ministerial meeting, convened in New Delhi,
to discuss development issues in J&K besides Left Wing Extremism-affected
States and the Northeast region. The high-level meet discussed
improvement of communication infrastructure in the J&K State,
particularly Ladakh region, strengthening of education system
in Jammu Kashmir and other developmental issues.
According to an official
spokesman, the Minister said that security situation in the militancy
infest Jammu Kashmir had shown considerable improvement and it
was time to move forward with speed on the developmental front.
Maintaining that the overall situation in J&K was well control,
Rajnath Singh stressed that it was made possible due to the efforts
of SFs and development initiatives undertaken by the incumbent
Governments at Centre and the State. “Now it is time to move forward
with speed on the development front,” he added.
Besides J&K,
the Minister said, the overall security situation in the country,
including Naxal (Left Wing Extremism) hit area and the
Northeast region had also shown considerable improvement. While
discussing the development issues, the inter-ministerial meeting
focused on improvement of communication infrastructure in Jammu
and Kashmir, particularly the Ladakh region by upgrading and installation
of mobile towers. Similarly, the sources added, the meet also
discussed in length strengthening of education infrastructure
in Jammu Kashmir.
|
December 30
|
SFs conducted a CASO
in Bandipora District. Acting on a tip-off about the presence
of militants, SFs and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched
a joint search operation at Gund Jehangir in Hajin in Bandipora.
SFs sealed all exit points and launched house-to-house search
operation, the sources said. However, no one was arrested during
the operation which ended after several hours.
It is believed that
militants, who were hiding in the forests during summer, had come
down in plains following snowfall and chilly weather in the heights.
SFs destroyed a number of hideouts in the forests before the onset
of winter.
NIA Special Court
in Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) awarded six years imprisonment to
six persons, who were arrested in 2011 by Janipur Police during
patrolling near High Court Road. These persons namely Shahid,
Zaqir Hussain, Showkat Ali and Mubarak Hussain were arrested with
FICN and letter of HM outfit. Later, the case was handed over
to NIA. After hearing both the sides, Special Judge observed,
“currency is the backbone of any economy and helps people in their
day to day transaction, whether commercial or household and its
use is indispensable”. “General acceptability and faith of the
public in it are the basic pre requisite of its existence. Presence
of the forged or counterfeit currency can shackle smooth functioning
of the economy. In the extreme cases it can also result in loss
of people’s faith in the currency and thus in the economic system”,
the court said, adding “penetration of the counterfeit currency
notes can affect basic frame of the economic activities and lead
the economy to doldrums”. With these observations, court awarded
six years imprisonment to the accused.
|
December 31
|
Militants carried
out a fidayeen attack on a CRPF camp in the early morning
at Letpora in Pampore in Pulwama District, killing five CRPF personnel
while two of the militants were later shot dead in the operation.
The militants who were killed in the attack were identified as
Manzoor Ahmad Baba, and Fardeen Ahmad Khanday both residents of
Kashmir. Sources said that at least three fidayeens stormed
into the camp by firing indiscriminately and lobbed grenades.
The 4-storey building consisted of 3 blocks and block-one was
used for officer’s family accommodation, 2nd block as main office
while block three as camp and it was targeted by militants. Soon
after the attack, reinforcement of Army’s Special Forces and SOG
rushed to the spot and cordoned off the whole area amid fierce
gunfight. In the initial exchange of gunfight, seven CRPF personnel
were injured. Five of them were killed.
The IG of CRPF Ravideep
Sahi said heavily armed Pakistani fidayeens entered the
camp in the dead of the night, which might have surprised the
personnel and threw grenades and fired at them. "This was
a deadly fidayeen attack by the Pakistani terrorists on the last
day of 2017. Five of our boys laid down their lives to repulse
the attack on the camp on the Srinagar-Jammu highway," IG
Sahi said.
JeM claimed responsibility
for the fidayeen attack. A JeM statement to local media
said: "The blood of martyrs is yielding results... Talha
Rasheed, Mohammad Bhai, commander Noor Mohammad Tantray and all
other martyrs of Kashmir are not heirless..." The statement
threatened more attacks on SFs.
Hours after a militant
attack on a CRPF camp in Pulwama District, DGP S P Vaid said that
SFs had an input about an impending militant strike in the Kashmir
Valley for the past three days. Terming the attack as unfortunate,
Vaid said as long as Pakistan keeps sending militants, SFs and
people of Kashmir will continue to go through this. "There
was an input from the last two-three days. They (militants) were
trying. They probably could not get a place and time earlier.
So, they struck last night," Vaid said. The DGP was speaking
at a press conference to outline the achievements of Jammu and
Kashmir Police in 2017.
Pakistani troops
again violated ceasefire along the LoC in twin border Districts
of Rajouri and Poonch in which an Army jawan (trooper)
was killed. Reports said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire
by resorting to heavy unprovoked firing on forward Army posts
at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District in the wee
hours of December 31. An Army jawan, identified as Sepoy
Jasbir Singh was martyred in the attack. Indian Army retaliated
effectively, leading to exchanges for some time.
Pakistan troops also
opened firing at Degwar sector of Poonch District from 3.30 am
to 6.30 am and Mankot, Balnoi and Ghani in Krishna Ghati sector
of Poonch at 4.50 pm. However, there was no damage on the Indian
side at these two places. Pakistan was also reported to have suffered
losses in retaliatory firing by the Indian side.
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