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Date
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Incidents
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January 1
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In a joint operation, the AR and
Ledo Police arrested two linkmen of ULFA-I, identified as Raktim
Moran and Manab Moran from Itakhola Ledo in Tinsukia District. According
to the report, the two linkmen were sending information to ULFA-I
and were engaged in illegal coal mines of Ledo area.
Five FICNs of INR 2000 were recovered
in Demow Kachumari Pathar in Sivasagar District.
A combined team of Imphal East District
Police Commando and 21 Para (Special Force) conducted frisking and
checking at the eastern side of Top Khongnangmakhong bridge in Imphal
East District and arrested one ‘self styled captain’ of UNLF, identified
as Magsatabam Gojendro Singh alias Telheiba (45).
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January 2
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Two persons hailing from Kerala's
Kasaragod District were arrested near Panaji, while canvassing for
a convention of Salafi Muslims scheduled to be held in Karnataka's
Mangalore later this month, and distributing Kannada language pamphlets
which had Islamic State (IS) symbol and a message titled, “ISIS
Shaitan”. The arrested persons have been identified as Ilyas and
Abdul Nazir. According to Police sources, the pamphlet is being
analysed by top Police officials as the content of the pamphlet
canvasses for a convention of Salafi Muslims due to be held in Mangalore
from January 9-16. Police is also checking the mobile number mentioned
on these pamphlets. "They have been booked under sections 107
(breach of peace) and 151 (preventive arrest) of the Criminal Procedure
Code. They have been sent for medical examination at the Goa Medical
College”, Police official said.
The producers of an upcoming film
have filed a complaint alleging that they have been receiving threat
calls from Dawood Ibrahim. According to the Police complaint, the
producers have been receiving threat calls for the past 10 days.
The complaint registered at the Parliament Street Police Station
(New Delhi) said that since January 1, the producers had received
five calls from a Pakistan-based mobile number.
Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat said
that dynamics of terrorism is constantly changing, and that Army
must think ahead in that direction. "The fact that terrorists
infiltrating from adversary's side means that they are getting support
from them (Pakistani forces)," the Army Chief said. "We
also have to think ahead, and ball has already rolling in that direction,"
he further added.
On surgical strikes, Rawat said
that it was well though through operation and India has sent across
a message with the strikes that attacks won't be tolerated. He further
said Indian Army will not shy away from a second surgical strike
if peace in the region is disrupted. The Army Chief also lauded
the soldiers and officers who serve in the most challenging terrains,
including those who have fought insurgency.
A top operative of the Bangladesh-based
terrorist outfit JMB, Mohammad Mosiuddin alias Musa has revealed
that Islamic State (IS) is planning to carry out terror attacks
in the eastern part of the country. Mosiuddin claimed that the IS
want to establish an Islamic caliphate in India. The SFs and the
intelligence agencies are now verifying the possibility of an IS
attack from the east following the interrogation of Musa. During
his interrogation, Musa has made revelations that terror groups
now aim at targeting foreigners at Kolkata's Mother House and lone
wolf attacks on foreign tourists in Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir).
The UAE Government had seized properties
of Dawood Ibrahim worth INR 150 billion. Earlier in the day, Indian
UHM Rajnath Singh had stated that the Government is continuing efforts
to bring back Dawood Ibrahim, However, even last year the UHM had
asserted that India’s most wanted mafia would soon be arrested and
brought back to the country.
The slogans 'ISIS coming soon' were
found painted on Mata Mansa Devi temple walls in Dharampur town
of Solan District in Himachal Pradesh located on the Kalka-Shmla
highway. A case has been registered by the local Police against
unidentified persons. The IB officials visited the spot and were
keeping an eye on the possible ISIS sympathiser in the area. The
slogans painted in red colour, possibly with the help of a stencil,
have been blackened by the local police following the panic spread
by the writings. Confirming the development, Superintendent of Police,
Solan, Anjum Ara, who also visited the spot, said the Police was
investigating the case and will soon arrest the people involved
in the mischief. "I cannot reveal the information at this stage
as it is very sensitive. A forensic examination had been conducted
and the report is awaited. The investigation is on," Anjum
Ara told. Sources said the intelligence agencies were keeping an
eye on migrant labourers besides suspicious people. Dharampur is
surrounded by sensitive Army cantonments and the authorities do
not want to take any chances.
Mohammad Faheem Ansari, LeT operative,
is being tried for his role in the 2007 attack on CRPF camp in Rampur,
(Uttar Pradesh) visited Pakistan and obtained a passport there on
fake papers, Manpreet Singh Vohra, the then Deputy High Commissioner
at Indian High Commission in Pakistan, told the court of additional
district and sessions judge. Vohra, who is now Ambassador to Afghanistan,
said he obtained this information with officials in Pakistan at
that time. Public Prosecutor Dalwinder Singh told the court that
Pakistan’s ISI had helped Ansari get the passport.
Additional District Government Counsel
Dalwinder Singh said, “Manpreet Singh Vohra had carried out the
investigation into a Pakistani passport recovered from Faheem Ansari
at the time of his arrest by the ATS and the sleuths of the special
task force on February 10, 2008. At that time, Vohra was the deputy
high commissioner of India in Islamabad.”
According to Singh, after the Mumbai
attack, both India and Pakistan governments had exchanged the information
through dossiers where it was revealed that Faheem Ansari had managed
to get the Pakistani passport on fake identities. Ansari had been
earlier accused of conducting reconnaissance for the Mumbai terror
attacks of 2008 but was subsequently acquitted of those charges.
Several Naxal groups
in Jharkhand were reported to have incurred losses to the tune of
INR 800 million said a top Police officer at Ranchi
District. The Naxal groups are desperate ever since
the Narendra Modi-led Government had decided to demonetize INR 500
and 1000 currency notes from the midnight of November 8, 2016,
which had an adverse impact on the activities of Naxal groups
in the State, said the ADG, Jharkhand, R K Mallick. Quoting an
intelligence report, he added, at least INR 800 million cash
of the Naxal groups has thus been destroyed due
to demonetisation. The Naxal outfits have weakened
as their major economic system was destroyed post-demonetisation,
which prompted the Naxals to indulge in looting
cash in desperation, going against the Maoist ideology, Mallick
claimed. However, the State Police was prepared to foil all their
nefarious design, he said.
Police have received evidence that
the CPI-Maoist, with the support of tribal people, took control
of forest land, along Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, by cutting down
hundreds of trees. A series of video clip, released by Police, show
that the armed CPI-Maoist and tribal people are jointly removing
trees in forest and installing CPI-Maoist flag in the area. Police
suspect that the area shown in the video is Agali forest region
of Palakkad District. According to Police, the visuals were recovered
from the digital documents that were seized after the recent Police
encounter with CPI-Maoist in Nilambur forest in which two CPI-Maoist
leaders, Kuppu Devaraj and Ajitha, were killed.
A self styled ‘platoon commander’
and a cadre of the NDFB-IKS, identified as Danial Muchahary and
Rahen Muchahary were arrested after an encounter with a joint team
comprising the Police and the Army from Lawdangi area under Dhekiajuli
Police station in Sonitpur District. Police recovered one 7.65 pistol,
three round live cartridges, three mobile phones along with six
SIM cards from the militants. Police sources said that Danial was
the self styled ‘platoon commander’ of NDFB –IKS of ‘38 battalion’
of the outfit.
A suspected Bangladeshi citizen,
identified as Sohail Ahmed alias Omar Nasser Saju was arrested by
Cachar District Police at Sadhinbazar area in Cachar District. However,
in a reply to a question about Sohail’s link with terrorist outfit
JMB and also about his possible links behind the Holey Artisan Bakery
in Gulshan Police Station of Dhaka, the Police said that nothing
conclusive could be arrived at so far and they were investigating
all possible angles.
A militant of PREPAK-Pro, identified
as Kangjam Premananda (40) was arrested by a team of Imphal West
District Police at Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai in Imphal West District.
Two hand grenade and two mobile phones were recovered from the arrested
militant. According to the Police sources, the hand grenades were
meant to be exploded at MPSC office and also at the residences of
some of its top officials and the militant was operating under one
Lamtakpa alias Langamba of PREPAK-Pro.
A Chinese hand grenade was recovered
by Imphal West District Police at Suraj Paint Centre at Nagamapal
in Imphal West District. No one has claimed responsibility for the
act so far.
Self styled ‘chairman’ Helun Haokip
of the militant outfit, KNLF, announced that his ‘organisation’
KNLF had been merged with another militant group, the UKLF.
The Court of CJM, Imphal East District
remanded the UNC President Gaidon Kamei and Information Secretary
Shangkhel Stephen to Police custody till January 11.
Three militant outfits of North
East, KLO, NLFT and PDCK had set March 31 as ‘deadline’ for ‘Hindi
speakers’ and Bengalis to ‘quit Kamatapur, Karbi-Longri and Tripura’
in an statement. The statement was signed by KLO ‘chairman’ Jiban
Singh Koch, NLFT ‘organising secretary’ Seng-phul Borok and PDCK
‘chairman’ JK Lijang. The statement also condemned the killing of
suspected NDFB-IKS, Ratna Narzary of Khunguri village of Chirang
District on December 29 by SFs. According to the report, all these
three militant groups are mentored by the NSCN-K and ULFA-I.
One civilian, identified as Athari
Samson (54) and an AR trooper, identified as Bhupal Singh (42) were
killed in an encounter with suspected militants at Khunthak village
of Kasom Khullen sub-division in Kamjong District. Troops of 27
AR were going on foot for an operation when they were attacked by
militants who opened indiscriminate fire at around 10.30 am. The
AR troops too retaliated. The encounter left one AR trooper and
another man dead.
A team of Imphal West District Police
arrested a militant of KCP, identified as Akoijam Khamba Singh (45)
from Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District. Three hand
grenades, four detonators and a .32 pistol along with 2 live rounds
were recovered from his possession. According to Police he joined
the outfit in 2008.
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January 3
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The probe carried out by NIA into
the January 2, 2016 Pathankot attack finds out that JeM had plans
to attack a local police station too. An intermittent delay in reaching
the Pathankot Air Force in Punjab had almost prompted JeM to change
their plans and attack a local Police Station instead of the air
force base. The information is part of several other conversations,
accessed by NIA, which took place between the JeM attackers and
their handlers based in Pakistan. The conversations also include
chats which took place during and after the attack between JeM handlers
and other individuals based in Pakistan.
According to the probe conducted
by NIA, four attackers, who belonged to Pakistan based JeM, grew
weary due to a delay and had spoken about their concern to Kashif
Jan, a senior JeM member through a telephonic conversation. The
attackers, all of whom were Pakistani nationals, had made calls
to their handler to update him about their movement once they had
crossed the border. At around 3.31 am on January 1, 2016 the handler,
identified as Kashif, referred as Ustadji by the attackers, made
a call on a phone which the attackers had snatched from Ikagar Singh,
a taxi driver who was killed by the Pakistani nationals.
A CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ carrying
a reward of INR 1.5 million on his head and wanted in three States
was shot dead in an encounter with Police and CRPF at the Ramtandi
forest under Ghorabandha Police Station in Ghatshila sub-division
of East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Supai Tudu, an ‘area commander’
of a faction of the CPI-Maoist, was found dead after an exchange
of fire between security personnel and the Maoists. Tudu’s wife,
Sonali Tudu, was arrested at the site after the incident.
A DRG jawan was injured in an exchange
of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
The incident occurred in evening in Basaguda Police Station area
when a joint team of SFs was out on a anti-Naxal operation.
A composite squad of DRG, STF and CoBRA had launched the operation
to the interiors of Basaguda, around 450 kilometres away from Raipur,
Police said. While the SFs were cordoning off a forested patch close
to Tarrem area, they came under heavy fire from a group of ultras
that led to the gun-battle. "A DRG jawan sustained bullet injuries
on his leg in the incident. However, ultras soon escaped from the
spot," the Police added.
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.
At least 14 people were injured
when Police resorted to force while dispersing a mob picketing Manipur
Government offices in Senapati District headquarters. The incident
occurred when about 300 people gathered and marched towards the
barricades put up across the road leading to the Senapati District
Administration Office before being stopped by security personnel.
Under the aegis of UNC, the picketing of Manipur Government Offices
in Naga Districts began from midnight of December 31.
Gunfire erupted in Ukhrul District,
near the District Mini-Secretariat. According to sources, armed
gunmen exchanged fire with security personnel manning the Mini-Secretariat.
The firing which started around 9:00 pm lasted around half an hour.
Casualty is not reported so far. The persons responsible for the
firing also remain unknown till now.
In a joint operation by AR and Tezpur
Police, one suspected individual was arrested along with arms from
Barchola village in Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur District. One AK series
rifle, two magazines and 21 live rounds were recovered from the
arrestee.
One person, identified as Rajiv
Rajkhowa was arrested by Pengaree Police following a public chastisement
at Dwarmara village in Pengaree in Tinsukia District. The arrested
person, Rajiv Rajkhowa, shot a local VDP member, identified as Umesh
Rai, at his residence who narrowly escaped death. Then he was caught
by the son of the victim with the help of the villagers and later
handed him over to Pengaree Police. Local sources said that Rajiv
Rajkhowa had served an extortion letter to Rai last year in the
name of the ULFA. The Police recovered two handmade revolvers and
a writing pad belonging to the ULFA from the arrestee.
Unidentified assailants fired at
the residence of Prashanta Gogoi, President OBC wing of BJP, located
at Milan Nagar in Dibrugarh District. However, no one was injured
in the firing incident. At the time of the incident, Prashanta Gogoi
who had joined the BJP few months back was stated to be in Guwahati
for some personal work. The Police immediately rushed to the spot
and reviewed the situation. No one has been arrested till the filing
of this report.
AR arrested a Myanmar-trained NSCN-R
militant, identified as ‘self-styled corporal’ Pingwang Kanglom
in Changlang town in Changlang District. The militant had been involved
in extortion activities in the District, sources in the paramilitary
force said. A pistol and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered
from him.
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January 4
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A suspected Naxal was
killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in dense forest of Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. "The skirmish took place late in
afternoon in forest between Puvarti (Sukma District) and Kondapalli
villages under Basaguda Police Station limits of Bijapur,"
Bijapur SP, K L Dhruv said. A joint team of CoBRA – a CRPF
specialised unit, DRG and local Police had launched the Counter-Insurgency
Operation in the jungles of Basaguda and Awapalli, he said. While
SFs were cordoning off a restive pocket on Bijapur-Sukma border,
they came under heavy fire from a group of armed naxals leading
to a heavy gun-battle, the SP added. SDG (Anti-Naxal Operations),
D M Awasthi, said that the operation was “intelligence based” and
the recovery of the INSAS LMG was very significant for the
Chhattisgarh Police”.
Two members of New SPM were allegedly
killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Pathal village in Chatra District
of Jharkhand. The bodies were found near the Gaya-Chatra border
and the two men, identified as Sanjay Singh Bhokta and Vijay Singh
Bhokta, who were abducted from their house. Chatra, SP, Anjani Jha
said that a CPI-Maoist poster, in which the murderers claim to represent
the banned LWE faction, was found on the site of the incident. A
total of four shots were fired, two on each of the victims, Jha
added. Jha said, "It has been verified that one of the victims,
Sanjay Singh, was an active member of New SPM and was involved in
activities which might have led to a fight with the Maoists."
Sources indicate that the New SPM group recently started as an offshoot
of the CPI-Maoist and have been growingly active in the last few
days.
The Police Department is fortifying
24 Police Stations in the areas affected by Naxalism in
Telangana. The Government machinery in Telangana, particularly the
Police Department, is anticipating trouble from the CPI-Maoist cadres
in the coming days. New state-of-the-art Police Stations is being
constructed at a total cost of INR 500 million. Each of these 24
Police Stations will have impenetrable fencing and reinforced sentry
points, both at the entry point and on the rooftop, where armed
Police personnel would keep guard round the clock, sources said.
Further, the Government is developing two state-of-the-art Police
Training Centers – one in Karimnagar District at a cost
of INR 480 million; and the other one at Medchal in Medchal–Malkajgiri
District, at a cost of INR 300 million where Police recruits would
be trained to be battle-ready. Also, the Government is raising two
IRBs in the State, the sources said. This being so, recruitment
has slowly begun among CPI-Maoist circles. The recruits are
being trained in what is considered a safe bastion: Chhattisgarh.
This time, the CPI- Maoist cadres will have good firepower, since
they are getting the support of CCOMPOSA, sources said. DGP, Anurag
Sharma recently said that they would not allow the Maoists to make
a comeback in the State.
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.
Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh met
President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the UMHA report to the EC
that termed the law-and-order situation in the state as “grave”.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Singh rubbished the report
saying it “wrongly” concluded that the prevailing situation was
“not conducive” to conduct free-and-fair polls there. However, just
ahead of Ibobi’s meeting with the President, the EC declared that
the Assembly election will be held in two phases — on March 4 and
8 — in Manipur. Ibobi, later, welcomed the decision. The CM said
issues such as insurgency, blockades, strikes are not unique to
Manipur but they affect the entire north-east and that even in 2012,
the state Assembly polls were boycotted by hill and valley-based
underground organisations including the PLA and the UNLF.
UNC- the apex body of the Nagas
based in Manipur- said they would continue with the economic blockade
despite the announcement of Manipur assembly elections by the EC.
According to the UNC, elections cannot be held peacefully in the
Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur until the prevailing problems are
resolved. “The blockade will continue. Solving of Manipur’s problems
has to be done through dialogue between the parties in conflict.
So far, the government of Manipur has failed to respond politically.
We have no other option but to intensify the blockade, no matter
what the EC has announced regarding the polls in the state,” K.S.
Paul, former President of the UNC, said. Paul - an active member
of the UNC -said the Manipur Government has betrayed the Nagas of
Manipur. “We have been betrayed by the Manipur government, as it
did not consult us on the creation of seven new Districts out of
our ancestral land. We do not know whether the situation will be
conducive for holding free and fair elections in the Naga areas
of the state,” said Paul.
Belagavi Police along with Assam
Police arrested a suspected militant associated with NDFB at a sugar
company in Belgaum District of Karnataka.
|
January 5
|
China dismissed as “untrue” allegations
of double standards by India by blocking its bid to list JeM leader
Masood Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, claiming that it had
adopted a “just, objective and professional” attitude in deciding
the matter. “With regard to the listing matter of the Security Council
1267 committee the so called double standards adopted by China on
this relevant issue is not true. We take action based on solid evidence
that is the standard upheld by us,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
Geng Shuang said.
Intelligence agencies are weighing
inputs indicating the radical elements within the proscribed SIMI
are forging links with similarly minded groups within the recently
banned IRF and may lead to the birth of a new radical outfit. Such
inputs, described by sources as “very disturbing”, have been pouring
in for more than a month ever since the Central Government banned
IRF led by controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. The IB is
likely to issue a note to State intelligence agencies regarding
these developments shortly. Top sources disclosed that over the
past couple of months, person-to-person contact and group interactions
between members of the banned groups have been taking place lately.
''Similar inputs have been coming from certain areas that are known
to be breeding grounds for militants in different states. Some political
parties, which used to sympathise with SIMI, are now sympathising
with IRF too,'' said one senior official.
While IRF, an NGO run by Salafist
preacher Zakir Naik, was banned for five years in November 2016,
SIMI was 16 years ago and still has a large number of supporters.
Sources in the intelligence agencies said they consider SIMI as
a ''very active'' group despite the ban. Though SIMI members attending
the taqreer (speeches) of Zakir Naik is nothing new, intelligence
sources say there is electronic evidence of increasing interaction
between members of these two groups, especially since the IRF ban.
Interestingly, just days after IRF
was banned, the Kerala-based Islamic fundamentalist organisation
PFI organized massive rallies in different parts of the country
in support of Zakir Naik. A majority of PFI members are actually
from SIMI. “Since SIMI is banned, the members work in different
outfits. But SIMI is alive and kicking,'' said a senior official.
Sources said inputs indicate that these radical interactions could
lead to the formation of a new radical outfit similar to IM which
was involved in a series of bomb blasts across the country since
it was founded by Abdus Subhan Qureshi in 2010. IM mostly comprised
of lower-tier SIMI members. The change in name was widely
seen as a change in tactics by SIMI members. Till date, while senior
SIMI leaders are still available, there are minimal inputs about
the cadres. “The same tactic is being used again. Only this time,
SIMI has IRF to look to. IRF has dedicated members across the length
and breadth of the country, which will come in handy and this is
enough for extremist elements in both groups to form a new group
and continue with their subversive activities,'' another official
said.
Members of NOJ, left a note threatening
to kill Pipra (Supaul District) of Bihar, MLA, Shyam Babu Prasad
Yadav if he did not quit the BJP by February. NOJ is
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. The group has sought an extortion
of INR 500,000 from Yadav.
The ‘deputy commander’ of Kasansur Dalam Jyoti
Gawade was killed by Gadchiroli District Police's C-60 Commandos
at Boteyjhari and Badhgaon forest in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.
Jyoti is alleged to have led the arson attack at Surjagarh on December
23, 2016. 76 trucks, 3 JCBs and 1 motorcycle were burnt by the Naxals.
Shivaji Bodkhe, IG of State ANO, said that Jyoti was trying to break
through the Police cordon when she received bullet injuries in retaliatory
fire. "Police have also seized Jyoti's .303 rifles," he
added. On January 4, the Police had cornered Naxals at
Nihalkai forest near Gyarapati from where two .12 bore rifles were
seized. After intensifying the search operations, the Police spotted
Jyoti's Dalam following which a battled ensued.
Jyoti alias Sagobai Narsingh, was earlier ‘commander’
of Surjagarh LGS which was later amalgamated with Kasansur Dalam.
A surrendered Naxalite was
allegedly killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Dhanora Tehsil of
Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The victim Sukhram Lalchu Wadde
(35) was a member of Naxal militia, who had surrendered
before the Police in July 2016, a senior Police official said. The Naxals attacked
Sukhram at Kehakavi village and murdered him using an axe, he said.
"The CPI-Maoist cadres were angry as Sukhram had turned himself
in before the police," the official added. Further the officials
said last week (December 29, 2016) three villagers were killed allegedly
by Naxalites in Aheri and Korchi tehsils in
Gadchiroli on the suspicion of they being ‘informers’. The victims
were identified as Laccha Bande Madavi (36) resident of Rumalkasa,
Patali Doge Atram (36), resident of Gurja, and Talwarsha Kunjram,
resident of Korchi.
A militia member of the CPI-Maoist,
who was involved in the Chamundia beat-house torching case in July
2016, was arrested by Police in Senepuri forest near Badasilinga
in Nayagarh District of Odisha. The arrested Maoist, Santosh Majhi
(35), had been working with the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh
(KKBN) division of the CPI-Maoist for the past three years. Two
associates of Majhi escaped during the raid. One of them has been
identified as Bipin, while the other’s identity is yet to be established.
Majhi and a dozen of his associates had damaged the beat house and
set fire to a jeep which was being used for anti-poaching operations
in Nayagarh Forest Division (NFD).
The UKLF categorically stated that
it was not involved in any manner in the ambush against State Police
ahead of CM Okram Ibobi Singh’s visit to Tengnoupal (Tengnoupal
District) near Lokchao along Imphal-Moreh highway on December 15.
Speaking to a team of media persons at an undisclosed location in
Chandel district, UKLF ‘home secretary’ Daniel Thadou said that
the KNLF ‘chairman’ had merged with the UNLF on his own volition.
Daniel contended that the UKLF was not involved in the Lokchao ambush,
and the State Police and its intelligence agencies would know the
truth.
Earlier KNLF ‘general secretary’
Lalmoi Haokip alleged that the Lokchao ambush was carried out by
UKLF at the instruction of NSCN-IM. Flatly rejecting Lalmoi’s allegation,
Daniel said that the same allegation was baseless and fabricated.
The UKLF has a suspicion that the Lokchao ambush was carried out
by a gang of criminals led by Lalmoi, Daniel said.
|
January 6
|
As many as nine vehicles were set
on fire by about 30 cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Gondahur Police
Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. SP, ML Kotwani
said the Maoists set ablaze eight tractors and one excavator. He
said the Maoists had threatened to stop the road laying work in
between Maharashtra’s Pendi village to Chhattisgarh's border. After
the threat, the contractors from Maharashtra had parked their vehicles
in the territory of Chhattisgarh, Kotwani said, adding that Police
force was sent to the place of occurrence.
Five Naxals were
arrested with arms and ammunition from Gumla and Garhwa Districts
of Jharkhand. Two cadres of the PLFI were arrested from Palkot in
Gumla District while three cadres of the TPC were arrested in Ranka,
Garhwa District. A country made gun, bullets and mobile phones were
found on PLFI cadres Vinay Gope and Ravi Gope while
Police recovered 25 kilograms explosive from TPC cadres Rajesh Yadav
and his aides Sunil Singh Kharwar and Mehboob Alam. Gumla SP, Chandan
Kumar Jha said Vinay and Ravi had demanded INR 300,000 levy from
a petrol bunk owner on December 30, 2016. In Garhwa, Police first
arrested Rajesh. During interrogation, he revealed about his aides
who were arrested from Ramkanda village. Police seized mobile phones,
pamphlets and posters. TPC and PLFI are splinter groups of
the CPI-Maoist.
The UMHA flagged the operational
efficiency of SFs in the Naxal-affected areas as one
of its biggest achievements during a presentation before PM Narendra
Modi. The Ministry informed Modi that since the NDA Government came
to power in May 2014, there had been a 45 per cent increase in the
efficiency of Central Forces (CFs) in operations against the Naxals.
In a presentation made by Home Secretary, Rajiv Mehrishi, Modi and
other officials were informed that the number of Naxal cadres
killed in 2016 had been the highest ever in six years. Eighty-Four
cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in 2015 and in 2016, the number
swelled to 218, which was an increase of 160 per cent. There was
also an increase in the number of Police encounter from 237 in 2015
to 316 in 2016. UHM Rajnath Singh told in a press conference earlier
this week that demonetization had increased the problems of CPI-Maoist
and that they had weakened. The EFC has already given the go-ahead
for an ambitious road project in the 44 worst Naxal-affected
Districts. Under this project, the Government proposes to construct
5,412 km of roads and 126 bridges and it would cost INR 117.25 million.
The Government is redrawing the ‘Red Corridor’ — the area affected
by LWE — and may soon take off 20 Districts from the list of Naxal-affected
areas. The 106 Districts which span 10 States — Bihar, Jharkhand,
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh — constitute the Red Corridor.
Of these, 44 Districts are said to be the worst affected. India
has a total of 683 Districts.
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.
A Field Assistant of Veterinary
Department, identified as Ds Stephen (45) was shot by one unidentified
assailant at Maringphai village, near Pallel in Tengnoupal District.
Stephen who sustained bullet injuries on the calf and thigh had
been taken to Jeevan Hospital, Kakching, and then shifted to a hospital
of Imphal. According to the sources, it is not clear who the assailants
are and what is the motive so far.
The ‘chairman’ of the KNLF wrote
to the chairman of the JMG of the SoO, to delist the outfit from
the KNO as it had merged with the UKLF. In the written communication
sent to the chairman of the JMG, the ‘chairman’ of the KNLF said
that all former members of the KNLF including the 'c in c’ had already
been absorbed by the UKLF and hence to instruct the KNO not to mention
KNLF or use the name of KNLF.
One militant of ULFA-I, identified
as Lakheswar Baruah alias Lavang Axom was arrested by Bordumsa Police
in association with Indian Army at Kathgalguri near Bordumsa in
Tinsukia District.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM strongly
objected to India's decision to fence the borders between Myanmar
and Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In the statement,
NSCN-IM said that such ‘artificial boundary fencing imposed upon
the Naga people’ was against the will of the people and was gross
violation of human rights. Other Naga groups like, NNC and ENDO
were also against the fencing.
Combined team of Bishnupur District
Police commandos and AR troopers recovered a 9 mm carbine machine
gun along with one magazine from an abandoned Bajaj Discover bike
at Torbung in Bishnupur District. However, the assailant, who was
seen coming out from Torbung bazar Mamang Leikai with that bike
and abandoned it at Torbung auto shed managed to escape.
|
January 7
|
Describing the counter-terrorism
cooperation between India and the US under the eight years of Barack
Obama administration as “incredibly successful”, Peter Lavoy, Senior
Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council,
White House, has said this has not only “diminished the threat”
of terrorism in the two countries, but also foiled several terror
plots. “I can tell you quite definitively that due to our partnerships,
several terrorism plots were foiled. Indian lives and American lives
were saved because of this partnership,” said Peter Lavoy. “So it’s
a very significant development and I think, it can continue,” he
added.
International radical outfit Street
Daawah has opened offices in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai to
recruit non-Muslims, including those from the IT hubs in these cities,
for enlisting them into suicide missions. The outfit had begun its
operations in the UK and Australia in 2012 following which a number
of youths were radicalised with presentation of concocted forms
of Islam. In the wake of the outfit’s activities, a few Indians,
including Indian- origin British national Siddarth Dhar, joined
the Islamic State (IS). Dhar is also believed to be the new Jihadi
John, a masked executioner for the IS whose videos relating to mass
executions have been released by the Caliphate-seeking terror outfit
after the liquidation of the original Jihadi John whose real name
was Mohammad Emwazi, a British origin IS executioner. Many of the
Street Daawah cadres have been known to have either joined the IS
ranks or emerged as suicide bombers for them. As many as 25 suicide
bombings have been committed globally by the Street Daawah cadres
during the last few years.
India and Portugal called upon the
global community to avoid double standards in addressing terror
and to strengthen cooperation in combating international terrorism
with zero tolerance towards it. “They underlined that states should
not support any terror entity including ‘non-state actors’ on any
grounds and that violent extremism fueled by misuse of internet
and the social media needs to be countered. Similarly, networks
of terrorist financing and terrorist infrastructure should be dismantled,”
said a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart, Antonio Costa.
Three Maoists, two of them carrying
cash reward on their heads, were arrested from separate places in
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. While a ‘commander’ rank cadre
identified as Vetti Varsa was arrested from Katekalyan Police Station
limits, two others were arrested from Kotwali Police Station area.
Of them, Varsa was active as Jan militia ‘commander’ under Katekalyan
area committee of Maoists, he said, adding that the rebel was carrying
a reward of INR 100,000 on his head. Two others arrested were identified
as Masa alias Kumma Madvi, head of Janatana Sarkar
group and Panda, a member of the same group, he added. The two were
tasked with the recruitment of fresh cadres for the banned outfit,
the official said, adding Masa was also carrying a reward of INR
100,000 on his head.
Suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist
set ablaze three construction vehicles at Ruam village near Chaibasa
in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The attack was a reaction
to the construction company's failure in paying levy. The damaged
vehicles included two bulldozers and a mixer owned by RKS constructions.
SP, Anish Gupta said, "We are tracing the rebels involved in
the incident. The construction of this road, which had begun in
2014, has suffered repeated setbacks due to Maoist activities. Last
year, Maoists had burnt vehicles involved in the construction of
the same road after the company refused to pay levy."
Khunti Police conducted an operation,
led by SP, Ashwini Jha, at Kuisar village forest in Khunti District
of Jharkhand. Police had got a tip-off about a meeting of the PLFI
in the forest, 25 kilometres from Khunti. Three country-made carbines,
one regular carbine, two double barrel breach loading guns, three
magazines and two haversacks were seized in the raid. Jha said,
"We reached the location at 3:30 am and discovered a rebel
camp. However, the rebels escaped by the time we reached the camp.
We chased them for half a kilometer but failed to catch them. Maoists
Jidan Gudiya, Prabhu Sahai Bodra, Bagrai Champiya, Pattu Naag and
others were among those who fled.'' PLFI is a splinter group of
the CPI-Maoist.
Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Dimba Pahan
(58), who carried INR 1.5 million reward on his head, surrendered
before Khunti SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha at his office. A native of
Barigarha village in Arki area of Khunti of Jharkhand, Dimba joined
the Maoists in 1998. He was involved in several cases of Ranchi,
Khunti, Saraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum Districts, including
the killing of former Tamar MLA, Ramesh Singh Munda, Bundu DSP,
Pramod Kumar Gupta and special branch inspector Francis Indewar.
He also robbed an ICICI Bank cash van of over INR 50.7 million and
1.2 kilograms gold in May, 2008.
East Singhbhum District (Jharkhand)
Police have intensified search operations at Ghurabandha and Dumaria
in Ghatshila and deployed SFs along NH-33 in wake of a bandh call
by Maoists on January 10 to protest killing of Supaye Tuddu on January
3.
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.
Two CRPF jawans, identified as constables
Visvendar Jat and Brajesh Singh, were injured one of them seriously,
in a powerful blast in Imphal West District. Police said the two
constables were passing by in a bicycle when an IED planted by the
wayside at Naoremthong Khullem Leikai under Lamphel Police Station
exploded. The IED was detonated by suspected militants using a remote
control device, they added. No outfit has claimed responsibility
so far.
The UNC decided to continue its
economic blockade during Manipur polls which will be held in the
first week of March. The UNC also decided to ‘intensify’ the economic
blockade in the meeting held at Senapati Town in Senapati District.
|
January 8
|
The Q Branch of CID Police arrested
an advocate from S. Alangulam village in Madurai District of Tamil
Nadu on the charge of having links with CPI-Maoist. The
Q Branch CID Police had been conducting surveillance on advocate
A. Murugan ever since the two alleged CPI-Maoist cadres – Kala (53)
and Chandra (51) – were arrested in Karur District on July 2016.
Sources said that Murugan’s younger brother, Velmurugan (35), an
active CPI-Maoist cadre, was accused in two naxal cases
in Varushanadu in Theni District and Uthankarai in Coimbatore District.
The advocate used to appear for CPI-Maoist in court. The Q Branch
CID team seized a huge quantity of homeopathic medicines allegedly
in possession of the advocate, which, sources claimed, were being
supplied to some Maoists. A few printed literatures relating to
Maoists were also alleged to have been recovered.
The Jharkhand Police are now concentrating
their offensive on the CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ Kanhu Munda in
East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. To revive people's
confidence in the administration, Police have decided to hold a
crime meeting at Gian village in Ghatshila subdivision. East Singhbhum
Rural SP, Shailendra Burnwal said they had chosen Naxal-hit
Gian for the meeting because Kanhu Munda hailed from the village.
He added, "We are already carrying out anti-insurgency operations
in Ghurabandha and Gian. The crime meeting at Kanhu Munda's village
will surely make a difference among people who may have been associated
with the Naxalites because they are petrified of
Munda”. Police sources said there were four to five armed naxals in
Munda's squad. "We are working on a plan in which villagers
will no longer co-operate with the CPI-Maoist like they have been
doing so far," SP Burnwal said. Munda's squad is active in
the Ghurabandha region, which shares border with Mayurbhanj District
of Odisha. Police will also hold a janata durbar for
villagers of Gian. "At the durbar, local problems - including
the ones that have cropped up owing to Naxalite activities
- will be heard and resolved, if possible," the SP said.
UHM Rajnath Singh held a review
meeting on Naxalism situation in Jharkhand with
senior Police officials of CRPF and the State Police at Eastern
Sector Headquarters of CRPF in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. A
senior Police official told, “A demand was raised before the UMHA
to increase the strength of SFs in the state to carry out anti-Naxal operations
in the state, replying to which, he said that the demand will be
taken up only after UP Election.” The State Police also requested
the UHM to recommence the fund allocation for setting up of STF
against terrorism which has been discontinued for quite some time.
With security advisor K Vijay Kumar and CM Raghubar Das in tow,
Singh claimed that the Centre's demonetization move has broken the
backs of banned LWE organizations like PLFI and CPI-Maoist. Maintaining
that dialogue was the only means to resolve differences, the minister
urged armed groups to come to the discussion table and place their
demands instead of 'stopping the development of the poor'. Singh,
who inaugurated the Eastern Sector Headquarters of CISF in the state
capital, said increasing the 'technological and core competence'
of the forces is the need of the hour. The new Eastern Sector Headquarters
in Ranchi's Tiril spreads over 158 acres. This new headquarters
has been relocated from Bihar for better synergy, CISF Director
General OP Singh said.
The dead bodies of the abducted
civilians identified as, the village chief of N-Gamnom village S
Otkhomang (57) and church chairman Tilpao Haokip (51) were found
in Nungkham Gamnom Village in Manipur’s newly-created Tengnoupal
District. Earlier, on January 6, these two civilians were abducted
by some unidentified assailants and they were taken toward Indo-Myanmar
border. According to the sources, the assailants also fired some
rounds while taking away the duo. The sources also added that fatal
bullet injuries were seen on the dead bodies. Regarding this sensitive
issue, a joint meeting attended by members of various organisations
including Hill Tribal Council, Meitei Council Moreh, Kuki Chiefs
Association (Moreh Block) and women leaders was held and the meeting
resolved to impose a bandh along Moreh road on January 9.
A hand grenade planted by unidentified
assailants was recovered at the residence of Bishnupur DSP, Y Sushil’s
wife at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai in Imphal West District.
After recovering the grenade, the bomb disposal squad of Manipur
Police exploded it safely at a dumping site at Lamphelpat,
The Additional Secretary for Mizoram’s
Home department Lalbiakzama said that the proposed repatriation
of over 32,800 Brus lodged in six relief camps in Tripura was scheduled
to begin from the second week of February, 2017. Lalbiakzama attended
a meeting between the UMHA and Mizoram Government in New Delhi over
the issue of the repatriation of the 5,413 Bru families.
One cadre of the Lamyanba Khuman
faction of KCP-MC militant, identified as Kangabam Chaoba alias
Mohen (63), who was involved in placing a hand grenade at the office
of Pandam, an evening daily on December 26, 2016 was arrested
by Imphal West District Police at Sagolband Kangabam Leikai area
in Imphal West District. One Chinese hand grenade along with detonator
and three demand letters were recovered from the arrested militant.
The militant disclosed that he had been working under the command
of self styled ‘commander’ Laishram Mangoljao alias Lamyanba
Khuman of the militant group who was staying in Nepal. He also disclosed
that he collected one Chinese hand grenade from another militant,
AK Khamba (48) who was recently arrested by Imphal East District
commandos.
A militant of NDFB-IKS, identified
as Dhananjay Boro alias B.Dahal Thungri (32) was arrested
by the Police along with Indian Army at Shantipur area under Runikhata
Police Station in Chirang District. One 9mm Pistol, one magazine
and 4 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrestee. The
Chirang District SP Shankar Raimedhi said that the militant was
a trained NDFB-IKS cadre of 38th batch and after training he had
been operating in Baksa District. But he was on the run after anti-militancy
operation was intensified in the state.
|
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.
Four persons, including a woman,
were arrested along with FICNs with a face value of INR 41,000 in
Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. The four came under Police scanner
when their vehicle was checked, SP (Rural) Vinit Bhatnagar said.
"Twenty fake notes in denomination of 2,000, a Rs 100 note,
two pistols and a car have been seized from them," he added.
The UMHA reviewed the security situation
in poll-bound Punjab and alerted the state Police on possible attempts
by Pakistan’s ISI to foment trouble. Punjab will also see the largest
deployment of SFs out of the 85000 Central Armed Police Forces personnel
sanctioned by the UMHA for Assembly polls in five states. The UMHA
asked the state Police to be on alert for communal incidents triggered
by desecration of religious books, as had happened in 2015. The
role of Pakistan was suspected in the incident. The BSF has been
asked to step up vigil and keep a close tab on the activities along
the border with Pakistan.
Islamic State (IS) is spreading
its activities to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu
said. "ISIS..Slowly it is establishing its activities. If you
sanction Rapid Action Force, it will go a long way to control ISIS,"
Chandrababu told UHM Rajnath Singh. Chandrababu also wanted an additional
battalion of CRPF for the state "to face Left Wing Extremism".
Two persons, identified as Ashish
(23) and Krishan Bhardwaj (25) were arrested on January 9 for allegedly
printing FICNs of INR 500 and INR 2000 denominations and circulating
them in weekly markets in southwest Delhi. Police also recovered
FICNs worth of INR 6,10,500 from them. The team probing the matter
found that a syndicate, operating in Uttam Nagar, Dwarka among others,
is involved in printing and circulating fake currency in the market
to hamper country’s economy, DCP-(Southwest), Surender Kumar said.
The UMHA reviewed the security situation
in poll-bound Punjab and alerted the State Police on possible attempts
by Pakistan’s ISI to foment trouble. UMHA asked the State Police
to be on alert for communal incidents triggered by desecration of
religious books, as had happened in 2015. The role of Pakistan was
suspected in the incident. The BSF has been asked to step up vigil
and keep a close tab on the activities along the border with Pakistan.
The meeting at UMHA was attended by Punjab DGP Suresh Arora. Punjab
will also see the largest deployment of Security Forces out of the
85000 CAPF personnel sanctioned by the UMHA for Assembly polls in
five states. “We expect violence only in Punjab and Manipur and
are taking adequate measures,” said a senior UMHA official.
Even as Andhra Pradesh DGP, N Sambasiva
Rao, recently claimed that the CPI-Maoist numbers have dwindled
specially after the major encounter at Ramaguda in Bejjangi area
in Odisha in October 2016, the CPI-Maoist is reportedly planning
to set up a 'Janatana Sarkar' in the AOB. Despite
losing ground in places like Palnadu and the South Andhra Districts
like Krishna and West Godavari in the last two decades, Maoists
have till date managed to retain their hold in the AOB Districts
like East Godavari and Visakhapatnam. According to sources, members
of the division committee and red guerrillas have been continuously
conducting meetings in the AOB villages.
UHM Rajnath Singh has said the Centre
would establish Greyhounds Centre, sanction RAF and give one more
CRPF battalion to curb terrorist and Naxal activities
in Andhra Pradesh. UHM Singh laying the foundation stone for the
construction of the campus for the NDRF 10th Battalion, at Kondapavuluru
village in Gannavaram mandal, at a cost of INR 2 billion,
said: “The Home Ministry has sanctioned more CRPF personnel for
Andhra Pradesh and instructions have been given in this regard.
Once elections are over in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and three
other States the force will come to the State. The AP Government
has sent a requisition for RAF and for setting up of Greyhounds,
and we will look into the matter.” The Greyhounds was doing good
work in Telangana State (TS) in controlling the LWE, and the Greyhounds
Centre would be on par with TS, UHM Singh said.
UHM Rajnath Singh has said that
the menace of CPI-Maoist activities and infiltration into northeastern
States came down drastically. Further he said that LWE declined
by 55 per cent. Infiltration to northeastern States also decreased
by over 70 per cent, he asserted.
A highly volatile situation was
witnessed in the whole of Senapati town in Senapati District, following
the arrest of leaders of ANSAM by AR. According to the report, ANSAM
President Seth Shatsang, Finance Secretary of the association Joseph
Adani and Executive Secretary AC Thotso were arrested by the AR
personnel from Taphou area of Senapati town while they were enforcing
the economic blockade. However they were released after the intervention
of the Naga people.
After the arrest of the militant
of Lamyanba Khuman faction of KCP-MC on January 8 by Manipur Police,
who suspected to be involved in planting a hand grenade at the office
of Pandam, an evening daily on December 26, 2016, a spokesperson
of AR claimed that CorCom, an apex body of six outfits of Manipur
responsible for the threatening of the local editors.
Sources in Assam Police said that
at a time when majority of Karbi militant outfits were joining the
peace process, PDCK was trying to spread its tentacles in the hill
District. The source said that formed under the guidance of I.K.
Songbijit, who was earlier the hardliner leader of NDFB-IKS, PDCK
has reportedly launched a recruitment drive in the region. The source
said, "Ever since the genocide of Adivasis in 2014, Songbijit
got reportedly unpopular among the Bodos for his barbaric ways.
Sidelined and pushed to Myanmar, the rebel leader formed PDCK with
Karbi youths drawn from the NDFB faction." Many Karbi youths
were recruited in the NDFB-IKS faction when Songbijit was heading
it and Police suspect that these youths helped him to form the new
outfit. According to the source, there are around 60 cadres under
IK Songbijit in Myanmar training camps. The PDCK is talking about
‘sovereignty’ and it is backed by NSCN-K and ULFA-I, the source
added.
The militant group, NSCN-R, in a
statement, opposed the proposed Pangsha fencing (in the border of
India and Myanmar) by India and Myanmar Government in the Nagaland.
The statement said that ‘dividing the Nagas’ is ‘highly questionable
and unacceptable.’
|
January 10
|
A special MCOCA court issued a production
warrant against IM ‘co-founder’ Yasin Bhatkal and six others in
connection with the July 13, 2011 Mumbai triple blasts case. “The
court issued a production warrant against Yasin Bhatkal, who is
presently lodged in Cherlapally central prison in Hyderabad,” an
ATS official said. The official added that the court also issued
warrants against three other accused lodged in the same jail. “Apart
from them, production warrants were also issued for an accused lodged
in Tihar jail in New Delhi and two others in Parappana Agrahara
central jail in Bangalore,” the official added. Special MCOCA judge
V V Patil directed that all the seven accused be brought before
him on January 27.
Five CPI-Maoist cadres, including
two ‘commander-level’ cadres, were killed in two separate exchanges
of fire during an operation launched by Chhattisgarh Police in Narayanpur
District of Chhattisgarh. Senior officials, however, said that one
DRG trooper was killed in the first exchange of fire with the Maoist
cadres. Teams with close to 400 SFs entered the jungles in an area
that is home to CPI-Maoist military company number two. D M Awasthi,
Special Director General, anti-Maoist operations, “The operation
was launched on a specific intelligence input about the presence
of CPI-Maoist cadres in the area. In the first exchange of fire
in the morning in Irpenar, four CPI-Maoist cadres were killed. One
trooper was also hurt and evacuated, but he unfortunately passed
away.” Intermittent firing continued. In the second exchange of
fire, this time in the adjoining Kanker District’s Koylibeda area,
one CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and an AK-47 recovered from his
possession. The CPI-Maoist cadres killed in the first exchange of
fire have been identified as Tirupati, ‘Divisional Commander’, East
Bastar division, Ratna Markam, ‘medical in-charge’, company number
6, Shyamu Yadav of company number 6 and Mangalram Salam, a Janmilitia
member from Irpenar. The body recovered in the second encounter
has been identified as that of Roshan, ‘divisional commander’ of
the North Bastar division. “It is clear that there has been a big
loss to the CPI-Maoist cadres in this encounter. We have recovered
the bodies, but our personnel have narrated stories of the CPI-Maoist
cadres dragging away other members of their party under the cover
of LMG fire. This indicates that these could be senior cadre,” Awasthi
added.
SFs have recovered and defused as
many as nine IEDs allegedly planted by CPI-Maoist in restive Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. The explosives were planted near a culvert
on a kuccha road between Bhejji and Injram villages under Bhejji
Police Station limits, according to Sukma SP, Indira Kalyan Elesela.
Cadres of the PLFI attacked workers
and set ablaze equipment at a pipeline laying site of IOC in Khunti
District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group the
CPI-Maoist. Armed PLFI cadres arrived at the site near
Karo River on Tapkara-Rania Road under Tapkarao outpost late last
night, beat up some labourers and set the equipment on fire. Two
tractors, a dumper, an earth moving machine, two generator sets
and a jointer machine used by a Bengaluru-based company hired by
IOC were set ablaze. SFs have launched a search operation
to track down the Naxals. DGP, D K Pandey directed the
Police to provide security to ensure completion of the work as well
as other development works in Naxal-affected areas after
he had a meeting with the District Armed Police, CRPF and Intelligence
officials. Pandey said that Naxal and extremist
activities would be wiped out from the state in 2017.
Five Naxals from
different outfits were arrested along with arms and ammunition from
Palamau and Garhwa Districts of Jharkhand. Umesh Paswan and Shyamdeo
Singh Kharwar, and TPC-II member Satyendra Singh were arrested from
different parts of Palamau. Shiv Kumar Korba and Mukhdeo Choudhary
were arrested from Ramkanda area in Garhwa. TPC is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist while TPC-II, a splinter group of TPC. SFs have
recovered a country made pistol, cartridges, five sets of camouflaged
uniforms, mobile phones, TPC pamphlets and a motorcycle from their
possession.
Naxals belonging to
JSJMM attacked a road construction site in Bharno, Gumla District
of Jharkhand.
Ahead of the process of filing of
nomination papers for the three-tier panchayat elections,
the CPI-Maoist has warned the tribals of Malkangiri District of
Odisha, to abstain from the poll. More than 500 tribal residents
of Ralegada panchayat, on the other side of cut-off
Chitrakonda reservoir, took out a protest rally and dared the Government
to hold elections in the area. The villagers, under the aegis of
‘Malkangiri Zilla Adivasi Rayat Kuli Sangha’, a frontal organisation
of CPI-Maoist, organised a meeting at Ralegada panchayat,
which was also attended by top Maoist leader Raman. Shouting slogans
against the Government, they protested the BJD’s failure to provide
basic needs to the villagers over the years. The Maoist-supported
villagers declared to boycott the panchayat election
over the issue. At the meeting, which continued for more than an
hour, the rebel leaders have threatened that those who participate
in the poll process will be punished in a ‘Praja Court’.
The electorates have been threatened that their thumbs would be
chopped off if they dare to go for voting.
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.
Unidentified assailants hurled nine
petrol bombs at the resident of Tamenglong DC, M Luikham in Tamenglong
District. Out of nine, five bombs exploded, but no injuries were
reported. According to the report, the guards at the residence of
M Luikham opened several rounds of fire in the air to ward off the
attackers. The identity of the attackers is not yet confirmed, as
no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Unidentified assailants allegedly
attacked BJP activist, Mohammad Rajauddin’s residence at Mayang
Imphal Bengoon in Imphal West District by firing numerous rounds.
According to the report, a group of unidentified assailants travelling
inside a four wheeler vehicle allegedly attacked the resident. No
injuries were reported, and identity of the assailants was also
unknown so far.
A team of Imphal East District Police
arrested a KCP militant, identified as Ningthoujam Yamba Singh alias
Sanayamba (35) at Keirao Awang Leikai in Imphal East District. Incriminating
articles were recovered from the arrested militant.
Eleven traders were abducted by
suspected militants near Gasuapara in South Garo Hills District.
However, out of 11, eight traders managed to escape from the abductors.
The three traders, who are still in the captivity of the abductors,
are identified as Tamal Dey (38), Dulan Mahanta (36) and Durgapada
Dutta (35). All these three traders are from Dalu in West Garo Hills
District.
The terms of the ceasefire agreements
with NDFB-RD and NDFB-P had been extended by six months. According
to the official sources, the Joint Secretary (North East) of the
UMHA and senior officials of the State Government had discussions
with leaders of the NDFB-RD and NDFB-P to review the ceasefire agreements.
The meetings decided to increase the term of the agreements by six
months with effect from January 1 this year (2017).
Security was beefed up after a bomb
threat to a bridge at Jirighat in Cachar District by militant groups.
Ahead of the Assembly elections in Manipur, intelligence report
said that the NSCN-IM or the NSCN-K might blast the Jirighat Bridge,
which connects Assam and Manipur.
One militant of NSCN-IM, identified
as self styled ‘corporal’ Phawang Wangsu was arrested by AR at Niausa
village in Longding District. One pistol, live ammunition and opium
was recovered from the arrested militant.
The AR arrested one NSCN-K militant,
identified as Velasayi (35) along with arms at Jail Colony in Kohima
District. One point 22 mm pistol was recovered from the arrestee.
One militant of NSCN-K, identified
as ''corporal'' Cheimang, was arrested from Mon Town in Mon District
by AR. One .22 mm pistol along with ammunition and some other indoctrinatory
documents were recovered from the arrested militant. According to
PRO of AR, IGAR-N, the militant was involved in illegal ''tax collection''
for NSCN-K.
The ADGP, L R Bishnoi, said that
Chinese intelligence agencies had been helping various insurgent
groups of North Eastern India having bases in Myanmar. L R Bishnoi
also claimed that the chief of ULFA-I, Paresh Barua had currently
set up base in Ruili, a Chinese town in the Myanmar border. He said
that Paresh Barua had drawn up plans to supply arms procured from
Chinese agencies to smaller armed groups of the North-eastern region.
“Chinese intelligences have been helping, directly or indirectly
various insurgent groups of the North-eastern region that have their
bases and hideouts inside Myanmar. These groups are under increasing
influence of the Chinese agencies, and ULFA-I leader Paresh Barua
is among those top leaders who have been in regular touch with the
Chinese liaison office in Ruili on the China-Myanmar border,” ADGP
LR Bishnoi said.
Giving a break-up of the cadre strength
of different North-eastern rebel groups in Myanmar, ADGP Bishnoi
also said that while the NSCN-K had over 1,000 cadres there, PLA–
a Manipuri group came second with over 250 men. “Taking into account
at least ten North-eastern rebel groups having their bases and hideouts
in Myanmar, there should be close to 2,500 militants from the region
in that country. Of them NSCN-K alone has a little over 1,000 men,
followed by around 260 of the PLA, 230 of the UNLF and a little
over 200 of the ULFA-I,” Bishnoi said. According to him, the strength
of the NSCN-IM there would be between 80 and 120, NDFB-IKS about
160, KYKL, PREPAK and PREPAK-Pro around 10 each. “Two things that
have been happening there is that while the rebel groups of the
region work in close coordination, they get almost 100 per cent
support from the local communities close to the Indo-Myanmar who
belong to various Naga tribes. These villagers not only provide
them food and shelter, but also guide them through the mountainous
track,” Bishnoi said.
|
January 11
|
Odisha Government has targeted to
complete the Gurupriya Setu (bridge) in Naxal-affected
Malkangiri District of Odisha by the end of September 2017.The bridge
which was opposed by the CPI-Maoist. On completion the bridge will
connect the cut off area with the main land and provide access to
more than 25,000 tribal people who were cut off from the mainland
of Malkangiri after Chitrakonda Reservoir was constructed in 1964
for Balimela Hydel Project.
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.
One ZUF militant, identified as
Abel Gangmei (30) was killed by suspected NSCN-IM cadres at Padanpung
village in Noney District. Two spent cartridges were recovered near
the dead body of the militant.
Eleven persons, including six NSCN-IM
militants were arrested and arms were recovered by the Thoubal District
Police in three separate incidents from different parts of the Thoubal
District. In the first incident, a team of Thoubal District Police
led by SP M Pradeep conducted a search operation at Tuisem village
under Pallel Police Station and arrested seven persons including
three former NSCN-IM cadres who failed to produce proper identification
proof. Four SSBL guns and one unauthorized weapon were recovered
in the operation.
In the second incident, the Police
team carried out a search operation at Khangshim village under Kakching
Police Station and arrested a sympathizer and a self styled ‘captain’
of NSCN-IM identified as Hongsha Moshel (32) and Ashang Hongsha
(42) respectively. One .38 pistol with four live rounds, two mobile
phone handsets and a wallet containing some documents were recovered
from their possession.
In the third incident, the Police
carried out search operation at Serou quarry area where they arrested
two NSCN-IM cadres, identified as Bungdon Bingham Ningham (29) and
Seltun Thohrin Anal (23), who were collecting ‘illegal tax’ from
trucks at that area. One .32 pistol loaded with one live round and
a sum of INR 1100 were recovered from the arrestees.
One arms dealer, identified as Abdul
Huissen alias Japan (38) was arrested by Bishnupur District
Police commandos, at a mobile vehicle check post at Moirang Lamkhai
along Tiddim road in Bishnupur District. One 9 mm pistol along with
a magazine was recovered from the arrestee.
A strategic group meeting of the
Unified Command Structure was held that focused on the increasing
activities of JMB and other insurgent groups in Assam. In the meeting,
UMHA Joint Secretary Satyendra Garg was present along with Assam
Chief Secretary VK Pipersania, Home Commissioner LS Changsan and
top officials of other security agencies including the Indian Army.
After the meeting DGP of Assam,
Mukesh Sahay said, “In today’s meeting, we held detailed discussion
on the activities of JMB and other insurgent groups in Assam. All
security agencies have been put on high alert for approaching Republic
Day.” According to the sources, in recent years, at least 40 cadres
and linkmen of JMB were arrested in different parts of Assam.
A patrolling party of SSB carried
out an operation in the area of Riphu Reserve Forest and busted
a camp of NDFB-IKS. The patrolling party recovered sleeping bag
for six persons, three country-made guns, one diary, four solar
plates, SIM cards, 10 blankets, mosquito nets and many food items,
along with various cooking utensils and clothes.
According to the sources, the GNLA
still had 30 active members including self-styled ‘c-in-c’ Sohan
D Shira and others wanted leaders like Kamdak and Megam. The Meghalaya
DGP Swaraj Bir Singh said, “The GNLA has been weakened but there
is certain nucleus located in separate areas that needed to be overrun.”
The sources also said that the GNLA was still in touch with the
ULFA-I leadership.
|
January 12
|
The ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei
Lup, identified as Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias
Great Macha (35) was arrested at Mayur Vihar area in East Delhi
along with a female cadre of the militant group identified as Inungbam
Sanatombi Devi (26). The Delhi Police recovered 100-150 mobile SIM
cards and laptops from the militant leader and his associate in
Delhi. The Delhi Police also disclosed other information related
to the militant group after interrogation. DCP-(special cell) Sanjeev
Yadav said, “They are involved in large number of cases of terror
activities like lobbing of grenades, shoot-outs, killings, planting
of bombs, running extortion network by intimidating businessmen
and politicians."
India roundly condemned the terrorist
attacks that happened in Kabul and Kandahar in Afghanistan on January
10, with an official statement pointing a finger at Pakistan without
naming it. The Ministry of External Affairs statement emphasised
the "inhumane suffering inflicted on the peace-loving people
of the region by the abominable phenomenon of international terrorism,
which sadly continues to have its epicentre in our region and is
pursued brazenly as an instrument of state policy to achieve narrow
political objectives."
PM Narendra Modi also wrote a letter
to Afghanistan President, Ashraf Ghani condemning the terrorist
strike, particularly the explosions that targeted UAE officials
in Kandahar that left both the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan and
the governor of the province injured. "India condemns these
attacks on Afghanistan, and on its legitimate authority. Such attacks
are unacceptable and are aimed at undermining the progress made
by the people of Afghanistan against all odds," he said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc
Ayrault pressed for “decisive action” against Pakistan-based terror
groups such as the LeT, JeM and HuM, which “are targeting” India.
France vowed to work with New Delhi to get JeM ‘chief’ Masood Azhar
proscribed by the UNSC.French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault
also said: “The international community’s determination to combat
terrorism must be the same everywhere, regardless of the threat.
In addition, on the cross-LoC surgical
strikes carried out by India in September 2016 after an attack on
the Uri Army camp in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Ayrault,
said that a country had a “right to defend itself” in the wake of
such threats.
On the front of counter-terrorism
activities, he said, France and India hold “constant and very operational
exchanges” on the terrorist threat. “We have a bilateral working
group that brings together all the players concerned over counter-terrorism,
and, among others, cooperation with regard to investigations and
between our respective intervention units, the GIGN [Groupe d'intervention
de la Gendarmerie nationale] from the French side, and the National
Security Guards [NSG] from the Indian side. I welcome the development
of all these cooperations,” Mr. Ayrault said.
Ahead of Indian Republic Day, Indo-Pakistan
border adjoining Rajasthan is on an high alert following intelligence
input over possibility of infiltration bid by suicide attackers.
Patrolling on the International Border in the state has been intensified.
According to sources, input received by the officials hint at terrorists
are expected to try and cross the border along with consignment
of heroin and explosives. After these inputs, BSF has been further
alerted and directed to be extra alert. The night curfew is already
on and additional security forces have been deployed at the sensitive
places and vigil is being done with surveillance gadgets. BSF is
also going to start operation Sard Hawa in next 2-3 days.
Confirming about increasing vigilance
at the borders, BSF official sources said that at the international
borders adjoining Rajasthan, strict vigilance is being made. Patrolling
is being done at the borders and surveillance is being done through
gadgets and additional alertness is being kept. Sources said that
during the night, curfew is being imposed and directions have been
given to shoot at sight on those violating the curfew.
The UAE Ambassador to India, Ahmed
Albanna, assured that UAE will cooperate with India in order to
enable it to get hold of Dawood Ibrahim. Albanna said that UAE is
determined to have a strong strategic relationship with India and
will be signing a strategic cooperation agreement with the country
soon. Condemning the global terrorism, Albanna said that some countries
are using terrorists for proxy war, which needs to be stopped soon.
A CRPF jawan and a sniffer dog were
injured in a pressure bomb blast allegedly triggered by CPI-Maoist
cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place
when a ROP of CRPF’s 85th battalion was out to ensure security to
a patch on Bijapur–Bhopalpattanam road. When the party reached near
Chinna Kodepal village in Mahadev Ghat area, dog master Surendra
Kumar stepped over the pressure IED connection.
Two Maoists, one of them carrying
cash reward on his head, surrendered before the Police in Narayanpur
District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres, identified as Kaveram Salaam
and Jagnu Salaam (30), turned themselves in at Narayanpur District
headquarters, Narayanpur ASP, Anil Soni said. They were active as
members of the Bagjhar Janatana Sarkar group of
Maoists in the Benoor Police Station area of the District. They
were assigned tasks like arranging meetings as well food for rebels,
dropping Maoist pamphlets and posters, collecting information and
inputs and others local work, he said adding that Kaveram was carrying
a reward of INR 10,000 on his head.
The ‘group commander’, Abhay, of
the TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was killed in an encounter
under Chainpur Police station area of Palamu District of Jharkhand. The
encounter took place between the team from Garhwa Police, along
with a contingent of the JAP. SFs have recovered two rifles, cartridges,
batteries, their chargers, blankets and other materials.
Three cadres of the (PLFI,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, who were part of the group
that set ablaze heavy machinery engaged in IOC’s Paradip-Ranchi-Raipur
underground pipeline project on January 10, were arrested from Murhu
area of Khunti District of Jharkhand. The trio has been
identified as Dinesh Gudiya - brother of PLFI ‘zonal commander’
Jeedan Gudiya - Sunil Nag and Batu Kachchhap. PLFI pamphlets and
jerry cans, used for carrying fuel like petrol or kerosene oil,
were also recovered from them.
Two civilians, Ramesh Atala (27)
and Manohar Atala (55) were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. The Gadchiroli Police statement
said that the Maoists shot the victims claiming they were ‘Police
informers’. It added that the victims were farmers and provided
food to Maoists and travelled with them to nearby villages. The
Police claimed that CPI-Maoist fear their influence is reducing
in the District as developmental work by the administration has
earned the confidence of tribals. A section of the Police has claimed
that the latest killing was carried out by Chatgaon LOS which is
headed by ‘commander’ Yogesh.
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.
A civilian was killed and three
others were injured when unidentified armed men attacked an Imphal-bound
convoy of loaded trucks escorted by heavy security personnel at
Imphal-Jiribam road in Lukhambi of Noney District. The deceased
has been identified as one Dikhonang (25) of Tamenglong while the
injured were identified as Thuannilung (31) – a school teacher from
Taobam village, Jacky Kahmei (30) of Tamenglong, and Nipen Kalita
(24). According to Police, a convoy of over 500 goods-laden trucks
was on their way towards Imphal when they were attacked by the unidentified
people with sophisticated weapons, killing one civilian and injuring
three others at the spot. However, a separate source said that the
victims (all civilians) were travelling in a car when the incident
happened. The Police report said the injured were rushed to AR Unit
Hospital, Noney where they were treated but later sent to Imphal
for better treatment. However, Police did not divulge any information
on whether they retaliated to the alleged ambush.
A cadre of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup,
identified as Pukhrihongbam Ibomcha was arrested in Imphal in Manipur.
A 9 mm pistol and 2 hand grenades were recovered from his possession.
The ZUF categorically clarified
that Abel Gangmei (30), who was killed by suspected NSCN-IM militant
at Padangpung village in Noney District on January 11 was not related
to the outfit and he was a civilian.
The ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei
Lup, identified as Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias
Great Macha (35) was arrested at Mayur Vihar area in East Delhi
along with a female cadre of the militant group identified as Inungbam
Sanatombi Devi (26). The Delhi Police recovered 100-150 mobile SIM
cards and laptops from the militant leader and his associate. The
Delhi Police also disclosed other information related to the militant
group after interrogation. DCP (special cell) Sanjeev Yadav said,
“They are involved in large number of cases of terror activities
like lobbing of grenades, shoot-outs, killings, planting of bombs,
running extortion network by intimidating businessmen and politicians."
Unidentified assailants hurled a
crude bomb at the residence of Hokuto Zhimomi, a BJP candidate for
DMC polls, at Veterinary colony of Burma camp area in Dimapur District.
The blast damaged the concrete floored compound but no casualties
were reported. Police recovered some plastic materials from the
spot.
Meghalaya Police announced a reward
of INR 200,000 on the whereabouts of Reding T. Sangma, the ‘c-in-c’
of militant group ASAK. SP of South Garo Hills District, Anand Mishra,
while announcing the reward, said, “Any person who provides any
information which leads to the apprehension of Reding T. Sangma
will be rewarded in cash a sum of INR 2 lakh by the office of the
Superintendent of Police, South Garo Hills.”
|
January 13
|
Naushad, a resident of Bijnor (Uttar
Pradesh), who was acquitted of terror charges was arrested again
by Police. Police had arrested Naushad in 2007 claiming that he
was planning a terror attack. However, in 2015 he was acquitted
by a special court after spending more than eight years in jail.
The Uttar Pradesh government had challenged the order in the High
Court. The High Court had issued a non-bailable warrant against
him in December, 2016. Naushad, who was arrested in Bijnor, will
be taken into transit remand and brought to Lucknow on January 16.
The next hearing of the matter is on January 31.
A special NIA court in New Delhi,
levelled charges against Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal
in a matter related to conspiring terror attacks in various parts
of India. The charges against Jundal, who is also the convict in
the Aurangabad arms haul case, have been framed under the IPC Section
153 A and other sections of UAPA.The trial on the same will begin
from January 31, 2017.
A case was registered on June 8,
2012 under section 18 of UAPA against Jundal and his associates,
who happened to be the members of LeT. After the Mumbai terror attack
of 26/11 (November 26, 2008), Jundal with senior functionaries of
LeT hatched the conspiracy in Pakistan in 2010 to recruit youngsters
from India for terrorist activities and to promote enmity between
different groups in the name of religion. In August, 2016 the designated
MCOCA court sentenced life imprisonment to Jundal in the Aurangabad
arms haul case.
Six SF personnel were injured in
an IED blast in Burha Pahari area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. The
blast took place during an encounter with the cadres of the CPI-Maoist.
Officials said that three explosions took place first around 5:30
AM, then another took place around 10 AM and then again at
1 PM. Two Assistant Commandants of CRPF, one head constable and
two SIs and a Jharkhand Police jawan were injured.
One Naxalite, identified
as Mahendra Manjhi, was arrested in a major anti-Naxal operation
carried by the 26th CRPF and local Police in Lugu-pahari forest
area in Gomia block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The CRPF also
seized large quantity of fire arms, including a rifle of .315, with
one magazine, three .315 cartridges and five 303 cartridges from
him. Mahendra was a close associate of Santosh Mahto group. However,
no loss of life reported and no Policemen were injured in the operation,
said ASP, Sanjay Kumar (Operations).
The CPI-Maoist cadres abducted five
persons including four Odisha Government officials from Chitrakonda
in Malkangiri District. Odisha is going to have panchayat elections
on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 2017. Sources said a group of Maoists
produced them at a ‘Praja Court’ at Similipodar village.
The five persons have been identified as poll officials Hrushiskesh
Naik and Purshottam Behra, junior engineers Praveen Soren and Kamini
Kanth as well as Jodamba village head Lakshaman Sisa's son Manoranjan
Sisa, sources said. However, another officer Lingaraj Majhi managed
to escape.
The District Police have arrested
a relative of Naxalite, Thota Ramulu (35), in Karimnagar
District of Telangana. Ramulu is the relative of Jadala
Nagaraju, a surrendered Naxalite told Karimnagar Commissioner
of Police, V B Kamalasan Reddy. Police have recovered 50 rounds
of ammunition of different weapons, a 18mm rifle, one SBBL rifle,
three DBBL rifles, one 9 mm carbine, one .32 pistol, a 8mm tapancha
from his house at Karimnagar town.
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.
Police arrested a KCP militant,
identified as Rishikesh Singh (41), from Sangakpham Bazar area in
Imphal West District. Incriminating articles were also recovered
from his possession.
Thounaojam Shyamkumar , MLA from
INC, denied Delhi Police's charge that he had nexus with the arrested
militant leader of the KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup. ‘C-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei
Meitei Lup, identified as Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky
alias
Great Macha (35) was arrested from New Delhi on January 12.
|
January 14
|
In a shocking report that discloses
the state of Police Stations and Police Forces, it has been revealed
that even basic infrastructure to fulfill their duties have not
been provided to the Police Stations. Many of the Police Stations
do not have the basic facilities such as vehicles, phones and wireless
to carry out their duties more effectively. As per the report, there
are a total of 15,555 Police Stations in the country and out of
these, 188 Police Stations are without a single vehicle, 402 lack
telephone lines and 134 don’t have wireless sets. 65 of these neither
have a telephone line nor wireless set, as per the data accumulated
by the BPR&D.
Insurgency-struck Manipur has the
maximum number of Police Stations without a phone or wireless set.
The North-east State has 43 Police Stations without phones or wireless
sets. Chhattisgarh has 161 Police Stations without vehicles. MP
has 111 Police Stations without any telephone line. MP is followed
by Meghalaya and Manipur at 67 Police Stations each. UP also has
51 Police Stations without a telephone line and 17 without wireless,
the report says. BPR&D figures revealed that there are only
10.13 vehicles for 100 Policemen at the national level. Only 1,75,358
vehicles in all available for law enforcement. Maharashtra has the
maximum number of vehicles (17,131), followed by Tamil Nadu (15,926)
and UP (13,452). “In the case of Chhattisgarh and MP, most Police
Stations are in Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)-affected
areas where wireless sets or vehicles are often snatched by Naxalites
[Left Wing Extremists (LWEs)]. This cannot be an excuse as police
need at least phones, vehicles and wireless sets for communication
and mobility,” said an official. There were 22,80,691 Police officers
across all States and Union territories (UTs) as of January 2016.
The issue is particularly serious in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, UP,
West Bengal, Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Delhi where there is one
Policeman for 1,100 people.
After reports on abduction of five
poll officials in Malkangiri District of Odisha on January 13, the
abducted officials claimed that they were in the captivity of the
LWEs and produced before a praja court. Of the five
poll officials, two of them – gram panchayat technical
assistants Praveen Soren and Kaminikanta Singh – have narrated their
ordeal to media after their release. “We were abducted while we
were on duty at our respective panchayats. We were taken to a place
near Gora Setu and produced before a praja court where around 20-22
Maoists were present. The ultras threatened us not to participate
in the panchayat polls and asked us to go back,” Kaminikanta Singh
said. Another abducted official Praveen Soren said: “The Maoists
told me that whether it is police encounter or other issues, district
administration has not reached out to people. The villagers have
been deprived of the welfare schemes. They will not allow polls
to be held in the region till the government benefits reach them.”
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.
In terms of militancy related violence,
Assam was the only State in the Northeast which recorded higher
casualties during 2016, as compared to the previous year (2015).
Referencing Government official records, a report said that, in
2016 (up to November), Assam recorded a total of 80 casualties,
including 29 civilians, 4 security personnel and 47 extremists.
But, in 2015, Assam recorded 58 killings, including 9 civilians
and 49 insurgents.
Significantly, the number of civilian
casualties in the State rose sharply to 29 in 2016 from 9 in 2015.
In 2014, 168 civilian fatalities were recorded. In 2013, 35 civilians
were killed in insurgency-related violence across the State. Similarly,
casualties among the SFs also increased from zero in 2015 to four
in 2016. Due to sustained operations by SFs, 47 militants belonging
to various insurgent groups lost their lives during 2016, as against
49 in 2015, 102 in 2014 and 52 in 2013 in the State. According to
the high level security sources, there was a substantial decline
in insurgency related incidents in 2015. In that year, the level
of violence steeply declined to the lowest since 1997. Official
records further state that 125 persons were kidnapped in Assam in
2013, 94 in 2014, 27 in 2015 and 14 in 2016. On the other hand,
348 extremists were arrested in 2013, 319 in 2014, 645 in 2015 and
343 in 2016 in the State.
According to the security sources
the militant groups having bases in Myanmar have started using different
routes of Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar border to enter into the North
East region. Earlier, Nagaland-Myanmar border was considered to
be the most vulnerable. Sources said that though some militants
are still sneaking to the country through Nagaland, most such infiltrations
are taking place through Arunachal Pradesh which is considered to
be a peaceful state. Security sources said that most such movements
were taking place through the Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Arunachal Pradesh CM also held a high level meeting with senior
officers of the Army and paramilitary forces last month to discuss
the situation.
The UNC of Manipur opposed the fencing
work between India and Myanmar and ''appealed to Nagas'' to jointly
oppose it. The fencing work is on at remote Pangsha village in Nagaland’s
Tuensang District. The NSCN-IM, NSCN-K, ENPO and several other Nagaland
based social organization had also opposed the move to fence the
India-Myanmar border in Nagaland.
The Government officials said that
the UHM Rajnath Singh had sought a report on the ambush of January
12 on NH 37 in Manipur in which one person was killed and three
injured.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze three
vehicles involved in road construction work in West Singhbhum District
of Jharkhand. According to Police, the Maoists raided camp of a
construction company at Roam village situated under Guwa Police
Station and set the three vehicles on fire.
|
January 15
|
France has reiterated its support
to India's pitch to get JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar designated as a
global terrorist, days after China blocked such a proposal at the
UN. It added that there are "very strong arguments in favour"
of designating Azhar as an international terrorist and said that
it wants to see decisive action taken against terror groups targeting
India. French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrhoo, who was on a
four-day India visit, stated that France is also a co-sponsor of
the proposal to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. He
regretted the fact that despite joint attempts by France and India
and wide support from the Sanctions Committee, unanimity could not
be reached. He further said that JeM is already included in the
UN Sanctions Committees list of terror organisations.
Anti-terror intelligence agencies
have found instances of medicines from India landing up with the
Islamic State (IS). The agencies strongly suspect that medicines
supplied to the Gulf countries were ending up in Syria and Iraq
for the use of the terror group.
At the recent All-India Police Science
Congress in Kerala, a top IPS official of the IB noted during a
discussion on the IS: “A total of 70 incidents of violence have
been reported outside the area of ISIS control in 20 countries including
several lone wolf attacks. The targets have been remarkably similar
to the ones chosen by other terror outfits targeting India, whether
it is the Indian Mujahideen or the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba.” The officer
said, “There have been loose ISIS motivated or inspired groups in
Hyderabad (one led by one Yazdani), one in Roorkee and lone wolves
like in Parbhani. Instances of supply of logistics have come to
our notice, particularly in the form of supply of medicines.”
According to top IB sources, around
300 individuals in India are on the radar of various Police forces
and central agencies for their “proclivity towards the ISIS cause”.
So far, around 100 persons have
tried to travel to join IS and around 67 have reached the area of
operation of the extremist group. Agencies have arrested about 60
persons, including some in Telangana state for linkages to the IS.
Explaining the magnitude of the
problem, an IB officer said, “Over 70 lakh Indians work in the Gulf
and West Asia and remain vulnerable to radical propaganda.” Several
expats from Hyderabad based in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have joined
the IS, as has one person from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh who
was based in Kuwait. Analysis by the police has revealed that recent
IS recruits from India were young - about 90 per cent in the 18-33
age group. More specifically, half the recruits from India were
in the 23-28 age group. About 70 per cent had a technical background
and 50 per cent were graduates.
Investigations following the arrest
of five members of a group called Base Movement in November 2016
have revealed that a leader of the group was involved in four blasts
carried out in Madurai between 2011 and 2014,. The five members
were arrested by the NIA from Madurai in Tamil Nadu in connection
with a series of bomb blasts at court premises in South India. One
of the arrested men, N Abbas Ali, who is linked to former operatives
of Al Ummah, has revealed that he planted four bombs in Madurai
between 2011 and 2014. Ali is accused by the NIA of planning and
executing blasts in the premises of courts in Chittoor, Kollam,
Mysuru, Nellore and Malapuram between April 7 and November 1, 2016.
Following are the accounts of the
Madurai blasts provided by Ali to investigators, which are corroborated
by news reports:
The May 2011 blast occurred in a
dustbin near the crowded Mattuthavani bus stand at 9.15 pm. Nobody
was injured in the minor blast. On September 29, 2011, Ali planted
a device in a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus to mark
the anniversary of the 2002 killing of Al Ummah leader Imam Ali
by police in Bengaluru. The IED, made with materials sourced from
firecrackers, was found by employees of the transport corporation
and defused. On September 29, 2012, Ali planted an IED outside a
TASMAC wine shop in Theni to mark the death anniversary of Imam
Ali. The device exploded but no casualties occurred. The fourth
blast occurred on February 9, 2014, at the venue of an AIADMK meeting
in Madurai. The bomb, placed below the stage, exploded when no one
was around. The date was the anniversary of the hanging of Afzal
Guru, who was convicted in the 2001 Parliament attack case. “Ali
has claimed to have been involved in four blasts in the Madurai
region. It seems that these cases are undetected or some others
have already been arrested,’’ a source said.
The Police arrested six cadres of
the CPI-Maoist along with arms and ammunition during a raid at Karmpur
Bhataulia village under Paroo Police Station in Muzaffarpur District
of Bihar. The Police have also seized two country made pistols,
six detonators, four cartridges of .315 bore, 17 cartridges of 7.62
bore, hand-written six leaflets meant to threaten people to realise
levy and two motorcycles. The arrestees were identified as Dashrath
Ram, Santosh Sahni, Baidyanath Paswan, Mukesh Paswan, Rajesh Paswan
and Sanjay Kumar Sahni.
CPI-Maoist cadres have warned villagers
through posters in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District of Odisha
to abstain from voting during panchayat polls.
The posters were found in Balipeta and Tentulipadar panchayats of
the District. The panchayat polls will be
held in five phases: February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21, 2017.
Two villagers were killed by the
CPI-Maoist cadres at Taringa village under Goeilkera Thana area
in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The victims were
identified as Suresh Bhuiyan (25) and Jiten Lomga (15). No reason
was cited by West Singhbhum District Police for the killings.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in
an encounter with SFs in Kandanar forest area under Darbha Police
station in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. SFs also recovered a
.303 rifle, its five live rounds, one SMBL rifle, a couple of detonators,
bags, Naxal literature and items of daily use.
The identity of the Maoist killed is yet to be ascertained. The
total number Maoists killed in separate gun-battles in Bastar Division
in January 2017 has reached to 8.
The SFs in Kerala have warned that
the CPI-Maoist cadres are planning a coordinated movement of its
urban and rural forces for strengthening its activities in southern
States of India, mainly in Kerala. SFs claimed this on the basis
of the review report of the SZC of the CPI-Maoist retrieved by the
Police from the site of Nilambur encounter. The report says, that
they were able to defeat the enemy plans and successfully organize
the meeting in the forest area of tri-junction under the protection
of PLGA Forces, support and participation of people.
The three parties, the IPFT, the
INPT and the NCT, announced a hartal (general strike) in
areas under the TTAADC on February 8 to protest the new citizenship
policy of the Union Government. The proposed amendments will grant
swifter Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from countries
like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
UHM Rajnath Singh, along with Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, reviewed
the prevailing situation in Manipur. The State is reeling under
a 75-day long economic blockade on NHs, called by the UNC, which
has crippled normal life. Top officials including CoAS General Bipin
Rawat, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, and AG Mukul Rohatgi
were also present in the meeting. The presence of AG is leading
to speculation of the Union Government mulling some legal action.
The blockade of the NHs leading to the Manipur valley has been in
place since November 1.
In a joint operation conducted by
the Indian Army and Police, two persons identified as Rahim Badshah
(30) and Abdul Sahid (25) were arrested with 800 detonators, a pistol
and ammunition from the Shantipur-Beparipara border village under
Sukchar Police Station of South Salmara-Mancachar District. Police
said that the consignment was meant to be delivered to militants
groups in Meghalaya''s Garo Hills or to Bangladesh-based militants.
The Maoists of AOBSZC issued a Press
release asking people of the cutoff areas to boycott the panchayat
polls, leaving the SEC and the State administration of Odisha in
a tizzy.
In a bid to curb the menace of LWE,
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh and his Jharkhand counterpart Raghubar
Das, discussed modalities for better inter-state coordination and
information sharing in the border area of the two neighbouring States
in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. During discussions, Singh said
Chhattisgarh shares a long border with Jharkhand (in its northern
part) and better coordination between the forces of the two States
would help in strengthening the surveillance system on the inter-State
border and thereby controlling Naxal activities, an official release
issued said. Jharkhand CM reiterated commitment of his State to
control Naxal menace. “The Jharkhand CM assured Singh that State
Police and armed forces will work in better coordination with Chhattisgarh
Police to check Naxal menace,” the official release said.
Imphal West District Police arrested
a KYKL militant, identified as H Priyokumar (45) from Naoremthong
Shamushang under Lamphel Police Station in Imphal West District.
Police said that the arrested militant was working under the ‘deputy
finance secretary’ of the militant group, Ingba and involved in
several extortion cases.
|
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.
NCB and BSF seized around 500 gram
of heroine from a border outpost near Lalgola in Murshidabad District.
The seized drug, which was to be sent to Bangladesh, has a market
price of INR 1.5 core. The agency has seized more than 300 gram
of heroine from Siliguri earlier this year. According to NCB sources,
after a crackdown at Malda District, clandestine laboratories have
started mushrooming in Murshidabad. The areas across Plassey and
Lalgola in the district are under the radar of the agency now.
The CPI-Maoist cadres of the AOBSZC
warned Andhra University Professor Jarra Appa Rao, former Naxalite
Pilli Venkateswarlu alias Satyam and TDP leader, SV Ramana, in Vishakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. In a press release by the CPI-Maoist
AOBSZC official spokesman Jagabandhu stated that these people were
threatening local tribals and claiming that the banned outfit had
permitted contractors to mine, following which they had set up crusher
machines to extract granite and other reserves. Further, Jagabandhu
stated, that Ramaguda encounter of October 24, 2016, in Odisha,
was a pre-planned elimination of unarmed CPI-Maoist cadres by Andhra
Pradesh and Odisha Government.
Six tribals have been abducted by
CPI-Maoist cadres from three interior villages of GK Veedhi in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. According to sources, the rebels had
abducted six persons from Boddamanupakalu, Tukkagoi and PK Gudem
by branding them as ‘Police informers’. The Maoist cadres have informed
the people to attend a meeting in the forest area of GK Veedhi and
they were taken away by them from the spot. However, SP, Rahul Dev
Sharma ruled out the kidnap angle. He said that no complaint was
lodged by the locals about the kidnap. Rahul Dev also opined that
after the recent kidnapping in Odisha, locals were exaggerating
the incident as kidnapping.
UHM Rajnath Singh assured Chhattisgarh
Government of greater road connectivity, new Police Stations and
mobile towers in the Naxal affected Districts while chairing
a review meeting on anti-Naxal campaign and development at
the CM Raman Singh’s residence in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh.
UHM approved 50 new Police Stations, installation of 35 additional
mobile towers and improving the road network. 850 kilometres will
be constructed new roads in the Naxal-affected areas. Sixteen
out of the 27 Districts of Chhattisgarh have the presence of rebels.
CM Raman Singh told that the CPI-Maoist cadre’s activities in the
northern region of the State like Surguja Division were almost under
control while activities were on the decline in Bastar region in
the South.
Jharkhand’s DGP, D K Pandey asked
CPI-Maoist cadres to either surrender or get ready to face the bullets
of the SFs in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The DGP directed to
establish a Police picket in Mahudanad of Hussainabad.
Following the call of CPI-Maoist
cadres to people to boycott the upcoming panchayat elections and
their subsequent abduction of poll officials in Malkangiri District
of Odisha, the SEC, informed that any decision on whether to announce
a new poll schedule for the cutoff areas in the District would be
taken after withdrawal of candidatures scheduled on January 22.
SEC Secretary Rabindra Sahu told reporters in Bhubaneswar, “Filing
of nominations is left for another two days. Once the process gets
over tomorrow, the SEC will take a decision after assessing the
situation not only for Malkangiri but other places as well where
similar situations have occurred. As per the poll norms, if a nomination
is not filed for any panchayat due to any reasons in the first phase,
a new schedule is announced by the SEC. In case all the nominations
are rejected or withdrawn, a new schedule is also declared.”
Police commandos, during combing
operations, raided the house of a NSCN-IM militant, identified as
Mashuring Tangkhul, at Ringpham village in Chandel District. However,
no arrest was made.
Security had been tightened in and
around the capital city Imphal and District headquarters in Manipur
ahead of the upcoming Republic Day celebration and State Assembly
elections.
A court in New Delhi, remanded Inugbamsanatombi
Devi, the female associate of ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Lup, to judicial
custody until January 31. She was arrested on January 12 along with
Khoirom Ranjit, the ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei, who is in Police
custody until January 19.
State Police officials stated that
the GNLA militants had started using children as a shield to protect
themselves from the ongoing operations being carried out by SFs
in Garo Hills Districts. SP (South Garo Hills), Anand Mishra, in
this regard, said, “With pressure mounting on GNLA militants, whose
strength is dwindling, the use of children by the militants has
been reported from parts of South Garo Hills.” Police have reports
from several villages that the militants had taken away many children.
According to the sources, the militants are using the children also
to get information about the movement of security personnel and
to carry ration, besides entrusting them to do other menial jobs.
The Police official also said that a Police team had visited several
villages and contacted parents to know the whereabouts of their
missing children.
State’s Governor Banwarilal Purohit
had extended the term of KAAC for a period of six months with effect
from January 13 or till the date of the first sitting after completion
of fresh polls to the KAAC, whichever is earlier. The term of the
present Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council expired on January 13 on
completion of its five year term.
|
January 17
|
The NIA arrested one IS operative,
identified as Mohammed Irfan alias Abu Jafar, a resident
of Mir Alam Mandi in the old city of Hyderabad. He was
produced before NIA special court, which sent him to judicial
custody for seven days.
According to the investigation
agency, he along with the other accused took part in searching
of hideouts and physical training. Irfan allegedly collected the
explosive precursors along with another accused from the outskirts
of Pochampally village of Nalgonda District in Telangana.
Underlining that India alone cannot
walk the path of peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urged Pakistan
to “walk away from terror” if it wants resumption of bilateral
dialogue. On relations with China, Modi said it was not unnatural
for two large neighbours to have some differences but both sides
should show sensitivity and respect for each other’s core concerns
and interests.
A city civil court in Bengaluru
issued a body warrant for Yasin Bhatkal, who has been sentenced
to death for the Hyderabad blasts case, in connection with the
ongoing M. Chinnaswamy Stadium blast case (April 17, 2010). Yasin,
touted as the mastermind behind IM, has to be produced before
the court on February 4. The warrant was issued based on an application
filed by Special Public Prosecutor C.A. Ravindran on behalf of
Central Crime Branch sleuths attached to Bengaluru City Police.
The role of the ISI in the November
20, 2016 train disaster in Kanpur is being suspected after Bihar
Police, arrested three people, Moti Paswan, Uma Shankar Patel
and Mukesh Yadav, who, they claimed, were working for the Pakistani
intelligence agency to target Indian railways. The ISI link was
being suspected after the interrogation of the trio, Police said.
During interrogation, the three arrested persons provided some
“positive lead” about the Indore-Patna Express derailment in Kanpur,
District SP Jitendra Rana said.
The trio was arrested from Adapur
Police Station area and they allegedly confessed to having worked
for a Nepalese contact suspected to be connected to the ISI to
target the railways, Rana told. The three are “professional criminals”
involved in more than a dozen cases. The three were paid INR 3
lakh by a Nepali man Brajesh Giri, who allegedly had connections
with Shamsul Hoda of Dubai, who had links with the ISI, the SP
said. The money was paid to them to plant a bomb on the railway
tracks at Ghorasan in East Champaran District, bordering Nepal,
on October 1, 2016 Rana said.
Pakistan's ISI operatives in Nepal
had offered a flat and a luxury vehicle besides huge cash to each
member of the group that was assigned to plant explosives to derail
the Indore-Rajendranagar Express near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh
in November, 2016, Police sources said.
Concerned authorities have increased
the security of Delhi-Lahore bus and Samjhauta Express following
an alert from intelligence agencies that terror groups are on
the lookout of targeting these two modes of transportation between
India and Pakistan. Highly placed sources said that intelligence
inputs suggest terrorists groups are planning to disrupt the Republic
Day event in the national capital. They may target Samjhauta Express
and Delhi-Lahore bus service.
A joint team of District Police,
DRG, STF and ITBP arrested five CPI-Maoist cadres in Kondagaon
District of Chhattisgarh during an anti-Naxal operation.
The arrested Maoists were identified as Ramdhar Nag (28), Jaisingh
Nag (27), Neeldhar Yadav (21), Sukman Kashyap (26) and Sahu Kashyap
(25).They were active Janmilitia members and were involved in
various crimes including spreading false information about encounter,
arranging meetings for ultras and others.
Bastar’s first woman CRPF officer,
Usha Kiran had launched a special campaign to control the Maoist
activities in the Bastar Division. Kiran said she wants to neutralise
Naxals, which stops people from moving towards development.
Kiran is first woman officer to be posted in the Maoist hotbed
and a potent PR tool for the security forces battling accusations
of grave excesses, including rape.
A handler of a sniffer dog, PK
Samal, was injured and 'Aminika', a sniffer dog belonging
to CoBRA battalion, was killed in an IED blast by CPI-Maoist
cadres in Buda Pahar area in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze four
vehicles at a bridge construction site at Ganeshpur Chatam under
Garu Police Station in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Maoists
set ablaze two dumpers and two tractors engaged by the construction
company to build a bridge over Koel River and assaulted workers
engaged at the site.
SFs laid a trap and arrested a
Maoist supporter and three employees of Bauxite mining company
from Bishunpur area in Gumla District of Jharkhand. SFs
have seized INR 0.299 million cash, an SUV and a motorcycle from
them. The Gumla SDPO, Bhupendra Rawat, added, "Upon frisking
them, we recovered 149 currency notes of INR 2,000 denomination
and two new notes of INR 500 denomination. During interrogation,
they admitted that the cash was actually meant for Maoist 'zonal
commander' Nakul Yadav and his next in command Madan Yadav."
CPI-Maoist cadres have again put
up posters at various places threatening the tribals to boycott
the Panchayat elections in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. According to reports, the posters were
found from the Chitrakonda area of the District in which the Malkangiri
District Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist has asked the
tribals not to cast their votes. Earlier reported, the CPI-Maoist
cadres had on January 10 also put up posters in Malkangiri warning
the tribals to abstain from the polls.
CPI-M (Red Star), a Naxalite outfit
that has contested elections has token presence in Kerala and
West Bengal, led land agitation near Kolkata. CPI-ML (Red Star)
has become the key organiser of a movement at Bhangar village
in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal. It is to be noted
that the villagers are demanding cancellation of a power grid
project designed to transmit electricity through high tension
overhead lines. A senior Police officer said, “All the leaders
of the movement belong to the CPI (ML) (Red Star). We never monitored
their activities because they held little influence.” Police
said they are keeping a close watch on are Alik Chakraborty, Sharmistha
Chowdhury and Pradip Singh Thakur, all leaders of the Red Star
faction of CPI(ML). The leader of the party is K N Ramachandran,
who hails from Kerala. Thakur and Chakraborty are politburo members
of the party and Choudhury a central committee member. Chakraborty
is also the spokesperson of the committee spearheading the movement.
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.
SFs arrested three militants of
MULTA, identified as Zehrul Islam (36), Joved Ali (36) and Ajit
Ali (30), from Nayekgaon area of Kokrajhar District. Seven rifles
were recovered from the arrested militants. According to Police,
the three were involved in extortion and arms dealing on behalf
of the militant group.
PDCK, a Karbi militant formation,
repeated its earlier ‘final ultimatum’ to the Hindi and Bengali
speaking inhabitants of Karbi Anglong Autonomous District to leave
the District before March 31, 2017. This has led to a panic situation
among the two communities. PDCK along with two other groups -
KLO and NLFT on January 2 had asked the two communities to quit
‘Kamatapur’, Tripura and ‘Karbi Longri’ within March 31. The outfits
have further warned that after the dateline both the communities
would have to face ‘the gravest of the grave’ situation.
SFs arrested one NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Pushpo Basumatary alias B Fighter, from Daiphang
Gaon area in Udalguri District. One AK series assault rifle, one
magazine and ten live rounds were recovered from the possession
of the arrested militant.
The Karbi Anglong based UCF, local
Christian leaders’ forum denied the allegations of possible links
between the churches and militant leader IK Songbijit to create
violence in the region. UCF expressed its concern over these allegations
which it states were first expressed by a person named Ranjit
over a talk show aired by an Assamese channel on December 7, 2016.
In a memorandum submitted to Karbi Anglong DC in Diphu, UCF stated,
“It is nothing but an attempt to marginalize the tribal people
of Karbi Anglong and ultimately drive them out from the hill District
like what they have done in Tripura”. UCF also alleged that certain
organization was working to destabilize the tribal region and
forcing into conflict.
Abductors released three traders,
identified as Tamal Dey (38), Dulan Mahanta (36) and Durga Pada
Dutta (35), from their captivity at an unidentified place near
Telekali Reserve Forest close to Rongrikkimgre village in South
Garo Hills District. The trio was abducted by a group of criminals
linked to Bangladesh from a place near Gasuapara in South Garo
Hills District on January 10. The role of the militant group ASAK
also came to the fore as reports emerged about the abductors seeking
the help of ‘c-in-c’ Reding T. Sangma to aid in the negotiation
for ransom with an assurance of a share of the loot. The families
of the abducted people paid a ransom of INR 25,000.
Extortion activities, which had
been on the wane since the announcement of demonetisation, have
resumed once again in the Garo Hills Districts, albeit with the
activities confined mainly to the coal belt areas for now. “There
were stories going around about people being kidnapped by militants
not for extortion but for depositing their old notes. It did happen
in many interior areas of South and North Garo Hills, where militants
pressurized villagers to deposit their old notes,” said a highly
placed Police source. Some businessmen too of these two Districts
may have been pressured to deposit old notes by the outfits.
Police recovered thirty gelatin
sticks and twenty-four fuses from one abandoned labour camp at
Mynpher under Nongkhlieh area in Jaintia Hills District.
AR arrested one NSCN-K militant
from Manyaksho village in Mon District. AR also recovered one
pistol and three rounds from the arrested militant.
|
January 18
|
UHM Rajnath Singh made an appeal
to Nagaland CM TR Zeliang to try to convince the Naga leaders
in Manipur to call off their economic blockade and come to some
sort of understanding with the Manipur Government. UHM Rajnath
Singh called Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang to New Delhi to
discuss the matter. In the meeting, Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh
and Deputy CM Gaikhangam were also present.
Pakistan's ISI operatives in Nepal
had offered a flat and a luxury vehicle besides huge cash to each
member of the group that was assigned to plant explosives to derail
the Indore-Rajendranagar Express near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh
in November, 2016, Police sources said. The revelations came to
the fore during interrogation of Moti Paswan, who was arrested
from East Champaran District of Bihar, close to the India-Nepal
border, on January 16. The arrest was in connection with the abortive
attempt to blow up the railway tracks near Ghorasahan in East
Champaran, 200km north of Patna, to derail the Raxaul-Sitamarhi
passenger train on October 1, 2016.
Moti, one of the three accused
arrested in the case, had, according to the Police, revealed to
his interrogators that two pressure cooker bombs were planted
on the railway tracks at the behest of an India operative of the
ISI, who had introduced himself as Brajesh Giri. He was offered
INR 3,00,000 for carrying out the blast on the tracks on October
1, 2016. He was accompanied by Arun Ram, also called Mohan, and
Deepak Ram, known as Sohan, who were subsequently killed in Nepal
for their failure to accomplish the task.
Moti was in constant touch with
Brajesh alias Giri Baba, who was assigned to hire people
from East Champaran to carry out subversive activities in India
at the behest of ISI, the Pakistani spy agency.
Police said that during interrogation,
Moti revealed that Giri had promised to provide sufficient funds
to the group to make investments in Bhojpuri movies. Giri, who
acquired citizenship of Nepal, was introduced to the ISI operatives
in Nepal by one Shamshul Hoda, who settled in Dubai for business
purposes. Paswan stated, "I left for Nepal after the derailment
of the train near Kanpur on November 20 last year. I, along with
other members of the group, was supposed to get a house in Delhi
where two operatives - Mohammad Zubair and Ziaul - were already
settled".
Two women and a minor girl were
killed while four others were injured when an IED, planted by
the CPI-Maoist cadres, exploded in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
Maoists killed Raju Netam (40), sarpanch of
Masenar village, at his native place under Bhansi Police Station
area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
A CoBRA jawan and a Naxal were
injured during an encounter in Jharamunigiya village forests under
Bhairamgarh Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Constable
Rajnish Kumar, belonging to CoBRA 204thbattalion, sustained injury
in his leg after he inadvertently stepped over spike-trap laid
by the Naxalites, during the face-off. After the encounter,
the SFs found and arrested an injured Naxalite, identified
as Dasu Banjam, who had been hit by a bullet.
CMAS, a CPI-Maoist front organization,
leader Nachika Linga’s nomination for Zilla Parishad member
in the upcoming Panchayat elections was rejected
during scrutiny in Koraput District of Odisha. Linga, currently
lodged in Koraput Circle Jail after his arrest in 2014, had sent
his nomination paper for Narayanpatna zilla parishad member
to the DRO through his counsel Gupteswar Panigrahi.
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.
The AR arrested 13 militants of
NSCN-IM along Mon-Tizit road in Mon District along with arms.
Four AK-56 rifles, two HK-32 rifles, one MA-MK 4 rifles, four
pistols and a huge quantity of live ammunition apart from other
warlike stores were recovered from the arrested militants. PRO,
AR, IGAR-N also informed that the militants were arrested while
they were travelling in two Maruti gypsies on Mon-Tizit road.
The NIA conducted search operations
at various Government offices in Nagaland that are believed to
be funding underground terrorist organisations, including the
NSCN-K. Earlier, one militant of NSCN-K identified as S. Khetoshe
Sumi, who was arrested on July 31, 2016, revealed that different
Government departments of the State pays illegal ‘tax’ to the
militant groups. The NIA took over the investigation on August
17, 2016.
Police arrested three militants,
during a series of search operations, from different locations
across the State. The arrested militants belonged to UNLF, NSCN-K
and NSCN-IM. Besides the militants, 58 other suspected persons
were also detained and arms were recovered during the operations.
These operations were conducted in Andro Kharam Leikai and Andro
Bazar area in Imphal East District, Mahakabui Namching village
in Senapati District, Dharmasala in Imphal West District, Kakching
town in Kakching District and its surrounding areas, Pallel in
Chandel District and Tuismi Bazar areas, and Kwakta in Bishnupur
District. This drive was launched in order to foil any unwanted
incident ahead of the Republic Day celebration (26th January).
UHM Rajnath Singh and CM of Manipur
Okram Ibobi Singh met and discussed the situation in Manipur due
to the continued blockade of two NHs in the State by UNC. During
the meeting, the UHM expressed grave concern over the prevailing
situation especially with regard to availability of essential
commodities.UHM Rajnath Singh further stated that the ongoing
blockade is likely to adversely affect democratic process in the
forthcoming elections by hampering movement of people, including
election officials.
In a statement, NSCN-IM asserted
that the ‘historic Framework Agreement’ on August 3 of 2015 after
19 years long ‘political negotiation’ with GoI would be outside
the Constitution and Union of India recognizing every aspects
of ‘Naga’s legitimate rights’ without compromising the principles.
The ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei
Lup, Khoirom Ranjit alias Rocky alias Great Macha
(35) will be taken back to Delhi on January 18 (today) for further
investigation. Khoirom Ranjit was brought back to Manipur on January
13 after he was arrested by a special cell of Delhi Police from
Mayur Vihar area of New Delhi on January 12.
SFs arrested one linkman of NSCN-K
militant, identified as Aham Konyak in Sivasagar District. SFs
recovered one pistol, two live bullets and a mobile phone with
SIM card of Nagaland from the arrestee.
The NIA arrested one ULFA-I militant
identified as ‘second lieutenant’ Gagan Hazarika alias
Joydeep Cheleng from Guwahati in Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati)
District. He was arrested in connection with a case the NIA had
registered against ULFA-I in 2013. Sources in NIA said, "He
has been taken into custody for six days. His arrest is likely
to throw light on the activities of senior ULFA leaders like ‘chairman’
Mukul Hazarika and ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Baruah."
UHM Rajnath Singh made an appeal
to Nagaland CM TR Zeliang to try to convince the Naga leaders
in Manipur to call off their economic blockade and come to some
sort of understanding with the Manipur Government. UHM Rajnath
Singh called Nagaland CM TR Zeliang to New Delhi to discuss the
matter. In the meeting, Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy
CM Gaikhangam were also present.
|
January 19
|
Saudi Arabia deported a man, identified
as Syed Zaker Raheem wanted in connection with a conspiracy to
target leaders of BJP and other Hindu right wing outfits. Raheem
is brother-in-law of wanted LeT terrorist Farhatuallah Ghori,
who is learnt to be holed up in Pakistan. Syed Zaker Raheem, who
comes from Saidabad in Hyderabad and was living in Riyadh for
many years, was arrested by Saudi authorities in May 2016 on the
request of Indian authorities. After completing formalities, he
was deported to Delhi and taken to Hyderabad on January 20 where
Telangana Police arrested him.
Ghori is an absconding accused
in an NIA case in connection with LeT’s recruitment of several
youth in Karnataka and Telangana in 2010-11 to execute terror
attacks and assassinate right-wing leaders. NIA had arrested several
youngsters in the case. Thirteen of them were convicted by a court
in September, 2016 after they pleaded guilty to the charges.
A man, identified as Sukhdas Baghel
was killed by Naxals at a shop located opposite Chintagufa
Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
A SF constable, Santosh Markam,
was injured in an exchange of fire with Naxals at Kodenar
village under Orchha Police Station in Narayanpur District of
Chhattisgarh. SFs were out on a counter-insurgency operation
when they spotted a CPI-Maoist camp in Kodenar. Sensing SFs
presence Naxals opened indiscriminate fire.
Six Naxals, three
of them carrying cash reward, surrendered in Kondagaon District
of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
citing intensified counter-insurgency operation as well as impressive
State surrender and rehabilitation policy. Sukhder alias Jangu
Potai (26) ‘section commander’ of Military Company Number 6 of
CPI-Maoist, Somaru- a Janmilitia ‘commander’ and Samlu- head
of ‘Janatana Sarkar’ a wing of the CPI-Maoist were the
key cadres who surrendered. Other CPI-Maoist cadres were
identified as Budharu, Kodu and Ramu.
Around 15-20 armed rebels of the
PLFI, a splinter group of a CPI-Maoist, set ablaze vehicles
at the construction site near Latrtu Dam in Khunti District of
Jharkhand. The rebels set ablaze one dumper, two tractors,
two bikes and two generator sets.
An ‘area commander’ of the PLFI, identified
as Ruben Kerketta and a CPI-Maoist operative Ladu Munda surrendered
in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Kerketta was carrying a reward
of INR 200,000 and Munda was carrying a reward of INR 50,000 on
their head.
Khunti SP, Shwini Jha held a meeting
at his office in Khunti District of Jharkhand to plan out a strategy
to monitor the rising activities of CPI-Maoist cadres and its
splinter groups in Khunti, Simdega, Gumla and other Districts
of Jharkhand.
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.
One unidentified civilian got
killed in the crossfire between GNLA and Police in the remote
Rongsu Agal area in South Garo Hills District. According to the
report, GNLA militants opened fire on the Police team which had
reached the spot after receiving information about the hideout
which was used by GNLA ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D Shira. Police recovered
a shotgun and several live rounds of AK ammunition from the militant
hideout.
A GNLA linkman, identified as
Tengman D Shira (25), was arrested by Police in Thapa Darengchi
village in North Garo Hills District. Police recovered one 7.65
mm pistol with three rounds (Chinese make), 9 mm pistol with eight
rounds (factory made), one Chinese pistol with 18 rounds and four
magazines from the arrested linkman.
SFs arrested one GNLA linkman
identified as Thengman Sangma (25) from Thapa Agitchak village
in North Garo Hills District. Three pistols and 25 rounds of live
ammunition were recovered from the arrestee.
The State Police said that they
had beefed up security measures in the entire state to prevent
any kind of terrorist activities in the upcoming Republic Day
celebration (26th January). Assam is also closely coordinating
with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in an effort to curb militant
attacks in the run-up to Republic Day. DGP of Assam, Mukesh Sahay,
has been touring Upper Assam, along with representatives from
the two states, since January 18 to review the security scenario.
SFs arrested three arms dealer
including two women from two different places of Churachandpur
District along with arms. In the first incident SFs arrested two
women identified as Esther Haokip and Chongboi Haokip in Churachandpur
Town. Five pistols were recovered from their possession. Based
on their disclosure, another arms dealer identified as Gumlalmun
was also arrested at Loklaiphai village along with one pistol
and a magazine.
The militant group, ASUK, in a
statement, threatened the 68th Republic Day celebration (26th
January) in North East. In the statement, the militant grouped
‘banned’ the 68th Republic Day celebration in the entire WESEA.
A city court in New Delhi extended
by five days the Police custody of Khoirom Ranjit, the arrested
‘chief’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup militant, after Delhi Police
said he was needed further custodial interrogation.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM called
upon all Naga groups to come together on a ‘single platform’ before
the announcement of the peace settlement with the Central Government
of India. The peace process started with a ceasefire agreement
with NSCN-IM in 1997 and a final peace settlement had started
gaining momentum after the Central Government of India signed
the ''framework agreement'' in August, 2015.
|
January 20
|
ED issued summons to Islamic preacher
Zakir Naik and his IRF under the PMLA. The Union Government had
declared the IRF as an “outlawed organisation” under the anti-terror
law for its alleged terror activities, following which the Maharashtra
Government said it would keep a close eye on locals and organisations
funding the IRF and would be treated as “anti-social elements”.
However, the IRF said it would be arguing before a Central government
tribunal against the validity of the ban imposed on it and invoking
of the UAPA.
PM Narendra Modi, UHM Rajnath
Singh and BJP President Amit Shah, face threat from CPI-Maoist
cadres, stated top intelligence sources. CPI-Maoist cadres have
urged the leadership to target them during their campaign for
Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. They have further
suggest to carry out serial IED blasts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
by deploying 'suitable cadres' from outside, while promising to
provide assistance to carrying out the task.
A CPI-Maoist cadre demanded an
extortion of INR 1 million from BDO, Satish Kumar, of Jhajha in
Jamui District of Bihar. The sender in the letter identified
himself as Umesh Yadav, and claimed himself a native of Jhajha
Police Station area. BDO lodged an FIR at Jhajha Police Station.
A ‘Haat-Bazaar’
was re-opened with the joint initiative of SFs and Netanar village
in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The rural ‘haats’ were facing
closure due to Naxal violence in Bastar District
of Chhattisgarh for a decade. Netanar’s sarpanch, Sahadev
Naag told, “We always wanted to restart the market here but fearing Naxal violence,
which breaks out at any time in the area, local traders and villagers
avoided it.” It is important to note that in 2011, six SFs, including
Darbha Police SHO, were killed in an ambush of with the CPI-Maoist
cadres at the place which is very close to where the weekly market
is being held.
SFs recovered 50 Kilograms of
IED below a small bridge in the rural road of Gomia Block in Bokaro
District of Jharkhand. SFs launched a search operation
at Chitu, Bankheta, Banchatra, Barokocha and Bhochukdiha villages
within the limits of Gomia Police Station area. DIG,
Saket Kumar Singh said the raids would continue in Jhumra. He
added,”The recovered IED was diffused later. Frequent recovery
of landmines and explosives in that area helps Police foil the
attempts of the CPI-Maoist cadres who were looking for triggering
any untoward incident there “said Singh.
The United States of America sought
a safe and secure environment for its nationals visiting Odisha
in view of the rampant CPI-Maoist cadre’s activities. The issue
was raised by Consul General Katherine B Hadda at the US Consulate
in Hyderabad when she met Odisha’s DGP K B Singh.
A pressure bomb, believed to have
been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, was found inside the Pasaraganda
Forest under Adaba Police limits in Gajapati District of Odisha.
A bomb squad from Paralakhemundi reached the site and defused
the explosive. The squad also seized 50 Kilograms gelatine, a
tiffin bomb, 40 metres of wire and gunpowder from the spot.
Odisha DGP, K B Singh reviews
Maoist situation in Malkangiri District of Odisha. DGP
was on a visit to the District to review security arrangements
in view of the call given by the Naxals to boycott
elections. The DGP first visited BSF camp at MV-3. Later he visited
the BSF camps at Jodamba and Badapada in the cut-off area.
Maoists put up fresh posters at
several places in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts of Odisha and
have called for poll boycott.
Rizwana Begam, a surrendered CPI-Maoist,
who was accused in a case registered in Yapaladinni Police Station,
was produced before II Additional Judicial Magistrate Court in
Raichur District of Karnataka. “She surrendered before the Chikkamagaluru
police three months ago and was produced in the court here in
connection with the pending case,” Chetan Singh Rathore, SP, said.
PM Narendra Modi, UHM Rajnath
Singh and BJP President Amit Shah, face threat from CPI-Maoist
cadres, stated top intelligence sources. CPI-Maoist cadres have
urged the leadership to target them during their campaign for
Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. They have further
suggest to carry out serial IED blasts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
by deploying 'suitable cadres' from outside, while promising to
provide assistance to carrying out the task.
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.
SFs arrested one militant of UNLF,
identified as Thiyam Nungshithoi alias Lokhon alias
Buno alias Saphaba Meitei (34) from Keishampat Keisham
Leikai in Imphal West District. SFs said that Nungshithoi was
a KYKL cadre till 2002 before he joined the UNLF together with
six others in 2003.
NIA probe into institutionalized
extortion rackets run by Naga militant groups in Nagaland has
revealed that these militant formations were getting money allegedly
from 14 State Government Departments. The news report names the
Naga militant groups involved as the NSCN-K, NSCN-IM and NNC.
Sources said these Government
Departments include the Directorate of Information Technology,
Directorate of Soil and Water Conservation, Directorate of Irrigation,
Directorate of Rural Development, Directorate of Urban Development,
PWD, Roads and Buildings and Directorate of Information and Public
Relations. “We have found documents that show that at least 14
Government Departments made regular payments to Naga groups, including
NSCN-IM,” an NIA officer said. “We have seized receipts that show
payments of INR 2 crore. Further investigation is on.”
The civilian victim of the crossfire
that took place between GNLA militant and Police remote Rongsu
Agal area in South Garo Hills District on January 19 was identified
as Kerok R Marak (23) by the villagers.
Locals caught two KPLT militants
at Pubsilputa village under Bakaliaghat Police Station in Karbi
Anglong District. According to information, two KPLT cadres were
on a bid to extortion drive and reached at SGB Jagnarayan Singh
house for extorting money from him. In the mean time the villagers
got the information and caught them and handed over them to Bakaliaghat
Police. The arrested KPLT cadres have been identified as Rabindra
Tokbi (23) and Jiten Phangcho (24).
|
January 21
|
12 of the 52 arrested in India
over the past two years for links with Islamic State (IS) terror
group are from Maharashtra. The terror organisation has become
a major concern for security agencies as out of the 64 suspected
terrorists arrested by the NIA in all terror-related cases in
the past two years, 52 of them have been arrested for their role
in IS.
Two cadres of the PLFI, identified
as Fagua Singh and Turtan Guria, were arrested at Bano in Simdega
District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of a CPI-Maoist.
CPI-Maoist threat forced the SEC
to postpone the rural polls in Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri
District of Odisha. The SEC announced it based on a report jointly
submitted by the District Collector and SP. The report said that
adequate security personnel could not be deployed for safety and
security of poll personnel in the cut off areas. "The law
and order situation in the block is not satisfactory according
to a report filed by the district administration. So, we have
decided to postpone the elections in Chitrakonda block,"
said SEC secretary R N Sahu. The block with heavy Maoist presence
has total 222 wards, 18 each gram panchayats and samitis and
two zilla parishad zones. Fearing Maoist attack,
not a single nomination was filed for the posts of sarpanchs and
ward members in the nine panchayats inside the cut-off areas.
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.
Seven organizations jointly called
for a 12-hour bandh (strike) in Karbi Anglong Autonomous
Council Districts, on January 24, from 5 a.m. in protest against
their unfulfilled demands including a separate electoral roll
by the KAAC election and strengthening of Karbi Customary Laws.
The seven organizations include UKSA, KSYA, Karbi Farmers Association
(Rajesh Tisso faction), NNKRAA, and PP, KARAA and Sixth Schedule
Implementation-Committee.
SFs arrested four unidentified
cadres of NSCN-IM from Khongshang area on Imphal-Jiribam road
in Noney District. SFs also recovered 40 gelatin explosive sticks,
58 detonators, 26 metres of cordtex detonating fuse and 18 air
guns from the arrested militants.
In a statement, the UNC called
a boycott of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations (26th January).
|
January 22
|
Ranchi Police arrested Yamuna
Prasad a member of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, at
Bero Block in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Prasad was
a close aide of PLFI chief Dinesh Gope. A Policeman told, “On
several occasions, Yamuna had accommodated Gope's black money
in different bank accounts and channelised the cash by investing
in business ventures."
Palamu Police arrested Chhotan
Yadav a CPI-Maoist cadre in Mohammadganj near Bheem Barrage at
Kadal in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Chhotan Yadav used
to perform varied works for Ajay Yadav (a top CPI-Maoist leader)
like moving in his dasta, writing Maoists Parchha
poster and literature and IEDs. Yadav has three cases and the
cases are in two Police Stations, Pandu and Mohammadganj.
The President of India, Pranab
Mukherjee has commuted death sentences of four cadres of the MCC,
now known as the CPI-Maoist, to life imprisonment setting aside
a recommendation from the MHA. The Four men identified as Krishna
Mochi, Nanhe Lal Mochi, Bir Kuer Paswan and Dharmendra Singh were
convicted of killing 34 upper-caste Bhumihars in Bihar 25 years
ago.
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.
Two AR personnel were killed and
several others injured when suspected militants attacked an AR
vehicle escorting tourists in Tinsukia District. Militants lobbed
several grenades targeting the vehicle at Jagun 12th Mile Barabasti
on NH-315 bordering the District in the run up to Republic Day,
a defence spokesman said. The AR vehicle and three vehicles of
tourists returning from the Pangsau festival have been damaged
in grenade explosions, the spokesman added. The Pangsau Festival
is held along the Indo-Myanmar border in the area.
SFs killed two unidentified militants
involved in the ambush which claimed the lives of two AR troopers
at 12th Mile Barabasti along NH-315 near Jagun village in Tinsukia
District. Defence PRO, Lieutenant Colonel Suneet Newton, said
that bodies of two militants had been recovered along with five
IEDs, two grenades, a G3 rifle, a pistol and fired cases of nine
lathode. The ambush was jointly claimed by militant conglomerates
namely UNLFW and CorCom under ‘Operation Barak’.
SFs arrested three militant of
NDFB-IKS, identified as Dakaru Mushahary, Kapilau Basunatary and
Birjay Mushahary from Taisoguri under Runikhata Police Station
in Chirang District. A 7.65 mm pistol, two magazines, a country
made pistol, two grenades and four round ammunitions were recovered
from the arrested militants.
Unidentified assailants attacked
the ‘chairman’, Seipu Singsit, of militant group UTLA, at Tollen
village in Churachandpur District. The militant leader sustained
injuries during the attack. Presently, UTLA is under SoO agreements
with Union and State Government.
Four unidentified civilians were
abducted by suspected ASAK militant, from Kolapara village near
Sibbari in South Garo Hills District. According to Police, six
armed cadre of suspected ASAK militant waylaid a truck and a bus
and abducted the two drivers and two helpers at gunpoint.
The UAE pledged its full support
to India in combating terrorism, as it aims at boosting bilateral
defence and security ties and signing a strategic cooperation
agreement during the three-day visit to India of His Highness
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, beginning
on January 24. UAE Ambassador Ahmad Al Banna said, “We support
Indian government in its efforts to fight terrorism and extremism
all over the world". Asserting that his country was among
the first to condemn the terror strike on Indian airbase in Pathankot,
Al Banna said the UAE had also supported the surgical strikes
carried out by India. “When the bombing of the airbase took place,
we were the first one to condemn it. The UAE was among the first
countries which supported Indian surgical strikes and we support
India’s efforts to fight and respond to attacks terrorists and
extremists,” he said.
The UAE ambassador also said the
national security advisers of the UAE and India have been holding
consultations regularly. Asked about the role UAE, which is seen
as a “key interlocutor” by India, could play in conveying Indian
concerns to Pakistan over terrorism emanating from there, Al Banna
said: “We listen to them (Indian authorities). We coordinate with
them and will be more than willing whenever we are asked by the
Indian side to assist or interfere or take any action for betterment
of our relationship”.
|
January 21
|
SFs arrested one KCP militant
identified as Sanjenbam Chandramani Singh alias Boynao
alias Eyamba at Sawombung in Imphal East District. Incriminating
articles were recovered from the arrested militants.
|
January 22
|
During combing operation by the
SFs, an IED exploded at Wara Basti area of Tinsukia District.
The report further states that militants had placed landmines
in the approach road to Wara Basti, the site of January 22 ambush,
slowing the approach of SFs.
Thakur Das Mahto (35), a contractor
for Brajesh Construction Company, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres
in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand. His body, riddled with bullets
and the throat slit, was found dumped on Rajrappa-Murpa Road.
Local residents protested at Gola Police Station. The pamphlets
were found near the body say that Mahto was killed because he
was a ‘Police informer’.
SFs arrested four cadres of the
PLFI from Karra in Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
|
January 23
|
In a joint statement, the CorCom,
GNLA, HNLC and the ULFA-I called for a ‘total shut down’ in the
entire North East India on Indian Republic day (26th January),
reports The Sangai Express on January 24. In the joint statement
issued by the militant groups asserted that the ‘Western South
East Asia (WESEA)’ should ‘collectively boycott’ the Indian Republic
Day on January 26, 2017.
Three live IED were recovered
by the SFs from Wara Basti area of Tinsukia District where the
January 22 ambush claimed the lives of two AR troopers and two
unidentified militants.
According to a source in State
Police, arrested former Chairman of the APSC, Rakesh Paul had
been funding ULFA-I and GNLA militant in the last few years. According
to the source he paid nearly INR 1 crore to each of the militant
groups in the last few years.
Four militant groups, including
NDFB-IKS, KLO, PDCK and NLFT, in a joint statement, called 24
hours ‘total shut down’ on the Republic Day of India (26th January)
in the entire North East India. They asked the people of ‘WESEA’
to ‘boycott’ the Republic Day celebration in their statement.
SFs intensified their combing
operations in the border areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
and busted a militant hideout at Samru area in the State. SFs
intensification of operations follows the militant attack at Jagun
in Tinsukia District of Assam on January 22.
Security officials said that Indo-Myanmar
border has been placed at a state of alert based on specific intelligence
inputs about the militants exfiltrating into Myanmar to escape
the ongoing operations by SFs. "The stretch of the border
from pillar number 168 to border pillar number 173 - from Pangsau
Pass to Tirap River - has been put on high alert," a source
said.
SFs arrested two PLA militants,
identified as Angom Arunkumar alias Chinglen (62) and Khundrakpam
Suresh alias Mocha (47) from Wangkhei Thangjam Leikai and
Palace Compound Thangapat Mapal respectively in Imphal East District
in two separate incidents. Three mobiles phones were recovered
from them. SFs sources said that they were involved in several
extortion cases.
Police detained six bailed out
militants from different places in Thoubal District. Out of six,
four belongs to PLA militant and two belongs to UNLF.
The proposed tripartite talk between
Manipur Government, Centre and UNC scheduled on January 23 was
postponed indefinitely. Further, Manipur Government had agreed
to UNC’s demand to shift the venue of the proposed talks from
Imphal to New Delhi. UNC had demanded that the venue for the talks
should be held in either New Delhi or in ‘Naga dominated area’.
AR arrested one NSCN-K militant,
identified as ‘lieutenant’ Yantril Sangtam from Longkhim Town
in Tuensang District. An IED with a detonator, a reserve detonator
and one .22 pistol with four live rounds were recovered from the
arrested militant.
In a statement, NSCN-K said that
it would boycott India’s Republic day celebration on January 26
in ‘all over Naga inhabited areas’.
In a joint statement, the CorCom,
GNLA, HNLC and the ULFA-I called for a ‘total shut down’ in the
entire North East India on Indian Republic day (26th January).
In the joint statement issued by the militant groups asserted
that the ‘WESEA’ should ‘collectively boycott’ the Indian Republic
Day on January 26, 2017.
A senior State Home Department
official said that the Mizoram Government had decided to go ahead
with the physical repatriation of Brus from six relief camps in
neighbouring North Tripura District scheduled to commence from
the second week of February. The State Government officials who
conducted the identification in the Tripura relief camps during
November two to November 23, 2016, had identified 32,857 people
belonging to 5,413 families for physical repatriation.
The SFs killed two CPI-Maoist
cadres in an encounter near Padmetta village under Bedre Police
Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. “Two bodies of Maoists
in uniform have been recovered along with one .303 service rifle,
one .315 rifle and one Bharmar in Bijapur district after an encounter.
The encounter took place in the forest near Padmetta village under
the Bedre police station limits,” said Bijapur District SP K.L.
Dhruv.
Ranjan Bala and his son Indrajit
Bala (17) were injured in an IED blast triggered by the Naxals
on an under-construction road in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place near Malempalli village under Jagargunda
Police Station limits while the victims were on way to Dornapal
in their motorcycle.
CPI-Maoist cadres set on fire
at least 15 vehicles and equipment deployed for road construction
works in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A road is being constructed
between Tarlaguda and Annaram. A combing operation is underway
to trace the insurgents.
Activist Bela Bhatia was allegedly
asked to vacate her house in Pandripani village in Bastar District
of Chhattisgarh by the villagers who held a protest outside it
accusing her of being a ‘CPI-Maoist sympathiser’. In a complaint
to Police, villagers alleged Bhatia had named herself as “Somari
Naag or Bela Somari” (to use tribal identity) which they feel
is an insult to tribal masses, told SP, RN Dash.
Hundreds of villagers of Malkangiri
District of Odisha gathered in an anti-CPI-Maoist rally in Jagdalpur,
administrative headquarters of Bastar District of Chhattisgarh,
in the bordering region of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and raised
voice against the ‘torture’ by the Maoists. The Jana Varjan Samabesh/Prajameli
was attended by inhabitants of at least 15 villages in the region.
“In the absence of security forces and DVF, Maoists enter some
remote villages and start torturing the villagers. Sometime they
even rob the villagers their belongings,” said a villager. “If
security is tightened in these Maoist-prone areas, then they will
not dare to enter these places to trouble the innocent villagers,”
stated another villager. Meanwhile Police said it will analyse
the situation and take proper step. “Attending a large gathering
here (Jagdalpur), the villagers of Tulsi, Mahupadar, Dundipadar
and Kirmiti (Odisha) allege that a lady along with some other
Maoists is torturing them. We have intensified anti-Maoist operation
and deployed some forces in those regions. Very soon we will neutralize
the Red Rebels who are active in the area”, said Bastar (Chhattisgarh)
SP, RN Dash.
West Singhbhum District Police
of Jharkhand has constituted a committee to probe the alleged
death of CPI-Maoist Politburo member Prashant Bose alias Kisan
da in Saranda forest on the Jharkhand-Odisha border.
The tribal rights activists met
DC, ASR Naik, and demanded probe into exploitation of two women
by C-60 Commandos in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The delegation
comprising Sainu Gota, Ramdas Jarate and others also claimed in
their representation to the Collector that Police had been harassing
tribals protesting mining projects across the District. The C-60
Commandos comprise of 60 Police personnel to contain the Naxal
menace and was constituted in the year 1992. They are imparted
trainings in various types of guerrilla warfare.
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).
|
January 24
|
Ahead of the Republic Day parade
on January 26, security in Delhi and NCR, particularly at Rajpath,
has been increased, as an intelligence note says that "Pakistan-based
groups are trying to use Afghan identities to enter India and
that some of them have fraudulently acquired Afghan passports".
Pakistan's ISI is trying to create tensions between India and
Afghanistan, said sources. RAW has received inputs that ISI plans
to recruit Pakistan-Afghani nationals and then send them to India
to orchestrate a terror attack. Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations
in the National Capital, intelligence and security forces have
conducted a fresh recce of sensitive areas. Specific inputs were
received on outfits including HM, LeT, IM and AQIS hatching a
plot to simultaneously launch terror attacks in various parts
of the country.
A person wanted in a case of trafficking
of FICN has been arrested by NIA officials from Malda area in
Malda District. Mohammed Ashraful, was wanted in a case registered
initially by Kerala Police pertaining to the seizure of high quality
FICN having face value of INR 67,000 from migrant labourers hailing
from West Bengal.
Driver of an oil tanker was injured
when suspected NSCN-IM militants attacked a convoy of loaded trucks
at Awangkhul under Noney Police Station in Noney District. The
driver was identified as Elangbam Birjit Singh (38) resident of
Wangbal Mayai Leikai of Thoubal District. According to reports,
373 loaded Tata trucks were coming towards Imphal from Jiribam
with CRPF escort on account of the ongoing economic blockade.
Police arrested one linkman of
NDFB militant, identified as Chabin Boro (28) from Bagrikhuti
village under Tamulpur Police Station in Baksa District. According
to the Police, he was involved in several extortion cases in the
name of NDFB.
Paresh Baruah, the ‘c-in-c’ of
the ULFA-I militant, made a statement threatening the theater
owners of the State accusing discrimination against a regional
film. The director of the film Himanghshu Prasad Das made an appeal
in an open letter to the militant leader on Facebook after several
theatre owners decided to remove his movie- ‘Shakira Ahibo Bakultolor
Bihuloi’ on January 25. In response to his letter, the militant
leader threatened the theatre owners to continue regional films
instead of Hindi movies.
The CPI-Maoist cadres triggered
an IED blast in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The blast
took place when SFs were patrolling between Timmapur and Murdanda.
A sniffer dog, named ‘Pluto’ died in the blast.
CM Raman Singh assured the IAF
authorities at Raipur District of Chhattisgarh that the Chhattisgarh
Government would provide all possible assistance in conducting
the ‘Indian Air Force Recruitment Rally' in insurgency-infested
Districts of the State. The CM held a detailed discussion with
Air Vice-Marshal O.P. Tiwari, VSM, at his official residence.
Notably, the Bastar Battalion of CRPF is also being raised by
recruiting 744 ST youths from four insurgency infested Districts
of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, the Central Government has informed.
Two cadres of the PLF, Manish
Dahenga alias Rejan Dahenga and a minor boy were arrested
on the outskirts of Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police also
seized INR 48,000 in cash and seven mobile phones from the duo.
PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
A Patna Police team stumbled upon
a diary in Beur Central Jail in Patna District of Bihar, which
has names of people who paid levy to jailed CPI-Maoist leader
Ajay Kandu. Kandu, the alleged mastermind behind the November
2005 Jehanabad jail break, is in the Beur jail that was raided
by a Police team headed by Patna SSP, Manu Maharaj. Acting on
a tip-off, the SSP with a SDPO and officials from the District
administration reached the jail around 2.50am and conducted the
raid. The Police also seized six mobile phones, four chargers,
a few packets of marijuana, four knives, packets of khaini and
earphones during the search.
The Central leadership of CPI-Maoist
had warned their comrades operating the tri-junction area in South
India against launching attacks on Police from Kozhikode District
of Kerala. The leadership thought such an action would be detrimental
for the organisation in the current stage of the movement. This
was revealed in a letter suspected to be written by a Central
Committee or politburo member of the party, which was recovered
from the camp inside the Nilambur forest after the Police firing
on November 24, 2016. The central leadership of the Maoists felt
that the strategy in the tri-junction area should have been devised,
based on the experiences of four-and-a-half decades history of
revolutionary war in India. But they believe that the comrades
in zonal committee were instead inspired by the People's war in
Peru and Nepal.
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.
|
January 25
|
Police recovered four crude bombs
from Bongaigaon District. SP (Bongaigaon) Hridayjit Barman said
the bombs were found hidden under a haystack at Bhoralkundi village,
about 5 kilometres from Jogighopa Police Station. He said the
search was conducted based on intelligence inputs. The bombs were
packed inside polythene bags and it is suspected that militants
may have kept them there to carry out blasts on Republic Day (January
26).
SFs arrested one PLA militant,
identified as Kh Kiran (25) from Kaiphundai village in Tamenglong
District.
MBDPF, the umbrella organisation
of Bru refugees lodged in six relief camps in North Tripura, made
it clear that they would stick to their long-standing ‘13-point
demands’ and wrote a letter to UHM Rajnath Singh regarding the
issue on January 24. The MBDPF, in its letter to Singh, sought
his intervention on the issue of the Bru repatriation and reconsider
the present package of the repatriation. Further, the Bru organisation
alleged that the Mizoram Government’s Bru repatriation programme
was not realistic and practical. The present stand of MBDPF may
create hurdle to the Mizoram Government’s decision to start Bru
repatriation from second week of February of this year (2017).
A CISF trooper suffered minor
injuries after he was shot with arrow by CPI-Maoist cadres, in an iron ore mines area of NMDC in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. The incident happened when a CISF patrolling
team ran into a group of lower-rung ultras who were putting up
pamphlets against Republic Day celebrations. On spotting the CISF
troopers, CPI-Maoist cadres shot an arrow and escaped into the
forests.
The Police arrested a CPI–Maoist
cadre and his associate while receiving "levy" of INR
10,000 from a private company staff near Indrapuri Barrage in
Rohtas District of Bihar. SDPO, Mohammad Anwar Javed Ansari
said that the two arrested had been identified as Arun Kumar alias
Birbal and Dhiraj Kumar. Arun Kumar is an accused in a murder
case in Aurangabad District of Bihar.
Two militia members the CPI–Maoist
surrendered before Paderu Sub-Division, DSP, M Mahendra in Vishakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. The surrendered have been identified
as V Nageswara Rao and K Bhagwan Rao (35). The duo was vexed with
the stringent rules being followed by the dalam and they wanted
to return to the social mainstream.
The ‘most wanted’ CPI–Maoist leader
Ranjit Pal (45) laid down his arms and surrendered before of the
STF of Kolkata Police at Kolkata District of West Bengal. Pal
surrendered before State DGO Surajit Kar Purakayastha and Kolkata
Commissioner of Police, Rajiv Kumar along with his wife Jharna
alias Anita also a top CPI-Maoist leader along the Bengal-Jharkhand
border mostly in Purulia District. Pal surrendered with a SLR.
Pal said, “I am surrendering before Kolkata Police STF and beginning
a new life and appeal those who are wrong path to join the main
stream.” He added, in past 17 years he had realised that taking
up arms was not a solution to people’s problems and the issues
had been sorted out in Bengal to a large extent.
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.
|
January 26
|
All total seven bombs were exploded
by ULFA-I militant, during the day of celebration of India’s Republic
Day (January 26) in different places of Sivasagar, Charideo, Tinsukia
and Dibrugarh Districts. However no casualties were reported.
According to the Police sources low intensity IED were used in
the blasts. According to the sources, in Sibsagar District the
blast took place in Majpani area and in Tinsukia District two
blasts took place at Sisimi village and Sukan pukhuri area. While,
in Charaideo District bomb exploded in Angera, Lengeribor and
Bihubor area and in Dibrugarh District one explosion took place
in Chowkidinghee area.
ULFA-I militant, claimed responsibility
for the seven bomb blasts that took place in Assam on the Republic
Day of India (January 26), terming it as ‘symbolic protest’.
Two low intensity explosions were
triggered at Mantripukhri and Singjamei Chingamakha area in Imphal
West District. No casualty due to these explosions was reported.
No group has taken responsibility of the blasts so far.
Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji
Das Tandon said a wave of security and development coupled with
the faith of people in Bastar region signals that Naxalism
will come to an end soon in the State. Tandon was speaking at
the 68th Republic Day function held at the Police Line grounds
in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. He also added that demonetization
has not only supported the country in fight against terror forces
but also helped in controlling CPI –Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh.
CM, Raghubar Das in his
Republic Day address said, innocent tribals were being misled
by vested interests, in Naxal affected Dumka District of
Jharkhand. He also pointed out that Jharkhand Government
has allotted a separate budget for development of SC and ST, and
2 per cent reservation in State and District level vacancies,
a Police battalion and 18 health centres for particularly vulnerable
tribal groups in Jharkhand.
Jharkhand Police will initiate
proceedings to seek custody of CPI –Maoist leader Ranjit Pal who,
along with his wife, surrendered before West Bengal Police. Pal,
a member of the Bengal-Jharkhand-Orissa border committee of CPI-Maoist,
is wanted in the murder of JMM leader and then East Singhbhum
in Jharkhand, MP, Sunil Mahato in 2007.
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.
|
January 27
|
The NIA arrested two people, identified
as Abdul Rashid Abdulla and Yasmeen Mohammad Zahid from Kochi
(Kerala) in connection with the criminal conspiracy hatched within
and outside India, with the intention of furthering the objectives
of the IS and for joining and supporting the organization. Accused
Abdul Rashid, resident of Kasaragod District and Yasmeen Mohammad
Zahid, resident of Sitamarhi District, Bihar were booked under
sections 120-B and 125 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), besides
sections 38, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Act (UAPA), 1967.
The NIA probe has established
that accused Abdul Rashid was the main conspirator behind the
offence of motivating youth, hailing from Kasaragod District to
exit from India along with their families, to join the terrorist
organisation.
India and UAE issued a joint statement
through which both the countries committed to work together to
counter radicalisation and misuse of religion by groups and countries
for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism. UAE's
Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also declared that ‘strong
condemnation of and resolute opposition to terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever,
and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism
anywhere.’
Without naming Pakistan, the statement
also states ‘The two sides condemned efforts, including by States,
to use religion to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against
other countries. They further deplored efforts by countries to
give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and pointed
out the responsibility of all States to control the activities
of the so-called 'non-State actors'. With this joint statement,
India enhances diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to take firm action
against terror activities conducting on its land.
The State Congress spokesperson
Khumukcham Joykishan said that the Manipur Government had given
final touches to the proposal of declaring the UNC as an unlawful
organisation and it would be forwarded to the Central Government.
The Prakasam District Police unearthed
huge cache of arms and ammunition in the Nallamala Forest near
Palutla village in Yerragondapalem mandal in Prakasam District
of Andhra Pradesh. SFs observed a few electrical wires popped
out from earth. After digging at the place, they found 79 rounds
of SLR, 31 rounds of .303 rifle, 17 rounds of 0.500 rifle, and
three barrels of double barrel guns, two barrels of single barrel
guns, two double trigger tapanchas and one charger in the dump.
The Police suspect that the CPI-Maoist cadres made the dump around
2003, after inspection of the contents.
A Naxal was killed in an exchange
of fire with SFs in a dense patch of forest under Fulbagdi Police
Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. SFs have recovered
the body of a male Maoist, clad in uniform, along with a .303
rifle and some other items of daily use from the spot.
CPI-Maoist cadres dislodged a
1,000-year-old 4-feet long Ganesha idol and felled it from a height
of about 12,000 feet into the deep gorge at Dholkal Mountain in
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The Police blamed the Maoists
for “deliberately planned to let (sic)” the structure of Ganesha
idol fall from the mountain top in an “attempt to destroy” it.
Khunti District Police of Jharkhand
arrested two contractors, identified as Dinesh Kumar Nag and Khuleshwar
Gope, for having financial ties with PLFI, Chief Dinesh Gope and
assisting the group's terror activities in Khunti District, reports
Times of India. According to Police, PLFI funded INR 8.5 millions
in six construction projects of Nag and Gope and were supposed
to receive 50% of the total profits in return. PLFI is a splinter
group of CPI-Maoist.
Simdega Police airdropped pamphlets
and posters with names and bounty on top functionaries of the
PLFI cadres hiding in remote areas of Simdega District of Jharkhand.
The pamphlets carried names of PLFI’s top commanders, including
its supremo, Dinesh Gope, who carries a bounty of INR 2.5 millions
on his head.
The RPF of Bangalore Railway Division
arrested a Naxal, in connection to derail the Chalukya
Express on December last year in Tamil Nadu, at Bengaluru District
of Karnataka. The Naxal has now been handed over to the
Q branch of the Tamil Nadu Police. He has confessed to being part
of a Naxal outfit based in Kerala.
A Police source said that in the
Republic Day (January 26) serial blast, the ULFA-I militant used
local people for planting bombs instead of their regular militant
cadres. The Police source also claimed that they had already identified
some of these people.
|
January 28
|
Three persons were arrested for
allegedly running a FICN racket in Delhi, and INR 1.8 million
in the form of counterfeit INR 2000 notes was recovered from their
possession. Accused Azad Singh (36), Manoj (37) and Sunil (27)
were arrested by a team of Special Cell from Singhola village
in Narela Tehsil (revenue unit) of North West Delhi District in
Delhi, said DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.
SF arrested one NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Rahul Daimari (26) alias Mulungsa alias
D Riwiriwa from Khoirabari area in Udalguri District. One 7.65mm
pistol, 5 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines were also
recovered from the arrested militant.
Osman Ali alias Raja (40), who
has been serving as courier man for CPI-Maoist, surrendered in
front of SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra
Pradesh. Osman Ali, is a native of Korukonda village under Chintapalli
mandal, Visakhapatnam Agency, and is running a grocery shop in
the village. The police said that Ali had served as Maoist courier
between Maoist leader Krishna and others and he had supplied groceries
and a few others to the Left Wing Extremists, for the last few
years.
CRPF jawan was killed in an explosion
of a pressure bomb allegedly planted by CPI-Maoist cadres near
Kottacheru village under Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. The deceased, Havaldar Parasnath Saroj,
was posted with the 219th battalion of CRPF, senior Police officials
said. “A road construction work was going on in the area and a
CRPF team was patrolling when Saroj accidentally stepped on the
pressure bomb and suffered serious injuries,” the Police officials
said. Later, he succumbed to his injuries.
The Police recovered a huge cache
of arms and ammunitions from a Naxal hideout in Latehar District
of Jharkhand. A SLR, three made in America semi-automatic rifle,
two country-made rifles and at least 81 live cartridges were among
the arms and ammunitions that were recovered. The Police are probing
the matter and have not arrested any person in this regard so
far.
|
January 29
|
ISI operative Mehmood Akhtar's
statement to interrogators in Delhi that many people from Bhopal
had handed over sensitive documents to him, has left intelligence
officials in Madhya Pradesh worried. Now efforts are on to identify
Akthar's 'agents' in Bhopal, said sources in the intelligence
wing. There are inputs that Akhtar had visited Bhopal thrice in
the last few years.
Two workers out of three, who
were abducted on January 26, by a group of suspected KNF-N militant,
were killed in an alleged gunfight between the militant group
and KNA militants at Moulsohoi village under Litan Police Station
in Ukhrul District. The two deceased workers were identified as
Laishram Tompok (27) and Laishram Thoi (22). However, the third
abducted worker, identified as Khumujam Bijen (25) was rescued
by the villagers. One suspected abductor, identified as Thangminlun
Khongsai (25) also got bullet injury in the incident. According
to the report, the injured abductor is a member of UTLA and one
pistol was recovered from his possession. The three workers were
abducted from Maphou dam project in Senapati District on January
26, by four suspected Kuki militants. The abductors were attacked
by KNA cadres when they entered the Moulsohoi village, which according
to KNA militants ‘fall under the jurisdiction’ of their designated
camp. However, another source said that the abductors were not
from any militant group and they were just a gang of criminals.
A bomb was recovered, by SFs,
which was planted by unidentified assailant at the residence of
a worker at Khabam Bamdiar under Nambol Police Station in Bishnupur
District.
Two UTLA militants identified
as Robert Thangboi Kipgen and Thensei Singsit, who were involved
in the attack of the ‘chairman’ of UTLA on January 22, were arrested
by Police from K Lhangnom village in Churachandpur District. According
to the Police the arrested militants belong to a rival faction
of the UTLA.
AR arrested two persons, identified
as Vizoto Angami, (40) and Supi Chaya Angami (35) from Medziphema
Town in Dimapur District along with arms. According to the AR,
one of the arrestees, Vizoto Angami is a member of NSCN-IM. AR
recovered one .22 mm Pistol and 339 bottles of IMFL from their
possession.
Two Naxals including a woman were
killed in an encounter with the SFs in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
The gun battle took place in Purangel forest which comes under
Kirandul Police Station limits. SFs recovered a rifle, a revolver
and a huge cache of medicines. IG, S.R.P. Kalluri said, “The identity
of the rebels is being ascertained. Prima facie, it appears that
they belong to the medical supply team of the outlawed CPI-Maoist
as a large quantity of medicines was seized from the encounter
spot.”
195 lower rung Naxals, including
24 women, surrendered in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
The surrendered Naxals expressed a wish to join the mainstream.
The cadres belong to Janmilitia or Janatana Sarkar wing of CPI-Maoist.
The surrendered cadres were from 24 villages of the region including
Gumiyabeda, Okpaad, Mohndi, Nelnaar, Ikpaad, Murnaar, Nirameta
and Kodkanaar.
The Central Government of India
has sanctioned INR 6.57 billion for implementation of road projects
in CPI-Maoist affected areas of Koraput and Malkangiri District
of Odisha. The State Government of Odisha had submitted the road
project proposals under RRP-II which was approved by the UMRD.
UMRD also cleared road plans having a length of 5412 Kilometers
including 126 bridges in eight other Naxal affected States. The
State projects include Kalimela-Gomphakonda-Bejingiwada-Orkel,
Khairiput- Mathili, Mathili-Kaliaguda, Podia-Sikhapali, Kudumuluguma-Katameta,
MV-76-Vejangiwada and several other roads in Malkangiri District
of Odisha.
The BSF is overhauling its deployments
in Malda District of West Bengal, ill-reputed as the national
hub for FICN notes and illegal narcotics smuggling. The overhaul
move has been initiated following a caution sent by the UMHA to
the West Bengal home department that Indo- Bangladesh border sector
in Malda District of West Bengal, is increasingly becoming a corridor
for movement of cross- border terrorists.
According to the BSF Commandant,
deputed in the Malda sector, A K Hotker, the border guard force
is involving the local residents in the Indo-Bangladesh border
villages in the Malda sector in getting information about outsiders
frequenting these bordering villages.
According to sources from the
border guard agency of the Union government, four major steps
are being taken as a part of the agency’s overhauling exercise
in the Malda sector.
The BSF foiled attempts by a group
of African nationals to illegally enter India from Bangladesh
through the Muharichar border in Belonia in South Tripura. A mobile
phone and some personal belongings were seized from him. However,
rest of the accomplices managed to flee from the place.
|
January 30
|
Three girls from the Philippines
and Tunisia, who were alleged to be IS sympathisers, were given
money by a Dubai-based Indian supporter, Mohammed Farhan Shaikh
of the terror outfit on the instructions of a Pakistani national,
the NIA has said. The agency has claimed that Shaikh, who was
arrested in 2016 along with two others after being deported from
the UAE for alleged IS links, had funded these girls, after money
was given to him in Dubai by one Khalid, who is alleged to be
from Pakistan.
NIA has alleged that Shaikh,
who was in Dubai in 2015, had transferred 3894.24 UAED to a Tunisian
girl, Sarra Ghribi, who wanted to join IS, in seven installments
through the global payment service, Western Union, between February
5, 2015 and April 24, 2015. NIA has claimed that Shaikh had transferred
1257.63 UAED and 846.75 UAED to Jannah Qassim and Johaira L Macasimpang,
residents of Philippines, on June 24, 2015.
In his disclosure statement recorded
by NIA which has been annexed in the charge sheet, Shaikh has
claimed that in January 2015, he got in touch with Ghribi through
Facebook. She was a "supporter and sympathiser" of IS.
The State Government decided to
withhold counter insurgency operations by the SFs against the
KPLT till April 20 this year. The KPLT declared unilateral ceasefire
for a period of six months with effect from October 20, 2016 till
April 20, 2017, which they communicated through a letter signed
by the militant group’s ‘general secretary’ Vojaru Hanjang.
SFs arrested two HNLC militants,
identified as Samuel Wahlang Pahsyntiew (30) and Hebingstun Khongbuh
(18) from Shillong in East Khasi Hills District. Police said that
both are new cadres of HNLC, but Samuel Wahlang Pahsyntiew was
trained in Bangladesh camp of the militant group.
Three abducted persons from West
Garo Hill District, identified as Muzamil Haque, Biswajit Neogi
alias Bappi and Mohammad Rouf Asraf Ayub, were released
by the abductors of ASAK militant in the Ramchenga jungles near
Dumnikura in South Garo Hills District.
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, in
a public meeting at Bhairamgarh in Naxals hit
Bijapur District in Bastar Division of Chhattisgarh, urged all
CPI-Maoist cadres to give up the arms and join the mainstream,
saying violence and terror cannot solve any problem. "Peace
and harmony are the only ways to prosper and develop the society.
If Maoists quit the violent path, we are ready to embrace them",
CM Singh said. "Government is building roads, bridges, schools
and hospitals, providing clean drinking water and taking care
of people. I wonder why the Maoists are opposing development initiatives
in the region," he added.
Sanjay Pandey, a ‘munshi’ with
Raj Kumar Constructions, was beheaded for not paying extortion
money to the Naxals in Jamui District of Bihar. Jamui Police
claimed to have recovered the CPI-Maoist literature from the scene
of the crime. One such leaflet said those executing Government
plans with the help of Police, and without obtaining CPI-Maoist
permission, would meet similar fate.
Khunti Police arrested three cadres
of the PLFI at Birsa Chowk in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. PLFI
is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist. The identity of the arrestees
is yet to be ascertained.
SPs from six Districts of Andhra
Pradesh and Odisha led by two DIGs held a meeting at Koraput District
of Odisha. They gathered to plan joint operations and eliminate
the CPI-Maoist from the border areas. According to sources, all
the SPs and DIGs came to the conclusion that coordination, cooperation
and sharing of information should be done at regular intervals.
They also chalked out plans to penetrate the interior pockets
of the tribal belt to reach out to the public with community policing
programmes.
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.
|
January 31
|
SFs arrested two women cadres
of the UNLF militant, identified as Huidrom Chingkheinganbi Chanu
(22) and Oinam Chanchan alias Jayenti alias Langlen (22) from
Laipham Khunou under Heingang Police Station in Imphal West District.
Two unidentified civilians were
killed when Police open fired to control a highly agitated mass
in Dimapur town in Dimapur District. Five civilians were also
injured in the firing. While seven other agitated civilians were
injure in Longleng District by Police firing.
SFs recovered arms and ammunition
dumped by CPI-Maoist cadres from Dangrapahar of Ghatshila in East
Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SSP, Anoop T. Mathew told that
a joint team of SFs conducted search in four dumping areas and
recovered a SLR, one 303 rifle, both looted from SFs, an improvised
Musket along with 50 rounds of live ammunition, electronic items
and explosives for preparing IED, CPI-Maoist flags and literature,
multi-circuit meter, uniforms and daily core items. A book titled
“Mamata Bandopadhyay ke Jemon Dekhechi” authored by one Deepak
Kumar Ghosh was also recovered.
SFs arrested three CPI-Maoist
action team members and a newly recruited member in Hanamkonda
District of Telangana. The arrested were identified as T Devender
alias Rama Rao of Sudhanapalli in Hasanparthy Mandal,
Bhukya Srinivas alias P Srinu of Ponugodu of Gudur Mandal
and Ch Narayana Swamy of Sriramulapalli of Kamalapur Mandal.
The newly recruited member has been identified as Lingala Vennela
alias Dhannu of Paidipalli in Hasanparthy Mandal.
A case under sections 10, 13, 18(B) of UAP Act 1967, section 25
(1-B) (9) of Arms Act 1959, section 5 of ES Act 1908, section
8 of TSPS (APPS) Act was booked against them at KCU Police Station.
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.
|
January 31-February 1
|
Police arrested three militants
belonging to ASAK along with one cadre of the GNLA at South Garo
Hills District. The ASAK militants, who were arrested in between
January 31-February 1, were identified as Sahid Ch Marak (26),
Lamingstone Ch Sangma (29) and Jainish R Marak (29).The GNLA militant,
who was arrested from Gare Nawak village, near Nangalbibra was
identified as Herod R Marak (32).
|
February 1
|
Ten posters and five painted messages
highlighting IS were found in Solan town of Himachal Pradesh.
Police interrogated about 20 persons suspected to be involved
in the case. Their handwriting samples were also taken and will
be compared with the writing on the posters. It was interesting
to note that spray paint had been used while writing the IS on
various buildings of the Subathu cantonment board while no private
building had been targeted.
SFs recovered a bomb from a paddy
field at Uyokching in Kakching District.
Unidentified militants hurled
a hand grenade at Indian Army’s 2nd JKLI troopers, who were on
ROP duty, injuring a JKLI personnel at Nachou along Tiddim Road
under Bishnupur Police Station in Bishnupur District. The injured
personnel identified as Mohammad Arshad has been taken to Leimakhong
military hospital (Kangpokpi District).
A GNLA militant, identified as
‘deputy commander’ and working with the ‘finance wing’ Ninja M.
Sangma alias Megam (23), surrendered before the Police at Williamnagar
in East Garo Hills District. He, however, did not deposit any
weapons. Sangma has informed Police that the finance unit comprised
seven cadres prior to his surrender and has now been further reduced
to five men after another member disappeared a few weeks ago apparently
to form his own group.
At least eight Police personnel
were killed and five others injured in a landmine explosion suspected
to have been triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Mungarbhumi
on Sunki ghat in Koraput District of Odisha. The van carrying
13 Police personnel was on its way to Angul. They were going to
the Police Training College, Angul to get special Police driving
training when the Maoists blasted them off at around 2 pm. The
number of deaths of Police personnel in the Maoists’ Sunki landmine
explosion rose to eight with the body of lone missing driver Tulasi
Ram Majhi found this morning (February 2), informed Koraput SP,
Charan Singh Meena. Seven Police personnel died and five others
sustained injuries yesterday (February 1) as the landmine planted
underground at Sunki ghati in Koraput District on AOB exploded. Tulasi
Ram was missing, he said. The identities of the slain personnel
are Somnath Sisa, Sanjay Kumar Das, Arun Kumar Nayak, Subarna
Kumar Raj, Pradipta Kumar Rout, Ganesh Prasad Das, Harekrushna
Prushti and Tulasi Ram Majhi.
The CPI-Maoist cadres exploded
a crude bomb in the Amrapali Open Cast Project of CCL under Tandwa
Police Station of Chatra District of Jharkhand. Three
personnel have been reported to be injured in the blast. Police
have recovered hand-written pamphlets which talks about stopping
work in Amrapali and its adjacent mine, Magadh. The newly raised
SISF will be deployed at the CCL's Amrapali coal project.
The CRPF personnel of 26th Battalion
distributed a solar light system at Daribagh Tola in Gomia Block
of Naxals affected Bokaro District of Jharkhand.
The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked
the camp office of Ramie Construction Company and set
ablaze a mixer machine and a roller near Barachatti town in Gaya
District of Bihar. Locals said the Maoists had earlier
demanded ‘levy’ from Ramie Construction Company, engaged in various
road construction projects near Barachatti.
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
|
Assam Police registered a suo
moto case of sedition against the filmmaker, Himangshu Prasad
Das, who had openly sought help from ‘leader’ of the ULFA-I, Paresh
Barua, to ask film distributors not to take his film (
Shakira
Ahibo Bokultolor Bihuloi
) off screens to make way for the
Hindi movies 'Raees' and 'Kaabil' last week. Police said that
it was a very serious crime and they were waiting for an individual
or organisation to file a FIR, but when that did not happen, they
chose to take up the suo moto case.
UNC ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and
‘publicity secretary’ S Stephen was escorted to New Delhi in order
to enable them to take part in the tripartite talk scheduled on
February 3.
Meghalaya DGP S.B. Singh said
that the ‘c-in-c’ of the disbanded militant group- UALA, Norrok
X. Momin, was not traceable and probably he was on the run since
there were criminal cases pending against him. UALA was disbanded
on June, 2016. Earlier in December 2015, the UALA signed a peace
pact with the Indian Government.
The senior leader of the GNLA
militant, Ninja M Sangma (23) alias Megam, who surrendered
on February 1, revealed that there were only 27 cadres left in
the militant group. Furthermore, he revealed that besides these
cadres, there were also five other cadres of ULFA-I militant who
were still working with ‘c-in-c’ of GNLA, Sohan D Shira.
Acting on inputs, Police raided
the house of Raimond Lyngdoh (30) at Kudeng Rim village under
Amlarem in West Jaintia Hills District and recovered one country-made
gun, pellets, one steel pipe [apparently for manufacturing the
gun barrel]. Police also arrested the house owner.
Angry Protestors, who were not,
satisfied with State Government’s response the ‘ultimatum’, served
by NTAC, set ablaze several Government offices. The damaged Government
property includes, the KMC, Regional Transport Office, offices
of the SSA, Superintendent Excise Office, Nagaland Legal Service
Authority and the Kohima Press Club.
The State Government responded
by declaring the ULB poll process ‘null and void’, and informing
that the State Cabinet has decided to ‘immediately transfer’ the
DCP and DCP Zone (1), Dimapur, in order to facilitate an impartial
inquiry.
The JCC informed that the indefinite
bandh (general strike) in Dimapur District over the issues
of ULB would continue ‘until and unless the State Government heed
to the people’s demands’.
One Munna Singh alias Munna
Ganjhu and his friend Murari Sharma were killed by unidentified
men in Kunda area of Chatra District of Jharkhand. Police suspect
hand of TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
ward member candidate of Bara village under the Mathili Police
limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The deceased was identified
as Dasu Dharua. According to reports, about 20 armed Maoist rebels
of the Darbha Division of the banned outfit CPI-Maoist called
Dharua out of his house before being shot dead them later. Police
sources said the Maoists were aggrieved over Dhurua, suspecting
his links with Police. Dhurua’s brother, who was part of a Maoist
outfit, recently shunned the path of violence and surrendered
before the Police, much to the chagrin of the Maoists
Posters and pamphlets by the CPI-Maoist
cadres threatening to disrupt the upcoming Uttarakhand Assembly
polls emerged near Dhari area in Nainital District of Uttarakhand.
An official's vehicle was also set on fire, prompting the administration
to put Kumaon Division on high alert and step up deployment in
the region. The car belongs to a Tehsildar Magistrate and the
pamphlet bore the name of Vijay Pahru who introduced himself as
Secretary CPI-Maoist. The Uttarakhand Assembly polls are slated
to be held on February 15, 2017.
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
|
UHM Rajnath Singh stated that
Government cannot guarantee that surgical strikes won’t happen
in future as any such action will depend on the situation prevailing
at that time. UHM Rajnath Singh also dismissed as “a mere eye
wash” the house arrest of LeT ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed, saying if Pakistan
was serious about acting against Saeed and terrorists, it must
take legal action against them.
The MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju
expressed hope that work on installing 'smart fence' along 3,323-kilometre
long the Indo-Pak border will begin soon. The testing for the
fence is in final stages and soon work for erecting it along the
Indo-Pak border will begin, MoS Kiren Rijiju said in New Delhi.
The new fencing is likely to have a multi-tier security ring comprising
an alarm to security force personnel in case of any infiltration
bid or attempts to cut the fence.
An unidentified militant belonging
to the NSCN-K was killed and another injured during an exchange
of fire with the AR at Ozakho village in Longding District.
AR arrested a militant of NSCN-R,
identified as Kamsing Ngemu, from Miao town in Changlang District.
According to the sources the arrested militant was involved in
several extortion cases in Miao town in the name of ‘SS Captain
Jimmy’.
SFs arrested one cadre of KNF-N
militant, identified as Thomas Lenminthang Guite (27), near Kopibung
area in Senapati District. According to the report the militant
was involved in several abduction and extortion cases. Incriminating
articles related with the militant group were also recovered from
the arrested militant.
The Union Government stated that
it had brokered a peace deal between the Manipur Government and
UNC and three-month-old economic blockade would be ended by the
Naga groups in Manipur very soon. The statement came after the
tripartite talks between the UNC, Manipur Government and UHM in
the North Block in New Delhi. The UHM said that they had made
‘substantial progress’, but denied to reveal detail about the
meeting.
SFs arrested a militant belonging
to NSCN-IM, identified as ’chapel’ Thijuangpau Panmei, from Tamenglong
town (ward no 5 area) in Tamenglong District. SFs later ‘handed
over’ the arrested NSCN-IM militant to Imphal Police Station.
SFs arrested a linkman of the
ULFA-I, identified as Bubul Das alias Bubul Barman, at
Sarupathar in Golaghat District. According to Police sources,
the ULFA-I had appointed some persons for abduction and extortion
and the arrested linkman was one of them.
In a statement, the PDCK militant
strongly opposed the move of the Government of India to give citizenship
rights to the Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam and said that the organization
would resist the move.
The NTAC, Kohima, evening announced
an indefinite Nagaland bandh (general shut down) till CM
T.R. Zeliang steps down with his cabinet. The stand-off between
the State Government and civil society groups continues after
the Government’s decision to hold the ULB on February 1 by reserving
33 per cent seats for women. Zeliang had partially met three demands
of the NTAC. NTAC had wanted the polls declared null and void,
suspension of the Dimapur Police Commissioner and Zeliang's resignation.
Further, leaders of the JCC, which is also against reservation,
also said in Dimapur that the protest would continue.
However, no fresh incident of
violence was reported in the State. “The situation is under control.
No violent incidents were reported from anywhere,” said Director
General of Police LL Doungel, adding that curfew was lifted from
some places in Kohima but continued in Dimapur. The dead bodies
of two youths, killed during the Police firing on January 31,
were also buried after a meeting between NTAC and the State Governor.
A group of 50 CPI-Maoist cadres
killed Shyamo Mandavi (25) and assaulted six villagers, including
a woman in Burdikarka of Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The
slain youth had submitted an application form for local Police
recruitment drive recently.
Assistant constable, Sukhuram
Netam (33), was killed in an exchange of fire with the Maoists
in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. A patrolling party had
launched the operation from Bakarkatta area. SFs recovered CPI-Maoist-related
documents, bags and other items from the encounter site.
The DG of CRPF, Durga Prasad,
reviewed the ground situation, military preparedness and issues
faced by SFs in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. According to
officials, Durga Prasad also shared his plan with the top officials
of neighbouring states and apprised them about the strategy. With
the inter-state operations, the CRPF can now enter other states
and continue their anti-Maoist operations without any barriers.
The Nainital Police issued warrants
against nine suspects in connection with "inflammatory"
slogans written by suspected of CPI-Maoist cadres on the walls
of houses in a village of Nainital District of Uttarakhand. Police
have also announced a bounty of INR 10,000 on one of the suspects
Kheench Singh Bora. Police said Bora alias Vijay Nehru
alias Prabhakar, a resident of Someshwar in Almora District
of Uttarakhand, had been active in Naxals related activities
in the State. Nainital SSP, Janmejay Khanduri said, "Intense
search and combing operations are going on. All suspects are on
our watch and we will soon locate people who were behind the incident."
The Madras High Court has confirmed
life imprisonment for three belonging to TNLA. They were involved
in a groups attack at the Puthur Police Station in Cuddalore District
of Tamil Nadu on April 6, 1991. TNLA is the armed wing of TNCPML,
a splinter group of the CPI-ML. The HC bench has now confirmed
life term only for Suba Elavarasan alias Pandian alias
Vallavan, Kumar alias Gopalsamy and Amulraj alias
Selvam.
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.
AR arrested two senior leaders
and a suspected militant of the UDLA at inter-State boundary of
Assam and Mizoram. The arrested militants were identified as UDLA's
‘army chief’ Raj Kumar Reang, ‘financial secretary’ Neta Rai Reang
and the suspected cadre Mela Rai Reang. The arrested militants
were handed over to the Assam Police as they were arrested within
the jurisdiction of Assam.
|
February 4
|
India has been asked to send the
name of its nominee for inclusion in a global team to assist a
UN committee which decides on banning terror outfits and their
leaders. Following the request, the ministries of Home Affairs
and Finance have been asked to recommend names of suitable individuals
who can be part of the key team, official sources said.
The presence of the country's
nominee on the panel may facilitate the government's efforts to
get Masood Azhar, head of JeM, banned, they said. India's effort
to get Azhar listed in the UN's sanctions list of organisations
and individuals linked to Al-Qaida and IS (Islamic State) has
been repeatedly blocked by China. The nominations have been sought
from qualified individuals to serve on the 'Analytical Support
and Sanctions Monitoring Team' in support of the important '1267/1989/2253
ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee'.
In some declassified reports of
CIA of the United States of America, it was revealed that the
North Eastern militant groups had been receiving Chinese assistance
in terms of arms and training since 1960s. The CIA report was
submitted on July 26, 1968 and from the report it is evident that
the militant groups of the Northeast were receiving help from
China even during that time. The report said that the Naga militants
first established contacts with China in December, 1966. The report
revealed that the first batch of approximately 200 militants crossed
over to Northern Burma (now Myanmar) to obtain arms training in
Yunnan.
Police said that the ‘chief’ of
the ASAK militant, Reding T. Sangma, who is currently on the run,
is reportedly using Bangladeshi mobile SIM cards to avoid detection.
According to the Police the militant leader is also using other
modern software which is easily available in the market to avoid
Police tracking.
In some declassified reports of
CIA of the United States of America, it was revealed that the
North Eastern militant groups had been receiving Chinese assistance
in terms of arms and training since 1960s. The CIA report was
submitted on July 26, 1968 and from the report it is evident that
the militant groups of the Northeast were receiving help from
China even during that time. The report said that the Naga militants
first established contacts with China in December, 1966. The report
revealed that the first batch of approximately 200 militants crossed
over to Northern Burma (now Myanmar) to obtain arms training in
Yunnan.
A senior official of the State
Home department of Mizoram said that the date for the fourth round
of peace talks between the Mizoram Government and the Manipur
based HPC-D would soon be fixed. The official said that the meeting
of Home department officials to be chaired by Additional Secretary
Lalbiakzama. While from the HPC-D side, the delegation would be
led by the working ‘chairman’ L T Hmar.
According to the security sources,
Assam is a vulnerable place in the North East for the increasing
Jihadi threat. Potential risk according to the sources includes
existence of sleeper cells in the State. The source also said
that in recent promotional videos, jihadi groups mentioned about
the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in BTAD area for several times.
Sources also pointed out that growing presence of the jihadi elements
in Bangladesh like JMB, which has affiliation with Islamic State
is also a serious matter of concern for India, particularly for
the Northeast.
Several CPI-Maoist posters bearing
the signature of CPI-Maoist Secretary Umakanta Mishra were found
at several places in Sikarpai of Kalyansinghpur area in Rayagada
District of Odisha. In the posters, the Maoist rebels have asked
people to abstain from the panchayat polls. Earlier, the
Maoists had put posters in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts threatening
people to boycott the upcoming panchayat polls in Odisha.
The landmine blast on Sunki ghat
road in Koraput District of Odisha on February 1, and killing
of a ward member in Mathili block in Malkangiri District on February
2, by CPI-Maoist cadres is part of a series of attacks planned
by Naxals to avenge the Ramaguda encounter in Malkangiri
District on October 24 – 27, 2016, where 30 Maoists were killed,
says Odisha Police. The landmine blast at the Sunki ghat road
was well planned and executed by the Maoists, sources said. Police
of both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh suspect that Nandapur area committee
led by Andruu, Narayanpatna area committee led by Chaitanya alias
Aruna and also the Maoists military PLGA team third CRC company
were involved in the action. The main role was played by the Nandapur
area committee, the sources said. According to the sources, generally,
Maoists never attack unarmed cops, but they did it at Sunki ghat
road in a desperate attempt to boost the morale of the cadres
who were losing confidence after the Ramaguda encounter on October
24, 2016.
A senior Police officer said,
"The victims were all newly recruited cops who got jobs through
a court direction and were going for training. Naxals had
knowledge about the movement of the cops from the starting point
at Koraput District of Odisha. They planted the landmine under
a culvert on the highway that was busy with vehicular movement.
Hitting the target in such a manner shows that it was a pre-planned
execution. Maoists knew that the minivan was coming. They ignited
wires to detonate the landmine by using a flash. They knew exactly
that the bus carrying the newly recruited drivers did not have
weapons. Usually, when Naxals attack cops they loot the
arms. They also fire at those who survive the attack. But, here
nothing like that happened. There were no arms and no firing on
the injured persons. This shows the Maoists had knowledge of every
detail." As per the inputs, around 40 to 50 Maoists including
30 women cadres participated in the action.
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
|
Gujarat ATS arrested a person
suspected to be involved in a conspiracy to spread terror in the
state to avenge attacks on Muslims during the 2002 post-Godhra
riots. Based on a specific tip off, a team of the squad officials
arrested Javed Chauhan (38) from a village in Chhota Udepur District,
an ATS release said. According to ATS officials, he was part of
a larger conspiracy of spreading terror in the state to avenge
the killing of Muslims during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
In a statement, the disbanded
ANVC-B threatened to work against the Indian National Congress
party led Meghalaya MUA-II Government in the upcoming 2018 assembly
elections in Garo Hills area. In the statement the ANVC-B alleged
that the Government had not respected the peace agreement signed
by them and the State Government including the Central Government
of India. The statement further accused the State Government that
they had been trying to ‘create division’ between the ‘leadership’
and the general cadres of the ANVC-B.
The protestors are all set to
enforce a “total bandh” (general shutdown) on State Government
offices and vehicles for an indefinite period starting from February
6. “The Chief Minister is solely responsible for all the trouble.
He is responsible for the death of two youths in police firing
outside his residence in Dimapur on January 31. He is also responsible
for the mob fury that led to the burning down of so many government
offices in Kohima on February 3,” said, explaining their position,
K T Vilie, ‘convener’ of the NTAC. However the NTAC, Kohima, and
the JCC, Dimapur, relaxed the indefinite strike on Sunday (today)
to allow people to attend Church services.
DGP of Assam, Mukesh Sahay, said
that the peace talk with KPLT militant would be started soon.
Earlier on January 30, the Assam Government announced to withhold
counter-insurgency operations against KPLT till April 20. This
followed the declaration of a six-month unilateral ceasefire from
October 20, 2016, by the KPLT.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
tribal man identified as Parsika Pullaiah (45), in Chintoor Mandal
of agency area of East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. A
group of four to six armed CPI-Maoist cadres surrounded Pullaiah
in broad daylight, opened fire and fled. CPI-Maoist alleged Pullaiah
as a ‘Police informer’. East Godavari, SP, M Ravi Prakash told
that Pullaiah was a trader working in Bhadrachalam for the past
one year and was in no way connected to the Police.
A DRG, Constable Pratap Singh
Markam, was injured when an IED blast triggered by Naxals
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place
in the wee hours between Nayanar and Gatam villages under Katekalyan
Police Station limits when a team of SFs was out on an anti-Naxal
Operation, told SHO, Vijay Patel.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, Dhiraj Singh,
was arrested from Jobang in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand.
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.
SFs recovered a 7.56 mm pistol,
one magazine, three live rounds and two hand-made grenades from
the residence of Emdadul Haque at Dhupaguri area under Dhing Police
Station in Nagaon District. Emdadul Haque was detained by the
SFs after the recovery.
|
February 6
|
As per the report titled ‘A New
US Approach to Pakistan: Enforcing Aid Conditions without Cutting
Ties’ which will be released in Washington DC on February 10.
Pakistan’s military continues to support terrorist groups that
attack India to keep it “off balance” and draws international
mediation into dispute over Kashmir, according to the report.
“Pakistani military leaders continue to support terrorist groups
that attack India in an effort to keep it off balance and to draw
international mediation into the dispute with India over Kashmir,”
said the report.
Nine Indians joined the IS in
2016 - eight from Tamil Nadu and one from Telangana, the NIA learnt
from the central security agencies that interrogated three people
who were deported from Abu Dhabi for recruiting Indian for IS.
According to the report, the NIA's
FIR which was registered on Republic day, both in the capital
and in Chennai, says that the agency took custody of the three
men who were working in Abu Dhabi on behalf of IS. Sheikh Azhar
Al Islam Abdul Sattar Sheikh, Mohammed Farhan Maohammed Rafiq
Shaikh and Adnan Hussain Mohammed Hussain were working to 'identify,
motivate, radicalise, recruit and train Indian citizena located
both in India and other countries for planning and executing terrorist
attacks in India and other friendly countries'
The agency's probe has reportedly
revealed that a module of nine persons, all below the age of 30,
had managed to join IS in Syria. The group left India for Dubai
and then headed to Syria. Following the direction of the UMHA,
a case has been filed under section 120B (criminal conspiracy)
of the IPC, sections 17 (punishment for raising funds for terrorist
acts), 18 (punishment for conspiracy), 18B (punishment for recruiting
for terrorist act), 20 (for being member of terrorist gang) and
38 (for being associated with a terrorist organisation) among
others.
Police arrested six militants
of ATF at Dharamtul, near Bishnu Mandir in Morigaon District.
The arrested militants were identified as ‘Nagaon district commander’
Milan Bhuyan, Bihu Kurung, CR Mangyang, Rajen Garh, Ajoy Singh
Ghatowar and Rasraj Biswash. Police recovered six 7 .65 mm pistols,
96 live rounds, 6 cartridges, 10 mobile handsets, ATM card, PAN
Card, cash INR 5,000 and lots of objectionable materials from
the possession of the arrested militants. According to the Police,
the ATF has links with Maoists groups and the Maoists are assisting
the force with money and sophisticated arms.
State Water Resources Minister
Keshav Mahanta informed the Assembly that the Union Government
is examining the feasibility of sealing the unfenced portion of
Indo-Bangladesh border, comprising riverine and char areas, in
the State by using ‘high tech physical and non-physical barrier’
technology. “Out of the total length of 280.06 kilometers of Indo-Bangladesh
border in Assam, fencing work for 208.65 kilometers has been completed,”
the Mahanta informed the Assembly. Mahanta further said that out
of 71.41 kilometers unfenced area, 6.5 kilometers is land area
and the rest is a composition of riverine / char (river isles)
/ bridge and culverts. Out of the unfenced land area border, 3.5
km is under Karimganj Town area and discussion is going on in
between BSF and BBG. The settlement of disputes and land acquisition
process for the remaining 3 kilometers area, also under Karimganj
District, is going on. Bridges and culverts account for 3.696
kilometers along the unfenced border. “For the riverine and char
area, feasibility study and examination is going on to seal these
areas using ‘high tech physical and non-physical barrier’ technology
by the Government of India,” the Minister informed the House.
Flood lighting works had already been completed along the border
and work was in progress for electricity service connection to
the installed lights, the State Water Resources Minister Keshav
Mahanta added.
A non-political organisation,
BJSM opposed the move of the BTC authority for providing 500 acres
of land to the members of the ULFA-PTF in BTC area. The issue
of land allotment came during a meeting held recently in Kokrajhar,
between the leaders of ULFA-PTF led by Anup Chetia and the BTC
Chief for uniting the ULFA-PTF cadres in BTAD.
The Chhattisgarh Police killed
Sukhram Lekam alias Sukku, a Janatana Sarkar President
of the CPI-Maoist, in an exchange of fire at Pedia in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered a 12 bore rifle,
10 cells, and other CPI-Maoist material from the encounter spot.
An armed group of JJJMP cadres
attacked heavy machinery and vehicles near CCL’s Sikni colliery
in Latehar District of Jharkhand. JJMP is a splinter group of
the CPI-Maoist.
Gurubari Munda (32), a member
of Munda squad of the CPI-Maoist was arrested by SFs at Bhakar
forests in Ghurabandha block of Ghatshila in East Singhbhum District
of Jharkhand.
The NIA has booked a case against
LWEs for the Hirakhand Express derailed around midnight on January
21, 2017. The Bhubaneswar-bound Hirakhand train mishap happened
in Kuneru on the AOB border and killed more than 46 passengers.
The State Home Department of Maharashtra
Government has allotted two helicopters to the Naxal affected
District administration of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.
The election in Gadchiroli is scheduled from February 16 and February
21. The elections will be conducted in two phases. The aim to
allot helicopters is to ensure that the Gram Panchayat
and Zilla Parishad elections are conducted smoothly and
the election staff, Police officials and electoral machinery is
transported to the Naxal affected poll bound city safely.
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
|
The suspected IS Chennai module,
which had a Telangana native in its ranks, received funds from
unknown sources in Syria at the behest of the banned outfit. NIA
had registered a case in the last week of January against nine
members of the module on the charge of working for Islamic State.
Of the nine-member module, only one person actually joined the
terrorist outfit, while the rest failed to reach Syria, NIA officials
said.
The IS sympathisers had reportedly
organised several meetings and even chalked out plans to reach
the terror hinterland to work in the so-called caliphate. "Based
on information available with us, only one person from Chennai
reached Syria. Prima facie, we have information that the module
got funding from abroad and they were at an advanced stage of
executing their plans to reach Syria," the NIA officials
told. They were still in the process of identifying the place
where they undertook training in Tamil Nadu. The IS module member
from the state is suspected to be from Karimnagar in North Telangana
and the state Police was unwilling to disclose his identify. Though
he hails from Telangana, he had been working in Chennai. It is
through social media the nine came to know each other.
The NIA has begun probing the
angle of sabotage in the Indore-Patna Express derailment in Pukhrayan
area of Kanpur Dehat district, which had claimed 147 lives on
November 20, 2016. On January 27, NIA’s Lucknow unit had lodged
a case against unidentified persons on charges including culpable
homicide not amounting to murder. It had done so after Moti Paswan
who was arrested last month for allegedly attempting to blow up
railway tracks in Bihar’s East Champaran District, claimed to
have planted a cooker bomb on the tracks at Pukhrayan with the
help of his associates, causing the derailment.
NIA has also invoked the Railways
Act and UAPA in the case. A team of officials is presently camping
in Pukhrayan for the investigation. “Apart from the Pukhrayan
train derailment case, we have also registered a case in East
Champaran district. Investigation is ongoing in both cases,” said
Alok Mittal, IG, NIA. Sources said the agency had registered two
cases as they suspected that the derailment was a “terror act”.
NIA special court in Punjab, issued
proclamation notices against JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar and three
others in connection with the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack
case. Apart from Azhar, the notices were issued against Abdul
Rauf Asghar, Shahid Latif and Kashif Jan. According to the agency’s
chargesheet, Azhar along with his brother Abdul Rauf, Latif and
Jan masterminded the Pathankot attack.
Latif and Jan were the key handlers
of the four attackers and gave them directions all the way from
their infiltration into India till the beginning of the attack.
The proclamation notice, which has been issued under section 82
of Criminal Procedure Code, will have to be published in newspapers,
including in Pakistan, NIA sources said. The agency had filed
the chargesheet last December against Masood Azhar and the three
others for plotting the terror strike that left seven Indian security
personnel dead and 37 injured. The chargesheet is part of documents
used by India for advocating its case for imposing UN sanctions
against Azhar.
The ‘c-in-c’ Jharu Lohar alias
Horen Karmakar of the NSCA militant surrendered before Police
in Sonitpur District. The militant also deposited one 9mm pistol,
two magazines and large number of ammunition. According to the
Police, the militant was accused in the murder case of ACMS Secretary
Niranjan Patra at Koliabor, killing of the accountant of Singlijan
Tea estate in Dibrugarh, killings at Khatkhati in Karbi Anglong
District and abduction cases in past years.
SFs recovered one .22 mm pistol,
five rounds live bullets and one IED from the residence of Ali
Akbar at Tuktuki under Dhing Police Station in Nagaon District.
The BSF arrested three illegal
citizens of Bangladesh from Baghmara in South Garo Hills District
and another one at Lalghat in South West Garo Hills District.
The arrested illegal Bangladeshi citizens were identified as Mohammad
Rukoddin (18), Sharif Miya (15), Mohammad Ridul Islam (16) and
Mohammad Zuwel Miya (20).
In a statement the NSCN-IM militant
asked all business establishment and shops of Dimapur to remain
closed on Sundays with ‘immediate effect’. The militant group
also threatened ‘stern action against defaulters’ in their statement.
With the death of one of the persons
injured in clashes of January 31, over ULB elections in Nagaland,
the total death in the violence has raised to three.
Nagaland CM T.R.Zeliang informed
that the border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border by the Myanmar
Government at Pangsha in Tuensang District has been stopped with
the intervention of the Central Government of India.
After the tripartite agreement
signed on January 30 with the JCC and NBCC, CM T.R. Zeliang apologized
to JCC and NBCC for the recent turmoil in the State regarding
the ULB election. Citing the tripartite agreement, he said that
since JCC had agreed to support 33% women reservation, the State
Government had intended to declare partial conduct of the ULB
election in those areas where there was no opposition.
SFs arrested two militants of
KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup, identified as Sanjenbam Ningthem Singh
(40) and Wankhem Bihari Singh (34), in Kabowakching area of Bishnupur
District.
One PLA/ RPF militant, identified
as Naorem Indrakumar Meitei (36) arrested by SFs at Thanga Ngaram
Machin in Bishnupur District.
SFs arrested one militant of NSCN-K,
identified as Soraisam Milan Singh (47), at Heirangoithong in
Imphal West District.
The UNC decided to continue their
agitation until the State Government withdraws the decision to
declare Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged Districts. The
decision was taken in an emergency ‘presidential council’ meeting
of UNC in Senapati District. The meet was held to consider the
outcome of the tripartite talk involving Central Government of
India, State Government and UNC in New Delhi on February 3. Meanwhile,
the Central Government of India expressed its disappointment over
the issue. A meeting took place in Imphal where representative
from the UHM, State Government and UNC participated. But the outcome
of the meeting was quite disappointing for the Central Government.
The sources of the Central Government expressing its disappointment
said that the Manipur Government was not cooperating and the UNC
was taking ‘a different stand’.
In a statement the ANSF accused
the State Government of ignoring the safety and security of the
people of insurgency-affected Tirap, Changlang and Longding District.
ANSF mentioned about the activities of the NSCN-K and NSCN-IM
in their statement. They further urged the UHM and Union Minister
of State for Home Kiren Rijiju to intervene in the matter and
take appropriate measures to stop skirmishes and bring back peace
and normalcy in the area.
A group of Naxals fired
at the CISF troops at Deposit No. 5, atop Bailadila Hills near
Kirandul town in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist
cadres attacked vehicles of NMDC carrying explosives. They looted
explosives and detonators and held employees hostage who have
now been freed. They also set ablaze burnt machinery and two vehicles.
There are no reports of death or injury.
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
|
Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar
said that nuclear terrorism is an international threat that should
not serve national strategy. "The power of the atom is wondrous
and it has benefited mankind in various ways. The scientific community
has also played a vital role in harnessing the nuclear energy
but the negative consequences of atomic power cannot be ignored.
World has witnessed immense destructive power of the atom,"
Jaishankar said.
Police recovered 40 pieces of
fake INR 2000 notes from West Bengal's Murshidabad District, officials
said, reports indiablooms.com. According to Police reports, acting
on a tip off, Police booked a suspect- Ajijur Rahman- from Chatra
Ghat area under Islampur Police Station limits in Murshidabad
District and seized FICN INR 2000 notes with face value of INR
80,000 rupees from his possession.
At least 50 persons were injured
in sporadic clashes during a 12-hour bandh (shutdown) called
by the ATIRPF in TTAADC area, to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment)
Bill, 2016, introduced by the BJP-led NDA. The INPT, IPFT and
the NCT last month (January) formed the ATIRPF to oppose the bill.
The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2016 and now under the
scrutiny of a parliamentary committee, seeks to enable Hindus,
Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have fled
to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh without valid
travel documents or those whose valid documents have expired in
recent years, to acquire Indian citizenship through the process
of naturalization.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
tribal trader identified as M Jeenabandhu (30) in the agency area
of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra
Pradesh. The CPI-Maoist cadres killed him after branding
him as a ‘Police informer’.
A PLFI cadre, Arvind Gope, was
arrested at Sirka village in Murhu Tehsil of Khunti of
Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Police arrested Vinod Marandi,
Chief of the RCC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, in Gaya
District of Bihar. Police also recovered 7 Kilogram of Ganja.
The arrested Maoist was involved in a parcel bomb explosion in
which a close aide of Tekari, MLA Abhay Kushwaha was killed at
Kujapi village in 2015.
Two PLFI cadres were killed and
five others injured in an exchange of fire with SFs in the Pital
Forest under the Bisra Police limits in Sundargarh District of
Odisha. SFs recovered 11 magazines; an AK-47 rifle and
eight other guns, 190 live bullets, 45 mobile phones, clothes
and shoes were seized from the spot. PLFI is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist.
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 9
|
India hit out at China for its
remarks that there was no consensus over the US' proposal to ban
JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar at the UN, saying if there is a change
in the Chinese position, there will be a consensus as well. External
Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also said the matter
has been taken up with the Chinese Ambassador in Delhi and a similar
demarche is being made in Beijing.
Observing that the proposal was
not moved by India but by three permanent members of the UN Security
Council the US, the UK and France, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson
Vikas Swarup described it as a "classic counter-terrorism
proposal" and hoped that China will also come around to accept
this view. "It is our understanding that this was a classic
counter- terrorism proposal meant to proscribe a dreaded terrorist
leader Masood Azhar whose organisation the JeM has already been
proscribed by the UN 1267 Committee.
The NIA filed a charge sheet against
two persons in connection with its probe in the alleged indoctrination
of Kerala youths to join terror group IS. The agency filed the
charge sheet in a special court here against Arshi Qureshi (47)
alias Arshid, a resident of Thane, Maharashtra who has been arrested
by the agency, and Abdul Rashid Abdulla (30), hailing from Kasaragod
in Kerala, who is absconding. The NIA said it has charged the
two for "their involvement in unlawful activities and in
spreading hatred against India and for providing support to the
proscribed terrorist organisation IS by furthering its activities",
under various sections of the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act-UAPA.
Unidentified militants gunned
down two civilians, Bakul Rabha(40) and Saru (35), at Chengapara
village under Kolaigaon Police Station in Udalguri District. Militants
also set ablaze the hut of the deceased couple. The Police Personnel
who reached the spot after being informed by local residents found
the charred bodies of the deceased couple along with 25 rounds
of empty bullets. "Since we found bullets, we are certain
about the involvement of militants in the incident but we are
yet to pinpoint the group. Both ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS are active
in the area and we are trying to identify the assailants,"
a Police official in Udalguri said. Villagers told the Police
that the couple could have been killed as they were suspected
to be informers of SFs.
Suspected militants belonging
to TPLA abducted an auto-rickshaw driver, identified as Robin
Thapa (26), at an area between Motbung and Keithelmanbi in Senapati
District. According to the sources, the militant group served
extortion demands to auto-rickshaw associations operating along
the Highway particularly in between Sekmai and Motbung last month
(January).
In a press release, the militant
group UNLF said that their ‘armed wing’ the MPA had observed its
30th ‘raising day’ in different parts of the State and at other
places.
The NTAC volunteers damaged one
gypsy belonging to State Police department at high school junction
Kohima, during the ongoing indefinite bandh (general shutdown)
against the Government offices and Government vehicles, over the
issues of elections to ULBs. NTAC, which is enforcing the total
bandh (general shutdown) on State Government offices and
vehicles for an indefinite period starting from February 6, is
demanding the resignation of Chief Minister T R Zeliang and his
cabinet following the killing of three youths in Police firing
incident on January 31, during the protest over conducting ULB
elections with 33% women reservation.
Based on specific input, 5 AR
in an operation, arrested two NSCN-K militants, identified as
‘sergeant major’ Ivuto Chophy and ‘corporal’ Kunovi, from Sumi
Gate area in Zunheboto District. According to PRO of IGAR-N the
arrested duo was indulging in extortion activities at Zunheboto
town. PRO stated that, the cadres were in possession of an extortion
note addressed to the engineer, Irrigation Department of Zunheboto.
State Governor P B Acharya declared
the entire process of elections to ULBs in the State, which was
strongly opposed by Naga tribal groups, as null and void. State
Election Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen also in a notification
said following the Governor’s decision the election programme
for the ULBs, notified on December 21 last year, is now null and
void. Earlier, on February 2, the state Cabinet had decided to
declare the election process null and void.
The NSCN-K militant released a
press statement over the issue of ULB election and the subsequent
violence in the State and said that the State Government ‘should
pave way for people’s interest’. It also condemned the State Government
for the recent violence in the State over the issues of ULB election
in their statement.
A Jagdalpur-based organisation
anti-Maoist organisation AGNI dissolved itself in Jagdalpur District
of Chhattisgarh. The AGNI has organised almost 15-16 rallies during
the past one year across the Bastar region protesting against
the CPI-Maoist activities and violence. One of them, called `Lalkar'
rally, was convened by the outfit in Jagdalpur in September 2016
and attended by thousands of people. Civil rights groups and some
local journalists have dubbed the AGNI as another version of the
anti-Maoist militia Salwa Judum, which was banned by the Supreme
Court in 2011.
A former Naxal, Phulo Markam
was found killed in Jagdalpur District of Chhattisgarh. Markam
surrendered before Police along with 60 other CPI-Maoist cadres
in Darbha in April 2016 and had joined Police as a 'Gopaniya Sainik.
Phulo's brother Gagan alleged Constable Dinesh Sethia for Markam’s
death.
Sunki Ghat-like blast was averted
by CRPF at Lanjigarh Block in Kalahandi District of Odisha. A
bomb disposal squad of the CRPF from Rayagada led by Commandant
Manoj Sharma with the help of sniffer dog defused a 25 Kilogram
IED.
SOG personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres
exchanged fire during a combing operation at Kutudi forest under
Bijaghati Panchayat in Narayanpatna District of Odisha. No injuries
have been reported.
Two Police constables from Raigad
have arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, Biljaram Buddharam (40), from
Dali village, in Palamu District of Jharkhand and brought to Mumbai
in Maharashtra by train.
|
February 10
|
An Abu Dhabi module of the IS
comprising three Indian youths, recruited eight men from Tamil
Nadu and one from Telangana, and even sent some of them to Syria
to join the IS, a probe by the NIA has revealed. The NIA registered
a case a fortnight ago regarding the recruitment “of nine persons
— eight hailing from Tamil Nadu and one from Telangana, and some
other unknown persons, with the intention to further the activities
of Daesh/ISIS, a banned terrorist organisation in India”.
According to NIA case records,
a criminal conspiracy was hatched “in Chennai and other parts
of the country by forming a terrorist gang which raised and received
funds, organised camps, recruited and trained some persons, and
facilitated their travel to Syria, to join ISIS”. The Abu Dhabi
module was neutralised in January 2016 following the arrest and
deportation of the three Indians from the UAE: Adnan Hussain from
Karnataka, Mohammed Farhan from Maharashtra and Sheikh Azhar Al
Islam from Kashmir.
The records show they were accused
by the NIA of being “involved in a conspiracy to identify, motivate,
radicalise, recruit and train Indian citizens located both in
India and other countries for planning and executing terrorist
attacks in India and in other friendly countries”.
ATS from Mumbai detained a suspected
SIMI operative from Khajrana area of Indore (Madhya Pradesh).
The suspect identified as Jadil Parvez was held from Khijrabad
Colony in the area where he had been living since the past 2-3
months, ATS sources claimed. Jadil, who hails from Unhel town
of Ujjain District, had allegedly been living with his sister
Heena.
Two militants of GPRN/NSCN, identified
as ‘guard commander of Ao region’ Merentoshi and ‘major’ Tongpang,
were abducted by NSCN-IM militants from Tzuremen village area
in Mokokchung District.
The JCC informed that it would
intensify the ongoing bandh (total shutdown) indefinitely
starting February 13 if the CM T.R. Zeliang does not resign within
the ‘3-day deadline’ given by the JCC and NTAC that expires February
10 midnight. Further, a meeting of the legislature party of the
ruling DAN supported CM T.R Zeliang on the whole issue and appealed
to the agitators to end the indefinite strike and engage with
the Government.
The Chairman of JIC and interlocutor
for the Naga peace-talks, Mr R. N. Ravi said that ongoing economic
blockade in Manipur may have an impact on the peace-talks. JIC
Chairman RN Ravi said, “The Naga issue can’t be dealt in political
isolation. Naga neighbours are important stakeholders. A durable
solution is not possible by disregarding neighbours’ sentiment
and confrontational attitude towards them.” The news report further
adds that over the stubborn attitude displayed by the NSCN-IM
over Manipur, Mr Ravi had said, “It is bound to impact the tenor
and character of further talks with NSCN-IM.”Notably, the Manipur
based UNC is spearheading the economic blockade in the State for
over three months and two rounds of meetings with the stakeholders
to resolve the crisis has failed to elicit any result. UNC is
protesting against creation of seven new Districts in the State
of Manipur.
The CLP, in a meeting chaired
by CM Okram Ibobi Singh, unanimously passed a resolution urging
the Central Government of India to declare the UNC as an unlawful
organisation for imposing the indefinite economic blockade on
the NHs and banning construction and developmental activities
of National and State projects.
A Naxalite was killed in
an exchange of fire with SFs in a dense forest under Basaguda
Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs
recovered the body of a male CPI-Maoist cadre along with weapon,
grenades and Naxal-related material from the spot.
A villager, Barse Deva (32), was
found killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Lakhanpal village under
Chintalnar Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The victim was picked up by armed rebels from his native place
Konanguda, in the night of February 8, Police said.
A CPI-Maoist was killed in an
exchange of fire with SFs in a dense forest pocket of Bilaspur
District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered the body of a male
Maoist cadre along with weapon, grenades and Naxal -related
material from the spot.
SFs recovered arms including one
AK-47 rifle, its three magazines and 26 cartridges, one carbine,
its one magazine and 35 cartridges after an exchange of fire with
the Maoists in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.
The newly appointed IG of Bastar
Range in Chhattisgarh, Sundarraj P asserted that “aggressive”
operations against the Naxals will continue. Sundarraj
said, “Security Forces are in a dominating position. The aggressiveness
(in the operation) will be continued.”
A villager, Birwal Murmu (25),
was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Virangatta village under
the Madhuwan Police Station in Giridih District of Jharkhand.
The Maoists accused him of being a ‘Police informer’.
The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze
two earthmoving machines, two tractors and a water tanker in Rayagada
District of Odisha. The vehicles belonged to a contractor
engaged in road construction near Sandengleli in Parsali Panchayat
under Kalyansinghpur Block of the District.
The CPI-Maoist calling for the
boycott of the February 15 Assembly Elections in Uttarakhand,
painted slogans in Someshwar in Almora District of Uttarakhand
.
Posters, banners and painted slogans were found at various
places in and around Someshwar.
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.
SFs arrested one NSCN-IM militant,
identified as Nokme Hakun at Pahar village under Margherita Police
Station in Tinsukia District.
|
February 11
|
A tape was released by ‘secretary’
of Bansadhara, Ghumusar and Nagabali Division of the CPI-Maoist,
Umakant at Malkangiri District of Odisha. The tape threatened
villagers of calling for poll boycott in three southern Odisha
Districts, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada.
SFs arrested a militant belonging
to ULFA-I, identified as Pranjal Nath alias Sailendra Asom
alias Protim Asom, at Jelehua Gaon under Dergaon Police
Station in Golaghat District. According to the sources, the militant
joined ULFA-I in 2011 and he had undergone training in Myanmar.
|
February 12
|
A magistrate court has discharged
Mirza Himayat Baig, along with alleged IM 'operative' Maulana
Shabbir Hussain Gangawali, in the case registered by the Maharashtra
ATS under the UAPA, for allegedly circulating jihadi literature
to Muslim youth in Pune, who were alleged members of the banned
SIMI. Judicial Magistrate (first class) V B Gulve Patil, Shivajinagar
Court, passed on order in this regard on December 22, 2016. It
may be recalled that Gangawali, a native of Bhatkal of Karnataka
and an alleged aide of IM founders Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal, was
arrested by the Pune unit of the ATS on December 30, 2008, with
possession of 250 counterfeit notes of Rs 100 denomination at
a Janawadi mosque in Shivajinagar area.
A ‘leader’ of UKLF militant, identified
as Thangboi Haokip alias Jacob Thadou was arrested at Imphal
Tulihal Airport in Imphal East District after CISF posted at the
airport recovered 4 live round of 9 MM pistol with him. The CISF
handed him over to the Singjamei Police along with the recovered
ammunitions, but he was later released by the Police. UKLF is
signatory to SoO agreement with State and Union Government.
Violating the cease fire ground
rule with the GoI, the NSCN-IM opened a new ‘battalion’ called
‘Phungtha Battalion’ consisting 45 cadres of the group at Kangkum
Village in Ukhrul District.
Reacting on the CLP’s resolution,
for declaring UNC as an unlawful organisation, the UNC asked the
Manipur Government why they had participated in the tripartite
talk in New Delhi if the UNC was ‘unlawful’.
Demanding the resignation of CM
TR Zeliang from his post over the issues of ULBs election and
the subsequent violence in the State, JCC and NTAC, Kohima had
called for a total indefinite bandh (shutdown) in Nagaland
from 6 am to 6 pm daily from February 13.
Police Constable, Korsa Naga was
seriously injured in an exchange of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres
in a dense forest pocket of Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish took place in the
forest coming under Bhejji Police Station limits when a joint
team of STF and DRG was out on a counter-insurgency operation,
SP, Indira Kalyan Elesela said.
Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
by SFs from a forest of Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
A team of DRG had launched a counter-insurgency operation on February
9 towards Mohndi, Kutul and Kodliyar villages. The Maoist cadres
has been identified as Lakhma Varda (35), medical team member
Sayabi Varda (45), ‘militia commander’ Maalu Varda (31) and ‘militia
member’ Fagdu Usendi (25).
Chhattisgarh Police has set a
base camp in the Naxals’ stronghold of Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh to expedite construction of a road on a national
highway that leads to the neighbouring Telangana State. The camp
was set up on February 8 near Taarud River between Bhadrakali
and Tarlaguda to particularly facilitate the construction of bridge
over the river on the under-construction strategically important
Bhopalpatnam-Bhadrakali-Tarlaguda road.
The opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala,
said that he is ready to take the initiative to facilitate negotiation
talks between the Government of Kerala and the CPI-Maoist, if
Maoists were ready to surrender their arms and create an atmosphere
of peace first.
The MDC of the CPI-Maoist in a
fresh banner has threatened the villagers to chop off the hands
of voters who defy its call to boycott the Panchayat elections
at Dekrikota in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Similar
posters were found in Rayagada District of Odisha calling for
Panchayat polls boycott.
The SEC had identified 27,422
booths as hypersensitive and sensitive. Out of the total, 8,491
booths are hypersensitive and 18,931 sensitive. Kandhamal District
has the maximum of 1,076 booths identified as hypersensitive.
According to data collated by
the NBDC of the NSG the areas affected by Naxalism saw
a 21 per cent increase in bomb blast incidents in 2016 as compared
to 2015. Casualties in such incidents went up by almost 60 per
cent, the NBDC said in its annual report. 65 per cent of all IED
blast casualties occurred in LWE-affected areas. According to
the report, the figures available till December 15, 2016; 1,420
Naxals surrendered last year as compared to 570 in 2015.
In Chhattisgarh, the IED incidents increased by 50 per cent and
Andhra Pradesh saw a five-fold increase over 2015. Odisha witnessed
an almost 100 per cent jump in IED incidents — from 15 blasts
in 2015 to 29 blasts in 2016. Only Jharkhand and Bihar witnessed
a decrease in IED incidents. Jharkhand witnessed nine IED explosions
in 2016 as compared to 15 in 2015. In Bihar, it was 10 against
12 in 2015.
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.
The separatists have called for
a strike on February 13 against the killing of two civilians.
Both the factions of APHC and JKLF have called for the general
strike against the killings.
Indian Railways suspect that sudden
rise in the number of train accidents in the recent past are the
act of sabotage. 'In 2017, in the first 40 days, there have already
been 16 cases and this is abnormally high,' Mohammed Jamshed,
Member Traffic, Railway Board stated. Terming it an 'abnormally
high', a top railways official said that most of these 16 instances
of rail sabotage in 2017 have occurred in non-traditional LWE-
affected areas, and does not carry the signature of Maoist subversive
activities. 'There were 45 incidents in 2016, including
seven blasts, three instances of track tampering, 27 cases of
sabotage and attempt to sabotage and eight agitation related incidents.
Moreover, Shamsul Hoda, who was arrested in Nepal in a murder
case is wanted by for allegedly funding terror plots that led
to train derailments in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Hirakhand in
Andhra Pradesh and a foiled attempt in Bihra's Ghorasan.
Two persons, identified as Subash
Agarwal and Shyam Sunder, were killed and two others injured by
CPI-Maoist cadres gunfire near Ramanitard in Bhelwaghati Panchayat
at Giridih District of Jharkhand. Sources said that these armed
cadres are from Maoist leader Surang Yadav's group. The reason
of the killing is not yet clear but Maoists were afraid of growing
popularity of the Government schemes and in anguish they were
taking such steps, SP Giridih, Akhlesh V Varier said.
Two-dozen armed cadres of the
TPC set ablaze the excavator and compressor machines of Hindalco
Industries at the Gurdari bauxite mines in Kathupani village in
Gumla District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
A female 'area commander' of the
CPI-Maoist, Kaushalia Kumari alias Sabita, was arrested
by the District Armed Police and CRPF from Tansia village in Seraikela-Kharsawan
District of Jharkhand. She was carrying a reward of INR 200,000
on her head.
At least five construction equipments
were torched by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kulihamunda village of
Rengali Gram Panchayat under Khaparakhol block of Balangir
District of Odisha. 10 armed Maoist cadres including five
women cadres entered the camp of a local contractor, Md Illaish,
in Banjipali village at around 11 PM. The contractor was carrying
out road construction work for PWD from Ghunsar to Rengali.
AR arrested a linkman identified
as Alan Rai, who worked for both ULFA-I and NSCN-K, at Old Khamdo
village in Changlang District. According to the AR source, the
arrested linkman was involved in extortion cases and blank letters
bearing names of ULFA-I and NSCN-K were recovered from his possession.
During the interrogation, the linkman also revealed that he was
helping these two militant groups for four years and had regular
contact with the ''sergeant'' Rupam Asom of ULFA-I.
|
February 13 |
Protesters belonging to the DHDC
and the DDJAC, along with seven other organisations, who were
demanding for making Likabali as headquarter of Lower Siang District,
set ablaze the office of the SDO (civil) at Likabali. It was the
second day of the 96-hour general strike of the protesting organisations.
The second phase of indefinite
total bandh (shutdown) called by the JCC and NTAC along
with various tribal organisations, started in the entire State
has crippled normal life in the State. Business establishments,
educational institutions and Government offices remained closed
while vehicles were off the road during the bandh. However
no violent incident from any part of the State was reported so
far.
While, the organisations are demanding
resignation of CM TR Zeliang following the killing of two youths
in Police firing in Dimapur on January 31, the CM Addressed the
people of Nagaland in a broadcast by AIR in Kohima and appealed
the agitating organisations to lift the bandh. He specially
mentioned his concern over the board exams of the students which
were scheduled on February 14.
Mobile internet services and SMS
in the State remained suspended for the 15th day. In order to
thwart rumors, Nagaland Government snapped the services on January
30 after the public upheaval arising out of holding of ULB elections.
A top level meeting between former
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, NSA Ajit Doval and JIC Chairman R.N Ravi
to discuss the current situation in Nagaland arising out of the
ULB elections was held. Neiphiu Rio expressed his concern over
the ongoing turmoil of the State over the issues of ULB elections
and said that the situation of the State had to be tactfully handled
as it could adversely affect the already fragile ‘Indo-Naga peace
talks’. He also strongly urged upon the Centre to bring about
an early solution to the Naga issue.
A Court in New Delhi extended
the judicial custody of the ‘chief’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Lup militant
Khoirom Ranjit and his two associates, Inugbam Sanatombi Devi
and Pukhrihongbamibomcha Prem Kumar, till February 27.
SFs arrested four unidentified
militants of NSCN-IM at Nungba in Tamenglong District. According
to the SFs the arrested militants were involved in extortion and
other illegal activites.
Indian Army arrested a linkman
of ULFA-I militant, identified as Netra Bania (53), from Haufau
area under Borhat Police Station in Charaidew District. The arrestee
is a small tea grower in the village and according to the Army
he had been keeping relation with ULFA-I for a long time and he
was involved in collecting money from businessmen.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Home Affairs has wondered why JeM terrorists let go Punjab
Police SP Salwinder Singh after waylaying his official vehicle
and using it to reach the Pathankot airbase on January 2, 2016
to wreak havoc. The multi-party committee has also asked the Government
to investigate the role of drug smugglers in facilitating the
terrorists' entry into India. While the 70-page report directly
attacks Punjab Police, it has asked many questions about the role
of the NIA.
Joint teams of Jalandhar Rural
Police and Jharkhand Police arrested a wanted CPI-Maoist cadre,
Avidhesh Yadav from Alawalpur locality at Adampur city in Jalandhar
District. Yadav is facing attempt to murder and cases
under the Arms Act. CIA, Punjab Police, head said Jharkhand Police
took Yadav back to Latehar District of Jharkhand.
One of the key accused in Kanpur
and Ghorasahan rail track sabotage incidents, Gajendra Sharma,
surrendered before a court in East Champaran District of Bihar.
Police sources said Gajendra, a named accused in Ghorasahan blast
attempt case, was also involved in the derailment of Indore-Patna
Express near Kanpur in which at least 150 people were killed on
November 21, 2016.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was gunned
down in an exchange of fire between the Maoists and SFs at a village
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The identity
of the killed Maoist was yet to be ascertained.
The Police destroyed five illegal
mini-gun factories in Rishikund jungle in Munger District of Bihar.
Police also seized four automatic pistols and equipment used for
manufacturing illegal guns. According to Police illegal mini-gun
factories was being operated under CPI-Maoist cadres protection.
Police arrested a person called Shrimant Kumar who was in constant
touch with Maoists. Five of his associates managed to escape from
the spot during the raid.
Irpa Usendi, cousin of South Gadchiroli's
Perimili LGS ‘commander’ Sainath, was arrested in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. He was finally made co-accused in the December
2016 Surjagarh arson case earlier this week by Etapalli Police
after his involvement behind the incident in which the Naxalites
had set ablaze around 80 vehicles at mining project site came
to fore. Intriguingly, cops had intercepted new currency notes
worth INR 400,000 from Irpa.
Joint teams of Jalandhar Rural
Police and Jharkhand Police arrested a wanted CPI-Maoist cadre,
Avidhesh Yadav from Alawalpur locality at Adampur city in Jalandhar
District of Punjab. Yadav is facing attempt to murder and cases
under the Arms Act. CIA, Punjab Police, head said Jharkhand Police
took Yadav back to Latehar District of Jharkhand.
Official sources of Mizoram said
that the meeting of the JMG held in Guwahati on February 12,
to discuss the repatriation of Bru refugees from the six relief
camps in Tripura to Mizoram was ‘inconclusive’ as Bru representatives
‘refused to budge from their demands’. Mizoram State Additional
Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama said that the meeting was ‘inconclusive’
as MBDPF, the apex body of Bru refugees demanded that all their
demands be fulfilled by Centre and Mizoram Governments. The demands
of MBDPF are allotment of at least five hectare land to each repatriated
Bru family, enhancement of rehabilitation package, provision of
free ration for two years, INR 5,000 per month be given to each
family and the Brus be given the same status as given to Kashmiri
Pandits. The meeting was chaired by Special Secretary (Internal
Secretary) in Union Ministry of Home Affairs MK Singla and attended
by officials of Mizoram and Tripura Governments, representatives
of MBDPF, BCC and central committee of YMA.
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 |
Seven workers of a limestone quarry
at Sangkini Dabgre near Sangkinigre village of Chokpot region
in South Garo Hills District were abducted by suspected Garo militants.
The workers were identified as Shyama Rabha, Manoj Das, Dipak
Baiswa, Khitish Rabha, Amulya Kalita, Dinobandhu Roy and Kameshwar
Pandit. According to the Police, the ASAK headed by Reding T.
Sangma is the prime suspect for involving the abduction so far.
However, they are also not ruling out the involvement of Sohan
D. Shira-led GNLA, which is said to have a small number of armed
cadres operating in the Chokpot region.
The NIA probing the rail track
sabotages secured additional four-day Police remand of Umashankar
Patel, Motilal Paswan and Mukesh Yadav, all accused in Ghorasahan
and Kanpur cases. Earlier, the special NIA court of Judge Manoj
Singh had granted 11-day police remand for the trio on February
4.
The derailment and blast conspiracies
were allegedly hatched by ISI. Its agent Shamshul Huda, a Nepalese
citizen, was handling the terror mission from Dubai. Huda was
arrested by Nepal police in Kathmandu on February 5. His interrogation
later revealed another railway track blast near Nakardei in East
Champaran. Brajkishore Giri alias Baba Giri,
Mujahir Ansari, Ashish Singh Kurmi aliasSujeet and
Umesh Giri, all associates of Huda, have already been arrested
by Nepal Police.
Suspected IS supporter Mohammad
Iqbal, who is in the custody of the Rajasthan Police, had allegedly
mobilised funds from India and China for the terror organisation,
Police said. Iqbal alias Travel Haq had allegedly
transferred money from China and through hawala (illegal
money transaction) from India to Dubai, Additional Director General
of Anti-Terrorist Squad Umesh Mishra told reporters in Jaipur.
Iqbal allegedly used to transfer
funds to IS operative Jameel Ahmed who was arrested by the ATS
from Sikar in November, 2016 Mishra said. His name cropped up
during the interrogation of Jameel following which he was arrested
by Tamil Nadu Police earlier this month. “Jameel and Iqbal were
in touch on social networking sites. Iqbal used to transfer funds
to Jameel who was based in Dubai. From Dubai, he further transferred
the money to the IS in countries like Turkey, Lebanon,” Mishra
claimed.
The accounts of his social networking
sites and his foreign visits are being probed to ascertain further
details, the police official said. Iqbal was brought to Jaipur
from Chennai on production warrant on February 12, and was placed
under arrest yesterday. He was produced before a local court where
the magistrate remanded him to police custody for four days, till
February 18.
East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand
Police has intensified anti-Naxal operation in the Naxal-hit
Ghatsila Sub-division in order to mount pressure on the top CPI-Maoist
leader Kanhu Munda-led squad to surrender, which operates in the
bordering areas of Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha, reports Business Standard.
Kanhu, a ‘zonal secretary’ of Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha outfit,
is carrying a reward of INR 2,500,000 lakh on his head.
The UHM’s senior Security Adviser
K. Vijay Kumar, at a meeting held at the Police Head Quarter in
Bhopal District of Madhya Pradesh, asked the Police of three States
to share the information related to Naxals. Police officials of
three States Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra attended
the meeting. He asked to provide better training to the Hawk Force
and better use of Police force while taking action against Naxals.
The SPs from all three states submitted the reports of the Naxal
operations. The SPs of Dindori, Balaghat, Gondia, Mandla and Rajnandgaon
made presentations. He also took personal meeting with the officials.
The DGP, Madhya Pradesh, Rishi Shukla informed the officer that
they are running community policing to eradicate the Naxal problems
in their Naxal-affected areas. He also claimed that due to social
policing they are getting positive results.
Two militants, belonging to UNLF
and PLA, were arrested by SFs in two different incidents. In the
first incident, SFs arrested an UNLF cadre, identified as ‘sergeant
major’ Thongbram Gyanjit alias Chinglensana (32) from Hatta
Golapati area in Imphal West District. After the arrest he revealed
that under the instruction of his ‘commander’ Itomba of UNLF,
he came out of his camp in October last year (2016) and stayed
in Imphal areas to disturb the forthcoming 11th State Assembly
election. In the other incident, one militant of PLA, identified
as Yumnam Surendra alias Suren (64), was arrested by SFs
from the resident of the militant in Imphal West District. The
militant revealed that he was working under the ‘captain’ Nongpoknganba
of PLA and extorted money from contractors and businessmen for
the militant group.
SFs arrested another cadre of
an unspecific militant group, identified as Ramanuse Dhan (31)
at Binaypur village in Golaghat District. SFs also recovered one
7.65 auto pistol (made in Italy), one magazine and four live ammunition
from the arrestee.
Suspected militants of NSCN-R
from neighboring State of Nagaland entered into and issued ‘demand
notes’ (extortion notes) to villagers, along the Assam-Nagaland
interstate boundary, in Jorhat District. According to the report,
at least 16 people, mostly cultivators, got the demand notes ranged
from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000. Two villagers, identified as Benu
Orang and Joydhan Mirdha, were assaulted by Naga assailants. However,
Jorhat SP Prasanta Bhuyan said that a team from District administration
held a meeting with the village council of the adjacent Naga village
on the other side of the boundary. “They have assured to nab the
culprits. In fact, we were informed that two of the four persons
who distributed the notes have been caught by the Naga village
people,” he also added.
Clarifying the stand of the present
Union Government towards insurgents groups, the UMHA has indicated
to a parliamentary panel that it is open to negotiations with
only those militant formations that abjure violence and opt for
a solution within the Constitution of India. The Government proposes
to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to deal with extremists/separatists
of the northeastern region. The parliamentary panel in its report
advised that the government should start dialogue with these groups
and address sympathetically their grievances within the framework
of the Constitution of India with an aim of bringing them into
the mainstream. The multi-pronged strategy includes this aspect
also.
Currently, the Union government
is engaged in peace talks with various insurgent groups of the
Northeast and talks are continuing with the ULFA-PTF, NDFB-P,
NDFB-RD, KLNLF– all from Assam, while the NSCN-IM, NSCN-KN and
NSCN-R of Nagaland are under ceasefire agreements.
A total of 23 underground outfits
of Manipur, consisting two conglomerates – the UPF and KNO are
currently under SoO agreement with the Union Government. Three
valley-based underground outfits of Manipur – the URF, KCP-L and
KYKL-MDF have signed MoU with the Union Government.
The Union Government has informed
that pursuant to the policy of talks, various insurgent outfits,
including the UPDS, DHD of Assam and ANVC and ANVC-B of Meghalaya
have signed memorandum of settlement with the Government and dissolved
themselves. As a result, a number of members of insurgent outfits
have surrendered after laying down arms and joined the mainstream
of society.
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.
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 |
India has called for collaborative
preventive approach to address terrorist cyber attacks against
critical infrastructures, underlining that current international
law is not well positioned to deal with the threat. Citing the
26/11 (November 26, 2008) Mumbai terror attacks, India said that
financial hubs are targeted by terrorists to impact a country’s
economy.
The NIA has arrested a Kerala
youth, Mouinudheen Parakadavath (25), for being part of an IS
terrorist conspiracy in India. The agency said the youth hailing
from Kasaragod District was questioned at the NIA headquarters
when he arrived at the IGI airport in Delhi from Abu Dhabi. During
his examination, he admitted to his involvement in the conspiracy,
NIA said. The case relates to a terror module in which a group
of youths from Kerala including some members based in the Middle-East,
hatched a conspiracy as per instructions from their online IS
handlers.
Based on intelligence inputs,
five accused, associated with this terror module, were arrested
from Kanakamala Hill in Kannur District in Kerala on 2 October,
2016 and another associate was arrested from Calicut the same
day. Their disclosures established that Mouinudheen was a key
figure in the module, which was actively planning various aspects
of the terrorist plot, on a Telegram group. Mouinudheen was using
the online identity Abu-Al-Indonesi as well as Ibn Abdullah, on
the telegram group, NIA said. It was revealed by the arrested
persons that Mouinudheen had sent funds from Abu Dhabi to members
of the terrorist module in Kerala, for the conspiracy, through
Western Union Money Transfer, last year (2016).
Two personnel of the Chhattisgarh
STF were killed in an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at
Mardapal in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The Police claimed
to have killed at least four CPI-Maoist cadres but their bodies
could not be recovered by the SFs. The killed SFs are identified
as Hitendra Chaturvedi, an Assistant Platoon Commander from Madhya
Pradesh, and constable Krishna Tingu from Surguja in Chhattisgarh.
The SFs in AOB and their counterparts
in Odisha are on a high alert as CPI-Maoist cadres are gearing
up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of GPCR and
Naxalbari
Armed Uprising. SFs suspect that Maoists, who are on a killing
spree as an act of revenge for the Ramaguda encounter, may engage
in violent activities to show their presence. A document released
in the name of their ‘General Secretary’ Ganapati recently urged
the cadres to use the occasions as a platform for recruitments
and creating awareness among the people to wage war against the
state.
A ‘Zonal Secretary’ of Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha
Zone, of CPI-Maoist and six other Maoist cadres surrendered at
East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The Maoists, including a
woman, laid their arms before SSP of East Singhbhum District Police,
Anoop T Mathew in Kanhu’s native village Jiyan under Ghurabandha
Police Station area in Ghatshila sub-division. Kanhu Munda alias
Mangal Ji, ‘Zonal Secretary’ and his aide Fogra Munda, were carrying
rewards of INR 2.5 millions and INR 1 millions on their heads
respectively. Kanhu and Fogra were wanted in a number of Naxal
-related incidents including murder of Police Inspector, Sushil
Nag and three others in Singhpura under Ghurabandha Police Station
area in 2006. Apart from them, Chunnu Munda, Bhoglu Singh Munda,
Jiten Munda, Shankar and Kajal, a woman Maoist, were among those
who surrendered. The surrendering Maoists also deposited one INSAS
and two pistols.
Due to threat of CPI-Maoist cadres,
no voter came out to vote for elections at 13 booths of a Panchayat
in Korukonda Block of Malkangiri District of Odisha. This happened
in Nakamamudi Panchayat of Korukonda block. As many as 19 polling
booths had been opened in this remote CPI-Maoist-infested Panchayat.
But till 12 noon, the end of polling time, no voter turned up
to cast his vote in 13 of these booths. In the rest six booths
polling was too low. Ahead of the Panchayat polls, the Maoists
had put threatening banners and posters in remote areas of Malkangiri
District of Odisha.
SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Khamin Swargiary alias S. Khasia, in Udalguri
District. A .22 mm pistol, one magazine, and other ammunition
were recovered from the arrested militant. According to the SFs
the militant was trained in the militant camps of Bangladesh.
SFs arrested one cadre of NSCN-K
militant, identified as Kangkam Haseng, from Burma camp near Ledo
in Tinsukia District.
SFs arrested one unidentified
militant of ULFA-I at Tengakhat in Dibrugarh District. According
to the SFs he was involved in the blast in Dibrugarh''s Convoy
Road on the Republic Day (January 26). SFs also recovered one
motorcycle with two different registration numbers from his possession.
SFs released photographs and names
of four suspected militants who were involved in the killing of
a couple, named Bakul Rabha alias Teckhon (35) and his wife Saru
Rabha alias Malika Deka (25) in Chengapara village in
Udalguri on February 10. The four suspected militants are identified
as Rajan Deka, Tilak Boro, Ramesh Bora and Biswajit Deka.3
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.
SFs arrested one ULFA-I cadre,
identified as Anuj Konwar alias Konwar Asom from Tengakhat
in Dibrugarh District.
|
February 16 |
Normal life was severely affected
in the Gandacherra Sub-division as the IPFT, a tribal-based party,
called a 48-hour bandh (shutdown) in tribals-dominated
Dhalai District to protest the alleged Police ‘high-handedness
‘during the February 8 when three tribal parties had called a
12-hour bandh to oppose the Centre’s citizenship bill.
Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of
Zakir Naik, was arrested by ED in connection with its probe in
a money laundering case against him and others. Officials said
Gazdar, director in certain firms under scanner in this case,
was arrested late evening by the Enforcement Directorate under
the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
"Gazdar, a confidant of Naik, was put under arrest around
7:30 PM today. He will be produced in a court tomorrow for further
custody," an official said. Gazdar, officials said, was called
for questioning at the ED's office here and was arrested as he
was allegedly "not cooperating" with the investigators.
Officials claimed the agency suspects
that Gazdar allegedly handled cash funds and transactions worth
INR 200 crore on behalf of Naik and his NGO named IRF. They added
Gazdar's firm used to reportedly provide content for IRF's Peace
TV, and its operations were handled from the western metropolis
here.
Al-Qaeda has used America's "preoccupation"
with the IS to regain strength in South Asia and preparing to
spread its ideology in India from its "home" in western
Pakistan, Bruce Hoffman, Director, Center for Security Studies
at Georgetown University, told members of the House Armed Services
Committee. "Al-Qaeda has never changed, and it still sees
itself in what it conceives as an existential struggle against
the West and against the United States in particular," Bruce
Hoffman, stated.
The NIA had arrested a woman for
her alleged role in the procurement and circulation of high quality
FICN.
The CPI-Maoist cadres cut down
trees at Pega and Edugurallapalli villages of Chintoor in East
Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The trees obstructed the
road transport between Bhadrachalam and Rajamahendravaram. SFs
also recovered landmines from the spot. Each of these landmines
has about 20 Kilogram explosives.
The ‘zonal commander’ Anil Kushwaha
aka Sandesh and cadres of the TSPC set ablaze a JCB machine
and two tractors in Kaimur District of Bihar. Maoists attack
on a makeshift forest department camp housing construction equipment
has led to cessation of work on a 55 kilometres stretch of the
all weather Adhaura-Akbarpur Road spread over Rohtas and Kaimur
Districts of western Bihar. Forest officials fear for their lives
after the TSPC ‘zonal commander’ threatened Forester Manoj Kumar
of dire consequences if they dared to resume the work on the project.
TSPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked
a BSF camp at Kartalpali near Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. BSF jawans retaliated when CPI-Maoist cadres
fired at the BSF camp to oppose the election at Kartalpali. No
casualty has been reported in the incident. Maoists had warned
the tribals not to contest or cast vote.
Criticizing the State Government
for creating new Districts, NSCN-IM said that the move by the
Manipur Government to carve out seven Districts ‘out of Naga territories
with colonial design’ is an ‘intrusion’ upon the rights of the
Nagas. They also supported the economic blockade against the creation
of new Districts in the State.
Police arrested two PLA militants,
identified as Mohammad Nawaz Khan and Khulakpam Farooque, from
Kairam Palli of Keirao Litan Makhong near Trio English School
in Imphal East District. Police recovered one .9 mm pistol along
with five rounds in the magazine, a Bolero car and incriminating
articles from the arrestees.
The indefinite State-wide bandh
(shutdown) called by Naga Tribal groups continued in the State
and entered its fourth consecutive day. The bandh across
the State was by and large peaceful. However, in Districts like
Kohima, Wokha and Tuensang the bandh was relaxed as only
Government offices and Government vehicles were barred from functioning.
CM T.R. Zeliang appealed to the
agitating tribal groups to give him two-three more days ‘to step
down’ to ensure smooth transition of power, after ruling NPF legislators
backed party supremo Shurhozelie Liezietsu to take over.
In a statement issued, BPCC-A-N
appealed to public on either sides of the border to avoid all
such affairs that could affect peace coordination on Assam-Nagaland
border and likely to deteriorate age-old good relations of Assam
and Nagaland. The appeal comes in the wake of an incident of assault
and extortion demand that reportedly took place near Hoolungooree
Tea Estate on Assam side of the Nagaland border in Jorhat District
on February 15, 2017.
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.
CRPF IG (Operations) Zulfiquar
Hasan said locals were under pressure from militants to help them
flee in certain areas in Kashmir which was harming the anti-terror
operations. IG Hasan asserted that the forces have been acting
with restraint in crowded areas to check any collateral damage
and the residents should not succumb to the threats of the militants.
"The casualties (of the security forces in recent operations)
have taken place in crowded areas and the forces operate with
restraint so that there is no collateral damage. But the crowds
break the cordon and help the militants to flee. This is happening
in certain areas of Kashmir, and villagers and local residents
do this under pressure from militants," Hasan said.
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 |
SFs recovered a single .32 caliber
bullet while checking in Imphal Tulihal Airport from a passenger
identified as Awungshi Naomi.
BSF seized INR 2,000 notes worth
INR 2, 00,000 FICN in West Bengal's Malda District.
Meanwhile, according to a report,
it has taken barely two months for Pakistan-based counterfeiters
to come out with fake INR 2,000 notes. Punjab used to be the permeable
border but now the money is being pumped into the country via
the India-Bangladesh border. The details surfaced following recent
arrests and seizures made by NIA and BSF, the report say.
A CRPF Inspector, Bhim Singh,
was injured in an explosion IED planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took
place in Mahadev Ghati area when a team of CRPF’s 229th battalion
was on patrolling duty.
A Naxal couple, ‘commander’
Punau Ram Kumeti and his wife Sarita alias Jarina surrendered
in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. They cited disillusionment
with CPI-Maoist ideology and violence. They surrendered before
BSF and Police officials at the headquarters of BSF 165th Battalion
in Durgkondal of the District.
CPI-Maoist cadres have given a
call for “nationwide shutdown” on February 27 to protest against
the policies of the Centre and the Chhattisgarh Government in
Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The Naxals claimed that
the demonetization has led to inflation, unemployment and poverty
in the country. They also demanded release of seven members of
TDF jailed in Sukma jail and halting of search operations and
‘fake encounters’ against the Maoists in the region.
SFs arrested a NDFB militant,
Raja Basumatary, when he came to collect extortion money worth
INR 2 million from the office of a private cement company at Dispur
in Kamrup (metro) District.
RPF personals recovered 19 live
ammunition of 7.62mm caliber in an unclaimed bag on a general
coach of Katra-Kamakhya Express on platform number 2 at Kamakhya
Railway Station of Guwahati in Kamrup (metro) District.
While the bandh (shutdown)
in some Districts like Kohima, Wokha and Tuensang was relaxed,
the indefinite ‘State wide bandh’ by different Tribal groups entered
the fifth day in Dimapur District. However, NTAC postponed the
‘public rally’ and ‘fast unto death’ stir in Kohima scheduled
to be held on February 17. The decision was made in view of the
appeal of CM TR Zeliang to give him two-three more days to ensure
smooth transition of office and in the larger interest of the
State.
Reacting on the present situation
and the ongoing bandh in the State, the NSCN-K made a statement.
In the statement, the militant group stated that it is “highly
perturbed” over the lengthy disruption of normal lives in the
State of Nagaland and called for immediate resolution “which can
be possible only if the incumbent leadership heed to the call
of the people.”
AR jawans arrested a NSCN-IM cadre
from Khonsa town in Tirap District during an operation. The cadre
was reportedly carrying out extortion activities in the District
headquarters town. He was found in possession of a loaded pistol,
contraband and slips indicating collection of money, official
source said.
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.
Delhi Police arrested two persons,
identified as Sanjeev alias Mukesh and Arbin along with
FICN of INR 6,00,000 face value from Sonia Vihar in Delhi.
|
February 18 |
The NIA team investigating the
case related to the radicalisation of Kerala youths by terror
groups, has found key accused Shajeer Mangalassery had created
a group titled ‘The Gate’ on the Telegram app for coordinating
terror activities in South India. Shajeer, a hardcore IS ideologist,
is the 13th accused in the Kanakamala secret terror camp case.
Earlier, the agency had arraigned seven persons as accused in
the case.
Shajeer is suspected to be fighting
for the IS in the Nagarhar province in Afghanistan. He was one
of the leaders of the South Indian module of the IS, which was
busted at Kanakamala. Holed up in the IS stronghold in Afghanistan,
he had been in contact with the IS operatives in Kerala through
Telegram and regularly posted comments on his Facebook page. According
to an NIA officer, seven Telegram groups were created by the local
IS activists, and their administrators are different persons.
Currently, the agency is trying to retrieve information from the
accounts.
An IED laid by CPI-Maoist cadres
was recovered by SFs from Sarkeguda Police Station limits in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. The IED, weighing five kilograms, detected
by a team of CRPF personnel was planted by Maoists to target SF
personnel during their operation in the area, a senior Police
official said, adding it was later defused.
CPI-Maoist cadre, Bhandari Rammurty
(24), was arrested from a place under Usoor Police Station in
Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of CRPF and District
Force launched a search operation around Galgam, Bhusapur and
Marudbaka villages in Usoor region, and rounded up Rammurty who
was trying to escape after spotting the patrolling party, Police
said. During interrogation, Rammurty admitted to his involvement
in the indiscriminate firing on SFs in the Usoor forests on December
13, 2015, Police added.
Acting on information, the 156th
Battalion of CRPF and in association with District Police, recovered
a large cache of explosives from a bus at Dahalapara area under
Bijni Police Station in Chirang District. Shankarbrata Rai Medhi,
Chirang SP, said that about 21 gelatin sticks, 20 detonators along
with 12 extortion letters of NDFB -IKS were recovered during mobile
checking. “We interrogated all the passengers of the bus but nobody
has been found suspicious to be arrested. We will continue our
interrogation and hope we will get a result soon,” he said. All
the materials recovered have been seized by police. On the backside
of an extortion letter, it was written that the explosives had
to be handed over to some Baburam Gayari.
SULFA Samittee has stated that
its members will hit the streets in Dispur, demanding the arrest
of the lawyers who had assaulted Ajay Kumar Phukan, a judge of
FT in Goalpara District. A group of lawyers assaulted Ajay Kumar
Phukan on February 15 after an adverse opinion against their clients.
The fourth round of peace talks
between Mizoram Government and HPC-D, which was scheduled to be
held in the second week of February, has been deferred. The officials
said that the next round of talks had to be deferred as other
departments like Finance, DP&AR and Law have to be consulted
in the process of the ongoing negotiation. The exact date for
talks could not, however, be decided, but it is likely to take
place in the last week of February, they added.
Suspected militants of Reding
T. Sangma led ASAK released the seven abducted limestone quarry
workers at Kama Adugre near Sangkinigre in South Garo Hills District.
The six lorry drivers and a mechanic, identified as Shyama Rabha,
Manoj Das, Dipak Baiswa, Khitish Rabha, Amulya Kalita, Dinobandhu
Roy and Kameshwar Pandit, were sleeping at the quarry site at
Sangkini Dapgre village in Chokpot (South Garo Hills) when they
were abducted on February 14. The men after their release walked
on foot to reach the main road early on February 19th morning
and further went to their respective homes. Although it is not
clear whether any ransom money was paid to secure their release,
Police is not completely ruling out this possibility.
|
February 19 |
Chairman’ Bernard N Marak of the
now disbanded ANVC-B alleged that the account numbers of the former
cadres were submitted without the knowledge of the ‘leaders’ of
the outfit and described it as an attempt to derail the Garo settlement
with corrupt intention and also to deprive the ex-cadres of their
due packages. According to him on December 9, 2016 former ANVC-B
‘leaders’ and senior members had a meeting where all cadres, clarified
how Police made them to believe that accounts were to be submitted
to the Police else they will not receive any packages.
CM T R Zeliang resigned hours
after he called an “emergency meeting”. Two organisations, NTAC
Kohima and JCC, are leading the agitation against the State Government's
following its decision to conduct ULB polls in the State with
33 per cent reservation for women. Both the bodies are yet to
call off the indefinite bandh (shutdown) in the State since
February 6, demanding the resignation of CM T R Zeliang, following
the death of two civilians in Police firing on January 31.
Earlier, NTAC Kohima has asked
all citizens to be prepared for any eventuality in the event CM
T.R. Zeliang failed to keep his word to step down by February
19 midnight. NTAC also informed that the ongoing bandh
(shutdown) on Government offices and movement of Government vehicles
will continue till further information. In this regard, NTAC media
cell informed all tribal hohos in their respective Districts
to deploy volunteers to ensure that the bandh has been
enforced. Further, NTAC appealed private hospitals and medical
establishments to be on standby for any casualty or emergency
cases in the event the situation aggravate and goes out of hand.
The State Home Department is preparing
a ‘special report’ on the status of the FT in the State to be
sent to the UMHA. The report would also detail about what led
to the recent incident of assault on a Judge of FT by lawyers
at Goalpara. A team of Home Department has been entrusted with
the job of preparing the report, which is expected to be sent
to the UMHA within this week.
UHM Rajnath Singh stated that
the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India
and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 would not affect the integrity and
territorial boundary of Manipur in any manner. The Framework Agreement
does not mention anything about Manipur and the word ‘Manipur’
cannot be found in any place of the agreement, UHM Rajnath Singh
stated. Further, UHM Rajnath Singh said, “The Manipur Government
did not send any representative for the first round of tripartite
talks to end the economic blockade.” Disclosing that the Centre
had provided the paramilitary forces as sought by the Manipur
Government, he said, “I do not understand why the Centre is blamed
for the blockade. India has the federal system of Government and
the Constitution clearly says that the Centre cannot intervene
on a State subject like law and order.”
Court of CJM, Imphal East remanded
UNC ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and ‘information secretary’ Shangkhel
Stephen to judicial custody till March 3. The two UNC leaders
are currently lodged in Manipur Central Jail. The duo will be
produced before the Court of CJM Imphal East on February 21 and
the High Court of Manipur on February 22.
In a revelation, it has come to
the fore that Dawood Ibrahim used to fund Zakir Naik's IRF. According
to Zakir Naik's CFO Aamir Gazdar, "Dawood Ibrahim has funded
Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation." Aamir Gazdar
said, "the said funding by Dawood Ibrahim used to take place
through a mediator - Sultan Ahmed." The Enforcement
Directorate officials said they suspected that Gazdar handled
funds and transactions worth INR 200 crore on behalf of Naik and
his NGO. These important details have now revealed Zakir Naik's
Pakistan and Dawood connection. Authorities are investigating
other details too.
A group of 40 Police personnel
escaped a landmine blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres at Kaligonda
forest area under Chintoor Police Station limits in East Godavari
District of Andhra Pradesh. Chintoor SI, P Srinivasa Kumar, who
headed the combing team, told that they suspected the Sabari Dalam
of CPI-Maoist behind the blast.
In an exchange of fire with the
SFs, two cadres of CPI-Maoist were killed in two separate encounters
in Bijapur District and Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. In Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh, one female CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
and two weapons were recovered in a joint operation of Telangana
Greyhounds and Bijapur District Police. In Sukma District of Chhattisgarh,
STF and the DRG killed one CPI-Maoist cadre and two weapons were
recovered. No injuries were reported among the SFs.
SFs engaged in anti-Naxalite
operation arrested ‘area commander’ Upendra Yadav (35) and Ajit
Yadav (25), a cadre, of TPC from two different places in Ranka
Police Station area of Garhwa District of Jharkhand. Two bikes
and cell phones were recovered from Upendra and Ajit. TPC is a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
SFs have planned a new strategy
to nail down rest of the Naxals along the Bengal-Jharkhand
border. A number of Naxal squads have also become active
in Banspahari and Simulpal in West Midnapore of West Bengal. Joint
forces are expected to raid both places when operations begin.
Sources informed that the high alert has been sounded after intelligence
report that the Maoists may attack at Naxal areas of Ghatshila
and Patamda in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
No affect on polling was reported
in Koraput District and Malkangiri District of Odisha during the
polls in Odisha. The polling percentage was reported 72. Most
of the polling booths were situated in Naxal -hit areas
in both Bandhugaon and Boipariguda blocks. In Malkangiri, there
was a voter turnout of 75 per cent in Kalimela.
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.
BSF seized 48 FICN of INR 2,000
with face value of INR 96, 000 from Indo-Bangladesh border in
Malda District of West Bengal. Official sources said, acting on
a tip off, BSF booked a man- Shariful Shah (32)- from Baishnabnagar
near NH-34 with 48 FICN of INR 2,000. "Following the introduction
of new currency notes of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500, there have been
around half a dozen cases where fake currency notes in the denomination
of Rs 2,000 were recovered but their quality of far inferior.
Most of them were just scanned copy of the note. But the recovery
made last night on by our investigators appear to be better than
what was seized by the force sometime back," said a senior
BSF official.
Acting on input provided by an
arrested ULFA-I militant, Anuj Konwar alias Konwar Asom,
SFs recovered a high-power grenade from Khanikar Tea Estate in
Dibrugarh District.
SFs arrested a suspected linkman
of NSCN-IM at Maibela of Sonari in Charaideo District.
SFs recovered a 9-mm pistol from
a paddy field at Bhalukoni Gaon under Kakotibari Police Station
in Charaidew District.
AR arrested one militant of NSCN-IM,
identified as Tuithung Achan from Jalukie Town in Peren District.
AR also recovered one 7.65 mm pistol with magazine and two live
rounds from the arrested militant.
|
February 20 |
A Delhi Police special cell team
arrested Akhruzama Khan (40), the suspected kingpin of FICN racket
in India, from Chandra Vihar Colony under Rajeev Nagar Police
Station area in Patna. Fake INR 100 notes of INR 20,000 face value
were also recovered from his house. Khan was arrested following
the arrest of Sanjeev alias Mukesh and Arbin with FICN
of INR 6,00,000 face value from Sonia Vihar in Delhi on February
17.
Two militia cadres of PAC of the
CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Rural Police at Paderu of Visakhapatnam
Agency in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. They are identified
as Korra Appa Rao (40) and Korra Chinna Rao (25) and are natives
of Mandibha area of G Madugula Mandal in Visakhapatnam
agency. The Maoist said that they were fed up with the CPI-Maoist
ideology.
CPI-Maoist cadres killed Sunil
Yadav, husband of a deputy mukhiya, at Champapur village
in Lakhisarai District of Bihar.
A team of Police and the CRPF
recovered eight can bombs, two hand grenades and mixtures of explosives
from Katia forest at the Chhipadohar Police Station area in Latehar
District of Jharkhand.
A CAG of India’s performance audit
of special development initiatives in the Naxal-affected
areas over the past five years has found most of these programmes
failed miserably in Odisha. A final report of the same audit is
likely to be placed in the Budget session of the Odisha Assembly
starting next week.
Seven CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
to the SP, Bharati Ghosh, in West Midnapore District of West Bengal.
The seven had 48 cases pending against them. The seven surrendered
CPI-Maoist cadres were – Saheb Murmu alias Jayanta, Saheb’s
wife Manasi Mahato, Dilip Singh, Malati Singh wife of Dilip, Samir
Mahato, Baidyanath Mahato and Banamali Mahato. The surrendered
CPI-Maoist cadres deposited one AK-47 rifle and seven country
made guns to the Police. The surrendered Maoists, all residents
of Jhargram Sub-Division, were allegedly involved in extortion,
attacks and other criminal cases in past few years.
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.
A Government official source said
that on the basis of a confession made by arrested ULFA-I cadre
Gagan Hazarika alias Joydeep Cheleng, the NIA had confirmed
about the proper identity of the ‘chairman’ of ULFA-I. According
to the NIA, the real name of the ‘chairman’ Abhijit Asom is Mukul
Hazarika and he is a doctor at Billingham town in Durham of UK.
The source said that apart from being a practising doctor in the
UK, Hazarika was associated with the UK-based human rights group,
Assam Watch, which used to raise alleged incidents of human rights
violation by SFs in the State. The Assam Watch is an alleged front
of ULFA, which had arranged the travel of then ULFA ‘chairman’
Arabinda Rajkhowa and ‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia to Geneva
to attend a meeting of the UN Sub-Commission's Working Group on
Indigenous People in July 1997. The source further said that the
NIA would soon move the court for issuing an arrest warrant against
Dr Hazarika as a prelude to requesting the UK for his extradition.
The JCC and NTAC decided to lift
the bandh (shutdown) on Government machineries with effect
from February 20 evening. JCC convenor, Supu Jamir said that the
decision to call off the bandh was made following the resignation
of T.R. Zeliang. The Government authorities also finally decided
to restore mobile internet/data and SMS services which were snapped
since January 30.
NPF President and DAN Chairman
Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu was unanimously elected as leader of
DAN Legislature Party by the alliance legislators at a meeting
in Kohima to replace TR Zeliang as Nagaland CM.
The AMSU categorically rejected
UMH Rajnath Singh’s assurance that the Framework Agreement signed
between the Government of India and NSCN-IM does not mention anything
about Manipur and it would not affect the territorial integrity
of Manipur. In a statement issued by the AMSU, its ‘secretary
general’ Manjit Sarangthem said, “We would like to see and study
the Framework Agreement if it contains anything inimical to the
interest of Manipur.” AMSU further stated that this verbal assurance
given by UHM Rajnath Singh was not enough. Framework Agreement
between Union Government and NSCN-IM was signed on August 3, 2015.
Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh said
that he was ready for tripartite talks with the UNC to end the
three-month-long economic blockade.
A team of Special Force-10 commandos,
in an encounter, killed a GNLA militant, Walamdaria M. Sangma,
at Riangdim village in Shallang in West Khasi Hills District.
A group of GNLA militants were there to collect tax from coal
dealers and exporters.
|
February 21 |
A doctor from Eluru in Andhra
Pradesh who was abducted by Islamic State (IS) in Libya has been
freed, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted in the
late night. She announced: "We have rescued Dr. Ramamurthy
Kosanam in Libya. Dr.Kosanam has suffered a bullet injury. We
are bringing him to India shortly. With this, we have rescued
all the six Indians abducted there. I appreciate the good work
done by our mission there." Dr Ramamurthy was working for
Lbn-E-Sina Hospital at Sirte when he was kidnapped on September
8, 2015 along with some others.
The government decided not to
support a Private Member's Bill which seeks to declare Pakistan
a country sponsoring terrorism, reports indiatvnews.com. "India
can't declare any country a 'Terror State' as it has to maintain
diplomatic relations with all countries. Besides, in principle
it is very rare that government supports any Private Member's
Bill," an official of UMHA said.
'The Declaration of Countries
as Sponsor of Terrorism Bill, 2016', moved by Independent member
Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha seeks to call out states
like Pakistan that continue to associate, promote, patronise and
sponsor terrorism against our nation and provides for snapping
all economic and trade relations with that country. The UMHA has
conveyed to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat about its opposition to
the Bill, saying such a move may ‘jeopardise’ international relations.
SFs killed seven CPI-Maoist cadres
in an exchange of fire in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
According to AIG of Police of the ANO, Devnath, three deceased
were identified as CPI-Maoist Bodh Ghat area committee member
and LOS ‘commander’ Nirmala, Deputy LOS ‘commander’ Somji and
area committee member Nasik. All three carried a reward of INR
500,000. Two INSAS rifles and four other weapons were also recovered.
A CRPF jawan Ghanshyam of 212
Battalion was injured in an IED blast in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The blast took place near Paidigudem village under the Kistaram
Police Station limits when the CRPF team was out on a patrol.
Mantu Khaira, ‘zonal-commander’
of CPI-Maoist, was killed in an anti-Maoist operation, led by
SP, Rajeev Ranjan, in Dahibara forests under Anandpur in Banka
District of Bihar. The SFs, comprising personnel from the
STF of Bihar Police and Sashastra Seema Bal SSB, recovered two
SLRs, an AK-47 rifle and some grenades at the encounter site.
No SFs were injured during the encounter.
One Munna Yadav (28), brother
of Naxal outfit JPC, ‘sub zonal commander’ Dasrath, was arrested
near Panch Mandir Chowk in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. SFs
recovered INR 250,000 from him, which was extorted from a company
constructing Tandwa-Simaria road, and two mobile phones.
Four persons were arrested and
huge quantity of explosives recovered from Shikaripara area in
Dumka District of Jharkhand. Mithun Sheikh, Latiful Sheikh, Afzal
Ansari and Md Ansari were carrying illegally 3,000 electric detonators,
400 neo gel sticks and 21 kilogram of ammonium nitrate in a pick-up
truck, when they were intercepted by the Police.
Gadchiroli Police arrested two
CPI-Maoist cadres from the Etapalli forest area in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. The Maoists are members of Platoon
3, have been identified as Nilesh Potawi and Ajit Pude.
About 68.27% polling was registered
in second phase of the ZP and Panchayat Samiti elections in the
highly restive four tehsils of Aheri division in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. The Maoists had called
for a boycott of the polls and had put posters and banners in
some sensitive areas of the District..
A group of about 30 armed CPI-Maoist
cadres abducted at least five villagers of Mahupadar and Kamarpalli
villages under Mathili Police Station limits in Malkangiri District
of Odisha on February 20. Maoist suspected them to be ‘Police
informers’ and held them hostage for more than 12 hours before
setting them free today. The Maoists had tried them in a Praja
court on the charges of being ‘Police informers’. They were also
beaten up severely before being allowed to walk free. The abducted
villagers were Rama Kabasi, Rame Madhi, Unga Kabasi, Chaitanya
Madhi and Deba Madkami.
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.
Two Policemen were injured when
suspected ZUF militants attacked the convoy of Deputy CM Gaikhangam
as he went visit his Khoupum Tampak residence in Noney District.
Militants launched the first attack at around 7.50 am at Lubanglong
Khunou (Namkaolong) Part II area along Old Cachar Road in Noney
District. Then the militants carried out the second attack on
a Police team which came from the direction of Rengpang near Irang
River at around 8.30 am. No one was injured in the both the attacks
but the Gypsy of the Police team suffered some damages. Later,
the militants launched the third attack at Lubanglong Khunou Part
II, some distance away from the spot where the first attack was
launched, at around 12.30 pm when the Deputy CM was at his residence.
One Police personnel identified as Yumnam Jinesh (34) was injured
in this attack. After Deputy CM Gaikhangam had left his village
for capital Imphal, militants attacked Police forces who were
heading for Imphal for the fourth time at around 3 pm along Old
Cachar Road near the spot where the first attack was carried out.
One Police personnel, identified as Kh Bobo, injured in the attack.
Students and women vendors of
Bishnupur District have launched agitations supporting the series
of agitation taken up by AMSU demanding a white paper on the Framework
Agreement signed between Union Government and NSCN-IM.
Underscoring the essence of ethical
and respectable voting, the militant group, KRA, under the umbrella
of KNO, called for free, fair and clean election in the ensuing
11th Manipur State Assembly Election, 2017.
The ‘chairman’ of GNLA, Champion
Sangma, was granted bail by a lower court, more than four years
after his arrest from an area near Indo-Bangladesh border on July
30, 2012.
The agitating tribal groups led
by NTAC and JCC withdrew their indefinite bandh (shutdown)
on Government offices and plying of Government vehicles on the
road, following the resignation of CM T.R. Zeliang on February
19.
In a statement, the umbrella organisation
of displaced Brus, MBDPF said that the Bru refugees lodged in
seven relief camps in northern Tripura since the last 20 years
had decided not to return to Mizoram as the Mizoram Government
has “refused” to meet their demands. The MBDPF said that a public
meeting was held at all the seven relief camps on February 14
and 15 in which the refugees expressed their unwillingness to
return to Mizoram by raising their hands. The public meeting was
conducted as per the decision of a meeting of JMG in Guwahati
on February 12 in which the MBDPF was entrusted to submit the
public decision within three months. The JMG meeting, comprising
representatives of the Ministries of Home Affairs of Mizoram and
Tripura and MBDPF, went inconclusive.
|
February 22 |
Police arrested two men from Dharwad
(Karnataka), for alleged involvement in circulating INR 6, 84,500
FICN. Police seized fake currency notes, from them in old INR
500 and INR 1000 denomination.
Intelligence inputs have confirmed
that Pakistan’s ISI has activated its networks in Bangladesh and
Nepal, to once again circulate FICN across the country. According
to a report ISI has roped in Dawood Ibrahim’s men who function
from Mumbai. While fake currency notes of the denomination INR
100 is also in circulation, ISI will start printing high quality
INR 2,000 and INR 500 notes. The increasing number of people being
caught with fake currency also shows that wrongdoers are not being
deterred from indulging in printing illegal currency. These fake
notes are originating from Pakistan and that country has been
pushing fake currency for decades now in an effort to foment terror
and other extremist related activities in India.
Mangal Mara (25), a native of
Timapur village was injured in an IED blast, triggered by the
CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident
took place between Timapur and Murdanda villages under Basaguda
Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP, Mohit Garg said. CPI-Maoist
cadres have planted the IEDs to target SFs on this strategically
important route often used by SFs. Security personnel have set
up their camps both in Timapur and Murdanda.
CM Naveen Patnaik, requested Union
Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, to ask the UMHA to waive the entire
amount of charges on deployment of CAPFs personnel in the Naxal
affected areas in Odisha. Around 15 Battalions of State Police
Forces have been raised and engaged in combat of the Naxals.
Over a 20,000-Police Force cadre has been created to face the
CPI-Maoist menace. At present, 16 Battalions of CAPFs have been
deployed in the State’s Maoist zones, besides a CoBRA Battalion
in Koraput. The State Government has been repeatedly drawing attention
of the Union Government that there is a gross asymmetric deployment
of CAPFs in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts along the border
vis-à-vis Chhattisgarh. This is creating serious security vacuum
in these two districts, for which there is influx of Chhattisgarh-based
CPI- Maoist cadres into Odisha.
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.
The State Government has started
the process of raising a strong second line of defence to work
behind the BSF along the International Border with Bangladesh
to check infiltration of foreigners to the State. Meanwhile, more
than 800 chars (mid-channel bars on the river
Brahmaputra) have been surveyed by Police and the process to carry
out such surveys in the other chars is on. Sources in the State
Home Department told the newspaper that the first step towards
a strong second line defence would be to create posts of SP-Border
in the Districts having international border with Bangladesh.
The process of creation of the posts has started.
The ANC cut short its 12-hour
rail blockade at Kokrajhar and Udalguri Railway stations by nearly
five-and-a-half hours after submitting a memorandum addressed
to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Sarbananda
Sonowal through the Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner. ANC's demands
included inclusion of Adivasis (Santhal, Oraons, Kharia, Munda,
Gonds, Sawras, Kishan, Lohras, Kol, Bhils, Porjas, Bedias, Mirdhas
and the like) in Scheduled Tribes list, political solution to
the issues of Adivasi militant groups that have entered into a
truce with the Government, rehabilitation and allotment of land
and land documents to the Adivasi and tea garden workers who had
been evicted. "We will launch a 100-hour blockade of national
highways from March 22 if we don't get any response from the Prime
Minister and the Chief Minister regarding our demands," ANC
‘general secretary’ Birsing Munda.
District Police arrested Hiralal
Kherwar and Veerendra Kherwar during a search operation in Naxal-hit
areas of Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. Police recovered wire
used for making IED, Codex wire, Ammonium Nitrate and other materials.
|
February 23 |
Suspecting them to be sympathisers
of CPI-Maoist, Vizag Rural Police and Special Forces arrested
up to 60 villagers in Koyyuru and GK Veedhi Mandals at
Visakha Agency in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. It
is important to note that, two persons from GK Veedhi Mandal
— Gemmela Ashok (32) and Pangi Naresh (25) — were arrested, on
February 2, at Chitrakonda area in Odisha by SFs when they were
allegedly purchasing food grains for Maoists.
The District administration of
Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh plans to set up around
200 mobile towers in the rural areas including a major portion
of Visakha Agency to curb CPI-Maoist movement as well as address
various other issues.
Five cadres of CPI-Maoist were
arrested by SFs from the forest of Ganganpalli village under Basaguda
Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. One
of the arrested Maoists is Velkamrama (25), who was active as
head of DAKMS and carried a reward of INR 100,000. The other four
arrested Maoists were identified as Podiyam Shankar (25), Karam
Ramesh (20), Odiyam Hurra (25) and Sodhi Samaiyya (30), all active
as lower rung members.
An active cadre of CPI-Maoist,
Ramlagan Paharia was arrested in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
Paharia was arrested during a joint anti-Naxal offensive
of the Police and the CRPF.
Two hardcore women cadres of the
CPI-Maoist carrying cash reward of INR 400,000 each surrendered
in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The surrendered Maoists have
been identified as Sumitra Madvi alias Manila (35) of village
Simrikhal under Gadchiroli District in Maharashtra and Jagi Madkami
alias Namita (33) of Tekguda village in Malkangiri District.
According to SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, Sumita joined the CPI-Maoist
organisation in 2001 and was working as an ‘area committee member’
of the AOBSZC.
The LWE wing of Crime Branch in
Bhubaneswar in Khordha District of Odisha, asked Police to expedite
LWE cases. The State Crime Branch has asked the Naxal-affected
Districts of Odisha to create a databank of such cases and appoint
dedicated officers to pursue the progress of investigations. The
LWE wing of Crime Branch supervises investigation into Maoist
offences in the State. Official sources said at least 700 LWE
related cases were registered in different Police Stations since
2000. Nearly 70 per cent of the cases are pending investigation
whereas conviction rate stands at nearly seven per cent.
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.
AR troopers arrested a NSCN-K
militant, Pansai Pansa, from Wakka village in Longding District.
One pistol, five live rounds of ammunition and four mobile phones
were recovered.
One NSCN-IM militant, 'sergeant'
Solomon, was killed, during an encounter, between suspected NSCN-IM
cadres and 2/5 GR at Khoupum Chingthak area in Noney District.
Two others including one NSCN-IM cadre 'lieutenant' Kahaulun and
a woman Ajingna Rongmei (50) were injured during the incident.
Two fratricidal clashes between
NSCN-IM and ZUF cadres were reported from Tanripou area of Dialing
village in Tamenglong District and Lanjaising area of Noney District.
Three unidentified NSCN-IM cadres were injured in the twin clashes.
These clashes happened as NSCN-IM cadres were taking their injured
fellow cadres to Hospital following the encounter with 2/5 GR.
Governor Dr Najima Heptulla appealed
to the UNC leaders and its supporters to lift the indefinite economic
blockade taking into consideration the immense hardships faced
by the people and in light of the upcoming 11th State Assembly
election.
The CorCom, a conglomerate of
six Imphal Valley-based militant outfits, announced a total shut
down of Manipur over the PM’s scheduled visit to the State on
February 25. CorCom called for total shut down all over Manipur
from 6 am morning of February 25 till the Indian PM leaves Manipur.
However, medical services, religious activities, media, water
supply, electricity and fire services would not be covered by
the total shut down, it added.
The State Government revealed
that it incurred a loss of INR 259.4 million in terms of salary
to its employees, including teachers, during the agitations in
2013 called by 14 pressure groups demanding implementation of
the ILP system in Meghalaya.
The loss was highlighted in the
deposition made before the Special Court dealing with ILP-related
case by Commissioner and Secretary of the Personnel Department
L. Diengdoh.
|
February 24 |
A team of Greyhounds, the
elite anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh Police, killed
two Naxals in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh
.
The slain Maoists were identified as Gemmeli Narayan Rao alias
Jambri and Chittibabu. Jambri was a ‘divisional committee member’
of Galikonda area committee of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered
a Thompson sub-machine gun, a shotgun and three detonators. Jambri,
native of Mettiguda under GK Veedhi Mandal in Vizag Agency
area, carried a reward of INR 400,000 on his head. He had played
a key role in the killing of 37 members of Greyhounds in Balimela
in 2008.
The 44 ITBP recovered explosives
along with empty cans and Naxal literature recovered at
Pallemadi village in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.
Jharkhand DGP, D K Pandey, said
Naxals activity in Parasnath hills in Giridih District
of Jharkhand. He said the state administration is serious
about the security arrangement in Bhelwaghati situated on the
Jharkhand -Bihar border of the District.
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.
A major tragedy was averted as
Police recovered explosive hidden in a farm land in Kishtwar District.
Several gelatin sticks weighing around 800 grams wrapped in a
polythene bag were recovered from a farm land on the Jammu-Kishtwar
Highway, reports said. A Bomb Disposal squad was called to dispose
of the explosives.
AR arrested NSCN-R cadre, Ranapio
Sampit, at Kharsang in Changlang District.
Police arrested an agent of a
suspected Islamic radical groups identified as Alamgir Hussain,
from an unidentified area. The suspect came under Police scanner
after he bought properties worth crores at Badarpur town in Karimganj
District. He visited Singapore frequently on a Bangladeshi passport
between 2001 and 2013. "We have taken him into seven-day
custody. We have doubts on his source of income going by the wealth
he has amassed within a short period of time. He could be a member
of some Islamic radical group. We will get all the facts only
after a thorough investigation," said SP of Karimganj PR
Kar.
Union MOS Home Kiren Rijiju stated
that the rumour that the FA signed between the Union Government
and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015 may affect the territorial integrity
of Manipur is devoid of any basis. Speaking to media persons in
Imphal, Rijiju maintained that the Framework Agreement is not
a final agreement. A final agreement would be reached only after
the dialogue process ends. The political dialogue is not an isolated
process. Centre’s interlocutor for the political dialogue, RN
Ravi has been going to different places and consulting all stake
holders. There is not an iota of truth in the assumption that
the Framework Agreement may affect the integrity of Manipur. Yet
some people have been deliberately trying to misinterpret the
FA without having any knowledge about it. The FA is only a half
page document and it only acknowledges the uniqueness of Naga
history and Naga problems. The half page document merely states
the position of the Government of India regarding the Naga issue
but the final outcome of the dialogue process would be determined
after consulting all stake holders, Rijiju stated.
Citizens' groups reiterated
their demand for disclosure of the framework agreement fine print
on the eve of Prime Minister’s visit to the State on February
25. "We demand details of the framework agreement as the
territorial integrity of Manipur is threatened by the Centre and
NSCN-IM talks," Johnson Elangbam, the president of the UCM,
said at a daylong discussion on the pact. The discussion was organised
by the UCM and CCSK.
Police recovered a hand grenade
and a bomb from separate places in Manipur, a day ahead of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Northeastern State to address
an election rally. The recovery comes even as an apex body of
six rebel groups in Manipur has given a call for a "complete
shutdown" in the state on February 25 to protest against
Modi's visit, saying it was aimed at "hoodwinking the people
of Manipur".
Four senior cadres of the GNLA,
including an area commander, surrendered to Police at Williamnagar
in East Garo Hills. The four militants, ‘commander’ Sengbat Ch
Momin alias Kamdak, Wesefield Ch Marak alias Dakchak,
Joshua N. Marak alias Kolgrik alias Balmika
and Tush M. Marak alias Gotcheng, submitted three
automatic rifles and ammunitions during the surrender.
The BSF has informed the BGB that
seven militant outfits from the Northeast have set up as many
as 20 camps in Bangladesh. Sources in the BSF said the NLFT has
10 camps, HNLC from Meghalaya's Khasi hills has three camps, ULFA-I
and MPLA have two camps each while GNLA of Meghalaya, PREPAK and
KYKL, both from Manipur, have a camp each.
NSCN-IM has cautioned certain
individuals that their “campaign” to sabotage the peace talks
with a new approach of “Nagas of Nagaland” and “treacherous venom”
to mislead the people by demanding the declaration of the content
of the framework agreement would not deter the dedication of the
true Nagas. In a release, NSCN-IM maintained that the Naga people
have hope that the agreement will bring peace and honourable settlement
of the Naga goals. A framework agreement was signed between the
NSCN-IM and the Union Government on August 3, 2015.
India has decided to throw open
its border roads to help Bangladesh construct border outposts
in CHT, known for its inhospitable terrain. Some areas in Chittagong,
bordering Tripura and Mizoram, have no motorable roads and India
has decided to allow the BGB to construct 13 border outposts using
the road connectivity available in the two States.
India has decided to throw open
its border roads to help Bangladesh construct border outposts
in CHT, known for its inhospitable terrain. Some areas in Chittagong,
bordering Tripura and Mizoram, have no motorable roads and India
has decided to allow the Border Guard Bangladesh to construct
13 border outposts using the road connectivity available in the
two States.
|
February 25 |
District Force and CRPF 85 Battalion
arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
SFs also demolished a Naxal memorial during the time the search
operation to find the Naxalites were on. The identity of the Maoist
is yet to be ascertained.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
private passenger bus in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Security
has been stepped up across Bastar division which comprises the
Districts of Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon,
Sukma and Kanker.
Five suspected cadres of the TPC,
a breakaway faction of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested from Ranchi
District of Jharkhand. City SP, Kaushal Kishore said two of them,
Rajesh Ganjhu and Pradeep Kesri, have been identified to be squad
members of the outfit, while the others — Rohit Kesri, Jairam
Bhuinya and Mahesh Mahato — are their supporters. "One country-made
pistol and three live cartridges have been seized from their possession
and the Kotwali police are interrogating them for further details,"
the SP said.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
private bus at Metlacheruvu village under Bhadrakali Police limits
in Suryapet District of Telangana. The bus was carrying about
26 passengers to Bijapur of Chhattisgarh from Venkatapuram of
Jayashankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana.
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.
Suspected ULFA-I militants fired
inside the bungalow of a Dipankar Buragohain ,tea garden manager
of Disam tea estate in Naharkatia of Dibrugarh District.
Militants opened fire after the manager refused to pay the extortion
money amounting to INR 600,000, as contribution for ULFA-I.
The RPF, political wing of PLA,
observed its 38th foundation day. A press release issued by the
‘publicity secretary’ of the organisation stated that the foundation
day was observed at the party’s ‘General Headquarters’, ‘council
headquarters’, ‘central bureau’ and its various divisions, SR-1,
SR-2, SR-3, SR-4, PLA general headquarters, ‘tactical command’,
‘strategic command’, ‘252 mobile battalion’ and other PLA units,
‘departments’, ‘stations’ where the party’s flag was unfurled.
Militant formation, ZUF’s ‘chairman’
Kamson has raised the demand for creation of a common homeland
for Zeliangrong people on the occasion of the outfit’s 6th raising
day. “Our present struggle is not seeking secession from
India but we are demanding a common homeland within the Union
of India for the fragmented Zeliangrong territory which was divided
by the British rulers and continues in independent India,” Kamson
said.
A Police team included SF-10 commandos,
in an encounter, killed ‘c-in-c’ of disbanded UALA, Singbirth
N. Marak alias Norok. X. Momin, who was on the
run, in a hideout located inside a forest near Thapa Matronggre
village in North Garo Hills District. The Police team recovered
a Chinese AK-47 rifle, a US pistol, one hand grenade, ammunition,
SIM cards and some documents from the encounter site. “The gunfight
began when the armed militants fired at the commandos while resisting
to surrender,” Dalton P, Marak, the SP of North Garo Hills, said.
Police further claimed that four others had managed to flee the
spot under the cover of darkness.
Singbirth N Marak alias Norok
X Momin, who had reluctantly participated in the disbanding ceremony
on June 9, 2016, allegedly hid a sizeable number of arms from
the Police. In 2016, East Garo Hills District Police intercepted
a cache of weapons and ammunition that were being shipped to GNLA
and also recovered the payment amounting to several lakhs
of rupees that was paid for the weapons. With a red alert against
him, Norok slipped into Assam and began the process of forming
a new militant group with the support of NDFB, ULFA and a section
of UALA which, according to Police, had already been named as
UANF.
NSCN-IM delegation led by Thuingaleng Muivah and
JIC ‘Chairman’ RN Ravi are holding weekly meetings to iron out
differences and solution is in sight. The report sources the information
from an official, privy to the talks, who said that New Delhi,
believes a breakthrough has been made in the talks with the NSCN-IM
agreeing, in principle, that Naga communities can exercise autonomous
political rights within existing State boundaries. The evolving
formula, it believes, would meet the group’s demand for integration,
while at once addressing Manipur’s territorial anxieties.
AR arrested one cadre of NSCN-R,
identified as Vekupe, at general area of Porba Junction in Phek
District. AR recovered four extortion money ‘collection slips’
from the arrested militant.
|
February 25-26 |
One of the youth among the 21
persons from Kasaragod District of Kerala suspected to have joined
the Islamic State (IS) in June 2016, identified as Hafeesudheen
T K, was reportedly killed in a drone attack at an IS-stronghold
in Afghanistan. The information on Hafeesudheen's death reached
the relatives in Padanna village in Kasaragod District on February
26 through a ‘Telegram app’ message from the account of
Ashfaq Majeed, who is also a member of the 21-member group that
joined the terrorist outfit.
According to Afghan media, at
least six leaders of the IS were among 47 other militants killed
in an air and ground operations carried by the SFs in Haska Meean
and Bati Kot Districts of Eastern Nangarhar Province. As many
25 other IS cadres were also wounded in operation, the reports
said.
However, the Kerala Police have
intimated the relatives of Hafeesudheen that there is no immediate
possibility to confirm the news. The Nangarhar Province is out
of bound even for Afghan Government agencies and NIA has sought
the help of Interpol to get the details of the Indians in the
IS.
|
February 26 |
ATS arrested two suspected Islamic
State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) operatives from Rajkot and Bhavnagar,
who had conspired to carry out terror activities in the country
and was planning to collect chemical explosives from cracker manufacturers
in Gujarat. Two brothers, Wasim and Nathin, were arrested from
Rajkot and Bhavnagar respectively, in an operation launched by
the state ATS.
Dr Kosanam Ramamurthy, a physician
of West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, who was abducted
by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants at Sirte
in Libya in 2015, was reunited with his family members. Dr Ramamurthy,
who was freed by the terrorists, thanked PM Narendra Modi, External
Affairs Ministry and other agencies who made efforts for his safe
release.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two
vehicles, in two separate incidents including a private passenger
bus in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The bus was
set ablaze near Gatam village and a MUV was set ablaze at Karcheli.
Nobody was injured in the two incidents. SFs were rushed to both
the spots and a combing operation was launched.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
before Police in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The
identity of the CPI-Maoist cadres is yet to be ascertained.
A 207th CoBRA jawan of West Bengal,
identified as Om Prakash (32), was seriously injured in an encounter
with the CPI-Maoist cadres at a hill near Basadera village under
Ghatshila Police Station area in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
A Naxal, Shyam Pahan, carrying
a reward of INR 500,000 on his head, was arrested by Haryana Police
from a poultry farm at Yamuna Nagar District of Haryana. SP, Rajesh
Kalia told, Shyam Pahan booked in more than 80 cases of murder
and robbery among others. A country-made pistol was also recovered
from him. Pahan is a resident of Khunti District of Jharkhand.
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.
AR troopers arrested a NSCN-K
cadre, identified as Machow Ngaimong, from Mulong village in Changlang
District.
|
February 27 |
SIMI ‘chief’ Safdar Nagori and
other 10 members of his terrorist outfit were sentenced to life
imprisonment in a 2008 case of sedition by a special CBI court
in Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Special CBI judge B K Paloda convicted
all 11 for sedition, collecting arms, ammunition and explosives
with the intention to wage war against the nation and for being
active members of a banned terrorist outfit. Nagori was the ‘general
secretary’ of SIMI when it was banned. Besides 45-year-old Nagori,
the others convicted are Hafiz Hussain (35), Aamil Parvaz (40),
Shivli (38), Qamruddin (42), Shahduli (32), Qamran (40), Ansar
(35), Ahmed Baig (32), Yasin (35) and Munroz (40).
"The judgment was delivered
to 10 of the 11 accused through video-conferencing as they are
lodged in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad where they are being tried
for the Ahmedabad blasts (Gujarat, 2008)," public prosecutor
Vimal Mishra said. Only one of the accused, dental student from
Karnataka Munroz, was in the Indore court and his father wept
upon hearing the verdict.
UHM Rajnath Singh said that the
Islamic State (ISIS) won't be allowed to become a threat to India.
"The government has kept an eye on the ISIS, and that won't
be allowed to become a major challenge for the country",
said Singh in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Replying a query on the
arrest of two suspected ISIS men on February 26 in Gujarat, he
said that the ISIS would fail to influence Indian youth, as the
people are alert and supportive to the government. "In fact
the parents of some misguided youths contacted me and informed
about their concerns," he said adding that the government
is keeping eyes on them.
The two Islamic State (IS) terror
group suspects arrested from Rajkot and Bhavnagar (Gujarat) on
February 26 confessed to their plans of planting bombs in the
thickly populated Trikon Baug and Gundawadi areas of Rajkot this
week. The suspects Waseem Ramodiya and his brother Naeem were
remanded to the custody of the ATS till March 10. Investigators
have got names of at least 40 other persons from across Gujarat,
including Ahmedabad, who were engaged with the brothers regarding
IS activities across the globe. "We are conducting verification
of these persons to know the extent of their indoctrination,"
an official said.
A day after the startling message
to his close relatives that Hafeezuddin (26), a native of Padanna
village in Kasaragod District, who was among the 21 suspected
to have joined the Islamic State (IS), was killed in a drone strike,
the local Police are groping in the dark about the information.
The Kerala Police are still ascertaining the veracity of the information
even as a ‘WhatsApp’ message said to have been received
by a relative of the ‘slain’ youth showed the photo of his body
lying on the ground, Special Branch DSP V.T. Assainar said. “The
local police could not as yet ascertain the whereabouts of the
persons who went missing under mysterious circumstances in June
last year and are said to have joined the IS later,” Assainar
said, adding that only Central agencies like the NIA could get
any information, a stance maintained by SP K.G. Simon too.
Two persons, identified as Rakesh
Goyal and Mubashara have been arrested by the Police, along with
FICN of face value of INR 1,50,000 from Sanjay Place, the commercial
hub of Agra. The duo was carrying these notes from Delhi to Kanpur.
They have confirmed that the fake currency was being printed in
Karachi and Rawalpindi in Pakistan at the behest of ISI and being
sent to India via Bangladesh.
Two persons were arrested along
with four FICN of face value of INR 2000 near Farakka in West
Bengal. The two, who hail from Murshidabad District, were caught
and arrested when the Police found them moving around in a suspicious
manner. They were produced at the local court which remanded them
in Police custody for five days. Before demonetization Malda in
West Bengal had become one of the main transit points for smuggling
in FICN from Bangladesh before pushing it into the country.
AR troopers arrested a NSCN-IM
cadre, ‘lance corporal’ Akha Wangsu, from Longding village in
Longding District. A pistol, five rounds of A-K series rifles,
two rounds of ammunition and opium were recovered from his possession.
AR killed one militant of NSCN-K,
identified as Wahang Sumyen, at Lyangche village in Tirap District.
A pistol and other war-like stores were also recovered from the
killed militant.
According to data given by State
Government, 13 illegal migrants were deported from the state till
October 2016. This was preceded by the deportation of a single
illegal migrant through whole of 2015. Previously in 2014, total
24 migrants were deported. According to the data on deportation
of illegal migrants from the state tabled in the Assembly, 29,712
migrants were deported between 1985 and October last year, with
the 2015 figures being the lowest during this period. Notably,
the highest number of illegal migrants deported was 3,228 (in
1988).
Unidentified militants allegedly
planted a bomb which later exploded outside the house of two editors
located in Imphal. There were no reports of any casualty but a
car was damaged. The editors work for a Manipuri daily and a local
cable television, Police said.
The MNRF has appealed to all the
Nagas of Manipur to stand against the oppression of NSCN-IM and
cast their votes for the deserving candidates according to their
own will. A press release issued by the ‘assistant secretary’,
‘information and publicity’ of the group stated that the Nagas
of Manipur have been reeling under the pressure of the NSCN-IM
to vote for their favoured candidates.
In a statement, the KSO asserted
that the Kuki people must be consulted before a final settlement
is worked out to the political dialogue going on between NSCN-IM
and the GoI.
Unidentified militants abducted
a coal labourer, identified as Azanur Islam, from a coal mine
at Era Aning under Nangalbibra in East Garo Hills District.
SFs busted an organized set up
for collection of extortion money and arrested one NSCN-K, identified
as Tokuto Aye, near BOC in Kohima District.
The AET of Dimapur Police arrested
one assailant, identified as Khaka Yepthomi, in Dimapur District
for collecting extortion money in the name of NSCN-IM. According
to the source, the matter is under investigation.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Kotesu, died on the spot and a Sabari Committee ‘militia commander’,
Kaaki Kannayya, suffered serious injuries while planting pressure
bomb in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The spot
where the incident took place was near National Highway 30.
Manoj Kumar Mahto, a JCB driver,
who was abducted by Naxals from Hazaribagh District of
Jharkhand on February 26. Mahto was released today.
The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze
trucks and damaged a culvert on National Highway in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. Two trucks were set ablaze by CPI-Maoist cadres
in Kukanar Police Station of the District. The CPI-Maoist cadres
also blew up an under-construction culvert near Pedakurti village
under Dornapal Police Station in the District. The Maoist cadres
damaged a slurry pipeline belonging to a private steel company
in Gadiras area of the District bordering Dantewada District of
Chhattisgarh.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
timber depot at a forest and blocked a road in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. They (Maoists) blocked the Sironcha-Alapalli road
by placing some tree trunks, thus disrupting the vehicular movement.
The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze
the machines used for road construction at Mankidi village under
Podapadar Panchayat in Koraput District of Odisha. According
to sources more than ten Maoist cadres stormed into a contractor’s
camp and set a JCB and a road-roller machine on fire.
An uneasy calm reigned over the
interior tribal pockets in Bhadrachalam division in Khammam District
of Telangana along the restive inter-State border AP and Chhattisgarh
during the nation-wide bandh called by CPI-Maoist against
“Operation Green Hunt”. The bandh had some impact on the
bus services in the remote tribal areas in Charla and Dummugudem
mandals adjoining the strife-ridden south Bastar region
of Chhattisgarh. The Bhadrachalam sub-division Police also intensified
road opening patrol in the interior areas bordering AP.
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.
|
February 28 |
SFs recovered a bomb near the
gate of a residential building in Khongman Bashikhong Turel Mapal
area in Imphal East District. The bomb was later defused safely
by the SFs.
The Central Government of India
clarified that it has not signed any final accord with the NSCN-IM
though a framework agreement has been sealed. The issue figured
at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on UMHA,
which was chaired by former Home Minister P Chidambaram. Officials
of the Home Ministry, briefing the members of the Committee, gave
a broad account of the framework agreement, which has been kept
under tight wraps. The ‘Framework Agreement’ between the Centre
and the NSCN-IM was signed on August 3, 2015. Home Ministry officials
explained that a final accord has not been signed as the Centre
proposed to take along all Naga groups and the concerned State
Governments of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
As many as nine Districts of the
State are now Muslim majority, State Planning and Development
minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed the Assembly. As per 2011
census, Dhubri District has 79.67%, Barpeta District has 70.74%,
Darrang District has 64.34%, Hailakandi District has 60.31%, Goalpara
District has 57.52%, Karimganj District has 56.36%, Nagaon District
has 55.36%, Morigaon District has 52.56% and Bongaigaon District
has 50.22% people of Islamic faith.
SFs recovered one 7.65 mm pistol
and three live ammunitions from Patradisa area in Karbi Anglong
District. SFs also arrested five persons in connection with the
recovery.
Red Horns Division of Indian Army
launched a ‘large scale operation’ in the areas of East Karbi
Anglong District on the basis of intelligence inputs about movement
of armed militants of KLF. According to the report, the army is
also keeping a strict vigil and maintaining a robust area domination
and counter-terrorism posture in the disturbed areas of Upper
Assam and East Arunachal Pradesh amidst regular inputs of terrorist
groups trying to make their presence felt in the area and also
seeking opportunities to cause attrition to the SFs.
A senior State Home Department
official said in a statement that the fourth round of peace talks
between Mizoram Government and HPC-D militant will be held in
March (this month). Earlier the fourth round of peace talks scheduled
to be held during mid-February, was postponed as the Home Department
had to approach Law and Finance departments before the talk.
A special NIA court in Bilaspur
District of Chhattisgarh sentenced five Naxal sympathisers
to ten years of imprisonment for acting as couriers of the CPI-Maoist
and supplying explosives to them. Five sympathisers are
identified as Babulal Sharma, Tarak Kundu, Katiyaram Nareti, Rajesh
Dhurva and Shatrughan Vaishnav. The court also slapped a fine
of INR 500 on each of them. Chhattisgarh has two NIA courts, one
at Bilaspur District and another at Dantewada District. This is
the first case in the state in which an NIA court has given its
verdict.
Five CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
by SFs near forests of Parcheli village under Katekalyan Police
Station limits of the Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
Those arrested were identified as Hidma Vetti (22), Pojja Vetti
(22), Somaru Mandavi (20), Somdu Vetti (20) and Fagnu Vetti (19),
all natives of Parcheli village. They were involved in setting
ablaze two vehicles, including a passenger bus, in Dantewada District
on February 26.
SFs launched a hunt for the last
squad of CPI-Maoist, led by Akash, secretary of the state organising
committee in West Midnapore and Purulia Districts of West Bengal.
The squad comprises seven to 10 cadres and is based near Ghatshila
area in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. According to Police,
the squad is active in and around Dampara area in Ghatshila sub-division.
Atul Mahato, believed to be another cadre of the state organising
committee, is also with the squad. The squad popularly known as
Gurabandha squad was also involved in formulating policies for
revival of Maoist armed units in Purulia and West Midnapore Districts.
|
March 1 |
A delegation of officials from
the US met Indian counterparts in the Home Ministry and discussed
ways to streamline the training programmes which include negotiations
in hostage situations, terror crime scene investigation, besides
new courses relating to cyberspace and maritime security. "India
and the US are working towards strengthening bilateral ties on
security front. Besides, the US will be introducing two new courses
for Indian police officers this year," a Home Ministry official
said.
India has asked Pakistan to reinvestigate
the 26/11 (November 26, 2008) Mumbai terror attack case and put
on trial JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed who is currently under house
arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism law. India has made
a fresh demand in a reply to Pakistan's request to send 24 Indian
witnesses to record their statements in the case, Pakistan's interior
ministry official said on March 1. "We have received a reply
from Indian government in response to our letter regarding sending
24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements in
the Mumbai terror attack case. But instead of entertaining our
request India has sought reinvestigation of the case and also
demanded trial of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed and LeT operation commander
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided
to Pakistan," the official said.
SFs, after an encounter, arrested
one militant ‘leader’ of NDFB-IKS from an unspecified area along
the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary, of Sonitpur District. The
militant leader was identified as Badaisa Basumatary. SFs also
recovered a pistol, several rounds live ammunition and other warlike
stores from the arrestee.
The ‘chairman’ of the GNLA, Champion
Sangma was back in judicial custody due to the case of extortion
in Baghmara of South Garo Hills District, in which he was charge
sheeted by the Police. Earlier, on February 21 Champion Sangma
was granted bail by the lower court in connection with another
case.
The IPFT, a tribal-based party
in the State launched a three-day protest at Jantar Mantar in
New Delhi against the central Government’s citizenship bill and
demanded a separate State in Tripura. The IPFT, along with two
other tribal based parties - the INPT and the NCT-formed the ATIRPF
to oppose the citizenship bill introduced by the BJP led Government.
The TPC ‘zonal commander’ Anil
Kushwaha alias Rakesh Mishra and 10 cadres killed Jitendra
Kharwar (18) over delay in serving them food in Rohtas District
of Bihar. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Naxals of JTG set ablaze
three vehicles involved in bridge construction work in Chatra
District of Jharkhand. Anjani Kumar Jha, Chatra, SP, said,
"The group left a poster at the spot, taking responsibility
for the arson. They want to threaten contractors who do not pay
levy to them."
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 2 |
Kolkata Police neutralised a FICN
racket and arrested five persons along with FICN amounting to
INR 56,74,000 from Howrah District of West Bengal. "Five
persons were arrested from the Fancy Market area in Kolkata's
Watgunj and fake notes totalling Rs 56.74 lakh seized from them,"
Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vishal Garg told. Garg said
the five were caught while buying cell phones at Kabitirtha Sarani
in Watgunj. "Accused Manohar Mollah, Syeed Rehan, Seikh Eklakh
Ahamed and Seikh Abul Kalam Azad are residents of West Bengal's
Howrah district while Balai Mondal hails from Bankura," the
officer added.
The terror outfits that Pakistan
created against India are now harming its host country, Indian
Ambassador to UN said in Geneva. "Pakistan has created terrorist
outfits against India. This monster is now devouring its own creator,"
Anil Kumar, India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to
the UN said. The most wanted terrorists of the world have found
"succour and sustenance" in Pakistan in the last two
decades, Mr Kumar said.
US Democrat Senator Mark Warner
and his Republican colleague in the Senate Dan Sullivan expressed
concern over Pakistani terror threat to India. Speaking at a programme
in Washington DC, the US Senators said while India and the US
have a very strong relationship between the intelligence community,
there is an enormous concern not only about Pakistan’s role in
the unrest in Kashmir, but also the terrorist organisations from
Pakistan.
At least seven people were injured
when a powerful IED blast was triggered by two suspected assailants
at the residence of K Leishiyo (43) at Langol Laimanai Lanthungching
in Imphal West District. The injured persons were identified as
Mark Keishing (37), Gideon Keishing (50), Zeneatte Ningshen (30),
Samson Maku (55), Fanny Grace (40), Reishang Ningshen (35) and
Star Shinglai (30). The owner of the residence is contesting in
the ensuing Assembly election from Phungyar Assembly Constituency
on NPF ticket. Police suspect the blast is related to the upcoming
Assembly elections but could not immediately identify those behind
the attack. "We are investigating the case," a Police
Officer said.
Manipur CEO Vivek Kumar Dewangan
on March 2 announced that altogether 2,228 underground cadres
belonging to various militant groups who are under SoO and MoU
with the GoI will cast their votes through postal ballot at 14
designated camps across the State.
SFs arrested a militant belonging
to NSCN-IM, identified as Withonbou (28), from Kadi-IV village
in Tamenglong District. SFs also recovered NSCN-IM uniform, kit
bag and INR 4,800 from the arrested militant.
The CRPF top brass are keeping
their fingers crossed hoping that no major ambush is carried out
by insurgents on its personnel deployed in the State. Sources
within the CRPF have said that the personnel were fighting with
their backs to the wall following the UHM refusal to provide them
mine-protected vehicles and other enhanced security infrastructure
despite intelligence inputs of possible attacks on SFs by insurgent
groups. In January, 2017, the CRPF had alerted the UHM on how
the "conduct of the Assembly election will be critical and
challenging both from the insurgency and law and order point of
view", considering the economic blockade on NH 2 and 37 since
November 1 against the Okram Ibobi Singh Government's plan to
create seven new Districts. "Intelligence input indicates
infiltration of insurgent groups from Myanmar and other areas
to attack security forces and disrupt the election process. To
counter the threat of IEDs from insurgents during the elections,
10 mine-protected vehicles are required in the vulnerable and
critical areas," the CRPF had written to the ministry. Besides,
CRPF had also asked for 20 bunker vehicles, additional bomb detection
and disposal squads and satellite phones.
Kuki Inpi (apex body of Kuki tribe
in Manipur) submitted a memorandum to PM Narendra Modi appealing
to settle the alleged ‘heinous acts’ committed by NSCN-IM and
also to reveal the contents of the ‘Framework Agreement’ that
was signed between the militant group and GoI.
Four unidentified KNA militants
were arrested by AR at Sangaikot in Churachandpur District. AR
also recovered two AK-56 rifles, two magazines and 142 bullets,
a 9mm pistol along with a magazine, 6 rounds of ammunition and
four mobile handsets from the arrested militants.
An overground cadre of ULFA-I,
identified as Amulya Gogoi, was arrested by Police from Duliajan
town in Dibrugarh District. The arrestee was involved in extortions
on behalf of the militant group.
Three Bangladeshi assailants,
who were involved in the attack on three persons, a woman and
her two daughters on March 1, at Jarapata village in Karimganj
District were arrested by the BGB and Bangladeshi Police and subsequently
handed over to the BSF. The arrested Bangladeshi nationals were
identified as Numan Uddin Aajmal, Jabir Ahmed, and Sahab Uddin.
Jarapata hamlet is located on no man's land on the Indian side
(between zero point of India-Bangladesh border and the Indian
border fence). India has erected the border fence 150 yards from
zero point. However, in some places the no man's land stretches
beyond 150 yards, as a result of which many Indian villages have
fallen on the other side of the fence.
On the basis of the security inputs,
Police warned that ULFA-I militants might carry out sabotage activities
in Guwahati and intensified patrolling and checking in the city.
The ‘c-in-c’ of the ASAK militant,
Reding T Sangma alias Saljapang, surrendered before Police
along with seven other cadres of the militant group at Baghmara
in South Garo Hills District. The other cadres who surrendered
along with Reding are identified as Tengrang A. Sangma alias
Gring (18), Seldom K. Sangma alias Jorai (25), Pintu R.
Marak alias Waira (19), Kiljang M Sangma alias Amrak
(17), Hame Ch Marak (25), Biani Ch Marak (28) and Tengman M. Sangma
(28). Police recovered a German made Heckler and Koch automatic
rifle with 128 live rounds, three single barrel shotguns (SBBL),
four walkie-talkie communication handsets and 22 electronic detonators
and explosive powder from the surrendered militant.
AR arrested four cadres of NSCN-IM,
identified as Asakha Kayni (29), Makavo (42), Ohehe (40) and Lokho
(35), from Khuzama Junction along the NH-29 in Kohima District.
The militants were involved in extortions. AR recovered 30 cash
‘receipts’, four mobiles phones, INR 8,730 in cash and 68 copies
of ‘receipt’ of Dimapur Bus Owners Association from the arrestees.
A self-proclaimed CPI-Maoist leader
Vijay Kharbar was arrested from Adhaura in Kaimur District of
Bihar. SP, Harpreet Kaur said a rifle and 47 live cartridges were
seized from his possession. Kharbar was wanted by Kaimur and Rohtas
Police for his involvement in Naxalite related incidents.
One woman CPI-Maoist cadre killed
in encounter with SFs at Jagdalpur in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.
Arms and ammunition also recovered in search operation.
A top woman CPI-Maoist cadre Budhri
alias Geeta surrendered before the Commandant of CRPF's
80th Battalion at Jagdalpur in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.
Budhri, a member of military wing of CPI -Maoist - PLGA was absconding
for several years and SFs had announced a reward of INR 800,000
on her head. She carried a 303 rifle with her.
The Home Minister of Chhattisgarh,
Ramsewak Paikra, informed Chhattisgarh Assembly, in Raipur District
of Chhattisgarh, that a total of 3,507 Naxal incidents
took place in the State between 2010 to 2016, reports. The Minister
informed that a total of 205 CRPF jawans, 43, SPO, 210 Chhattisgarh
Police and 49 of other SFs were martyred during the period. He
stated, a total of 2057 Maoists surrendered during the period,
4939 were arrested and 140 prosecuted. There are 34 Maoists against
whom trials are yet to start.
CPI-Maoist cadres launched a poster
campaign in Latehar District of Jharkhand to refute allegations
of their involvement in promoting poppy cultivation. The posters
have been pasted in Bandhua and Palheya village under Manika Police
Station of Latehar District.
An explosion took place on Jugasaipatna
road in Kalahandi District of Odisha. SFs suspected CPI-Maoist
cadres might have planted landmines which led to the explosion
on the road. No casualties have been reported in the explosion.
|
March 3 |
MLAs, cutting across party lines
opposed the move to amend Clause VI of the Assam Accord (signed
in 1985) and demanded its full implementation for the protection
of identity of the indigenous Assamese. Sources said that INC
MLA Abdul Khaleque had moved the resolution as a section of intellectuals
had recently called for the replacement of 'indigenous Assamese'
phrase with 'indigenous people' in the clause. Many have also
said the word 'indigenous' would remove the concern from the minds
of many ethnic communities. Clause VI of the Assam Accord calls
for constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards
for indigenous Assamese people but the clause has remained unimplemented
mainly because there is no consensus on who is an Assamese yet.
Former CM of the State, Tarun
Gogoi, demanded assurance from the Centre that the Peace Accord
between NSCN-IM and GoI will not affect the State. He also criticised
the Cental Government of India for not making the ‘Framework Agreement’
public.
CM Mukul Sangma announced the
appointment of Former State DGP, Rajiv Mehta, as the State's maiden
security adviser. CM Mukul Sangma, explaining the logic behind
the decision, said that the State required a dedicated and experienced
person with a thorough knowledge of the State and the region while
dealing with internal security. CM further said the security adviser
will give suggestions and recommendations regarding strategies
while dealing with state security, border issues with neighboring
countries like Bangladesh, human rights issues and strengthening
Police organisation, among others. The appointment is for the
duration of one year.
In addition, the SSC has not decided
whether officiating DGP S.B. Singh should be given full charge
or if the panel should opt for a new DGP. The CM informed that
the SSC would meet next week to take a call on the issue. The
State is yet to have a full-fledged DGP.
A GNLA militant, identified as
Chadam Ramed A Marak alias Mad alias Chitmang (22),
surrendered before Police at Baghmara in South Garo Hills District.
The State Government has made
a shift in the Government’s approach to ending militancy in the
State. Unlike in the past when there would be repeated appeals
to militants for talks, the Government is now focusing on facilitating
the rebels to surrender.
The AET of Dimapur Police arrested
two persons, identified as Angukavi Yepthomi and Tovika Sema,
at Purana Bazaar area in Dimapur District. According to the Police,
one arrestee, identified as Angukavi Yepthomi is a militant of
NNC-NA. AET also recovered demand slips of NNC-NA from their possession.
Two SF personnel of the CAF 10th
battalion were killed and two others sustained injuries in an
exchange of fire with the CPI-Maoist cadres near Cherli village
under Mirtur Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh,
when a joint team of CAF and District Police was out on a road
security operation. The two slain SFs were Hemant Kumar, constable
of the CAF and Gubba Ram, assistant constable of District Police.
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.
SFs arrested 23 persons from Ratnipora
and Kakapora villages of Pulwama District during nocturnal raids.
19 persons were arrested from Ratnipora and four from Kakapora
on charges of stone-pelting. Sources said that these persons were
wanted by Police for their involvement in stone-pelting during
a PDP minister’s visit and bank robbery by militants in the village
last month.
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.
One militant of newly formed militant
group ARA, identified as Rohit M. Sangma alias Gettingson
Sangma of Karbi Anglong District, Assam, was arrested after an
encounter during Police checking at Thapa Darenchi village in
North Garo Hills District. He is one of the close aids of the
leader of the militant group William A. Sangma.
|
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.
The High Court of Manipur declared
the more than four months old economic blockade of the UNC as
illegal.
A joint team of 32 AR and State
Police, during a search operation, arrested a NNC kilonser
(minister), identified as N. Mar Longkumer (43), in Clock Tower
area of Dimapur town.
|
March 4 |
Police arrested a man, identified
as Mukulesh Mian alias Bhutto from Rathbari area in Malda
District of West Bengal and recovered FICN of INR 2000 with a
face value of INR 92,000 from his possession. "We have charged
the man under IPC sections 489B (Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit
currency-notes or bank-notes) and 489C (Possession of forged or
counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes) and we are quizzing
him to know more about his involvement with FICN (Fake Indian
Currency Notes) trafficking racket," a senior official of
Malda District Police told. However, the man was produced in a
local court on March 5, and was remanded to Police custody for
further interrogation.
The UPF and KNO, umbrella organisations
of the armed Kuki Groups observing SoO with the Government, for
the first time officially participated in exercising their adult
franchise in the Manipur State Assembly polls 2017. Further the
KNO ‘leader’ Seilen Haokip said that they were seeking settlement
within the India Constitution.
An official source of IB said
that the ULFA-I and GNLA have planned to carry major explosions
and attack on security forces in Lower Assam and Garo hills. The
IB source further said that, the outfit groups plan to use professional
criminals and carriers to carry explosives and to plant IED and
bombs. After intercepting telephonic conversation between two
top leaders of ULFA-I and GNLA, IB officials managed to find out
the planning of the outfits. The source said that, IB has already
informed the UHM, Police and Home Departments of both States and
other security agencies about the militants plan.
Eight CPI-Maoist militia members
surrendered before the Police in the Visakhapatnam District of
Andhra Pradesh. Chintapalli Deputy DSP, Anil Pulaapaati said the
CPI-Maoist militia members surrendered voluntarily at GK Veedhi
Police Station limits. The eight members include Pangi Sobhan,
Thambelu Lakshmana Rao, Korra Kameswara Rao, Vanthala Srinu, Lakshmana
Rao, Malleswara Rao, Sana and Gemmali Balayya. All the surrendered
Maoists hail from Lakkavarapu panchayat of Pedda Konda village,
Pamurai village and Devarapalli villages of GK Veedhi in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh.
Lohardaga and Latehar Police,
along with CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar, busted hideouts of the CPI-Maoist
commanders Ravindra Gonjhu and Muneshwar Gonjhu, at Kisko Police
station in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered
three powerful cylinder bombs, besides a 20-metre codex wire,
planted along a road.
Khunti Police arrested a PLFI
cadre Kanho Bodra from Tapkara Bazaar of Khunti District of Jharkhand.
Bodra was earlier associated with PLFI ‘area commanders’ Dakwal
Purti and Sanika Purti, who were gunned down in August 2015 during
an encounter in Arki. Bodra is wanted in nearly five cases, including
injuring cops in landmine blasts, abduction and murder. PLFI is
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
An IED planted by the CPI-Maoist
cadres was discovered by villagers in Venkatapuram Mandal
of the Jayshankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana. Local Police
officials cautioned villagers and shepherds not to enter into
the forest as they had no clue as to how many such IEDs may have
been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres.
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.
AR arrested one arms dealer and
another suspected militants in two separate operations in Dimapur
District. In the first incident, AR arrested the arms dealer,
identified as Ibomcha Khan (50) from Khermahal. AR recovered one
7.65 mm pistol, two magazine and 28 live rounds of 7.65 mm from
the arms dealer. In the second incident, AR along with Police
launched a search operation at Bus Station in Dimapur and arrested
one cadre of KPLT, identified as Mukhim Rongti (28). One air gun
pistol (country made) and air gun pen pistol (country made) were
also recovered from the arrested militant.
Lohardaga and Latehar Police,
along with the CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar, busted hideouts of the
CPI-Maoist, ‘commanders’ Ravindra Gonjhu and Muneshwar Gonjhu,
at Kisko Police Station in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. SFs
recovered three powerful cylinder bombs, besides a 20-metre codex
wire, planted along a road.
Khunti Police arrested a PLFI
cadre, identified as Kanho Bodra, from Tapkara Bazaar of Khunti
District of Jharkhand. Bodra was earlier associated with PLFI
‘area commanders’ Dakwal Purti and Sanika Purti, who were gunned
down in August 2015 during an encounter in Arki. Bodra is wanted
in nearly five cases, including injuring Policemen in landmine
blasts, abduction and murder. PLFI is a splinter group of the
CPI-Maoist.
An IED planted by the CPI-Maoist
cadres was discovered by villagers in Venkatapuram Mandal
of the Jayshankar Bhupalapally District of Telangana. Local Police
officials cautioned villagers and shepherds not to enter into
the forest as they had no clue as to how many such IEDs may have
been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres.
|
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 |
The CISF, tasked with providing
armed cover to 59 civil airports in the country, has embarked
on a first-ever mission to prepare a ‘concept paper’ to standardise
security gadgetry and infrastructure at these locations. Once
in place, the country’s airports would be among some of the best
secured across the world.
In a statement, the HNLC militant
denied the surrender option of the State Government and said that
it will continue ‘the struggle’. In the statement, the ‘publicity
secretary’ of HNLC, Sainkupar Nongtraw, said that the ‘council’
has its own principles and till today they are receiving annual
support in terms of finance, arms and ammunitions from ‘anti-India
countries’ which when compared is far greater than the rehabilitation
packages offered by CM Mukul Sangma.
The militant ‘leader’ William
Sangma, who was planning to float a new outfit called UANF, managed
to escape along with three others, leaving his vehicle behind
during a Police check in North Garo Hills District.
A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, Waga
Kawasi (35) alias Raju, involved in at least nine murders,
surrendered before Malkangiri SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. The Odisha Government had declared reward
of INR 100,000 for his capture. Waga joined the CPI-Maoist organisation
in 2004 and has been an active member of the Kalimela Area Committee.
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.
The cases of communal riots have
also registered an increase in 2016 as compared to 2015. As many
as six such cases were registered in 2016 as compared to four
in 2015, it said. The year 2016 also saw an increase in cases
under UAPA. While 146 cases were registered under the Act in 2016,
only 44 were registered in 2015 showing an increase of 102. The
figures have further revealed increase in cases under Arms and
Explosives Acts in 2016 as compared to 2015. While 180 cases were
registered under Arms Act in 2016, as many as 146 such cases were
registered in 2015. Similarly, 39 cases were registered under
Explosives Act in 2016 as compared to 34 such cases in 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.
The ‘general secretary’ of UTLA/KNO,
identified as Sehjahao Singsit alias Haopu Singsit alias
Abunidhar was reportedly killed by the suspected cadres from his
own militant group over unknown internal conflict at Songsang
area in Thanlon sub-division in Churachandpur District. According
to the sources, the UTLA leader’s killing may be related to the
just concluded Assembly polls as he is believed to have a disagreement
on the issue.
Suspected militants abducted two
persons and later released after beating them severely in Churachandpur
town of Churachandpur District.
Indian Army troopers recovered
an IED from a paddy field of Dubluhabi area of Charaipung forest
division in Charaidew District. Army arrested one suspected person,
identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi in this connection. According to
the Army the arrested person was secretly working for the ULFA-I.
The CPI-Maoist cadres demanded
INR 800,000 ‘levy’, from Nutan Construction Company in East Champaran
District of Bihar. Nutan Construction Company employee Sonu Singh
registered an FIR at Pakridayal Police Station in the District,
saying some motorcycle-borne persons had visited the site of the
construction firm and threatened to blow up its equipment if INR
850,000 was not paid as ‘levy’ to the CPI-Maoist. “One of them
identified himself as CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ Mithu Ram”,
Sonu said. Nutan Construction Company is engaged in construction
of approach road to a bridge on Patahi-Shikargunj road in the
District.
|
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.
One militant of KNA/ KRA-U, identified
as Kamminlun Hmar alias Henry alias Pupu (27) was
reportedly killed in a gun battle between a combined team of KRA,
KRA-U under KNO and KNF under UPF at Khengjang village in Kangpokpi
District. Both the formations are under SoO agreement; KRA-U is
under KNO and KNF under UPF.
The UTLA expressed its disappointment
over the alleged abduction and threatening of Longpi village chief
by NSCN-IM on February 27. The chief of Longpi village, Kailal
Gangte Kuki, who is also the chairman of the area's Chief Association,
was reportedly abducted by the NSCN-IM on February 27 and later
released the next day after threatening him. NSCN-IM threatened
him about participating in the Assembly polls to be held on March
8.
According to some unofficial sources,
ahead of the second phase Manipur polls scheduled on March 8,
NSCN-IM, which is undergoing peace talk with the GoI have served
threat to the villagers in Naga inhabited areas in the State to
cast vote in favour of their ‘sponsored’ candidates.
State Government said that it
has instructed all SPs to remain alert and tighten security at
all sensitive places in view of the possibility of ISIS recruiting
youths from the State. Replying to a discussion during the zero
hour in the assembly, Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra
Mohan Patowary said all the SPs have been ordered to keep a strict
vigil and maintain a close watch on doubtful people. “We have
also ordered to strengthen security along Indo-Bangla border and
secure the river ways. Police have been strictly asked to maintain
close coordination with various intelligence agencies,” he also
said.
Besides, security and other agencies
have been keeping a close watch on social media as these can be
tools of influencing youths for joining the global terror outfit,
he added. The minister informed the house that two trained members
of JMB were nabbed from Nalbari District. Assam Police, he said,
has so far arrested 56 JMB extremists after the Burdwan blast
in West Bengal in 2014. “Apart from them 10-12 JMB members are
absconding at present,” Patowary added without elaborating.
Three restaurants owned by Bengalis
located in Golaghat town in Golaghat District were vandalized
by unidentified persons. This incident comes after NBBUSS activists
vandalized the office of the AASU in Silapathar in Dhemaji District.
NBBUS held a procession after a daylong meeting demanding unconditional
removal of the names of Hindu Bengalis from the list of D (doubtful)
voters. AASU said it would organise Satyagraha (a form
of civil disobedience) at all District headquarters in the State.
AASU has further said that the BJP government's move to give citizenship
to Hindu Bangladeshis had instigated the incident.
Police recovered a 7.65 mm pistol
from a person, identified as Michael Bhanglaluth (27) at Fulertal
in Cachar District.
A joint team of 32 AR and State
Police launched an operation and arrested an arms dealer, Igato
Sumi (31), from Govinda Paira Colony of Burma Camp, in Dimapur
District. The joint team recovered one .22 mm pistol and mobile
from him.
Narayanpatna Police arrested four
suspected CPI-Maoist cadres from Koraput District of Odisha. The
arrestees are identified as Basanta Hantal of Kotiya village,
Purno Tadangi and Rajiv Tadangi of Upar Gumandi village - all
in the District - and S Murali Krishna, a contractor from Gajapati
District of Odisha. Suspected Maoists had allegedly set fire to
a JCB machine and other road construction equipment near Podapadar
village under Narayanpatna Police limits on February 27.
|
March 7 |
In the first-ever strike in India
by Islamic State (IS), a module radicalised by the terrorist organisation
triggered a low-intensity blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train
Madhya Pradesh, injuring 9 passengers. The incident occurred
near Jabdi station in Shajapur District of Madhya Pradesh
.
A high alert has been sounded across the state after the explosion.
IG (Law and Order) Makrand Deouskar said the explosion was caused
by a pressure pipe bomb filled with ammonia nitrate kept inside
a bag on the luggage rack.
Moments after the train blast,
three men were held as they stepped off a bus near Pipariya in
Hoshangabad District of Madhya Pradesh and after they were interrogated
they revealed of other suspects in Lucknow and Kanpur. Following
a standard protocol, the information was shared with Central Intelligence
agencies, which alerted the Uttar Pradesh Police and the state
ATS. Three men arrested in Pipariya, Madhya Pradesh are identified
as Danish Akhtar alias Jaffar, Aatish Muzaffar alias
Al Kasim (both from Kanpur) and Syed Mir Hussain alias
Humza a native of Aligarh, in Uttar Pradesh.
The ATS in Uttar Pradesh carried
out a massive search operation in Kanpur and arrested three persons
linked with Bhopal-Ujjain train blast. The three held in Kanpur
are identified as Mohammed Imran alias Bhai, Mohammed Faisal
Khan (both are brothers) and Fakre Alam alias Rishu, a
native of Etwawah. The Police said that they recovered a laptop,
cellphones and found IS videos and literature in the laptop.
Balwinder Singh (41), a citizen
of India, was sentenced to 15 years in a U.S. prison after he
pleaded guilty to conspiring while living in northern Nevada to
plot terror strikes in his home country (India). U.S. District
Judge Larry Hicks in Reno also ordered Balwinder Singh to remain
under lifetime federal supervision upon his release from prison
after prosecutors argued that Singh has had ties to known terrorist
groups in India for more than two decades.
FBI Special Agent Aaron Rouse
of Las Vegas said the plot was foiled after a co-conspirator was
arrested trying to board a flight in San Francisco bound for Bangkok,
Thailand, with two sets of night vision goggles purchased by Singh
at a Cabela's sporting goods store in Reno.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian
Sullivan said it's possible Singh still will be extradited to
India where he faces criminal charges in connection with a terror
attack on a passenger bus that killed three people in India in
April 2006. "This isn't somebody who was just recruited like
some of the young people who think it's really cool to go get
involved with the Jihad," Sullivan said. "Mr. Singh
has been involved with terrorism or terrorist organizations for
over 20 years."
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.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
said that “at least a dozen youth who had picked up guns were
brought back to their homes in the past two or three months”.
One AR jawan (trooper)
and one poll official were injured when three IEDs exploded at
two separate places of Phungyar Assembly Constituency under Kamjong
District. The first two IEDs exploded almost simultaneously at
a place near Aishi village where an AR jawan identified
as R Vasnet injured. The second explosion took place near a polling
station located at Ashang Khullen. One unidentified polling official
sustained injuries in this second explosion.
Unidentified armed assailants
abducted four unidentified workers of an independent candidate
TS Warngam who is contesting in the second phase of the 11th State
Legislative Assembly election from Chandel Assembly Constituency
from a place in between Chandel and Chakpikarong in Chandel District.
Due to the UNC-spearheaded economic
blockade on Manipur since November 1, 2016, there have been no
talks between GoI’s Interlocutor for ‘Naga Peace Talks’ R.N. Ravi
and NSCN-IM ‘leaders’ for over a month. According to the report,
both sides used to hold both formal and non formal meetings almost
on a regular basis but the UNC’s economic blockade appears to
have caused some disruption. Ravi was also quoted as saying that
the blockade had brought about serious misapprehension between
the Nagas and non-Nagas in the Northeast and which would make
his task of finding an early amicable solution to Naga issue difficult,
added the report.
A tense situation continued for
the second day at Silapathar in Dhemaji District even as the Indian
Army staged a flag march after activists of NBBUSS ransacked the
office of the AASU on March 6 demanding Indian citizenship for
Hindu Bengalis who came to Assam from Bangladesh after 1971.
Cutting across party lines, members
of Assam Assembly ‘vehemently condemned’ the incident of attack
on the AASU office at Silapathar by NBBUSS, demanding stern action
against such divisive forces even as the State Government constituted
a high-level inquiry to hunt down the culprits behind the incident.
So far nine persons suspected to have been involved in the incident
have been arrested. The Police prepared a list of about 20 persons
suspected of involvement in the incident. The State Police also
declared Subudh Biswas, the ‘president’ of NBBUSS, as an absconder
and alerted all Police Stations across the State to hunt and arrest
him.
Some unidentified miscreants set
ablaze Mandal Hotel situated at Silapathar Namsuk area in Dhemaji
District.
After a discussion with Golaghat
DC and SP, CJCS [a student organistaion of Chutiya community]
and six other organisations of ‘indigenous people’ withdrew their
call for a bandh (shutdown) in the District for indefinite
period.
AR troops have arrested, Naoba
Metei (16), a cadre of the Manipur-based outfit KCP, from Kunsa
village in Tirap District.
A joint squad of District Force
and ITBP recovered two IEDs, allegedly planted by the CPI-Maoist
cadres during a search operation in the interiors of Iragaon area
in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The explosives, one IED
weighed 10 kilograms, another was of around five kilograms, packed
in steel tiffin boxes were seized from a dirt track near Churegaon
village under the Iragaon Police Station limits, a District Police
official said.
Delhi University Professor, G
N Saibaba and four others were sentenced to undergo life imprisonment
by Gadchiroli Sessions Court of Maharashtra, for their links with
CPI-Maoist cadres. The wheelchair-bound English teacher of Ram
Lal Anand College in New Delhi, Saibaba (47), with 90 per cent
disability, was arrested in May 2014 from his home in Delhi by
Maharashtra Police's ANO unit. The court also sentenced to life
JNU student Hem Mishra, former journalist Prashant Rahi, Mahesh
Tirki, Pandu Narote.
The CISF is raising a STW in Hyderabad
District of Telangana. The STW are being raised on the lines of
SWAT, and will cater to the needs of hypersensitive airports,
and sensitive units in Naxal-affected areas. The role of
bomb disposal squad and quick reaction team will be focused upon
in STE to counter the aircraft hijacking and other contingencies
like armed attack and IED threats, said CISF DG, OP Singh.
|
March 8 |
After 12 hours of intensive firing
and the use of tear gas and smoke bombs, one Islamic State (IS)
suspect was killed by ATS in Thakurganj area in outskirts of Lucknow
in Uttar Pradesh, and the operation ended at around 3 am on March
8. At least six persons were reportedly arrested in an anti-terror
sweep and combing operation was underway to flush out one suspect
holed up in a house, hours after a low intensity blast in Bhopal-Ujjain
passenger train. The body the suspect holed up in the house was
identified as Mohammed Saifurullah alias Ali, a resident
of Kanpur.
Eight pistols, 650 rounds of ammunition,
50 fired rounds, explosives, gold, cash, passports, SIM cards
and a train time table were found along with the body.
Minister of State for Defence
Subhash Bhamre said India has been dealing with terror attacks
for long and is capable of tackling incidents like the one in
Lucknow where a suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorist was killed.
Bhamre said terrorism is a global phenomenon and there is a need
to tackle this in a united manner.
Investigations in the suspected
IS (Islamic State) terror module operating in India revealed that
Ghaus Mohammed Khan, an ex-Indian Air Force officer was the leader
of the group planning attacks in the country. According to a report
Ghaus Mohammed Khan is currently absconding. Earlier yesterday,
the Anti-Terrorist Squad managed to kill the terrorist hiding
inside a house in Thakurganj area of Lucknow after 10 hours of
long battle. However, it was the Counter Intelligence Cell of
the Telangana Police that tracked, monitored and intercepted calls
and messages of the suspected terrorists for months. According
to sources, all the module members, including the slain, Saifullah,
who was identified as their leader were reported to have been
under electronic surveillance for months.
Uttar Pradesh ATS IG Aseem Arun
revealed that the neutralised terrorist was a member of the IS
Khorasan module. “We got the intelligence from a sister agency
that a person named Saifullah affiliated to ISIS is hiding in
a residential area in Lucknow. In 2016, the NIA had taken down
Khalid Rizwan, as a part of a nationwide mission against the IS,
resulting in the arrest of more than 20 people. In October 2016,
the CIC had decoded texts between 6 men in Kerala recruited by
an IS handler to plan terrorist attacks. In June 2016, the Telangana
Police had provided the NIA with inputs to bust an IS terror module
preparing to attack various Police Stations in Hyderabad.
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).
At least nine civilians were injured
in a powerful IED blast carried out by unidentified militants
in front of Vikas Pharmacy at Kasturi Bridge of Imphal Bazar in
Imphal West District. The injured persons were identified as Dilip
Kumar (26), Anil Kumar (28), Dinesh Prasad Sahu (40), Meera Roy
(50), Dolly Roy (29), Khumanthem Modhubala (34), Yumnam Ibempishak
(47), Yumnam Jiten (50) and Sapam Eros (44).
The polling official, identified
as H Ramkating, who was injured in an IED blast in Ashang Khullen
of Kamjong District on March 7, succumbed to the injuries.
Tension prevailed on the third
day at Silapathar and its adjoining area with shops and business
establishment remained closed over the issue of vandalism incident
of March 6. Army, Police and CAPF carried out a flag march at
Silapathar. Police have arrested 14 persons in this connection.
Over 10,000 people participated
in a protest rally, led by activists of AASU along with 21 other
local ethnic organisations, against Silapathar incident, in Dhemaji.
The rally was in protest against the vandalism of AASU local office
by the activists of NBBUSS [a group which is demanding citizenship
for Hindu Bangladeshis and removal of their names from D-voter
category] at Silapather on March 6.
The Special Director General of
Police (DGP-law and order), Kula Saikia assured that all possible
precautionary measures have been taken to prevent any conflict
between linguistic groups following the Silapathar incident, which
caused widespread repercussion all over the State. DGP Saikia
said that instructions have been issued to all the district Police
forces to keep close watch on the situation and to improve the
intelligence network. The District Police forces have been directed
to identify the vulnerable areas and increase Police and security
presence in such areas. Police officers are asked to hold talks
to people of different groups to ensure that peace and harmony
is maintained between all sections of people.
One Bangladeshi security personnel
of Griha Rakshi Bahini, identified as Nausad Mia (62),
was lynched and another detained by the villagers at Siddhinagar
village under the jurisdiction of Puran Rajbari Police Station
in South Tripura District when 12 intruders attempted a robbery.
Informing about the incident South Tripura District SP Tapan Debbarma
said, “Twelve Bangladeshis comprising eight Griha Rakshi Bahini
personnel (equivalent of Indian Home Guards), two Government employees
and two civilians illegally crossed the India-Bangladesh border
and tried to rob Indian villagers on Wednesday night.” Senior
BSF and Police officers, along with reinforcements, have been
camping in the tension ridden areas.
Four CPI-Maoist cadres were killed
in an encounter with the 205th battalion of the CoBRA of the CRPF,
at Baskatwa jungles under Gurpa Police Station in Gaya District
of Bihar. Acting on tip-off of a meeting of top Maoist leaders
in the area, the SFs launched an operation in the forest. On seeing
the SFs, the rebels started firing leading to fierce encounter,
in which the four rebels were killed. SFs found the four bodies
of the rebels along with their arms lying close to them. The arms
included two INSAS assault rifles, one SLR and one AK-47 assault
rifle. The slain Maoist cadres were identified as Anil
alias
Deepak, ‘zonal commander’ of Magadh area committee action
team, Rajesh Ravidas, ‘sub-zonal commander’, Nepali Yadav and
Uttam.
A BSF officer was injured, when
an IED, apparently planted by the CPI-Maoist, exploded while it
was being defused by a BDS in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place near a BSF camp in Korenar village under
Bande Police Station limits. The injured officer was identified
as Assistant Commandant Pradeep M, attached to the BSF’s 171 Battalion.
The home-made bomb was placed beneath the ground on a dirt track
between Korenar village and the BSF camp, about 125 kilometres
from Raipur, and it was spotted during a search operation by security
personnel.
A landmine, planted by CPI-Maoist
cadres, on a road leading to Palem Vagu irrigation project near
Rachapally village at Venkatapuram Mandal in Jayashankar
Bhupalapally District of Telangana was defused by the Police.
SP, R Bhaskaran told that since the village was near the Chhattisgarh
border, the CPI-Maoist group, in order to establish their presence,
planted the landmine and tried to create panic among the locals.
The landmine was spotted by the workers of the Palem Vagu project
on March 4, and the Police was informed about it.
|
March 9 |
India asked Pakistan to take action
against the increasing number of terrorists being spotted at "launch
pads" along the LoC. "In the DGMO-level talks
over the hotline, Lt-Gen A K Bhatt expressed concern to his Pakistani
counterpart about the movement of terrorists noticed along the
LoC," said an Army officer. With infiltration attempts on
the rise once again as the snow in the mountain passes melts,
sources said it was clearly conveyed to Islamabad that the "onus
was on the Pakistan Army to take action against the terrorists
and not allow them to cross-over into Kashmir." The Pakistan
Army, on its part, "rejected Indian concerns on movement
of terrorists along the LoC" and asked the Indian Army to
"look inward, share evidence".
A Nepalese national allegedly
killed in firing by the SSB along the border Indo-Nepal border
at Lakhimpur Kheri District in Uttar Pradesh after SSB men tried
to stop a group of Nepalese citizens from constructing an illegal
bridge on no man's land. The Nepalese citizens allegedly responded
to this by assembling a mob which pelted the SSB men with stones,
injuring seven border guards. In response, the SSB fired in the
air to disperse the crowd. Heavy security force has been deployed
at the spot and the situation is being monitored by senior officials,
who are also in talks with authorities across the border.
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.
One IED was exploded by unidentified
militants targeting a security convoy at Singjamei Super Market
in Imphal West District. The security convoy narrowly escaped
and no injury was reported.
Imphal valley based militant group
PREPAK, in a statement, claimed responsibility of the IED blast
of Vikas Pharmacy at Kasturi Bridge of Imphal Bazar in Imphal
West District.
A house of BJP candidate SS Olish
at Kanankhu village in Chandel District was set on fire by suspected
cadres of NSCN-IM as post-poll violence continues in various parts
of the State. However no one was injured in the incident. According
to the report, NSCN-IM threatened the villagers of Chandel Assembly
constituency to cast their vote in favor of an Independent candidate
earlier.
The ‘foreign secretary’ of GNLA,
identified as Briyan R. Marak alias Millam (40) surrendered
before Police without any arms at Baghmara in South Garo Hills
District. According to Police, Briyan played a key part in forging
close ties with the ULFA-I, NDFB and NSCN-U in Bangladesh. Briyan
R. Marak’s surrender has come as another body blow for the elusive
GNLA ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D. Shira after scores of senior leaders and
cadres surrendered in the past one year. The GNLA ‘c-in-c’ is
learnt to be with a handful (approximately 20) cadres and well
armed, stated another source in the Police headquarters.
Assam Police sounded an alert
across the State to prevent violence following the attack on the
office of AASU in Dhemaji District and set up a SIT to investigate
the incident. Assam Police also announced a reward of INR 1, 00,000
for information about Subodh Biswas, the key accused in the attack
on the AASU office.
State Police has received intelligence
inputs that NDFB-IKS militants would take to rhino poaching to
shore up funds. The State Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma
confirmed that the Special Branch of Assam Police has alerted
the forest department about the NDFB-IKS cadres getting into rhino
poaching. In her written reply to a question by Congress legislator
Abdul Khaleque, Brahma said that a letter has been received from
the ADGP (Special Branch), Pallab Bhattacharyya, informing the
Government about the threat.
Reacting to the Silapathar incident,
NDFB-S blamed the State Government for the whole incident and
threatened that the outfit will not tolerate on the destructive
policy of the Government to annihilate the ‘indigenous people’
of the State by giving soft heart to the illegal immigrants on
the pretext of their political gain.
In a joint statement issued to
the media after a joint meeting between ‘Working Group’ of NNPGs
and NGBF held at Dimapur urged for initiating a separate ‘political
dialogue’ between the GoI and NNPGs of present Nagaland State.
The statement was signed by NGBF president, I. Shanlem Konyak
and general secretary Shikuto Zalipu and NNPGs represented by
Government of the GPRN/ NSCN-KK ‘ato kilonser’ and ‘convenor’
WG, N. Kitovi Zhimomi NNC parent body ‘general secretary &
co-convenor’, V Nagi NSCN-R ‘president & co-convenor’, Wangtin
Naga NNC/ NPGN & ‘co-convenor’, Hozheto Chophy and NNC/ GDRN
& ‘co-convenor’, Kiumukam Yimchunger.
Nagaland CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu
met a joint delegation of the JCC and the NTAC, the two groups
which spearheaded the movement against holding of civic polls,
in a bid to resolve misunderstandings.
One extortionist, identified as
Himato Yepthomi was arrested by the AET while he was caught extorting
money from the trucks at Bamunpukhuri area in Dimapur Town. Money
in cash and incriminating documents in the forms of leaflets belonging
to the NSCN-IM was also recovered from his possession.
|
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.
One civilian, identified as P
Loni (28), was injured when unidentified militants opened fire
at a polling station at Purul Akutpa area of Senapati District
where re-polling was held.
The Dhemaji District administration
has clamped indefinite curfew in Silapathar after six shops were
set ablaze by unknown persons in the heart of the town. Miscreants
also had set ablaze three houses at Sengajan and Majarbari in
Simen Chapori despite the night curfew. When asked about the duration
of their ‘ban’ on shops owned by Bengalis, the ‘general secretary’
of AASU's Dhemaji District unit, Krishna Ranjan Chutia, said that
they would discuss the issue. Also, the AAJYS has called a 12-hour
Dhemaji District bandh (shutdown) starting from 5 am on
March 11. This bandh will take the number of days affected
due to similar bandh in Silapathar to five. The situation
has remained tense ever since the NIBBUSS activists allegedly
vandalized the AASU office at Silapathar on March 6. On that
day, NIBBUSS had organised a meeting which was later followed
a procession seeking removal of names of Bengali Hindus from the
D-voters list.
Police arrested a NDFB-IKS militant,
in connection to the abducting Ranjit Dutta (of Kokrajhar District),
at Duttapur area under Runikhata Police Station of Chirang District.
The arrested militant was identified as Mitichar Mushahary.
An indefinite hunger strike staged
by ABSU and its allied organizations- PJACBM and the - NDFB-PTF,
demanding early solution to the demand for creation of ‘Bodoland
State’ and ensure political rights of the Bodos living outside
the proposed ‘Bodoland’ area got underway in Kokrajhar Town.
One militant of NSCN-R, identified
as Wangdi Tailong, was arrested by AR during an operation at Jungmaisung
in Changlang District. A Pistol and live ammunition was also recovered
from the arrested militant.
AR busted an abandoned hideout
of NSCN-K at Nogna village in Tirap District.
Meghalaya CM Dr Mukul Sangma refuted
claims by the opposition that his Government was yet to pay rehabilitation
package to cadres of the disbanded ANVC and its splinter group
ANVC-B. While replying during a debate, he informed that rehabilitation
packages were disbursed to 363 out of the 367 cadres of the AVCB
and 139 cadres of the disbanded ANVC-B. He informed the House
that three of the members of the disbanded ANVC members did not
avail the rehabilitation package while one expired.
Dr Sangma also informed that out
of the 139 members of the disbanded ANVC-B only 11 have been able
to take advantage of the rehabilitation package while 53 cadres
their cases were sent for minor corrections and 74 cadres were
yet to submit details of the bank accounts.
A former Sarpanch, Madvi
Dula (55), was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres at in Tokanpalli forest
under Chintagufa Police station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh
.
Dula was abducted by Maoists, on March 9, on suspicion of
being a ‘Police informer’.
Two women CPI-Maoist cadres, Tati
Bheema and Kunjam Somdi, were arrested from Usoor Police Station
area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered
a .303 rifle, 41 live rounds, electronic detonators and Maoist
uniform.
About 200 Dongria Kondhs tribals
of Niyamgiri Hills staged a demonstration in front of the Rayagada
District Police Office of Odisha. Tribals were demanding
release of Bari Pidikaka of Tahali village, Dashuru Kadraka and
Saiba Pushika of Gortha village, who were arrested on charges
of being Naxals. Ladda Sikaka, convener of NSS, said unable
to fight the Maoists, Police is targeting innocent Dongria Kondhs
branding them as Maoist supporters. They have threatened to stage
mass protests from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar if their demands are
not met.
As many as 474 civilians have
been killed in Naxal violence in Gadchiroli District of
Maharashtra since 1982, Maharashtra Police issued a statement
giving the statistics. According to the statement, the
total number of civilian deaths in Naxal violence till
now stood at 474. Also, 312 citizens were injured. As many as
191 Policemen were martyred in line of duty and 511 injured in
the Naxal-affected District. Similarly, Government property
worth INR 107,030,299 was destroyed, while loss of private assets
stood at INR 185,007,016.
Three extortionists identified
as ‘captain’ Athongba Sangtam, Zhaito Sumi and Khunu Sangtam belonging
to NNC-NA militant was arrested by AET from Khermahal area in
Dimapur Town.
|
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.
The ground situation in several
parts of Dhemaji District still remains tense, even six days after
the vandalism of Silapathar situated AASU office by NIBBUSS activists
on March 6. Indefinite curfew imposed by the District administration
is still in place. On that day, NIBBUSS had organised a meeting
which was later followed a procession seeking removal of names
of Bengali Hindus from the Doubtful-voters (D-voters) list.
The 12-hour Dhemaji bandh
(shutdown-from 5 am to 5 pm) called by the Dhemaji District unit
of AJYCS in protest against the vandalism and reportedly raising
anti-Assamese slogans by NIBBUSS activists on March 6th passed
off peacefully with some stray incident of motor tyres burning.
AJYCS workers showed protest by burning motor tyres on the NH
at Sissiborgaon, 15 km away from Dhemaji town. Normal life in
Dhemaji was badly hit during the bandh as all shops, business
establishments and financial institutions, including educational
institutions at Dhemaji town and its adjacent areas remained closed
during the bandh.
A joint forum of several organizations
in Golaghat District had called a 12-hour Golaghat bandh
(shutdown) protesting against the Silapathar incident passed off
peacefully.All business establishments, Government and non-Government
offices remained closed during the bandh.
Twelve CRPF personnel were killed
and three others injured in an attack by the CPI-Maoist near Bhejji
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Senior Police officials
of Sukma District said that Maoist opened indiscriminate fire
on a ROP between Bhejji and Kottacheru. Reports said the rebels
looted weapons from the slain security personnel and took away
the wireless radio sets from the spot. Further, details are awaited
as the operation is going on. The deceased CRPF personnel have
been identified as Inspector Jagjit Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspectors
H.B. Bhatt and Narender Kumar Singh, Head Constables Jagdish Prasad
Vishnoi and P.R. Minde and Constables Mangesh Pal Pandey, Rampal
Singh Yadav, Goraknath, Nand Kumar Patra, Satish Kumar Verma,
K Shankar and Suresh Kumar.
Under the scheme of NFADP, East
Singhbhum District of Jharkhand administration will be organising
a Vikas Mela at Jualkanta in Ghurabandha Police Station
area in Ghatshila sub-division on March 15. The Police and Paramilitary
Forces are carrying out anti-insurgency operation in places bordering
West Bengal's Purulia District and Odisha’s Mayurbhanj District
in order to make the fair a success. SP, Shailendra Kumar Burnwal
told, that after the surrender of top naxal leaders in February,
the remaining naxals operating in the area have united. The idea
to launch the operation is to force them to shun path of violence.
SFs recovered explosives from
a shop at Goraimari in the Barpeta District. SFs recovered five
explosives, each weighing approximately 500 grams, which were
wound with rope and shrapnel and further packed with red tape.
Another plastic bag with ‘white powder’ was also recovered, which
was suspected to be potassium nitrate, a substance used to make
explosives. One unidentified person was arrested in this connection
so far.
A video of a scene of extortion
in broad daylight at a fuel outlet in Kohima town by a couple
of unidentified gunmen has gone viral on social media. However,
with the witnesses denying any extortion activity, the Police
did not register any case after the incident.
One person identified as Lukheyi
Yepthomi was arrested by the AET while he was ‘collecting taxes’
in the name of the 'NPG’ from various commercial vehicles around
Doshehe Market area in Dimapur Town.
Four cadres of the PLFI were arrested
by the Police in two separate incidents in Khunti and West Singhbhum
District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.
In the first incident, three PLFI cadres, including a woman, Nirmala
Kandulana, Jagai Pahan and Karam Singh Munda, were arrested when
they came to collect ‘levy’ at Bhagat Singh Chowk in Khunti District
of Jharkhand. In other incident, Police arrested PLFI cadre Rugu
Gudia under Tebo Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District
of Jharkhand. Police recovered two double barrel gun and 46 live
cartridges from the spot of arrest.
|
March 12 |
Pakistani troops had violated
the ceasefire by resorting to firing and mortar shelling in Krishnagati
sector along the LoC in Poonch District.
One NDFB-IKS militant, identified
as Agostin Mushahari (30), was arrested by Indian Army in Udalguri
District. Sixteen live rounds of ammunition of 5. 56 mm AK 47,
four mobile phones, a contact book and weapon repairing materials
were also recovered from the militant.
State Police ordered a precautionary
ban on the NBBUSS following acts of violence in Silapathar. The
order means that NBBUSS will not be allowed to conduct any public
meeting or activities.
The NSCN-IM, in a press release,
threatened the people who are involved in money lending business
to stop their business immediately in and around Dimapur Town.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
road construction machine and a two-wheeler at Badapadar village
under Bijepur Police limits in Kalahandi District of Odisha. According
to reports, a group of over five Maoists set ablaze a JCB and
a motorcycle belonging to the contractor, identified as Rajendra
Sahoo, protesting road construction work. “Last night a group
of Maoists arrived at my home in search of me. However, I managed
to hide following which they took the key of the JCB from driver
and set the machine on fire on the outskirts of the village,”
said Rajendra.
|
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.
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 Poonch sector from 0640
hours today, using 82 mm mortars, automatic weapons,” a Defence
spokesman said. There is no casualty on Indian side, he said.
This is the second ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in
Poonch District, since yesterday, in less than 24 hours.
Police, probing a case against
Tabrez Tambe (28) from Mumbra (Thane District, Maharashtra), who
had left to work in Egypt this January and allegedly joined the
banned outfit Islamic State (IS), have found that he is in a Libyan
jail. He was caught by the Libyan authorities in December, 2016.
His detention has been confirmed by Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam, who
saw Tabrez in IS custody. Kosanam, a native of Andhra Pradesh's
Krishna District, was abducted by IS cadres one-and-a-half years
ago. He was rescued by the Indian mission in Libya in February,
2017. Maharashtra ATS officials apparently showed Tabrez's photograph
to Kosanam to establish if he was in a Libyan jail. Tabrez, had
on December 5, 2016 called up his family and said he had been
arrested by the Libyan government and requested them to file a
missing complaint for him and approach the embassy for his release.
He had also told them to uninstall the Telegram app, through which
he was communicating with them.
Tabrez's brother, Saud, filed
a complaint with the state ATS after his mother received his call.
"My brother also gave us his Facebook and Gmail
passwords and told us to delete his accounts," Saud told
police. An ATS officer said they had contacted the Union home
ministry about Tabrez. The home ministry contacted the ministry
of external affairs. "We are trying to bring him back,"
said an officer. The ATS had registered a case under various sections
of the UAPA against Tabrez and his associate, Ali. The family
suspects Ali indoctrinated Tabrez and took him to Egypt, from
there they went to Libya. Police have also found that Ali had
sent around INR 4,00,000 to Tabrez last year for travel and other
expenses.
In a development in the Lucknow
Islamic State (IS) encounter, a purported message posted by a
pro- IS Telegram channel has identified Saifullah, who
was killed in an encounter in Lucknow earlier this week, as a
soldier of the Caliphate. Officials said they are verifying the
veracity of the post and has sought cooperation from foreign intelligence
agencies. This is the first time that any IS supported channel
on Telegram has owned up Saifullah, who was part of the
alleged terror module, which planted a bomb on a train near Bhopal
on March 7.
US based intelligence website
Site Intel Group posted a screen grab of the Telegram message
on Twitter, which said, “Pro-#ISIS Telegram Channel Incites
for Attacks in #India, Points to Suspected IS Fighter Saifullah
as Example.” The website also posted a photograph of Saifullah
describing him as a “soldier of the Khilafah from India.” The
photo was juxtaposed with a message in Urdu, Arabic and English.
It said, “Think not of those who are killed in the way of Allah
as dead, Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.”
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.
SFs busted an extortion racket
of the NSCN-K and arrested two militants of the outfit, identified
as Belin Lego and Dibya Koch and a link woman, identified as Moina
Basumatary from the Kalapani Chapori area along the Assam-Arunachal
Pradesh border under Sadiya Police Station in Tinsukia District.
One AK- 47 rifle, 19 live ammunitions, one fired case, 14 rounds
of. 22mm weapon, eight cell phones and SIM cards were also recovered
from the arrested militants.
The State Police arrested Binoy
Biswas (55), one of the main accused who executed the March 6
vandalism incident at Silapathar in Dhemaji District, from Kakobari
Dharmapur village in Dhemaji District. He is the ‘national organising
secretary’ of NIBBUS. With the arrest, the total number of persons
arrested in connection with the Silapathar incident has gone up
to 43. The Dhemaji District administration also relaxed the curfew
for four hours.
On the fourth day of their hunger
strike to press for a separate Bodoland State, the hunger strikers
said that they would not accept any medical aid until a formal
assurance for a comprehensive political dialogue is given. The
ABSU, NDFB-P and the PJACBM are together holding the indefinite
hunger strike at Kokrajhar Government Higher Secondary & MP
School playground.
SFs arrested one CPI- Maoist militant,
identified as Tapan Mahatta (33) alias Prabhat alias
Prakash Kurmi alias Ranjit from the ASTC bus stand in Tinsukia
District during checking. Two SIMs and a mobile phone were also
recovered from him.
A team of leaders of the UNTABA
have met with Interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi and ‘general
secretary’ of the NSCN-IM Th. Muivah recently. The UNTABA leaders
had deliberations Th. Muivah “for the restoration of transferred
Naga lands in Assam to Nagaland and in what manner traditional
and historical boundary can be settled with Assam during the final
political settlement.”
One extortionist, identified as
Alferd Sumi, reportedly a ‘leacy’ of the ‘NPGN’, was arrested
by the AET around Metro Hospital area in Dimapur Town while he
was extorting money from the business establishments.
Four unidentified militants reportedly
threatened two Mizoram forest guards who were guarding the forests
along Meidili River near Assam-Mizoram border to curb bamboo smuggling.
According to Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students’ Association),
the two foresters were threatened at gun point by the four militants
armed with AK-47 assault rifles and one pistol and told to stop
guarding the riverine forest. However, Police said that they received
the information of militants threatening foresters, but could
not confirm it.
Naxals blew up the house
of a para-teacher and held a ‘Jan Adalat’ at Baltharwa
village atop Jhumra Hill under Mahuataad Police Station in Bokaro
District of Jharkhand. At least 30 Naxals pasted posters
across the village, branding the teacher Jailal Mahto as a ‘Police
informer’. Mahto was not present at his residence at the time
of the explosion. Naxals assaulted his wife Bijli Devi
(27) and his father Moti Mahto. The group then blew up Mahto's
house. Villagers in Baltharwa remained angry with the Police for
not visiting the spot more than 24 hours after the incident.
|
March 14 |
A 26-year-old man, identified
as A Shaikh, was detained in Khargone District of Madhya Pradesh
by the Maharashtra ATS in connection with a case related to Islamic
State (IS). He is being brought to Mumbai for questioning, a senior
Police official said here. According to Police, Shaikh, who has
completed his M.Tech, was allegedly in constant touch with one
of the accused in the case, who was earlier arrested for his alleged
links with the banned terror group. “Shaikh has not been placed
under arrest so far. We are examining his role in the case,” the
official said without elaborating further.
Arrested for alleged involvement
in the October 2016 murder of an RSS worker in Bengaluru (Karnataka),
Asim Shariff, leader of the District chapter of social and political
organisation PFI, was associated with members of terror groups
such as IM and Al Ummah, the NIA has alleged. The probe agency
made its contentions while arguing in a plea filed by Shariff
in Karnataka High Court. Shariff has questioned the invoking of
provisions of UAPA, 1967, against him for the murder of RSS leader
R Rudresh, and the suo motu decision of the UMHA to ask the NIA
to probe the case. In the course of arguments, the UMHA and NIA
have stated that provisions of UAPA are applicable in the case
since it involves issues of national security.
The air base at Pathankot in Punjab
has been put under high alert after a terror threat was reported.
Choppers kept vigil at the air base in Punjab after the threat
and search ops were underway around the air base, report said.
According to local Police, the security has been beefed up on
the basis on intelligence inputs. No suspicious person/ activity
has been reported so far.
The NIA has registered a FIR in
the latest Islamic State (ISIS) inspired cases in the Madhya Pradesh
and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) terror operations. The principal focus
of the investigators would now be to digitally track the mastermind
behind the modules, who is believed to be abroad. The move is
to ensure that further radicalisation of Indian youth is stopped.
After forces managed to identify a Lucknow terror module linked
to ISIS, top intelligence sources had confirmed that search activities
were initiated to find 20 odd youths who might have joined the
Islamic radical group earlier and are now back in the country.
As per information, all the 20 members - mostly based out of Kerala
- were in Syria recently and might have returned to India to act
on the radical groups agenda. While there have been no ISIS related
terror activities in India, the Lucknow terror module raised a
lot of security concerns for the country. The Centre has pinpointed
five states where ISIS activists could surface, including Uttar
Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Intelligence operations have already commenced in these states
for monitoring any kind of terror activity.
Pakistan state sponsored terrorism
where "good terrorists" are used against India is most
lethal form of terror threats that countries in the Indian Ocean
Region are facing, said Vice President Hamid Ansari. "Pakistan's
use of terror as an instrument of state policy has been acknowledged
by US state department. Pakistan uses good terrorists visavis
India while battling bad terrorists at home," Ansari said
in New Delhi without mincing any words while inaugurating third
edition of Counterterrorism conference organised by noted Delhibased
think-tank India Foundation.
Warning of attacks in India, terror
outfit Islamic State (IS) released a graphic depicting Taj Mahal
as a possible target. According to reports, the graphic image
showing an image of Taj Mahal in the backdrop with an IS terrorist
standing next to it was posted by the Ahwaal Ummat Media Center
on a channel of Telegram, the encrypted communication app.
Site Intelligence Group, which
tracks jihadi activity on the web, has confirmed the report. The
graphic also has an inset which shows another image of the Taj
Mahal within crosshairs with the words “New Target” written below
it. Also, there is an image of a van with the Arabic text “Agra
istishhadi” (Agra martyrdom-seeker) written in English. The security
agencies have claimed that some 75 Indians have so far joined
IS. This includes 45 who went from India, mostly from Maharashtra,
Kerala and Karnataka, while the remainder were Indians living
abroad.
SFs arrested one suspected CPI-Maoist,
identified as Malu Sethi, from Paharpur village near Lekhapani
in Tinsukia District. Two guns, 3kg of explosives, a detonator,
20m of wire, 500gm of nails, switches and a mobile phone were
recovered from the arrested militant.
The ABSU, NDFB-P and PJACBM decided
to end the indefinite hunger strike that began from March 10 after
the Government assured to hold talks on Bodo issues before April
14.
The Dhemaji District administration
lifted day curfew in Silapathar town, even as it decided to continue
with the night curfew. The curfew was imposed after the widespread
violence when activists of the NIBBUS ransacked the office of
the local AASU unit following a rally by the lesser known organisation
on March 6. Police has arrested 46 persons since the March 6 clash
between NIBBUSS activists and AASU members.
SFs arrested a militant of a newly
formed militant group named ARA, identified as Sengman Ch. Marak
alias Miksal alias Bacheng from Alda Cheran village
near Songsak in East Garo Hills District. A US-made M-4 automatic
rifle with ammunition, which allegedly belonged to William A.
Sangma, a militant leader and wanted criminal who had escaped
from Mendipathar Police Station in 2014, was recovered from his
possession.
In wake of the continued rate
of crimes committed against women and children in the State, the
militant outfit HNLC announced its decision to ‘restart Operation
Kyllang’ to punish rapists in the State.
SVC asked the NSCN-IM to take
stringent action against one of its ‘kilonsers (cabinet
minister)’ who had allegedly abducted and beaten up the VCC of
Shangnyu village in Mon District on March 5.
Mizoram Governor Lieutenant General
Nirbhay Sharma said that the final stage of peace dialogue between
the State Government and the Manipur-based HPC-D militants was
expected soon. Addressing the State legislature, the Governor
said that three rounds of dialogue have so far been held. “During
these talks, arms and ammunition snatched from the police by the
HPC-D cadres were returned,” he added.
AR arrested two IS suspects, identified
as Nazir Mohammad and Abu Bakir, both are from Tamil Nadu, at
a border check post at Khudengthabi along the Trans Asian Highway
No 1 in Chandel District. Fourteen SIM cards and some handsets,
besides INR 75,130 and a huge amount in foreign currencies were
recovered from the arrestees.
A man identified as Kaushal Paswan
(30) was shot dead by CPI-Maoist cadres near Mahuraushan village
in Gaya District of Bihar. Paswan was a member of an anti-Maoist
outfit – Bhakt Sangharsh Samiti – formed last year by some Dalits
as a vigilante group against Maoists after they had killed some
members of Bhuian and Paswan communities during assembly polls
in 2015.
Assistant constable, Phagu Ram
Mandavi (42) of the CRPF was killed by a group of CPI-Maoist cadres
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Mandavi was visiting
Bodli village 'Mela' (fair) under Bangpal Police Station.
UHM Rajnath Singh told
Lok
Sabha
that “unprecedented success’’ by SFs led to “uneasiness”
among Naxal groups. UHM Singh told that improved efficacy
of the SFs is evident from the fact that the number of Left-wing
extremist killed increased by 150 per cent in 2016. Similarly,
surrenders and arrests registered a combined increase of 47 per
cent over 2015. In 2016, SFs arrested 779 Naxals while
1,198 surrendered and 135 were eliminated. In 2016 there were
67 per cent encounters and exchange of fire that resulted in neutralization
of LWE cadres as against only 36 per cent in 2015.Mr Singh said
sustained operations by the security forces ensured that South
Bastar districts saw a considerable fall in violence in 2016 —
252 incidents, as against 326 in 2015.
Minister of State for Home Affairs,
Hansraj Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha that although the Government
had made significant headway in the areas affected by LWE, the
Centre was willing to hold talks with the Maoist cadres, if the
latter agreed to give up arms.
Two TPC armed ‘squad commanders’,
Rajesh Ganju and Hiralal Ganjhu, were arrested by Jharkhand Police
and the CRPF in Chatra District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered a
US-made rifle and a carbine, seven other firearms, 450 cartridges,
four mobile phones, six magazines and INR 56,000. TPC is a splinter
group of CPI-Maoist.
Deva Madhi alias Raghu,
a CPI-Maoist cadre, carrying INR 100,000 reward on his head, surrendered
before Police in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Raghu was
working as a member of LGS of Kalimela Dalam for the last
four years. He was allegedly involved in the murder of Tulsiram
Bedara, Jaga Madkami, Deva Madkami, Ganga Padiami, Madan Hantala,
Gurumurti Madhi, Sama Padiami and Badu Hantala in 2013.
|
March 15 |
Two businessmen were arrested
along with FICN having a face value of INR 6,20,000 in denomination
of INR 2,000 in Hyderabad. Acting on credible information, sleuths
of the Special Operation Team of Rachakonda Commissionerate arrested
the duo, Sakethwala Ramesh and Mohammad Riyaz Baba, after raiding
the latter's house in Ibrahimpatnam, Police said. Another accused
Mohammed Hazi is at large.
Inspector of SOT, LB Nagar zone,
K Narsing Rao said Ramesh was the kingpin of the fake currency
circulation gang. He was earlier arrested on November 26, 2016
as he attempted to circulate bogus notes which were photocopies
of the original INR 2,000 currency notes. Ramesh had concealed
the fake currency notes in the house of Riyaz. He was released
from the prison on January 20, 2017 and since then he had planned
to circulate FICN hidden with Riyaz, the Inspector said.
Calling Pakistan a terrorism factory,
India said Pakistan's terror policies have alienated its own people
through continued mistreatment of minorities. In the UN, India
accused Pakistan of spreading terrorism and illegally occupying
some territories in Kashmir. Exercising its right to reply during
a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Indian Representative
said Pakistan must rein in its “compulsive hostility” towards
India. “We ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence
and terrorism in any part of India and refrain from meddling in
our internal affairs in any manner,” the official said.
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.
The NIA filed the first supplementary
chargesheet in the special NIA court in Guwahati against Rabi
Basumatary, a suspected cadre of NDFB-IKS, for his alleged involvement
in the killing of seven people at Balapara village in Kokrajhar
District on May 1, 2014.
SFs arrested two unidentified
militants of NSCN-K from Ligiripukhori area of Sivasagar District.
The Union Minister of State for
Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by
D.P. Tripathi in the Rajya Sabha said that the Framework Agreement
of August 3, 2015 between the GoI and the NSCN-IM is a relevant
document and details of the final settlement are being worked
out within the parameters of the Framework Agreement. Hence, he
added that it would be premature to make public the Framework
Agreement.
One militant of NSCN-R, identified
as ‘sergeant’ Bokito Sumi, was arrested while collecting extortion
money from the commercial establishments in Dimapur Town.
In an address to a conference,
via video conferencing from Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, on
‘’Counter-Terrorism’’ in New Delhi, CM Raman Singh, said that
effective and good governance will spell the death-knell of
Naxalism
and terrorism. He added that LWE had been brought to an end
in Surguja division. The authorities are working on the socio-economic
front in Bastar division and the results will be known soon. Further,
he told that the LWE had destroyed education, health, roads and
communications links in the far-flung regions of Bastar division.
He also elaborated that, medical services are being expanded in
Bijapur District under the new innovative model. Five Prayas Residential
schools had been opened in Raipur, Bilaspur, Ambikapur (Surguja),
Jagdalpur (Bastar) and Durg Divisions to cater to the educational
needs of children in the Naxalites’ violence affected Districts.
He also informed that additional funds of INR 2 billion for Dantewada
and INR 4 billion for Korba had been allocated under the Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s DMFP. It had created a positive environment
in the regions.
Mohan Murmu and Sundar Soren of
Ghurabandha squad of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the District
administration in Jwalkata village under Ghurabandha Police Station
area at Ghatshila sub-division in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand
.
They were aides of Kanu Munda, who is the former ‘secretary’
of JBORC of CPI -Maoist.
A group of 15 to 20 CPI-Maoist
cadres abducted three villagers, Hari Pradhan, Banamali Naik and
Sudarsan Naik of Narlapat village, from Thuamul-Rampur Police
Station limits in Kalahandi District of Odisha. A senior Police
official said the rebels either take the support of locals or
resort to violence to trigger a fear psychosis among them to carry
out their activities unhindered.
A report of the Home Department
of Odisha Government, the standing committee chairman Ramesh Chandra
Chaya Patnaik, told the Odisha Assembly that as 39 CPI-Maoist
were neutralised while 23 civilians and three security personnel
were killed in 2016. Report also stated that LWE situation remained
challenging in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi,
Kandhamal, Rayagada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Angul and Nayagarh
Districts.
|
March 16 |
The Delhi HC upheld the Centre's
decision to ban Zakir Naik's organisation the IRF. Justice Sanjeev
Sachdeva who was hearing the matter dismissed Naik's plea against
the immediate ban observing that the UMHA had "sufficient
material for immediate ban." On November 17, 2016, the UMHA
had banned IRF for five years under the UAPA. Contesting the ban
in January, Senior Advocate Dinesh Mathur representing IRF submitted
that the ban was imposed without "any application of mind
on the part of the government authorities." The petition
further contended that "the impugned notification, in fact,
discloses no grounds or conclusions that have been drawn from
any facts and material that was before the government to sustain
its decision."
UHM Rajnath Singh said countries
and state-supported groups, which violate the definition of terrorism
as prescribed by the UN, should be punished by the international
community. The minister said coastal borders of 36 countries touch
the Indian Ocean, and nations, including India, need to work together
to ensure safety and protection of maritime domains and trade
and economic activities through sea routes. “To achieve this,
we have to accept the comprehensive definition of terrorism given
by the United Nations. The nations which violate this definition
should be punished and ostracised,” he said.
Singh said the “comprehensive
definition of terrorism” should include state-supported groups
and nations which are supporting such groups and they should be
brought under this definition...Identification of state-sponsored
terrorism and isolating such state-sponsored groups will certainly
be most important encouraging factors,” he said.
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."
Two extortionists, identified
as Heyito Aye and Atoshe Murru, both are members of FGN were arrested
by AET at Murgipatti area in Dimapur town while collecting extortion
money.
The ULFA-I, in a joint statement
issued by its ‘chairman’ Abhizeet Asom, and ‘c-in-c’ Paresh Asom,
hinted that it will continue ‘joint operations’ with the CorCom,
an umbrella body of Manipur-based militant groups, against security
forces of India. Last year, both the militant formations have
carried out coordinated attacks on Security Forces under ‘operation
Barak’. The statement was issued on the occasion of ULFA-I’s
‘army day’ on March 16.
The Dhemaji District administration
announced lifting of night curfew at Silapathar town which was
imposed after the vandalism incident of AASU office by the NIBBUSS
in Silapathar and the subsequent violence. Further, another accused
of the vandalism incident, the NIBBUSS’s Dhemaji District unit
‘vice-president’ Sadhan Biswas (35) was also arrested from his
residence at Number 2 Kashinath Chapori Mishing Gaon near Majarbari
under Silapathar Police Station, taking the total arrestees to
49.
Members of CRPC, Assam, an organisation
of Barak valley, have expressed their shock and anguish at the
manner in which the government and its machinery are handling
the case of the untoward incident that took place at Silapathar
on March 6, till date. The organisation also demanded a high level
impartial enquiry of the incident.
CM Sarbananda Sonowal appealed
all the militant groups of the State for peace talks and said
his Government wants to rid the state of the militancy, the illegal
foreigners and the corruption.
The BJP-led Manipur Government
appealed the UNC to immediately lift the indefinite economic blockade
in a special meeting convened by CM Nongthombam Biren Singh. However,
the UNC rejected the appeal to end the economic blockade of the
State. UNC made it clear that the blockade would continue until
the Government held talks with it over its demands.
Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist were
killed in an encounter with SFs in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
The skirmish took place between a team of the DRG and CPI-Maoist
cadres near Kochwahi village under Narayanpur Police Station limits.
SFs recovered a .315 rifle, a country-made revolver, two wireless
sets and Naxal LWE related materials. Two powerful IED
weighing 25 kilograms each were also recovered. A massive combing
operation has been launched in the region to trace the attackers.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres, Bijja Poonem
(26) and Raghu Kadiyam (31), were arrested from Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. Two of them were carrying a reward of INR 5,000
on their head.
Eleven CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
during 'Police Mitra’ programme at the Ongnaar village under Benoor
Police Station limits in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
Of the surrendered, Nemchand Gavde, Ramsingh Potai, Giluram Potai,
Sonu Gavde, Manghal Singh Korram, Bholu Ram Potai, Dhansingh Vadde,
Ghasia Potai and Sudu Ram Salam, were carrying low cash rewards
on their heads. Besides, warrant was pending against Jamru Ram
Potai and Sumita Kavde.
|
March 17 |
The Odisha Police neutralised
a FICN printing unit at a slum in Bhubaneswar after seizure of
certain materials used for making counterfeit notes. The seizure
was made from Salia Sahi area. Sources said the Police got clue
about printing of fake currency notes in the state after it arrested
a college student from Baripada on March 9. The youth was identified
as Shagen Tudu. He was caught while trying to use FICN of the
face value INR 500 at a shop in Sunagadia area. Police have seized
papers used in printing fake currency notes, colour printer and
cartridge from the spot. Also 32 counterfeit notes of INR 500
denomination were seized. All the currencies bore identical series
and serial number, the Police said. Shagen during interrogation
had revealed that he had got the notes from a friend residing
in Patia area in Bhubaneswar.
The `business' of FICN appears
to be on the rise in Hyderabad, with the city Police arresting
10 people, involved in the crime, over the last one month. Officials,
closely following the case, say that these photocopied notes are
being brought into the city from places like Sircilla, Nizampet
and Ibrahimpatnam. Confirming the rise in count of the fraudsters,
Deputy Commissioner of Police (task force) B Limba Reddy said,
"Only Non-Resident Indians have been given permission till
March 31 to deposit old demonetised currency. Now, many scammers
have also taken on the role of NRIs and tell their victims that
they can deposit the money without any hassle, for a certain share."
There were 15 terror attacks on
the Army in 2016 as the force lost 68 soldiers, the Lok Sabha
was informed. The year 2016 also recorded 449 instances of ceasefire
violations by Pakistan along the LoC and IB in J&K combined.
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, 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 international
border in Jammu and Kashmir, 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, 2017 by the BSF.
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.
ATS of the Karnataka Police arrested
a suspect here having links with the 2005 terror attack at Bengaluru's
IIS from the outskirts of Agartala town in West Tripura District.
"The Karnataka ATS personnel, with the help of Tripura Police,
arrested terror suspect Habib Mia (37), from Jogendranagar on
the outskirts of Agartala," a senior Tripura Police official
told IANS on condition of anonymity.
The officials of BSF recovered
FICN of new denomination worth INR 440,000 near the fence of Kushnimari
border outpost in Dhubri District. They recovered the FICN in
a packet containing 220 pieces of INR 2000 notes. However, the
security personnel could not arrest anyone as they saw the bag
being thrown from the Bangladesh side. The packet has been submitted
to the authority.
The AASU and 28 other indigenous
organisations demanded ban on the NIBBUS in Assam and arrest its
leader Subodh Biswas along with his aide Sahadeb Das, who were
involved in the vandalism of the AASU office in Silapathar on
March 6.
CM N Biren Singh said that he
would apprise the Central Government of India about reports of
“unofficial designated camps’ of NSCN-IM in the State”. He said
that a report would be soon compiled about the reported presence
of “unofficial designated camps of NSCN-IM and lawlessness prevailing
along the Indo-Myanmar border areas.” The “official designated
camps are the duty of the Government” but the reported “existence
of unofficial camps needs to be identified with photographs.”
State Government in its first
Cabinet meeting in Imphal decided to initiate talks with UNC on
March 19 to resolve the economic blockade issue in the State.
Chhattisgarh Police arrested Raju
Korcha, a ‘platoon commander’ of CPI-Maoist, carrying reward of
INR 800,000 on his head from Rengawahi area of Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh.
|
March 18 |
Posters inviting youths to join
Islamic State (ISIS) surfaced in Rohtas District
of Bihar, prompting the State Police to launch an inquiry to “get
to the bottom” of the matter. The posters, pasted on electric
poles, were first noticed at Sikrauli Bigha village in the State’s
Nauhatta block, some 230 kilometers south-west of Patna. “ISIS
come to Bihar and please new boys to join (sic),” was written
in them. After a while more posters were seen around Nauhatta
high school area. It said, “ISIS, please come to all Bihar districts”.
The UMH) has been alerted after the development, the first instance
of any pro-ISIS poster surfacing in the State.
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.
Police team arrested three extortionists,
identified as Tengsrang Ch Momin (22), Mantu Ch Momin (35) and
Suhrab Miah (35) from Ampati in South West Garo Hills District.
According to the Police they were involved in extorting money
from businessmen in the name of GNLA.
In the 127th session of the KAAC
Budget, a resolution for granting of an autonomous State by the
Centre was adopted. Soon after the passing of the Council budget,
the KAAC Chairman Bidyasing Tokbi gave time for discussion on
the adoption of the resolution regarding demand for granting of
Autonomous State as per Article 244(A) by the Central Government
of India for the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
This was the third time that a resolution regarding Autonomous
State issue was adopted. The CEM while referring to the signing
of MoU between the then ASDC and Central government in 1995 and
later the signing of MoS between the disbanded armed organisation
UPDS and Central Government for granting of Statehood for the
hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, said it was signed
by the leaders of the hill districts, but the Central as well
as State Governments have not been serious enough in resolving
the matter.
The ‘general secretary’ of the
NSCN-IM, Thuingaleng Muivah and 19 other NSCN-IM leaders arrived
in Camp Hebron of Dimapur from New Delhi to participate in ‘Naga
Republic Day’ celebration. Muivah will deliver a speech at the
celebration at Camp Hebron on March 21.
A woman and four other cadres
of CPI-Maoist surrendered before Vizag Rural Police on Vishakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. The Maoists cited a range of reasons
from ill-health to harsh treatment from their leadership which
prompted their decision to surrender. The surrendered CPI-Maoist
cadres are Gemmili Chandramma alias Akhila (33) of ACM
of Kalimela (Odisha) Dalam ‘commander’ of Armed Militia
Lasingi Matchayya (27) alias Matsya Raju, Korra Subba Rao
(27) and his uncle Korra Lakshmana Rao (55) and Takkiri Hedbeen
(33). Hedbeen surrendered due to harassment from Maoists.
Six Maoists including a senior
woman cadre and two Policemen were killed while three SFs personnel,
including two SI were injured in a gun-battle in forests of restive
Dantewada District in Bastar Division of Chhattisgarh. An injured
Maoist cadre was also arrested from the spot. IGP in-charge Bastar
Range Sundarraj P said, "The skirmish took place at around
2 PM between a team of state Police's DRG and the ultras in the
jungles of Burgum village under Aranpur Police station limits."
During search, five bodies of ultras, including two women, belonging
to Malangir Area Committee of Maoists, and a few weapons, including
one AK 47 rifle and one INSAS rife, were recovered, the IG said,
adding one injured Maoist was arrested. However, DRG constable
Nirmal Netam and a Gopniya Sukram Gavde also killed in the exchange
of fire, he added. Of the women Maoists killed in the encounter,
one was identified as Palle, who was active as ‘secretary’ of
Malangir Area Committee and member of Darbha Divisional Committee
of Maoists and another as Vijje, a member of the same area committee,
he said. Palle was carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on her head
while Vijje was carrying a reward of INR 500,000, Police said.
The identity of three other Maoists was being ascertained, he
added.
Armed cadres of CPI-Maoist killed,
Jotra Lohra (55), labelling him as a ‘Police informer’ in Gumla
District of Jharkhand. CPI-Maoist cadres left a note proclaiming
that Lohra was punished for being a ‘Police informer’. However,
SP, Gumla District, Chandan Kumar Jha said: "Lohra was in
no way associated with the police. He was a common man who eked
out a living by working as a farm labourer. We are combing the
nearby areas to nab the culprits."
Armed cadres of CPI-Maoist blew
up the two-room house of a para teacher, Beerbal Ram, at Gowasarey
village under Pandu Police Station, 52 Kilometers from Daltonganj
in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Nobody was injured in the incident.
SP, Palamu District, Indrajeet Mahatha said, "The Maoists
suspect this para-teacher to be a sympathizer of a rival outfit
TPC and we believe this was the reason behind this attack on his
home." TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.
One of the three villagers abducted
by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, on March 15, was killed by the Maoists,
while other two were released unhurt in Kalahandi District of
Odisha. The body of Banamali Naik was found today in front of
his house.
SFs arrested one militant of NSCN-IM,
identified as ‘kilonser (minister)’ N. Kire (57), from Kohima
Town. SFs also recovered one .22 mm Rifle, one .22 mm (GSG5) Rifle,
one AK-47, one magzines .32 mm, 87 live round of assorted ammunition
and 10 fired cartridges from the arrested militant.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter with SFs near Burgam village in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. SFs also recovered an AK series rifle
from the encounter site.
|
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.
The economic blockade on Manipur
Highways by UNC over the creation of new districts in the State
came to an end on the 139th day. The UNC agreed to lift the economic
blockade after a round of tripartite talk involving both the State
Government and the Union Government at Senapati District headquarter.
The tripartite meeting was chaired by Ministry of Home Affairs,
Joint Secretary (North East in-charge) Satyendra Garg. In response
to the decision of the UNC, the State Government agreed to release
UNC’s ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and ‘information secretary’ Stephen
Sangkhel without any condition. All cases related to the economic
blockade against them would be closed also. Apart from that, another
round of tripartite meeting would be held at the political level
within a month over the issue.
CPI-Maoist cadres released a press
statement, at Bastar District of Chhattisgarh, carrying an image
of assembled modern weapons they looted from the dead CRPF personnel.
The picture along with the statement released by the South Bastar
Divisional Committee of CPI-Maoist showed four AK-47 assault rifles,
six INSAS assault rifles, one Light Machine Gun LMG, one UBGL
two wireless sets and over 1130 bullet cartridges taken away by
the rebels. The Maoists praised their cadres of PLGA -- the armed
wing of the banned organisation-- that "carried out"
the attack on a road opening party, killing twelve CRPF jawans
in Sukma on March 11.
SFs recovered a powerful, nearly
eight Kilograms, IED, suspected to be planted by CPI-Maoist cadres
to harm a patrolling team, in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
The IED was later destroyed with the help of a BDS.
Posters written in Odia by the
CPI-Maoist cadres of the Rayagada Area Committee affixed in tree
trunks were found at Parsali Gram Panchayat office under
Kalyan Singhpur Block in Rayagada District of Odisha. The posters
depicted the pro-people works undertaken by the CPI-Maoist.
Five CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested,
in two separate incidents, by SFs during a search operation in
Bijapur District of Bastar Division of Chattisgarh. In
the first incident, a CPI-Maoist, identified as Uika Baru (50),
was arrested from an unspecified area under Basaguda Police Station.
In other incident, four lower rank CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
by CRPF’s 199th Battalion and District Force from an unspecified
area under Mirtur Police Station. Those arrested were identified
as Bhima Telam (25), Ayatu Banjam alias Bodda (30), Sukman
Vanjam (25) and Baman Mandavi (25).
|
March 20 |
Three senior cadres of NSCN-IM,
including one ‘kilonser (minister)’ identified as Tongsim Bengam
Anal alias Prem (70) and two ‘deputy Kilonsers’ identified
as Tongsin Thumwar (42) and Nula Hrangam Anal (45), were arrested
by SFs from a place under Sekmai Police Station in Imphal West
District.
UNC ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei and
‘Information and publicity secretary’ SK Stephen were released
unconditionally by the court of CJM, Imphal East District. Kamei
and Stephen were declared innocent by CJM, Imphal East Aribam
Noutuneshwari Devi and acquitted. The court also closed six different
cases against the UNC leaders. However, the leadership of UNC
is still against the creation of seven new districts. After the
release, ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei said that the issue of the districts
creation will be brought up during the next round of tripartite
talk.
AR arrested three militants from
different places in two separate incidents. In the first incident,
AR arrested two militants of NSCN-R, identified as ‘captain’ Kampong
and ‘revenue secretary (industries)’ Longkam Tunghang in Changlang
District. In the second incident, AR arrested one militant from
NSCN-U, identified as ‘captain’ Khampai Wangsu in Longding District.
Different Naga militant groups
greeted the ‘Naga people and its neighbors’ before the 38th ‘Naga
Republic Day’, which will be celebration on March 21. NNPG/ NNC-NA,
NSCN-K and NSCN-R/ GPRN are the militant groups who sent statements
in media about their ‘celebration’.
An Indian Army source reveals
that the ULFA-I, which suffered severe setbacks due to sustained
operations, was forced to allow militant outfits from other States
to operate in Assam. The source further said that, demonetisation
of the old INR 500 and INR 1,000 currency notes also resulted
in severe setback to the militant group. Army sources added that
as it is not in a position to carry out operations on its own,
the ULFA-I was forced to allow militant outfits from Manipur and
Nagaland to operate in Assam.
Police have stepped up vigil in
Districts bordering Bangladesh following reports of an increase
in infiltration by militants. There have been reports that the
Bangladesh government has informed the Union home ministry that
over 2,000 HuJI and JMB militants had crossed into the Indian
side and are hiding in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura.
A report from the Bangladesh government
to the UMHA over the recent spike in infiltration of terrorists
to India has rung alarm bells in the security establishment. According
to the report, 2016 witnessed an over-three-fold increase over
2015 in infiltration by HuJI and JMB extremists into the border
states of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. The development assumes
significance as the NIA has found overseas terror links and the
direct role of JMB in the October 2014 Bardhaman blast at Khagragarh.
The report said approximately
2,010 HuJI and JMB operatives had entered the three states. While
nearly 720 men made a safe passage through the Bengal border,
the remaining 1,290 are suspected to have entered through Assam
and Tripura. Bengal government officials are skeptical about the
report, but even if just a close estimate, the number is disturbing
as intelligence reports pegged the number of infiltrators in 2014
and 2015 at 800 and 659, respectively. "We are trying to
gather information to confirm the veracity of the report,"
a senior Bengal home department official said. However, Assam
Police is concerned about the development.
Armed with confessional statements
of some of the witnesses, the NIA on March 20 issued a second
notice to Zakir Naik asking him to appear before it on March 30,
2017 in a case filed against him under an anti-terror law. An
NIA spokesman said that nearly 60 persons had been examined by
the probe agency so far which included some of family members
of Naik, some of his business associates, some employees and staff
of the IRF as well as Harmony Media Private Limited, founded by
Naik.
"Some of the witnesses have
given statements before the Magistrate, wherein they have stated
as to how Dr Zakir Naik had promoted enmity and hatred among the
people of different religious beliefs, through his public utterances,
and how he had hurt the religious sentiments of followers of other
sects or religions," the spokesman said.
The notice has been sent to the
Mumbai residence of Naik, who is believed to be staying in Saudi
Arabia to evade arrest after his activities came under scanner
following accusations that he had inspired some of the terrorists
who attacked a cafe in Dhaka last year.
ED attached his assets worth INR
18.37 crore in the form of mutual funds, properties and bank balance.
ED and NIA sources claimed that if he ignores the summons, he
stands the chance of being declared a proclaimed offender and
a red corner notice would be issued against him through Interpol.
Sources added that they are also in the process of finalising
a chargesheet against him so that his extradition from Saudi Arabia
could be initiated. ED said in a statement that Zakir Naik had
been issued four summons by it but he has avoided all four of
them.
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police
arrested a former Khalistani terrorist, Gursewak Singh Babla (51)
near Rajokri in Delhi. They seized a pistol and some live rounds
from him. Police claim that the accused was planning to revive
the terror outfit, Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), following instructions
from his boss Paramjeet Singh Panjawar, now based in Pakistan.
Babla claimed to be a close associate of slain militant, Jarnail
Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during Operation Blue Star
in June 1984. He was involved in more than 50 terror cases. He
was jailed for 26 years and released in 2010.
"He has been evading arrest
ever since he was declared a proclaimed offender by a city court.
A team led by DCP Bhisham Singh had laid a trap near Rajokri and
arrested him with a loaded pistol and some rounds," said
Praveer Ranjan, Joint Commissioner (crime). During interrogation,
Babla told that he was in touch with former KCF 'chief' Jagtar
Singh Hawara and some other militants of Punjab in order to revive
the terror group. Police say that Babla and his associates have
been targeting shops and ATMs in Delhi and Punjab in order to
save money for terror operations.
A joint squad of District Force
and CRPF’s 195th Battalion arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from
an area under Katekalyan Police Station in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. The arrestees were identified as Hando
Mandavi son of Budhram Mandavi and Kosa Mandavi son of Deva, both
native of Metapal village. Maoists were carrying cash reward of
INR 100,000 each.
A group of CPI-Maoist cadres killed
a para-teacher, identified as Charku Yadav alias Sandip
Yadav (30), at Jori village in Gumla District of Jharkhand.
CPI-Maoist cadres also left a pamphlet which labelled Yadav as
‘Police informer’ and accused Police of giving patronage to JJMP.
JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. The pamphlets also
decried Operation Green Hunt - an anti-Naxal drive that
has been stopped long back - and urged the masses to support the
Naxals in fighting Police oppression. They claimed that
CPI-Maoist and their subsidiaries such as PGLA and JMP now stood
united.
Ranchi Police arrested Ganesh
Shankar alias Ganesh Kumar, a self-styled ‘commander’ of
PLFI in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist. Nalanda SP, Kumar Ashish told reporters that
Ganesh, son of one Nageshar Mistri, was wanted in connection with
murders of a Jharkhand businessman and a Hilsa resident. He also
added that Ganesh has over 12 criminal cases of heinous nature
registered against him with different Police Stations in Nalanda,
Bakhtiarpur in Patna District and Barhi in Hazaribagh District
of neighbouring State, Jharkhand.
District Police arrested three
CPI-Maoist sympathisers and recovered explosives from their possession
at Charla forest region in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana.
Accused were identified as Mohan of Mahbubabad, Gunji Vikram and
Sode Deva from Chhattisgarh. It is learnt that the arrested persons
took INR 80,000 from the CPI-Maoist cadres to bring explosives
from Yampuram market in Chhattisgarh.
|
March 21 |
The discovery of some handwritten
letters with IS initials, hailing Pakistan and threatening destruction
in eastern Uttar Pradesh has prompted police to beef up security
in the area. The anonymous handwritten letters were found by the
roadside in Mirzamurad Police Station area. "A case has been
registered against unidentified persons after nearly 5-6 handwritten
letters were recovered on which Pakistan Zindabad slogans and
IS initials were scribbled along with threats given for carrying
out destruction in Purvanchal," SP (rural) Ashish Tiwari
said. An alert has been issued and Intelligence agencies are also
probing the matter. "24/3/17 Ko Purvanchal Mein Tabahi. Bacha
Sakte Ho to Bacha Lo (There will be destruction in Purvanchal.
Save it if you can)," said the letter.
Asserting that terrorism continues
to be the single most significant threat to their stability, India
and six other countries in the region on March 21, decided to
take concrete measures to enhance cooperation and coordination
among their intelligence and security agencies. It was agreed
upon during the first meeting of national security chiefs of BIMSTEC,
which has India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan
and Nepal as members. The meeting decided to establish a Track
1.5 BIMSTEC Security Dialogue Forum among the strategic community,
a MEA release said.
"Given that terrorism continues
to remain the single most significant threat to peace and stability
in the Bay of Bengal region, the meeting recognised the need for
urgent measures to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism,
violent extremism and radicalisation...And decided to take concrete
measures to enhance cooperation and coordination among their law
enforcement, intelligence and security organisations and enhance
capacity building," it said.
Noting that BIMSTEC member states
face common security challenges, the participants underlined the
necessity of addressing traditional and non-traditional security
challenges to harness economic prosperity and human security in
the region. The meeting underscored the importance of recognising
the Bay of Bengal as common security space and agreed to work
out collective strategies for common responses, the release said.
Concerned over the emerging trends in cyber space that have security
implications, the meeting decided to deepen cooperation among
the respective cyber institutions through a Joint Forum on cyber
security.
William Sangma, the wanted militant
leader of Meghalaya, who newly formed a Garo militant group named
ARA and his aide identified as Niksrang Sangma were arrested by
SFs from Bongaigaon Town in Bongaigaon District.
SFs arrested two ULFA-I militants
from Koriapani village at Jagun in Tinsukia District, near Assam-Arunachal
inter-State boundary. The arrested militants were identified as
Bitu Rajbanshi and Bitul Shimpo, Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet
Konwer said. A pistol, live ammunition and cash were seized from
their possession. "On sustained interrogation, the duo admitted
to their allegiance to ULFA-I. Rajbanshi further revealed that
he had undergone training at Kachin training camp in Myanmar,"
the officer said.
Governor of the State, P B Acharya
said that the Nagaland Government supports the ongoing dialogue
between the Government of India and NSCN-IM and would strive for
a final solution to the six-decade old Naga political issue. The
Nagaland Government has also recently constituted the ‘Political
Affairs Mission’ to spearhead the Government’s efforts in this
area, replacing the erstwhile Political Affairs Committee of the
State Government, Acharya said while addressing the budget session
of the Nagaland assembly.
Celebrating their ‘38th Republic
Day’, the ‘vice president’, ‘general (retired)’ Kholi Konyak of
NSCN-IM militant at ‘council headquarter’, Hebron in Dimapur District,
assured that the future of the Naga people is safe under the Framework
Agreement signed between the GoI and NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015.
NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ and chief negotiator of the ‘Indo-Naga
Peace Talks’, Th. Muivah also delivered speech in the occasion
and asserted that integration of Naga inhabited areas and people
is very much alive and within the ambit of the Framework Agreement.
NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng
Muivah said that the Framework Agreement signed with the Centre
two years ago recognizes NSCN-IM’s demand for territorial integration
of all Naga- inhabited areas in the region. “NSCN had consultative
meetings with the people on talks consecutively for eight times.
The historic Framework Agreement recognizes the unique history,
identity, sovereignty and territories of the Nagas. It also recognizes
the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories,”
Muivah said in his address to NSCN-IM cadres at Camp Hebron, the
group’s headquarters in Nagaland, on its’38th Republic Day’.
Two Police constables, identified
as Budra and Mansai posted at Darbha Police Station were injured
in an encounter between SFs and the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bastar
District of Chhattisgarh. Police recovered some Naxal documents,
uniform and other related materials from the spot.
Minister of State for Home Affairs,
Hansraj Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha in New Delhi that
150 per cent jump has been witnessed in the number of Naxals
killed, it is 222 in 2016 in comparison to 89 in 2015.
The Minister said the Government has approved the 'Road Connectivity
Project for LWE Affected Areas' that includes construction/ upgradation
of 5,411.81 kilometer roads and 126 bridges/cross drainage
in 44 Districts of nine LWE affected states at an estimated cost
of INR 117.24 billion. He also added, "There is no proposal
under consideration to exclude 20 districts from the list of 106
LWE affected Districts.”
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed an
abducted villager by slitting his throat and released other in
Rayagada District of Odisha. According to reports, Mali Pusika
and Mandu Pusika– two villagers of Sapalajhola under Muniguda
Police limits in the District– were abducted by the Maoists on
March 19. While Police recovered the body of Mali Pusika this
morning (March 21), Mandu Pusika was reportedly freed by the Maoists.
The DGP of Odisha KB Singh reviewed
anti-CPI-Maoist operations at the District Police headquarters
in Kalahandi District of Odisha. Singh held discussions on shortage
of Force and proposals for upgradation of the Police Stations
particularly in border areas in the District. “Today, we reviewed
the crime and naxal activities in Kalahandi where couple of incidents
has been reported recently. We have detected movement of few naxal
groups in the district and nearby areas for which we are framing
our strategy, “said Singh. He further informed that Naxals
are well under control and the process of recruitment to address
shortage of Police personnel would be completed within six months.
The District Police arrested two
suspected CPI-Maoist couriers while they were allegedly transporting
detonator fuse wires in Khammam District of Telangana. The Police
also seized 3,000 metres of fuse wire from Madivi Kosa (21) and
Madakam Kamulu (23) both residents of Bijapur District of Karnataka
had purchased the fuse wire from one Mohan for INR 40,000, on
the instructions of Haribhishan, Damodar, Azad and others and
were arrested during vehicle checking, said Charla Police. The
arrestees are allegedly members of the Pamedu LOS and were working
under their ‘commander’ Kamalakka, Police said.
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 |
The NIBBUS ‘president’ Subodh
Biswas was arrested along with one of his close accomplices Subhas
Biswas from a remote village in North 24 Parganas District. Both
the accused were brought to Guwahati later in the evening by air.
Police arrested the duo for their role in allegedly inciting a
mob to attack and vandalize the AASU office in Silapathar town
of Dhemaji District in Assam.
Two persons were sentenced to
life on March 22, for the 2007 Ajmer blasts, which killed three
people and injured 15. The Special NIA Court also imposed a fine
of INR 5,000 and INR 10,000 respectively on “RSS pracharaks” Devendra
Gupta, 41, and Bhavesh Patel, 39. Judge Dinesh Gupta ruled out
a death sentence citing mitigating circumstances, including the
fact that the two had not been involved in any criminal activity
prior to the blasts; they hadn’t been shown to be a constant menace
to society; and they had been found guilty by drawing inferences
from circumstantial evidence. At the same time, the court questioned
the NIA on its clean chit to two other accused, Ramesh Gohil and
Amit, as well as “suspicious persons” such as senior RSS leader
Indresh Kumar, Pragya Singh, Rajenda Chaudhary and Jayant, stating
that it could not be done without invoking appropriate sections
of the CrPC.
FICN with a face value of more
than INR 15,00,000 has been seized along the Indian borders with
Bangladesh and Myanmar post demonetisation, Union Minister of
State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Rajya Sabha (Upper
House of Indian Parliament).
Rijiju said in a written reply
that till now FICN of the face value of INR 14,76,000 have been
seized from the Malda District while another such haul of INR
1,00,000 has been made from the Murshidabad District, both along
the Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal. He said that another INR
1,000 worth of fake notes were seized from Tamenglong District
of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border during the same period.
When asked whether out of the
220-km of the border area in Malda, only 150-km was fenced, Rijiju
said “Some portion of Indo-Bangladesh border in Malda district
is unfenced due to low lying or riverine areas, pending land acquisition
etc.” He also added, “The government of India has decided to plug
the gaps along the Indo-Bangladesh border by means of physical
and non-physical barriers".
The MoS for Home Affairs clarified
that surrendered militants without any criminal cases pending
against them can contest in elections. Kiren Rijiju on the issue
further informed that at least 15,314 militants have surrendered
under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy for the northeastern
region. Altogether, 235 individuals are still undergoing rehabilitation
under the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme as of financial
year 2016-17.
Tabrez Tambe (28), a Mumbra resident
who allegedly fled to Libya to join Islamic State (IS), is currently
in custody of the Libyan army, according to sources in the security
establishment, Indian Express reports on March
22. Efforts were under way to get him back to India and bring
him to book. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has booked
him under certain sections of the UAPA. “We have managed to trace
him with the help of the Libyan authorities and he is currently
in custody of their army. Now, we are working towards bringing
him back,” said an official.
According to the sources, Tambe
was identified by Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam, a doctor from Andhra
Pradesh who was recently rescued and brought back to India from
Libya in February, 2017. Dr Kosanam had been held captive by IS
militants for around two years. He identified Tabrez as a medical
attendant in the hospital where the doctor was forced to work
by the militant group. “Upon his return, an ATS team visited him
and showed him Tabrez’s photographs. Through the photographs,
Dr Kosanam identified him and informed us that he was working
as an attendant,” said the official. After the identification,
security agencies mounted efforts to track him and subsequently
the Libyan authorities confirmed Kosanam’s claims and informed
the Indian agencies that he was in custody of their army.
The ATS probe has also revealed
that Tabrez had booked a return ticket to India to avoid suspicion.
“Tambe made a booking through an online travel portal. We interrogated
the Delhi-based representative who made the booking. The investigation
has revealed that he booked a return ticket just to show that
he intended to return to India. However, our investigation has
revealed that the plan to go to Egypt for employment was an alibi;
the real purpose was to leave India to join the IS,” said an ATS
officer, adding that the investigators were combing Tabrez’s social
media profile and questioning his friends.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
reviewed the security situation in the Northeastern States of
India and directed officials to enhance vigil along the international
borders in the region. During the hour long meeting, the Home
Minister was given a detailed presentation on the prevailing situation
in the Northeast, especially militancy in the region. Singh was
also told about the steps taken to ensure peace, especially in
Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur, the four states
considered to be affected by insurgency, official sources added.
SFs arrested NDFB cadre Debojit
Basumatary from Tirap colliery, under Margherita subdivision in
Tinsukia District.
The NIBBUS ‘president’ Subodh
Biswas was arrested along with one of his close accomplices Subhas
Biswas from a remote village in North 24 Parganas District. Both
the accused were brought to Guwahati later in the evening by air.
Police arrested the duo for their role in allegedly inciting a
mob to attack and vandalize the AASU office in Silapathar town
of Dhemaji District in Assam. NIBBUS claims to be spearheading
the movement across the country for granting citizenship to Hindu
Bengalis by amending the Citizenship Act.
NSCN-IM re-elected its ‘vice chairman’
‘general’ Khole Konyak and ‘general secretary’, Thuingaleng Muivah
for another term of six years during the meeting of the NSCN-IM
council at council headquarters, Camp Hebron in Dimapur District.
NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’, Thuingaleng
Muivah stated that the NSCN-IM is for “harmonious interdependent
relationship with our neighboring peoples and nations on the basis
of mutual respect and recognition of right.”
UNLF claimed responsibility for
eliminating Ajay Kumar Shahu, whose lifeless body was recovered
from the road connecting Langol Game Village and Lamdeng Khunou
in Imphal West District on March 17. In a statement issued to
the press, the outfit said that Ajay Kumar Shahu was eliminated,
not because he was a non-Manipuri, but for pimping by running
a pan dukan (shop) at New Checkon. Detailing, the outfit
claimed that Ajay Kumar Shahu used to pimp for commercial sex
workers and hence was eliminated for using women as commercial
commodities.
One militant of KCP-N, identified
as Kshetrimayum Jiten Meitei (44), was arrested by SFs at Kakching
Bazar in Kakching District. One Chinese grenade and one pressure
bomb were recovered from the arrested militant.
Police arrested three militants
of NSCN-K, identified as Dagar Perme (30), Obang Lego (36) and
Bobel Lego (32), after an encounter at Kalapani area of Dambuk
in Lower Dibang Valley District. One automatic German made HK
33 Rifle along with one loaded magazine and 25 live rounds of
AK 47 was recovered from the arrested militants. All these three
militants were involved in several extortion cases.
The CPI-Maoist handed over the
charge to Takkedapalli Vasudeva Rao aka Asanna as the new
secretary of the east division. Asanna, the nephew of former AOBSZC
member Gopanna, led the action team that attacked CM Chandrababu
Naidu at Alipiri in Tirupati in 2003. He is known to be a mastermind
of deadly surprise attacks. Asanna also was a member of the action
team that killed former Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Madhava Reddy
while he was returning from Bhuvangiri in 2000.
An encounter took place between
SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres at Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
However, there were no reports of causalities.
A Policeman was killed by CPI-Maoist
cadres in Bijapur District of Bastar Division in Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place at Kuprel village coming under Farsegarh
Police Station limits when the Assistant Constable Tarun Sodi
(29) had gone there for some personal work, Bijapur District SP
KL Dhruv said. A group of Maoists reached into the village and
shot Sodi before slitting his throat with a sharp edged weapon,
the SP further said.
Taking stock of loses suffered
in recent encounters in Chhattisgarh due to lack of a strong courier
system, the CPI-Maoist is seeking to spread its activities and
the outfit is planning to establish a faithful courier system
in Khammam District of Telangana. According to information, the
CPI-Maoist leadership is planning to recruit new cadres and also
recruit couriers by offering huge amounts as they cannot survive
without couriers as all materials, medicines and essential commodities
including arms are supplied by the couriers to them. It is learnt
that Maoist recruitment is ongoing near the Telangana-Chhattisgarh
border. Maoists are focusing on Guttikoyas and unemployed tribals
and luring them with their preaching.
Two CPI-Maoist operatives from
Belpahari area surrendered before the Police in West Midnapore
District of West Bengal. Maniram Sardar and Kabita Sardar were
part of the Madan Baske squad of the Maoists and had expressed
desire to shun violence and return to the mainstream of the society,
the Police said. The duos also laid down one rifle, 13 one-shutter
pistols and live cartridges. Both Maniram and Kabita were wanted
in as many as 12 cases in the District and neighbouring Jharkhand
and were accused of being involved in the murders of JMM MP, Sunil
Mahato, and Belpahari CPI-M leader Sudhir Singh Sardar, the Police
said.
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 |
Terror suspects Atif and
Danish were arrested in Lucknow by the NIA in connection with
the Lucknow terror operation. Sources in the NIA said the arrested
duo will be taken to Kanpur and other places in Uttar Pradesh
by the investigating agency for further investigation. Uttar Pradesh’s
ATS had earlier on March 14 handed over the Lucknow terror operation
probe to the NIA.
One senior militant belonging
to AMEF, identified as Raksim Ch Momin alias Arikam (22) surrendered
before Police and Church leaders at Williamnagar in East Garo
Hills District. The militant was a cadre of GNLA earlier and later
formed the ASAK along with another militant Reding T Sangma. He
surrendered in 2014. But he managed to escape from Police custody
and joined AMEF in 2015.
SFs of Chhattisgarh and Andhra
Pradesh found three arrow bombs used by CPI-Maoist cadres in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. These bombs were planned and designed
in Visakha Agency. Arrow bombs were designed and tested in Vizag
Agency 10 years ago. These bombs are aimed in the air and not
directly at the target. The bombs are made with detonators which
blasts on hitting the target, said a senior officer involved in
the anti-Naxal operations.
Simdega District Police arrested
six PLFI cadres near village Mahuatoli under Parba Police Station
in Simdega District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered two 7.62 mm bolt action
rifles, several rounds of ammunition, three mobile phones and
other paraphernalia from the operatives. The six men arrested
included; ‘area commander’ Sachin Topno, Dubraj Topno, Ram Topno,
Nitmohan Kongari, Ramesh Surin and Simone Kongari. The six were
residents of Kamdara in Gumla District of Jharkhand.
The Central Committee of the CPI-Maoist,
called a 24-hour countrywide bandh on March 29, in Ranchi
District of Jharkhand, to protest the life imprisonment of CPI-Maoist
‘ideologue’ and DU Professor G.N. Saibaba and four others by Gadchiroli
District (Maharashtra) court for aiding Naxal activities.
The State Government of Odisha
has pressed the MHA for mobilisation of two more Battalions of
CAPF to strengthen anti-CPI-Maoist operations in Odisha. State
DGP K B Singh informed media persons that the demand was made
to CRPF Special DG (Central Zone). At present, 16 battalions of
Central Forces have been deployed in Odisha in comparison to more
than over 100 Battalions each in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Of
the 16 battalions of Central Forces deployed in Odisha, eight
are from CRPF, while one is a CoBRA unit of the CRPF.
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 24 |
AR arrested one militants of NSCN-K,
identified as Narang Hakum (34) from Malo Pahar of Ledo in Tinsukia
District. One 9 mm pistol and two live rounds of ammunition were
recovered from the arrested militant. The militant was involved
in extortions.
Three militants of NSCN-IM, identified
as Ato Rengma, Ating Muisao and Hotobi Rengma were arrested by
CRPF while conducting a routine check of a passenger vehicle plying
to and fro between Dimapur and Golaghat Districts. Nine bullets
of 12-bore rifle, many pairs of camouflage outfits and substantial
incriminatory documents were also recovered from the militants.
In the primary investigation it was revealed that the trio was
bound for Jangfai, a remote Rengma Naga village in the hills of
Karbi Anglong District. The arrest hint at a possible bid by Naga
rebels to establish control in Rengma Naga-dominated areas of
Karbi Anglong Hill District of Assam which had earlier in December
2013 witnessed a series of bloody turf battles between the KPLT
and RNHPF for territorial control and major share of the extortion
pie.
In a statement, the ULFA-I criticised
the Assam Government for spending INR 0.14 billion to organise
the five-day Namami Brahmaputra Festival, beginning on March 31.
In the statement, militant group express its suspicions that organising
Namami Brahmaputra on the lines of Namami Gange programme ‘could
be a prelude’ to linking the Brahmaputra with the Ganges and it
‘vowed’ to oppose linking of any river of Assam with any river
outside the State.
Following the raging controversy
over NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah’s sensational
declaration on territorial integration of all Naga-inhabited areas
in the Northeast on March 21, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, clarified
that no discussion has taken place with the Central Government
of India regarding the demand of Nagalim. Reacting on Muivah’s
statement, the AASU ‘president’ Dipanka Kumar Nath and ‘general
secretary’ Lurinjyoti Gogoi, in a statement warned that nobody
can take one inch of Assam’s land. The AASU also sent a letter
seeking clarification on whether the Framework Agreement contains
parts of Assam for the proposed Nagalim to PM Narendra Modi and
CM Sarbananda Sonowal.
Following the sensational declaration
on territorial integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in the
Northeast on March 21 by ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah of NSCN-IM,
confusion and anxiety raised among the masses in the State. Referring
the statement on the Framework Agreement, the Manipur Congress
demanded an unambiguous clarification from the Central Government
India as well as the State Government.
The Chhattisgarh High Court at
Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh rejected the bail application
of the seven activists from Telangana, who were arrested by the
Chhattisgarh Police in Sukma District in December 2016. They were
charged of carrying CPI-Maoist literature and banned currency.
They were booked under Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act.
Police arrested two CPI-Maoist
cadres, wanted in about a dozen cases, Rohtas District of Bihar.
Police also recovered two country-made rifles, detonators and
live cartridges from their possession.
Three cadres of the TPC, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist, were killed after an internecine clash
at Seeta Chuan under Mohammadganj Police Station in Palamau District
of Jharkhand. One of the killed TPC cadre was identified as, ‘zonal
commander’ Ajay Yadav, who has a reward of INR 500,000 on his
head. Yadav was involved in the Kala Pahad IED blast case in which
seven Police personnel were killed in Palamu on January 27, 2016.
The other two killed were identified as ‘area commanders’ Krishna
Kharwar and Ravindra Mahto. Police also recovered one AK-47 rifle,
one INSAS rifle, one semi automatic rifle, one 303 rifle and one
0.315 bore gun along with 630 live bullets, 23 magazines, 11 cell
phones, several IEDs ,50 meter of Codex wire, flash and 6 back
packs. A person Uday Oraon was also arrested from the site. Palamu
Deputy DIG Vipul Shukla said, “It appears that the loss of life
is due to the inner fight.”
Police recovered cash worth INR
four million, sophisticated weapons such as AK-47, self-loading
rifle and a .315 bore rifle and over 100 cartridges from a TPC,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, hideout in Balumath area of
Latehar District of Jharkhand. The raid was followed by an exchange
of fire between Police and the rebels. However, there was no report
of any casualty or arrest.
In order to deny compensation
to the family of ‘Naxal’ Varghese shot dead by Police in
1970, the Kerala Government told Kerala High Court, in Kochi District
of Kerala that Varghese was a "notorious criminal" and
the conviction of former Inspector IGP, K Lakshmana, for ordering
his extra-judicial killing doesn't vindicate Varghese's character.
|
March 25 |
Claiming that the MLA from Jiribam
assembly constituency, Ashab Uddin, is a ‘non-indigenous person’
of Manipur, the DESAM announced a 17-hour Manipur bandh
(shutdown).
Police launched massive search
operation to arrest Mahendra Gogoi, a suspected linkman of the
ULFA-I, who has been serving extortion notes in Majuli Island
District for the last several weeks. Majuli Police have announced
cash award to anybody who can give specific information about
the ULFA linkman who has been collecting money in name of the
banned outfit, informed Police sources. However, Police so far
recovered several extortion pads and notes and two mobile phones,
eight chargers and list of people’s names.
A massive public protests following
the sensational declaration of NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Th
Muivah on the Greater Nagalim issue was registered in Golaghat
District. As the District has been suffering a lot of harassment
following the boundary dispute over the last few decades, the
people of the District have come out to protest the proposed inclusion
of the land of the District in Nagalim. The people here have demanded
the Centre to make public the Framework Agreement signed between
the NSCN-IM and the Central Government of India on August 3, 2015.
The UHM clarified that there was
no decision to carve out Nagalim from areas of states bordering
Nagaland. The statement comes after demands from several organisations
and political parties in Assam and Manipur that the Centre clarify
its position on the claim of the ‘general secretary’ of NSCN-IM,
Thuingaleng Muivah, over the issue of integration of Naga areas.
“Some media reports have appeared recently to the effect that
the Government of India has agreed to carve out a larger Nagaland
State by taking away the territories of the states contiguous
to Nagaland. Such reports are erroneous. It is clarified that
there is no such agreement or decision of the Government of India,”
said the UHM statement.
The AATS, during a central executive
meeting sought the creation of a separate autonomous council to
safeguard members of the Bodo-Kachari tribe living outside the
BTAD area.
SFs destroyed a solar-powered
printing press installed by the CPI-Maoist on a mountain top in
a remote forest of Madopara in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The printing unit was reportedly used to publish documents, statements
and other publications of the banned organization. “During a search
operation, the forces found a small printing press set up, powered
by portable solar panels. Some printed documents and other publications
of the Maoists were traced at the location. This is the first
time that the police have found out such a setup used by Maoists,”
said a senior Police officer. Acting on a tip-off about the location
of Maoist leaders, a joint team of District Police Force and the
DRG launched a search operation and reached the area. “The rebels,
after being cornered, had opened fire on the troopers. There was
exchange of fire following which the ultras fled. The forces further
continued their movement and found the printing press unit, heavy
batteries and solar plates on the mountain”, the Police said.
Three wanted cadres, including
two women of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered before the District Police
in Malkangiri District of Odisha, citing exploitation from their
leaders and ill health as the reasons. Each of them carried a
reward of `one lakh on their heads. The trio, Malle Bedingi alias
Malle, Merry Karnem alias Divya alias Laxmi and
Deba Madkami alias Deba belonged to Kalimela LOS under
the AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist. All three were active members of
Kalimela Area Committee under the Malkangiri division of the AOBSZC.
|
March 26 |
Two persons including a Bangladeshi
national were arrested from Samsherganj in Murshidabad District,
when they were trying to smuggle in FICN by crossing a river.
The Police have recovered FICN worth INR 5,00,000 and all the
notes were of INR 2,000 denomination. Police arrested Babu Sheikh,
who is a resident of Shibganj at Chapai Nawabganj District of
Bangladesh, and his Indian counterpart Salim Sheikh who is a resident
of Baishnabgarh in Malda District.
The Police suspect that Babu might
be involved in an international fake currency racket. They will
be interrogating both the accused to know about their associates
who are operating to circulate fake currency in India. The Police
feel that Babu is also involved in terror activities. The reason
being that the circulation of fake currency is a task which members
of terror outfits take up to earn money. The police are trying
to know whether Babu is in any way linked with terror outfits
like JMB.
Officials from the MEA have allegedly
established contact with Mumbra’s alleged IS recruit Tabrez Tambe
(28), who left the country in September, 2016 to join the terror
outfit’s fighters in Libya. The MEA allegedly asked Tambe, who
is wanted in a case, registered by the Maharashtra ATS under the
anti–terror UAPA last December, to return to India and face the
probe.
Sources from the ATS said that
MEA officials spoke to Tambe on the telephone on “encrypted channels”.
“We traced Tabrez through sources and later made MEA officers
talk to him two weeks ago on encrypted channels,” said an ATS
source. After contacting Tambe, the ATS shared the contact details
with the MEA. Sources from the MEA were tight-lipped about the
exact details of the encrypted conversations with Tambe as the
process is still underway. The MEA has begun approaching the various
power centres in Libya to facilitate Tambe’s return. He is allegedly
under the custody of Libyan authorities.
A tensed situation prevailed over
disputed land in Nagaland-Assam border (Dimapur and Karbi Anglong
District areas) over the allegation of intrusion of Assam Police
in Rilan village. The villagers alleged that over 30 armed Assam
Police personnel including forest guards had come inside the village
and destroyed boundary fences and plantations. They also claimed
that while leaving the village Assam Police fired some blank shots
in the air. The Nagaland Police reached the place soon after Assam
Police left the site.
Reacting on the claim of greater
Nagalim by the ‘general secretary’ of NSCN-IM, Th Muivah, the
CM of the State, Nongthombam Biren Singh said that the territorial
integrity of Manipur will be protected at any cost.
The 17-hour State wide strike
called by DESAM to protest the induction of independent MLA, Ashab
Uddin, as parliamentary secretary partially affected normal life
in the State capital.
The PREPAK militant, celebrated
their ‘37th Red Army Raising Day’ at different undisclosed places
with different communities. The militant group announced about
their celebration in a press release to media houses.
UHM Rajnath Singh reviewed the
security situation in Assam along with CM Sarbananda Sonowal and
top officials of both Central and State Governments. During the
meeting, Rajnath Singh was briefed about the steps taken to check
violence perpetrated by the militants, ongoing process of preparing
the NRC and security along the Indo-Bangladesh border, besides
other. Singh directed that action should be taken against those
who continue to indulge in violence, official sources said. Further,
the Minister expressed hope that the work on NRC would be completed
at the earliest without anomalies.
Two Naxals of JJMM were
arrested from Dega Degi riverside, under McCluskieganj Police
Station area in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. JJMM is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
A PLFI cadre and cousin of late
PLFI ‘Commander’ Mahadeo Munda, Shankar Munda was arrested from
Charam Bartoli under Khunti Police Station area in Khunti District
of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
District Police recovered a bagful
of Naxal literature from Daltonganj in Palamu District
of Jharkhand. The SP of Palamu, Indrajeet Mahatha told
reporters that Naxals have set up Gram Kranti Committee
and there is a huge list of villagers drawn from many places.
Mahatha said the documents showed how deep is the inroads of the
Maoists in zameen vivad which used to be settled on caste
line more than on another consideration like possessing of land
etc.
CM Raghubar Das reiterated the
stand of the Government and extended a fresh appeal to the Naxals
active in Jharkhand to shun violence and join the mainstream in
Nagar Untari of Garhwa District of Jharkhand.
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 |
The SOG of Bhavnagar Police arrested
two persons from Atabhai Chowk in Rajkot city along with FICN145
of INR 1,000 denomination.The arrested accused were identified
as Ashish Agrawal, 26, a resident of Devki Nandan Apartment near
Atabhai Chowk and Abdul Rashid Khursheed Sheikh, 20, a native
of Daulatabag in West Bengal. One fake note of INR 2,000 denomination
was also seized from them. H A Jadeja, Police sub-inspector, SOG
said that the duo were probably trying to pass off the fake notes
to someone for commission as RBI is accepting the invalid INR
500 and INR 1,000 notes till March 31, 2017. Agrawal, who is also
a native of West Bengal, is engaged in gas welding work at the
Alang ship breaking yard.
Two of the three men arrested
from Madhya Pradesh within hours of an explosion on board the
Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train on March 7 have told the NIA that
their original target was not this train but the Lucknow-Bhopal
Pushpak Express on which they travelled the previous night, Indian
Express reports on March 28. Atif Muzaffar and Syed Mir Husain
told the NIA that they travelled in the Pushpak Express on March
6 with an explosives-filled bag, but could not plant it because
of the “heavy rush” and “alert passengers”.
Official sources said Atif bought
three tickets for the Pushpak Express but throughout the journey,
they could not find a suitable spot or the right time to plant
the bomb. They got off at Bhopal railway station on March 7-morning
where Atif and Danish made a last-minute decision to place the
bomb on the passenger train that was waiting to leave for Ujjain.
“After their failure to plant the bomb on the Pushpak Express,
they got desperate. They managed to get into the last coach of
the Bhopal-Ujjain train that was about to leave the station, left
the bag filled with explosives and got off”, sources said. The
explosion left 10 persons injured.
From the question of the arrested
men, the NIA has learnt that the four Saifullah included met each
other in December 2015 and two months later, in February 2016,
they decided to form a group in the name of jihad. “They rented
a room in Lucknow where they gave themselves “code” names — Jiya
Abu Ibrahim for Atif; Jafar Abu Ismail for Danish; Ali Abu Makaiel
for Saifullah; and, Hamza Abu Waqas for Husain,” sources said.
Syed Mir Husain told his interrogators that they used the code
names while interacting with each other, and also with the intention
of hiding their original identities. “Saifullah had even made
a fake ID card in the name of Ali,” sources said.
For one year, from February 2016
to February 2017, the four travelled across the country, hoping
to cross over into Pakistan from Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan;
or into Bangladesh, but found it was not as simple as they had
imagined.
They also went to Kozhikode in
Kerala to explore ways of “migrating to the Caliphate”. While
they did not meet with much success, they met several persons
who they thought could help them establish contact with the IS,
sources said. In July 2016, during Ramzan, Atif became the ameer
(chief) of the group and the four took the oath of allegiance
to the Islamic State.
SFs recovered an IED, planted
on the Ukhrul-Imphal road near the abandoned cement factory, at
Hundung in Ukhrul District.
SFs arrested one arms smuggler,
identified as Mohammad Najir Ali (37), from Arapti Bridge under
Lilong Police Station in Thoubal District. One 9 mm pistol was
also recovered from the arrestee.
After the new initiative of CM
Nongthombam Biren Singh, who invited the JAC-AATB to a meeting,
the Joint Action Committee continued its series of consultations
with various sections of the tribal society. Earlier, on March
24, the JAC-AATB said that they were not in a position to attend
a meeting arranged by the Manipur CM over the current agitation
in the hills, saying they were in the process of holding a series
of consultations with various sections of tribal society.
The AAPSU termed the comments
of NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah on integration of Naga-inhabited
areas as ‘disturbing.’ The apex students’ body of the State stated
that the people would not accept any solution at their cost and
that of the land of the state.
A 24-hour bandh (shutdown)
called by the NCHIPF seeking bifurcation of the Dima Hasao District,
crippled life across the Hill District. Addressing the media in
Haflong, NCHIPF working ‘president’ S Zemi and ‘general secretary’
Vairinsingh Verte said that the bandh has been called seeking
bifurcation of the Hill district between the Dimasas and the non-Dimasa
ethnic groups.
After UHM Rajnath Singh termed
NSCN-IM ‘general secretary’ Th Muivah’s statement that New Delhi
has said “yes” to integration of Naga areas as “erroneous”, there
was no reaction from the militant group and instead it maintained
a studied silence over the Government of India’s flat response
over Muivah’s statement.
Suspected PLFI cadres killed David
Soy (20), outside his house in Gompilla under Torpa Police Station
in Khunti District of Jharkhand. The rebels suspected Soy of being
a ‘Police informer’. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
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 |
No ‘high quality’ FICN have been
recovered post demonetisation, although some scanned/photocopied
notes were seized by BSF and NIA at the Indo-Bangladesh border,
Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal stated. He
also said the government has been taking a host of steps, including
setting up of a special cell in the UMHA to deal with the menace
of FICN.
In a written reply to the
Rajya
Sabha
(Upper House of Indian Parliament) Meghwal said:
“No high quality FICN has been recovered post demonetisation.”
The government had scrapped old currency of INR 500 and INR 1,000
on November 8, 2016 and replaced them with new INR 500 and INR
2,000 notes. As regards seizure of FICN of 2,000 denomination
by BSF and NIA on the Indo-Bangladesh border, Meghwal said: “The
forensic lab had reported the use of stamp paper in printing these
notes. These notes have been scanned/photocopied. Examination
of the specific parameters reveals that the notes are of low quality.”
The government on its part, he
added, has taken various measures to combat terror funding and
check smuggling and circulation of fake notes. These initiatives
including setting up of a special CFT cell in the UMHA of coordinate
with the central intelligence/enforcement agencies and state law
enforcement agencies for an integrated approach to tackle the
problem. Also, he added, a TFFC has been constituted in the NIA
to investigate terror funding and fake currency cases.
The ULFA-I, in an open letter,
signed by its ‘chairman’ Abhijeet Asom, reacted on the Dalai Lama’s
upcoming 12-days visit to North East India from April 1. In the
letter, the militant group expressed their concern that his visit
might deteriorate the fragile relationship between India and China
which will ultimately bring sufferings to the people of Assam.
In the letter, the militant group also mentioned the ‘Nan Zang
(southern Tibet)’ or Tawang as an ‘occupied territory’ and appealed
to avoid anti-China statements.
A coordination committee of 13
apex bodies of different groups of communities living in Dima
Hasao District staged a protest against any move to create 'Nagalim'
(greater Nagaland) by carving out a territory from the Hill District
of Assam. Nagalim is the purported objective of the NSCN-IM, consisting
of all the Naga-inhabited areas of neighboring Assam, Manipur,
Arunachal Pradesh and some portions Myanmar, which it considers
to be the rightful homeland of the Nagas.
Deputy CM of the State, Yumnam
Joykumar Singh appealed to the people not to speculate "too
much" on the contents of the framework agreement signed between
the Centre and the NSCN-IM.
The NSCN-IM run ‘GPRN’ held its
two-day ‘budget session’ last week and kept its ‘tax rate’ (euphemism
for extortion) unchanged for the current fiscal year due to demonetization
of high currency notes. “The budget proposal for the 2017-18 fiscal
was unanimously approved by the house after thorough deliberation,”
Medo Angami, GPRN’s ‘minister for Chaplee (financial) Affairs’,
said. Angami did not specify the size of the budget that allocates
much of the money for the ‘Naga Army’ and the rest for the GPRN.
But a member of NSCN-IM’s ‘publicity wing’ said the size of the
budget for the next fiscal is “more or less” the same as that
of the current (2016-17) where “tax collection suffered due to
the high-value cash ban” last year. “House tax charged by the
rebel Governments has remained the same at INR 110 per house per
year. They are also likely to continue charging INR 250-500 to
issue work permit or identity cards to outsiders,” a Nagaland-posted
Central Intelligence Officer said. “The rebels generate a bulk
of their so-called tax from goods-laden trucks that enter via
Assam for delivery within the state or in Manipur beyond. This
‘tax’ varies from INR 15,000-35,000 per six, 10 or 12-wheel trucks.
Often, the ‘UG (underground) tax collectors’ issue receipts of
Rs 1,500 for 15,000 collected or INR 2,500 for INR 25,000 collected,”
said a Police officer based in Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial
hub. Also unchanged is the ‘income tax’ slab for the salaried
class, both government and private sector. Each employee in Nagaland
has to pay 24% of a month’s gross pay annually to the NSCN-IM,
though resident tribes of the state are exempt from paying taxes
to the State Government.
AR recovered cache of arms, ammunitions
and “warlike stores” suspected to be hidden by the NSCN-K militants
from a forest in general area Asukhomi and Lizu Naghuto in Zunheboto
District. According to PRO of IGAR-N the recovered items included
one 5.56 mm HK-33 Rifle with magazine, one 7.62 mm AK-56 Rifle
with magazine and 66 live ammunitions and other warlike stores.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik claimed
that law and order situation in the State remained peaceful and
CPI-Maoist activities had been curtailed to a great extent. "The
Left-wing extremism remains largely contained to few pockets in
the state, such as in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi
and Rayagada districts. The security forces have been successful
in handling the rebels on all fronts," said CM Naveen. Giving
a reply on the Home Department budget discussion, CM Naveen also
said: "Altogether 39 rebels were neutralised during anti-Maoist
operations in 2016. In a major success, 28 rebels were neutralised
in the cut-off area of Malkangiri during anti-Maoist operation
jointly planned by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police." CM
Naveen said recruitment to the CPI-Maoist organisation had dwindled
and the mass support base of the Maoists had weakened because
of proactive governance initiative and Police action. He also
stated: "The overall crime situation in the state has remained
under control. In 2016, no significant increase in cases has been
registered in comparison to 2015."
Roopesh, Shyna, Anoop, Kannan
and Veeramani of the CPI-Maoist were produced before the Principal
District Sessions court in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu.
On the day, the Judge was likely to hear their plea for translation
of the charge sheet in either Tamil or English. Their lawyer M.
Balamurugan said that portions of the charge sheet were in Malayalam,
Hindi and a few other languages that the accused did not understand.
As the argument related to the plea went on for some time with
the Public Prosecutor objecting to it, Judge R. Pongiappan adjourned
the case and said that he would hear the plea on April 17. The
five Maoists were arrested in Karumathampatti suburb of Coimbatore
District in May 2015.
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.
Amid clashes, one civilian identified
as Ishfaq Ahmad of Rangreth area of Rawalpora in Srinagar was
killed when he was shot by SFs. One of the protesters identified
as Zahid Rashid son of Ab Rashid Ganie received bullet injuries
and later succumbed to his injuries. Another youth identified
as Saqib Ahmad who was admitted at hospital succumbed to his injuries.
Twenty civilians have been injured in day-long clashes at Chadoora
area. The clashes and protests also erupted at Yaripora Kulgam,
Rawalpora, Tral, Pulwama, Rangreth and other areas. Thousands
of people attended the funeral prayers of three civilians in their
respective areas amid massive anti-India protests.
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.
The SC said that Bru refugees,
lodged in relief camps in Tripura after being displaced from Mizoram,
should be allowed to voluntarily return to their native State.
A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice S K Kaul
referred to the February 6 order in which Solicitor General Ranjit
Kumar had informed the court that he would convey to the authorities
concerned that status quo be maintained on shifting back of displaced
families to Mizoram. “We accordingly hereby clarify that such
Bru families that were displaced to Tripura and desiring to return
to Mizoram voluntarily, shall be allowed to do so on their own
will and such of the families, which desire such rehabilitation,
will be provided the necessary pre-requisites as has been provided
to others who have been rehabilitated,” it said. The solicitor
general told the court that rehabilitation process of Bru families
is going on and a joint monitoring group, headed by the Union
home secretary, is looking after it.
|
March 29 |
An IED went off near a temple
in Moreh town in Tegnoupal District. No one was injured, the Police
said. According to Police, the explosive went off near a Shiv
temple, considered the second largest temple in Northeast India.
Another IED exploded close to
the residential gate of a former MLA, Bijoy Koijam in Thongju
area under Singjamei Police Station of Imphal West District. However,
no one was injured in the blast.
AR arrested a NSCN-K cadre, Wanghu
Rangshong, from Laju village in Tirap District.
An ASAK militant, identified as
Komol Ch Marak, surrendered before BSF authorities at Dobasipara
in Tura in West Garo Hills District.
IG of BSF (Meghalaya Frontier)
P.K Dubey, during his interaction with media persons, referring
to the recent terrorist raid in Sylhet (Bangladesh) said that
any incident that happens near the border is always a threat.
P.K Dubey said that neo-JMB is acting on the agenda of IS. Reacting
to a query if sealing of Indo-Bangla border was a feasible solution,
Dubey pointed out that there were plans to seal the Indo-Bangla
and Indo-Pakistan borders and since the Supreme Court has given
a deadline of 2019 to complete the fencing along the Indo-Bangla
border, the BSF is coordinating with the State government in this
regard.
BSF troops arrested a suspected
Bangladesh National Army militant, Mohammed Raju (30). Raju is
a resident of Maijkandi in Jokiganj area of Bangladesh. Police
sources said he entered Karimganj illegally through the Gojukata
border area. He was handed over to Karimganj Police.
The ‘general secretary’ of the
ULFA-PTF militant, Anup Chetia, opposed the proposed bill for
granting citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis in Assam during a meeting
at Silchar of Cachar District. He said, “We oppose the decision
of the Indian Government to grant citizenship to Hindus from Bangladesh.
This is a blatant threat to the demography of the state.” The
militant leader further pointed that there are more than 1.5 crore
Hindus living in Bangladesh and the Indian Government must start
diplomatic talks with its Bangladeshi counterpart.
Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu
asked the various warring factions of Naga rebel groups to come
together to bring about a permanent settlement to the six-decade-old
separatist Naga movement. “It is unfortunate that Nagas are fragmented
into several groups and all are asking for sovereignty for the
Naga people. But can we expect all of them to bring different
sovereignty to the Naga people?” The CM further said, “We support
the Framework Agreement signed between the Central Government
and the NSCN-IM. But this does not mean we support the NSCN-IM
alone. We have made it clear to the Indian government and the
NSCN-IM that to bring about a final and acceptable solution to
the Naga political problem, all Naga political groups and sections
of the people must be included in the process”.
John Szlazak, a Canadian national
who went missing from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on March
27, returned safe. Szlazak, who was on a bicycle expedition from
Mumbai to Bastar, was allegedly held by lower-rung CPI-Maoist
cadres in Singamadgu village under Chintagufa Police Station limits
of Sukma District. “He is safe. He is reported to be in Singamadgu
village area with ‘Sangham’ (local Maoist group) members,” Sukma,
SP, Abhishek Meena said. The officer said the Canadian national
hadn’t been taken hostage, but it seemed to be “a case of communication
gap.”
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 Kanpur module owing allegiance
to IS, involved in the March 7 Ujjain train blast, had exploded
a bomb outside the venue of PM Narendra Modi's Dussehra rally
in Lucknow last year (2016), according to the interrogation report
of Atif Muzaffar, the IS operative. The original plan was to target
the `secured area' inside the rally but the terror squad couldn't
get access due to heavy security.
The group, while making trial
runs of IEDs, learnt that Prime Minister Modi was to visit Lucknow.
Muzaffar, a resident of Kanpur and self designated ‘Amir’ (chief)
of the Kanpur module, discussed the possibility of targeting the
PM with former Indian Air Force air man G M Sahab. As part of
the plan, about 5-6 days before the October 11 rally, which was
attended by home minister Rajnath Singh as well, Atif and his
deputy Danish prepared a pipe bomb using steel pipes and chandelier
bulbs. In order to make the IED more lethal, they even bought
two packets of splinters (iron ball bearings) from a cycle shop.
Before planting the bomb, they also conducted a reccee of the
venue in order to observe security arrangements.
Two militants of NDFB-IKS, identified
as Lukash Narzary alias Langfa and David Islary, were killed
following an exchange of fire with a joint team of Indian Army
and Police at Simlagri under Amguri Police Station in Chirang
District. One Insas Rifle with 10 rounds of live ammunition, one
7.65 revolver with three rounds of ammunition and one Chinese
grenade were recovered from the killed militants.
The Karbi Anglong District administration
held discussions with the leaders of various social organisations
and senior citizens at Diphu Circuit House on militant organizations’
‘quit ultimatum’ served on Bengali and Hindi-speaking communities
and how to defy it. Three militant outfits, KLO, NLFT and PDCK
had on January 2, 2017 issued ‘quit notice’ against the Bengali
and Hindi-speaking communities to leave Kamatapur, Karbi Anglong
and Tripura by March 31, 2017. SP Dr GV Siva Prasad assured the
oganisations of maintaining law and order in the District. He
revealed that Police personnel need to be deployed at some interior
hamlets. Meanwhile, he said that required number of armed forces
will arrive within 24 hours. He sought the cooperation from all
sections of people to prevent untoward incidents.
A woman sympathizer of the KCP-MJC
militant, identified as Vahey Kipgen (30), was arrested along
with extortion letters near Hotel Imphal in Imphal East District.
MCPM, in a press release, retracted
its earlier ‘ban’ on Hijam Irabot Memorial Public School based
in Langjing (Imphal West District) in connection with ‘commercializing
educational institution’. A statement released by the outfit on
March 26, 2017 said that the school had agreed not to ‘commercialize
educational institution’. The outfit will not remain a mute spectator
if such kind of activity is done in future, the statement added.
MCPM also appeals to the people to report such type of ‘misdeed’
by educational institutions.
Around 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres
stormed into Daikallu railway station office in Rayagada District
of Odisha, and exploded a tiffin bomb inside it after dragging
out the station master outside. “At least 15-20 armed Maoists
arrived at the station at around 1.30 a.m. They first ransacked
the office,” said station master S.K. Parida. The Maoists then
pulled the station staffs out of the office. Soon they triggered
an explosion in the office and snatched away the walkie-talkie
used by the Station Master, the statement of the East Coast Railway
said. The Maoists left the station after 2 a.m. The window of
the office and several properties were damaged in the explosion,
sources said. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists also put up
posters and banners of the CPI-Maoist protesting Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s visit to Odisha and appointment of non-Odia administrative
and Police officers in the State.
The Odisha Government decided
to intensify its anti-Maoist operation in the worst LWE affected
areas of the State. The decision was taken during a unified command
meet in Bhubaneswar (the states’ capital) held under the chairmanship
of State Chief Secretary A P Padhi. “Among other issues, we discussed
the development of infrastructure in police stations, road and
bridge connectivity in LWE-hit areas, intensifying joint operations
against Maoists, deployment of force and sharing of information
between states at the unified command meeting,” DGP, Odisha, K
B Singh said. Barring the Sunki Ghat blast incident in Koraput
District, there has been noticeable decline in Maoist violence
and incidents, Chief Secretary Padhi said adding, the recently
concluded panchayat elections were comparatively peaceful
in LWE-hit areas than the previous rural polls in 2012. “The Gurupriya
Bridge connecting the cut-off area in Malkangiri District would
be completed soon. This will improve connectivity to far flung
areas and will also be helpful in carrying out operations,” Padhi
stated.
Cadres of the JJMP, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze a dumper near a CCL colliery
in Tandwa area in Chatra District of Jharkhand. At least 10 to
15 Maoists raided Magadh colliery project, a private company engaged
by the CCL at Tandawa and set the vehicle on fire. Denial of ‘levy’
sought by Maoists is suspected to be the reason behind the attack.
Police and CRPF demolished a Maoist
bunker in Dumri in Giridih District of Jharkhand during a search,
and recovered Maoist literature and items of daily use.
CPI-Maoist cadre Soma Munda was
arrested from the outskirts of the town in Khunti District of
Jharkhand. ‘Levy’ amounting to INR 48,000 was found on him. Soma
figures as a named accused in over a dozen incidents of Maoist
violence and carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his head.
Two active cadres of the CPI-Maoist
were arrested from Tamar Police Station area in Khunti District
of Jharkhand. Ram Mohan Munda and Dawood Tirkey were involved
in the murder of Jivan Singh Munda, head of Burusingu village,
in Tamar last year. Based on their information, Police have recovered
the murder weapon - a country-made pistol and some incriminating
documents from the arrested Maoists. Both of them also have a
criminal background.
The NIA suspects that the Kuneru
rail accident in Andhra Pradesh, in which over 40 people were
killed due to the derailment of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express
near Kuneru on January 22, was orchestrated by the CPI-Maoist,
a FIR registered by the agency said. “The Central government is
of the opinion that the act of derailment is a suspected terrorist
act by Left Wing Extremists and is a scheduled offence under the
NIA Act,” an FIR registered by the NIA said. A senior NIA official
said it was preliminary information and the probe was yet to be
completed and they were exploring all angles. Since the area is
close to the Maoist-affected zone, the suspicion of their involvement
cannot be ruled out, said an official.
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 |
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 (Lower House of the Indian Parliament)
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.
The Indian army recovered three
live grenades from a grocery shop at Boko in Kamrup (Rural) District.
According to the report, an Army team along with a State Police
representative launched a search operation at the shop and during
the course of the search a lady entered the shop and lobbed a
grenade at the army team, which, however, did not explode. On
further search, two more UBGL-type grenades were recovered. The
owner of the shop along with the lady has been handed over to
Boko Police for further interrogation.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres shot
dead a villager in Malkangiri District of Odisha, suspecting him
to be a ‘Police informer’. The deceased has been identified as
Raghu Hantal from Cheliamunda village under MV 79 Police Station
limits in the District.
Maoists killed a GRS of Jantapali
village under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District
of Odisha by slitting his throat. The deceased was identified
as Jaga Rao. The Maoists had earlier threatened Jaga to leave
his job. However, he didn’t do so for which a group of Maoists
stormed into his house during night, dragged him outside and murdered
him by slitting his throat.
The 26th CRPF battalion during
a combing operation recovered two powerful can-bombs suspected
to be planted by the Naxals from the forest area
in between Tilaya-Dakasaram road in Gomia block in Bokaro District
of Jharkhand. The CRPF personnel also recovered 105 pieces of
detonators within limits of Jagesher –Bihar Police Station of
Bermo sub-division in the District.
At least 33 cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
including half-a-dozen middle level ranking cadres (surrendered)
laid down arms to join the mainstream in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.
Significantly, 14 of these surrendered Maoists hailed from Bhudrimahu
village, considered citadel of dreaded Kanger Valley Area Committee
operating in the District. “Significance of today’s surrender
of Naxals is fall of the citadel of the Kanger
Valley Area Committee,” Bastar range IGP in-charge P. Sunder Raj
said. Kanger Valley Area Committee, functioning under Darbha Division
of the CPI-Maoist, was considered the most ruthless unit of the
outlawed outfit.
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.
AET of Dimapur Police arrested
a suspected militant, identified as Khekivi Ayemi, from Purana
Bazaar area of Dimapur Town in Dimapur District for collecting
extortion money from the area. Cash and incriminating documents
in the form of money demand slips of the NNC/ GDRN-NA were recovered
from the arrested militant.
|
April 1 |
Activists of AASU and 29 other
‘indigenous bodies’ took out a protest rally against granting
citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindu migrants and further demanded
immediate implementation of the Assam Accord, in Guwahati in Kamrup
(metro) District. The protest programme was also supported by
a number of other organisations, including Sadou Asom Karmachari
Parishad, All Assam Lawyers Association and Central and semi-Central
government employee bodies. This apart, Purvottar Marowari Sanmilan,
Purvottar Hindustani Sanmilan, Purvottar Marwari Yuba Mancha,
Purvottar Hindustani Yuva Samaj and All Assam Bhojpuri Parishad
also extended their support to the cause and took part in the
demonstration. The protesters, representing all the tribes and
communities of the State, unanimously voiced their opposition
to granting citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshi migrants, coming
to Assam after the cut-off date of 1971, arguing that the proposed
amendment in the Act would put a huge burden of illegal migrants
on Assam.
NSCN-IM claimed that 32 Assam
Rifles arrested its ‘steering executive member’, Zaremo Murry
along with his wife and a lady ‘helper’ from his residence at
Burma Camp in Dimapur District. A ‘press note’ from the ‘MIP’
of the NSCN-IM ‘condemning’ the act and further claimed that Murry
was “falsely accused as a member of Khaplang group.” “He was forcibly
made to sign as a worker of NSCN-K. It may be noted that Zaremo
joined the NSCN/GRPN in 2016 after discharging himself from NSCN-R,”
it informed.
Stating that the Indo-Naga talks
were on the verge of conclusion to create a ‘new history’ for
the Nagas, the NSCN-IM has appealed to all the Naga people to
be cautious in words and deeds, or otherwise it could have a detrimental
effect on the political talks process. In order to resume the
Indo-Naga political talks process, the ‘collective leadership’
of NSCN-IM led by its ‘general secretary’ Th. Muivah and ‘vice
president’ ‘general’ (retired) Kholi and dialogue team members
left for Delhi, the outfit informed in a release.
IPS officer Vivekananda Sinha
was transferred to Bastar region of Chhattisgarh as its IGP, an
official statement said. Sinha, currently the IGP of Bilaspur,
is succeeded in that post by P.S. Gautam, who was currently IG
(Administration) at the Police headquarters, while Sundarraj P.
has been divested on the additional charge of IGP, Bastar, according
to an order issued by Chattisgarh Government's Home Department.
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.
Nearly two dozen supporters of
the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. 23 rebel supporters, including 11 women cadres, surrendered
before the Police at Kalimela Police Station in the District.
The surrendered include four militia members, sources said. All
the 23 surrendered belong to Elakanur village under Kalimela Police
limits. The villagers said that they were disillusioned by the
Maoist ideology and wanted to join the mainstream.
|
April 2 |
IM wanted to carry out a big terror
strike in Surat (Gujarat) in 2008 to avenge the killings of Muslims
in 2002 Gujarat riots and the demolition of Babri Masjid, Police
said. Sources in the Gujarat Crime Branch said IM 'India cheif'
Yasin Bhatkal had travelled to Surat with a plan to plant 29 bombs
on July 26, 2008, the day 20 blasts rocked Ahmedabad. During the
second round of questioning on April 2, Bhatkal told that IM was
planning to carry out bigger attacks in Gujarat after the July
2008 serial blasts. "Bhatkal had thought after carrying out
serial blasts in Jaipur, Bangalore and Delhi, they would get away
with Ahmedabad blasts too. But within a week of the attack, Gujarat
police caught some of the key IM operatives," an official
said.
Bhatkal, however, fled to Koppa
in Karnataka with Abdul Subhan alias Taukeer,
another IM operative. Police said they have records of chats between
Bhatkal and Ashadullah Akhtar alias Haddi, the
prime accused in the 2013 Dilsukhnagar blasts case of Hyderabad,
which point to their deadly plans in Gujarat. Bhatkal, Haddi and
three others have been sentenced to death by a special NIA court
in the case.
Thirty-three (33) Indians who
were stuck in IS-captured Erbil in Iraq arrived in India on April
3 (today) after being rescued by the Indian government. The rescued
people claimed that they were duped by their agent with the promise
of employment in Iraq and further informed that many people like
them are still stranded there. “Earlier 35 people were rescued
and came back to India and this time we are 33. The agent deceived
us by promising for giving jobs and took us to Iraq. More people
like us are still there,” said a rescued person. They arrived
at Indira Gandhi Airport (IGI) in New Delhi after efforts by both
state and central government.
SFs in an encounter killed three
militants of the UKDA in Jullian village under Manza Police Station
of Karbi Anglong District. Another militant was injured during
the encounter. A joint operation was launched by the troops of
15th GR and the Assam Police team led by Karbi Anglong Additional
SP at the remote area in Singhasan hills based on intelligence
input about the presence of a militant group at the area.
Imphal West District Police Commandos
arrested one ‘active worker’ of PREPAK-Pro, Geeta Sharma (39),
from a rented house at Majorkhul under Imphal City Police Station
in Imphal West District.
Imphal West District Police Commando
arrested one ‘active worker’ of PLA from Thangmeiband Lourungpurel
Leikai under Imphal Police Station in Imphal West District. He
also revealed that he was instructed to extort money from Government
offices including Electricity Department, NIT, MANIDCO, Cooperative,
Registrar, Science and Technology etc.
Police arrested a KRA-U militant,
Chongtham Ibomcha Singh (43), during an operation at Taothong
Ayungba Maning Leikai under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal
West District. The arrested militant had abducted Soibam Dhanabir
Singh (70), the proprietor of SDS Brick Field of Lamdeng Khunou
on February 16 2017 and demanded Rs two crore for his safe released.
Later, the proprietor was rescued by the Police on February 23
from Samurou area of Imphal West District but the abductors managed
to escape.
An IED allegedly planted by the
CPI-Maoist cadres was recovered under a culvert near Mohpal village
in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The explosive, weighing
around 20 kilograms and packed in a steel container, was planted
under the culvert in the Badedongar area of the District, ASP,
Maheshwar Nag said. The explosive was immediately destroyed on
the spot; Nag said adding that it was meant to harm the security
personnel during their operations in the area.
The SIB Police officials arrested
three Naxalites belonging to the CPI-ML New Democracy
from Kamayyakunta and Kannapuram villages in Buttayagudem and
Koyyalagudem mandals in West Godavari District
of Andhra Pradesh. According to information, three Naxalites of
the Chandranna Dalam, Karam Kannayya, Madakam Ramarao alias Ramanna,
Chimala Vasantha Rao tried to extort money from a timber merchant
in Kannapuram village. The SIB team raided on the cashew
garden and took Kannayya into their custody. Later, the team tapped
the mobiles of other persons and arrested them in Kannapuram village
of Koyyalagudem mandal. The team had received information
that these three Chandranna dalam cadres of CPI-ML
New Democracy have planned to kill a timber trader at Kannapuram
village, suspecting him as ‘Police informer’. They seized one
pistol, 10 rounds bullets from the LWEs.
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”.
In a fresh attempt to nudge Myanmar
to launch a flush out operation against the militants of the Northeast,
India reduced the allotment to its Aid to Myanmar programme significantly
and allocated INR 225 crore only this Year (2017-18). In the previous
year, (i.e. in 2016-17) India sanctioned INR 400 crore to Myanmar;
but the indifferent attitude of Myanmar over the issue of Northeastern
militant groups disappointed India and this time India has clearly
shown its displeasure over the issue, claims the report.
A BSF patrol seized fake notes
with face value of INR 300,000 near the IB fence gate in the Churiantpur
area of Malda District around 11:45 PM on April 2. The seizure
was made after suspected smugglers flung a packet into the Indian
side from across the border.
As Zakir Naik, being probed under
terrorism charges, defied the NIA summons once again, the agency
has once again issued fresh summons asking him to appear before
it on April 17. This is the third time in last one month NIA has
issued notice to Naik but there is no sign of him willing to come
to India and join the probe. Earlier, he was asked to join the
probe on March 14 and then March 30.
Naik is on the run and is being
probed by NIA for allegedly spreading communal hatred and inciting
others through his speeches to commit terror acts. His now banned
NGO IRF even allegedly funded few terror suspects. The agency
has already questioned around 20 associates and employees of Naik
in last few months about his business ventures, properties and
funding from abroad. He had recently signalled his willingness
to appear via video-conferencing, an option the NIA rejected.
Officials said that legal process
calls for declaring him a proclaimed offender and then approach
Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him and arrest him
there. NIA has also identified 37 properties owned by him directly
or indirectly. Sources said that many properties have suspicious
ownership. An officer said there is enough evidence to make a
strong case of illegal and unexplained flow of money to Naik's
business ventures, particularly Harmony Media Pvt Ltd, in which
he and his wife were directors till a few years back.
Four people, including Sadhvi
Pragya Singh Thakur and senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar, have
been cleared of their alleged role in 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast
by the NIA, according to the final report filed by the agency.
The NIA couldn’t find enough evidence to build a case against
the four, the closure report submitted before the special NIA
court in Jaipur said.
Among those acquitted were
Harshad Solanki, Lokesh Sharma, Mehul Kumar, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat
Bhai and Chandrashekar. Three accused -- Sandeep Dange, Ramchandra
and Suresh Nair -- are still absconding, according to the NIA.
|
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.
BSF personnel seized FICN of the
face value of INR 300,000 from Anantapur village in Malda District.
The BSF personnel during patrolling along the Indo-Bangladesh
border found 150 fake currency notes of the denomination of INR
2000 in a bag at Chowri Anantapur village under Baisnabnagar Police
Station, BSF sources sources.
The second incident was reported
from the Farakka area in Murshidabad District when the BSF troops
intercepted a Jharkhand-based man on a tip-off. Fifty fake currency
notes of INR 2,000 was seized from the man, they said. “Genuine
currency totaling Rs 1,350, a mobile phone, an Aadhaar card and
a driving licence was recovered from the man identified as R K
Mondal (31),” a senior officer said. With this, the BSF has so
far seized FICN of face value INR 696,000 this year in four instances
near the border area here. The Kaliachak and Malda areas of West
Bengal along the border are notorious for FICN smuggling. In 2016,
BSF’s South Bengal Frontier (comprising five border districts
of West Bengal) had seized fake currency with face value of over
INR 1.47 crore and arrested 19 smugglers. The trend is being witnessed
post demonetisation too although the trickle is slow, the officer
said.
In a statement, CorCom, the conglomerate
of several militant groups of the State threatened one lady named
Konsam Ongbi Sanahanbi from Kwakeithel Akham Leikai of Imphal
West District to appear before them by April 30. The militant
group alleged that the lady has collected a huge amount of money
in the name of the militant group.
Police carried out a cordon and
search operation at Dewlaland near Inter-State Bus Terminus in
Imphal West District and detained one suspected person who failed
to verify his identity.
State Home Department wrote to
the Union Ministry of External Affairs about the recent encroachment
into Indian Territory (Holenphai village of Tengnoupal District)
by Myanmar army and to intervene and take necessary steps to stop
cross border activities. According to the report Myanmar Army
intruded into Holenphai village on March 4 last and vandalized
a saw mill. Manipur based NGOs who conducted spot visits at the
border village after the recent incidents alleged that the Myanmar
Army was continuing its activities on the Indian side.
The militant group, ZUF, said
that it is ready to hold talks with the Central Government of
India if it recognizes the demand for bringing together the Zeliangrong
community. The new ‘chairman’ of the militant group, Jenchui Kamei
said, "The Zeliangrong United Front is ready for talks with
the Government of India provided it recognizes the demand for
bringing together the Zeliangrong community scattered across the
Northeastern States under a single administrative unit."
The militant group with around 300 cadres mainly operates in Tamenglong
District of Manipur and SFs reckon it as a force.
NTC reacted on the speech of the
CM and NPF President, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü, which he delivered
during the Kohima Division NPF convention held recently in Kohima
and expressed support to the August 3, 2015, ‘Framework Agreement’
signed between GoI and NSCN-IM. ‘When the party President, who
is also the CM of the State, is so confident in expressing such
unconditional support to an exclusive agreement between GoI [Government
of India] and NSCN-IM, NTC believes that the state leadership
knows the contents of the agreement and feels contented with the
provisions in it,’ NTC ‘media cell’ stated. It urged the State
leadership to divulge the contents of the agreement for the people
of Nagaland to know and understand, adding the State leadership
has first to satisfy the stakeholders before he lends support
to such an important deal.
CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly killed
a former Salwa Judum activist in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. Modiam Somlu (50) was fatally attacked by the
Maoists at Loharpara village in the District early this morning,
Police said. Somlu, a native of Pundri village, had gone to Loharpara,
to fetch ‘sulfi’ when a group of armed rebels stormed there. The
Maoists pumped bullets into him and also stabbed him with sharp-edged
weapons, he said.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested
in a joint operation of Bihar Police, SSB and CRPF, from Manikkhtan
village of Jamui District of Bihar. The Police recovered heavy
arms and ammunition including 1 AK-56 rifle, 5 AK-56 magazines,
108 rounds of AK ammunition, 1 pistol, 2 grenades and three detonators.
CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested
from Lausinha village in Gaya District of Bihar. Acting on a tip
off, a joint team of CRPF’s CoBRA unit arrested the Maoist in
connection with setting on fire an under-construction railway
station at Kharaundh in Nawada District in October 2016.
|
April 4 |
Mumbai has been on high alert,
after the Indian Coast Guard informed the Mumbai Police that three
suspected terrorists of the IS group might try to enter the city
via sea. The police are checking lodges and low-end hotels where
identity proof isn't asked for by the owners.
A prominent political leader from
Kozhikode and the Chabad House at Vattakanal near Kodaikanal in
Tamil Nadu frequented by Israeli tourists were the prime targets
of the IS module, says the NIA chargesheet filed in the Kochi
Special Court. But the name of the politician does not appear
in the report. It says the module operated in Kerala and Tamil
Nadu under the leadership of its 'amir' (chief) and NIT graduate
Shajeer Mangalasseri. The kingpin from Kozhikode, also known as
Abu Ayisha, appears in one of the Telegram groups
as AfdolAX. Shajeer, who holds an Indian passport (M2957534),
was working in the Gulf before shifting to Afghanistan.
He came to India on a two-week-long
visit last year and gave his brother the power of attorney before
returning on April 30. Another accused Saddik, who is close to
Shajeer, is in Saudi Arabia. With over 15 members, the module
had created several groups in Telegram to discuss
IS ideology and plan attacks, says the chargesheet. “They had
different names like The Gate, Bait-Al-Noor, Darul Fiqa, Kudumbam
and Play Game,” said an NIA officer. He added, “The plot to attack
the political leader and the Chabad House were discussed by Thaasveeb
and Knowledge groups. The module had also planned to carry out
an attack on a religious meeting near the Kerala High Court by
ramming a lorry into the crowd.”
SFs arrested a ZUF militant, identified
as Johnson Kamei (33), at Langol Games Village in Imphal West
District. According to the SFs, the arrested militant was involved
in several extortion cases.
One Bangladeshi immigrant, Iraj
Ali (son of Isub Ali) who had migrated to Assam after 1971, and
was illegally residing in Langia village under Dhing Police Station
in Nagaon District was arrested. The arrested person was declared
as foreigner by the Nagaon District FT on an unspecified date.
After his arrest, Iraj Ali was sent to the Foreigners Detention
Camp in Tezpur, the sources added.
Diphu based youth organizations-
People for People and United Hills Development Organization have
rejected the threat of PDCK to Bengali and Hindi speaking community
to leave the Karbi Anglong District. The militant group has earlier
warned the Bengali and Hindi speaking community residing in Karbi
Anglong to vacate the autonomous District within March 31, 2017
failing which they would face grave circumstance. Addressing a
press conference at the office of the Ex. UPDS, the leaders of
both the organisations termed PDCK demand as unjustified. There
is no necessity of any kind of violence to protect the right of
the sixth scheduled tribes of this place as the Constitution of
India has made ample provision under sixth schedule to defend
the right of the tribal, added the leaders.
One militant of the NSCN-K, identified
as Nawang Konyak (38), was arrested by the Indian Army from Namtola
area of Assam-Nagaland border in Charaideo District. A Chinese
grenade, two bottle bombs, some fuse wires and two mobile phones
and many other items were recovered from the arrested militant.
AR arrested one NSCN-IM militant,
identified as ‘corporal’ Pangchak Arangham, from Rangluwa village
in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh.
A group of CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly
set ablaze two poclain machines and a truck engaged in laying
water pipeline in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident
took place near Muchnar village under Barsoor Police limits where
a water pipeline is being laid. A group of rebels stormed at the
work site and after threatening the workers to leave the place,
they set on fire two poclain machines engaged in excavation work
and a truck parked at the spot this morning, he said. “No one
was injured in the incident,” Police said.
The hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre
arrested from Jamui District of Bihar, with an AK-56 assault rifle
and hand grenades, was identified as Shyam Marandi alias Manoj
Da alias Umesh Marandi. Jamui SP, Jayant
Kant, said Marandi was arrested from his hideout on the Jamui-Banka
border where the rebels had assembled to carry out a major operation,
during a raid jointly conducted by the Jamui Police, STF, SSB
and CRPF. According to Jamui SP, Kant, 106 live cartridges, three
country-made pistols, three detonators and two hand grenades were
also recovered from Manoj's hideout. CRPF sources said Umesh hailed
from Kuchugaon in Kokrajhar District of Assam. Fluent in English,
Hindi, Assamese, Santhali and Bengali, he frequently changed his
name as he operated in Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam. "It's
a major achievement... Manoj was involved in several criminal
cases in the district and adjoining areas," the SP said,
adding he was being interrogated.
Two youths identified as Birsa
Purti (25) and Bandeya Munda (22) was shot dead at Toner village
under Murhu Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. An
official of Murhu Police Station said that Bagrai Champia, an
‘area commander’ of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist,
was involved in the twin killings.
Police arrested one Satyendra
Oraon alias Gilhari, an active cadre of the TPC,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, from Chandwa locality in Latehar
District of Jharkhand. OIC, Chandwa Thana, Kamleshwar Pandey,
said that Oraon was wanted by Police for over six cases including
an abduction of contractor Jhalo Thakur.
Four PLFI cadres, including a
woman, were arrested from Bodomada under Bano Police Station area
in Simdega District of Jharkhand. The woman has been identified
as Poonam Topno (21) while the three others are Albins Topno (23),
Sukhram Topno (19) and Jeevan Soren (19). As many as 25 rounds
of ammunition used in INSAS assault rifles, a mobile phone and
pamphlets with PLFI messages were recovered. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
|
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.
At least eight militants have
infiltrated into Kashmir this year (2017) in first two months
of winter while over 150 militants are waiting on launch pads
to sneak in. Army has intensified its vigil along the LoC in J&K
that runs through North Kashmir after fresh infiltration this
year. According to MAC figures, eight militants have infiltrated
into Kashmir in winter this year. These militants mostly infiltrated
from Keran sector of the LoC where the snow depth was less compared
to other areas. The figures suggested that the militants came
in two groups. However, sources said that the number of militants
who infiltrated this year in winter months of January and February
is 12.
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.
Authoritative security sources
in the Union Home Ministry claimed that China has roped in militant
groups of North East to launch a proxy war against India. The
source further claimed that the recent statement of ULFA-I, on
March 28, against the visit of Dalai Lama in Assam was dictated
by China. Also, asserting that China was not interested in organizational
strength of ULFA-I, the security sources said that China intends
to intensify its proxy war against India in the North East through
the separatist groups.
A 37-year-old man, Amjab Arshad
suspected to be associated with IS was arrested on April 5, from
the national capital after he was deported from Saudi Arabia,
said the NIA. The accused operated online using multiple aliases,
is an alleged IS sympathiser and recruiter and was arrested after
his deportation on April 4. "He was deported from Saudi Arabia,
in connection with its probe into activities of the West Asia-based
terror group and its affiliates in the country," the agency
said.
The Hyderabad youngsters, identified
as Arshad Ayub and Abdul Khadeer, joined the IS with the help
of Amzad Khan. “Arshad Ayub, a resident of Murad Nagar, and Abdul
Khadeer of Moti Mahal in Golkonda, are the youngsters from Hyderabad,
went to Syria in December 2015 just before the nationwide crackdown
on terror suspects. They are now in Syria and agencies are
trying to locate them,” said an NIA official.
The ‘president’ of the UKLA, identified
as Thangkhosei Guite alias James alias Seiboy alias
Max (33), was arrested along with two other militants, identified
as Seigoulen Doungel alias Gogou alias Kenny Gou
(31) and Lenkhomang Kipgen alias Mamang (29), from Hotel
Serena in Senapati District. Many incriminating articles were
also recovered from the possession of the arrestees. The ‘president’
Thangkhosei Guite was involved in many cases of abduction and
other criminal activities. Earlier, in a notification issued by
Manipur Police on January 30 this year (2017) announced a cash
reward of INR 100,000 each to anyone who could provide information
leading to the arrest of Thangkhosei Guite and his cadre James
alias Henkholun Kipgen (36).
One militant of KRA-U, identified
as Ningthoujam Ojit (40), was arrested by the Police from Tera
Lukram Leirak in Imphal West District. According to the Police,
the arrested militant was involved in the abduction of a brick
field owner.
A woman, identified as Naorem
Lukamani Devi, who was declared an absconder by Special Court,
NIA Guwahati on March 28 last year (2016) was arrested by the
investigation agency from Takyel Khongbal Mayai Leikai in Imphal
West District. The husband of the arrested woman, Priyokumar alias
Kesho Meitei, is the ‘c-in-c’ of the KCP-MTF, who was arrested
by NIA from Siliguri in West Bengal in June, 2012.
The Meghalaya DGP Swaraj Bir Singh
said that fresh induction of SF-10 will add new impetus to the
counter-insurgency operations in Garo Hills Districts to wipe
out the GNLA. He said, “The SF-10 stand out because of the specialized
training modules aimed at combating militancy”. “They are highly
motivated and can stay long in advanced and remote areas frequented
by militants”, stated Singh. He referred to the success in virtually
wiping out the GNLA militants in four districts of Garo Hills
as a glaring illustration. Besides gunning more than a dozen militants
and the combat pressure that forced more than 150 GNLA cadres
to surrender in the past one year (2016), the DGP further added
while the pursuits is on in last remaining bastions of a motley
group of 18-20 GNLA cadres, the passing out of the second batch
of SF-10 in two months time will provide more thrust on the counter
insurgency operations in Garo Hills.
Authoritative security sources
in the Union Home Ministry claimed that China has roped in militant
groups of North East to launch a proxy war against India. The
source further claimed that the recent statement of ULFA-I, on
March 28, against the visit of Dalai Lama in Assam was dictated
by China. Also, asserting that China was not interested in organizational
strength of ULFA-I, the security sources said that China intends
to intensify its proxy war against India in the North East through
the separatist groups.
AR arrested two militants of the
NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant’ Wangchatt and ‘corporal’ Nokwang,
during a search operation at Lungwa village in Mon District. Two
pistols, one radio set and assorted ammunition were recovered
from the arrested militants.
A CPI-Maoist cadre who was allegedly
involved in the murder of two sarpanchs was arrested
from Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Laxman Bhaskar (45),
active as a ‘Janmilitia’ member of Maoists, was arrested from
the District hospital in Dantewada town where he had arrived for
his treatment, Police said.
District Police and CRPF's 154th
Battalion busted three bunkers and recovered huge cache of explosives
from Parasnath and its adjoining jungles during an anti- CPI-Maoist
operation in Giridih District of Jharkhand. A Maoist cadre, identified
as Deepak Munda, was also arrested during the operation.
The CPI-Maoist, once again issued
fresh warnings to the people, especially tribals of Rayagada and
neighbouring Districts in Odisha, through posters to oppose the
proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State. Two
such hand written materials in the name of Odisha State Committee
of CPI-Maoist were found stuck on a tree at Sikarpai in Rayagada
District of Odisha. One of the posters read “Oppose Modi’s visit
to Odisha on April 14, 15 and his Land Acquisition Act”. It also
appealed to the people to oust Vedanta and save Niyamgiri hills.
Another poster threatened the SFs against combing operations in
the Maoist infested forests. The Maoists also alleged Rayagada
SP, lured the tribal youths with money to become ‘Police informers’
and asked him to refrain from such activities.”Rayagada SP should
stop instigating tribal youths to become police informers”, the
poster mentioned.
Disbanded anti- CPI-Maoist front,
the AGNI, regroups in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.
AGNI came into existence for the second time during a meeting
of “imminent citizens” in Jagdalpur. The former convener of the
AGNI, Anand Mohan Mishra and representatives from some other organizations
like the Bastar chamber of commerce met at Jagdalpur. Many imminent
citizens stressed on the need of the existence of AGNI during
this meeting. After this meeting, Sampat Jha and Subba Rao have
decided to announce that the AGNI has been regrouped again,” said
a statement circulated by the AGNI.
Police arrested two persons, identified
as Tiakaba Jamir and Sanjeev Rai while they were robbing an Autoriskshaw
at Sewak Gate area, Dimapur Town.
|
April 6 |
IS has reportedly made a
‘hit list’ of 15 Malayalees including four journalists who, according
to the terror outfit, have allegedly been campaigning against
Islam. The list includes 11 computer professionals and four journalists
from Kerala. There are reportedly 152 Indians in the list. The
NIA got the information from the laptop seized from Najir Bin
Yafi, a Maharashtra native recruiting people for IS. The list
was handed over to IS leader Shafi Armar via Instagram.
Nagaland CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu
hailed the "bold step" taken by PM Narendra Modi to
resolve the Naga political problem but called for "oneness"
of the Naga people for a lasting solution. Last week, at a meeting
of leaders of the ruling NPF in Kohima, the CM said that though
his party and Government support the August 3, 2015, framework
agreement between the Central Government of India and the NSCN-IM,
it does not mean that the party and State Government support a
single faction of the Naga underground.
ULFA-PTF ‘general secretary’ Anup
Chetia said that peace talks with ULFA-I, led by Paresh Axom (Baruah),
is only possible if the Union Government comes forward for a
dialogue process. However, the leader declined to comment when
asked if he has received any indication from Paresh Baruah for
the peace talks. The ULFA ‘general secretary’ also expressed concern
at the alleged “apathetic attitude” of the Central Government
towards the peace talk process with the ULFA-PTF.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres, allegedly
involved in the last month's attack on a CRPF patrolling team
in Bhejji in South Bastar on March 11, in which 12 troopers were
killed, were arrested from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The
cadres, identified as Padam Mukka (28) and Kuram Guddi (27), were
picked up by a joint team of the DRG and the District Force from
Konta Police Station area. While Mukka was active as the head
of ‘Janatana Sarkar’ squad of Maoists, Guddi
is a ‘jan militia’ member. They are natives of Jinetong village
in Bhejji area, Police said.
Following a tip-off, two suspected
CPI-Maoist supporters were arrested by Herhanj Police from a local
market in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The identities of the
arrestees’ are yet to be ascertained.
Police busted a mini gun factory
in Tetar under Nagar Utari Police limits in Garhwa District of
Jharkhand and recovered country made pistols.
AR arrested one militant of NSCN-K,
identified as Rolise (21) in general area Pungro Junction in Kiphire
District. One Pistol, magazine and 4 live rounds were recovered
from the arrested militant.
|
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.
The ULFA-PTF observed their 37th
‘raising day’ of the organisation at Kakopothar designated camp
in Tinsukia District. Apart from the ULFA-PTF leaders, AJYCP president
Biraj Talukdar, convener of Gana Mukti Sangram Samity Lu Chun
Gohain, advocate Nekibur Zaman and several others prominent people
attended the meeting. The speakers criticized the Central and
State governments on the proposed amendment to the Citizenship
Bill. On the other hand, the All Assam Surrendered ULFA Samittee
warned of an agitation if its demands were not met. The group,
consisting of former undivided ULFA cadres who had surrendered
between 1992 and 2014, held a meeting on the occasion of the ‘raising
day’ and adopted several resolutions. The members unanimously
agreed to press for their demands which include provision of interim
relief, monthly stipend, lifting of pending court cases, granting
of sovereignty to the State, imposition of inner-line permit and
granting of ST status to the six communities of Assam.
Twenty four Karbi Anglong based
tribal organizations have jointly called for a 36 hours Karbi
Anglong and West Karbi Anglong District bandh (shutdown)
starting from April 10, 5 a.m. till April 11, 5 p.m. The bandh
has been called in order to pressurize the KAAC and Assam Government
to enact the Representation of Peoples Act 2017, to make Representation
of Peoples Act rules 2017 and prepare KAAC’s voters list on the
basis of the new act. The organizations have also demanded that
the election to the KAAC should be on the basis of the new voters
list, which would be prepared by KAAC after amending the old Representation
of Peoples Act. The tribal organizations have also filed a PIL
(no 9/2017) in the Gauhati High Court against KAAC.
The first round of talk between
Churachandpur-based JACAATB and Manipur Government was held with
CM Nongthombam Biren Singh in the chair at the latter’s Secretariat
in Imphal. In the talk, the CM expressed his desire to let the
families perform the last rites of the victims considering their
mental trauma, official sources said. He also said any crisis
or problem can be resolved through talks. Reiterating that without
hills and tribals there is no Manipur he thanked the JAC for responding
to the appeal of the government for talks. The JACAATB submitted
a charter of demands to the Government. Both sides agreed to have
the next round of talk on April 10.
The BSF has set up two new posts
in the Naxal-affected Kanker District of Chhattisgarh
to facilitate road construction projects. “Both the COB was set
up last week in the highly sensitive region of Kanker bordering
with Maharashtra,” IG, Frontier Headquarters of BSF in Bhilai,
Mahendra Singh said. One BSF post has been set up at Kanhargaon
village which is on the border of Kanker and Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)
to ensure security to the Bande-Irpanar road and the other at
Charre-Marre village for the Antagarh-Amabeda road, he said.
A 28-year-old man was allegedly
killed by CPI-Maoist cadres on suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’
in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Sagau Ram Sori
was found in the forests near his native Belodi village under
Amabeda Police Station limits. Prima facie Sori was strangled,
a District Police official said.
A sniffer dog of the CRPF famed
as ‘Crackers’ died and his handler was injured when a pressure
bomb planted by Maoists went off in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
The incident occurred when a ROP of CRPF’s 170th battalion was
returning to its camp after a combing operation in Modakpal Police
Station area, a District Police official said. The ROP, accompanied
by a sniffer dog, had launched the operation from its camp in
Chinna Kodepal village.
CPI-Maoist cadre identified as
Ram Pati Ram alias Awadhesh Ram was arrested
along with an associate from Dumarpokhar village in Kaimur District
of Bihar. Police said Ram, a native Chandauli District of Uttar
Pradesh, was wanted in several Naxal-related incidents
in the neighbouring State and had been hiding in Kaimur. The identity
of Ram’s associate is yet to be ascertained.
District Police arrested PLFI,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, ‘area commander’ Prabhu Sahay
Bodra and his three associates from Murgidih under Arki Police
Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police also seized
20 bullets from the PLFI ‘area commander’ Sahay. The identity
of the three associates is yet to be ascertained.
|
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.
Four women and a class 10 boy
were arrested by the 34 AR from an Imphal bound-passenger bus
at Karong on the Imphal-Dimapur road in Senapati District. Police
sources informed that one of the arrested women is reported to
be the wife of the NSCN-K’s ‘western military supervisor’, ‘Lieutenant
General’ Nikki Sumi, and the boy his son. The five were arrested
by the 34 AR while travelling from Dimapur to Imphal in the passenger
bus, the Police said, adding that INR 1, 85 million in cash was
also seized from their possession.
SFs arrested a militant of the
NSCN-K, ‘second lieutenant’ Kijen Rongshong, from Lazu village
of Tirap District. The arrested militant was allegedly involved
in an attack on SF and also involved in extortion activities,
according to an Army release.
A SI and a Policeman were killed
in a gunfight with the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist,
in Simdega District of Jharkhand. Bano Police Station in-charge
Vidhyapati Singh and his team of four guards stormed a house in
Mahabuang village in Bano block in the night after they were alerted
about the presence of PLFI ‘second-in-command’ Guddu Gope, Police
said. As the SFs came face to face with the rebel ‘commander’,
Singh asked him to surrender but Gope opened fire with an AK-47,
injuring Singh and District Constabulary trooper Raju Biruli.
Gope managed to flee under the cover of darkness but a gunfight
broke out between his men and the SFs.
As many as 15 armed CPI-Maoist
cadres set ablaze a Government-run liquor shop at Raghubari village
under Ambadola Police limits in Rayagada District of Odisha. The
Maoist also set a motorcycle ablaze which was parked in the liquor
shop’s premises and assaulted three of its staff. Some posters
left by the Maoists at the spot mentioned that this move conveys
opposition towards ‘Operation Green Hunt’ and called for a ‘liquor-free
Odisha’.
The Naxal (LWE)
NSD of the District Police conducted combing operations at the
forest areas of Tamil Nadu-Kerala border in Coimbatore District.
SFs conducted the operations to curtail the movements of CPI-Maoist
cadres. Maoists' activities were reported from Attappady and Agali
Police limits in Palakkad District of Kerala. These two areas
are located near Annaikatti in Coimbatore District.
|
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.
SFs based on intelligence output,
had launched an operation and busted a NDFB-IKS transit camp in
the in the thick jungle along Khungkhora Jhora Nala under Rangijhora
under Amguri Police Station of Chirang District. During the search,
one SLR rifle along with one magazine, 37 rounds live ammunition,
one modified carbine with one magazine, three SBBL guns and two
grenades were recovered.
SFs recovered an IED under a culvert
near Nungshang Bridge along Imphal-Ukhrul road in Ukhrul District.
SFs, during a cordon and search
operation, arrested two RPF/PLA militants from around Kangu Chingjin
area under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District. The
arrested militants were identified as Mutum Dolen alias
Melei and Laitonjam Dinesh. They revealed that they were working
under the command of ‘finance secretary’ of Imphal East RPF/PLA
named Sanatomba.
RPF claimed that Nongmaithem Leisemba
alias Chitesor, Meisnam Inaobi and his brother Meisnam
Inaocha of Kwakeithel Nganappithong who were arrested by Imphal
West Police commandos on April 8, have no connection with the
organisation.
An exchange of fire took place
between cadres of the CPI-Maoist and the District Police at an
unspecified area under Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. Police also recovered nine kit bags,
cooked food along with explosives.
Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
Maso Vekko (30) and Madkami Nande (24), were arrested from an
unspecified place in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
Vekko, a member of ‘Military Platoon no.16’ of CPI-Maoist, was
carrying a cash reward of INR 200,000 and Nande, a member of Malangir
LOS, carried a reward of INR 100,000. Police also recovered 12
bore Gun, a machine used in repairing guns and commodities of
daily.
A joint team of CRPF and District
Force arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from Bijapur District of
Chhattisgarh. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were identified
as Ichami Boti (36) and Laxman (28). The duo was facing charges
related to murder, attempt to murder, abduction, arson and possession
of illegal arms.
A banner, suspected to have been
put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI-Maoist cadres has
surfaced at Nilabadi under Bandhugaon block in Koraput District
of Odisha. The banner threatened the elected representatives
to stop the projects undertaken by Panchayat. It also reads,
“Asish Senapati (son of ward member) is indulging in the liquor
business thereby ruining the life of innocent tribals. Being aware
of his business, the sarpanch has awarded him various project
works. If he does not give up the works, we would eliminate him”.
An NSCN-IM leader, Mhonsao Kikon,
who was a ‘steering executive member’ of the militant group from
‘Kyong/Lotha region’, passed away after a prolonged illness at
Zion Hospital Dimapur. Earlier he was a cadre of NNC and became
the 3rd President of NNC-NA after the signing of Shillong Accord.
Later he joined NSCN-IM in 2002.
The militant group, KRA-U under
the umbrella of UPF, an entity of tripartite talks with the State
Government and Central Government India clarified that it was
‘not involved in any way’ in the abduction of SDS brick field
owner named Soibam Dhanabir Singh.
An exchange of fire took place
between cadres of the CPI-Maoist and the District Police at an
unspecified area under Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. Police also recovered nine kit bags,
cooked food along with explosives.
Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
Maso Vekko and Madkami Nande, were arrested from two separate
places in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Vekko, a
member of Military Platoon no.16 of CPI-Maoist, was carrying a
cash reward of INR 200,000 and Nande, a member of Malangir LOS,
carried a reward of INR 100,000. Police also recovered 12 bore
Gun, a machine used in repairing guns and commodities of daily.
A banner, suspected to have been
put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI-Maoist cadres has
surfaced at Nilabadi under Bandhugaon block in Koraput District
of Odisha. The banner threatened the elected representatives
to stop the projects undertaken by Panchayat. It also reads,
“Asish Senapati (son of ward member) is indulging in the liquor
business thereby ruining the life of innocent tribals. Being aware
of his business, the sarpanch has awarded him various project
works. If he does not give up the works, we would eliminate him”.
A tribal, Lalsu Kundi Atram,
was killed by a group of CPI-Maoist cadres in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. The CPI-Maoist cadres alleged him to be
a ‘Police informer’. He was abducted from his Bejur village under
the Bhamragad Division. According to Police statistics, Atram
is the fifth civilian victim of Maoist violence in 2017. The tally
for 2016 was 19.
|
April 10 |
NIA, which is probing the Pathankot
terror attack (2-3 January, 2016), has submitted a list of 39
prosecution witnesses. Although the name of Superintendent of
Police Salwinder Singh of Punjab Police has not been included,
the agency will make him a witness in the case and put his name
on the preserved list, which is likely to be produced in court
during the next hearing of the case on May 2, 2017.
NIA, filed the fourth supplementary
charge-sheet before the Bankshall Court in connection with the
Khagragarh blast (October 2, 2014) against three more operatives
of the JMB. In the earlier charge-sheets, NIA had mentioned names
of 30 accused. Nine of the accused are still at large. In the
charge-sheet filed, names of Mohammad Rubel alias Rafiq,
Jahidul Islam and Mohammad Sahidul Islam have been mentioned.
Two of them were residents of Bangladesh and one is from Assam.
Rubel and Jahidul are residents of Rajshahi and Delduar respectively
in Bangladesh while Sahidul is a resident of Barpeta in Assam.
Investigation has revealed that
the accused had planned to carry out attacks in places of Bangladesh
and had made their base at Khagragarh. But for many reasons they
had failed to take up the task.
A trial court in the Dakshina
Kannada District of Karnataka convicted three persons for supporting
the early operations of IM, and acquitted four who were on the
periphery of the group’s support system in the state. Among the
acquitted is Maulana Shabbir Gangolli alias Shabbir
Bhatkal alias Hussain Shabbir Meheruddin Gangolli.
The 34-year-old was arrested in 2008 on suspicion of being a mentor
for members of IM.
Brussels-based think-tank, ICG,
in its recent report, titled 'Counterterrorism Pitfalls: What
the US Fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda Should Avoid' has said
that if Pakistan-based terror groups carry out another attack
like that which killed large numbers of civilians in Mumbai in
2008 (26/11), then it would be difficult for India to show restraint.
The report says that the two main anti-India groups –LeT and JeM
for whom Pakistan is a ‘safe haven’, also pose grave threat to
the US.
India said the dastardly terror
attacks in Egypt once again highlighted the urgent need for concerted
action by the international community to effectively deal with
the scourge of terrorism. "India, herself facing cross border
terrorism, stands by the people and the Government of Egypt in
our common fight against terrorism...The dastardly attacks in
Egypt again highlights the urgent need for concerted action on
the part of the international community against the scourge of
terrorism," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
Army foiled infiltration bid on
the LoC in Keran sector of Kupwara District. In the operation
four terrorists were killed, the operation is still in underway.
Army spokesman said the infiltration bid was foiled along LoC
in Keran. "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," official said. However, no causalities were reported
in the attack, the officer added.
The NIA, which is probing
the Pathankot terror attack (2-3 January, 2016), has submitted
a list of 39 prosecution witnesses. Although the name of Superintendent
of Police Salwinder Singh of Punjab Police has not been included,
the agency will make him a witness in the case and put his name
on the preserved list, which is likely to be produced in court
during the next hearing of the case on May 2, 2017.
The court has also summoned an
officer of the rank of flight lieutenant posted at the Pathankot
airbase to record his statement during the next hearing. NIA officials
also told the court that it would submit another list of witnesses
during the next hearing. It would include the names of some officers
from US who helped NIA crack the GPS devices used by the JeM terrorists,
who allegedly came from Pakistan. “We have submitted the list
and told the court that we want to examine all the witnesses.
We have a preserved list of some of the witnesses which we will
submit in the coming days. We have also filed an application to
seek permission to examine the witnesses,” said an NIA officer.
The NIA has also filed an application
in court, saying it wants the trial to begin under Section 299
of the CrPC which means that if it is proved that an accused person
has absconded and that there is no immediate prospect of arresting
him, the court is competent to try or commit for trial such person
for the offence in his absence, examine the witnesses (if any)
produced on behalf of the prosecution and record their depositions
and any such deposition may, on the arrest of such person, be
given in evidence against him on the inquiry into, or trial for,
the offence he is charged with.
A trial court in the Dakshina
Kannada District of Karnataka convicted three persons for supporting
the early operations of IM, and acquitted four who were on the
periphery of the group’s support system in the state. Among the
acquitted is Maulana Shabbir Gangolli alias Shabbir
Bhatkal alias Hussain Shabbir Meheruddin Gangolli.
Brussels-based think-tank ICG,
in its recent report, titled 'Counterterrorism Pitfalls: What
the US Fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda Should Avoid' has said
that if Pakistan-based terror groups carry out another attack
like that which killed large numbers of civilians in Mumbai in
2008 (26/11), then it would be difficult for India to show restraint.
The report says that the two main
anti-India groups –LeT and JeM for whom Pakistan is a ‘safe haven’,
also pose grave threat to the US. “Though neither has formal links
to al-Qaeda, their fighters rub shoulders with other militants
and global jihadists in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The gravest
danger they pose for Pakistan and the U.S. is another strike on
India,” says the report.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
response to attacks last year on Indian forces in Kashmir suggests
his reaction would be calibrated carefully, and public opinion
would weigh only so far on that calculation. But it would be difficult
to show restraint in the event of an attack like that which killed
large numbers of civilians in Mumbai in 2008,” it added. The report
holds significance as relations between India and Pakistan are
at an all-time low, especially after the terror attack on Army
camp in Uri in September, 2016. India, in a retaliatory action,
had carried out surgical strikes at terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir neutralising several militants.
The report states that the main
challenge for the US is to persuade Pakistan's military establishment
to push the Taliban toward talks and rein in anti-India groups.
The report says Pakistan's jihadi problem is largely of its own
making and is "deeply entrenched". "That Afghan
Taliban leaders who talk to the US or Afghan government without
Pakistani blessings are promptly jailed or disappear showing how
the military can clamp down," it says.
India said the dastardly terror
attacks in Egypt once again highlighted the urgent need for concerted
action by the international community to effectively deal with
the scourge of terrorism. "India, herself facing cross border
terrorism, stands by the people and the Government of Egypt in
our common fight against terrorism...The dastardly attacks in
Egypt again highlights the urgent need for concerted action on
the part of the international community against the scourge of
terrorism," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
At least 45 people were killed
and nearly 120 injured in the powerful blasts in two churches
packed with worshippers in Tanta and Alexandria cities. "We
offer our deep condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy
recovery to the injured," the MEA said. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi had condemned the attacks. "Deeply pained by the attacks
in Egypt. We condemn these attacks. My thoughts are with families
of the deceased and prayers with the injured," he had tweeted.
A 47-week-long training
for CISF women constables has commenced at the CISF’s RTC at Thakkolam
near Arakkonam in Vellore District. As
many as 1,794 women constables recruited by CISF are undergoing
training at the centre. The Centre had increased the number of
CISF personnel from 1, 45,000 to 1,80,000. According to press
release, the personnel would be trained in handling terrorists
and Naxals [Left Wing Extremists (LWE)]. Training
as per the security needs of the country would be imparted to
them.
Replying to a question by MP Krupal
Balaji Tumane, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram
Ahir revealed that insurgent activities in the Northeast along
the Indo-Myanmar border saw an increase compared to the Indo-Bangladesh
border in the last three years. According to the report, during
the period from 2015 to March 31, 2017, terror activities along
Indo-Myanmar border increased alarmingly in view of insurgents
groups shifting their bases from Bangladesh to territories within
Myanmar and China. According to the Minister, during this period,
10 encounters took place in three North Eastern States — Assam,
Meghalaya and Tripura along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Even though no casualties were reported in these encounters, a
total of 11 suspected rebels were arrested. In Assam along the
Indo-Bangla border, three encounters were reported and four militants
arrested in 2015. No such incident was however reported in Assam
along the Indo-Bangla border in 2016-17. On the other hand, the
Indo-Myanmar border has been witnessing steady rise in insurgent
activities during the period with as many as 206 encounters reported
between militants and security personnel spread across four Northeastern
States Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. While
18 security personnel lost their lives, 32 insurgents were killed
in these encounters. A total 337 rebels were arrested from the
international border in the four States during this period. Among
the four Northeastern States sharing Myanmar border, maximum number
of encounters took place in Arunachal Pradesh. As many as 81 encounters
were reported in that State where three security personnel and
13 militants were killed. During this period, 114 suspected insurgents
were arrested. Even in 2017, 13 encounter cases have been reported
till March in Arunachal along the border with Myanmar. Union Minister
Ahir said the Central Government of India in tandem with Northeastern
State Governments has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain
cross-border infiltration. This includes strengthening of border
management, multi-tiered deployment along the international border
and Line of Control, synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration
and pro-active action against terrorists.
A senior State Home department
official said that the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram
Government and the HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held on
April 21. The official informed that the parleys were expected
to revolve around giving more autonomy to the Sinlung Hill Development
Council and also on the financial aspects including proposals
for rehabilitation and resettlement of the HPC-D militants, after
they lay down arms in the event of the agreement being signed.
The State Government delegation would be led by Additional secretary
in the Home department, Lalbiakzama while the HPC-D delegation
would be headed by working president of the HPC-D, L T Hmar and
comprising of overground Hmar leaders from both Manipur and Mizoram.
Security sources said that the
ULFA-I had started a drive to recruit youths from the upper Assam
Districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh by engaging linkmen. According
to the sources, around 15 youths from the upper Assam Districts
have been taken to Myanmar recently for training. But the exact
number of the fresh recruits is yet to be ascertained. Sources
also said that some of the bids of the ULFA-I to recruit youths
have been foiled following arrest of the linkmen of the outfit,
while, a few new recruits were also nabbed before they could be
taken to Myanmar.
The bandh call given by
CPI-Maoist in Gaya District of Bihar evoked partial response.
While the bandh was near total in Dumaria, Imamganj, Banke
Bazar and Raushanganj areas of Sherghati sub-division, life remained
normal elsewhere in the District. The bandh call was given
by the CPI-Maoist to register protest against the recent encounter
in which four Maoists were killed in the Fatehpur Police Station
area of the District on March 8. Calling the encounter as fake,
the Maoists alleged that the killing was done in cold blood.
SFs arrested Gurua Munda, a CPI-Maoist
cadre and right hand man of ‘area commander’ Maharaj Pramanik,
from Harbagadh village under Tamar Police Station in Ranchi District
of Jharkhand. Munda had joined CPI-Maoist in 2014 and was
wanted by Police in at least 10 cases, including five murders.
He was involved in the murder of Ram Singh Munda and Jagran Manjhi
(Tamar), Mohan Singh Munda and Jitendra Singh Munda (Kuchai) and
Amit Karmakar at Palna Dam in 2014 and 2015. Gurua revealed that
Maharaj Pramanik, Amit Munda, Pradeep Swansi and Duryodhana are
some of the top Maoist operatives who are trying to regroup in
the area.
A gang of fake CPI-Maoist cadres
was busted by Rayagada Police in Rayagada District of Odisha.
Eight members of the gang arrested are Trinath Mahanandia, Bali
Majhi, Balaram Naik, Suresh Mahanandia, Bishikeshan Sahu, Mohan
Sahu, Senapati Roy of JK Colony in Rayagada town and a woman,
Sabitri Karkaria of Kalyansinghpur Block.
A 47-week-long training for CISF
women constables has commenced at the CISF’s RTC at Thakkolam
near Arakkonam in Vellore District of Tamil Nadu.
As many as 1,794 women constables recruited by CISF are undergoing
training at the centre. The Centre had increased the number of
CISF personnel from 1, 45,000 to 1,80,000. According to press
release, the personnel would be trained in handling terrorists
and Naxals. Training as per the security needs of the country
would be imparted to them.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres, Madivi
Kosaiah and Madivi Joga, were arrested by a combined squad of
Charla Police and CRPF personnel from the remote forest areas
of Danavaipeta forest at Bhadrachalam Agency in Bhadradri District
of Telangana. SFs also recovered six wall posters of CPI-Maoist.
|
April 11 |
One militant of KYKL, identified
as ‘captain’ Khwairakpam Ibungo alias Jiten, was arrested
by SFs at Keirao Awang Leikai under Irilbung Police Station in
Imphal East District.
Police arrested three extortionists,
identified as Joydeep Chakraborty alias Babul (20), Rahul Sah
(20) and Aman Verma alias Biki (24), who demanded money from a
small tea garden owner by impersonating ULFA-I militants at Doomdooma
in Tinsukia District.
RN Ravi, the Government of India’s
Interlocutor for Naga talks, is likely to meet representatives
of the newly formed NNPG in Kolkata later this month (April).
Earlier, six Naga ‘political groups’ – GPRN/ NSCN, FGN, NNC (parent
body), NPGN/ NNC-NA, NSCN-R and NNC/ GDRN-NA- united and formed
an ‘interim platform’ by the name ‘Working Group’ on December
13, 2016. Recently, on April 8, the PAM of Nagaland Assembly led
by CM Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsü met with the NNPGs at the Police
Complex, Chumukedima to solicit understanding for a bringing an
early solution to the Naga political issue. The NNPG representatives
were reported to have said that they intend to pursue a solution
for the Nagas of Nagaland since NSCN-IM has been engaged in an
exclusive (sans other Naga political groups) negotiation with
the Government of India. The NNPGs wanted to know from the Government
the contents in the Framework Agreement.
Suspected cadres of the TPC, a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, on April 9 night raided the
construction site of GAIL, the agency engaged in laying gas pipeline
passing through Gurua Police Station area of Gaya District of
Bihar and "ordered" stoppage of work for the company's
failure to pay the ‘levy’ demanded by the outfit. City SP, Awakash
Kumar said a case has been registered and work will resume. "Full
Police protection would be provided to those engaged in gas pipeline
laying work," said the City SP.
Two hand grenades suspected to
be of the LWEs were recovered from a maize field in Kapasia village
of the Samastipur District of Bihar, following a tip-off by a
mukhiya.
Two extortionists identified as
Thsarose Sangtam and Hito Chishi, were arrested by AET from Murgipatti
area of Dimapur Town. Money demand slips of NSCN-R were also recovered
from them.
|
April 12 |
Police arrested five persons
for making FICN and seized INR 178,000 such fake notes in denomination
of INR 2000, INR 500 and INR 100 rupees from them at Bassi, a
sub-urban town of Jaipur. “The gang members using modern printer,
scanner and computer/laptop have already floated fake currency
worth around Rs 4 lakh in the villages, SHO Bassi Virendra Singh
told.
Three operatives of IM, who were
convicted on charges of terrorism and manufacturing explosive
devices on April 10, were, sentenced to life imprisonment by a
trial court in the coastal Karnataka region of Mangaluru. The
third additional district and sessions judge at the trial court,
S H Pushpanjali Devi, sentenced Sayyed Mohammed Naushad (33),
Ahmed Bava (41), and Fakeer Ahmad Bava (44), all residents of
the Dakshina Kannada on charges of terrorism, preparation of bombs
and criminal conspiracy.
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 UK, said it wants to further
strengthen cooperation with India in the fight against terrorism
and extremism, while also offering cutting-edge military technology
for co-production of weapon systems to jointly become "world
beaters" in arms exports. "No country is immune from
terrorism. India and the UK need to work even harder, and more
closely, to combat it," said visiting British secretary of
state for defence Michael Fallon, who had earlier held that his
country had made it "very clear" to Pakistan that there
cannot be any excuse or justification for terrorism.
"Terrorism is high on our
agenda," said Fallon, taking note of the series of terror
attacks in recent days in London, St Petersburg, Egypt and other
places. He also stressed the need to bolster cooperation on the
cyber-security front to counter the expanding online radicalism
of youth. With the UK looking to bolster ties with major economics
like India after Brexit, Fallon said the combination of "British
expertise and experience with Indian intelligence and brainpower"
could be game-changing in the defence production sector.
The APW, a rights body in the
State, claimed that the ULFA-I might try to create trouble in
the Government's project of dredging the Brahmaputra. On April
4, 2017, the Centre had signed a MoU with the State Government
to dredge the Brahmaputra and construct a national expressway
on its bank. The APW president Abhijeet Sharma said, "The
Brahmaputra dredging project has upset the Chinese authorities
who try to assert their rights over the river that flows down
from Tibet. Paresh Baruah, being a Chinese agent, may try to lead
a proxy war in the State in a bid to create hindrance in the project."
The organisation further alleged that the April 15-17 scheduled
visit of Chinese envoy to Assam, Luo Zhaohul, is part of ‘a greater
design of China’ in the region and urged the Central Government
of India to cancel it.
CM Sarbananda Sonowal was assured
by the PM Narendra Modi that the sealing of the international
border (India-Bangladesh) is one of the top priorities of the
Central Government of India and he would instruct the Ministry
of Home Affairs to take up the matter on a war footing.
The Central Government of India
moved the SC, against its verdict by which protection to armed
forces under the AFSPA for anti-militancy operation in Manipur
has been negated. Centre is seeking hearing on its curative plea
against the verdict. The SC had delivered a verdict on July 8
last year (2016) giving the State Police liberty to probe the
role of armed forces in alleged encounter cases in areas where
AFSPA is in force. A Bench comprising Chief Justice JS Hear and
Justices DY Chandrachud and SK Kaul agreed to hear the curative
plea in which it has been alleged that the army and paramilitary
forces are combat forces and there should not be this kind of
fetter on them in anti-militancy operations. The apex court verdict
on investigating the role of armed forces in encounter cases had
come on a plea alleging that armed forces were misusing the protection
under AFSPA in Manipur during anti-militancy operation. Attorney
General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, said the apex
court verdict gave the powers to the State Police to probe the
role of armed forces in anti-militancy operation. “This court
ought to have appreciated that the principles of right to self-defence
cannot be strictly applied while dealing with militants and terrorist
elements in a hostile and unstable terrain. “This court ought
to have taken into account the complexity and the reality of the
conduct of military operations and tactics especially while combating
terrorists,” the curative plea said.
AR arrested two militants of NSCN-K,
identified as Nyanei Konyak (44) and Lemnyei Konyak (43), from
Tizit area under Mon District. A sum of INR 198,000 was also recovered
from the arrested militants.
The GoI has informed that Chhattisgarh
is one of the eight States which has requested the MHA for waiving
off cost of charges towards deployment of CAPFs in the State.
As many as 259 battalions of CAPF were deployed in Chhattisgarh’s
LWE-affected regions as on 2015-16. The deployment in other States
was as follows- Andhra Pradesh (16), Telangana (12), Bihar (57),
Jharkhand (144), Madhya Pradesh (8), Maharashtra (34), Odisha
(102), Uttar Pradesh (six), and West Bengal (53). A total of 691
battalions of CAPF were deployed across the country in LWE areas
as on 2015-16, Officials stated. A total of 106 Districts in the
States are considered as LWE-affected. Of these, Bihar has maximum
22 Districts, followed by Jharkhand (21), Odisha (19), Chhattisgarh
(16), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, - both eight each, West Bengal
and Maharashtra, - both four each, Uttar Pradesh- three and Madhya
Pradesh, one.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
tribal, identified as Chaitu Uika, on suspicion of being a ‘Police
informer’ after holding a 'Jan adalat' in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. As per information, the armed CPI-Maoist
cadres, on April 3, abducted Uika from his native place Kamkanaar,
located around eight kilometres away from Gangaloor, and tortured
him for a week.
A CPI-Maoist, Budhram Kunjam (29),
allegedly involved in the murder of a former 'Salwa Judum'
worker, was arrested in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
‘Salwa
Judum’
was disbanded in 2011, after Supreme Court declared
it unconstitutional.
CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nakul
Yadav and his deputy Madan Yadav have reportedly surrendered before
a Ranchi Police team in Bishunpur area of Gumla District of Jharkhand.
A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist,
Kantamani Hareka alias Padma, was killed in an exchange
of fire between Police and CPI-Maoist cadres at the Lehri jungle
on the borders of Koraput and Rayagada Districts of Odisha. There
was no report of any injury to Police personnel. Some items used
by the CPI-Maoist cadres were recovered from the encounter spot.
SP Charan Singh Meena, said, one civilian lady Mali Miniaka of
Tudu Leleri was also found injured near the site of exchange of
fire and was immediately taken to the hospital and was out of
danger. Two live IED, SBML gun, Bharat Gun, detonator, walkie
talkie and good number of Maoist literature and books were recovered
from the encounter site.
The Periyakulam Sub-Court sentenced
six CPI-Maoist cadres, to various terms of rigorous imprisonment
at Theni District of Tamil Nadu. CPI-Maoist cadres were
convicted under various Sections of the IPC in a case relating
to arms training by a group of Maoists in Murugan Malai near Periyakulam.
The trial of the Mavelikkara CPI-Maoist
meeting case was completed at the NIA Court at Kochi in Ernakulam
District of Kerala. The court is likely to adjourn the judgement
on April 22. NIA found the accused were members of RDF, a frontal
organisation of the CPI-Maoist. It is worth mentioning that, Rajesh
of Mavelikkara, Bahuleyan of Njarayilkonam, Devarajan of Kollam,
Gopal - a scientist with the IGCAR at Kalpakkam - belonging to
Tamil Nadu and Mannur Ajayan were the accused.
|
April 13 |
Jharkhand Police launched an initiative
’Tarey Zameen Par’ to help the Naxal -affected children
in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Citizens also supported the initiative
by donating articles such as clothes, school bags, instrument
boxes, water bottles, shoes, slippers, toys, comic books etc.
Khunti Police arrested Anil Herenj
a cadre of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, from Karra
Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police
recovered one pistol and nine live bullets. Anil was supposed
to be appointed as the ‘area commander’ of Tupudana and Karra.
Odisha Police have arrested eight
supporters of CPI-Maoist on charges of killing the husband of
a woman ward member candidate in the recently concluded Panchayat
polls in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The incident had
taken place on February 2, 2017 at Bara village under Mathili
block in the District. The arrested have been identified as Masa
Madkami, Budra Madkami, Sahadeb Pujari, Maga Sodi, Narasingha
Madhi, Manga Durua, Madhaba Durua and Motiram Sodi of Bara village.
In what is deemed as the first
step to bring back Zakir Naik from Saudi Arabia to India, the
ED obtained a NBW against him from a PMLA court in Mumbai. Counsel
for ED Hiten Venegaokar said, “Naik has failed to respond to the
agency. He has till date not revealed his location and also not
given his permanent address.” The court has hence allowed the
plea of the agency observing that there exists an extradition
treaty between the UAE and India and he can be brought back. “Naik
failed to appear before the IO and has given evasive replies.
For thorough investigation in such offences, the presence of the
accused is necessary,” said special PMLA Judge PR Bhavake.
At least two of over 20 people
from Kerala who were lured by the IS are feared killed in US's
superbomb attack on Afghanistan's Nangarhar. The Pentagon confirmed
that the US dropped GBU-43 bomb, the largest non-nuclear weapon
in its arsenal, on the IS tunnel in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
The NIA has approached the Bombay
High Court challenging a special court order discharging suspected
IS recruit Areeb Majeed from a section of the Unlawful Activities
Prevention Act-UAPA, which charges him with being a member of
a terrorist outfit. A division bench on April 13, posted the case
for hearing on June 6, but refused to stay the trial before the
special court underway under other charges.
In February, the Special court
had dropped the charge under Section 20 of the UAPA on a technicality,
stating that when Majeed allegedly joined the outfit, the IS had
not yet been declared a banned terror outfit under Indian Law.
Majeed, a resident of Kalyan, is alleged to have, along with three
other yourth from Kalyan, left the country join the terror outfit
in May 2014, on the pretext of going on a pilgrimage. In November
2014, Majeed was arrested on his returned to India. He was charged
under various sections of UAPA. NIA, in its appeal claimed that
the Islamic State was banned by the UNSC in 2014, which was binding
on all members including India. Hence dropping of section 20 of
the UAPA against Majeed was erroneous.
Terrorist attacks against India
are an attempt to "destabilise, break and weaken" the
country, UHM Rajnath Singh said. He added that security agencies,
in the present and emerging security scenario, should develop
core competence against cyber crimes that are increasing globally.
Singh added India's progress has become a sore in the eye of certain
elements as they cannot see it emerging as the fastest growing
economy, which he said, will rise to be a USD 5 trillion economy
from the present USD 2 trillion.
"Why are terrorist incidents
taking place? They are taking place to destabilise, break and
weaken India. Forces inimical to India do not like the country's
progress and hence have cast an evil eye on this country,"
he said. He added one of the biggest challenges of the current
times is to effectively tackle cyber crimes as they can be perpetrated
by sitting in "any corner of the world". "All organisations
need to develop core competence and go for technical upgrade to
meet this challenge there will be no dearth of resources in this
regard," he said.
In an interview with ‘The Week’
magazine, the ‘chief of Naga army’ of NSCN-IM, Phunting Shimrang,
accused the GoI of delaying the final settlement to the decades-old
Naga issue. “It is only after we went to China that India woke
up. Will India wake up only if the Naga army starts doing that
again?” Shimrang was quoted as saying by the magazine. He further
alleged that the Central Government was trying to “humiliate”
the Nagas by delaying the settlement.
NSCN-R/ GPRN asked all the printing
press/press owners of Nagaland not to ‘entertain’ the printing
of its ‘pad, challan and stamp or any other instruments related
to them’, without their permission.
Two militants of PREPAK-Pro, identified
as ‘sergeant major (finance section)’ Salam Sitoljit alias
Seven Kumar alias Seven Star (28) and ‘colonel (civil section)’
Pebam Bishorjit alias Tomcha (24), surrendered before CM
N Biren Singh in a solemn surrender programme held at the CM’s
Secretariat in Imphal.
Thirteen Indian Islamic State
(IS) militants and two of its 'commanders' of Indian nationality
were killed in the GBU-43/B attack by US in Afghanistan on April
13. The US had dropped the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast
Bomb, also known as the "Mother of All Bombs" or "MOAB," over
the Achin District of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, to destroy
a tunnel and cave network of the Islamic State.
According to the Kabul based Pajhwok Afghan News
agency, out of the 96 militants killed in the strike, 13 were
Indians. Thirteen IS 'commanders' too were killed in the attack,
and two of them were Indians, the report said. A security officer
was quoted saying "13 Indian Daesh militants were also among those
killed". He said two of the "Daesh commanders Mohammad and Allah
Gupta were from India".
However, diplomatic sources in Kabul and Indian
security sources had said there was no confirmation of Indian
IS operatives being killed. The security source also said that
NIA officials were in touch with the families of IS operatives.
At least two of over 20 people from Kerala who
were lured by the Islamic State (IS) are feared killed in US's
superbomb attack on Afghanistan's Nangarhar. The Pentagon confirmed
that the US dropped GBU-43 bomb, the largest non-nuclear weapon
in its arsenal, on the IS tunnel in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.
Indian intelligence agencies said that the last
known location of Indian IS recruits was Nangarhar, the region
where the US military dropped its 'Mother Of All Bombs' (MOAB)
targeting secret tunnels of the terror group. The NIA is now planning
to send a team to Afghanistan to ascertain the fate of Indians
affected in the US bomb attack.
In what is deemed as the first step to bring
back Zakir Naik from Saudi Arabia to India, the ED obtained a
non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him from a Prevention of Money
Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai. Counsel for ED Hiten Venegaokar
said, "Naik has failed to respond to the agency. He has till date
not revealed his location and also not given his permanent address."
The court has hence allowed the plea of the agency observing that
there exists an extradition treaty between the UAE and India and
he can be brought back. "Naik failed to appear before the IO and
has given evasive replies. For thorough investigation in such
offences, the presence of the accused is necessary," said special
PMLA Judge PR Bhavake.
The NIA has approached the Bombay High Court
challenging a special court order discharging suspected Islamic
State (IS) recruit Areeb Majeed from a section of the UAPA, which
charges him with being a member of a terrorist outfit. A division
bench on April 13, posted the case for hearing on June 6, but
refused to stay the trial before the special court underway under
other charges.
In February, the Special court had dropped the
charge under Section 20 of the UAPA on a technicality, stating
that when Majeed allegedly joined the outfit, the IS had not yet
been declared a banned terror outfit under Indian Law. Majeed,
a resident of Kalyan, is alleged to have, along with three other
yourth from Kalyan, left the country join the terror outfit in
May 2014, on the pretext of going on a pilgrimage. In November
2014, Majeed was arrested on his returned to India. He was charged
under various sections of UAPA. NIA, in its appeal claimed that
the Islamic State was banned by the UNSC in 2014, which was binding
on all members including India. Hence dropping of section 20 of
the UAPA against Majeed was erroneous.
Terrorist attacks against India are an attempt
to "destabilise, break and weaken" the country, UHM Rajnath Singh
said. He added that security agencies, in the present and emerging
security scenario, should develop core competence against cyber
crimes that are increasing globally. Singh added India's progress
has become a sore in the eye of certain elements as they cannot
see it emerging as the fastest growing economy, which he said,
will rise to be a USD 5 trillion economy from the present USD
2 trillion.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh appealed to all militants
in the State to join the mainstream. "I appeal to all local militants
to join the mainstream. I also appeal to those youths who have
fled their homes to join militancy to return to mainstream," Singh
said.
|
April 14 |
A dozen of armed cadres of CPI-Maoist
torched 11 tractors and an earthmover of a road construction firm
at Pithaura locality under Pipra Police Station in Palamau District
of Jharkhand.
Kamlesh Ganjhu a cadre of TPC,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested from Lawalong
area of Chatra District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered AK-47
rifle, a pistol, two magazines, 152 cartridges and INR 3,614,000
in cash from Ganjhu’ s house during the raid.
A ‘sub zonal commander’ of CPI-Maoist,
Damodar Yadav, surrendered before Palamau range DIG, Vipul Shukla
in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Yadav was carrying a reward
of INR 500,000. He was given Rs 50,000 in cash and INR 500,000
in cheque following his surrender.
Police interrogated a 20-year-old
tribal woman in Bishunpur area of Gumla District of Jharkhand.
She was forcibly taken away by CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nakul
Yadav's squad a few years ago and exploited at the rebel camp.
She was forced to marry CPI-Maoist’s Anil Oraon and gave birth
to a baby girl two months ago.
The CPI-Maoist Rayagada Area Committee
puts up five posters at different places at Parasali village in
Rayagada District of Odisha. The posters mentioned opposition
to Odisha Government and Government of India.
CPI-Maoist Koraput-Srikakulam
Division puts up posters and erects red flags in more than hundred
acres land at Katulpeta, Aalmanda Areas in Koraput District of
Odisha.
The Zilla Parishad chairman
polls will be conducted on April 26 in Malkangiri District and
Nuapada District of Odisha, said a notification of SEC. Notably,
the polls were not held for the Zilla Parishad chairman in Malkangiri
and Nuapada Districts earlier. Earlier, the SEC had stayed polls
in Chitrakonda I and II zones out of the total 13 Zilla Parishad
zones in Malkangiri District after getting a joint report from
the DC and SP regarding safety issues of the candidates, voters
and election officials due to CPI-Maoist cadres.
|
April 15 |
ED filed a charge sheet against
Aamir Gazdar, a close aide of Zakir Naik, in a money laundering
case before a court in Mumbai (Maharashtra). The agency had arrested
Gazdar on February 16. The 250-page charge sheet contains statements
of five persons including Gazdar himself, Zakir Naik's sister
and an accountant of Naiks NGO, IRF, an ED official said.
BSF, night recovered FICN worth
INR 700,000 from Anantapur area of Kaliachak in Malda District.
The fake currency notes were of INR 2,000 denomination. During
their vigil, some of the BSF troopers found a plastic bag lying
along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Upon inspection, they found
the fake currency notes wrapped inside the packet. Police have
started a case in this regard and a probe has been initiated.
No one has been arrested in this connection so far.
Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana
said that the fourth round of peace talks between Mizoram Government
and HPC-D was scheduled to be held on April 28. The State Government
delegation would be led by Additional Secretary, Home department,
Lalbiakzama while HPC-D delegation is expected to be headed by
working ‘chairman’ of HPC-D LT Hmar and comprising Hmar leaders
from Manipur and Mizoram. Earlier the date of the scheduled talk
was reported as April 21 in SATP from a different source.
Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said
that the Mizoram Government was ready to carry out repatriation
of Bru families lodged at relief camps in Tripura any time. Speaking
to reporters in Aizawl at a press conference, the Mizoram Home
Minister said that the State Government has completed all formalities
which were supposed to be done in connection with the repatriation
process. Mizoram officials who conducted the identification in
the Tripura relief camps during November 2 to November 23, 2016,
had identified 32,857 people hailing from 5,413 families for physical
repatriation. It can be noted here that the physical repatriation
has been put on hold as the Supreme Court directed both the UMHA
and Mizoram Government not to go ahead with the repatriation process
following the 20 points demands raised by MBDPF, an apex body
of displaced Bru people staying in six refugee camps in Tripura.
The Mizoram Home Minister said that the Supreme Court on March
28, 2017 clarified a status-quo on Bru repatriation that such
of the Bru families, as were displaced to Tripura, who desire
to return to Mizoram voluntarily, shall be allowed to do so on
their own volition and volition and, as such, all the Bru families
who desire to return to Mizoram will be provided with the necessary
pre-requisites, as are extended to other Bru families, who were
rehabilitated to Mizoram.
UPRF (Zogam Army), an ethnic Kuki
militant outfit having its base in Singhason hill range of Karbi
Anglong Autonomous District, has decided to shun the path of violence
and join the mainstream. Expressing its keenness for coming over
ground, Johnson Kuki one of the ‘leaders’ of the group, on behalf
of the UPRF through a press release informed that the organization
has decided to join the mainstream in response to the call of
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal who has invited insurgent outfits
to ‘come to table for talks.’ “The UPRF (Zogam Army) has full
faith on the government of Assam led by Sarbananda Sonowal hence
have decided to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream,”
the statement said. The UPRF has also directed all its units and
cadres to stop ‘regular routine operation in their areas’ and
remain inside their camps till the peace process completes. The
UPRF has requested all civil societies to extend support to the
peace process for the greater interest of peace and harmony in
Karbi Anglong.
A 13-year-old boy, Sumrit, was
killed and a minor girl, Kavita (9), was injured in an IED blast
suspected to have been laid by the CPI-Maoist cadres, in Kanker
District of Chhattisgarh. CPI-Maoist cadres on many occasions
have planted IEDs at several places, targeting SFs deployed in
Bastar region, killing personnel besides villagers.
Suspected CPI-Maoist militants
killed an unidentified JCB driver and set ablaze six vehicles
at Gangatia ghat on the bank of Kiul River at Badaspur village
under Chanan Police Station area of Lakhisarai District of Bihar.
Lakhisarai SP, Ashok Kumar said five trucks, a tractor, a JCB
machine and a motorbike were torched.
SFs arrested two arms dealers,
identified as Suankhan Khual (47) and Dalkhan Lian (38), at Bungmol
village in Chandel District. One M-16 assault rifle, one M-16
magazines, two mobile phones with two Airtel SIM cards and INR
10,300 were also recovered from the arrestees. The two arrestees
revealed that they were involved in smuggling of arms to various
militant groups of the State.
|
April 16 |
MHA has identified two civil rights
groups linked with Naxalites. The ministry has named the
Niyamgiri Suraksha Samithi (NSS) in Odisha and Visthapan Virodhi
Jan Vikas Andolan (VVJVA) in Jharkhand as the two organisations
acting as fronts for Naxalites groups. The report by MHA
also says that the NSS had campaigned against mining activity
by the Odisha Mining Corporation at the Niyamgiri Hills which
would have given the Vedanta Group access to natural resources.
The VVJVA on the other hand opposed the decision by the Jharkhand
Government to amend two tenancy laws which allowed the use of
agriculture land of tribal people for non-agricultural purposes.
A highly Naxal infested
block Naudeeha in Palamu District of Jharkhand will have Jharkhand
Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya for the girl students living in its 11
Panchayats. The school is expected to be ready by 2018.
Jharkhand Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya is on the pattern of Kasturba
Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidalaya.
Punjab Police arrested two suspected
terrorists belonging to a terror module set up by a Europe-based
Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) in Batala town of Gurdaspur District.
Police also claimed to have recovered "a huge cache of arms and
ammunition from their possession". The seizure included one 9
mm pistol, two magazines and 13 live rounds, two 32 bore pistols,
along with 4 magazines and 33 live rounds and one 12 bore country
made gun. The arrests have come just before Canadian Defence Minister
Harjit Sajjan, who has been dubbed a 'pro-Khalistani' by Chief
Minister Captain Amarinder, is scheduled to visit Punjab.
The two arrested, Palwinder Singh
alias Ghodu is a resident of Ball in Batala and Sandeep Kumar
alias Kaalu alias Shinda is a resident of Puriyan Mohalla in Batala.
Police said investigations revealed that the duo was tasked with
the job of creating political instability in the state by fanning
communal passions.
Police officials said the module
was controlled by Shaminder Singh alias Sherry, currently operating
from Germany and believed to be in touch with other militant leaders
based in Belgium, such as Jagdish Singh Bhoora, originally from
Mohi village in Ludhiana. "These militants, based in different
countries of Europe, are also wanted in various criminal cases
in Punjab on charges of promoting terrorist activities in the
state," a Police spokesperson said.
Two abducted persons, identified
as Deputy Ranger of Forest Department Angam Leivon and another
one as Lalal Sitlhou, were released by the abductors in Kangpokpi
District. Angam Leivon was abducted on April 12 and Lalal Sitlhou
was abducted on April 14 by some unidentified abductors.
Division in the IPFT become official
when the dissident faction led by Budhu Debbarma formed a separate
committee and declared that they are the real IPFT. The committee
was formed in a workers conference held at Sahid Bhagat Singh
Yuba Awash. Rana Kishor Reang and Rajeswar Debbarma were elected
as 'president' and 'secretary' of the committee. The elected 'secretary'
Rajeswar Debbarma said that the IPFT since its formation veered
only around one issue a separate state comprising the areas of
TTAADC. But the conference has decided to give a new dimension
to the party program and to include different social economic
issues like unemployment, opposition to the proposed amendment
of the Indian Citizenship Act etc.
In a meeting with the former Assam Chief Minister
Tarun Gogoi, Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui said that China is
not harboring ULFA-I or any other militant group from the Northeast
and that the Dalai Lama should not have 'meddled' in the Sino-Indian
affair.
The Union Government seems to
be exploring the possibility of forming another ADC in Mizoram
with an aim for final settlement of the two decade old Reang refugee
crisis. The speculation emanated from a recent UMHA letter seeking
observation of the Mizoram Government regarding the possibility
of forming such ADC for the Reangs. The Joint Secretary UMHA in
his letter told the Chief Secretary of the state to submit a report
regarding the possible administrative structure of the proposed
ADC. Considering the history, geography, composition and economy
of the area the letter said such ADC may be formed comprising
areas from three districts, the Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei, where
most of the state's second largest ethnic community, the Reangs,
resides. According to the report, official reaction of the Mizoram
Government over the new development is not yet available but it
is presumed that it will not be acceptable to the state government
headed by CM Lal Thanhawala.
Three unidentified militants belonging
to BDFM were arrested in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai District while
trying to enter Mizoram from Bangladesh. Two AK-47 rifles and
39 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the arrested
militants.
A cadre of NSCN-K, identified
as 'lieutenant' Vechita Vero (38) was arrested by the AR at Hebron
Colony in Phek District on April 16 along with one 7.65mm pistol,
live rounds and extortion slips.
AR arrested two militants of NSCN-K,
identified as Toshi Kamzuk (28) and Samaho Sumi (23), from Tuensang
District. Two .22 mm pistols with magazine and INR 30,320 in cash
were also recovered from the arrested militants.
Two Naxals were arrested
by SFs at Mandaldih village under Pirtand Police Station area
of Giridih District of Jharkhand. The arrested Naxals were identified
as Vijay Manjhi (35), a resident of Pargo village under Nimiyaghat
Police Station and Babu Lal Murmu (40) of Bega gadha village in
Bokaro. SFs recovered two IED, Maoist literature, uniforms, and
banners from them.
|
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."
SFs arrested one person, identified
as Sangsar Boro, and recovered 12 hand grenades from his possession
in Hortola village under Darrangamela Police Station in Baksa
District.
Preparations for the upcoming
KAAC are underway even though Assam State Election Commission
is yet give formal notification concerning poll schedule. The
polling to the KAAC is expected to be held during the last part
of May, 2017.
A press release from the 'MIP'
of the NSCN-IM informed that its Cease-fire Review Committee met
with the GoI for discussing and reviewing "important issues".
"After minute discussions and thorough deliberations, decisions
were made in an accommodative spirit," stated the press release,
and that the meeting concluded with a "very progressive result."
SFs recovered four .22 rifles
from the residence of a person identified as Khrievotso of Botsa
village in Kohima District.
Aizawl District SP F Lalhuliana
said that the Police had made seven seizures of FICN, mainly in
INR 2,000 denomination with a face value of INR 5.4 million in
recent times. The first seizure of FICN during this year was made
on March 24 when 252 FICN in INR 2,000 denomination and two FICN
in INR 500 denomoination were unearthed. On March 28, FICN with
a face value of INR 198,000 (INR 2,000 denomination) were recovered.
The biggest catch was made on April 14, when 1,300 FICN in INR
2,000 denomination were seized at Bairabi near the Mizoram-Assam
border. The face value of the fake notes was INR 2.6 million.
Altogether, 11 persons have been arrested in this connection so
far.
Two personnel of the STF, APC
Rakesh Singh and constable Mukesh Kunjam, were injured when a
pressure bomb, laid by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, went off in Dantewada
District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place near Gudse village
under Katekalyan Police Station limits when the SFs were returning
after an anti-Naxal operation.
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh
Dhanoa visited the Naxal-infested Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.
The aim of the visit was to boost the morale of the IAF personnel
deployed there. A statement issued by the MoD said, "During the
visit, he was briefed by the local commanders of various paramilitary
forces deployed in Bastar area. He reviewed the operational preparedness
of forces deployed in the sector. He also interacted with personnel
from various state agencies and air warriors to boost their morale."
The IAF has been operating its helicopters in the Bastar region
since the past several years to give logistical support of Central
Armed Police Forces and police personnel fighting the LWEs in
the state.
A villager Shiv Nath Yadav (55)
and his son Guddu Yadav (28) were killed by over 20 armed cadres
of CPI-Maoist at village Kulheya under Harihurganj Police Station
in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The two were suspected by CPI-Maoist
cadres as TPC supporters. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.
MHA has identified two civil rights
groups linked with Naxalites, The ministry has named the Niyamgiri
Suraksha Samithi in Odisha and Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan
in Jharkhand as the two organisations acting as fronts for Naxalites
groups. The report by MHA also says that the NSS had campaigned
against mining activity by the Odisha Mining Corporation at the
Niyamgiri Hills which would have given the Vedanta Group access
to natural resources. The VVJVA on the other hand opposed the
decision by the Jharkhand Government to amend two tenancy laws
which allowed the use of agriculture land of tribal people for
non-agricultural purposes.
A highly Naxal infested
block Naudeeha in Palamu District of Jharkhand will have Jharkhand
Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya for the girl students living in its 11
Panchayats. The school is expected to be ready by 2018. Jharkhand
Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya (JBAV) is on the pattern of Kasturba
Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidalaya.
A highly Naxal infested block
Naudeeha in Palamu District of Jharkhand will have Jharkhand Balika
Awasiya Vidyalaya for the girl students living in its 11 Panchayats.
The school is expected to be ready by 2018. Jharkhand Balika Awasiya
Vidyalaya (JBAV) is on the pattern of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Awasiya
Vidalaya.
The CPI-Maoist cadres issued a
poster opposing the Lower Suktel project at Paradhiapali village
in Balangir District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist cadres, operating in
the Gandhamardhan Hills, issued the warning to stop the ongoing
construction of the project. The estimated cost of the project
is around INR 11 billions.
The Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti,
the organisation that has been opposing bauxite mining in Odisha's
Niyamgiri hills since 2003, strongly denied that it was working
as a front organisation for the CPI-Maoist cadres in Rayagada
and Kalahandi District of Odisha. The organisation has been branded
as frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist cadres in a MHA's report
recently.
Narayan Sanyal (80) a top ranking
leader of the CPI-Maoist died in Kolkata District of West Bengal.
Sanyal was suffering from cancer. Sanyal was the Politbureau member
of the CPI-Maoist at the time of his arrest in 2005 and perhaps
the second most important leader after the party's national secretary,
Muppalla Lakshmana Rao.
|
April 18 |
FICNs worth INR 1,00,000
in INR 2,000 denomination, was seized by the BSF along the Indo-Bangladesh
International Border in West Bengal’s Malda District. A BSF patrol
party found a packet in a mango orchard near the Churiantpur border
post area of Malda around 12:45 pm during an operation to arrest
FICN smugglers active along this border, officials said. While
no smugglers were found in the area, they said the packet seized
by the patrol party had 50 fake currency notes, each of INR 2,000
denomination, with a total face value of INR 1,00,000.
The seized fake
notes have been handed over to the Kaliachak Police. With this,
the BSF has seized FICN with face value of INR 22,98,000 and apprehended
two smugglers so far this year from the border area here, the
officials said.
The meeting between
the NSAs of India and the US concluded on a positive note with
both sides deciding to extend cooperation in the fight against
terror. India's NSA, Ajit Doval met with his counterpart from
the US, Lt. Gen. H R Mc Master at Delhi on April 18 where a host
of issues were discussed.
The meeting was
a significant one and the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav was also
raised. Jadhav was sentenced to death in Pakistan on the charge
that he was an Indian spy. Mc Master's meeting with the NSA was
held after the former completed his visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India said in a statement following the meeting that the NSA conveyed
the greetings of President Donald Trump to PM Narendra Modi. During
the meeting between Modi and Mc Master, the former recalled his
telephonic conversation with Trump. During the telephonic conversation
which Modi described as positive, Trump had reaffirmed the importance
attached by both sides to the strategic partnership and to stepping
up India-US engagement across the board The NSA shared his perspective
with the PM on the security situation in the extended region,
including in Afghanistan, West Asia and North Korea. During the
conversation, they exchanged views on how both countries can work
together to effectively address the challenge of terrorism and
to advance regional peace, security and stability, the statement
also read.
One unidentified
militant of ULFA-I was killed by 7 Madras Regiment of Indian Army
near Dirak Charali in Tinsukia District. Two 7.65 pistols and
a fake driving license in the name of Pulin Dutta was recovered
from the killed militant. However the proper identity of the militant
is not yet known. The encounter took place when the militant tried
to run away by firing from a vehicle during a checking by the
search team of the Indian army.
A report of the
UMHA said that the insurgency-related violence has continued to
decline and the year 2016 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency
incidents since 1997 in the State. The major militant outfits
presently active in Assam are the ULFA-I and the NDFB-S. The ULFA
and NDFB have been declared as unlawful associations under the
provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Besides, the KPLT is also active in Karbi Anglong District. In
Assam, there was a substantial decline in insurgency-related incidents
in 2016. There were 75 incidents in 2016 compared to 81 in 2015.
At least 51 insurgents were neutralised by security forces, while
366 insurgents were arrested. Security forces lost four personnel
in these operations, the report said. In 2016, the number of civilian
deaths went up to 29. During the period from 2014 to 2016, 873
cadres and linkmen of the NDFB-S were arrested with the recovery
of a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from them and 50 cadres
were neutralized in counter-insurgency operations. Meanwhile,
the report said that the security situation in the North Eastern
States, which has remained complex for quite some time due to
diverse demands of ethnic groups and various militant outfits,
improved substantially in 2016. The number of insurgency-related
incidents in the region decreased by more than 15 per cent compared
to 2015. In 2015, at least 574 incidents were reported as compared
to 484 last year.
Unidentified militants
attacked a convoy of 47 oil tankers and LPG bullet tankers escorted
by a team of CRPF in a place between Kangpokpi and Changoubung.
Two oil tankers were damaged in the attack. Subsequent upon the
attack, oil tanker drivers have launched a cease work strike.
Union Government
announced about the extension of the ceasefire with two Naga armed
groups- NSCN-R and NSCN-NK till April 27, 2018. The decision was
taken during a meeting between Union Home Ministry officials and
the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of both the Naga factions in New
Delhi.
Two extortionists,
identified as Naratho Pochury and Hezekiya Awomi, were arrested
from PWD area of Dimapur Town. According to the Police, both are
member of GPRN/ NNC-NA.
An angry mob of
villagers lynched an unidentified Bangladeshi citizen, who allegedly
crossed over to India over the suspicions of criminal activities,
near Bamonpara village in Dalu in West Garo Hills District. Despite
the strict vigil being by the BSF, the entire stretch of the border
in West Garo Hills District has seen sporadic incidents of dacoity
committed by Bangladeshi criminals in collusion with Indian thugs.
A villager Sanna
Markam (35) was killed and Sannu Markami (45) was injured in a
blast of a pressure bomb, which was planted by the cadres of CPI-Maoist,
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According to the Police,
the incident took place when the villagers of Takahwada were heading
towards the jungle area to celebrate a local festival.
Police arrested
three cadres of CPI-Maoist engaged in manufacturing illegal firearms
from the Bariarpur and Gangta Police Station in Munger District
of Bihar. The arrested CPI-Maoists were identified as Anil Yadav
of village Dhanmani Patam under Naya Ramnagar Police Station,
Chanchal Yadav of Nista under Surajgarha Police Station in Lakhisarai
District of Bihar and Kesho Yadav of Kajichak under Bariarpur
Police Station. SFs recovered two unfinished pistols, two unfinished
regular guns, one base machine, one drilling machine and 13 magazines
besides a large number of tools used in manufacturing firearms.
A woman CPI-Maoist
cadre, Suna Wadeka alias Jibani, carrying cash reward of
INR 100,000 surrendered before South-Western, DIG, S Shyni in
Koraput District of Odisha. Jibani said she was fed up
with the torture and harassment of the senior CPI-Maoist cadres
and decided to surrender. Jibani was involved in Sunki landmine
blast that had occurred on February 2 this year killing seven
Police personnel and injuring several in Koraput District of Odisha.
Seven tribal families
of Elkanur village under Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri
District of Odisha have left their native village, due to a threat
by CPI-Maoist cadres. According to reports, members of
the seven families, who were CPI-Maoist sympathisers, had recently
surrendered before the Police expressing their unwillingness to
support CPI-Maoist.
|
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.
SFs arrested two
unidentified persons and explosives recovered from them during
a routine check at Sakheti in Kamrup District. 50 electronic detonators
and 600 gelatin sticks were recovered from them.
SFs arrested a linkman
of NDFB-IKS, identified as Pranjit Basumatary alias Tengna
from Hakma village under Gossaigaon Police Station in Kokrajhar
District. One pistol was also recovered from the arrestee.
Mizoram Government
said that it has not received any letter from UMHA, which proposed
creation of another ADC to solve the Bru (Reang) refugee crisis.
State Home department additional secretary, Lalbiakzama said that
the State Government did not receive such letter purported to
be written by Joint Secretary of UMHA to the State Chief Secretary.
Meanwhile, State Home Minister R Lalzirliana ruled out creation
of any other ADC, saying that the Government would never agree
to further balkanise of the small hilly State on ethnic grounds.
One militant of
NSCN-K, identified as Yitelmpa Yaden alias Alemba was arrested
by AR at Pungro road junction in Kiphire District.
A PLFI cadre, Kapil
Pradhan, was arrested from Jaldega area in Simdega District of
Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist. SP, R.R. Singh
said Pradhan was involved in pasting PLFI posters near Kurdeg
bus stand on April 16
Over 3,000 Police
and CRPF personnel have intensified anti-Maoist operations in
Burhapahar forests spread over Latehar, Palamau and Garhwa Districts
in Jharkhand and Balrampur in Chhattishgarh.
A ‘militia commander’
of CPI-Maoist, Madivi Idama, and two cadres, R Hanumaiah and K
Nagesh, were arrested in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District of Telangana.
The trio belonged to Bijapur District in Chhattisgarh and were
working for Venkatapur Area Committee of the CPI-Maoist in Jayashankar
Bhupalpally District for the last five years.
The DG of CRPF,
Sudeep Lakhtakia, appreciated Saina Nehwal's gesture of contributing
INR 600,000 for the next of kin of martyrs who were killed in
a CPI-Maoist attack in Chattisgarh.
At least four Police
stations reportedly facing CPI-Maoist threat in rural Kozhikode
District of Kerala are awaiting funds from the State Government
and the Centre for their fortification. Thottilpalam, Peruvannamozhi,
Kurachoondu and Valayam Police Stations are the Police Stations
which do not properly meet the standards of protection. Incidentally,
the LWE Division under the MHA has released INR 6.23 billion for
the fortification of 400 Police Stations in various parts of the
country. However, none of the stations from Kerala figures in
the list.
The BSF would provide
two bullet-proof boats for patrolling in the cut-off Naxal
affected areas in Odisha in three to four months, told BSF DG,
KK Sharma in Bhubaneswar District of Odisha. He further added
that bullet-proof boats would not only intensify patrolling in
the areas but also help in anti-Naxal operations.
|
April
20
|
The 20-year-old man,
identified as Muzammil alias Gazi Baba was arrested from
Jalandhar, in a joint operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh
ATS and the Jalandhar Police. He is a resident of UP's Unnav and
is accused of being involved in anti-national activities on the
social media. The man was living in Jalandhar for two-and-a-half
years and used to work in the boutique here. The police have initiated
an investigation for further information in the case. Report said
that Muzammil was among the suspected IS (IS) terrorists who were
arrested from various places in India for in a major multi-state
operation.
A special NIA court
issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW), against Zakir Naik, who is
wanted by the agency for his alleged role in a terror case. “There
are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Naik is evading arrest
and that he will not voluntarily appear before the court or the
agency. I am of the view that an NBW is necessary to be issued,”
Special Judge V.V. Patil said in his order. The court also observed
that it found substance in the allegations made by the NIA. “Naik
did not respond to the notices issued by the NIA to appear before
the investigation officer,” the court said.
NIA has made a fresh
request to the US for the extradition of David Coleman Headley
and Tahawwur Rana for their roles in the 26/11 (November 26, 2008)
Mumbai attacks. The NIA raised the issue with FBI Deputy Chief
Andrew McCabe. The request was made earlier this month (April)
when McCabe visited India and met senior officials from the NIA.
In a multi-state
joint operation, the Police teams of Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, arrested four suspected
terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (ISIS) Khorasan module
and detained six others. The arrests were made during raids April
20 morning in Mumbra (Maharashtra), Jalandhar (Punjab), Narkatiaganj
(Bihar), and Bijnor and Muzaffarnagar (both in Uttar Pradesh),
the officials said. IG of the UP ATS Aseem Arun, in a statement
in Noida, said that four persons were arrested on charges of hatching
terror conspiracies. He said the accused were planning a major
terror attack in the country. Important documents relating to
the ISIS were seized from them, Arun claimed.
According to Police,
two persons, identified as Mufti Faizan and Tanveer, allegedly
connected with the ISIS, were arrested from Bijnor District of
Uttar Pradesh. Nazim Shamshad Ahmed (26), who hails from Bijnor,
was nabbed from Mumbra township in Thane District adjoining Mumbai
in Maharashtra. Another suspect identified as Muzammil was arrested
from Jalandhar District of Punjab. According to an UP ATS statement
in Lucknow, six others were taken into custody and were being
questioned in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. The accused had
got in touch with each other over the internet, Arun said, adding
that central security agencies played an important role in the
operation.
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.
Four militants of
NSCN-R, identified as ‘lieutenant colonel’ Kuhoto V Anche, ‘lieutenant’
Atoka Awomi, ‘major’ Ato Yeputho and ‘major’ Samuel, were arrested
by SFs at a MVCP near the general area of Patkai Bridge in Dimapur
District. One .32 mm Pistol with magazine, one AK-56 Rifle, one
9 mm Pistol, one .32 mm Pistol and eight live rounds of assorted
ammunition were also recovered from the arrested militants.
Activists of MZP
allegedly burnt vehicles in the complex of Champhai deputy commissioner’s
office as the indefinite bandh (shutdown) called by the
students’ organisation in the eastern Mizoram’s town turned violent.
The bandh was called by the Champhai District MZP in protest
against shortage of doctors at district civil hospital.
Two militants of
KCP -Tamnganba, identified as Taorem Jamesh Khuman alias
Nongdamba (24) and Thounaojam Surjit alias Mamo (34), were
arrested by SFs at Wangjing near Canteen Lampak under Thoubal
Police Station in Thoubal District. One 9 mm pistol with four
live rounds of bullets, four mobile phones and a wallet containing
INR 1570 were also recovered from the arrested militants.
The Supreme Court
asked the Union Government and State Government to suggest five
names each of officials, ex-officials whom they deem fit are suitable
for SIT to be constituted to investigate into the killings in
which judicial inquiries have been conducted. The Supreme Court
was said that operations against militants or insurgents may be
affected if FIRs are lodged against the Army. The Army also told
the apex Court that it cannot be subjected to FIRs for carrying
out anti-militancy operations in insurgency-prone areas like Jammu
and Kashmir and Manipur, while alleging local bias in the judicial
inquiries conducted against it in these regions, which have tarnished
its image.
Police arrested
four militants of KRA, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Demminthang
Haokip (38), ‘lance corporal’ Sagoulal Baite (30), Hengoulen Haokip
alias Haosapa alias Yago (18) and Thanglanmoi Chongloi
alias Calvin (30), from Kangpokpi District. According to
the Police these four militants were involved in the incident
of firing at oil tankers on April 18 at S Golai located between
Kangpokpi and Changoubung along NH-2. Five mobile handsets and
nine SIM cards were also recovered from the arrested militants.
The joint secretary,
Union Home Ministry, in charge of the North East, Satyendra Garg
said that the peace pact that was signed by the State and the
Central governments with two disbanded rebel groups, ANVC and
ANVC-B, will be reviewed in May or June this year (2017). The
peace agreement was signed by the Central Government of India,
the State Government, ANVC and ANVC-B in Delhi on September 24,
2014.
Replying to the
questions of the reporters Satyendra Garg said that the Central
Government of India will not initiate peace talks with any militant
outfit at the moment in Meghalaya. He said that for the Centre
to come to the talks table, the groups have to first abjure violence
and abide by the Constitution. The GNLA, and the HNLC, had earlier
expressed their willingness to come forward for peace talks with
the Government.
The ‘former chairman’
Bernard Rimpu N Marak of ANVC-B, in a statement, blamed the State
Government for the failure of the ‘Agreed Text of Settlement’
signed in 2014 and threatened that if it is not implemented by
September 24, the agreement will be “burned publicly”.
Visakha Rural Police
resumed their efforts to set up a Police outpost at Darakonda
in GK Veedhi Mandal in Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra
Pradesh. A Police team visited Dabbakota and Rolugunta
villages, 3 Kilometers from Darakonda village, to identify a suitable
place for the Police outpost. There was an outpost at Darakonda
village around 17 years ago, but the CPI-Maoist cadres blew it
up and killed seven security personnel in February 2000. Keeping
that incident in mind, locals fear that Maoists may increase their
presence in the area and plan explosions if the Police set up
an outpost.
Two employees of
a road construction contractor, Kampani Sao and Amar Kumar, were
arrested with INR 100,000 cash meant for payment to a CPI-Maoist
operative in Bihar's Munger District of Bihar. Police seized three
mobile phones and a diary from the two men.
Gadchiroli District
of Maharshtra will become the first Naxal affected tribal
District to have CCTVs in around 25 villages for surveillance
on Naxalites. These cameras would make the images of the
remote places — from Kamlapur in Aheri taluka to Hedri
in Etapalli taluka — available at the local Police Station
as well as District Police control room at Gadchiroli, more than
100 kms away. In the first phase, the more sensitive south Gadchiroli
is being covered, with distant villages like Challewada, Kodselgudam,
Tarigudam and a few more already connected.
|
April
21
|
Report said that
six people detained in Uttar Pradesh on April 20 on suspicion
of association with ISIS have been handed over their families
to facilitate their “de- radicalisation”, Police said. “Six persons,
who were detained interrogated in Noida have been handed over
to their families. Legal action will be taken if any proof is
found against them,” a senior official of the UP’s ATS said. “However,
keeping in mind that they were being influenced by radical propaganda,
management will be made with the help of their families for their
de-radicalisation,” the official said. About the four others arrested,
the officer said they will be produced in the court and their
remand will be sought for interrogation.
A NIA court convicted
two persons for criminal conspiracy, raising funds and recruiting
people for the Islamic State (IS). Those convicted are
Sheikh Azhar-ul-Islam, 24, a resident of Ganderbal in Jammu and
Kashmir, and Mohammed Farhan Shaikh, 25, a resident of Kausa Mumbra
in Thane near Mumbai. In the chargesheet, the duo had been
accused of criminal conspiracy, conspiracy to commit terrorist
acts, being members of a terror outfit, supporting the activities
of a terror outfit and raising funds for it. The case had been
registered in January, 2016.
IM India operations
'cheif' Yasin Bhatkal, had recruited 25 youths while on the run
since 2010. Some of these youths had visited Bhatkal when he was
hiding in Nepal, sources in the city crime branch said. Bhatkal
had sneaked into Nepal through the Raxual border in Bihar and
was staying in Nepal under the assumed name of Dr Yousuf. An officer
claimed that during interrogation, Bhatkal had 'confessed' that
he, along with Asadullah alias Haddi, had raised a network
of 25 youths. "The youths had become regular visitors to
Bhatkal's house in Nepal," the Police officer said. Police
claimed Bhatkal used to change his mobile handset and sim cards
often to avoid being detected. He had chatted with some of the
IM fugitives such as Riyaz and Iqbal Bhatkal who are reportedly
based in Pakistan.
Senior Police officers
said they are still trying to unravel the IM module set up by
Bhatkal. "We have a few inputs and are working with security
agencies to track and nab some foot soldiers and sleeper cells
of IM who were in touch with Bhatkal when he was absconding,"
a Police officer said. In 2013, Bhatkal was sentenced to death
in the Dilsukhnagar blasts case of Hyderabad.
The European Union
(EU) and India resolved to step up counter-terror cooperation,
besides agreeing to expand engagement in several areas such as
maritime security, trade, energy and environment. EU Foreign Policy
chief Federica Mogherini had separate meetings with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
during which key issues of common interest were discussed with
a focus on further ramping up overall ties. The EU said the two
sides resolved to enhance cooperation, bilaterally and multilaterally,
in combating terrorism and agreed to work closely in dealing with
multilateralism, climate change, sustainable development and free
and fair trade.
Around 100 naked
youths from Karbi tribal community marched through the streets
of Diphu town demanding KAAC to prepare fresh electoral roll before
conducting election and alleged deprivation of their political
rights by the Government. The naked demonstration was jointly
organised by 24 tribal organizations. The 24 organizations, which
represent the schedule tribes living in Karbi Anglong District,
had been urging the KAAC to frame act and rules for preparing
new voters list and for conduct of election of the council as
enjoined by paragraph 2 (7), based on paragraph 20 of the Sixth
Schedule of the Constitution of India. “Because act and rules
for the conduct of Council Elections have not yet been made, and
because the obsolete and defective rules of 1951 are still used
by the KAAC as well as the state government the non tribal emigrants
have taken away political power of the schedule tribe guaranteed
by the Constitution of India…hence the naked demonstrations,”
said a press release issued by the 24 organizations.
CM N Chandrababu
Naidu and some Police officers are on the "hit list"
of the CPI-Maoist cadres, Andhra Pradesh DGP N Sambasiva Rao told
to reporters in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.
Five cadres of CPI-Maoist,
including a woman, surrendered in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
Those surrendered were identified as Shanti alias Rambati
Modiam (25), Raju Vacham (25), Munna Veladi (28), Somaru Mandavi
(25) and Manoj Bhogami (22). Of them, Shanti was active as a member
of a 'military company' of the CPI-Maoist carrying a reward of
INR 800,000 on her head. Vacham, a member of a LOS, and Veladi
(28), a 'deputy commander’, were carrying cash rewards of INR
300,000 and INR 200,000, respectively, on their heads.’
The PLFI operatives
have called a state-wide bandh on April 24 to protest against
the arrest of ‘zonal commander’ Gujju Gope's wife Sangeeta, who
worked as a nurse at a state-run health centre in Rania, in Khunti
District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the
CPI-Maoist.
Jharkhand Police
have intensified anti-Naxal operations in some of the worst
hit areas of the State in last few days. According to senior Police
officials, a multi-pronged strategy was being adopted to eradicate
Maoists from Jharkhand, besides intensifying operations against
them in some of their core areas. Inspector General, Ashish Batra
told, “Besides intensifying anti-Naxal operations, surrender
policy in the State are also being emphasised making people more
educated regarding the provisions under the scheme. Family members
are also being contacted and are being asked to convince their
loved ones to join the mainstream who have lost their track.”
SFs have stepped
up anti-Naxal operations in Burha-Pahar that links Jharkhand
with Chhattisgarh following reports of a top leader, Dev Kumar
Singh alias Arvind ji, who carries a bounty of INR 10 millions
on his head, at forest areas in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
The Gadchiroli Police
and Chhattisgarh Police in a joint operation arrested three women
cadres of the CPI-Maoist near Sandra village in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. They have been identified as Maini alias
Jimo unga Lati (32), Sarita alias Mule Katta Madkam (23)
and Pakli alias Kari Budhu Gade (28).
Twenty armed cadres
of the CPI-Maoist killed a villager, Pidika Ratnu, suspecting
him to be a ‘Police informer’ at Pedaitiki village under Narayanpatna
Block in Koraput District of Odisha. A combing operation
was intensified in the area by SFs after the incident.
BSF in Malkangiri
District of Odisha launched massive combing operations for the
CPI-Maoist cadres on the Andhra-Odisha Border. The Odisha
Government has been utilising the services of the BSF forces in
Malkangiri District for the anti-Naxal operations since
seven years. The Malkangiri District alone is having around 15
BSF companies for Naxal operations. Maoists have Pappuluru
LOS and Kalimela LOS in these areas.
Police conducted
combing operations in Varichilmala region of Mancheeri colony
in Nilambur forests in the Malappuram District of Kerala after
receiving reports of a Maoist group camping inside the Nilambur
forests. It was also reported that the group has planted landmines
around their camp near Mancheeri tribal colony, in an apparent
bid to prevent Police raids. The reports said that a group of
armed people had warned Mancheeri Colony residents of landmines,
and asked them not to enter their camp area. The investigation
was started following a directive from the CM, who had received
a report from the state special branch.
|
April
22
|
Uttar Pradesh (UP)
Police tightened security in all districts following intelligence
inputs that “anti-national elements” dressed like Hindu saints
were planning to carry out “spectacular” attacks at prominent
religious sites and public places in the State. The inputs, provided
by Madhya Pradesh (MP) Police, said the 17-18 men had been trained
by Pakistan’s ISI in Hindu religious practices, and might try
to blend into the local populace before carrying out strikes.
“A group of 17-18 anti-national elements, trained in Hindu rituals,
is planning a spectacular incident at prominent religious sites
and other sensitive spots in the guise of sadhus,” the letter
issued by Additional Director General of MP Police read.
India strongly condemned
Friday’s (April 21) attack in Afghanistan and blamed externally
backed terrorists for the incident that killed at least 140 soldiers
of the Afghan National Defence Forces. Indirectly pointing at
Pakistan for offering support to the Afghan Taliban that carried
out the attack in Mazar-e-Sharif, India called for dismantling
of safe havens of terrorism. Following the attack which targeted
soldiers praying in a mosque, PM Narendra Modi offered his condolences
on social media even as the MEA called for justice.“The terrorist
attack is a stark reminder of the need to immediately dismantle
the safe havens and sanctuaries that support and sustain terrorism
in Afghanistan from outside its borders. India remains steadfast
in its support to Afghanistan in fighting all forms of terrorism
and bringing perpetrators of terrorist violence to justice, wherever
they may be,” an MEA press release said.
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.
In a press release,
the ‘government’ run by NSCN-IM declared about their decision
to halve the ‘annual tax’ they impose on Nagaland Government employees.
In the press release they informed that ‘employee tax’ had been
reduced from the existing 24% to 12%. Both the NSCN-IM and NSCN-K
run parallel ‘governments’ in areas they dominate in Nagaland,
neighbouring States and Myanmar added the report. Apart from NSCN-IM
and NSCN-K, smaller outfits like NSCN-R and NSCN-KK also impose
such ‘taxes’ on employees.
The annual report
of the UMHA for 2016-17 revealed that the security situation in
the Northeast had "improved substantially" during the
previous year where insurgency-related incidents decreased by
more than 15 per cent compared to 2015. "The security situation
in the northeastern states, which has remained complex for quite
some time because of diverse demands of ethnic groups and various
militant outfits, improved substantially in 2016.
The number of insurgency-related
incidents in the region decreased by more than 15 per cent compared
to 2015," the report said. In 2015, while there were 574
insurgency-related incidents, the corresponding figure in 2016
was 484. The report also said 2016 witnessed the "lowest
number" of insurgency incidents since 1997. While casualties
among Security Forces (SFs) in the region declined from 46 (2015)
to 17 (2016), civilian casualties declined in all states except
Assam where it increased from 9 in 2015 to 29 in 2016. The report
noted that while Sikkim, Mizoram and Tripura had no insurgency-related
violence in 2016, there was considerable decline in incidents
in Meghalaya (44 per cent) and Nagaland (43 per cent) compared
to 2015. In 2016, Manipur accounted for about 48 per cent of total
violent incidents in the region and Arunachal Pradesh experienced
an increase in violent activities by 38 per cent, primarily on
account of violence by the Khaplang faction of National Socialist
Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), the report stated. In Assam, insurgency-related
violence continued to decline and 2016 witnessed the lowest number
of insurgency incidents since 1997, it added. In 2016, Meghalaya
witnessed a 44 per cent decline in the number of violent incidents.
While there were 123 incidents in 2015, the figure declined to
68 in 2016.
The report stated
that the number of civilian casualties decreased by 33 per cent
compared to 2015. Further, while 25 militants were killed in 2015,
the figure came down to 15 in 2016. Similarly, only 59 militants
were arrested in 2016 compared to 121 in 2015. However, there
was no casualty on the part of security personnel in 2016.
A juvenile cadre
of the CPI-Maoist wanted in nine criminal cases including murder,
arson and attack on Police was arrested from Vijaygiri in Ranchi
District of Jharkhand.
Six children, including
a girl, were rescued from the clutches of CPI-Maoist cadres in
Kerar forest under Bagdu Police Station in Lohardaga District
of Jharkhand. The children, aged between 13 and 16, are
residents of Lohardaga and Gumla Districts. The CPI-Maoist cadres
had forcibly taken them away and inducted them as members of their
Bal Dasta (child squad), told DIG, South Chotanagpur, A.V.
Homkar to the reporters.
AR arrested two women arms smugglers,
identified as Nchumpeni (29) and Vini (40), at 4th Mile area in
Dimapur District. One .22 mm pistol with magazine was also recovered
from their possession.
|
April
23
|
SFs arrested an unidentified
person and recovered an AK-47 rifle with magazine, one M-16 rifle,
two magazines of .22 pistol, 17 cartridges and four barrels from
his possession from Indisen village in Dimapur District.
Hadma Madkam (30),
a ‘Jan militia’ commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested
by SFs near Parcheli and Chikpal villages in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. He was allegedly involved in the IED blast
triggered by Naxals on April 17 near Gudse village in which
two STF jawans were injured. He was carrying a cash reward of
INR 100,000 on his head.
Chhattisgarh Police
along with the CRPF arrested a woman Naxal from Gadiras
region of Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. She was carrying
a reward of INR 100,000 on her head.
A Police operation
was stopped abruptly to save the life of a seven-year-old boy,
whose father is ‘deputy commander’ of Tippagarh Dalam of the CPI-Maoist,
in north Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The SFs, led by SDPO,
Dhanora Division, Ajit Tike, ensured that the boy, who suffers
from sickle cell, was shifted from the remote Markegaon village
near Chhattisgarh border to Gadchiroli District.
SP, M Sreenivas
reiterated, in a press statement, that there was no movement of
the CPI-Maoist cadres in the Adilabad District of Telangana.
He dismissed the news reports that claimed CPI-Maoist cadres had
paid tributes to victims of the infamous Police firing incident
at Indervelli Mandal centre by visiting martyrs column
on April 20.
A top official source of Assam
Police informed that the internal conflicts among the cadres of
the ULFA-I and NSCN-K have increased in recent times. The source
said that two top ULFA-I leaders currently based in Myanmar, who
also known to be very close with Paresh Baruah, have recently
contacted to a top official of Union Home Ministry and a top Assam
Police official and expressed their desire to come main stream.
“Conflict has been growing up in ULFA-I after its ‘c-in-c’ Paresh
Baruah made several statements in favour of China and some leaders
of the outfit had openly opposed it,” added the source. In the
same way, the source said that, several leaders of NSCN-K are
also in touch with the Union Home Ministry. Supporting the point,
the source also added that recently NSCN-K’s deputy ‘c-in-c’ Niki
Sumi and its ‘army chief’ Isak Sumi met European Union ambassador
to Myanmar Roland Kobia and Indian ambassador to Myanmar Vikram
Misri at an Indo-Myanmar bordering town in ‘eastern Nagaland’.
Troops of Guwahati Frontier of
BSF seized FICN amounting to INR 1,00,000 having denomination
of INR 2,000 from the International Border under South Salmara
District.
|
April
24
|
Unidentified assailants exploded
a hand grenade at the residence of Chongeiliu Kabuini (52), the
‘pradhan (village headman)’ of Konthoujam Gram Panchayat
at Konthoujam Mamang Kabui in Imphal West District. No one was
injured in the bomb attack. However, parts of the residential
gate were damaged in the explosion.
FICNs with a face value of INR
3,50,000 have been seized and two persons detained in Odisha's
Sonepur District, Police said. The two were going towards Sonepur
from Boudh carrying INR 2,00,000 in INR 2,000 denomination and
INR 1, 50,000 in INR 500 notes, Police said. Police said they
were investigating the sources of the fake currency and the involvement
of others in the incident.
Yasin Bhatkal, India 'operations
chief' of IM, who is accused of carrying out a series of bomb
blasts in Ahmedabad and for planting several bombs in Surat in
2008, registered his statement before a magistrate in closed door
proceedings held in Surat District of Gujarat and sessions court.
"Bhatkal wanted to give statement before the court hence
we took him there. Further procedures were carried out in the
courtroom and the police were not involved in them," city
Police Commissioner Satish Sharma said. Sources said Bhatkal's
statement was registered under section 164 of Criminal Procedure
Code which allows an accused to register his statement or confession
in the presence of a magistrate.
Warning that most terrorism “across
the world have some footprint” in Pakistan, Indian Finance and
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said that the international community
has to take action. While India’s relations with its neighbours
have improved, “our problem comes from our western neighbour”
because of terrorism, he said. Every initiative by India to improve
ties with Pakistan have met with hostile reactions, the latest
being the “unprovoked gesture of a military court sentencing an
Indian to death through a kangaroo court process” in the case
of Kulbhushan Jadhav. “I think that doesn’t help the cause of
peace in the region at all,” he said. “We had a mechanism set
up in order to resolve the (issue) and define the border itself,”
he said. But over the last 14 years, “the mechanism has not been
able to come out with an answer”.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder
Singh has given the go-ahead for setting up an ATS to break the
nexus flourishing between militants and gangsters in the state’s
prisons, an official said. The Amarinder government, which assumed
office last month, is also mulling an effective law, such as the
Punjab Control of Organised Criminals Act (PCOCA), to deal effectively
with the terror spread by organised criminal gangs. A spokesperson
in the Chief Minister’s Office said that the ATS would have the
mandate to act both against terrorist or militant outfits and
criminal gangs.
Two persons have been arrested
for allegedly trying to purchase train tickets using FICN. The
incident happened at the booking counter at Central railway station
in Chennai and FICN with a total face value of INR 7,000 was recovered
from them, RPF officials said. The enquiry revealed that the city
based duo possessed three fake notes in INR 2,000 denomination
and two in INR 500, they added. They were later handed over to
Government Railway Police (GRP), who filed a case and are probing
the matter.
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.
At least 25 CRPF personnel and
injured another six in an ambush at Kalapattar in the Burkapal
area of the Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According to details,
an estimated 200-300 Maoists attacked the CRPF personnel who were
out to provide protection for road construction work in the area.
The Maoists had also looted at least 21 weapons, ammunition and
22 bullet proof jackets from the possession of the slain CRPF
personnel.
Three CRPF personnel were injured
in a Naxal attack in the Daltonganj area in Palamu
District of Jharkhand.
The day-long bandh called
by PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist evoked mixed reactions
across the State, Jharkhand.
Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
by Ranchi Police from Nilkocha jungles of Tamar in Ranchi District
of Jharkhand. The four persons arrested by the Police
have been identified as Shiv Shankar Mahto, Shyam Chandra Mahto,
Umesh Mahto and Saurabh Mahto hailing from Chipibagdih village
under Tamar Police Station. Police recovered one loaded country
made carbine, three loaded country made pistols, one country made
gun, one country made pistol, four detonators and around 80 cartridges
of AK-47 along with Khakhi uniform, cap and five
copies of Naxal literature – ‘Lal Chingari’ (Red
Spark).
A bandh call by PLFI, a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, has affected road communication
between Rourkela District of Odisha and Jharkhand. The organisation,
which the Police refer to as a criminal outfit, is protesting
against both Jharkhand and Odisha Police intensifying operations
against it.
The CPI-Maoist cadres pasted posters
while supporting the cause of the liquor ban and exhorting the
people to eliminate those engaged in booze trade in Almora District
of Uttarakhand. DIG, Kumaon, Ajay Rautela said that
Police in the area are alert against the CPI-Maoist cadres seemingly
trying to strike roots in the areas while supporting a popular
cause.
In a press release, the ‘chairman’
N Oken of the KYKL militant, greeted the people of ‘WESEA’
on the eve of its 23rd ‘raising day’ (on April 25) and criticised
the Hindutva idea. It also mentioned about the problem
of identity crisis of the different ethnic groups of the area.
Police arrested one KRA-U militant,
identified as Laishram Amujao alias Sunil (38), in Imphal
West District. One 9mm pistol, one magazine and two live rounds
were recovered from the militant. According to the Police, the
militant was involved in the kidnapping of Soibam Dhanabir Singh,
a brick field owner, on February 16.
One militant of ZUF, identified
as Th Adum alias AD Thaison alias Pantigai was arrested
by SFs from an undisclosed location. A Beretta .32 pistol and
five live rounds were recovered from the militant.
The AET along with Police arrested
two extortionists, identified as Akato Ayemi alias Atoshe
and Keviletuo Sekhose alias Bubu, from Golaghat Road area
in Dimapur District. According to the Police both are cadre of
GPRN/ NSCN.
5 AR arrested a NSCN-K member,
identified as ‘lieutenant’ Kivito Kiba, from North Point Colony,
Zunheboto Town in Zunheboto District. According to PRO, HQ IG-AR
(North), Lieutenant Colonel Amitabh Sharma, the arrested person
was involved in collection of “illegal taxes and extortion activities”
in Zunheboto Town. PRO said one tax collection booklet and four
duly signed tax collection slips were recovered from his possession.
The apprehended cadre along with recovered items was handed over
to Zunheboto Police Station for further investigation, PRO added.
|
April 25
|
In an oblique reference to Pakistan
backing various terror groups, Afghanistan said time has come
to send a strong message to states sponsoring terrorism. Afghan
Ambassador Shaida Abdali said terror has been used as a tool against
both Afghanistan and India and that concerted efforts must be
initiated to combat terrorism in the region. He said those supporting
terror is known to everyone now. He said that time has come to
revive the India-Afghanistan-US trilateral dialogue to ensure
a well-coordinated strategy against terrorism.
The Police have sounded a red
alert in the AOB area and in the Agency areas of East Godavari
District of Andhra Pradesh, especially those bordering Chhattisgarh,
post the Sukma attack on April 24. Additional contingents
of the Greyhounds, AP Special Police, Special Parties, and CRPF
have been deployed in all the Naxal- affected areas.
Security has been scaled up at all the 11 Police Stations and
the two outposts at Rallagedda in Chintapalle Mandal and
Rudakota in Pedabayalu Mandal, in the AOB region.
Bihar IG, operation, Kundan Krishnan
ordered review of security measures at all CAPF camps and other
vital installations in Naxal-affected areas of the
State at Patna District of Bihar. In Bihar, SSB and
CRPF battalions are responsible for anti-Naxal.
The brazen attack by CPI-Maoist
cadres, which left 25 CRPF personnel dead and seven injured
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on April 24, was likely planned
by a wanted CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Situ. Situ was camping in Tarmetla
village, barely 7-8 kilometres from the scene of the attack. SFs
also told reporters that the attack was led by a PLGA Battalion
1 headed by Hidma. A Class 8 dropout, Hidma belongs to Jagargunda
in Sukma District and is said to wield tremendous influence on
the locals in the region.
UHM Rajnath Singh will convene
a meeting of Naxal-hit State CMs on May 8, to strategize
the anti-Naxal operations. Ten CMs (Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Telangana,
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh) and top Police
and civil officials of these States will attend the meeting. Chief
Secretaries and DGPs of these States too will attend the meeting
with chiefs of Paramilitary Forces.
The militant group PREPAK celebrated
its fourth ‘Indian Colonialism Resist Day’ and the KYKL militant
observed its ‘23rd raising day’ in some undisclosed locations.
A special court of the NIA in
Dimapur has issued non-bailable warrants against a NSCN-K militant,
named ‘colonel’ Akaho and an NSCN-IM member named Aheto, in a
case related to pilfering of arms and ammunition from a Police
armory in Nagaland and supplying those to militant groups.
SFs arrested two NSCN-R militants,
identified as ‘leacy’ Marvin Neibu Shuya (32) and ‘rezapuyu’ Inaka
Kiba (24), general area Purana Bazar of Dimapur Town in Dimapur
District.
AR arrested an NSCN-K OWG, Wanglam
Pansa alias Alam, who was “terrorizing and extorting money”
in Khonsa Town of Tirap District. According to PRO (Defence) Colonel,
C. Konwer, the over ground worker was nabbed with a pistol and
ammunition. During interrogation, he revealed that he was tasked
by an NSCN-K cadre to carry out extortion from Government departments
of Khonsa Town, PRO added.
A suspected group of GNLA militants
involved in an incident of assaulting of a 14-year-old school
boy at Dambuk Atong village in South Garo Hills District. The
militants were crossing through the Rongara area and met the boy
at Dambuk Atong. They started questioning the teenager about the
movement of security forces. Unhappy with his replies, the rebels
beat up the boy leaving him unconscious. The boy was initially
hospitalized at Rongara health centre and later released.
Police arrested one cadre of NSCN-IM,
identified as Nagato Yepthomi from Sangtamtilla area of Dimapur
Town.
|
April 26
|
India pitched for united global
action in strongly resisting "opportunistic" efforts
of some countries which are supporting, financing and providing
safe havens to terror groups for "limited" objectives.
Addressing the Moscow Security Conference, Defence Minister Arun
Jaitley said terrorism is being "reinvented" in newer
and even more dangerous manifestations and all major players must
come together to deal with the challenge. Seen as a reference
to Pakistan, he said terrorism will "recoil" on those
who nurture it, asserting that India will steadfastly partner
all friendly countries which are confronted with the challenge
of terror groups.
The probe by Maharashtra’s ATS
has revealed that Nazim Ahmed, arrested from Mumbra on April 20,
had been deported from Saudi Arabia in 2016. Sources revealed
that Ahmed used to work as a plumber in Saudi Arabia but was arrested
after he continued to work on an expired work permit. Post his
arrest, he was imprisoned in Saudi for 18 days and then deported
to India. Thereafter, he went back to Bijnor before returning
to Mumbra. The source added that after returning to India, Ahmed
stayed in Bijnor where he allegedly was impressed by Jihadi thought.
“He saw posts justifying Jihad and also saw some clips about the
same on social networking sites," said the source. The ATS
is investigating his contacts and connections in the city and
state.
Bihar CM, Nitish Kumar, announced
INR 500,000 ex gratia to family of each of the six jawans of CRPF
who died in an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at Sukma District
in Chhattisgarh on April 24.
Ten cadres of CPI-Maoist, including
two ‘area commanders’ and three women cadres, surrendered before
Chhotanagpur range, DIG of Police, A.V. Homkar at the inaugural
ceremony of "bandook chhodo, volleyball khelo abhiyan"
(drop guns and play volleyball) programme in Lohardaga District
of Jharkhand. The two ‘area commanders’ Vishal Kherwar
(26) and Kaleshwar Kherwar (19) carried INR 200,000 rewards each
on their heads. Others who surrendered are Chandreshwar Oraon
(23), Jitendra Ganjhu (23), Sukhram Kherwar (34), Sukhlal Nageshia
(18), Meena Oraon (23), Sushanti Oraon (18), Seema Oraon (18)
and Harendra Oraon (19), who was recently elevated to the rank
of ‘sub-zonal commander’.
In the light of April 24 attack
on SFs by CPI-Maoist cadres, Union Government has asked SFs to
focus on counter-offensive operations on "high value targets".
The ‘high value’ targets include south Bastar ‘Divisional Commander’
Raghu, head of Jagargunda area committee Papa Rao, and commander
of the first battalion of PLGA Hidma, who is said to be behind
the latest attack. The CRPF and other forces have been asked to
demoralise the Naxalites by targeting their leaders,
'area commanders' and influential members of the
'jan
militia'
. There are about 200-250 leaders of different committees
and 'area commanders' of Naxalites in Bastar
who keep travelling to Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra for coordination
as well as to plan attacks on SFs. Both the CRPF and the Chhattisgarh
Government have informed the UHM that they need a large number
of UAVs to help gather "real time intelligence" about
the movement of large contingents of Maoists inside the jungle,
said sources. The UHM agreed, and has sought a detailed proposal.
In addition, there are also plans to procure Foliage-Penetrating
(FOPEN) radar and more Dhruv Helicopters to monitor the movement
and activities of Naxalites inside thick forests.
Police and BSF recovered a huge
cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation on the
road between Nongpok Sekmai and Heirok villages in Thoubal District.
The recovered arms and ammunitions include five live lathode shells,
28 live rounds of 7.62 mm caliber, five live rounds of .38 mm
caliber, and one live round of 5.56 mm caliber, one USA made pistol,
five pieces of safety fuse and 35 detonators.
In a press release, issued by
the outfit's ‘information and publicity secretary’ H Kamson said
that ZUF ‘chairman’ Jenchui Kamei and ‘finance secretary’ Benjamin
alias Gaichampou Pamei were ‘expelled from the party for
their anti-party activities’ in accordance to a decision of the
party's ‘central executive council’ adopted on April 5 this year
(2017).
The NIA arrested three senior
officials of the Nagaland Government for their alleged role in
large-scale extortion and illegal ‘tax collection’ on behalf of
the NSCN-K from various Government organisations. An NIA source
said that, the accused - the joint director of the social welfare
department, Tulula Pongen, the joint director of the land resources
department, Alienba Pangjung Jamir, and a cashier of the land
resources department, K. Lashito Shequi - were arrested from Kohima
in connection with case registered at its Guwahati branch last
year (2016). The NIA had registered the case number RC-01/2016
following the arrest of an NSCN-K member, S. Khetoshe Sumi, in
Dimapur on July 31 last year (2016). The subsequent probe revealed
that at least 12 Government departments in the State regularly
paid money to members of the NSCN-K and other militant organisations
like the NSCN-IM and the NNC.
In a press release the BAN informed
that two business establishments run by Naga entrepreneurs in
Dimapur’s supermarket area have recently closed business ‘out
of fear’ of threats issued by members of NSCN-IM. According to
the press release cadres from NSCN-IM came to the supermarket
on 20 April and threatened them over the issues of high price,
price tags and imported products.
A source from the NIA said that
a new militant group of Nagas, named as ENNG has emerged in the
Arunachal Pradesh in recent times. The ENNG was formed in January
last year (2016) by R. Stephen Naga to strengthen the "Naga
army" in ‘eastern Nagaland’ to have a separate political
entity and build up alliances with armed groups of Myanmar. The
source said "In the last year, the new outfit has already
served over two dozen extortion notes, mostly to contractors working
in Arunachal Pradesh, demanding 3 per cent of the total order
value as extortion money."
Police arrested two extortionists
of NSCN-R, identified as Vikiho Aye and Toluka Chophy, from Dimapur
Town.
|
April 27
|
The Amritsar rural police recovered
FICN worth INR 7,00,0005 and arrested six persons in this regard.
The scrapped notes were in the denominations of INR 500 and INR
1,000, the Police said. The accused have been identified as Sukhraj
Singh, Naveen, Pawan, Arun, Rajat and Pamit. On investigation,
the accused used to collect fake currency from market and get
it converted into new currency notes. In a joint operation of
Amritsar rural and Commissionerate, the fake notes were kept in
a house in Basant Avenue.
A NIA court charged Areeb Majeed,
a youth from Kalyan (Maharashtra) who had joined the Islamic State
(IS), and three other absconding accused with committing terrorist
acts and waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with
the Government of India. The court said Majeed, along with Fahad
Shaikh, Saheem Tanki and Aman Tandel, hatched a criminal conspiracy
to commit terrorist acts in Iraq and Syria, aided and abetted
each other by agreeing to commit terrorist acts, and joined a
terrorist organisation, Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL),
thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 (punishment
for conspiracy) of the UAPA.
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.
In an audio tape broadcast by
a television channel Nikhil aka Niranjan Rout, spokesperson
of DKSZC of CPI-Maoist said the Sukma attack in Chhattisgarh,
was in retaliation for the slaying of nine CPI-Maoist cadres in
Odisha. In the name of democracy, a fascist rule is
being carried out, this is revenge for that. The CPI-Maoist leader
in his message appealed the SF personnel and the lower rung of
Government administration to quit their jobs.
CPI-Maoist ‘commanders’
Hidma, Situ and Sonu are named in an FIR, in connection with the
April 24 ambush in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, in which 25
personnel of the CRPF were killed.
A two-member team of UHM, Senior
Security Advisor, K Vijay Kumar and acting CRPF Chief, Sudeep
Lakhtakia told the Government that there was no evidence that
the bodies of the CRPF personnel killed in a CPI-Maoist attack
in Chhattisgarh on April 24 were mutilated.
In a high-level meeting, senior
officers decided that the focus of counter-insurgency would be
shifted to core CPI-Maoist areas in a 1,000 Sq Km area between
Dornapal-Jagargunda in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The
meeting has decided to demand before the Union Government
to deploy additional 12,000 specialised security personnel such
as 10 battalions of CoBRA, and the Naga battalion, famous for
countering guerrilla warfare. Officers also placed a demand of
two additional battalions of DRS, comprising local tribal’s youth
and surrendered Naxals.
Odisha Police has stepped up the
patrolling and combing operations in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts,
in the wake of the April 24 ambush on SFs by CPI-Maoist cadres
in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh's Sukma District.
About 20-30 CPI-Maoist cadres
barged into the Sudhakanda village and killed two villagers suspecting
them to be ‘Police informers’ under Kalimela block in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. The deceased have been identified as Bisu
Kirsani and Rama Padiami.
Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of
State for Fisheries, Youth Affairs and Sports declared the Naxalite-affected
Amasebail GP as the first fully solar GP in Udupi
District of Karnataka. The Amasebail GP has
three villages — Amasebail, Rattady and Machattu — with 1,872
houses.
Bihar ranked third among the ten
states hit by LWEs violence in 2016, according to the data available
on the UMHA website. Besides Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar
Pradesh and West Bengal are the other states affected by LWE.
The MHA figures say altogether 1,048 incidents of LWE violence
took place in these 10 states in 2016. Bihar was third with 129
incidents. Chhattisgarh with 395 incidents was on top followed
by Jharkhand 323.
SFs recovered a huge amount of
arms and ammunitions from a locked granary, owned by Suantak Lamthianlal
Vaiphei (37), at Heiroklen near Andro in Kangpokpi District. The
arms and ammunition includes two AK-47 assault rifles, one MA-3
assault rifle aka A-1, one pistol, seven magazines, three camouflage
pouches and 215 rounds of ammunition. SFs also arrested the owner
of the granary Suantak Lamthianlal Vaiphei (37) in this connection.
A combined team of Police and
AR arrested two KNA militants, identified as Thoilen Vaiphei (32)
and Lelin Vaiphei (30), during an operation conducted at Kamu
Tamnong village of Senapati District. Three AK rifles and 500
rounds of ammunition were also recovered from their possession.
The NSCN-IM made a strong pitch
for its demand for unification of the contiguous Naga inhabited
areas in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur into a greater Nagaland,
"Nagalim". The NSCN-IM reiterated its demand after the
Union Ministry of Home Affairs on March 25 said that the statement
by the group's ‘general secretary’ Thuingaleng Muivah that Centre
has agreed to unification of the Naga inhabited areas as "erroneous."
A group of GNLA militant attacked
coal-laden trucks at Tainang area of NH-62 between Siju and Baghmara,
of South Garo Hills District. The firing damaged three trucks
but no casualty was reported. According to the Police the same
group of militant was involved in the incident of the assaulting
the 14-year-old school boy at Dambuk Atong village in South Garo
Hills District.
Six suspected Bangladeshi nationals
abducted a youth, Dajied Syiemlieh, working as a helper of an
earth mover, from Nongjri village in South West Khasi Hills District.
South West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police H.G. Lyngdoh said
that the Police have launched combing operations in order to trace
the youth. "Since yesterday, we have alerted the BSF to seal
the international border," Lyngdoh said.
SFs arrested a NSCN-K militant
with arms and ammunition at Longding District.
Police arrested two extortionists,
identified as Zakato Ayemi and Dildar Hussian from Dimapur Town.
|
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres opened fire
at SOG personnel engaged in combing operation in Samajhola reserve
forest under Ambodola Police limits in Muniguda block of Rayagada
District of Odisha. After a brief spell of firing, the Red ultras
escaped under the cover of darkness. The SFs seized 50 Kilograms
of ammonia nitrate, one magazine of INSAS rifle, six live ammunitions,
four bundles of electronic detonators (each having 25 detonators),
medicines and other appliances from the spot.
CPI-Maoist and SFs were engaged
in an exchange of fire near Jajespanga under Phiringia Police
limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha. According to Kandhamal
SP, Pinaki Misra, the SFs were on their way to organise a
Jana
Sampark Sibira
along with medicines and doctor. While
they were passing the area, the Maoists fired at them. The SFs
fired in retaliation and the Maoists escaped into the nearby forest.
Police seized one country made SBML gun, empty cartridges and
other materials from the spot which was supposedly serving as
a camp of Maoists.
GoI and the GPRN/ NSCN have “mutually
agreed” to extend the Cease-Fire agreement with effect from April
28 (today), 2017 for a period of one year. In a press release,
GPRN/NSCN stated that the agreement was signed on April 17, 2017
in New Delhi by Jack Jimomi, on behalf of the NSCN and Satyendra
Garg, joint secretary (North East) to the Government of India
(Union Ministry of Home Affairs), in the presence of Rina Mitra,
Special Secretary (IS) of GoI.
The fourth round of peace talks
between the Mizoram Government and the HPC-D was held in Aizawl
with both sides agreeing to continue with the dialogue in the
near future. State additional secretary for Home Lalbiakzama,
who is the leader of the government delegation, told PTI that
the parleys were held in a cordial atmosphere and mutual trust.
“Official level talks to deliberate on the terms of the framework
agreement would continue till the talks, in the final phase are
elevated to political level,” a senior Home department official
said. The six-member HPC-D delegation was led by L T Hmar, ‘working
chairman’ of the Hmar outfit. Sources in the HPC-D delegation
said, that the talks now revolved around autonomy of the SHDC,
formed in the wake of the accord signed between the state government
and the erstwhile underground HPC on July 27, 1994. The name of
the council was also proposed to be changed from SHDC to Sinlung
Hills Council, by omitting the word ‘Development’, the sources
said.
Police arrested one extortionist,
who is also a cadre of NSCN-R, identified as Akivito Awomi from
Dimapur town.
|
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a school
building in Birbanki village under Arki Police Station, about
80km from Khunti District of Jharkhand. Maoists also set ablaze
a mobile tower and a concrete mixer.
Police recovered five IEDs hidden
in the bushes on the outskirts of Jangur village in Manika area
of Latehar District of Jharkhand. SP, Dhananjay Kumar said the
IEDs were defused smoothly and search operations were in full
swing.
Two Maoists cadres, Nunulal Hansda
and Devilal Hansda, surrendered before DIG, Akhilesh Jha, in Dumka
Range in Dumka District of Jharkhand.
An armed militia squad of the
CPI-Maoist set ablaze earthmoving equipment near Busuputtu hamlet
in Munchingput Mandal in Visakhapatnam District
of Andhra Pradesh. About 12 to 15 armed militia cadres poured
petrol on the earthmoving vehicle parked on the side of a road
that was being built and set it on fire, after threatening the
driver and the other staff.
Unidentified militants, in an
ambush, killed two locals engaged for transporting water by the
BRO, identified as Lallianmang (40) and Ginlam Khaute, (50), at
a place near Behiang in Churachandpur District along the Indo-Myanmar
border. A heavily armed militant group reportedly waylaid the
water tanker in with IEDs, and fired a volley of bullets on them
at around 7.50 am, local sources said. The tanker was meant for
transporting water meant for the Indian army posted at the border
village.
Two unidentified militants of
the BDFM surrendered in Lawngtlai District.
One militant of ULFA-I, identified
as Madhab Jyoti Nath (23), was arrested by the SFs from Cherekapar
area of Sivasagar District. A .22 pistol, 6 rounds of live bullets
of AK-47 rifle, one mobile phone, INR 7,000 and other documents
were also recovered from him.
Police arrested two extortionists,
identified as Takendar Singh and Babul Ali from Netaji Colony
in Dimapur Town.
|
April 30
|
Two Keralites who allegedly joined
terror groups in 2016, have reportedly been killed in air strikes
by the US in Syria and Afghanistan. They were identified as Yahya
and Abu Thahir, both hailing from Palakkad District of Kerala.
Yahya had reportedly joined Islamic State (IS) and Abu Thahir
the al Qaeda, Police said. They were among 21 people from Kerala,
including women and children, who travelled to West Asia and went
missing in 2016. Police said they received an information on April
30, night about the death of Thahir in Syria. A message received
by a social worker in Kasargod said: “Yahya has been martyred
while fighting in Afghanistan.” “He was killed while fighting
the U.S. forces,” the message read. It, however, did not say when
he was killed.
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.
Two tribal families were allegedly
evicted by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres from their village in Kondagaon
District of Chhattisgarh. Victims said Maoists had threatened
them to leave their homes in Tumdiwal village earlier this week
after they refused to provide them with ration and levy to the
outlaws. The victims said in their statement that a group of Maoists
were recovering 20 kilograms of rice and levy from each home in
the village in Mardapal area, , Kondagaon, SP, Ashutosh Singh
informed. When they denied giving anything to the rebels, they
held a ‘Janadalat’ on April 27, where the victim families, comprising
at least 12 members including children were accused of acting
as 'police informers' and asked to vacate the village, the official
said. Besides, Maoists also looted valuable and articles from
the house of the two families, he said.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified
as, Baaglu Alaami (30) and Koparam Netam, were arrested from Barsoor
Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Acting
on a tip-off that two active cadres of Indravati Area Committee
of Maoists have arrived in Barsoor to procure commodities of daily
use, a joint team of CRPF's 195th battalion and local Police raided
the site and arrested them. Alaami was active as a member of military
platoon number-16 of Maoists, the official said adding that he
was carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on his head. Similarly, Netam
was working as a lower-rung jan militia member, he added.
Unidentified militants triggered
a low intensity IED near the temporary BSF post at Nongren Chenjel
under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District. No one was
injured in the blast.
Suspected militants attacked a
convoy of oil tankers moving from Dimapur to Imphal along the
Manipur section of National Highway near Kangpokpi town in Kangpokpi
District. Three oil tankers were hit by bullets in the attack
and two drivers, identified as Raju Karki (34) and Tulsi Poudial
(36), sustained injuries in the attack. This is the second attack
on oil tankers convoy after the April 18 attack in this month
(April, 2017).
SFs recovered huge cache of arms
and ammunition from Dipanjali Hills area along Assam-Arunachal
Pradesh border in Sonitpur District. The recovered staff includes
one 303 rifle, a gun, one pistol, one hand grenade, 50 rounds
live ammunition and magazine. According to the SFs the recovered
arms and ammunitions belongs to the militants of NDFB-IKS.
SFs recovered one hand made rifle
and one silencer of 303 rifle, two AK 56 rifles, two 9mm pistols,
60 live ammunition and four magazines in Baksa District. SFs also
arrested one person identified as Nirmal Basumatary in this connection.
The person was suspected for rhino killing in Kaziranga.
In a statement, GNLA denied any
involvement in the recent attack on coal trucks near Rongara in
South Garo Hills District on April 27 and the incident of assaulting
a boy at Dambuk near Rongara on April 25.
A suspected Islamic State (IS)
recruit, identified as Subhani Haja Moideen, has led the NIA to
France and Austria while revealing a possible link between the
LeT and IS. Moideen was chargesheeted by NIA in its case related
to the IS Kochi module. Moideen is one of the two Indians who
fought for IS in Syria and Iraq. He had come back to India in
2016 to lead a normal life but was arrested by NIA (on October
5, 2016) on charges of trying to set up an IS module in south
India. The NIA chargesheet accuses him of trying to kill RSS leaders
in Kochi. The chargesheet also accused him of forming an IS module
that conspired and prepared to target prominent persons including
high court judges, political leaders and senior police officers
besides foreigners visiting India.
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.
Terming the agreement with State
Government as a total failure, ‘chairman’ of the now disbanded
ANVC-B, Bernard (Rimpu) Marak has threatened to burn copies of
the ATS in protest at the Government’s apathy. “The ATS is a total
failure. Till date its implementation has not been monitored properly
by the State Government and is at a standstill ever since it was
signed. There has been very little development due to the Government’s
lack of interest in its implementation”, said Bernard in a release.
|
May 1
|
India and Turkey have decided
to work together to strengthen cooperation, both bilaterally and
multilaterally, to effectively counter terrorism, PM Narendra
Modi said, after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan. The two leaders agreed on the need to act and
stand against those who create and conceive, support and sustain,
shelter and spread these instruments and ideologies of violence.
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.
Two persons, as Abdul Kalam and
Salseng Sangma, were arrested with FICN worth INR 132,000 [INR
2,000 denomination] in West Garo Hills District. All the FICN
notes were of “very high quality and only experts could differentiate”,
said West Garo Hills SP Raghvendra Kumar. Police are looking for
other members of the gang. “This is supposedly a big gang of international
smugglers who source their FICN from across the international
border mostly through Mankachar,” he said. The Police said the
gang has circulated around INR 3-4 million in Garo Hills. The
gang’s modus operandi is to mix FICN into the system at local
markets and through other businesses.
A State-appointed committee on
protection of land rights of indigenous people has estimated that
90% of the natives of Assam do not possess permanent land 'patta'
(legal document for land ownership), while at least 8 lakh native
families are landless. "In all of Assam, 63 lakh bigha (1
bigha= 14,400 sq ft) of Government land, including forest land,
grazing ground and others, are under illegal occupation, while
at least 7 to 8 lakh native families do not have an inch of land.
Ninety per cent of the native people do not have myadi patta (permanent
land settlement), they have either eksonia patta (annual land
settlement) or are occupying government land," said, Hari
Shankar Brahma, who heads the committee. According to an additional
deputy commissioner of Nagaon District, about 70% of the land
is owned by non-natives there, which is perhaps the only district
where non-indigenous people possess such a share of land, Brahma
said on April 30. The committee, formed in February, 2017 as per
CM Sarbananda Sonowal's instructions, is expected to submit its
recommendations on how to protect the land rights of the indigenous
people to the government in June 2017.
One militant of NSCN-K, identified
as Inovi Avika Assumi alias Max (32), was arrested by AR
along with arms in general area of 5th Mile in Dimapur Town. One
.22 mm Pistol with magazine, three live rounds of assorted ammunition
were recovered from the arrestee.
A joint squad of CAF and District
Force arrested three cadres of CPI-Maoist from the forests under
Pushpal Police Station area in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
Those arrested were identified as Kawasi Hadma (32) from Darbha
area of Bastar District, and Ramnath Nag (21) and Buchha Dhurwa
(24), both natives of Malkangiri District in Odisha.
SFs busted a Naxal transit
camp in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered
Maoist uniforms, couple of detonators, a powerful IED, gunpowder,
crackers, banner, clothes, electric wire, medicines and commodities
of daily use from the camp.
Alok Yadav, TPC 'sub-zonal commander'
was arrested from his hideout in Mahuadand area in Latehar District
of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.
Police arrested six CPI-Maoist
sympathisers from Yadadri District of Telangana and recovered
firearms and explosives from them. "Six Maoist sympathisers
were arrested by Siddipet police on the basis of a specific input.
Police recovered one revolver, three pistols, 49 live rounds,
two magazines and 20 electronic detonators from them," Siddipet
Police Commissioner Shiv Kumar said.
Police Commissioner Kumar said
that Police arrested one R Swamy, working as a courier for Maoists,
from the Venkatraopet village in Siddipet District of Telangana.
"Based on the information given by him, raids were conducted
in Hyderabad and Yadadri-Bhuvangiri District and five others were
arrested today," the Police Commissioner said. They are identified
as V Ramachandram, who hails from Nalgonda District in Telangana,
Ranjit Kumar, a native of Jaunpur District in Uttar Pradesh, B
Narasimha Chary and G Venkatesh (both from Yadari District), and
N Balaswamy, who hails from Siddipet District, the officer said.
He said Ranjit Kumar is the supplier of arms. "V Ramchandram
had purchased a pistol from Kumar for Rs 60,000 in 2012 whereas
R Swamy recently purchased two pistols, two magazines and 39 bullets
for Rs 80,000 from Kumar," he said, adding that several cases
are pending against Ramchandram in Nalgonda District.
A tribal labourer Deba Madkami,
a resident of Tamaguda, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Malkangiri
District of Odisha suspecting him to be a 'police informer'. A
group of armed Maoists stormed Tamaguda village and forcibly took
away the man from his home at gunpoint accusing him to be a 'police
informer', Police said. His body with the throat slit was found
at the outskirts of the village, Police informed.
A brief exchange of fire took
place between the SOG and Maoists in the dense Kurub forest in
Kalimela area of in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Maoists
fled the scene and no injury to anyone was reported, the Police
said.
The Uttarakhand Government announced
a bounty of INR 50,000 each for information leading to arrest
of “absconding” CPI-Maoist leaders Kim Singh Bora and Devendra
Chabhyal, who hail from Someshwar and Petshaal villages, respectively,
in Almora District of Uttarakhand.
|
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.
Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu
gave a clarion call to the Naga people to seek for an early “amicable
and honourable settlement” to the ‘protracted Naga political problem’.
“Nagas have been suffering for too long and we want to see an
early solution which is amicable and honourable,” he said while
addressing a gathering of Ao Naga and Angami Naga tribes at Mokokchung
on the occasion of the premier Ao post sowing festival ‘Moatsu’.
AR arrested one militants of NSCN-IM,
identified as ‘captain’ Y Wongtsu Tikhir (41) in Kiphire town
of Kiphire District.
One militant from NSCN-R, identified
as Yangtsapa Sangtam (28), was arrested in Kiphire town of Kiphire
District. Ten live rounds of AK 47, 5 live rounds of 7.62 mm SLR,
INR 6,090, and one Intex mobile, three incriminating documents
and one Bajaj Platina was also recovered from the arrested militant.
DGP, S B Singh, said that, there
will be no negotiations with militant outfits in Meghalaya and
counter insurgency operations in the Garo Hills against outlawed
GNLA would continue. "Our stand is that there will be no
negotiations with any group as also made clear by the Union Ministry
of Home Affairs joint secretary in charge of North East,"
Singh said. "GNLA are cornered. They have been driven out
of Durama Hills and they are on the run," he said adding
there would be no negotiation with the outlawed militant outfits
responsible for killing, abduction and terrorizing the western
parts of the State since late 2010.
One militant of GNLA, identified
as Bikarias N. Marak alias Bilkam Bordoloi (29), surrendered
before Police church leaders in North Garo Hills District.
SFs arrested three cadres of the
CPI-Maoist from Lutua Police Station area in Gaya District of
Bihar. The arrested cadres were identified as Visheshwar Bharti,
Chhotu Bharti and Ashok Kumar. SFs also recovered five cartridges
of different weapons, Naxal literature and wires from their
possession.
Personnel of SOG, DVF and CAPFs
like BSF and CRPF have intensified combing operations in the Kuruba
jungle under the Kalimela Police Station in Malkangiri District
of Odisha, after reports of infiltration of CPI-Maoist cadres
from Chhattisgarh.
SFs recovered eight powerful Tiffin
bombs during combing operations in the Kuruba forest region in
Malkangiri District of Odisha. An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter,
Pawan Hans has also been stationed at the Ud3JaN camp to expedite
the ongoing anti-Maoist operation.
Dimapur Police arrested two unidentified
persons, in connection with a case of abduction for ransom that
occurred on April 28, from 7th Mile area of Dimapur.
|
May 3
|
The UP ATS claimed to have neutralised
an espionage racket in the state by arresting a suspected ISI
agent from Faizabad and picking up another for questioning. This
comes days after intelligence inputs had warned of a possible
terror attack in the state by ISI-trained terrorists. In a joint
operation conducted by the UP ATS, Military Intelligence and UP
Intelligence, Aftab Ali was picked up from Faizabad.
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.
An unidentified truck driver and
his helper were abducted and latter released by suspected KNF-P
militants at some undisclosed location somewhere in between Keithelmanbi
of Imphal West District and Sapermeina of Senapati District.
SFs arrested another militant
belonging to PREPAK-Pro, identified as Kangabam Nanao Meitei alias
Khalemba (22), from Phubala Bazar in Bishnupur District. One 9mm
pistol with magazine loaded with two live rounds was also recovered
from his possession.
Three militants of UPLA, identified
as Bijoy Ingti, Karung Terampi and Loring Tron, were arrested
by SFs from Moran Khelmati, under Moran Police Station, in Dibrugarh
District. A .22 pistol, a 7.62 pistol, 13 live rounds and two
magazines were also recovered from the arrested militants.
The NSCN-K, in its statement,
said it will not tolerate any departmental authorities collaborating
with the NIA and threatened punitive actions against those conniving
with the agency. NIA had arresting three senior officials of the
Nagaland government for their alleged role in large scale extortion
and illegal tax collection on behalf of the militant outfit from
various government organisations. In a statement issued to the
media, the NSCN-K said the arrest of three State Government officials,
social welfare department Tulula Pongen, joint director of the
land resources department Alienba Pangjung Jamir and a cashier
of the land resources department, K. Lashito Shequi, by the NIA
was nothing "but a desperate attempt to veil its frustration
over failure to stem the Naga struggle and to coerce the patriotic
and freedom-loving Nagas to abstain from performing one's obligation
towards national cause." NSCN-K further said it would continue
to levy reasonable and affordable taxes on the people for the
sustenance of "our national struggle".
Mizo inhabitants of Jampui hills
in North Tripura District bordering Mizoram has revived their
demand for a Regional Council and have decided to go for agitation.
The agitation program will begin with a procession on May 11.
The procession will begin from Belianchip and pass across all
the 11 villages of the hills to end at Bhangmun. Lalramjoha Sailo,
‘president’ of the Jampui Mizo Convention said they have submitted
memorandum to the Governor and the CM in support of their demand
but no action has been taken forcing them to launch agitation.
He said the TTAADC was formed for development of the tribals but
it failed to satisfy the aspirations of the smaller tribes. A
smaller section of the tribals are cornering all the benefits,
he alleged. He said a delegation of the Jampui Mizo Convention
met the CM in 2016 and apprised about their problems but no positive
action has been taken to solve these. He said the proposed regional
council will be comprised of all the 11 villages of the hills.
Eighty five per cent of the inhabitants of the proposed area are
Mizo’s while the rest 15 per cent are Reangs. He said the Reangs
also will get the same benefits like the Mizo community if the
regional council is formed.
Chief Executive Member of TTAADC
Radhacharan Debbarma met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in
Delhi. During the meeting, the CEM handed over a memorandum seeking
his intervention for overall development of the tribal council
to the Union Home Minister. Demands include introduction of Panchayati
Raj like three-tier system in tribal council’s Village Committees
by amending the Constitution and inclusion of Kokborok language
in the eight Schedule of the Constitution. The CEM also demanded
enhancement of allocation for TTAADC for the current fiscal year
as NITI Aayog had reduced outlay in the last financial year. Debbarma
also pointed out Autonomous District Councils were floated on
the basis of population way back in 1952. “By this time, population
in ADC areas has been increased and therefore there is a need
to increase fund to the tribal council”, he said.
Citing frequent violent activities
by insurgent groups, the Union Home Ministry declared Assam as
a “disturbed” area under the AFSPA for another three months with
effect from May 3. Apart from Assam, the Union Home Ministry has
declared three Districts of Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Longding
and Changlang as “disturbed” area and these Districts will be
under the AFSPA act for three more months. The Ministry said that
the AFSPA in Assam has been extended for three more months on
the basis of 75 incidents of violence in the state in 2016 that
led to the killing of 33 people, including four security personnel.
14 cases of abduction have also been reported during the same
period. There have been nine violent incidents registered in the
state in 2017 in which four people, including two security personnel,
were killed.
CM Raman Singh called for a meeting
of the Unified Command to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to
hit CPI-Maoist cadres this week (May 5) in Raipur District of
Chhattisgarh. The top brass of Central Paramilitary Forces, the
Chhattisgarh Police, the IAF and State Government authorities
responsible for the administration in Bastar and other Naxal-hit
Districts of the State will take part in the meeting. The Unified
Command was created in all the Maoist-affected States in the aftermath
of the 2010 Dantewada attack where 75 CRPF personnel and a State
Policeman, were killed in a deadly ambush carried out by Naxals.
The Command is chaired by the respective CMs of Maoist-affected
States.
ADG (Operations) RK Mallick after
a review meeting related to Naxal incidents at Police Headquarters
in Ranchi District of Jharkhand told reporters that a decision
has been taken to cease property of top CPI-Maoist and Splinter
Groups under NDPS Act. He further stated that, “Out of
a total of 60 incidents related to red rebels till April 30 this
year, 28 of them were of CPI-Maoists against 22 out of 80 incidents
carried out last year in this period which indicates that it has
increased by 25 per cent.”
A SF Personnel was killed and
19 jawans of Gadchiroli District Police and the 37 battalion of
CRPF sustained injuries in two separate incidents under Bhamragarh
Taluka in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. In
first incident, two jawans of Gadchiroli Police were injured and
one CRPF constable was killed during an exchange of fire with
CPI-Maoist cadres in the Koparshi-Pulnar jungle near Koti in Bhamragarh.
Later, one of them succumbed to injuries.
A MPV of the C-60 Commandos came
under a landmine attack by CPI-Maoist cadres near Kier village
injuring at least nine SF personnel. According to Police, the
Area Rakshak Dal and Gram Rakshak Dal of the CPI-Maoist
triggered the blast by completing the circuit of explosives planted
earlier.
A woman cadre, identified as Rashmita
Sikoka alias Kuni, and five militia members of the CPI-Maoist
surrendered before the Police in Rayagada District of Odisha.
Rashmita was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on her head announced
by the Odisha Government.
|
May 4
|
Acting on leads provided by ISI
suspect Aftab Ali, arrested from UP’s Faizabad, the UP ATS picked
up Altaf Qureshi from south Mumbai’s Masjid Bunder and Javed Iqbal
from Agreepada, also in Mumbai. According to police, the trio
was involved an espionage racket, with Aftab, believed to have
been trained by ISI, maintaining constant touch with officials
in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
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.
Joginder Singh (39), a rice trader
and his daughter Rinky Singh (10), sustained minor injuries after
unidentified militants lobbed a crude bomb at their residence
at Milan Nagar in Tinsukia District.
Police arrested at least three
persons and seized two counterfeit note-printing machines along
with INR 420,000 of FICN, mostly in INR 2,000 denominations.
In the first operation, Hamren Police seized a FICN machine from
a clandestine location at Harlongjubi village in Karbi Anglong
District and arrested two persons. "Special blank papers,
used for printing the notes, were also seized from the printing
press. The arrested persons were identified as Bajong Timung and
Bidyaram Teran," Police sources said. At the same time, in
a separate operation in Darrang District, police nabbed one Billal
Hussain, along with a fake note-printing machine, from Ananda
Bazaar village of Dhula. Police are quizzing him to nab others
involved in the racket. "Inks and printers used for the purpose
of manufacturing fake notes were also seized," added Police.
The fifth round of peace talks
between the Mizoram government and the HPC-D militants is scheduled
to be held in July, State additional secretary for Home, Lalbiakzama
said. Lalbiakzama said that the coming round of talks might be
the last official level talks as the parleys may be elevated to
political level soon. “Official level talks to deliberate on the
terms of the framework agreement would continue till the final
phase and the parleys would be elevated to political level,” he
said.
One militant of KCP-P, identified
as Oinam Manitomba Singh alias Thoiba (37), was arrested
by the SFs at Heingang Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District.
A villager, Jaaglu Ram Nag (35),
was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres after branding him as a ‘Police
informer’ in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed
in an exchange of fire with SFs in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
The identities of the deceased CPI-Maoist is yet to be ascertained.
11 persons were being interrogated
by SFs, for their suspected links to the last week's (April 24)
CPI-Maoist attack on CRPF personnel, in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
In a joint operation launched
by the Jharkhand Police and 158 Battalion CRPF, a massive cache
of arms and ammunitions was recovered from a Naxal hideout
in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. A 7.62 mm LMG, semi-automatic
US made rifle, an AK 47, a SLR rifle, three INSAS rifle, two 303
rifles, four 315 rifles, communication sets, along with magazines
and around more than 3000 ammunitions of different calibres were
among the weapons and ammunition that were recovered.
A CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’
Nakul Yadav and a ‘sub-zonal commander’ Madan Yadav surrendered
before the Police in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Nakul
was carrying a reward of INR 1.5 million and Madan carried INR
500,000 on their heads. The two were given financial help under
the State Government program which tries to help them have a better
life ahead.
The CPI-Maoist cadres torched
two JCB machines and two tractors, being used for construction
of roads under the PMGSY, in Majhigumandi and Uparagumandi villages
of Koraput District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres left
behind posters warning against resumption of road construction
in the area and asking villagers not to cooperate with the contractor.
ITBP arrested a Bangladeshi national,
identified as Mohammad M Hussain from near Lepcha check-post of
Spiti (Lahaul-Spiti District) close to the Indo-China border on
suspicion of espionage in the area. ITBP apprehended him while
he was sleeping and handed him over to the Spiti Police for further
investigation.
The AET arrested three persons
including two ladies on charges of extortion. The accused persons
reportedly belonging to a faction of NSCN were collecting money
from fruit vendors at New Market area in Dimapur.
|
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.
Two suspected militants of Kuki
militant group, identified as Satkholhun Haokip (35) and Ngamlet
Haokip (41), were killed by suspected rival faction near Boljang
village in Kangpokpi District. Earlier, on the same day (May 5)
three persons, including these two were abducted by the suspected
rival faction. The third one is still missing and he was identified
as Jangkholun. The Police have not confirmed the name of the involved
militant groups so far.
AR arrested two militants of NSCN-K,
identified as ‘lieutenant’ Wanphai Wangsa and ‘corporal’ Kekho
Homku, from Kunsa in Longding District. Two pistols (9mm and 7.65mm)
with ammunitions were recovered from the arrestees.
The HC of Meghalaya refused to
cancel the bail granted to GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma by
the Sessions Court.
BSF DG K.K Sharma said that Bangladesh
is no longer a safe haven for Indian insurgent groups. Sharma,
who was addressing the media at the 8th annual medical conference
at the BSF headquarters in the Shillong, said the few training
camps and hideouts set up by Indian rebel groups, like HNLC and
ULFA, in the neighbouring country have been destroyed by the Border
Guards Bangladesh. On border fencing in the State, Sharma said
BSF has taken up the land acquisition issue with the State Government.
At the same time, he said the border sentinels will introduce
high-end technology to detect intruders. “BSF is in the process
of filling up the gaps along the border by technological solutions
— installing intruder detection alert system that would go a long
way in detecting infiltrators.
AR arrested nine unidentified
militants of NSCN-IM at Julukie town in Peren District. Five AK
series Rifles, one US made gun, one shot gun, one .22 rifle,
one pellet gun, 2 pistols, 5 hand grenades, one radio set, 300
rounds of various caliber and various documents related to NSCN-IM
were recovered from the arrested militants.
A Home Guard, identified as Sheikh
Valli, was killed in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist
cadres on the Lothugedda junction-Balapam stretch in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. The impact of the blast was so strong
that the remains of Valli's body and the SUV he was travelling
in were scattered everywhere. Sources said the landmine was at
least four years old as the road was laid at least three times
in the last four years. The police have deployed special parties
to intensify combing operations in Visakha Agency following the
incident.
A joint team of CRPF and District
Force arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres from two separate places
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. In the first incident,
CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Hadma, Hinga Muchaki and Bhima
were arrested from Aranpur Police Station area. In second incident,
a Jan Militia member- Rakesh Bhaskar was arrested from
Bandipara Kamloor village by local Police.
CM, Raman Singh emphasised on
the need to win the locals confidence and form a District-level
Unified Operation Command in Maoist-affected Districts of Chhattisgarh,
at the State secretariat in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh.
Minister of State MHA, Hansraj
Gangaram Ahir reviewed the Maoist problem in Sukma District of
Chhattisgarh where the CPI-Maoist cadres massacred 25 security
personnel last month.
SFs arrested two PLFI cadres,
Gaganpreet Singh (24) and Markus Aind (25), near Birsa Chowk in
Ranchi District of Jharkhand. SFs recovered INR 45,000
in cash, 13 SIMs, seven mobile phones, PLFI letter head and a
bike from them. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
An important meeting of Police
officials of Jharkhand and Bihar along with CRPF officers took
place at the premises of Cobra Battalion Headquarter situated
at Barhi, in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. In this meeting
the officials of both the States decided to launch a combined
combat operation against the Naxals. They (Police officials)
decided that the aim is to uproot the banned Naxal groups
from the border areas of both the States. The officials also decided
to set up the right way of communication between the Police forces
of both the States especially between the forces on duty in the
border districts.
Dimapur Police arrested two persons
from New Market area after they were found collecting money from
the vendors.
|
May 6
|
A Kasaragod resident exposed Pro-Islamic
State (IS) messages being circulated via WhatsApp messaging services
hailing the terror group. A pro-Islamic State message being circulated
via WhatsApp was brought to the notice of the NIA after a complaint
was filed. Haris Mastan, in his complaint, alleged that messages
promoting the Islamic State were circulated in WhatsApp groups.
He claimed to have received the message on May 6, in a group where
he was added as one of the 200 members.
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.
SFs killed a militant belonging
to NSCN-K in Wakka village in Longding District. Based on intelligence
input, a troop of AR launched operation at Wakka village where
the militant group was hiding. When the troops reached the remote
area, the militant group started firing and bullets were exchanged
for half an hour. Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet
Konwer said that, a militant was killed during gun battle and
other militants of the group had managed to flee from the area.
SFs recovered a 7.62mm pistol with 10 rounds live ammunition and
ammunition of AK-47 from the slain militant who is yet to be identified.
A firing incident between the
troopers of AR and militants from suspected TPLA occurred in Kangpokpi
District. However, no casualty from either side was reported so
far.
Indian Army recovered a cache
of arms and ammunition from an unidentified militant hideout in
Karbi Anglong District during an operation. The recovered staff
includes three country made self-loaded rifles, five hand grenades,
three SLR cartridges, one ammunition pouch and three combat dresses.
As many as 19 cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
nine of them allegedly involved in the deadly attack on CRPF personnel
on April 24, were arrested from separate places in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. Of the nine Maoists who were allegedly involved
in the Burkapal attack, six were rounded up from Chintagufa police
station area while three others from Chintalnar police station
limits, Sukma ASP Jitendra Shukla said.
10 Jan Militia members of the
Maoists were arrested from Kukanar police station area by a composite
squad of the CRPF, the DRG and the district force, ASP Jitendra
Shukla said. The 10 were allegedly involved in torching two trucks
and opening fire at a police patrolling party in Kukanar area
between Jagdalapur and Sukma on NH 30 on February 26, 2017 he
said.
Lohardaga Police recovered a large
cache of explosives, including 53 can bombs, one container bomb
weighing 10 kilograms and 15 litres of fuel from Husru forest
in Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. Lohardaga SP Kartik S said,
"We have seized 53 can bombs each containing 500 gm of explosives,
one container bomb of 10 kg, 10 bundles of codex wires of 10 kg
each and some unidentified explosive powder and 15 litres of unidentified
fuel. A gas welding and cutting machine along with a gas cylinder
and 30-40 kg of iron rods which were meant to be used as splinters
were also recovered. We will send the powder and the fuel for
forensic analysis to know the chemical compositions. It will explain
what they were meant to be used for." The recovery made on
May 6 was on the basis of disclosures made by surrendered CPI-Maoist
‘zonal commander’ Nakul Yadav and a tip-off received by the Lohardaga
Police. According to Police sources, the explosives were hidden
underground inside the forest.
A woman cadre of CPI-Maoist, identified
as Drimbili Jakesika alias Manjula (22), surrendered before
Rayagada Police in Rayagada District of Odisha. She was
carrying INR 100,000 on her head.
|
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.
Four LeT terrorists fired volleys
from their automatic rifles into the air to pay "respect"
to slain militant Fayaz Ahmed Ashwar, from Reshipora in Kulgam
District of south Kashmir, during his funeral. It's rare for
terrorists to be present for the funeral of their dead cohorts,
and rarer for them to expose themselves by publicly displaying
such support. Eyewitnesses said four armed militants appeared
in the crowd who came to "pay" respect to slain HM militant
Fayaz Ahmed Ashwar. "They fired a volley of bullets in the
air and raised pro-azadi slogans," sources said.
The KNO/ KRA alleged that the
KNF-P was responsible for the killing of their two cadres on May
5 near Boljang village in Kangpokpi District and asked KNF-P to
clarify why the two cadres were killed. Earlier, the involvement
of the militant groups for the killing incident was not clear.
The CRPF has ordered “immediate”
shifting of the command headquarters of the force’s central zone
from Kolkata to Raipur of Chhattisgarh. Officials said that newly
appointed CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar had been
asked to ensure that the command begins functioning from Raipur
before the high-level meeting of Naxal -hit states in New
Delhi on May 8.
The central zone, an operational
field formation, was set up on August 7, 2009. Headquartered in
Raipur District, it was given the responsibility of deployment
of CRPF troops in the entire ‘Red belt’ of states hit by Naxal
violence including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The headquarters was moved to
Kolkata in July 2010 after the Dantewada attack exposed the problem
of poor rail and air connectivity in Raipur.
GoI may ask BSNL to set up
3,000 more telecom towers on an urgent basis and enhance the satellite
bandwidth in the Naxal-infested areas to improve communication
among the security agencies operating there.The task of setting
up nearly 2200 telecom towers in the first phase has been completed
in a record time in all the seven Naxal-hit states of Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh
and Maharashtra.
|
May 8 |
Police arrested two persons at
Brabourne Road in Kolkata (West Bengal) after seizing from them
FICN of the face value of INR 76,000. Javed Ali (30) and Iqbal
Ali (28) residents of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh were arrested
while they were trying to buy CDs from a shop at the Brabourne
Road-India Exchange Place crossing under the Hare Street Police
Station limits, a senior Police officer said.
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.
The Special Cell of the Delhi
Police arrested one of the biggest suppliers of arms and ammunition
to the CPI-Maoist cadres, Richhpal Singh (48), at Burari area
in North Delhi District. Singh was arrested by the Andhra Police
in 2006 for the same charges. He had also opened a factory in
the Burhanpur region of Madhya Pradesh. Police say that Singh
make the pistols for a sum of INR 3,000 and later supplies them
at INR 10,000 in bulk. By the time the criminals get it, the cost
of the pistols increases to INR 25,000- 30,000 for a pistol. Police
say that Singh, who has been in the business for the last 30 years,
has claimed his ancestors have been in the business for the last
80 years.
Two personnel of the 165th Territorial
Army Battalion, identified as Arjun Baral and Vareisho Hungyo,
were killed and another two sustain serious injury after suspected
MPA [armed wing of UNLF] triggered an IED at Lokchoa area in Tengnoupal
District. The injured personnel were identified as Toijam Chandra
and Y Govind.
A brief gun fight broke out between
SFs and suspected cadres of the ZUF at Chingkhonglung under Tousem
Police Station in Tamenglong District. However no casualty from
either side has been reported so far.
NNPGs held separate meetings with
apex tribal bodies of Nagaland regarding the ‘integration’ and
‘political solution’ of Nagas. NNPGs held separate meetings with
ZPO on May 8 and Pochury Hoho (apex body of Pochury Tribes) on
May 6 at ‘Oking’ to deliberate on the social and political situation
facing the people of Nagaland. During the meeting NNPGs also recalled
that Zeliangs had played a prominent part in the ‘Indo-Naga political
struggle’.
The 5th AR troopers apprehended
one alleged “over ground” worker of NSCN-K identified as T Mughaka
T Aye (25) from Old Natha of Zunheboto Town in Zunheboto District.
AR report claimed that the accused was involved in collection
of illegal taxes and extortion and nine tax collection notes were
recovered from his possession.
The AET of Dimapur Police arrested
two persons on charges of extortion while they were distributing
‘tax slips’ of the NNC-NA to various garage owners.
A self-styled “major of the 1996
batch” of the HNLC, Combart Syad, surrendered himself before the
SP of East Khasi Hills. Syad (36) is a resident of Karimganj in
Assam. He was a trainer in HNLC camps, sources said. Syad was
not carrying any arms.
|
May 9 |
India and the Netherlands voiced
deep concern over the threat of terrorism and resolved to work
bilaterally and globally to fight the menace in all its forms
and manifestations.
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.
SFs
averted a major mishap by recovering a powerful IED, planted by
CPI-Maoist cadres, in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
To
defang the CPI-Maoist cadres and their arsenal, the CRPF will
soon deploy a fresh squad of about 2,000 Commandos from its special
guerrilla warfare CoBRA battalions in and around the Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. The CoBRA is masters of guerrilla warfare and
is capable of operating in the dense jungles of southern Chhattisgarh
– the self-proclaimed headquarters of the CPI-Maoist.
The
Charla Police in a joint operation with the CRPF personnel arrested
two “militia members” of the CPI-Maoist at Charla Mandal in Khammam
District of Telangana. The arrested were identified
as Madakam Moodaiah (19) of Chennapuram and Sodi Somaiah (20),
of Battigudem of Charla Mandal. The SFs recovered
a medical kit containing medicines, surgical cotton and syringes
from the possession of the duo.
A high
alert has been sounded in Nallamala forest region spreading across
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Vigil has been stepped up for the
CPI-Maoist cadres suspecting that the they will pay tribute to
their comrades during the Martyrs’ week, commencing from May 24,
as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Naxalbari Movement.
The
CPI-Maoist cadres have formed a new 'combat and operational' unit
at the Kerala-Tamil Nadu-Karnataka 'tri-junction' at Nilambur
in Malappuram District of Kerala. The new combat
unit is formed in a bid to 'avenge' the death of CPI-Maoist
leaders Kuppu Devaraj and Ajitha at the Nilambur Kurulai forest
area last year (2016). The new unit has been named Varahini
Dalam. The Police suspected eight CPI-Maoist cadres to
be part of the unit. Police Stations and strategic institutions
in Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts had been
placed on high alert.
As
per reports, the Varahini Dalam will work around the Wayanad
Wildlife Reserve, Tamil Nadu's Muthumala Wildlife center, and
Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve. CPI-Maoist leader C.P. Moideen
heads the unit. The new unit is the fourth that the CPI-Maoist
cadres have. The other units are Kabani Dalam comprising
of Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malapuram Districts, the Nadukani Dalam
which focuses on Nilambur and Tamil Nadu's Gudalur. The third
one, Bhavani Dalam, is focused on areas like Palakkad and
Coimbatore.
The
CPI-Maoist cadres have carved out a new zone for its operations
— Gadchiroli-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat (GRB), straddling the border
tri-junction of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The
information was revealed by 19-year-old Waman Mandavi, a member
of the cultural wing of CPI-Maoist, who was arrested from Gondia
District of Maharashtra in April last week. It important to note
that, the Tada and Malajkhand Dalams are active in Balaghat
region of Madhya Pradesh.
Secretary
to the CM, Sunil Kumar Barnwal, directed authorities of Khunti
District of Jharkhand to handover joining letter to survivors
of Naxal attacks in a week time.
CM Raghubar
Das made a request to the Centre Government to waive off the amount
due on CRPF for carrying out anti-Naxal operation
in Jharkhand.
Khunti Police arrested a PLFI
cadre, Parasnath Gope, from Kotenger forests in Khunti
District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Gope carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his head and was a
close associate of PLFI supremo Dinesh Gope and figured as named
accused in over half-a-dozen cases of violence in Karra and Lapung
areas.
An unidentified Sub-Inspector
of 156th battalion SSB and a suspected NDFB-IKS militant were
killed, in an encounter, in the in the forests around Manas National
Park in Chirang District. The SFs have recovered an INSAS rifle
from the encounter site and efforts are being made to recover
the body of the militant, an unnamed officials said.
In a statement, the militant group,
KNF-P, responded to the allegation of killing of two militants
from KRA and said that they killed the two militants on May 5
because ‘they had become inimical’ to their organisation. Further,
the militant group claimed that their organization’s name is KNF,
but not KNF-P.
CM N. Biren Singh vowed to hunt
down the militants who ambushed and killed two soldiers on May
8 in an area bordering Myanmar. Further, Singh also stated that
with a view to enable prompt response to any law and order problem,
an operational unit comprising of representatives of all security
agencies would be opened within a week.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM said
that the ‘Indo-Naga political talks’ is nearing its logical conclusions,
reports The Sangai Express. However, the NSCN-IM has also reiterated
its stands for 'shared sovereignty' with India in the statement.
The Union Home Minister will hold
a meeting on May 16 to discuss various issues concerning the North
East region with Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all northeastern
States, where several important issues will be discussed, including
granting of citizenship rights to Chakma and Hajong refugees settled
in Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, the AAPSU has called on the State
Government to oppose any move to grant citizenship to Chakmas
and Hajongs.
|
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 special judge of the NIA framed
charges against suspected Islamic State (IS) sympathiser Mohammed
Sirajuddin. In July 2016, the NIA filed a charge-sheet against
Sirajuddin on the allegations that he has been promoting ideology
of the IS. Sirajuddin, who is a resident of Gulbarga, Karnataka,
was working with the Indian Oil Corporation when he was arrested
by the Rajasthan ATS on charges of recruiting for the IS on December
10, 2015. An FIR was registered against him for promoting the
ideology of the terror outfit. The ATS had claimed that Sirajuddin
had been propagating ‘IS ideology’ using social media platforms
like Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram, and
instigating Muslim boys and girls to join the terrorist organisation.
A ship load of tramadol, a synthetic
opioid-like drug, from India to be sold to Islamic State (IS)
terrorists in Libya to give them greater resilience has been seized
by the Italian Police. The 37 million tramadol pills, worth
USD 75 million, were found packed into three containers at the
port of Genoa, labeled as blankets and shampoo and set to be loaded
on a freighter bound for Misrata and Tobruk in Libya.
Italian Police said the consignment
had come from India and would have been used for two purposes:
to help finance Islamist terrorism and for use by jihadist fighters
as a stimulant and to heighten resistance to physical stress.
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.
Palamu Police arrested CPI-Maoist
‘zonal commander’, Ram Sunder Ram alias Aloke
ji, of BJSAC in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Aloke carried a
reward of INR 1 million on his head.
The State Government signed a
MoU with the JACAATB in Churachandpur District. CM N Biren Singh
also said that his Government would fulfill the promises of MoU
by May 25. After the MoU, the families will be able to arrange
proper burial of the eight persons, who were killed during the
agitation. The bodies of the eight men, killed in Police firing
during a protest in 2015 against three anti-migrant Bills introduced
by the State Government, have been lying in the morgue for over
600 days. Violent protests broke out in Churachandpur District
when the Assembly passed three bills - Protection of Manipur Peoples
Bill, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment)
Bill and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bills
on August 31, 2015. According to the MoU, officials said, the
government has agreed to compensate the families of those who
died in the protests on August 31, 2015 set up a memorial in Churachandpur
town take in to account tribal opinion in all future action and,
investigate the deaths of the protesters. Further it added that
the government “shall extend all possible help and cooperation
in the tripartite talks with SoO groups (insurgent groups who
have a suspension of operation agreement with the Centre) where
various other issues and interests of indigenous tribal people
of Manipur will be protected”.
State Police suspect that the
18-year-old labourer, Dajied Syiemlieh, who was abducted on April
28 from Nongjri in South West Khasi Hills District, may have been
taken to Bangladesh by the mixed group of miscreants. DGP SB Singh
said the information with the Police is that the worker is in
Bangladesh. He said the abduction was the handiwork of a mixed
group of miscreants from Bangladesh, who have connections in South
West Khasi Hills. The DGP said BSF is coordinating with the Police
to rescue the labourer.
|
May 11 |
Out of 142 Indian citizens who
have been suspected of links with the Islamic State (IS), 85 have
either been arrested or interrogated by government agencies, and
11 have been killed, according to Brookings India report. Only
42 are possibly still active abroad — 16 of them in Afghanistan.
While there was just the lone case of an IS-linked individual
in 2013, and 6 cases in 2014, the number shot up to 35 in 2015,
and 75 in 2016. Until the end of April 2017, a total of 35 IS-linked
cases involving an Indian citizen had been identified.
The researchers have been able
to identify 132 out of the 142 individuals by name, using more
than one reliable source in each case. Among the 142 Indian citizens,
there were only five recruiters and one propagandist; 38 were
conspirators and 10 were sympathisers. Fifty-eight (58) individuals
were attempted to be recruited, or were successfully recruited.
The state with the highest number
of cases is Kerala (37 individuals), followed by Telangana (21)
and Maharashtra (19). Four individuals are from Gujarat, and only
2 from J&K. One 24-year-old Kashmiri recruiter and propagandist
was deported from the UAE to India last year, while another was
based in Australia. Data also show that some of the reported ‘IS’
cases in Kashmir turned out to be the work of non-Kashmiris, such
as a 26-year-old man from West Bengal.
Rajasthan ATS filed chargesheet
against suspected Islamic State (IS) operative Jameel Ahmed at
the district court. Jameel was arrested by Rajasthan ATS from
Sikar in November, 2016. He has been charged with various sections
under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act-UAPA.
The NIA approached Interpol for
issuing a RCN against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is being
probed for terror and money laundering charges. Naik is said to
be hiding either in UAE or Saudi Arabia and keeps on moving between
Malaysia and Indonesia, according to the intelligence agencies.
The Interpol RCN against Naik would mean that he will be declared
an international fugitive and could be arrested by any agency
around the world.
The US administration blamed Pakistan
for deteriorating India-Pak relations and warned that the ties
might worsen further if another "high- profile" terrorist
attack emanates from across the border this year. "
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.
The 27th battalion of SSB with
District Police and STF of Bihar Police arrested a ‘commander’
of the CPI-Maoist Musafir Sahni alias Alok Ji
and four other cadres in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. The four
other Maoists were identified as Rambali Paswan, ‘area commander’
of Saraiyya area in Muzaffarpur, Anil Sahni, Ganesh Rai and Shiv
Kumar Ram. Security Forces recovered 18 live cartridges of assault
rifle, eight live cartridges of pistols, two country made pistols,
14 detonators and Maoist literature from them.
Two BSF troopers were injured
in an attack by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Pakhanjore area in Kanker
District of Chhattisgarh. Special DG, DM Awasthi told
Indian
Express,
that CPI-Maoist cadres were being chased towards
the Maharashtra border.
Kundan Pahan, the once dreaded
CPI-Maoist ‘commander’, infamous for mercilessly killing Police
officers, had voluntarily surrendered a week back in Ranchi District
of Jharkhand. Pahan carried a reward of INR 1.5 million on his
head. He joined the CPI-Maoists in 2000 following a land dispute
with influential people in his village Arki.
The GoI has agreed to deploy
three companies of CRPF personnel in Telangana to help the state
Police tackle the CPI-Maoist cadres threat for some of its irrigation
projects. One company will be deployed to protect Kaleswaram Lift
Irrigation Project at Medigadda in Karimnagar District, while
another company will be deployed at Tupakulagudem Barrage and
the third company will be deployed either at Adilabad or Khammam
District depending on the requirement.
SFs seized fake Myanmar Kyat worth
five million and FICN worth INR 120,000 from Bhagabazar locality
of Cachar District near the Mizoram border during a raid. SFs
arrested a local resident named Raju Laskar (47) during the raid.
SP (Cachar) Rakesh Raushan said the arrested man is being interrogated
in the custody of Silchar Police. He added that the fake Indian
currency were in INR 2,000-denomination notes. Earlier, in separate
raids, fake notes of mostly INR 2,000 denomination were seized
from different places of Cachar district, he further said. The
man is being quizzed to find out the man's link with Myanmar,
if any.
The Assam State Election Commission
has announced that KAAC election will be held on June 12. The
State Election Commission through a notification informed that
the last date for filing of nomination to the 26 seats spread
across Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Bokajan is May 19.
The last date of withdrawal of candidature is May 22 and publication
of the list of contesting candidates will be on May 22.
The Gorkhas living in Assam have
demanded indigenous status for the community. The Gorkha Autonomous
Council Demand Committee said that the Gorkhas have been living
in Assam since ancient times and many have no link with Nepal
and considering them as immigrants would be an injustice. It said
Nepalis and Gorkhas are different communities but the Assam government
considers them as one and deprived Gorkhas from getting indigenous
tag. "For generations, our people have lived on this land.
We have accepted its culture, language and customs. We are totally
Assamese. We have no link with Nepal. But the government is not
giving us indigenous community status," said Padum Boraili,
‘vice-president’ of the committee.
UNLF claimed that it was their
‘armed wing’ MPA which attacked troops of 165 Battalion Territorial
Army at Lokchao along Imphal-Moreh highway in Tegnoupal District
on May 8 which killed two TA personnel. A press release issued
by the outfit's ‘department of publicity’ ‘director’ M Sakhen
said that the attack was a part of the UNLF's continuous liberation
movement. Informing that the attack was carried out by a small
team of MPA, the outfit conveyed regret for the Manipuri natives
who were killed and injured in the attack.
NSCN-IM, in a statement, criticised
the agenda of “Nagas of Nagaland” of NNPGs and said that it is
against the spirit of ‘Naga nationalism’. Mentioning about the
Framework Agreement between NASN-IM and GoI, the statement said
that NNPG’s stand is unfortunate and it is an attempt to mislead
the people as the ‘road map for integrations’.
|
May 12 |
The SOG busted a FICN racket and
arrested three persons from the Vadodara city in Vadodara District.
The accused, identified as Babu Solanki, Jigar Pandya and Ketan
Pandya, used to dupe people by offering to double their investment
within short time and hand them fake currency notes. FICN of
INR 13,000 and some Bangladeshi currency were recovered from them
said H M Vyas, SOG Police Inspector.
The Indian Government has lodged
a strong protest with Canada over the presence of Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau at a Khalistan event in Toronto, where separatist
elements were felicitated. "We have taken up such issues
in the past with the government of Canada, and in this particular
instance, without getting into details, I can tell you the practice
has not been discontinued," said MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay.
Two legislators, who had authored a motion in the Ontario assembly
terming the 1984 anti-Sikh riots 'Genocide', were felicitated
at the Khalistan event. On April 30, Trudeau addressed a parade
for 'Khalsa Day', which included floats glorifying Sikh militant
leaders Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Amreek Singh and former General
Shahbeg Singh who were killed in the siege of the Golden Temple
and Operation Bluestar in June 1984.
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.
Around 70 Naxalites escaped
after a fierce encounter with combined Police and Paramilitary
team in Nawada District of Bihar. According to SP, Vikas Burman,
around 70 Naxalites were spotted in Gaighat locality
under Kawakol block. Immediately, assisted by CRPF and STF besides
local Policemen, the Naxalites believed to have
been led by notorious Nepali Yadav, who was operating a training
camp in the District a couple of years ago, were challenged resulting
in an encounter. The Naxalites left behind several
items such as knapsacks, uniforms, solar plates, cooking material
and Naxal literature.
A 35-year old CPI-Maoist cadre,
identified as Tilakdhari Prasad, was allegedly shot dead
by unidentified men at a isolated place at Durga-Dhawaya near
Ghutia-Pesra middle school, under Saria Police Station in Giridih
District of Jharkhand. The incident occurred in the night at around
9. 45 when Tilakdhari was on his way to his house Mundro village
in Giridih. The assailants waiting for him outside the road fired
two bullets at him, SDPO of Bagodar, Deepak Kumar Sharma, said.
Prakash Purty (45), a civilian,
was shot at and injured by a squad of the CPI-Maoist cadres at
Erla village under Sonua Thana area in West Singhbhum
District of Jharkhand. Sources informed that the high alert has
been called after intelligence report that the Maoist may attack
at Naxal areas of the District.
Two hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres,
identified as Dibya alias Suna Hikka, the woman
CPI-Maoist 'area committee member' of Koraput Divisional Committee
from Narayanpatna, and Jaga alias Vanjam Jaga of Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh, surrendered before, DIG of Police
(South West Range), S Shyni at Koraput District of Odisha. Both
CPI-Maoist cadres carried a reward of INR four million each.
A hardcore GNLA militant, Marus
Ch Sangma (26) alias Dotling alias Rajesh, surrendered
before the 20th Battalion of BSF based at Dobasipara near Tura
in West Garo Hills District. Marus Ch Sangma was also associated
with the ANVC-B till 2014. He also had links with trans-border
criminals from Bangladesh operating in South Garo Hills District.
SFs are upping their ante as reports
indicate that elusive GNLA ‘c-in-c’ Sohan D. Shira has started
recruiting cadres to strengthen his fledging group. In this context,
State DGP, S.B Singh said, “After large scale surrender of his
cadres and commanders he was left with around 20 men. He is desperate
to strengthen his group and is trying to recruit and arm more
cadres but our security teams are also on the lookout for him”.
Police sources said Sohan Shira has moved his operations from
the Durama Hills across Williamnagar into the densely forested
area of Rongsu and the Balpakram National Park region of South
Garo Hills to avoid detection by SFs.
The Minister in charge of District
Council Affairs, Prestone Tynsong, said the Centre is in the process
of amending the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution so that the
number of members in the GHADC can be increased to 40. The GHADC
currently has 30 members. “We are hopeful that the Union Cabinet
will soon decide on the matter after which it will be taken to
Parliament,” he said here.
The State Government is exploring
the possibility of revoking the AFSPA from certain Districts of
the State which are currently free of insurgency. It is likely
to be withdrawn from Districts like Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon,
Morigaon, Majuli and Dibrugarh. However, it will not be revoked
in Districts such as Tinsukia, Charaideo, Sivasagar and Chirang
which border Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya and the
neighbouring country of Bhutan. ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharyya
said the State Government was likely to take up the matter with
the Centre during the next review meeting on continuation of AFSPA
in the State. Bhattacharyya said the phased withdrawal of AFSPA
was raised at a meeting of the Unified Command held at the army's
4 Corps headquarters in Tezpur, but it could not be discussed
in detail since the meeting was convened to review security for
PM Narendra Modi who is scheduled to visit the state on May 26.
The UMHA had recently extended AFSPA in the state for three months
with effect from May 3 and the review meeting will be held before
August 3, when the contentious act will expire in the state. Usually,
AFSPA is extended for one year or six months. This was the first
time it was extended for only three months.
In an attempt to clear the air
of confusion on the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM
and the GoI on August 3, 2015, eighty one top NSCN-IM leaders
from the State of Nagaland, in a joint statement, stated that
the Framework Agreement which “embraces all Nagas and their territories
is based on the uniqueness of Naga history” and it will protect
‘Naga rights’. The statement also mentioned clearly that the Framework
Agreement speaks about recognition of the Naga identity and territories
and they expressed their optimism over the Agreement.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
assured AAPSU that any agreement with NSCN-IM will have the ‘sanction
and blessings’ of all the stakeholders and no arbitrary decision
will be taken. The statement came, when the AAPSU ‘president’
Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tobom Dai met the Union Home
Minister in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum raising concern
over the ‘contentious framework of agreement’ signed between the
GoI and NSCN-IM. AAPSU in its memorandum stated that it welcome
the Naga peace process but not at the cost of territorial integrity.
One suspected Kuki militant, identified
as Lamthang Hangsing (31), was arrested by SFs at Jwallien area
in East Karbi Anglong District. Two country-made SLRs with 10
live bullets were also recovered from the arrested militant.
|
May 13 |
A HM militant, identified as Naseer
Ahmed alias Sadiq (34) was arrested at the Indo-Nepal border
in Maharajganj District in Uttar Pradesh as he was trying to cross
into the country to carry out terror activities, according to
officials. Naseer Ahmed hailing from Banihal in Ramban District
of Jammu and Kashmir, was held from Sonauli border post. He was
trying to sneak into India from Nepal in the guise of a shawl
and carpet vendor, the SSB officials said.
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.
Sustained counter-insurgency operations
against militants in the North-eastern region have hit the ULFA-I
hard, forcing it to try combining forces with other militant outfits,
says Mukesh Sahai. They are trying to put up a united platform
to attack Government forces, the DGP added, while interacting
with media persons recently. He further said that ULFA-I has been
weakened but is still recruiting cadres. “We have information
of a number of youths joining the outfit in recent times, some
of whom we have nabbed. But the magnitude of recruitment is not
like before. ULFA-I is led by Paresh Barua, who is opposed to
the government’s ongoing talks with the Arabinda Rajkhowa-led
ULFA faction. Barua leads hundreds of heavily-armed fighters from
his camps in China-Myanmar border and in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division,”
he said. The Assam DGP added, “Stringent operations against NDFB-IKS
are also going on in Sonitpur District, along with other probable
sensitive areas in the State.”
State Additional Secretary for
Home, Lalbiakzama, said that the fifth round of peace talks between
Mizoram Government and HPC-D militants is scheduled to be held
in July, 2017. He said in Aizawl that the coming round of talks
might be the last official level talks as the parleys may be elevated
to political level soon. “Official level talks to deliberate on
the terms of the framework agreement would continue till the final
phase and the parleys would be elevated to political level,” he
said. Sources in HPC-D delegation said that the talks now revolved
around autonomy of SHDC, formed in the wake of the accord signed
between State Government and the erstwhile underground HPC on
July 27, 1994. The name of the Council was proposed to be changed
to Sinlung Hills Council by omitting the word ‘Development’, sources
said.
In a meeting at an undisclosed
location, the NLFT-Biswamohan faction selected Subir Debbarma
alias Yamorok (45), as the new ‘president’ of the organisation.
On the other hand, Biswamohan Debbarma who had led the militant
group for long years has been made ‘advisor’. The report further
added that the new leader extended support to those political
parties who are ‘waging war’ for Twipraland.
AR arrested two militants of NSCN-IM,
along with arms, in two separate incidents from different places
of Dimapur Town of Dimapur District. In the first incident, AR
arrested one NSCN-IM, identified as Tovi Aye from general area
of Purana Bazar along with four 12 Bore Rifles. In the second
incident, AR arrested another militant of NSCN-IM, identified
as Tia Longkumer from the general area of Nutan Basti. AR also
recovered one .22 mm Rifle with magazine, 17 live rounds of .22
mm and three booklets of extortion cash book from the militant.
The
Prakton ULFA Samanoy Samity
Sammelon
(Conference of Former ULFA Cadres), at Digboi town
in Tinsukia District, accused both the Centre and the State Government
of “doing little” to ensure proper rehabilitation of former militants
of the ULFA. They criticised the Government for not having “comprehensive
policy” in this regard.
|
May 14 |
The quantum of FICN seized by
the Swiss authorities saw an over four-fold increase during 2016,
making it the third most seized counterfeit foreign currency in
Switzerland after Euro and the USD. The FICNs were in the denominations
of INR 500 and INR 1,000 both of which have been withdrawn by
the Indian government from the list of legal tenders. There was
no seizure of any counterfeit INR 2,000 note, which were introduced
as part of the ambitious demonetisation drive late last year to
check the menace of fake notes and the black money problem. According
to the latest data released by the Swiss Federal Office of Police
(Fedpol), as many as 1,437 fake INR 1,000 notes were seized in
Switzerland during 2016, while there were also five counterfeit
INR 500 notes.
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.
Two personnel of the DRG were
injured in an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. Officials said the encounter took place at about
10:00 a.m. near the forests of Timarpur-Basaguda axis in the District,
when a security squad led by the CoBRA commandos of the CRPF had
an exchange of fire with Maoists in the area.
SFs killed a CPI-Maoist ‘commander’,
identified as Vilas alias Kailash alias Aaytu,
in an encounter in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. Vilas, the
secretary of the Barsoor area committee of the CPI-Maoist, had
a reward of INR 1.6 million on his head. “We got specific intelligence
that Vilas would be in the area to collect levies on tendu leaves.
We mobilised several teams. When they reached the area, there
was an exchange of fire. In the exchange, Vilas was shot dead.
We found an AK-47, a revolver and other items at the spot,” Bastar
SP, Arif Sheikh, said. Vilas was a local adivasi from Chhota Dongar
in Narayanpur. His influence stretched from Satdhar Bridge in
Barsoor to the forests in Narayanpur and Kondagaon Districts.
A group of five armed CPI-Maoist
cadres, including a woman, was spotted in a habitat near the Dumdum
Estate along the Mundakai forest in Wayanad District of Kerala.
The CPI-Maoist cadres stayed in the area between 2 pm and 4 pm
and even made the locals feed them. The CPI-Maoists had formed
a new branch (Dal) centered on Kerala’s borders with Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka after the encounter deaths of two of its leaders
in a Nilambur forest. The Varahini Dal would be the fourth branch
of the party in Kerala.
Bangladesh has started sharing
real-time intelligence on the activities of radical forces and
its drive against the JMB with its counterpart in India, but Myanmar’s
poor cooperation on the insurgency front remains a matter of concern
for New Delhi. Security sources said that the Union Home Ministry
was constantly in touch with Bangladesh to foil any attempt by
radical forces to cross over to West Bengal and Assam for shelter.
Sources also said that Dhaka has launched a massive combing operation
against its radical forces. Pointing out that Southeast Asian
countries have agreed to bilateral cooperation in the fight against
insurgency, Security sources said it was regrettable that Myanmar
is yet to translate its assurances into a reality.
Leader and founder of OMP, Sabyasachi
Panda (50), is on hunger strike in jail for the past three days
demanding speedy trial of the cases against him at Ganjam District
of Odisha. OMP is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist. He demanded
regular production in court during the hearing and providing of
all facilities like other under trail prisoners in jail. He also
protested against his solitary confinement in the jail.
A Supreme Court lawyer appearing
for a 21-year-old man who was allegedly murdered by Manipur CM
N. Biren Singh’s son has written a letter to the Union home secretary
alleging that he received a message from militant groups asking
him to drop the case. In March 2011, Biren Singh’s son, N. Ajay,
was accused of shooting Irom Roger after an altercation on Holi
festival near Imphal’s Tulihal airport. The lawyer alleged that
he was threatened by a person who claimed to be connected with
PLA and NSCN-IM.
|
May 15 |
A Pakistani female intruder was
shot dead by the BSF in Bariyala in Gurdaspur Sector of Punjab
in the early morning. BSF personnel spotted some suspicious movement
near the fence along the Indo-Pak border, a BSF official said.
He said despite repeated warnings by the BSF personnel, the intruder
kept on marching towards the Indian side, after which the troops
opened fire at her.
A STF jawan, identified as Salabh
Upadhyay, succumbed to his injuries during treatment in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. Upadhyay had sustained bullet
injuries on his head in the exchange of fire between SFs and CPI-Maoist
cadres which took place in a restive forest pocket of Bijapur's
Basaguda Police Station area on May 14, said DIG (Dantewada region),
Sundarraj P.
SFs arrested two cadres
of the CPI-Maoist at Charkapathar in Jamui District of Bihar. The
arrested CPI-Maoists have been identified as Suresh Sao and Anwar
Mian. SFs recovered two bombs weighing 2.5 Kilograms.
The Gujarat Police arrested two
people and seized FICN worth INR 72,000 in Surat. The accused
have been taken in for interrogation. Further details are awaited.
Also in an unspecified date, recently,
the Surat Police had neutralised a racket of printing FICNs using
colour printer and had recovered notes with face value of INR
4,34,000.
A tunnel has been detected along
the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal which might have been
used for smuggling FICNs, ammunitions and arms. "We have
information that a tunnel has been detected along the Indo-Bangladesh
border in West Bengal. But details are still awaited," Joint
Secretary (Northeast) in the home ministry Satyendra Garg stated.
Advisor in the home ministry Ashok Prasad said this was perhaps
for the first time that such a tunnel has been detected in the
country's eastern border. Several such tunnels have been detected
along the Indo-Pakistan border in the west.
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.
Two
former CPI-Maoist cadres, Mancharla Srinivas (39) of Mandamarri
and Ambala Rajamallu (42) of Bellampalli in Mancherial District,
were arrested at Godavarikhani in Peddapalli District of Telangana. They
were former members of the Sikasa (Singareni Karmika Samakhya),
a CPI-Maoist front. Police recovered INR 82,000 and two dummy
pistols from their possession.
Musafir
Sahni, a self-styled ‘zonal commander’ of CPI-Maoist, confessed
during interrogation that one north Bihar MLA, had recently paid
INR 500,000 to CPI-Maoist in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. Sahni
further added that at least 25 elected people representatives,
including three legislators, had been paying 'levy' to Maoists
operating in north Bihar. Sahni was arrested along with two other
CPI-Maoist cadres from Ramnagar village in Sakra Police Station
area of the District on May 11.
CPI-Maoist cadres abducted a private
company's security guard and a labourer from its base camp at
Kapasia village under Paraiya Police Station in Gaya District
of Bihar, after the company management refused to pay them extortion
money.
One person, identified as Vivito
Zhimomi (30), was killed by an unidentified assailant near the
New Dhansiri bridge in Dimapur Town. According to the sources,
the deceased was a suspected member of NSCN-R. The victim was
reportedly seen with the assailant before the incident. However,
the investigation is going on and the Police still not clear about
the involvement of the militant groups in the incident.
Minister for Forest, Environment
& Climate Change of Nagaland Government, Imkong L Imchen,
disclosed that the State Government has sought to hold a meeting
with the NSCN-IM and was waiting for the response. Appreciating
the signing of the Framework Agreement between the GoI and NSCN-IM,
the Minister said that the Nagaland State Government is fully
committed to bring about unity of the Naga political groups in
order to enable them to present a common agenda to the GoI for
early resolution of the ‘vexed Naga political issue’. In this
context, he also pointed out that there are at least seven ‘Naga
political groups’, who are outside the purview of the ongoing
political talks.
One unidentified passenger of
an Indigo flight bound for Guwahati from Imphal Tulihal Airport
was detained by the SFs for carrying a bullet of 9 mm caliber
inside his luggage.
The UMHA communicated to the UNC
and declared that the tripartite talk involving the UNC, State
Government of Manipur and Central Government of India will be
held on May 19 at Senapati Town on the District creation issue.
In connection with the different
cases taken up against KCP-Poirei Meitei by NIA for extortion,
bomb attack, abduction for ransom and others, the investigation
agency interrogated a former Director of JNIMS and a reporter
of an evening newspaper (Kangleipakki Meira).
The BSF has stepped up its vigil
along the unfenced boundaries in East Khasi Hills and Jaintia
Hills. According to an unnamed BSF official the tightening of
security follows a complaint by the Lawbah border area circle
of the KSU. The KSU unit had complained to the DIG and area commandant
of BSF about “rampant infiltration of Bangladeshi immigrants”
through Shella, Nongtrai and Ryngkhu areas. BSF officials said
some Indian villagers are employing Bangladeshi workers in betel
nut plantation and farming. They stressed on the need for speeding
up border fencing to curb infiltration and smuggling of contraband.
A large area of the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya is yet to
be fenced due to opposition from the Co-ordination Committee on
International Border and local residents who are demanding that
the fencing be undertaken from zero line and not 150 yards inside
the Indian Territory.
The special NIA court in Guwahati
on May 15 deferred pronouncing judgment in the INR 10 billion
NCHAC scam case till May 22. The premier investigation agency
had taken over the case from State Police in 2009 to investigate
a scam in which crores of rupees of government funds were siphoned
to fund militancy activities in the erstwhile North Cachar Hills
district (now known as Dima Hasao). The NIA had charge-sheeted
at least 15 people in the case, including militant-turned-politician
Jewel Garlosa alias Mihir Barman, former ‘chairperson’
of disbanded militant outfit Black Widow (BW)/ Jewel Garlosa faction
of DHD-J, and its former ‘c-in-c’ Niranjan Hojai. However, Garlosa
and Hojai were released to initiate peace talks with the Government
in 2011. Currently they are active politicians for the ruling
BJP and elected members of the NCHAC.
|
May 16 |
Emphasizing that religious radicalisation
is a serious security threat and if not checked in time “it will
turn into terrorism”, UHM Rajnath Singh said that some of these
“agents” of radicalisation may be “operating in the name of NGOs”.
Singh said that some of these “agents” even get foreign funding.
“So it is necessary to closely monitor their foreign funding and
utilisation,” he said.
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.
At
least 15 CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in five days by SFs in
Chhattisgarh, the CRPF said, but added not a single body has been
recovered so far. One CRPF trooper was also killed in the operations
while two others were injured, a spokesperson of the CRPF said
in Delhi. Some of the slain rebels could have been involved in
an ambush that killed 25 CRPF jawans in Sukma on April 24, one
of the biggest losses faced by the central force engaged in anti-insurgency
operations in the state, it said. The number of Maoist casualties
was based on information provided by villagers on the borders
of Sukma and Bijapur Districts besides the ground troops, the
official added.
Eight
CPI-Maoist cadres, allegedly involved in the deadly attack on
CRPF personnel last month, were arrested from two places in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. Five of them were arrested from Chintalnar
Police Station limits, while the rest from Chintagufa Police Station
area during joint search operations carried out by CoBRA of the
CRPF and District Police Force, Sukma's ASP, Jitendra Shukla,
said. Among the arrested rebels, Madkam Kesha (25), Madvi Kosa
(30) and Tati Kosa (25) were associated with the DAKMS, a wing
of CPI-Maoist, while Oyam Hadma (21) and Kunjam Vichem (25) were
members of 'Jan Militia', a special unit of the CPI-Maoist, the
senior officer said. The rest were identified as Rava Dewa (25),
Kunjam Aaytu (50) and Madkam Bheema (52), all members of Gram
Party Committee of CPI-Maoist, the ASP said.
CPI-Maoist
cadres allegedly killed a youth at Badro forest area in Giridih
District of Jharkhand, for being a 'Police informer'. The victim
identified as Ajay Mahto (25), was a resident of Jamua kurkuri
village under Pirtard Police limits, was killed with sharp-edged
weapons at his native place, SDPO, Manish Toppo said. The Police
have also recovered the pamphlets from the spot.
Four
PLFI cadres, including 'area commander' Kuldip Gope, were arrested
after an exchange of fire with Police in Kamdara area in Gumla
District of Jharkhand. Two rifles, cartridges, mobile phones and
PLFI literature were also recovered from their possession.
Three CPI-Maoist sympathisers
were arrested near Taliperu Project in Cherla Mandal in
Khammam District of Telangana, while the car was on its way to
Chhattisgarh. A Bolero vehicle was seized, along with four mobile
phones and INR 2 million recovered from the trio. The arrested
are identified as Goutham Beedi Company MD Nayumiddun, Assistant
Manager SK Makbul Hussain and Bolero driver Md Abdul Manjur.
Altogether five militants belonging
to different militant groups were arrested by Police in three
separate operations. In the first incident, one militant of KCP-MC
(Progressive), identified as Okram Ojit alias Naobi (21)
was arrested during a search operation, near Sawombung oil pump
in Imphal East District. Acting on the disclosure of the arrested
militant, two other cadres of the same militant group, identified
as Asem Romen alias Uttam alias Rame (33) and his
wife Salam Ayingbi (30) were also arrested from their residence
at Wairi Bamon Pareng in Kakching District. One 9 mm pistol with
two live rounds, four extortion notes and two mobile phones with
SIM cards were recovered from their possession.
In another operation, a PREPAK
cadre, identified as Mayengbam Sanathoi alias Leiramba
(21) was arrested by Police from Keirao bridge in Imphal East
District.
Further, Police arrested one MNRF
militant identified as Khuishang Hungyo (29) from Nagaram in Imphal
West District.
A team of the NIA visited the
residence of the arrested ‘c-in-c’ of the proscribed KCP-Poirei
Meitei, Khoirom Ranjit at Yairipok Laimanai, Thoubal District
as part of the ongoing investigation into different cases registered
against the ‘c-in-c’ and the militant group.
SFs arrested one militant of KCP-MC,
identified as Ningombam Birjit Singh alias Ibungo (44),
from Chingmeirong in Imphal West District. According to the SFs
he was involved in several extortion cases.
Reviewing the security situation
in the Northeast with chief secretaries and DGPs of the region
in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh described religious
radicalisation as a serious security threat and said if not checked
in time; it could lead to terrorism. He also expressed concern
over the proliferation of illegal arms in the region and asked
the Police chiefs to launch organised campaigns against arms smugglers.
States in the Northeast have asked
the UMHA to step up the presence of central intelligence and security
forces in five contiguous Districts in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland
adjoining Myanmar. These Districts, they said, have emerged as
the hub of the last remaining militants in the region. "We
have apprised the home minister of the security situation in the
northeast and informed him that all militant activities are being
controlled from Arunachal's Tirap, Changlang and Longding Districts,
and Nagaland's Mon and Tuensang Districts," said a top security
official who participated in the northeast security review meeting
by Union home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi. "We requested
him to increase the presence of central intelligence agencies
and security forces in these districts," the official added.
According to the UMHA report at the review meeting, the security
situation in Arunachal Pradesh (the three districts) and Manipur
remains a subject of concern, though relatively less than it has
been in the past. These five districts also border as many Districts
of Assam on the other side, including Tinsukia District, where
the ULFA-I is active and has been carrying out strikes jointly
with Meitei outfits of Manipur. "The biggest advantage of
these five districts is their proximity to the NSCN-K-controlled
areas of Myanmar and their highly difficult terrain, which makes
patrolling a difficult task for security agencies," the official
said.
The North Eastern States which
share international borders with Myanmar have collectively urged
the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to take up the controversies
surrounding the international boundary with the Ministry of External
Affairs for early resolution. The North Eastern States raised
the issue during a convention of Chief Secretaries and DGPs with
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Officials who attended the
meeting also mentioned about intrusion into Haollenphai of Manipur
and confiscation of saw mill components by Myanmarese Army.
|
May 17 |
Hyderabad Police summoned three
men for questioning after a TV channel aired their interview allegedly
showing their continuing links with Islamic State (IS). "Following
the TV interview, we called them this evening... questioning is
underway," DCP, Avinash Mohanty said. The three men include
suspected IS sympathisers Salman Mohiuddin, a US-returned engineer,
and Abdullah Basith.
Basith was among the three men
who were arrested from Nagpur in December 2015 when they were
allegedly on their way to join the IS. Mohiuddin was arrested
in Hyderabad in 2015 when he was preparing to board a flight to
Dubai, allegedly on the way to Syria to join IS. The third person
being questioned had been earlier arrested by the Hyderabad police
for alleged IS sympathies, and 'de-radicalised'.
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.
Cadres of the PLFI attacked a
stone quarry in Amjharia area in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand.
The PLFI cadres also set ablaze machines and equipment worth over
INR 10 million. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
State Police are set to intensify
combing operations in the CPI-Maoist-dominated areas of Malkangiri
and Koraput Districts of Odisha, ahead of the onset of monsoon,
which is expected to hit the State in mid-June. SFs step up efforts
to flush out Maoists around this time before the rains hamper
operations.
Twenty-one CPI-Maoist cadres,
including a member of 26th number PLGA Platoon and Jan militia
'Commander' carrying cash reward worth lakhs of rupees each on
their head surrendered in Bastar District headquarters Jagdalpur
of Chhattisgarh. IGP, Bastar Range Viveknand Sinha said that out
of them, 14 were from Darbha Division's Kanger Valley and the
remaining seven from Ketekalyan Area Committee. "They include
a platoon member, a LOS member, people's militia members, a member
of DAKMS area committee, four from the CNM, and two Sangham members,"
he said. DIG, Sundarraj P. said that the platoon member Lakshman
hailed from Bhadrimahu village from where 14 other Maoists had
surrendered earlier, leading to the Ketekalyan Area Committee
becoming defunct. IGP, Sinha said that Lakshman Madkami, the PLGA
Platoon member carried a reward of INR 200,000 on him. Similarly,
Bharsuram Mandavi, Jan militia 'Commander' and Arjun Kashyap,
Member of Kutul LOS carried a reward of INR 100,000 each. He further
said that while three surrendered cadre are from Tulsi village
of Malkangiri District in Odisha besides the woman Maoist cadre
Mangli Markam, Member of CNM - the cultural outfit of Maoists
also surrendered.
An IED planted by unknown person
exploded near Galngam Lentol ground in Moreh Town of Tengnoupal
District along the Indo-Myanmar border. However, there was no
casualty in the blast.
In a statement, the JAC-AATB emphasised
their demand for the provision of Sixth Schedule in the Hill Districts
of the State. By the statement, the organisation reacted against
the statement of the UCM where they said that the "implementation
of Sixth Schedule would result in the disintegration of the State".
The JAC-AATB said that implementation of Sixth Schedule provisions
in the Hill Districts of the State is the ‘minimum point of convergence
of both tribal and Meitei interests’.
The NIA recorded the statement
of three prosecution witnesses including two women and a restaurant
owner as a follow-up investigation of the different cases taken
up against the arrested ‘c-in-c’ of KCP-Poirei Meitei Khoirom
Ranjit for extortion, bomb attack, kidnapping for ransom and others.
MBDPF, an apex body of displaced
Bru people staying in seven refugee camps in north Tripura District
has recently appealed to the SC and accused two civil bodies of
Mizoram - YMA and MZP- of ill treating the Bru refugees. Meanwhile,
the Supreme Court has asked both YMA and MZP to clarify on the
allegation leveled by the MBDPF latest by May 8. However, the
leaders of YMA and MZP could not appear before the Apex Court
within a stipulated time as they received the letter lately, the
YMA said. Accordingly, the Supreme Court gave eight-week additional
time to the two civil bodies to make clarification.
|
May 18 |
Hyderabad Police registered a
case of sedition against three alleged Islamic State (IS) sympathisers.
The police had on May 17 summoned Salman Mohiuddin, Abdullah Basith
and Qureshi, who were arrested for allegedly trying to join the
IS and later released on bail. They were questioned when a news
channel aired their interview, showing they were allegedly linked
to the Middle East terror organisation.
.
India and Sweden discussed bilateral
issues, including threat from the Islamic State (IS), radicalisation,
and steps taken to counter global terror. The talks were held
between a delegations led by Swedish Minister for European Union
Affairs and Trade Ann Linde and Union Minister of State for Home
Kiren Rijiju.
Abdul Rashid, a fugitive Islamic
State (IS) preacher from Kerala, has sent out a warning to India,
claiming the Islamic Caliphate will expand and reach India in
the near future. A native of Trikaripur in Kasaragod District
of Kerala, Rashid was part of a 21-member group, including women
and children, that went missing from Kerala last year and later
joined the IS in Afghanistan. He is currently functioning as the
leader of the terror outfit's Kerala members in the Nangarhar
Province, and is sought by the NIA.
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres assaulted two
persons, Kailash Tori and Raja Tori at village Amwatiker in Tiger
Reserve in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Later, Kailash
Tori succumbed to injuries. CPI-Maoist cadres branded the duo
as ‘Police informer’.
Palamu Police arrested and jailed
a ‘sub-zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Raghu Chamar, at Hariharganj in
Palamu District of Jharkhand. Raghu carried a reward
of INR 600,000 on his head.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
tractor and a mixture machine engaged in road construction work
in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. They warned workers against
getting involved in construction works and then fled into the
forests.
The BSF busted a Maoist hideout
and recovered a cache of arms and Naxal banners
from a dense forest in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. SFs
also recovered 10 SBML guns hidden inside the cavity of two separate
trees.
Chhattisgarh Police arrested three
people and recovered a large quantity of explosive materials meant
for the Maoists in the State in two different places
in Bastar District and Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Police
also recovered 300 electronic detonators, 250 gelatine sticks,
and four bundles of wires
The Chhattisgarh High Court ordered
Bastar Police to produce 'surrendered' CPI-Maoist Podiyam Panda
next Monday (May 22) in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh. The court
was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by
Panda's wife Muiyye, who has alleged that Police detained him
illegally and did not allow her to meet him in custody.
The intelligence sources told that
over 100 armed guerrillas of CPI-Maoist from Telangana, Andhra
Pradesh and Odisha have sneaked into south Bastar and were spotted
in the jungles of Bijapur-Sukma region in Chhattisgarh. According
to the intelligence, CPI-Maoist cadres are planning a repeat of
the April 24 Sukma attack, in which 25 CRPF jawans were killed,
by launching a major operation against SFs.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres threatened,
BJP leader and Gandhi Patham District Convener, Busireddy Sankar
Reddy at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri District of Telangana.
CPI-Maoist cadres demanded INR 0.2 million and a cell phone from
him.
The Rayagada District and Sessions
Judge Court in Rayagada District of Odisha, awarded 10 years’
RI to CPI-Maoist cadre Gembali Chinarao alias Santu
in two cases. The court also slapped a penalty of INR 50,000 on
him.
The Phulbani ADJ Court in Kandhamal
District of Odisha, rejected the bail plea of CPI-Maoist Sabyasachi
Panda in the case of abduction of two Italian tourists. Notably,
the two Italian tourists Paulo Bosusco (54) and Claudio Colangelo
(61), had been abducted in March 2012, while trekking in Daringbadi
in Kandhamal District.
One suspected militant of ULFA-I,
identified as ‘sergeant major’ Rajesh Bora, was killed in an encounter
with Assam Police at Sonaripara village in Udalguri District.
A 9mm pistol, a grenade and INR 600000 in cash were also recovered
from the deceased militant.
UPRF, a militant group, which
has been operating in Singhason Hills of Karbi Anglong District,
affirmed unilateral ceasefire with the GoI for six months starting
from today (May 18). The militant group also appealed the Government
to speed up a peace process.
A hand grenade, lobbed by some
unidentified assailants, exploded at the residential gate of one
Wahengbam Gopal (56) of Chingamakha Liwa Lambi of Ningthoujam
Leikai under Singjamei Police station in Imphal West District.
However, there is no report of any casualty.
KNF-N observed its ‘raising day’
in Kangpokpi District. On the occasion, the militant’s ‘information
and publicity secretary’ Gogou Vaiphei said that the ‘vision’
of the group was creating a State within the framework of the
Constitution of India.
CM N Biren Singh who met Union
Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding different issues of the
State, reminded him that PM Narendra Modi had agreed in principle
to the request of the State Government to set up five new IRB
battalions and urged him to take the matter up for discussion
at the Union Cabinet meeting. The five IRB battalions are to be
primarily used for providing security on the NHs which connect
the State with the rest of the country.
During a security operation, Police
arrested one unidentified militant of NSCN-IM from Imphal East
District.
Reacting on the issue of the arrests
of Nagaland government officials by NIA for providing financial
aid to different Naga militant groups, the Naga Hoho (the apex
tribal body of the Nagas) asked the GoI to look at the present
situation in Nagaland from a ‘social and political perspective’.
A senior Government official said
that in the two years that the Central Government of India signed
a framework agreement with the NSCN-IM to find a solution to the
decades-old ‘Naga sovereignty’ issue, the outfit has recruited
around 5,000 new cadres. The source said that NSCN-IM has been
recruiting locals on the ground that they would be recruited in
the central armed Police forces, once the final agreement was
signed. The concern around NSCN-IM recruiting fresh cadres was
shared by officials with Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a high-level
meet on May 15 to discuss various issues pertaining to the North
East.
Official sources said that the
GoI is all set to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees,
who have been based in Arunachal Pradesh for over 50 years. Union
Home Ministry officials said that while consultations are on with
the State Government, the citizenship will not entitle the refugees
to rights enjoyed by STs in the State, including land ownership.
The State Government has been opposing the proposal of providing
citizenship to these communities for a long time and since 1990,
the AAPSU has been demanding their ouster from the State. However,
officials said that the Centre may propose that Chakmas and Hajongs
be issued Inner Line Permits, allowing them to travel and work
but not possess land rights.
|
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.
Two CRPF personnel were
injured in an IED blast triggered by Naxals at
a forest in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took
place when a team of CRPF's 2nd battalion was out on an anti-CPI-Maoist
operation in a forest area under Kerlapal Police Station limits,
DIG of Police (Dantewada range), Sundarraj P said. While they
were cordoning-off a forested patch near Pariya village, the Naxals triggered
the IED, in which two CRPF personnel suffered injuries.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two
JCB machines engaged in cable wire laying work in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. They attacked on underground telephone
cable wire laying work of BSNL between Bijapur-Mankeli.
Security personnel seized explosives
from Kerar, Bulbul and Pesrar jungle in Maoist-hit Lohardaga
District of Jharkhand. The security personnel seized
a 51 mm mortar, 18 pieces of high explosives bombs, six mobile
phones, seven sim cards.
BJSAC of the CPI-Maoist decided
to observe Protest Day from May 23 to 27, followed by a state-wide bandh on
May 29 in Jharkhand. The banned outfit is celebrating the golden
jubilee of the Naxalbari upsurge of West Bengal.
In a press release issued by BJSAC, Maoists criticized the Raghubar
Das led BJP Government for amending tribal protection laws (Chhotanagpur
Tenancy Act and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act) to allow multinational
companies plunder the resources.
A huge haul of explosives, including
hand grenades and tiffin bombs, were recovered from CPI-Maoist
hideout in a combing operation near Gandhamardhan hill in Bargarh
District of Odisha. The recoveries included hand grenade,
tiffin bomb, 8 Kilogram gunpowder, arrows, LED lights, CPI-Maoist
literature and uniforms.
IG, Bihar sector of CRPF, M S
Bhatia, while addressing a press conference in Patna District,
said that the CRPF is working on a plan to create a strong intelligence
network in the state to carry out anti-CPI-Maoist strikes. IG,
Bhatia also added that two more battalions are required in Bihar
to tackle CPI-Maoist menace. "The issue was raised at the
May 8 meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and chief
ministers of Maoist-hit states in New Delhi," he said, adding
five regular and two CoBRA battalions are already deployed in
the state to fight the Maoists. The long pending plan for positioning
of a chopper either in Patna or Gaya for anti-Maoist operations
was also discussed with the state Government officials at a meeting
held in Patna last month (April 2017). At present, four choppers
are stationed in Ranchi District of Jharkhand for anti-Maoist
operations in Bihar.
In the run up to the 50th anniversary
of the ‘Naxalbari armed uprising’, the CPI-Maoist
cadres have intensified poster campaign at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri
Kothagudem District of Telangana. The Sabari-Charla
Area Committee (SCAC) of the CPI-Maoist via poster has urged people
to fight against “sand and mining mafia” to protect the interests
of Adivasis in the Agency areas.
Four Imphal East District Police
commando personnel including a Sub-Inspector were wounded when
unidentified militants triggered a powerful IED on a Road Opening
Party team along Khudengthabi-Kwatha road under Moreh Police Station
in Tengnoupal District. The injured commando personnel were identified
as Sub-Inspector Lalmin- thang Hmangte (33), Constable Ak Martinstar,
Sarungbam Gaurahari (28) and Naorem Biswanath (31).
The second round of tripartite
talks between GoI, Manipur Government and UNC was held at Senapati
District. Besides deliberating on several issues, the tripartite
meeting also came out with a four-point agreement primarily focussed
on UNC’s core demand- to roll back the decision of creation of
seven new districts. In the meeting, the UNC demanded from the
State Government of Manipur representatives to put “in abeyance”
the new district creation order.
Troops of 5 AR busted a hideout
of NSCN-K at Zungti Forest area in Zunheboto District and arrested
two militants, identified as ‘captain’ Mughato Sema and ‘major’
M Longthung Kikon, reports. The AR troops also recovered one hand
grenade, one fake identity card of Nagaland Police Department,
number of extortion related notebooks and other incriminating
documents from the hideout.
SFs arrested a ULFA-I militant
‘private’ Bikram Chakma, during an operation, at Ledo (Tinsukia
district Assam) near Changlang District, along the Assam-Arunachal
Pradesh boundary. A .22 caliber pistol with ammunitions was seized
from the militant. On interrogation, the cadre also revealed the
whereabouts of an over ground worker of NSCN-K identified as Tara
Chand.
|
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.
A couple of CPI-Maoist cadres
was suspected to have sustained fatal injuries, in an exchange
of fire with Police, in Lunga Reserve Forest, under Mohulpada
Police limits of Sundargarh District of Odisha. A Maoist camp
at the spot, close to Jharkhand border, was also dismantled leading
to seizure of four LMG magazines, 200 rounds of live LMG ammunition,
8 rounds of .303 bullets and camp materials.
Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted
two villagers from Malkangiri District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist
cadres abducted them on the suspicion of them being ‘Police informers’.
SFs arrests two persons, identified
as Jaipal Barkade and Rooplal Marawi, from Balaghat District
of Madhya Pradesh, for extorting money from building contractors
to fund the CPI-Maoist. SFs also seized INR 0.25 million
from them. The accused took money to deliver to CPI-Maoist cadres
of Malajkhand Dalam. The money recovered had
been hidden in rice sacs by the two men.
Two CPI-Maoist couriers were
arrested by Police at Charla Mandal in Khammam
District of Telangana. The arrested were identified as P. Girinarayana
(30), a Bhadrachalam-based trader who sells Ayurvedic medicines,
and R. Venkateshwarlu (26), a private employee of Burgampadu Mandal.
The arrested couriers were acting on the directions of some Maoist
leaders in Chhattisgarh who gave them INR 0.2 million cash for
purchase of medicines, iron pipes and other material. Police also
seized tablets, injections, ORS packets, two tabs, three mobile
phones and electric detonators and iron pipes from them.
Two bombs were exploded by unidentified
militants in Moreh Town of Tengnoupal District. The first blast
took place at the perimeter wall of the Police Station in the
town and the second blast was reported from Gamnom Veng area of
the town. However, no casualty was reported.
The ‘Eastern Command’ of ULFA-I
served extortion demand of INR one million to the former State
Education Minister Mr Bida Taku at his residence in Namsai District.
Mr Taku told the newspaper that another extortion notice worth
INR 500,000 was served to his election agent also.
Kanchanpur sub-divisional administration
began clicking photographs from today (May 20), for AADHAR enrollments
of Bru displaced people sheltered in transit camps of North Tripura
District for past 20 years. In the midst of uncertainty of repatriation
of 37,000 Bru inmates to their native area in Western Mizoram,
Tripura Government in consultation with the Central Government
of India has decided to issue AADHAR cards to Brus, as a part
of the move to legitimize their identity proof living in transit
camps.
SFs launched a combing operation in the jungles
at Nawadih block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand.
|
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 |
The BSF and the Punjab Police
in a joint operation neutralised a terror module with links to
Canada and Pakistan after arresting two suspected Khalistani terrorists.
The two were arrested from the Indo-Pak border area when they
were trying to recover weapons that were earlier smuggled into
India from Pakistan, a Punjab Police spokesperson said. "Those
arrested have been identified as Mann Singh (40) from Sri Hargobindpur
in Gurdaspur and Sher Singh (28) from Kartarpur in Jalandhar,"
he said. Security forces have seized an AK-47 assault rifle, five
hand grenades, a modified machine-pistol (MP), five pistols and
over 450 rounds of ammunition of different calibre from the duo,
he said.
The US President Donald Trump,
in a speech stated that numerous nations, including India, have
been victims of violent terrorist attacks. “Few nations have been
spared the violent reach of terrorism. America has suffered repeated
barbaric attacks from the atrocities of September 11 to the devastation
of the Boston bombings to the horrible killings in San Bernardino
and Orlando. The nations of Europe have also endured unspeakable
horror. So too have the nations of Africa and South America. India,
Russia, China, and Australia have all been victims,” he said.
Trump stated that Arab and other Muslim nations "have borne
the brunt of the killings and the worst of destruction in this
wave of fanatical violence".
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.
Seven cadres of TPC, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist, were killed in an exchange of fire
between its two factions in Keredari area of Hazaribagh District
of Jharkhand. DIG of North Chhotanagpur Division,
Bhimsen Tuti, told that the group fought following a dispute on
the sharing of extortion money seized from construction companies.
The bodies of three out seven cadres were identified as TPC ‘zonal
commander’ Sagar, ‘sub-zonal commanders’ Manish and Jhonson. One
severed head recovered from the spot was yet to be identified.
The rest three bodies and the injured cadres were taken away by
the rebels, Police said.
Three mixer machines were set
ablaze by CPI-Maoist cadres at Tarwadeeh in Latehar District of
Jharkhand. The CPI-Maoist cadres were led by Chhotu Kharwar.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
during a joint operation of the STF and Saran Police in Saran
District of Bihar.
Sasaram Police seized 1,950 Kilogram
ammonium nitrate, 18,000 detonators and hundreds of country liquor
pouches at Kharbandi in Rohtas District of Bihar. The
material was meant to be supplied to CPI-Maoist cadres.
Senior Security Adviser to UMHA,
K. Vijay Kumar, told reporters in New Delhi, that it was a tough
task for the CAFs to carry out counter operations against CPI-Maoist
cadres as they move along with people and use them as a shield.
SFs, in an encounter, killed a
militant, ‘commanding officer’ of 3rd battalion Jwrimiya Muchahary
alias M Jwrimin, belonging NDFB-IKS was inside Manas Reserve
Forest in Chirang District. An M-16 automatic rifle, a .9 mm Beretta
pistol, a large quantity of ammunition and other warlike stores
were recovered from the spot.
Two Bru (Reang) militant outfits
active in Hailakandi and Karimganj districts, BLAU, led by Rajesh
Chorky, and UDLA, led by Dhanyaram Reang, are going to surrender
before the Government soon. "While BLAU, which has its base
in Mizoram too, has submitted a list of 85 cadres, UDLA has submitted
a list of 140 cadres along with arms and ammunitions before the
government agencies," said unnamed sources. "The process
is going on for some time. Even UMHA had a plan to stage the surrender
ceremony last March. But in the absence of a rehabilitation package
the surrender was delayed", Hailakandi Superintendent of
Police (SP), Pranab Jyoti Goswami. Goswami said the process of
surrender, initiated by the AR authorities with full cooperation
from the IB and Police, will be completed within two months.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM claimed
that, altogether 56 (fifty six) members from different Naga militant
groups have joined NSCN-IM.
Taking the responsibility of killing
a person named Vivito Zhimomi (30) on May 15, the NSCN-R said
that they had ‘punished’ him for collecting money in the name
of their organisation.
Threatened by an ethnic insurgent
group, named Arakan Army, in Myanmar, nearly 300 Myanmarese nationals,
mostly women and children, have crossed the border and taken refuge
in two villages in south Mizoram since May 19. According to officials
of AR who reached out to the Myanmar nationals on May 20, more
than 200 people are taking shelter at Khaikhy and Lungpuk villages
under Mara Autonomous District Council bordering Myanmar. Another
77 nationals had crossed the border seeking refuge in Khaikhy
village. The refugees are residents of Raile village in Chin state
of Myanmar.
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.
The appearance of CPI-Maoist posters
in Yedugurrallapalli in Chinturu mandal in East
Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh put the Police on high alert
and they intensified combing operations in mandals bordering
Chhattisgarh. The Maoists have called upon tribals to join the
diamond jubilee celebrations of the Naxalbari movement and pinned
posters to trees in Baddugudem hamlet of Yedugurrallapalli village
in the District. The Charla and Sabari area Dalams of
the Maoist party has called for weeklong celebrations of the Naxalbari
movement.
The CPI-Maoist cadres pasted a
poster on the walls of Block Development office and a Government-run
Inter College based at Dhaulichheena in Almora District of Uttarakhand
.
The poster affirmed that CPI-Maoist would continue to espouse
the cause of liquor ban while lending their full weight behind
the women who are spearheading the fight against liquor in
the hills.
|
May 22 |
Two persons were arrested along
with FICNs in the denomination of INR 2000 and INR 500 with a
total face value of INR 10,000 on in Pudukottai District of Tamil
Nadu. They were arrested when they allegedly tried to circulate
the notes.
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.
A CPI-Maoist cadre named in an
attack on an under-construction railway station in Nawada District
on November 3, 2016, was arrested in Gaya District of Bihar. Anuj
Yadav, a resident of Jehanabad District, was arrested from Bodh
Gaya following a tip off to the STF and handed over to Nawada
Police.
Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The rebels were arrested when
a joint team of DRG and STF were carrying out a search operation
on the forested hills between Kunna and Jongeras villages. Those
arrested were identified as Kawasi Erra (25), Hidma Ram Markam
(25), both 'Jan Militia' members while two others - Podiyam Hadma
(26) and Devraj Markam (23) - are members of DAKMS - a frontal
wing of the Maoists. Two electrical detonators, wires, battery
were recovered from them. Based on the statement of the arrested
Maoists, a tiffin bomb, three arrow bombs, two more detonators,
a camera flash, a wireless receiver, a solar plate, Maoist uniform,
huge quantity of medicines and stitching materials were also seized
from a location.
In the wake of two major attacks
by Maoists against the CRPF in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh,
the State Government made operational the joint command and control
centre at Jagdalpur, the District headquarter of Bastar District,
a long-standing demand of the SFs. The move would help SFs in
conducting real-time anti-Maoist operations with the help of UAV.
Surrendered Maoist, Podiyam Panda,
informed the Chhattisgarh High Court that he was not coerced by
the Police to surrender. Panda was produced before the High Court
in Bilaspur, in response to a habeas corpus petition
filed by his wife, Muiye.
A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist
was arrested from a house in Bhirudi village in RIT Police Station
area in Adityapur in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand.
A special court of the NIA convicted
all the 15 accused in two cases related to siphoning off of government
funds meant for erstwhile NCHAC [now renamed as Dima Hasao Autonomous
Council] and diverting it to the coffers of the now disbanded
militant group DHD-J. The head of the NIA's Guwahati branch, Debajit
Hazarika, said the court convicted 13 accused in NIA case number
RC-01/2009 and the other two in case number RC-02/2009.
Police arrested one Maoist militant,
identified as ‘area commander’ Dulal Pegu from Amtenga village
near Badulipar area in Golaghat District. Police also recovered
a pistol (7.62 mm) and four rounds of ammunition from the arrested
militant.
SFs arrested one linkman of the
militant group UPRF, identified as Nahhau Guite (40), from Manja
area of East Karbi Anglong District.
The AAPSU has strongly opposed
the Government of India’s decision to grant citizenship rights
to Chakma and Hajong refugees of Arunachal Pradesh, while stating
that the Union cannot tolerate any decision which would hamper
the integrity, dignity and security of the indigenous people of
the state. The AAPSU has demanded the government to identify the
Chakmas and Hajongs who came to NEFA from 1964 to 1969 before
grating citizenship rights in the land of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Naga community in Arunachal
Pradesh has urged the Central Government of India to intervene
in the long-delayed matter of granting autonomous council status
to Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) districts, so that these
areas can see socio-economic development.
A woman laborer, identified as
Arambam Shanti Devi (47), was killed by some assailants coming
on a motorcycle at Premnagar of Ward No 4, Moreh in Tengnoupal
District. However, the involvement of any militant group is not
yet confirmed and investigation is still going on.
Manipur CM N. Biren Singh asserted
that his Government supported the Indo-Naga peace process and
urged the people to ‘stay together’. CM Biren Singh made the statement
while addressing the inaugural programme of two-day Barak Spring
Festival at Senapati town organized by NPO.
Administrative and Police officials
of border Districts in Tripura have finalized strategies to deal
with cross-border crimes and deal with other irritants in a one-day
meet with their counterparts of contiguous Bangladeshi districts.
The District Magistrates and SP of Tripura’s Sepahijala, West
Tripura and Khowai Districts held a day-long meeting in Comilla
in eastern Bangladesh with their counterparts from Comilla, Brahmanbaria,
Habiganj and Moulvibazar, Sepahijala District Magistrate Pradip
Chakraborty told IANS. “During the joint border conference, discussions
about cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism, management
of anti-sabotage activities, drainage water treatment, problems
relating to border residents have been discussed and some strategies
were finalized to deal with these issues,” he said. Chakraborty,
who was the team leader of the Indian delegation, said that sports
and cultural festivals in the border districts were also discussed.
|
May 23 |
Suspected IM operative who was
in run nine years Suhaib Potanical was arrested by Ahmedabad Crime
Branch from Kerala. Crime Branch sources said Potanical is being
brought to Ahmedabad as he is an absconder in July 2008 Ahmedabad
serial blast case. Crime branch officials said Potanical as he
was nick named because of expertise in handling chemical explosives
was a key aide of IM 'India operations chief' Yasin Bhatkal.
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.
India is moving towards isolating
Pakistan diplomatically and is considering punitive actions against
Islamabad for its alleged support to cross border terrorism, a
top American defence intelligence chief has told lawmakers.
The SFs involved in anti-Naxal operations
in the Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh would get technical
and sophisticated arms support from Israel. A two-member Israeli
team conducted an aerial survey of Visakha agency regarding the
support.
The CRPF has suspended a commander,
for "leadership failure" during a road-opening patrol
in Sukma District (Chhattisgarh) on April 24 during which 25 jawans
were killed by CPI-Maoist cadres. A senior CRPF official said
a preliminary inquiry had found company commander J. Vishwanath
prima
facie
culpable of showing lack of leadership that day.
Sources said Vishwanath and five to six other personnel had gone
missing when the rebels ambushed the CRPF team.
The CPI-Maoist cadres engaged
SFs in an exchange of fire in Kasidih and Koyotand areas under
Gomia Police Station of Bokaro District of Jharkhand. As
the face-off took place near railway tracks on CIC section of
Dhanbad division of East Central Railway, train services were
disrupted. No casualties were reported on either side.
The NHRC issued a notice to the
Jharkhand Government over the alleged abduction and recruitment
of children by CPI-Maoist cadres in the State. Taking suo motu
cognisance over the media reports, the Commission has asked State
Government to respond with specific reference to the questions:
what is the police estimate of actual number of children who have
been recruited in the Maoists cadre in the State of Jharkhand,
what action has been taken by the Police to trace such children
and re-integrate them with the main stream of the society, what
measures have been taken to educate and rehabilitate such children
and what action has been taken against the persons who were involved
in dragging the innocent children into the Maoists' cadre and
coercing them to carry out illegal activities?
The C-60 squad of the Gadchiroli
Police arrested three Tendu leaves contractors (leaves
which are used in making beedis) with INR 17.6 million when they
(contractors) were on their way to hand over cash to the CPI-Maoist
cadres in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The
contractors were identified as Pahadia Tulsiram Tampla (35), Ravi
Malya Tankam (45) and Nagraj Samya Putta (37).
Surrendered cadre of the CPI-Maoist,
Podiam Panda, in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra revealed that
CPI-Maoist cadres celebrated the killing of CRPF jawans with drums
and Nagadas. He also told that the preparation was on for a month.
The CPI-Maoist posters were found
in the Patnagarh area in Bolangir District of Odisha. The
posters with various demands issued by the BBM Maoist Division
were found on the Kantabanji-Padmapur road at Gangasagar village.
The banners were also found on the main gate of a school at the
village. The posters in red cloth were written in Hindi language.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres erected
a banner and put up handwritten posters near Taliperu medium irrigation
project site in Charla mandal in Khammam District
of Telangana, symbolically marking the beginning of the week-long
50th anniversary of “Naxalbari armed uprising. The rebels, through
the posters written in the name of CPI-Maoist Charla-Sabari Area
Committee, called upon people to spearhead the “New democratic
revolution”.
Former DHD-J leaders Jewel Garlosa
and Niranjan Hojai along with former chief of the North Cachar
Hills Autonomous Council Mohit Hojai were sentenced to life imprisonment,
while the 12 other accused were awarded imprisonment ranging from
eight years to 12 years in the first two cases of terror funding
registered by the NIA.
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) said that
any move to withdraw or alter the newly created districts in the
state ‘would be opposed tooth and nail’. In the statement, KIM
further said that cease-fire between the Government of India and
Naga underground in 1964 was extended only to Tamenglong District,
Ukhrul District and Mao sub-division which alone were considered
to be predominantly Naga inhabited areas. The statement added
that any settlement in solution with the Nagas alone can never
solve the political problems of Manipur without solving the 'Kuki
issues first'.
CM N Biren Singh said that the
recent series of violent incidents in State’s border town Moreh
in Tegnoupal District may be a deliberate attempt to sabotage
the implementation of Act East Policy. The town at the Indo-Myanmar
border was hit by a series of violent incidents in the recent
past. After a series of bomb blasts, a woman was killed in a shootout
by two unknown miscreants on May 22 near the international border
gate 2. “The series of violent incidents (happening in Moreh and
NH-102) may be related with an intentional attempt to sabotage
the Act East Policy,” said CM Biren Singh.
In an emergency meeting of its
central executive members at the NEFA Club under the chairmanship
of its general secretary Tobom Dai the AAPSU has decided to conduct
a consultative meeting on May 27, at Itanagar to draw opinion
for its future roadmap after the decision of the Union Ministry
of Home Affairs to give citizenship rights to Chakma-Hajong refugees.
AR, along with Police, arrested
two militants of NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant major’ T Rongsen
Ao (37) and ‘under secretary’ Wapang Ao (38), in general area
of Duncan Basti in Dimapur District. According to the SFs these
two militants were involved in different extortion cases of Dimapur
area.
AR arrested an unidentified person,
who was involved in illegal procurement and smuggling of arms,
in Dimapur District along with one .22 mm pistol and magazine.
|
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres triggered
a blast in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. No casualties
or injuries were reported. The DRG arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre,
who was attempting to flee from the spot.
The Chhattisgarh Police claimed
to have killed four cadres of the CPI-Maoist in an encounter in
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter occurred when
a joint team of the STF, DRG, and the CRPF, was out for an anti-Maoist
operation at Pichchikodur under the Barsoor Police Station limits.
Constable Jhumar Mandavi, belonging to DRG was injured in the
attack. Dantewada SP, Kamlochan Kashyap said, “We can say that
at least four Maoists were killed in today’s encounter as we recovered
one 12 bore gun and other Maoist material on the spot.” However,
the SFs could not recover bodies.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified
as Gangaram Dhurve and Naresh Porte, were arrested by District
Police at Bakar katta Police Station area in Rajnandgaon District
of Chhattisgarh.
Police arrested one unidentified
person, who was suspected to be involved in the extortion attempt
incident at the office of the Director of Audit and Pension, from
Banderdewa area in Papum Pare District. Earlier, on May 22, two
assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons entered the room
of Director, Audit and Pension, Abdul Bashit and attacked him
for an extortion demand. However the assailants fled leaving behind
a bag and arms after the officer started shouting. Bashit sustained
minor injuries in the incident.
Hundreds of people staged a demonstration
in front of the deputy commissioner's office in Haflong in Dima
Hasao District against the life sentences to Jewel Gorlosa and
Niranjan Hojai. The protesters said the government had betrayed
them after stating in the memorandum that all cases against the
DHD-J members will be withdrawn. Former DHD-J ‘chairman’ Jewel
Garlosa on May 23 had told reporters that they were "withdrawing
the ceasefire" after the court order and that the peace process
had failed. DHD-J has been disbanded after MoU with the outfit
in 2012.
A public meeting to deliberate
on the topic 'Likely impact on integrity of Manipur due to the
ongoing dialogue between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM'
was held at the multi-purpose hall of Yairipok Laimanai in Imphal
East District. The ‘general secretary’ of UCM Y Dhiren, AMSU ‘president’
Manjit Sarangthem, Human Rights Initiative, Manipur ‘president’
Y Ratan, UPF ‘vice president’ Wareppa Sekend and Federation Clubs
of Yairipok advisor Ibotombi Khumancha attended the meeting as
presidium members.
The last rites of the eight youths
killed during the anti-ILP bill agitations in Churachandpur District
in September 2015 were performed. Thousands of people paid homage
to the ‘tribal martyrs’ before the bodies were buried at old helipad
near Khuga Dam in Churachandpur Town.
Three suspected militants of KLO
were arrested by jawans (troopers) of the 12th Battalion
of TSR from Raishyabari area in Dhalai District. Tripura Police
informed that the suspected militants were trying to infiltrate
the Indian soil from neighbouring Bangladesh after weaponry training
in Bangladesh for the last 16 months. Police also recovered arms,
Bangladeshi currency and other incriminating documents from the
militants.
Police arrested one person, identified
as Rajesh Das (18), along with one .9mm pistol from Sidhai Police
Station area under Mohanpur Sub-division in West Tripura District.
According to the Police he was involved in illegal arms trading
as well as narcotics business.
More than 300 Myanmar nationals,
who crossed over to Mizoram on May 19 and sought refuge after
being threatened by an insurgent group (Arakan Army), were repatriated
by the Indian authority. The AR handed over all the refugees to
Chebei in the presence of representatives of the Saiha administration,
Mizoram Police and members of the Mara Autonomous District Council
in Mizoram bordering Myanmar.
|
May 25 |
The Crime Branch officials in
Amreli District recovered FICNs with a face value of INR 1.11
crore from two persons, who were later arrested. The seizure was
made after Police got a tip-off that some persons were carrying
suspicious items on a scooty from Lathi town to Amreli. “Police
stopped the two-wheeler at a circle on Bhavnagar road and searched
it. They found a bag full of fake currency notes in INR 2,000
and INR 500 denominations in the possession of two persons,” an
official of Amreli Crime Branch said. The two men, identified
as Sachin Parmar and Paresh Solanki, were later arrested.
NIA has filed the chargesheet
against three men from Tamil Nadu belonging to Base Movement,
an alleged terror group, before a special court in Bengaluru for
triggering an explosion in court premise in Mysuru on August 1,
2016. According to a press release from NIA, the agency arrested
five people and chargesheets were filed against N. Abbas Ali,
28, 'founder' of Base Movement, of Madurai, Samsun Karim Raja,
23 of Madurai, and Dawood Sulaiman, 23, of Palavakkam, Chennai.
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.
The ADJ of Munger Court, Jyoti
Swaroop Shrivastava, awarded capital punishment to five CPI-Maoist
cadres in Munger District of Bihar. Maoists identified
as Bipin Mandal, Adhiklal Pandit, Ratu Koda, Banu Koda and Manu
Koda are convicted with the killing of two CRPF personnel, Sone
Gauda and Ravindra Rai, during the last parliamentary elections
in April 2014.
Chhattisgarh Police released six
tribal villagers, who were picked up by them three days ago (May
21) in relation to links with CPI-Maoist.
Nearly 60 women cadres of CPI-Maoist
set ablaze Dumri Bihar Railway Station on the Gomoh-Barkakana
section of ECR in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. Armed with rifles
and bombs, the Maoists forced the railway employees to leave the
premises before setting the main station building afire. The rebels
also set afire the engine of a goods train and left with valuable
railway equipment. This damaged the signal and communication system
of the railways on the route. They also snatched a walkie-talkie
from an engine driver. The rebels had planned to trigger a blast.
They had planted 40 can bombs, but the security personnel defused
them. Handbills pasted by the Maoists on the walls of the station
buildings and on stationary train coaches asked the Jharkhand
Government to cancel the MoUs signed with “capitalist forces”
following the recent Momentum Jharkhand investors’ summit. The
Maoists have called for a statewide bandh on
May 29 and the attack on the railway station, said Police sources,
aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the general public.
A person was killed in a blast
at an OIL pipeline, around 500 meters from the oil collecting
station at Dikom in Dibrugarh District. While ULFA-I claimed it
had carried out the blast and the body was one of its cadres,
Bobby Dohatia alias Palash Asom, Police maintains that
it was caused in an attempt to pilfer fuel. "All seems to
be buried under slush. On preliminary investigation, it appears
to be a case of oil pilferage. However, after the claim by ULFA-I,
the security agencies are looking at that angle as well,"
a source said.
Five CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
before the State Police. ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharya
said that the five extremists, including a woman, led by a wanted
Maoist, Moina Dohotiya have come to the police "announcing
their decision to join the mainstream with a desire to lead a
normal life. A few more Maoists are still left and we are trying
to bring them to the mainstream," Bhattacharya said.
SFs are in a state of alert in
view of the PM Narendra Modi's visit to the State on May 26 to
inaugurate various projects. Intensive security checks are being
done across the State including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Guwahati
which have been put on high alert. A three-layered security cover
has been put at all places the PM will be visiting. Anti-terror
units have been deployed at various places. Special measures have
been taken in Guwahati and Tinsukia where designated roads have
been sanitized to upto two kilometres on either sides. "Policemen,
special commandos and cops in civil dress have been deployed.
More than one lakh people are expected to attend PM's rally. More
than 2500 volunteers will be assisting the force in security and
management. Anti-sabotage check has also been done," Hiren
Nath, Guwahati Police Commissioner said.
In a statement, the CorCom, a
conglomerate of four Valley-based militant outfits, has expressed
its solidarity with the Kashmiri people and ‘condemned the excesses’
of the Security Personnel ‘against the civilians’ of Kashmir and
‘WESEA (Western South East Asia- a term used by militants of the
region to indicate the North East India) region’. CorCom in its
statement also stated that it supported the movement for Kashmiri
people to decide the future status of their ‘homeland’.
Police arrested four persons,
who were involved in the extortion and attack incident of Banderdewa
area in Papum Pare District on May 22, from undisclosed locations.
The arrested extortionists were identified as Chello John (24),
Sonam Para alias Sunday Para (24), Sime Killo (35) and
Rima Bodo (30). Police also recovered two hand grenades, five
rounds of 7.62mm rifle, a live round of .22mm pistol and five
rounds of small arms from the arrestees. Apart from that, earlier
on May 22, Police recovered one AK series rifle magazine, 21 live
rounds and one hand grenade from the spot of occurrence of the
incident.
|
May 26 |
A group of 20-21 terrorists of
terror group LeT entered into India and are preparing to launch
a terror attack. Central intelligence agencies have warned anti-terror
units in cities in this regard. The terrorists have entered into
India on the orders of ISI. Some have gone to Mumbai and Delhi,
and the rest to Punjab and Rajasthan. In the wake of the threat,
the agency has issued an alert and advisory to all units of the
Delhi Police. Tight monitoring and strengthened anti-terror measures
have to be ensured at metro stations, railway stations, airports,
hotels famous among tourists, crowded markets, religious places
and stadiums in Delhi, said the advisory.
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.
A group of CPI-Maoist cadres dragged
a schoolteacher, identified as Kalicharan Mahto from his house
and shot him dead outside his village, Tiskopi, under Chatrochatti
Police Station area in Gomia block in Bokaro District of Jharkhand.
The schoolteacher was killed apparently because the Maoists suspected
him of being a ‘Police informer’. Before leaving the village,
the Maoists set afire a mobile phone tower and threw several handbills
in the area. The handwritten pamphlets warned the State Government
of severe consequences unless the recent MoUs signed with multinational
corporations are cancelled.
PLFI regional ‘commander’
Raju Singh was arrested during a search operation in Jilingburu
forests in Khunti District of Jharkhand. A double-barrel gun and
cartridges were found on him. PLFI is a splinter group of
the CPI-Maoist.
The Manuguru Police arrested a
mason on the charge of acting as a courier for CPI-Maoist cadres
at Manuguru town in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana.
Police identified the arrested as B Suresh alias Rakesh,
of Edulla Bayyaram. He is presently working as a mason in Dummugudem Mandal bordering
Chhattisgarh. Police seized INR 0.28 million and Maoist literature
from his possession.
In a press conference, BYWS alleged
that the purported extortion notice served to former Minister
Bida Taku by ULFA-I was done ‘at the initiative of a political
rival in order to cow him down’ and demanded the government to
expose the person behind the extortion notice.
A joint operation force had cornered
Maoists in the forest near Darbha village, which is also located
in Bhairamgarh tehsil in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. Dhondraj Police party and CRPF were engaged in
the encounter with Maoists who had come to Darbha village for
holding a meeting. The exchange of fire took place as the Maoists
were busy addressing the villagers. The Maoists however managed
to sneak out of the place.
One person, identified as Vino
Awomi, was arrested on charges of extortion after he was caught
collecting illegal ‘taxes’ from the commercial vehicles at Bamunpukhuri
area on behalf of the GPRN/ NSCN in Dimapur District. AET also
arrested one militant of NSCN-IM, identified as Inato Assumi,
while he was collecting illegal ‘taxes’ from business establishments
at Dhobinallah area in Dimapur.
|
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.
Police said that, “Today in the
afternoon stone pelting incidents were reported from about two
dozen places from different areas of the Kashmir valley. “The
gatherings of miscreants pelted stones on police establishments
and forces camps. They also pelted stones on the moving vehicles
on the busy roads and in the Chowks. Police and security forces
rushed to tackle these mobs. They were also pelted upon in which
25 police and security forces personnel were injured. The police
and security forces personnel showed utmost restraint in tackling
these unruly mobs. During these incidents 12 miscreants were also
injured,” the Police added.
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.
The Munger judge who awarded capital
punishment to five Maoists on May 25 received a threat message
on his WhatsApp number in Munger District of Bihar. The threat
message reads,
"Hamare Jan Adalat Nein Apko Phansi Ki
Saja Sunayi Hai"
. ADJ Jyoti Swaroop Srivastava had sentenced
to death five Maoists for ambushing and killing two CRPF jawans
and injuring at least 12 others on the Gangta-Lakshmipur road
under Haveli Kharagapur subdivision during the 2014 Lok Sabha
elections.
The Maoists have called a two-day
Bihar bandh on May 28 and 29 in Bhagalpur, Munger, Lakhisarai,
Jamui and Banka Districts to protest against the Munger court
order, according to Laljeet Koda, spokesperson of the CPI-Maoist's
Eastern Bihar-Jharkhand regional zonal committee.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed,
Anduram Benjam, a former colleague who had surrendered in March
2016, in Sanvel village in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The
Maoists hacked him to death on suspicion that he was a ‘Police
informer’.
Seven CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
after an encounter with SFs in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
There was an exchange of fire between the Maoists and the Police
near Tekanar area of Narayanpur. After the encounter, Police managed
to catch seven Maoist supporters, including three women.
Police arrested a businessman,
identified as Kashyap Patel and his two associates Ravindra Yashwant
and Narayan Rangari who allegedly came from Maharashtra’s Gondia
District to hand over cash to the CPI-Maoist in Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh. The vehicle of Patel, who is the owner of a Gondia-based
MG Patel company, was stopped by BSF personnel near their base
camp and the Police for routine check, when the cash of INR 28
lakh was traced inside the car. During sustained interrogation
they revealed that the seized cash was to be given to Maoists
as levy. Further additional amount of Rs 50 lakhs kept by the
trader in a house at Banda was also recovered.
Suspected KSU activists set ablaze
heavy machineries, at Ronghana village in Ri-Bhoi District and
also assaulted labourers engaged in the ongoing Northeast Frontier
Railway project. Four earthmovers, seven dumpers and a vibrator
machine were badly damaged during the incident. Around 10 Police
personnel were also injured. Following the incident Police arrested
two ‘leaders’ of KSU, ‘president’ Ferdynald Kharkamni (North Khasi
Hills) and ‘assistant secretary’ Son Nongkhlaw (central body).
In addition, Petrol bombs were
hurled at vehicles in several pockets of the Shillong city in
East Khasi Hills. A government vehicle belonging to District Sericulture
Officer R.B Lyngwa of Ri Bhoi was attacked with a petrol bomb
near Mahari fuel station. The incident was fallout of the violent
protests against an ongoing railway project in the District. Petrol
bombs were also hurled in various localities, including Laban,
Nongmynsong, Rynjah and Lumdiengjri, starting from 9 pm till wee
hours of May 28.
Strongly reacting to the stand
of the Kuki Inpi, Manipur that it would oppose any move to withdraw
or alter the newly created Districts, the NSCN-IM said that it
was "extremely provocative which is completely baseless,
hollow and an antithesis to the historical facts of the Nagas".
Nagaland Government reiterated
to “pave the way” in the event that any honorable and amicable
settlement is arrived to the on-going ‘Naga political dialogue’.
Passing this resolution in the one day special State Legislative
Assembly session, the CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu said that in the
event if any amicable and acceptable settlement is arrived between
the GoI and the Naga militants, then the State government will
“pave way for any alternate arrangement”. The house unanimously
adopted this resolution and appealed the GoI to expedite the political
dialogue so as to bring an early solution to the protracted ‘Naga
political problem’.
In a consultative meeting on the
Chakma and Hajong refugee issue, the house, consisting of various
political parties, students unions, former union leaders and legal
experts, endorsed that the AAPSU would call on the government
to conduct an all political party meeting within one week’s time
to draw more consensus on the issue.
SOS of Gadchiroli Police raided
a camp of the CPI-Maoist in the forest of Karkewada on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh
border in Bhairamgarh tehsil in Gadchiroli District of
Maharashtra. The Police recovered substantial literature, medical
kits, materials of daily use and such other things belonging to
the Maoists. An encounter had ensued in Karkewada where around
25 Maoists were camping. Though there was no casualty reported
from either side, Police claimed that they found blood stains
on the ground where the Maoists had taken position. This suggested
injuries to the Maoists.
The AET arrested one person identified
as Wongkiuba Sangtam, for collecting illegal taxes from auto rickshaws
on behalf of the NSCN-IM in Dimapur.
|
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.
SFs are on a high alert after
the CPI-Maoist cadres called for a State-wide bandh on
May 29 against the “anti-people policies” of the Jharkhand Government.
IG (Operations), Ashish Batra, asserted that anti-Naxal operations
were also going on in full swing in the light of the day long bandh called
by the Maoists.
Police personnel working in Naxal-affected
areas in Telangana have sought sophisticated weapons and other
protective gears to take part in operations against the CPI-Maoist
cadres during emergency situations from the Union Government.
The Telangana Police also highlighted the lack of facilities including
infrastructure and other logistics in the newly-formed Police
stations, divisional offices and administrative offices in districts.
The Policemen also brought the issue of lack of coordination between
police officials from the rank of DSPs and SIs that impacted badly
on investigation and law and order.
Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner CP
Gotmare said that appropriate legal action will be taken against
KSU volunteers involved in the arson and vandalism incident on
May 27. The district administration also imposed section 144 Criminal
Procedure Code (CrPC) in Ri Bhoi prohibiting assembly of more
than five persons. Educational institutions were exempted from
the order. The order also prohibits carrying of weapons by the
public.
TPC cadres - Chandan Kumar, Md
Arif and Biraj Bhuiyan - were arrested while burning kendu leaves
in a farm in Ramgarh District of Jharkhand, after failing to extort
‘levy’ from a contractor. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and
ace badminton player Saina Nehwal have been threatened by Maoists
in Chhattisgarh for extending financial help to families of 12
CRPF jawans who were killed in a Maoist ambush in Sukma District
on March 16. In a pamphlet issued by the CPI-Maoist Bastar south
sub-zonal bureau, the two have been threatened besides urging
other celebrities to stand with the poor and the revolution. “We
condemn the financial assistance given to the families of CRPF
jawans killed in PLGA attacks. We appeal to famous figures, film
actors, sportspersons and celebrities to stand with the revolution
and poor people. Stand against police atrocities and human rights
violations,” it read. Akshay and Saina had promised to provide
INR 0.9 million and INR 50,000 respectively to each family.
One militant of NNC-NA, identified
as Mughalu Aye, was arrested by the AET for collecting illegal
‘taxes’ in Dimapur.
|
May 29
|
Two persons in possession of FICNs
worth INR 1,08,000 were arrested in Gwalior. The aggregate amount
comprised a combination of duplicate currency notes of INR 2,000
and INR 500 which have been in circulation post demonetisation
drive on November 8, 2016. To this regard, a ban was imposed on
the circulation of INR 500 and INR 1000 notes, with subsequent
circulation of INR 2000 notes and new notes of INR 500, which
were printed to balance the flow of cash. Under the Specified
Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017, which was passed
in March 2017, it is illegal for Indian citizens to hold more
than ten notes of the invalid currency after March 31, 2017.
PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor
Angela Merkel held "very good" discussions on a range
of bilateral, regional and global issues like the Brexit consequences,
trade and radicalisation in the context of recent terror attacks
in Europe.
The Azamgarh Police are investigating
link of a female medical student, with an Islamic State (IS) module
of Amzad khan alias Ayan Khan Salafi, who was deported
from Saudi Arabia in April. The link of the girl, a medical student
from Sarai Mir area of Azamgarh District, surfaced during interrogation
of Amzad by NIA. Amzad is a resident of Churu in Rajasthan and
had been closely associated with IS. He had radicalised the 24-year-old
girl on phone and the two had entered into Nikah (marriage)
on phone only. Though, the NIA has not disclose the identity of
the girl, the local Police and intelligence unit are trying to
trace out her and her family members. "We have come to know
about the girl, but she is yet to be traced out in want of her
identity," the Azamgarh SP Ajay Sahni said, adding that the
intelligence is being gathered to trace out the girl.
Four persons, including a woman,
were arrested, who according to the Police, were planning to carry
out targeted killings under the banner - ‘Khalistan Zindabad’
from Bathinda District of Punjab. They have been identified as
Harbarinder Singh of Amritsar, Amritpal Kaur of Ludhiana, and
Jarnail Singh and Randeep Singh of Gurdaspur. Two pistols (4 magazines
and 5 live rounds) were also recovered from them. On the radar
of these “highly radicalised youth” were Congress leaders Tytler
and Kumar, as well as those they considered responsible for incidents
of sacrilege or desecration, said a Police spokesperson. Tytler
and Kumar have faced allegations related to their role in the
1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. The youths had formed a group –
‘Khalistan Zindabad’ - after having been radicalised over Facebook
and other social media platforms by certain individuals based
in Pakistan, various middle-eastern countries and the UK, the
spokesman said.
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.
One person was killed and four
others were injured in a bomb blast that took place inside a medical
store at Church road in Dimapur Town. According to the eyewitness
two persons came in car and lobbed a bomb inside the shop. One
person, identified as Abdul Rashid was seriously injured and died
at a private hospital. The four others injured in the blast were
identified as Bindan Biwas (39), Dilwar Hussian (22), Mithu Biswas
(42) and Ihelung Newmai (22). The investigation is still going
on and Police is not yet sure about the group of the militant
involved in the incident.
Two years after an RTI was filed
seeking details of the Naga peace accord between the GoI and the
NSCN-IM, the CIC has ruled in favour of the Union Home Ministry
withholding the contents of the accord. Agreeing with the UMHA
decision to withhold information, the Chief Information Commissioner,
R K Mathur in his decision said, "In the present case, the
sovereign and integrity of India and the security, the strategic
interests of the state may be prejudicially affected. The public
interest served by non-disclosure has to be weighed against the
immediate public interest of disclosure." The order cites
R N Ravi, chairman of the joint intelligence committee and interlocutor,
who told the CIC the ground situation, was "sensitive and
fragile", and the "premature release" of the information
would be "prejudicial to national security". "The
government does not wish to lose the gains arising out of the
Framework Agreement," Mathur quoted Ravi as saying.
A fresh case of arson was reported
from Jeep Stand in Qualapatty of Shillong city in East Khasi Hills
District. Police said a group of miscreants hurled a petrol bomb
(Molotov cocktail) at a tobacco shop, belonging to Santosh Kumar
Jalewa, partially damaging the shop. However no injury was reported,
Police added.
A case of petrol bomb (Molotov
cocktail) attack on a truck was reported in Umsning in Ri Bhoi
District. However, the damage was minimal as the vehicle was covered
with wet plastic.
Ri Bhoi District Police arrested
three more KSU activists in connection with the recent attack
at the railway construction site at Byrnihat. The arrested persons
have been identified as Johny Nongrum, Jayan Sylliang and Sabarthani
alias Babloo Lyngdoh.
East Khasi Hills Police have called
in additional forces from different Districts to maintain law
and order in the capital city. District SP Davis Marak said that
additional forces have already started coming and the SOT personnel
deployed in other districts have also been asked to return to
Shillong. The police have also stepped up vigil on roads in the
whole of Ri Bhoi District.
The KSU has threatened to continue
its protest if the Government does not stop the railway project
in Byrnihat. The pressure group also demanded that its leaders
and members, who were arrested after the violent protest in Ri
Bhoi on May 27, be released. KSU ‘president’ Lambokstarwell Marngar
said that the Government has failed to come up with effective
laws to prevent influx of “outsiders” into the State. “We have
all along maintained a strong stand that it is only when such
laws are in place, we will be ready to talk on whether to welcome
the railway project,” said Marngar.
SFs arrested one militant of KYKL,
identified as ‘sergeant major’ Recky Thoudam (32), from Thounaojam
of Wabagai in Thoubal District. In the interrogation the militant
revealed that he was directed to carry out IED blasts targeting
security forces and was accompanied by five CorCom cadres.
In a press release, KIM, the apex
body of the Kuki community in the State, has expressed its discontentment
over the alleged statement of Manipur CM N Biren Singh terming
the SoO agreement a “failure”. A tripartite SoO currently in operation
between the GoI, Government of Manipur and the Kuki militant groups
under the umbrella of the UPF and the KNO. The KIM said that Kuki
armed groups under SoO have not been “engaged in any ambush or
killing against security forces after signing the SoO agreement.”
However, it lamented that “no remarkable political solution has
been achieved for the Kukis because of signing the SoO pact.”
The KNF-N has held captive the
alleged ‘c-in-c’ of KTU, identified as Khaipao Haokip, in Kangpokpi
District. Informing about the incident, the KNF-N alleged that
KTU is a puppet of NSCN-IM and it has been ‘utilized by NSCN-IM
solely to weaken the political movements of Kukis’. An unidentified
cadre of NSCN-IM was also over powered along with Khaipao but
he was released unharmed on the same day.
Thousands of people staged a protest
at Haflong town in Dima Hasao District to protest the life sentences
to rebel leaders-turned-politicians Jewel Gorlosa and Niranjan
Hojai and former CEM of the NCHAC, Mohit Hojai. On May 23, an
NIA special court convicted all the 15 accused in two cases related
to diverting government funds to the now disbanded DHD -J militant
group. The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the PM Narendra
Modi, Union home minister Rajnath Singh, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal
and others through Dima Hasao deputy commissioner, requesting
Modi to intervene into the whole matter and grant general amnesty
to all the individuals.
At least 30 to 40 cadres of the
CPI-Maoist set ablaze a mobile tower, three kilometres away from
a CRPF camp in Anandpur village under Laxmipur Police Station
in Jamui District of Bihar. According to reports, tower, generator
set and other instruments were damaged completely in the attack.
A group of 50 cadres of the CPI-Maoist
set ablaze an empty private bus travelling from Dhanora area to
Orchha village in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. According
to reports, the Maoists set the bus on fire after the passengers
were forced to evacuate the bus. The Maoists had been opposing
the road construction work in Jhorigaon. It is believed that a
road construction is underway on a brisk pace under the security
cover provided by the ITBP and the District Police. 45 kilometres
of a total 66 kilometres have been completed so far, the reports
added.
SFs arrested three CPI-Maoist
cadres after an exchange of fire at Hiroli village in Dantewada
District of Chhattisgarh. The incident occurred when a composite
squad of STF, DRG and CRPF was conducting an anti-Maoist operation
in the forested hills of Kirandul Police Station area. The arrested
CPI-Maoists were identified as president of the JSRC of CPI-Maoist,
Banjar alias Hunga, and Lakhma Kunjam and Hidma
Kunjam–both Jan militia members. The three CPI-Maoists
had INR 100,000 each on their heads.
CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a railway
track between Chiyanki–Karmabad railway station on Gaya–Mughalsarai
rail route and set ablaze vehicles in Giridih and Bokaro Districts
of Jharkhand, during the 24-hour State-wide bandh called
in Jharkhand to protest against the amendments in tenancy acts
and the alleged anti-poor policy of the Raghubar Das Government.
The Maoists blasted the down tracks between Chiyanki and Karmabad
railway stations leading to disruption of the rail movement for
at least nine hours. They also set ablaze one vehicle and one
poklen machine in Giridih and two vehicles at Chutte village in
Gomia block of Bokaro District. SDPO of Saria, Deepak Kumar said
that the Maoists blew up the track under the Dhanbad railway division.
Many other trains, including Delhi-Rajdhani, Delhi-Sealdah-Rajdhani
were also stranded at different railway stations due to the incident.
The traffic on the route was disrupted for nearly 10 hours till
a railway team reached the site and reinstalled the broken railway
lines.
A group of Maoists stormed at
the work site at Gagaguro village and after threatening the workers
to leave the place, they set on fire a poklen machine engaged
in road construction in Giridih District of Jharkhand. They also
set ablaze a bolero jeep parked at Dhawatand forest area on Giridih-Dumri
Road during the bandh. No one was injured in the incident.
A group of suspected Maoists set
ablaze two Tata pickup vans engaged in carrying passengers in
Chute village in Gomia block under Gomia Police Station in Bokaro
District of Jharkhand.
The bandh called
by the Maoists crippled road and public transport in the rural
areas of the State (Jharkhand) the most as many transporters preferred
to keep their vehicles off the roads fearing rebel attacks. Fewer
trucks were seen on roads as the frequency of long route buses
was also very low. People avoided using trains despite heavy deployment
of security forces in almost every train that passed through the
Maoist belt, said Police officials.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres, including
a woman cadre and a minor, surrendered before Rourkela Police
in Sundargarh District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres were identified
as Phula Munda alias Gurubari (19) and Siddharth
Lohar alias Bhima (28), while the name of the
minor was withheld by the Police. Phula carried a reward of INR
0.1 million and Siddharth carried a reward of INR 0.5 million.
The three were involved in several incidents of attacks on Police
and the 2009 attack on National Aluminium Company Limited's mines
at Damanjodi.
Two cadres of Charla LOS of the
CPI-Maoist, surrendered before Bhadrachalam ASP, Sunil Dutt, in
the Mandal headquarters town of Charla in Khammam
District of Telangana. Police identified the surrendered duo as
Irpa Laxman Rao alias Bharath (28) of Pusuguppa,
and S Murali (35) of Vuyyalamadugu of Charla Mandal.
Laxman worked as a courier for CPI-Maoist cadres from 2008 to
2013 before being appointed as a dalam member
the same year. Murali surrendered following the death of his wife
due to ill health recently.
The AET arrested four militants
of NSCN-IM, identified as Rhontho Halflongpar, Paru Halflongpar,
Dethar Longthasa, and Metseyi Tetseo in Dimapur District. Another
two militant, belonging to NNC-NA, identified as Athsu Yimchunger
and Apong alias Moses Tikhir, were also arrested from NL
Road on charges of extortion in Dimapur.
|
May 30
|
The LCB of the Jalgaon Police,
night raided a centre that was manufacturing FICN of denomination
INR 100 and INR 50, and arrested five persons along with fake
notes amounting up to INR 92,000. One more suspect, however,
managed to escape the scene. The LCB had received information
that fake notes were printed at some places in Trimbaknagar along
Jalgaon-Pachora road, after which they raided the area and seized
fake notes and equipment used to produce the notes.
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.
SFs arrested three persons, identified
as Khaiginlal Haokip (34), Jangkhokhohao (40) and Simon Gurung
(31), for carrying ammunitions at Kangvai area in Churachandpur
District. SFs recovered 2780 rounds of AK rifle ammunition from
their possession.
The village chief of the village
where the KTU ‘chief’ was abducted yesterday (on May 29), informed
that, nine cadres of NSCN-IM entered the village and warned the
villagers of ‘dire consequences’ if the KTU ‘c-in-c’ Khaipao Haokip
has been not released.
The Manipur State Cabinet resolved
to enact the legislation, declaring all forms of strikes and blockades
illegal, for fixing responsibility against the sponsors and organizers
of strikes and blockades for causing public inconvenience and
damage to properties. The cabinet also considered enacting the
law with provisions of recovery of cost of all damages to properties,
from the sponsors and organizers. Such a law will have provisions
to deny persons, involved in calling a strike or blockade, from
getting government jobs and benefits under the government schemes
in addition to criminal proceedings.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze the
battery room of a mobile tower of BSNL at Mutanpal under Burgum
Police Station in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The Police
also found pamphlets left by CPI-Maoist cadres at the spot which
protested killing of CPI-Maoist leader 'Vilas' in an encounter
in Burgum area on May 14.
Kuwakonda Police also arrested
a woman Jan Militia member of the CPI-Maoist Kunjami Huray
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. There are eight cases registered
against her, which include murder and attempt to murder.
The cadres of the PLFI, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze two earthmovers digging a
pond at Palkot in Gumla District of Jharkhand. Gumla SP, Chandan
Jha said combing operations had been intensified in the area.
Madhya Pradesh Police personnel
recovered explosives dump by the CPI-Maoist cadres to target security
personnel in the jungles of Naxal-affected Balaghat District
of Madhya Pradesh. Balaghat SP, Amit Sanghi told, “The explosive
dump contained IED stocks of splinters, sharp nails, urea, sulphur,
ammonium nitrate, two bundles of electric wires and two detonators,
which seemed to have been stashed in these jungles to target our
patrolling party’s foot soldiers through an IED attack.”
Thirty-one newly recruited constables
of 9th IRB refused to join the service fearing
the CPI-Maoist at Kalahandi District of Odisha. The incident took
place at the time of inaugural ceremony. In total 521 constables
were selected to join the battalion in Kalahandi, 490 of them
joined finally. B Radhika, ADG, State Armed Police, said the new
recruits got jobs elsewhere. "Some of the selected candidates
got jobs in other places, including army," Radhika told TOI.
One person, identified as Pitovi
Shohe, was arrested on charges of extortion after he was found
issuing ‘work permits’ to the business establishments on behalf
of the NSCN-IM in Dimapur.
|
May 31
|
A charge-sheet filed by NIA last
week against Base Movement, a terror outfit that owed allegiance
to al Qaeda, said that the outfit carried out five blasts in court
premises in south India last year to avenge the killing of HM
leader Burhan Wani by Indian SFs, encounter killing of Ishrat
Jahan in Gujarat, hanging of Yakub Memon and killing of eight
alleged SIMI terrorists in Madhya Pradesh last year.
NIA said in its chargesheet that
the September 12, 2016 blast at Nellore court (Andhra Pradesh)
was carried out by the outfit to avenge the "mental agony"
suffered by Kashmiri Muslims for about two months when Section
144 (prohibitory orders by the government) was imposed in parts
of the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani.
It said that the outfit carried
out the August 1, 2016 Mysuru court (Karnataka) blast to avenge
the hanging of 1993 Mumbai serial blast accused Yakub Memon and
killing of eight alleged SIMI terrorists by Madhya Pradesh Police.
Similarly, Base Movement carried
out the June 15 blast at Kollam court (Kerala) to avenge the encounter
killing of Ishrat Jahan in Gujarat. They also wanted to avenge
lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Noida (Uttar Pradesh).
According to the NIA chargesheet,
the members of the outfit also felt that Muslims lodged in jail
were being ill-treated and courts were handing them a raw deal.
The chargesheet has been filed against Nainar Abbas Ali, Dawood
Sulaiman and Samsun Karim Raja on May 24. Abbas and Sulaiman formed
the outfit on January 26, 2015 at Madurai. Two members of the
outfit, S Shamsudheen and Mohammad Ayub, are yet to be chargesheeted.
Three Bangladeshi nationals, including
a woman with a 18-month-old child, were detained from Sanjognagar
in Bhuj town by the SOG. They also recovered 20 FICNs of
INR 500 denomination from the trio. Those detained were Manzura
Khatun Sadar (45), TIka Khan Mujbar Murul (45), Sagor Riz-ul Sadar
(18) residents of Jasor District of Bangladesh, SOG Police Inspector
R A Dodhiya said.
India and Spain stressed that
there should be "zero tolerance" to terrorism and called
on the international community to end "selective or partial"
approaches in combating the menace which poses the gravest threat
to international peace and stability. PM Narendra Modi, the first
Indian prime minister to visit Spain since 1992, met the European
country's top leaders and they stressed that states and entities
which encourage, support, finance terrorism, provide sanctuary
to terrorists and glorify terrorism should be subjected to international
laws including restrictive measures.
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.
AR arrested Timsay Pongner, a
‘worker ‘of the NSCN-IM, from Ledo town in Tinsukia District.
In a statement, the AAPSU has
strongly condemned the recent rally organised by the PADC committee
and questioned the genuineness and integrity of the demand of
the PADC, which seeks grant of Autonomous District Council under
special provision Act of Parliament of India, under Article 371
(A).
One militant of KUFO, identified
as Seikham Chongloi (49), was arrested by Indian Army personnel
from Saikul Bazaar area in Kangpokpi District. One country made
9 mm pistol, one magazine of 9 mm pistol, two live rounds and
two handsets were also recovered from the arrested militant. According
to the sources he was involved in several extortion cases.
An exchange of fire broke out
between a joint team of STF and DRG and the CPI-Maoist cadres
near Chhote Rainar village in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
SFs were engaged in ensuring security to the repairing work of
the damaged road to facilitate the movement of vehicles. No casualty
has been reported from either side.
District and Sessions Court Judge
Ashant Das acquitted the eight accused in connection with Maoist
attack Nayagarh District on 2008 in Odisha. The eight acquitted
have spent over nine years in jail. According to the prosecution,
the eight people were accused of being involved in the daring
attack by CPI-Maoist on several Police establishments including
the armoury and looting of weapons on the night of February 15,
2008. Those acquitted were Ranjit Sana of West Bengal, Asutosh
Soren and Rabi Dulai of Jharkhand, Kamalakant Sethy and his wife
Chandrabati Tukuruka of Ranapur, Kishore Jena of Delang in Puri
and Bikram Mallick and Sushil Behera of Aska in Ganjam District,
said special public prosecutor Brundaban Panda.
Maharashtra Police claimed to
have recovered a weapon and some CPI-Maoist material after an
encounter with the Maoists in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.
The encounter had taken place in Karwafa forest of Jarawandi area
of Gadchiroli.
|
May 31- June 1
|
Several incidents cases of arson
and Molotov cocktail attacks suspected to be linked to the ongoing
protest against the extension of Railways to the State were reported
from different parts of the State, including Shillong city in
East Khasi Hills District.
Miscreants threw a Molotov cocktail
at a building, owned by Minoli Borman, at Lumshyiap in Nongmynsong
in East Khasi Hills District around 8pm on May 31. No damage was
reported.
After some time, a Molotov cocktail
was hurled at a police requisition bus (ML-05P-8518) at Lailad
in Nongmynsong in East Khasi Hills District. The vehicle was partially
damaged.
Later around 9 pm, another Molotov
cocktail hurling was reported from Lower Jail Road in East Khasi
Hills District.
Around 11.30pm, a vehicle (MH14
Y 9717) belonging to Ashish Gundal caught fire at the parking
lot of Orchid Resort of Umiam in Ri Bhoi District. The vehicle
was partially damaged.
Further, unidentified miscreants
on June 1 tried to attack the office of the Youth Congress at
Pahamsohthri village in Ri Bhoi District. Incessant rain minimized
the damage.
Meanwhile, unidentified miscreants
pelted stones at a Tura-bound vehicle carrying
The Shillong
Times
newspapers on June 1 night causing partial damage to
the vehicle and minor injuries to the driver in Ri Bhoi District.
The vehicle was attacked at a place between Nongpoh and Umsning.
|
June 1
|
Russian President Vladimir Putin
asserted that Russia's "trust-based" relations with
India -- which he described as one of its "closest friends"
-- will not be diluted by Moscow's growing ties with Pakistan
and other countries. But at the same time, Putin sidestepped a
question on Kashmir, and said "it is up to you" to assess
whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. "But
no matter where the threat comes, it is unacceptable and we will
always support India in its fight against terrorism," he
added.
An Indian parliamentary delegation
on a visit to Sweden has sought from the Scandinavian nation partnership
in combating international terrorism, emphasising its dangers,
especially in the south Asian region. The 10-member delegation
led by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Parliamentary Affairs
S.S. Ahluwalia visited Sweden with an aim of "promoting and
strengthening parliamentary relations between the two countries".
IM’s 'India operations chief'
Mohammed Ahmed Siddibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal revealed to
counter–terror investigators how he was trained in Karachi by
Pakistan’s ISI operatives in handling military-grade explosives
like TNT, C3, C4 as well as ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate.
The training subsequently helped him in acquiring expertise in
IED bomb-making. Bhatkal, who was recently questioned in Ahmedabad
after his arrest for alleged role in the July 2008 Ahmedabad blasts
that killed 50 people, was arrested in August 2013. He was sentenced
to death last December by a Hyderabad special court for his role
in the February 2013 blasts there.
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.
The ‘c-in-c’ of KTU, identified
as Khaipao Haokip, who was abducted by KNF-N, died reportedly
due to a stroke/heart attack at the Daitwi Camp of KNF-N in Kangpokpi
District. Informing the incident, ‘president’ of KNF-N Dr Napoleon
Kremlin claimed that the deceased KTU leader was given the best
treatment considering his age and physical weakness in the camp.
In the statement, repeating about the allegation of relationship
between NSCN-IM and KTU, KNF-N said,” KTU and NSCN-IM have an
agreement that a Kuki Union territory shall be given if the Nagas
demand is fulfilled”.
Police arrested one militant of
ZRA, identified as Thangzangam alias Jeff (32), at Phaibatang
camp in Churachandpur District. Police source said that the said
cadre is involved in assaulting a BSF constable on May 24 evening
at New Lamka in Churachandpur District.
Speaking to media persons, surrendered
militants of the State said that they have not been provided the
promised stipends as well as the onetime payment that they are
supposed to get after three years and threatened that they would
launch agitations besides taking help of the law court if the
Government fails to fulfill the promises. Earlier on July 19 of
2012 surrendered 73 militants of different militant groups and
were promised for onetime payment after 3 years and regular monthly
honorarium by the government in the presence of the then Chief
Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and the then Home Minister Gaikhangam.
Forest and Environment Minister
Prestone Tynsong said that the State Government is open to dialogues
with pressure groups to clear the doubts over measures taken to
address the problem of influx in the context of protest against
railway. Tynsong also appealed to the KSU to stop violence and
any sort of disturbance. With protests continuing against the
railway project in the State, Tynsong said the Government is on
the job of setting up of entry and exit points. He, however, admitted
that there are hurdles in land acquisition.
The Khasi Students’ Union, North
Khasi Hills appealed to the public of Ri Bhoi District not to
cooperate in the Ri Bhoi silver jubilee celebrations to be held
next week.
Unidentified miscreants set ablaze
a Meg Mini Tea Factory of the State Horticulture Department at
Lumnongrim Dewlieh in Umsning of Ri Bhoi District causing huge
financial losses.
The AAPSU has decided to hold
detailed discussions on the vexed refugee issue as well as the
stand of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for granting citizenship
rights to the Chakma and Hajong refugees in Arunachal Pradesh
in its emergency seating of all the federal units scheduled for
June 5.
An Army trooper identified as
Captain, Tripatprit Singh, and a civilian named Rupam Tigga (30)
were injured during an encounter between the troops and suspected
NDFB-IKS militants at Auxiguri in Kokrajhar District.
Assam Police sources said that
they have received intelligence inputs from sources that a suspected
ISI agent, identified as Mofudool Islam alias Ansar Uddin,
has entered Assam via Nepal. ADGP-SB Pallab Bhattacharjee said
the Police will take no chances in this regard, especially when
relations between China and Pakistan have improved and a negative
comment on Dhola-Sadiya Bridge was recently made by Beijing. Bhattacharjee
further said that SPs and Police stations have been put on alert
following the intelligence feedback.
The AKRSU- Pradip Ray faction
has declared an agitation schedule for the coming days. Gokul
Barman, AKRSU ‘general secretary’, said that according to their
schedule, ‘Ma Kamatapur Yajna’ in every District would be conducted
on June 8. “We have called for 36-hour long Assam bandh
from 5 AM of June 12. We will conduct mass protest in Dighalipukhuri
paar (bank) in Guwahati on June 23 and will stage railway
blockade in Chirang and Bongaigaon on July 10. We will also conduct
communal convention on August 6. And the last programme of this
schedule is 100-hour long wheel stop from August 10,” he said.
The UMHA has said that there has
been a sharp decline in violence, extortion and attacks on security
forces in the Northeast in the last three years. As per data available
with the UMHA, only 484 such incidents were reported in 2016 as
compared to 1,025 in 2012 and 732 in 2013. It further noted that
the number of abductions have come down from 329 in 2012 and 307
in 2013 to 168 in 2016. Only 28 such cases were registered till
March this year. However, the number of security personnel killed
in Manipur shows an upward trend with 24 being killed in 2015
and 11 in 2016 as compared to 8 and 5 deaths in 2012 and 2013,
respectively.
The NDFB-IKS suffered a setback
with more than 900 cadres being arrested and nearly 55 being killed
in security operations, according to the UMHA note. The number
of such incidents in Assam jumped to 50 in 2016 as compared to
21 in 2013, the UMHA note stated.
The number of militants surrendering
saw a decline with 267 such surrenders taking place in 2016 as
compared to 1,161 in 2012, as per official data. Arms recovery
was not significant despite a crackdown as 698 arms were recovered
in 2016 as compared to 1,856 in 2012.
As many as 1,202 militants were
arrested in 2016 as compared to 2,145 in 2012. Of this, the highest
number of arrests in 2016 has been made in Manipur (518) and Assam
(366) while maximum abduction cases were reported from Nagaland
(51) and Meghalaya (52).
A group of more than 50 CPI-Maoist
cadres raided the construction camp and set ablaze five vehicles
used in road construction in Giridih District of Jharkhand. Five
persons, including the owner of the vehicle, were beaten up. The
injured were shifted to hospital.
Giridih Police recovered
2,772 pieces of power gel, 6,750 detonators and over 8,500 meters
of wire from the house of one Suresh Yadav from Teesri Thana area
in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The SDPO, Prabhat
Ranjan Barwar, said Yadav, who was arrested, had revealed names
of his three associates and raids were on to arrest them.
The composite squad of the DRG
and District Force arrested 13 CPI-Maoist cadres from the forests
of Chintagufa and Chintalnar in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
In first incident, 11 CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from Chintagufa
Police Station area by the SFs. In the other incident, two Maoists,
identified as Madkam Deva (23) and Podiyam Joga (25), members
of DAKMS - a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist, were arrested from Chintalnar.
The duo was involved in the attack on the CRPF personnel of the
74th battalion on April 24 in Burkapal area wherein 25 troopers
were killed.
SDGP, D. M. Awasthi told reporters,
that 75 new Police stations have been built in CPI-Maoist inflicted
area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. He added that the
construction would certainly help Police personnel in arresting
the CPI-Maoist cadres easily.
SFs arrest three cadres belonging
to Jan militia members of the CPI-Maoist from
Kamaloor village under Bhansi Police limits in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. The arrested cadres were identified as Pandu
Bhaskar, Podia Bhaskar and Raju Bhaskar.
|
June 2
|
Police arrested a man along with
FICN with a face value of INR 1,18,000 in Gorakhia Chowkri village
in Amreli District. The man was identified as Danuba Gohil. "Gohil
was nabbed from Gorakhia Chowkri when he was on his way from Badeli
on his two-wheeler to hand over the fake notes to some persons
in Dhasa village in Amreli district," an official said. The
seized notes were in denomination of INR 2,000.
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.
SFs arrested a NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Dilip Rai, from Molandubi area in Kokrajhar District.
SFs recovered one 7.65 mm pistol with magazine, ammunition in
possession from him.
ULFA-PTF has expressed hope that
appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as the new interlocutor will provide
much-needed momentum to the ongoing peace talks between the outfit
and the Government. The Centre has appointed Sharma - a 1976-batch
Kerala cadre IPS officer who retired as Director of the IB on
December 31, 2016. Sharma took charge on June 1. ULFA-PTF ‘general
secretary’ Anup Chetia welcomed Sharma's appointment, describing
it as a positive development for the ongoing negotiations between
the outfit and the Government. "We hope with his appointment
the peace process will gain momentum and help us find a permanent
solution. We look forward to meeting him shortly," Chetia
said.
A group of suspected cattle smugglers
attacked a BSF trooper, Krishna Murthy, when he tried to stop
them, at the Hatimara Border Outpost under Mahendraganj Police
Station of South West Garo Hills District.
State Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh
said that the government is willing to talk to the KSU provided
that violence is stopped. Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh said
the government is open to dialogue, but not under the present
condition of arson and destruction to public property. “Any protest
should be peaceful and the government will consider taking to
the group only in a conducive atmosphere and not with violent
activities, including vandalism,” Lyngdoh said. To a question
on the release of arrested KSU leaders, the Home Minister said
the government cannot interfere in court matters.
A bomb wrapped in brown paper
was recovered in the frontal side of a hardware shop owned by
Sangi Gun, at Sugunu Lamkhai under Sugnu Police Station in Kakching
District. Later the bomb disposal squad of Police safely detonated
the bomb. No organisation has so far claimed responsibility of
the bomb.
In a press release, the NSCN/GPRN
alleged the death of ‘c-in-c’ of KTU Khaipao Haokip as ‘coldblooded
killing’ by KNF-N and threatened that “the murder of Khailun Haokip
by KNF-N will be befittingly responded”. Earlier the deceased
person was abducted by the KNF-N from Shijang Kuki village for
having close affiliation with NSCN-IM.
In a statement, the KIM said that
the ‘concerted propaganda’ made by NSCN-IM that the Kukis are
nomadic and refugees is nothing but ‘a shallow and cheap attempt’
to distort history of the Kukis which will not serve any purpose.
The statement also asserted that NSCN-IM’s ‘greed for land of
Kukis’ is ‘unjustifiable’.
A probe team, headed by Additional
Director-General of Police Pramod Asthana was constituted by the
State Government, to investigate the recent violence in Manipur's
border township of Moreh and its surrounding areas.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM claimed
that with the signing of the Framework Agreement between the GoI
and the NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015, the GoI has recognised ‘the
sovereign rights of the Nagas’. The statement further pointed
out that the Framework Agreement (FA) was political in nature
and a preamble for a detailed final political agreement which
was expected to be completed and signed very soon between the
two sides.
In a statement, various Naga groups
of Arunachal Pradesh said that the Government can’t brush aside
the need to establish an ADC in the Naga-dominated areas of Tirap,
Changlang and Longding. They said that a Patkai Autonomous Council
for Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) is the only solution for
the region, alleging it has been ignored by the State Government
and the Central Government of India for decades in terms of its
socio-economic development. Various bodies associated with the
demand such as Patkai Autonomous Demand District Council and the
TCL Students Federation also threatened to hold an indefinite
bandh (general shutdown) in the three districts if the
Centre and the State Government continue to pay no heed to the
matter.
The ADJ in Lohardaga District
of Jharkhand; awarded 10 years' rigorous imprisonment to CPI-Maoist
‘sub-zonal commander’ Kameshwar Yadav. He was charged
in a case related to the recovery of explosives following his
arrest in 2015.
DGP, D.K. Pandey, visited Topchanchi Thana in
Dhanbad District of Jharkhand, as part of a recce of different Naxal-hit
Police Stations of the State. The DGP told reporters,
"We are working on a mission to wipe out Naxalism from
the state by the end of 2017."
Two surrendered girl Maoists,
whose whereabouts were not known and were being searched by their
family, have been found staying and pursuing education at an orphanage
in Bhubaneswar of Odisha. As per Police records, Sindu alias Dipa
and her sister Champa alias Rama surrendered
before the Police in Rayagada District on March 17, 2011. Their
father Sara Mandinga of Pipalapadar village in Koraput District
claimed that he had no information about their whereabouts. Answering
questions raised about mysterious ‘disappearance’ of two women
Maoists – Champa and Sindu, IGP, Sanjeeb Panda, revealed that
both of them are presently housed at SOS (Save Our Souls) village
in Bhubaneswar.
The Bathinda District Police of
Punjab have booked an unidentified person for pasting posters
of Naxal on the wall of the District Courts Complex
near a local branch of OBC bank in the city. Police
constable Kulwinder Singh, who has lodged a complaint, has stated
that a case has been registered against an unidentified person
for pasting the posters. A case under Sections 124A and 153 A
of the IPC has been registered at the Civil Lines Police station.
The Police unearthed ISI network
by arresting a ISI spy, Deena Khan, from a remote village in Barmer
District. Police has also caught two of his assistants, who are
being quizzed. Khan not only helped Pakistan smugglers, but also
sent information to Pakistan via Facebook.
|
June 3
|
The Punjab Police arrested three
terrorists having direct links with Pakistan's ISI-backed banned
terror outfit, ISYF. The arrested terrorists — Gurdial Singh,
Jagroop Singh, and Satwinder Singh — had been trained and tasked
by the ISI to carry out terror attacks and target various 'anti-Panth
and anti-Sikh forces/individuals' by Pakistan-based ISYF 'chief'
Lakhbir Rode and Harmeet Singh alias Happy alias
PHD.
Preliminary investigations revealed
that a part of the consignment of arms and ammunition seized by
the BSF on May 21, 2017 near the international border in Amritsar
was supplied by the ISYF. Gurdial hails from Hoshiarpur District,
and both Jagroop and Satiwinder are residents of Shaheed Bhagat
Singh Nagar District. While Gurdial and Jagroop were arrested
from their native houses, Satwinder was apprehended at a police
checkpoint close to his village in Balachaur. Police said Gurdial
Singh was the chief operator of this terror module. During his
last visit to Pakistan in November 2016, he had arranged a visa
for Jagroop Singh and traveled to Lahore with a jatha. During
interrogation, the duo revealed that Jagroop met Rode during his
stay in Lahore in November, 2016.
Jagroop confessed that he was
taken to the ISYF 'chief' blindfolded at an undisclosed location,
where a four-day training in handling AK-47 rifles and other smaller
weapons was imparted by the ISI. He was also trained in techniques
of sabotaging railway tracks by loosening the securing/fastening
mechanisms of fish-plates, and nuts and bolts. The Punjab Police
spokesperson said that both Gurdial and Jagroop were tasked to
carry out terrorist attacks in India. Rode and his associates
had promised to supply arms and ammunition across the border to
them in India.
FICN with a face value of around
INR 1.4 crore has been seized following the arrest of two persons
in Tenkasi of Tirunelveli District. Hassan (61) and Samidurai
(49), who were found moving around suspiciously with a bag at
the bus stand were arrested. A search revealed that they were
carrying fake currency worth Rs six lakh with them. After questioning,
police personnel seized fake currencies in INR 2000, INR 500 and
INR 100 denominations to the tune of INR 1,36,60,000 from Samidurai'
house. Apart from the fake currency notes, police also seized
three xerox machines used by the two.
Kolkata Police arrested three
persons from Kalna in Bardhaman District, night on charges of
carrying FICN. Acting on a tip-off, the investigators stopped
an ambulance near Purba Sahapur in Kanla and found three persons
carrying FICN worth INR 20,000, all in INR 2000 currency notes,
along with firearms and narcotic substances. The accused Sanjoy
Majhi, Shibu Rajbanshi and the ambulance driver Pratap were arrested
and they were interrogated by the investigators throughout the
night.
The SOG of Bhavnagar Police arrested
one more person in connection with FICN printing and circulation
racket. The SOG team arrested Jayesh Solanki, 25, a resident of
Kumbharvada in Bhavnagar and seized INR 90,000 FICN of INR 2,000
denomination from his house. H A Jadeja, Police Sub Inspector,
SOG, told that Jayesh was given the bundles of notes by main accused
Hardik Vaghela in Surat to be circulated in the market.
Terror outfit Islamic State (IS)
had not been able to set foot in India, UHM Rajnath Singh said.
Barring two terror attacks in Punjab in 2015-16, the security
situation in the country had by and large remained under control,
the minister said. More than 90 sympathisers of IS had been arrested
due to better coordination between state and central security
agencies. Five terrorists of the IM group were given capital punishment
as part of the government's focused efforts to check terrorism,
Singh said.
"India is the second largest
country as far as Muslim population in the world is concerned.
I can say with full responsibility that despite such a large population
[of Muslims], the IS has not been able to set foot," he said.
He added there had been a 45 per cent reduction in infiltration
attempts from Pakistan since the surgical strike by the Army in
September 2016, compared to the corresponding six months in the
previous year.
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.
Three AR personnel were injured
in a bomb attack at Bongjang near Manipur’s border township of
Moreh in Tengnoupal District. The incident happened as a powerful
bomb suspected to be an IED exploded when a team of AR personnel
on ROP, passed an area along the Imphal-Moreh road, about 95 kilometers
from Imphal around 2.15 pm (June 3). The injured personnel identified
as Subedar Sher Ram, Riflemen Sachin and Basumatary.
The KTU and NSCN-IM sent a condolence
message for the deceased leader of KTU Khailun Haokip and alleged
that he was abducted on May 28 and killed on June 1 by KNF-N.
UHM Rajnath Singh said that year
2016 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency-related incidents
in last 20 years. “The year 2016 witnessed the lowest insurgency
incidents in last 20 years. Such incidents reduced from 824 in
2014 to 484 in 2016. The number of incidents was 574 in 2015,
which was the lowest since 1997, and further reduced in 2016.
The number of civilian casualties in Northeast has also come down
drastically in the last three years,” said UHM Singh in New Delhi.
“Sustained security initiatives during the last three years have
brought peace and stability to the North-eastern region of the
country after decades of insurgency,” Singh added.
Unidentified miscreants hurled
a petrol bomb (Molotov cocktail) at Forest Check Gate, 9th Mile,
in Ri Bhoi District. No damage was reported.
Police arrested the ‘president’
of KSU Nongthymmai circle, Eric Nongkynrih was in connection with
the May 28 petrol bomb attack on Rynjah Police Station. Police
said that interrogation is on to get more details on the involvement
of the KSU leader.
The entire Ri Bhoi District is
under security cover following cases of arson reported from different
places since last week. Ri Bhoi SP R.P Singh said that one more
company of CRPF has been brought into the District and altogether
two companies have been deployed in the District, besides local
Police force. Violence erupted in the District after a group of
KSU activists allegedly attacked the railway construction site
in Byrnihat last week.
An unidentified NDFB-IKS militant
was arrested with arms and ammunition in Goalpara District. A
.9-mm pistol, a magazine and two rounds of ammunition were recovered
from him.
Police have picked up four youths
from different parts of Gossaigaon for interrogation in connection
to the abduction of Navin Joshi (50), manager of Maijonga Tea
Garden in Goalpara District. An armed gang abducted Joshi on June
2 when he was on his way to Mornoi tea garden at Dingdinga in
Kokrajhar District, along with his assistant Manohar Lal Sharma
and his friend Pranay Debroy, who knew the route. The family has
not yet received any call from the abductors.
Four CPI-Maoist cadres, including
a woman, surrendered before the SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. SP, Sharma said the Maoists were “disillusioned”
by their leaders as they were coercing the tribal people into
killing their own community members and leaders. Korra Chellamma alias Amrutha
(24) of Landula village of Pedabayalu mandal, was
a cut-off area member with the AOBSZC and had a reward of INR
100,000 on her head. The other three Maoists were militia
members of the Galikonda Dalam. Pangi Ramana (36)
of Vantamarri village of Koyyuru mandal was a
pocket militia member of Annavaram village. Pangi Raja Rao (35),
who is also from Vantamarri, was a Maoist panchayat committee
member of Budharalla. Tambelu Dasu (23) of Pakalapalem of Koyyuru mandal was
a militia member of the Galikonda dalam. He was a
militia member from 2009 to 2017.
CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Gadda Nageswara RaoaliasChinnabbai (38), carrying
INR 400,000 reward on his head, was killed in an exchange of fire
between the SFs and Maoists at Kapatuti forest under Chitrakonda
Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha, near to AOB region.
Acting on a tip-off regarding presence of a Maoist camp in the
forest, two teams of SF personnel led by the Malkangiri SP launched
operations. Later, the Police-Maoists encounter occurred in which
the Maoist was killed. Huge cache of explosives, including seven
to eight rounds of bullets, a 9 mm pistol, Maoist literature and
a kit bag has been seized from the encounter site after the gun
battle, SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, said.
Police arrested two Bangladeshi
nationals, identified as Mostaffa Ali (46) and Morzina Begam (37),
from Borkur village in Darrang District. According to the Police,
the couple is resident of Janiaghat area in Sherpur District of
Bangladesh and they entered illegally into Dhubri District of
Assam through the India-Bangladesh international border with the
help of a section of cattle traders.
One person, identified as Atovi
Awomi, was arrested on charges of extortion from Railway Bazar
in Dimapur District.
|
June 4
|
Farmullah Ansari, wanted by the
NIA for his alleged involvement in FICN racket in India, was arrested
from Raxaul in East Champaran District of Bihar. Police sources
said Ansari, a native of Bara District in Nepal, had been evading
arrest for the past last three years. He was under scanner after
fake Indian currency of INR 49, 88,000 face value in INR1000 and
INR 500 notes was recovered at IGI airport in New Delhi in April
2014. Altogether 4,988 pieces of high quality fake notes were
brought from Dubai. The NIA has also announced INR 50,000 reward
on Farmullah.
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.
KSU ‘leaders’ Ferdynald Kharkamni
and Sonstar Nongkhlaw, who were arrested last week for violent
protests against the ongoing railway project, were sent to 14-day
judicial custody after they were produced in the Ri Bhoi District
court of Chief Judicial Magistrate.
In a statement issued to the press,
the RPF militant claimed the responsibility for the bomb attack
at a place in between H Mongjang and S Khudengthabi of Tengnoupal
District in which three AR personnel were injured on May 3.
Reacting to a statement of NSCN-IM,
the KSO criticised NSCN-IM for giving ‘refugee tag’ to Kukis and
alleged that NSCN-IM has ‘a deep seated conspiracy to cheat the
Kukis’.
A ULFA-I militant, identified
as Ron Asom alias Krishna Nath, surrendered himself before
the Dispur Police in Kamrup (Metro). Police said Ron surrendered
because of his prolonged illness. He hails from Tamulpur area
of Baksa District. He joined the outfit in 2011 and was received
training in Myanmar.
The State’s Finance Department
released a fund of INR 117 crore to continue the updating process
of the NRC in the State. The NRC, which is being updated, based
on the NRC, 1951, and electoral rolls up to the midnight of March
24, 1971, had missed the deadline of publication on March 31 after
which Dispur set the December 31 deadline.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an exchange of fire with security personnel at a forest in
Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish took place in the
forest near Surakheda village. Based on specific inputs, a team
of District Force had launched a search operation in the forest
at Bhairamgarh, around 450 kilometers away from Raipur. When the
security men were cordoning off a forest patch near Surakheda,
the Maoists started firing on them which led to a gun-battle.
Later during a search, Police recovered the body of a Maoist clad
in 'uniform', he said. They also recovered a muzzle loading gun,
a country made .303 pistol, some detonators, a tiffin bomb and
wires from the spot. The killed Naxal was identified as Ratan
Ujji alias Hemla Ratan, a member of small action
team of the ultras. Ratan served in various key positions in the
outlawed CPI-Maoist, including as ‘deputy commander’ of Mirtoor
LOS and head of Matwada's Janatana Sarkar group.
A SOG trooper was killed and six
others were injured in a CPI-Maoist ambush near Khamankhol under
Baliguda Police Station limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha.
The group of SOG personnel was returning in four vehicles after
completion of an anti-Maoist operation based on intelligence reports,
when the last vehicle in the motorcade was targeted at the jungle
ghat road near Khamankhol. The hiding Maoists fired heavily at
the vehicle carrying the SOG troopers leading to an exchange of
fire for around one hour occurred at the spot between the SOG
personnel and Maoists, in which the SOG trooper was killed. The
martyred trooper has been identified as Laxmikant Jani of Kalahandi
District and among the critically injured are H.N Tamang, S. Orange
and Driver Niranjan Behera.
An exchange of fire took place
between the SFs and the CPI-Maoist cadres at Jongeras in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter was followed with a major
search operation. P. Sundar Raj, DIG, Dantewada range, said, “We
received a tip-off that a group of 15 to 20 Maoists were present
in the forest near Jongeras village under Kukanar police station
[of Sukma]. We sent a STF team led by Inspector Salim Xaxa and
they conducted a search operation on June 4. There were Maoist
casualties in the exchange of fire last night.” The STF team recovered
seven backpacks, four black uniforms, three detonators and some IED-making
material from the area. The STF team, however, could not recover
any bodies or capture any injured Maoists.
The disbanded ANVC-B, in a statement,
rejected the Meghalaya State Government’s claim of providing rehabilitation
package to 18 of its former cadres.
Tripura Police has arrested at
least 13 Nigerian citizens from border areas of Belonia in South
Tripura District in last eleven months while they were trying
to cross over to Bangladesh without valid documents. The sudden
spurt of Nigerians in a particular border has caused concern among
the security forces, and the Police are suspecting involvement
of a big human trafficking gang.
|
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.
Nine CPI-Maoist cadres involved
in the attack on security personnel in Sukma District forest of
Chhattisgarh on April 24, were arrested in Jamui District of Bihar.
Jamui SP, Jayant Kant said after receiving a tip-off that some
CPI-Maoist cadres were planning major attacks in Naini Pathar
and Asarkho forest areas under Charkapathar Police Station in
the District, a team of CRPF, SSB, STF and Bihar Police rushed
to the jungle and arrested nine of them. The arrested Maoists
were identified as Ramdeo Kora, Gopal Bhulla, Madan Bhulla, Sunil
Marandi, Shyam Soren, Jhanki Murmu, Sonam Hansda, Chamru Ram and
Arjun Kora. Twelve pipe bombs weighing 5 Kilograms each, one can
bomb weighing 10 Kilograms, 40 metres of electric wire and two
batteries were also recovered from their possession.
Chhattisgarh Police in Raipur
District told reporters that security in Naxal-affected
areas of Bastar region has been stepped up as the CPI-Maoist cadres
are observing ‘Jan Pituri’ (Revolutionary Week). Bastar
division comprises of seven Districts namely Dantewada, Bijapur,
Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker.
‘Jan
Pituri ’
week is observed every year in the memory of their
slain leaders of CPI-Maoists. During this period which generally
coincides with the arrival of monsoon, CPI-Maoist cadres focus
on recruitment of fresh cadres by spreading their propaganda.
It will be observed from June 5 to June 11, 2017.
CPI-Maoist cadres have issued
a threat to Government employees at Basaguda region in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. CPI-Maoist cadres have asked
the employees to hand over one month of their salary or face dire
consequences.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
to the members of the State-appointed panel, AK Subbaiah and Gaurilankesh
in Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka. The surrendered Maoists
are identified as Kanyakumari (30), of Mudigere in Chikkamagaluru,
her husband Shivu aka Jnanadev of Bengaluru and
Chennamma aka Suma (32), of Gadag. Of the three
Maoists, Kanyakumari has 33 criminal cases pending against her
and carried a reward of INR 500,000 on her head. Shivu, whose
only involvement in the operation has been through his association
with Kanyakumari. Chennamma, who has been acquitted in the three
cases that were filed against her, is free. Chennamma's husband
Neelamegham was arrested by Tamil Nadu Police two years ago, and
is still in prison.
One militant of NSCN-K, identified
as ‘major’ Gaithalung Thaimei (30), was killed in an encounter
with the Indian Army at Gaijianglong village in Noney District.
A sophisticated M-16 assault rifle and 11 rounds along with a
mobile handset were also recovered from the possession of the
dead militant.
Police arrested one militant of
UNLF, identified as Warepam Milan alias Tayai (30), from
Pishumthong area in Imphal West District.
Two militants of HNLC, identified
as Shibormi Suchen and Da E Miki Shadong, surrendered before the
East Khasi Hills District Police. According to the Police both
the surrendered cadres joined HNLC in June 2016 and went to Bangladesh
for training.
Police arrested three members
of KSU, identified as Sabir Jyrwa (31), Phrang Warjri (26) and
Eric Nongkynrih, from East Khasi Hills District in connection
with the recent cases of arson.
The AAPSU said that it would launch
rigorous democratic movement if the State Government fails to
convene an all party meeting by including all the 60 MLAs and
three MPs over the vexed issue of Chakma and Hajong refugees on
June 10 next. Speaking to the media, the AAPSU ‘president’ Hawa
Bagang said that they are not against granting Indian citizenship
to Chakma and Hajong refugees, but are against allowing them to
settle in Arunachal Pradesh.
|
June 6
|
The UMHA has alerted Punjab government
of a possible infiltration by Pakistan-based pro-Khalistanis in
the wake of surcharged atmosphere on 33rd anniversary of Operation
Bluestar. The alert said, "According to an input, the Lakhbir
Rode group has planned to strike on the event of Ghallughara (Op
Bluestar anniversary) week...He (Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale's
nephew Lakhbir Rode) has convened a meeting at Kartarpur Sahib
in Pakistan. A bag full of hand grenades has been provided to
two terrorists, possibly of Indian origin, to create terror in
Punjab. These terrorists are planning to cross over to India before
June 6," it added. Sources said that Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI) is funding Rode to exhorting his foreign contacts to support
them in launching terror operations in Punjab.
Insurgent groups again targeted
Indian interests in Kabul, with a rocket landing on the tennis
court of Indian envoy Manpreet Vohra’s house. Sources in New Delhi
said no injury had been reported in the rocket attack on ‘India
House’, which occurred around 11.15 a. m. hours local time (12.15
IST) even as the authorities in the Afghan capital. Apart from
the Indian Ambassador, other mission personnel also stay in the
compound of the heavily guarded ‘India House’, which is close
to several embassies and NATO’s ‘Resolute Support’ headquarters.
The rocket attack coincided with the ‘Kabul Process’ meet in which
representatives of nearly 25 countries, including India, participated.
This is the first of its kind international meeting being held
at the initiative of the Afghan President aimed at bringing the
prolonged conflict in Afghanistan to an end.
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.
Bihar Police arrested former leader
of the CPI-Maoist Bachchan Kahar and his associate Bharat Paswan
Rampur from Sarauti village in Arwal District of Bihar. During
search at Kahar's house, the Police seized a stolen rifle, five
ammunition and Naxal literature.
A 24-hour bandh is
called by PLFI, a splinter group the CPI-Maoist, in Jharkhand
State on June 7. Around 300 buses are set to remain
off roads as Ranchi Bus Owners' Association has decided not to
run them during the bandh, which will come into force
from June 6 midnight. The bandh call is in protest
against amendments to the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, (CNT 1908)
and Santal Parganas Tenancy Act, (SPTA 1949) by the State Government.
SFs recovered explosives from
Baliguda area of Kandhamal District of Odisha. The recovery comes
a day after the ambush between the CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs that
claimed the life of a SOG trooper and injured seven other troopers.
SFs recovered gelatin sticks, wires, tin sheets, empty bullet
cases, polythene and Maoist uniforms.
A Major of the Territorial Army,
identified David Manlun, and a civilian, identified as Rajendra
Gupta, and three militants were killed in an encounter with a
group of suspected militants at a place in between Lapa Lempong
and Oting villages near Tizit subdivision of Mon District. Three
militants of ULFA-I, who were killed in the encounter, were also
identified and they are ‘second lieutenant’ Phanindra Asom (35),
Bipul Asom (32) and Dikom Konwar (35). Apart from that, three
Army jawans (troopers) were also critically injured in
the encounter. The encounter took place when a joint team of the
164 Territorial Army and 12 Para launched an operation in the
area based on information about the presence of a combined group
of ULFA-I and NSCN-K militants. Two AK-56 rifles, an AK-47 rifle,
nine magazines, 277 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, four
mobile handsets, medicines, blankets, sharp weapons and other
warlike stores were also recovered from the encounter spot.
The AET arrested one extortionist
identified as Akinoto Yepthomi, for issuing ‘work permits’ to
business establishments on behalf of NSCN-IM in Dimapur District.
AET also arrested two other militants NSCN-IM, identified as Sentiyanger
Aier and Medemtiba Kichu on charges of extortion after they were
found collecting illegal ‘taxes’ from the auto rickshaws in Dimapur.
SFs arrested two militants of
GPRN/ NSCN, identified as ‘major’ Khuhevi Awomi and ‘under secretary’
Kuwoto Yesca from Christian Hospital in Dimapur Town. One AK-56
Rifle with magazine and five live rounds of AK-56 were also recovered
from the arrested militants.
SFs arrested one militant of KCP-Poirei
Lup, identified as Longjam Bijando Singh (48), Yairipok Kekru
Mathak Leikai area in Thoubal District. SFs also arrested two
women, identified as Longjam (o) Debala Devi (41) and Khadangbam
(o) Sanatombi Devi (45), along with the militant. According to
the Police they were involved in concealing one AK assault rifle
and incriminating articles.
|
June 7
|
India is not the only victim of
Pakistan's "nurturing" of terrorism, it told the UNHRC,
saying the effects of this are felt in south Asia and beyond,
and that Pakistan should refrain from sponsoring terrorism against
India. In exercising its second right of reply (RoR) to a Pakistani
statement, India said that Pakistan for years has "with complete
impunity, channelised billions of dollars from international aid,
to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant
proxies against it neighbours".
Intelligence agencies of Rajasthan
Police have found that ISI handlers allegedly set up donation
boxes at places of worship, and use the money donated by devotees
to fund terrorist activities in the border villages of the state.
The sleuths unearthed the funding network while interrogating
ISI spy Deena Khan, who was arrested last week from a remote village
in Barmer District. "Khan revealed that he was in-charge
of a small Mazar in Chohtan village of Barmer district and distributed
Rs 3.5 lakh of Mazar's donation to other spies like Satram Maheswari
and his nephew Vinod Maheswari," a senior officer of the
state intelligence and security wing told, adding that Deena's
handlers in Pakistan would call him over phone, and ask him to
distribute fund accordingly.
The Police suspect that ISI may
have set up several such donation boxes at multiple locations
in border areas to fund its espionage activities. "It is
difficult to distribute money through hawala network as it can
be traced. Hence, the donation boxes are easy way to collect money
and distribute it among the spies," the officer said. Intelligence
agencies are now keeping a close tab over the sudden spike in
make-shift places of worship that have sprung up in border villages.
"The district superintendents of police have been directed
to keep a close vigil at such places. With enhanced coordination
and strategic planning, we have traced the network of foreign
intelligence," said deputy IG, R Suhasaa.
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.
The CPI-Maoist has threatened
to carry out more “Sukma-like attacks” on the SFs in Chhattisgarh.
Sounding out the warning in an audio statement, spokesperson of
the CPI-Maoist DKSZC, Vikalp, accused the SFs of running a campaign
of terror in the Bastar region. In the interim, two Maoist attacks
in Sukma District, first in Kottecheru village and second in Burkapal
village, had resulted in the death of 37 CRPF personnel earlier
this year.
Buses on from Sita Ramdera terminus
in East Singhbhum District bound for Khunti District, Simdega,
Chaibasa, Chakradharpur and Odisha did not play, due to the bandh.
The PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist had called bandh in
protest of the State Government's move to amend land tenancy laws.
Jamshedpur Bus Owners' Association president Upender Sharma said
they decided not to risk passenger safety.
No major untoward incident was
reported during 24 hour state-wide bandh by the
PLFI in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The busy market places in
traditional PLFI strongholds like, Khunti, Simdega and Gumla too
wore deserted looks.
The Giridih Police carried out kurki–jabti on
the house of the Naxal Nunuchand Mahto, who carries
INR 500,000 award on his head, at Khukhra village in Giridih District
of Jharkhand. By a very rough estimate, domestic pot,
bed, furniture and others house hold materials costing INR 45
to 50 thousand had been seized from Naxal’s house.
The Jharkhand Police’s initiative to cripple Maoist leaders financially
by confiscating their property under the UAPA has met considerable
success.
Rama Kawasi alias Ashok
(38) and his wife Weli Madkami alias Malati (25),
cadres of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered at the District Police Office
in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The couple was carrying INR
500,000 and INR 400,000 on their heads respectively as announced
by the Odisha Government. Ashok was working as a DCM with the
Boipariguda Area Committee of MKVB division under the AOBSZC since
2002. On the other, Malati was a native of Badtekguda village
under Kalimela Police limits and involved in at least five murder
cases, blasting of Podia new Block Office building in 2013 and
exchanges of fire. She was working as a member of Boipariguda
Area Committee of MKVB Division under the AOBSZC since 2006. They
cited torturing of local tribal cadres by the CPI-Maoist leaders
from Andhra Pradesh and mindless killing of the innocent people
in the name of ‘Police informers’ as the principal reason to surrender.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM said
that the Framework Agreement has provided a ‘new era for the Nagas’
and express its caution against ‘anti peace agents’, without mentioning
any particular group or people.
One civilian, identified as Rakesh
Waikhom (38), injured when a low intensity explosive, suspected
to be an IED, exploded in front of a pharmacy owned by Ajay Kumar
Jain (43) located at Kasturi bridge of Thangal bazar in Imphal
West District. No militant group has claimed responsibility of
the blast so far.
Three suspected militants, including
a woman cadre of the UPLA, were arrested by SFs from Tingkhong
in Dibrugarh District. They have been identified as Lozar Herse
(20), Angsang Terong (23) and Anita Rajbongshi (26). One .22 pistol
and 21 live rounds of bullets were also recovered from the arrested
militants.
An official communiqué informed
that CM Pema Khandu has convened an all-party meeting in Itanagar
on June 19 to discuss the issue of granting of citizenship to
Chakma and Hajong refugees.
Chinese agencies are trying to
launch a proxy war with India by using the militant groups of
the North East region and some of these plans came to light after
a militant leader of ULFA-I, named Ron Asom surrendered recently.
Police sources further said that the inputs available with the
security agencies indicate that the major militant groups of the
region came into a common platform only after pressure from the
Chinese agencies and now they have started operating together.
|
June 8
|
Delhi Police's Special Cell arrested
Junaid Chowdhry, an aide of gangster Chhota Shakeel, from Wazirabad
road in north-east Delhi. DCP (Special Cell) P S Kushwah said
Junaid was planning to target a high-profile person in New Delhi,
but refused to divulge details of the alleged target. Junaid was
earlier arrested in June 2016 along with three others with arms
and hawala money sent by Shakeel, but was released on bail
within four months. They had been planning to kill Hindu Sabha
chief Swami Chakrapani at that time. He contacted Shakeel again
but after his bail was cancelled he was sent to Tihar. Later,
he was again released on bail and once more got in touch with
Shakeel. Chowdhry then started carrying out the gangster's Delhi-
based activities. He is currently being interrogated.
India has stated that Pakistan
is preaching and nurturing terrorism. India’s counsellor at the
Indian mission in Geneva Alok Jha said, "We would like to
reiterate that India is not the only victim of Pakistan's preaching,
practising, encouraging and nurturing terrorism. The deleterious
impact of Pakistan's irresponsible and short-sighted approach
of terrorism as state policy has started showing in other countries
of South Asia and beyond. Internationally proscribed terrorist
entities and their leaders continue to thrive in Pakistan with
state support, even raising funds openly in flagrant violation
of Pakistan's international obligations.
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.
The composite squads of DRG, District
Force and CoBRA arrested 18 cadres of the CPI-Maoist from two
places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. In first
incident, SFs arrested 10 CPI-Maoist from Chintagufa Police Station
area, while in second incident; eight others were arrested from
Chintalnar Police Station. The arrested Maoists were identified
as Podiyam Kosa (28), Jan Militia ‘Commander’,
Kawasi Joga (28), Deputy Jan Militia’ Commander’,
Madvi Aaytu (23) ‘Commander’ of CNM- a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist,
Oyam Sukka (22), Deputy ‘Commander’ of CNM and 14 other CPI-Maoist
cadres associated with DAKMS, Janatana Sarkar.
The UMHA told reporters that CRPF
has recruited 743 candidates, including 242 women, from the Bastar
region of Chhattisgarh. The youth have been recruited for the
post of constable in the CRPF from tribal-dominated Sukma, Dantewada,
Narayanpur and Bijapur Districts and will join the “Bastariya”
battalion. Once the training of the recruits in the “Bastariya”
battalion is completed, they will be deployed in Chhattisgarh
for at least five years.
The CRPF is exploring technology
that could track and disable weapons looted by LWEs in LWE-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, DG, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar confirmed that the force
is looking at such technology. He, however, said that this is
in planning stage.
Fifteen Naxalites who
were killed last month (May, 2017) in anti-Naxal operation
in Sukma District were cadres of the PLGA, the armed wing
of the CPI-Maoist, said Devendra Chouhan; IG, CRPF. Addressing
a press conference in Raipur District, Chouhan said that an audio
clip released by a top Naxal leader named Vikalp
has now confirmed that 15 Maoists killed in an anti-Naxal operation
between May 12 and May 16 were actually members of the PLGA. "The
security forces launched an anti-Naxal operation between May 12,
2017 and May 16 in Sukma district. The operation by the CRPF’s
CoBRA, DRG and local Police killed at least 15 Naxalites but their
bodies were not recovered," said Chouhan, adding that "the
security forces gauged the number of the killed Naxalites on the
basis of blood stains and intercept of seized wireless sets".
He further added that "initially the Naxalites rebuffed the
security forces' claim but now a top Maoist, Vikalp, in an audio
tape has admitted that their 15 associates were killed between
May 11 and May 16. Though, he claimed that these encounters were
fake and the killed ones were innocent adivasis". However,
the CRPF IG said that Maoists' accusation is false as "the
journalists who visited the areas where anti-Naxal operation was
launched have come to know that the security forces didn't kill
any villager".
The ‘general secretary’ cum ‘c-in-c’
of KLO/KLA, identified as Letkhosei Haokip alias Timothy
alias Seiboi (40), was shot dead by unidentified gunmen
suspected to be cadres of a rival militant faction at Thanganphai
village area under Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi District.
Meanwhile, UPF, one of the two umbrella organisations of Kuki
militant groups strongly condemned the killing in a press release.
Police busted a country made ‘gun
manufacturing unit’ at Langol Games Village under Lamphel Police
Station in Imphal West District. Police also recovered two country
made pistols, equipment and tools used in making country made
pistols, 97 ‘demand letters’ of "Terrorist Revolutionary
Army", a receipt book containing 100 leaflets and four empty
cases from the place. The person, identified as Yangkhothang Haokip
(28), who was involved in the manufacturing of guns was also arrested
by the Police.
PREPAK claimed the responsibility
of the bomb blast at Mahavir Medicos owned by Ajay Kumar Jain
(43) near Kasturi bridge.
SFs arrested an ‘over ground worker’
of the PLA militant, identified as Koijam Warji (47), at Thongju
area in Imphal East District.
SFs arrested the proprietor of
H&B Enterprises, named Thoudam Hemchandra Singh alias
Itomba, of Lairikyengbam Makha Leikai in Imphal East District
for his involvement in transaction of money on behalf of the KCP-Progressive.
Police recovered 30 detonators,
30 gelatin sticks and 8m of fuse wire from two unidentified persons
who were travelling in a bus at Banskandi in Cachar District.
Police also arrested these two unidentified persons and investigation
is going on.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
resumed the peace-talks with ULFA-PTF and two factions of NDFB
in Assam. The two factions of NDFB are NDFB-RD and NDFB-P. Informing
that former Director of Intelligence Bureau and newly appointed
interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma chaired the tripartite talks with
ULFA-PTF in Guwahati on June 7, and security sources said that
discussion with two factions of NDFB started on June 8.
‘Media Cell of WG’ of the NNPGs
has hit out at the NSCN-IM for taking people of Nagaland ‘for
a ride’ in the post-August 3, 2015 ‘Framework Accord’ by “promising
imaginary political institution” whereas the GoI had made it clear
that breaking up neighbouring Indian state “to integrate all Naga
inhabited areas” was out of question.
|
June 9
|
Suhaib Potanical, 49, a suspected
IM operative, was arrested by Surat Police in Ahmedabad. He was
lodged in jail after his arrested in May by Ahmedabad Police.
Surat Police produced him in court and he was remanded to Police
custody till June 15. Potanical is close associate of arrested
'IM India operations chief' Yasin Bhatkal, accused in both Ahmedabad
bomb blasts and Surat bomb planting case. "We have been granted
custody of Potanical till June 15 and he will not be brought to
Surat. Police will question him in Ahmedabad and after questioning
he will be produced in court and sent to jail," said Police.
Considering the risk involved in transportation of the terror
suspects Police have decided not to bring the accused to city
for few days of questioning, sources informed.
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.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter with the CRPF and local Police at Dholkatta forest
in Parashnath area in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The identity
of Maoist is yet to be ascertained. SP, Akhlesh V. Verier told
that the killed CPI-Maoist cadre was a member of Prayag Manjhi
and Ajay Mahto squad.
An encounter took place between
SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres at Kasidanga in East Singhbhum District
of Jharkhand. The CPI-Maoist cadres were led by Akaash, a senior
leader of the CPI-Maoist and wanted by Police for various offences.
An AK-47 rifle with 32 rounds of ammunition, a 9 mm pistol with
six rounds and two magazines among other things were recovered
from the spot of encounter by the security personnel.
Hundreds of slogan-shouting tribals
belonging to 30 villages held a massive rally at Populuru in Malkangiri
District of Odisha, protesting against the killing of a CPI-Maoist
leader Chinnabai in an encounter by the Police. The tribals alleged
that Chinnabai who had surrendered was murdered by the Police.
However, Malkangiri SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra told, “We have information
that the Maoists have issued a press release claiming that it
was a fake encounter. This is completely false. It was actually
an incident of exchange of fire in which the Police had fired
in self defense. In the incident a cadre Maoist was killed.”
The CPI-Maoist cadres threatened
founder of KISS and KIIT, Achyuta Samanta, to punish him in the
Praja
Court
for allegedly working against Maoist organisation in
name of providing education to tribals in Odisha. In a poster
reportedly put up by the CPI-Maoist on the wall of Koraput District
branch of KISS premises at Kakiriguma, the Maoists alleged Samanta
of working along with Police towards weakening the Maoist organisation
in name of providing education to tribal children in KISS. “While
we are opposing the government’s policies, you are inviting the
ministers. If you do not stop doing this, you will be punished
in the Praja court,” the banner read. Kakiriguma Police later
seized the poster.
The CRPF, IG, (Bihar) M.S. Bhatia
convened a meeting with CRPF officials at Koilwar in Bhojpur District
of Bihar, to weed out the CPI-Maoist cadres from Naxal pockets
in Bihar.
Two unidentified militants of
GNLA were killed in an encounter with the Police in a forest between
Agitchak and Jogisil villages of Shallang area in West Khasi Hills
District. According to the Police, four other militants sustained
bullet injuries but they managed to escape. A Chinese assault
rifle and a single barrel shot gun were also recovered from the
encounter site.
The ‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K,
SS Khaplang (Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang), age around 77 years,
died at Taga region in Myanmar. He had been suffering from diabetes
and other age-related ailments for the past few years. The ageing
Khaplang, who was a Myanmarese Naga, had been the most influential
living Northeastern militant leader and recently formed a new
platform of northeastern militant groups called the UNLFW. After
SS Khaplang the ‘vice-chairman’ of NSCN-K, Khango Konyak is widely
expected to replace his position. Another senior leader in the
running is Nikki Sumi, who is part of the outfit's military wing.
Union Minister of State for Home
Kiren Rijiju said that the peace agreement with the ULFA-PTF will
be signed shortly. Rijiju said that the peace agreement with ULFA-PTF
led by Arobinda Rajkhowa has almost finalized. “Apart from ULFA,
Centre will sign peace agreement with the two faction groups of
NDFB within short time,” Rijiju said.
Police arrested a former student
of GU, named Ritwik Saikia, from Dhakuakhana in Lakhimpur District
for allegedly writing an open letter to ‘c-in-c’ of ULFA-I, Paresh
Barua on Facebook.
|
June 10
|
Police arrested two drug smugglers
from Tarn Taran District and recovered contacts of about 130 Pakistan-based
smugglers from their mobile phones. An official spokesperson said
Sukhbir Singh alias Titu of Naushera Dhalla village in
Tarn Taran District and Tasveer Singh alias Tassu of Dhanoya
Kalan in Amritsar District both in their sixties were arrested.
About 6 kg heroin, a Pakistani SIM card, two rifles and a motorcycle
were recovered from them. Both used to procure drugs and other
contraband from across the border through Pakistani and Indian
couriers, the spokesperson said.
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
passenger bus in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. There was
no casualty as the bus was empty and parked. “Maoists burnt a
private passenger bus at Sonpur village last night. This place
is 15 kilometer from the base camp and 35 kilometer south of Narayanpur
police station,” said SP, Santosh Singh. Singh added this incident
is likely to hamper the passenger transport in the area as it
was the only bus operating on this road. “The security forces
never use buses on this road. No other smaller passenger vehicle
runs except for some tractors.”
Police arrested two PLFI supporters,
Surendra Nath and Sunil Thakur, from Bano area of Simdega District
of Jharkhand. The Police also recovered ammunitions from the arrested
cadres that they were about to deliver to their ‘chief’ Gujju
Gope. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
A JJMP cadre, Anil Oraon, was
arrested from Udaypura village in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
INR 34,000 in cash and a mobile phone were recovered from him.
JJMP is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
SFs arrested a militant of MNRF,
identified as Ningkhanngam alias Aboi Raihing (37), during
cordon and search operation conducted at Khurai Chairenthong in
Imphal East District.
Indian Army’s special operation
group arrested one militant of NSCN-K, identified as Wanging Konyak
alias Khampai (31), from Namtola area of Assam-Nagaland
border site under Charaidew District. Some live bullets of AK-47
rifle and one .38 revolver were also recovered from the arrested
militant.
A source, close to the NSCN-K,
reveals that Khango Konyak will take over as the new ‘chairman’
of NSCN-K following the demise of S.S. Khaplang. According to
the sources Khango Konyak was ‘vice-president’ of the militant
and he is believed to be in his seventies. He is a Konyak Naga
from Mon District of Nagaland. Khango is known for defiant stand
and has in the past shown reservation in coming back to ceasefire
process with GoI. A senior official Nagaland Police said, “Khango
maintains close relationship with other rebel leaders, including
ULFA-I ‘chief’ Paresh Baruah.”
According to the sources, the
funeral for late SS Khaplang, former ‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K,
will be held on June 12, in Taga region of Myanmar.
Nagaland CM Shurhozelie Liezietsu
in a message said that NSCN-K ‘chairman’ S S Khaplang had passed
away before any solution to the protracted ‘Naga political problem’
could be reached. “It was encouraging to learn that Khaplang had,
a few months back, conveyed his willingness to have a dialogue
with the Centre provided issues of substance were discussed,”
Liezietsu said in his statement.
A day after the death of NSCN-K
‘chairman’ S.S. Khaplang, the Central Government of India said
that all Indian citizens in the Naga rebel group will be rehabilitated
if they abjure violence. Conveying the message of the Government,
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “We appeal that all the Indian
Nagas in NSCN-K should surrender and return to the mainstream.
We will rehabilitate them. Anybody who gives up violence, we will
rehabilitate them. We are giving rehabilitation package from the
Indian government.”
Police arrested a militant of
UNLF, identified as Moirangthem Champion Singh (21), near Moirangkhom
Moreh Parking in Imphal West District.
A driver of an Imphal-bound oil
tanker, named Takhellambam James has been kidnapped by unknown
persons from Dimapur.
|
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.
Chhattisgarh Police recovered
a five Kilogram of IED planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kanker
District of Chhattisgarh. CPI-Maoist cadres planted
IEDs to target SFs and stall the developmental works in the State.
Chhattisgarh Police claimed to
have arrested 34 CPI-Maoist cadres from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The
arrested people include the Janatana Sarkar presidents, Jan Militia
commanders, DAKMS presidents and members, CNM commanders and deputy
commanders.
Ten cadres of TPC shot dead two
brothers, Muneswar alias Munna (34), Nageswar
Oraon (32), and grievously injured a third, Jogeswar (28), at
Piparwar village in Chatra District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist. Police suspect the brothers were victims
of revenge killing. Their eldest sibling Muneswar was an accused
in the murder of six TPC cadres in Hindgiri in Ranchi District
on May 21.
Rourkela Police arrested a leader
of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Dharamjit Singh, in Sundargarh
District of Odisha. Dharamjit was involved in many CPI-Maoist
activities in Odisha and was in the Police's list of most wanted
CPI-Maoist leaders.
Union Agriculture Minister, Radha
Mohan Singh, met Jawans injured in the recent
CPI-Maoist cadres attack at MKCG Hospital in Ganjam District of
Odisha. Singh urged the CPI-Maoist cadres to shun violence and
join the mainstream. He also attended a “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”
event in Ganjam.
SFs arrested the ‘public relation
officer’ of KNF, identified as Letkhoson alias Soson (42),
in Kangpokpi District. According to the Police, he was involved
in the incident of the killing of two KRA militants on May 5.
SFs also recovered one .22 revolver with six live rounds and two
mobile phones from the arrested militant.
Director General of Assam Police
Mukesh Sahay said that the possibility of ULFA-I ‘chief’ Paresh
Baruah becoming the leader of the umbrella organisation of all
the militant groups of Northeast India (called United Liberation
Front of Western South East Asia) is only a speculation. “The
race has already begun among the top leaders of militant outfits
of the northeastern region after the demise of NSCN-K ‘chairman’
SS Khaplang who also headed the umbrella organisation,” Sahay
said.
Following mounting pressure, a
person named Imdad Hussain, who is alleged to have sparked communal
disharmony among people in Silchar with his controversial posts
and anti-religious comments in the social media, surrendered before
the Police in Cachar District.
|
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.
In meeting held at the 205th CoBRA
Battalion headquarters of the CRPF in Gaya District and a second
one at IG (operations) Kundan Krishnan's office in Patna District
of Bihar, SFs decided to intensify operations in the State against
the CPI-Maoist. The meeting assumes importance, as according to
CRPF sources three pockets - the Jamui/Nawada/Giridih (triangular
section), Gaya Aurangabad section and Lakhisarai/ Munger/Banka/Jamui
section - are still under CPI-Maoist influence. Total seven battalions
of the CRPF are deputed in Bihar. Five of those battalions do
general duty and two are posted as CoBRA battalions. There are
around 1,000 security personnel in a battalion.
Police recovered banners suspected
to be put up by CPI-Maoist cadres in support of agitating farmers
in Madhya Pradesh from Pakhanjoor Police station area in Kanker
District of Chhattisgarh. The banners issued in the name of ‘Pratappur
Area Committee of Maoists’ displayed messages supporting the farmers
who were protesting in the neighbouring state for their various
demands since June 1. In the messages written on banners, Naxals have
protested against alleged injustice being done to cultivators
in Madhya Pradesh.
The Naxals operating
in Chhattisgarh, who have largely been confined to the Bastar
region in the South, are looking to create an entire new zone
in the west, a CPI-Maoist document, recovered by the State Police
has said. Areas like Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Gondia in Maharashtra,
and northern Rajnandgaon, parts of Kabirdham and Mungeli in Chhattisgarh
are covered under the new zone. In the seized document, the new
area is described as MMC (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
Confluence) zone. It seems that idea is to create an entity like
Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) in Bastar District.
The document also shows issues that villagers are concerned about
in the area to win their confidence, such as land, demonetisation
and differential pricing of bamboo in different states.
In joint operation the District
Armed Police and the CRPF recovered huge quantity of explosives
and arrested two cadres, Chunu Munda and Jeevan Pahan alias Bicha,
of the PLFI from Khunti District of Jharkhand. The security personnel
found explosives kept hidden and seized 20 Kilogram of claymore
bomb, 15 Kilogram of liquid explosive in eight packets, 25 gelatine
sticks and a grenade. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Two persons from Kerala, who came
to meet CPI-Maoist cadres Anoop and Shyna at the Coimbatore
Central Prison in Tamil Nadu, were arrested, for carrying a pen
drive. Prison authorities, who found the two with the data storage
device during physical examination, handed them over to the Race
Course Police. According to M. Senthilkumar, Prison Superintendent,
the two men - Rashid (38) and Harihara Sharma (33) from Thiruvananthapuram
- had come to meet Anoop and Shyna, two of the five Maoists arrested
at Karumathampatti in Coimbatore in May 2015, at the prison.
Five months after an alleged CPI-Maoist-led
agitation against a power grid in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas
District that claimed 2 lives in police firing and sparked a blockade,
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, asked Bhangar to stay away from
Maoists and come to the negotiation table. Speaking at a public
rally at Bhangar, CM Banerjee asked residents of Bhangar to surrender
their weapons that she claimed were amassed during the movement
or face search operations. “I know there are weapons in the villages.
The Maoists click pictures of you cutting off roads and up in
the arms to garner monetary aid from sympathisers abroad. Did
you get anything? That is why I am urging you to stay away from
the Maoists and denounce them. They are not going to help you,
but I will,” the CM said.
Three IEDs were recovered, which
were planted near a show room of an automobile company at Mantripukhri
area in Imphal West District. All the three IEDs were safely retrieved
and detonated at a safe place by Police. According to the Police
the planting of the IEDs could be related to monetary demands
by militant groups.
SFs, in a search operation, arrested
one militant of UNLF, identified as ‘corporal’ Nameirakpam Ibungo
alias Torbot alias Abung Singh (33), from Nungbrang
Mayai Leikai in Imphal East District.
SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Bijoy Boro alias B Bukruk, near Maharipara
village under Goreswar Police Station in Baksa District. SFs also
recovered one 9mm pistol along with six live rounds from the arrested
militants.
In a statement, the HNLC threatened
to back the agitation against the railway project in Ri Bhoi District
by providing IEDs to the KSU. The militant group also demanded
release of the KSU members who are in prison in connection with
the May 27 violence at the project site in the District.
Khango Konyak, who is the new
‘chairman’ of the NSCN-K, is likely to be the head of the UNLFW,
which is an umbrella organisation of the militant groups of North
East. Earlier it was expected that Paresh Baruah, the ‘chief’
of ULFA-I might be the head of the UNLFW. But dismissing speculations
about his taking over charge of the UNLFW, Paresh Barua has backed
the idea of ‘next-generation leaders’ coming forward to take charge
after the demise of NSCN-K ‘chief’ SS Khaplang.
At a meeting of the CMs of the
four States of North East bordering Myanmar, in Aizawl, the Arunachal
Pradesh CM Pema Khandu told Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
that India’s open border with Myanmar has been a major problem
for Arunachal Pradesh because of militants from the other side.
He said “The entire region of Tirap, Changlang and Longding [border
districts] is adversely affected by NSCN insurgency. Cadres of
various NSCN factions -IM, K, U, R- are very active in the entire
region… The situation has been exacerbated by the recent declaration
of the NSCN-K as an unlawful organisation.” “Though there is no
home-grown militancy in Arunachal, activities of underground groups
from Assam and Nagaland and from across the border with Myanmar
has adversely affected the security situation in the state,” he
added.
|
June 13 |
A man, identified as Imran Khan
was arrested in Shastri Nagar of New Delhi for allegedly printing
FICN INR 2,000 worth face value of INR 1, 78,000 seized from him,
the police said. A raid was carried out by the Delhi Police's
Crime Branch and 89 fake notes were seized. Police also seized
a printer and computer that were being used to print the currency.
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.
A 25-page document recovered from cadres
of CPI-Maoist by Chhattisgarh Police after an encounter reveals
that the CPI-Maoist leadership in the state has issued instructions
to the cadre on the use of mobile phones. The document recovered
by the Police in April 2017 reveals that cadre up to the level
of ‘Divisional Commanders’ have now been allowed to use mobile
phones and tablets for easy access to reading material. Under
a section of the document titled ‘The spread of propaganda’, the
document states that propaganda activities are to be carried out
through pamphlets, banners, posters, statements and through mobile
phones and WhatsApp. The document reveals that WhatsApp and mobile
phones are to be used in the Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh
Confluence zone (MMCCZ).
In report released by UMHA, SFs
had gunned down 51 cadres of CPI-Maoist as on May 15, 2017 this
year compared to 85 in the corresponding period of the 2016 in
Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres during the period had 81 encounters
with the Police compared to 147 in the corresponding period of
the previous year, it informed. The number of incidents of attacks
on police including use of landmines by Maoists numbered 41 compared
to 50 last year, it stated. A total of 357 Naxal incidents
took place as on May 15, 2017 this year compared to 462 in 2016.The
SFs recovered 228 arms used by Maoists this year as on May 15,
2017 compared to 342 in 2016. A total of 106 districts in the
Country are considered as Naxal affected. Of
these, Bihar State has maximum 22 Districts, followed by Jharkhand
(21), Odisha(19), Chhattisgarh (16), Andhra Pradesh and
Telangana,- both 8 each, West Bengal and Maharashtra,- both
4 each, Uttar Pradesh,- 3 and Madhya Pradesh, one.
Presiding over the Unified Command
Meeting in Ranchi District of Jharkhand, CM Raghubar Das said
that the Jharkhand State Government is committed to uproot Naxals and
mentioned that because of the determination level of his government,
the Naxal violence has decreased up to 50% in
Jharkhand. He added that by the end of the year, Naxal problems
will be eradicated.
Union Additional Secretary (Home
Ministry) Jaideep Govind said that the statistics about Naxal incidents
in Jharkhand was “encouraging” for the entire country and added
that the state government deserved a compliment for the achievement.
Jharkhand Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma said the state was heading
towards becoming a state free from LWE.
Gadchiroli Police seized a cache
of bomb detonators and other items, a hidden by the cadres
of CPI-Maoist, at Kurkheda, Nadikal forests in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. The explosives and other items were kept
in a plastic water tank buried in the ground.
The Tamil Nadu Police produced
H. Rasheed (36) S. Harihara Sharma (32) before a Magistrate Court
in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. They were arrested on June
12 on the charge of attempting to hand over a pen drive to Anoop
Mathew George, or Shyna, both jailed cadres of CPI-Maoist. The
Police said that Rasheed was a resident of Malappuram, and Sharma of
Thiruvananthapuram.
In a statement, the ‘Working Group’
of six Naga militant groups has expressed its readiness to enter
into a ‘political negotiation’ with the GoI ‘for a lasting political
solution’ to the ‘protracted Naga political problem’ if invited
by the latter (GoI). The six Naga outfits known as the NNPGs are
NNC-FGN, GPRN)/ NSCN-U, NSCN-R, NNC (Parent body), GDRN/NNC-NA
and NPGN/NNC-NA. According to the statement, the NTC Mediation
Committee had a meeting with the six outfits (NNPGs) under the
platform of the ‘Working Group’ at Tourist Lodge in Dimapur on
June 12 regarding the issue.
The Central Government of India
and the State Government has ruled out negotiations with HNLC
and GNLA as they still believe in violence. Stating about the
issue, DGP S.B Singh said that during the May 16 meeting with
central officials in Delhi, it was made known to the State Government
that the Centre is not keen to talk to the militant groups due
to their violent stand. Another Home Department official said
that the stand of both the Centre and the State is that they will
not hold talks with the groups which have been declared banned
and terrorist organisations by the Centre.
With the HNLC threatening to arm
KSU activists with IEDs in the wake of crackdown on the arsonists,
the State Police have started zeroing in on the activities of
HNLC members and their sympathisers.
SFs arrested one militant of PREPAK,
identified as Sagolsem Noyon Singh (52), at Bamon Kampu Makha
Leikai in Imphal East District.
|
June 14 |
FICN detection instances in India's
banking channels have seen an all time increase in the last eight
years at over 3.53 lakh instances, according to FIU report. All
banks, either public sector, private and foreign banks in the
country, are mandated to report such instances to the FIU under
anti-money laundering law provisions. "The number of counterfeit
currency reports (CCRs) increased from a mere 8,580 in 2007-08
to 35,730 in 2008-09 and 3,53,837 in 2014-15," the report
said. However, the amount of FICN detected has not been specified.
As per the data complied since
2007-08, when the government first mandated the FIU to receive
such reports under the PMLA from banks, the year 2009-10 saw reportage
of 1,27,781 CCR, in 2010-11 it was 2,51,448, in 2011-12 it was
3,27,382, in 2012-13 they were 3,62,371 and in 2013-14 a total
of 3,01,804 such instances were reported.
The data for 2010-11 to 2014-15
shows that the major chunk of these reports, at over 90 per cent,
were filed by private Indian banks and a majority of them pertain
to usage of FICN and not any other valuable security as defined
under the CCR terminology. The report said the FIU, during 2014-15
also received a total of 58,646 suspicious transaction reports
(STRs) from all types of banks, financial institutions like insurance
companies, intermediaries like stock brokers and additional non-financial
businesses and professions like casinos and private locker operators.
The STRs in the latest data compiled year of 2014-15 were the
second highest after 61,953 such reports were received by the
FIU in 2013-14.
The NIA has uncovered evidence
to show that key aides of Zakir Naik helped Indian youth convert
to Islam, and these youth then left for Afghanistan to join the
Islamic State (IS). On September 12, 2014, Bestin Vincent Francis
became Yahiya. Three of his associates converted in the next few
months. Raids by the NIA on Zakir Naik's close aide Rizwan Illiyas
Khan eventually blew the lid off this terror chain. Rizwan, according
to the probe body, was closely involved in processing the documents
of conversion to Islam. In all, 78 affidavits, including the ones
for Bestin Vincent, Bexen Vincent alias Isa, Merin Jacob
alias Mariyam, and Nimisha alias Fatima, were seized
from the residence.
Apart from Rizwan, another Naik
aide, Arshi Qureshi, was closely involved in active conversion
of people from other religions to Islam and radicalising them
to follow the path of IS. NIA has collected material to show that
Francis and his three associates were among the 24 youths who
migrated from Kerala to Afghanistan to join IS. All of the accused
were regular visitors to the office of Naik's Mumbai-based non-profit
IRF and attended meetings that took place between key Naik aide
Arshi Qureshi and the youths.
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.
CPI-Maoist in Chhattisgarh are
focussing on current issues that impact the local population in
an effort to replicate the Bastar model in a new zone along the
state’s western border, according to senior Police officers. This
assessment is based on a 25-page Maoist document recovered by
SFs following an encounter in April, which details plans to set
up a MMC (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Confluence)
zone — their first expansion in the region in eight years.
The document also details their military strategy, with a focus
on amassing ammunition, including “collecting” at least “50 kilos
of gunpowder”, 3,000 pieces of metal or shrapnel, 25 pipes ready
for Claymore bombs” every six months. It advocates swift attacks
on SFs, the use of ambushes and not chases, and explosive devices
as opposed to gunfire as much as possible.
On the political strategy for
the new zone, the document, believed to have been drafted by the
“MMC leading team” in March 2017, states that the way forward
is in the identification of “people’s problems”. It acknowledges
a lack of success on land issues and highlights local issues to
claim that the problems were not what the Maoists had imagined.
Warning cadre in the new zone to “proceed with caution”, it says,
“Secrecy is not being kept, there is hurriedness, those we taking
into the organisation are not being talked to in depth about our
politics and work. We are talking in the air and accepting them…
When meeting party leaders, caution must be exercised and they
should not be met in front of new members.”
Police recovered 12 weapons in
separate incidents in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Narayanpur
SP, Santosh Singh said that one Sonu Nureti, a member of Kohkameta
LOS of Maoists, was arrested from Kihkad village forest under
Narayanpur Police Station limits. He said Nureti was caught near
Kihkad by a joint team of STF, DRG and ITBP which had launched
a search operation towards Kihkad, Bechagaon and Gongal villages,
around 350 km from Raipur. A muzzle-loading gun was recovered
from him. Further, when Nureti informed them about a Maoist dump
of arms and ammunitions located on a forested hill between Bechagaon
and Gongal, the SFs raided the place, the SP said, adding the
team came under indiscriminate fire by Maoists. The encounter
between the troopers and Maoists lasted for 15-20 minutes, the
officer said, adding that Maoists later fled to the core forest
area. "During searching, 11 muzzle loading guns, one pipe
bomb, a Maoist uniform and daily use materials were recovered
from the spot," he said. According to the SP, Nureti was
allegedly involved in several incidents of crime, including murder,
loot and arson in the region.
Somri Devi (27), who was arrested
in December 2006 for her alleged involvement in CPI-Maoist activities,
was acquitted by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (IX) in
Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand, in the absence of evidence.
Somri's lawyer Sanjeev Kumar Sinha said neither the witnesses
nor the investigating officer turned up in the court to testify
against her.
Five extortionists, identified
as Dipen Moran, Mantu Moran, Anadi Asom, Rupantor Moran and Dipak
Moran, who extorted money in the name of ULFA, were arrested by
Police from Kordoiguri in Tinsukia District.
A joint team of Indian Army and
Kamrup District Police arrested four militants of NDFB-IKS and
three linkmen from Jalukbari area of the city of Kamrup Metropolitan
(Guwahati) District. One 9mm pistol, five rounds of ammunition
and a khukri (knife) were also recovered from them. The
four militants were identified as Bidyaram Brahma alias
B Madai, Pradeep Daimari, Gwmbwr Boro and Ansula Boro.
The Police arrested two members
of KSU from Mawlai in East Khasi Hills District for allegedly
hurling a petrol bomb at the residents of one non-Khasi person
at Forest Colony, Golf Links on June 13 night. The petrol bomb
hurled at the resident did not explode and there was no damage
to property or any person. According to the Police another member
of KSU was also involved in the incident, but he managed to escape.
The ruling NPF of Nagaland appealed
to the leaders of the NSCN-K to heed CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu's
call to "renounce" violence and "resume" the
peace process with the Central Government of India without any
further delay. The NPF backed Liezietsu for issuing the ‘clarion
call to the Naga people’ in his June 10 condolence message for
NSCN-K’s deceased ‘chairman’ S.S. Khaplang to "rally together"
with renewed vigor and determination to find a solution to the
‘Naga political problem’, which is "honorable and acceptable
to all stakeholders."
The tribal-based party IPFT, which
has been agitating for the creation of a separate State, announced
that it would block NH-8 and the rail tracks for an indefinite
period from July 10. Announcing about the agitation, the IPFT
President, Narendra Chandra Debbarma, said that they would organise
a rally also in Agartala on the same issue on August 23.
Suspected militants of NSCN-IM
had beaten to death one person, identified as Romeo Shally (28),
in Ukhrul District, on the ‘charges’ of raping a woman, who the
locals claimed was his girlfriend.
|
June 15 |
Intelligence agencies have received
inputs that a group of women fidayeen have infiltrated
into the country to execute a "spectacular strike".
The attack could be in the form of a suicide bombing or a lone-wolf
strike, they have warned. These fidayeen belong to JuD
and erstwhile JeM and have been hand-picked and trained by Pakistan's
ISI in camps of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the
inputs received by agencies, there are at least 7-8 women in this
group and half of them are believed to have crossed over in the
last one or two months.
Mohammad Shafi Armar
alias
Yousuf-al Hindi, has been designated as a SDGT by the US Department
of State. Armar is responsible for forming several Islamic
State (IS) affiliated groups in India in the last three years
.
It is suspected that Shafi was in touch with at least 600-700
Indian youngsters on closed Facebook groups.
He formed Junood al Khalifa e
Hind (JKH), in which more than 50 Indian youngsters were recruited.
Shafi has reportedly become an important ally of IS 'chief' Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi and deputies in establishing the outfit in India.
The US move not only verifies the identity and existence of the
elusive IS India head but also clears rumours about his death
in Syria. This also indicates that the report of his proximity
with IS chief Abu Bakr al Baghdadi could well be true.
The department of state has said
that it had designated Mohammad Shafi Armar, Oussama Ahmad Atar
and Mohammed Isa Yousif Saqar Al Binali as SDGTs under Section
1(b) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which imposes sanctions
on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant
risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security
of US nationals, or the national security, foreign policy, or
economy of the United States.
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.
A CPI-Maoist was killed and a
STF trooper was injured in an encounter between security personnel
and Maoists in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The skirmish occurred
in Raidongri-Rakasmetta forests under Kaknar Police Station limits
when a joint team of DRG and STF was out on an anti-Maoist operation
in the interiors of Kaknar, Bastar SP, Sheikh Arif Hussain said.
"While one Maoist was killed, a jawan sustained injuries
in the face-off," the SP said. The Maoist killed was identified
as Mahesh, ‘section commander’ of military company no. 06 of PLGA
of the CPI-Maoist, carrying a reward of INR 1 million on his head.
Security personnel had recovered body of the Naxal in
Maoist fatigue, along with a SLR and some Naxal materials
from the encounter site.
Security personnel and Maoists
exchanged fire on a forested hill between Bechagaon and Gongal
villages in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualty
was reported from either side, Police said.
The Chhattisgarh Police recovered
a powerful IED, allegedly planted by Maoists in Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of the District Force and BSF was
patrolling when it spotted a connection of the IED beneath the
dirt track near a culvert on Kanker's Badgaon-Himmatwahi road,
located around 200 kilometres from the state capital (Raipur),
a Police official said. Later, the SF personnel recovered the
explosive kept in a steel container. The IED, weighing nearly
eight kilograms, was immediately destroyed by the bomb disposal
squad, the official said.
About 14 Maoists, mostly lower
rung cadres, allegedly involved in the Burkapal attack on CRPF
personnel in April 24, were arrested from two places in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. The number of Maoists arrested in connection
with Burkapal attack has reached 95. DIG, Dantewada range, P Sundarraj
said that they were all allegedly involved in the attack on CRPF's
74th battalion in Burkapal area that claimed lives of 25 personnel.
While they were also involved in incidents, including loot, murder,
arson and planting IEDs, seven of them were active as ‘jan militia’
members, six as members of DAKMS- a frontal wing of CPI-Maoist
and another as ‘jan militia deputy commander’, he said.
An AR Havildar, identified as
Luhit Gogoi, was killed while four others sustained injury in
IED bomb attack by unidentified militants in Kamjong District
bordering Myanmar.
After the killing incident of
a civilian, Romeo Shally on June 14, a protest erupted against
the NSCN-IM militants and militants opened fire on the protesters,
where another civilian, identified as Chingripam Lungleng (25),
was killed.
Police arrested two militants
of UTLA, identified as Lunkhopao Haokip alias Papao (37)
and P Minthang Singson, at a hotel near Jiribam Bazar in Jiribam
District. On their revelation, another militant of the same group,
identified as Tingkhohoi Haokip alias Kangnu (45), was
also arrested in the Jiribam District. Police recovered one mobile
phone and one packet of heroin powder weighing 15 grams from the
militant. Police said that, during the preliminary investigation
the arrested militants revealed that they were actively involved
in smuggling of drugs and heroin powder from Myanmar to Manipur.
The Indian Army admitted that
it shot dead a civilian in a case of “mistaken identity” during
a counter-insurgency operation in an Arunachal Pradesh village,
bordering Myanmar. Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Suneet
Newton informed in a statement that the civilian, identified a
Thingtu Ngemu (35), was killed when soldiers of 21 Para (Special
Forces) were carrying out an operation in Changlang District on
June 14-night based on specific intelligence report regarding
movement of militants.
Unidentified assailants hurled
a petrol bomb at a hardware shop of Mawlonghat area in East Khasi
Hills District. However, no damage was reported.
Police arrested one KSU member
identified as Allan Khyllait for setting a vehicle on fire at
Mawiong Rim on June 14.
CM Mukul Sangma said that the
Government is not interested to sit for talks with KSU until the
students’ body abjures violence. Mr Sangma further informed that
he had ordered investigating agencies to probe into possible nexus
between KSU and HNLC.
CM Mukul Sangma said that signing
peace agreements with militant organisations of North East by
Central Government of India without State leaders’ knowledge is
one of the mistakes that shouldn’t be repeated. According to CM,
signing of peace agreement in 2014 with ANVC by Central Government
of India, without the knowledge of State leaders in Meghalaya,
was a mistake for the State.
A woman, identified as Supriya
D. Momin (22) was arrested by Police for her alleged links with
GNLA militant from North Garo Hills District.
AR arrested a militant of GLA,
identified as ‘lieutenant’ Rajesh Lama alias Ganesh Rai
(31), from Ledo in Tinsukia District. A 9mm pistol was also recovered
from the militant.
Troops of Guwahati Frontier of
BSF, arrested one Indian national, identified as Sakiot Ali (35),
with 1 country made gun, FICN worth INR 4,000 and drug (brown
sugar) from his garment shop of Nalia Bazar, under Golokganj Police
Station of Dhubri District.
A Mizoram Assembly committee has
strongly suggested construction of good roads and provision of
electricity along the Indo-Myanmar border and that there is no
need for Indo-Myanmar border fencing as the people on both sides
of the border are culturally related. This was stated in a memorandum
presented by the subject committee-I of Mizoram Assembly to Union
Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his recent visit to Mizoram.
The memorandum highlighted the problems faced in the Indo-Bangla
border fencing and non-payment of compensation also.
The Munnar Police arrested a man
with suspected links to CPI-Maoist from Munnar town in Idukki
District of Kerala. J Manoj, a plantation labourer residing at
the Kanan Devan estate quarters, had migrated to Munnar from Tamil
Nadu and his arrest is expected to shed light on the suspected
links between Pembilai Orumai and the LWEs.
|
June 16 |
Accusing Islamabad of using terror
to destabilise Kashmir, the Indian Government told the UNHRC that
Pakistan was misusing the UN platform to pursue its political
objectives. "Pakistan’s unsolicited and unwarranted comments
pertaining to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is
an integral part of the Union of India, are factually incorrect
and bear no relationship to reality," India said in a statement.
"The foremost challenge to stability in Kashmir is the scourge
of terrorism, which receives sustenance from Pakistan and the
territories under Pakistan’s control," the statement said.
Police in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur
District, recovered FICN having face value of INR 70,000. Muzaffarpur
SSP Vivek Kumar said counterfeit notes in the denomination in
INR 100, INR 50 and INR 20 were recovered from a shop at Berai
village in Hathaudi Police Station area. Shop owner Raja Sah,
however, managed to escape.
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.
An exchange of fire with the CPI-Maoist
cadres at a forest patch in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
The Skirmish took place near Munga village when a joint team of
DRG, STF and CRPF was out on a search operation in the interiors
of Katekalyan area, said DIG (Dantewada range), P Sundarraj. When
the security personnel were advancing to Munga, they came under
fire from a group of armed Maoists leading to the encounter between
the two sides, the DIG said. However, the Maoists soon fled from
the spot. "During a search, a 12 bore gun, an air gun, three
'pitthus' (shoulder bags) and some daily use items were recovered
from the spot," he said.
A two-hour long encounter between
SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres took place in Kiriburu forest of West
Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Later after the encounter, Police
recovered a pistol, three IEDs, two binoculars, Maoist literature
and uniforms from the encounter site.
The SFs seized explosives and
gun power from the Digri jungle in Khunti District of Jharkhand.
Based on information gathered that the Maoists have stored large
quantity of explosives with an intention to harm security personnel,
a joint search operation by the District Police and CRPF was launched.
During the search operation the SF personnel found 109 pieces
of gelatin sticks, 66 pieces of detonators, one kilogram of gun
powder and about six kilograms of splinters, Sinha said.
CPI-Maoist Korukonda Area Committee
leader Ramana has claimed that the Government has been falsely
accusing Maoists of opposing development works like electrification,
drinking water and education projects in Malkangiri District.
In a release to media persons in Malkangiri, he demanded power
supply to all the villages under the newly-formed Chitrakonda
block and alleged that health services are in disarray. He stated
there are no health workers or anganwadi centres and schools in
the villages causing hardship to the villagers. Some miscreants
disconnected electricity supply at Hatguda and once the culprits
are identified, their case would be decided in praja court,
he wrote in the letter. Further, the Maoist leader assured that
they will never obstruct any development works.
Two petrol bombs were hurled by
unidentified assailants in a residential area on Thana road of
Shillong Town in East Khasi Hills District. However, no injury
and damage was reported so far.
One unidentified KSU member was
arrested by Police while four managed to flee while intending
to commit arson in an area of Shillong.
The FKJGP, HNYF and the Ri Bhoi
Youth Federation extended their support to the KSU which is protesting
against a railway project and asked the Meghalaya Government to
put on hold works for the Tetelia-Byrnihat line in the State.
A Chinese made hand grenade was
recovered at the residential gate of Zilla Parishad Up-Adhyaksha
(Deputy President of District Council) Amom Brojen at Wangoo Naodakhong
in Bishnupur District. After recovering the grenade, it was retrieved
safely by the bomb disposal squad of Police.
The RPF militant claimed its hands
in the Kasung attack against 17 AR on June 15 as well as against
12 AR at Khudengthabi on June 3 and said that its ‘armed wing’
PLA carried out the attacks.
|
June 17 |
Kolkata Police arrested one person
at Baisnabnagar in Malda District with FICN. The accused person
was trying to cross the border from the Indian side with a bagful
of fake notes but he was captured by the BSF officers. The officers
found INR 1,96,000 in FICN, all of which were in denominations
of INR 2000, from him.
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres beheaded a man
alleging he was a ‘police informer’ in Jamui District of Bihar.
Police said the Maoists abducted Vijay Barnawal, a resident of
Bhelwaghati of Giridih District of Jharkhand, who was earlier
an active member of a Maoist group, when he had gone to neighbouring
Bihar for some work. His decapitated body was found in Sijuwa
village of Jamui District. Police traced Barnawal's identity from
his Aadhaar card, as the Maoists slit his head. Barnawal, who
was lodged in Giridih District jail for three years, worked as
a stone trader after his release.
A CPI-Maoist cadre with a reward
of INR 1.6 million on his head was arrested by Police in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. Pawan alias Soma Phoda
Weladi (35), resident of Parsengdi, Chhattisgarh, was arrested
on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. A press release by the
SP, Gadchiroli, said Pawan was a member of Gariabandh divisional
committee of Maoists, and was involved in several acts of violence
in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in the last 20 years.
He had also worked as a bodyguard for senior Naxal leaders,
the release said.
The State and the Central Police
Forces would work unitedly to curb CPI-Maoist menace in Odisha
and its bordering areas, was discussed at a high level meeting
held at Koraput District under the chairmanship of IB Director,
Rajeev Jain. The main objective of the meeting was to focus on
collaborative efforts on sharing intelligence inputs involving
the Police Forces of both Chhattisgarh and Odisha and the Central
agencies besides, strengthening coordination between Police departments
of all Maoist-affected areas. Maoist violence in Koraput, Nuapada,
Malkangiri and Nabarangpur Districts bordering Chhattisgarh was
discussed at the meeting. Sources said Police would conduct air
strikes on Maoist camps in areas bordering Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
A Chinese-made hand grenade was
recovered in front of the gate of the resident of Mohammad Sakhir
(33) at Sekmaijin in Imphal West District. The grenade was retrieved
safely by a Police team. According to the Police the act was an
extortion related threat. However, no militant group has claimed
responsibility of the incident so far.
|
June 17-18 |
PLFI cadres set an earthmover
on fire and damaged another one at Banedega village under Palkot
thana area in Gumla District of Jharkhand. Both the earthmovers
were engaged in constructing a bridge and digging a pond in the
area. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
|
June 18 |
A street in Thuruthi ward of Kasaragod
municipality that was recently named 'Gaza', a reference to the
disputed strip of land between Israel and Egypt, under Palestinian
self-rule, has got intelligence agencies interested. The agencies
are looking at possible radical influence behind the naming, considering
the locality's proximity to Padane from where the majority of
the 21 youths from Kerala, who have gone missing since 2016 and
are suspected to have joined the Islamic State (IS) hail.
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.
SFs killed two suspected CPI-Maoist
cadres in an encounter in the Barmasia forest area under Barhat
Police Station in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. A joint team of
the CRPF's specialised unit for jungle warfare CoBRA, the State
Police's STF and the District Armed Police conducted the operation
based on a tip-off of Maoist movement in the forest under Barhat
Police Station in the District. The SFs were combing the area
when, the troops spotted some heavily armed Maoists between Barmuha
and Barmasia villages and two Maoists were killed in the encounter
that followed. ASP (operations), Pawan Kumar, said some other
of the rebels also suffered bullet injuries in the five-hour-long
operation but managed to escape. Blood stains were found on the
trail the Maoists fled. Two bodies were recovered and two .303
bore assault rifles were seized from the site. The identity of
the killed rebels is yet to be ascertained, but they were suspected
to be Maoist cadres from Chhattisgarh. "Two rifles, a magazine
and liquor pouches were recovered from the spot where the Maoists
had gathered," said Jamui ASP, D.N. Pandey.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres, including
two women were killed in an encounter with the SFs at Aundhi in
Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place
at remote forested hilly terrain of Pendauri about 150 kilometres
west of Raipur. “We had definite inputs about the presence of
Maoists in the area. The district police team led by the Aundhi
police station in-charge Ashwin Rathore began search operation
around noon when the rebels opened an attack on the troopers,
resulting in an encounter,” the Rajnandgaon SP, Prashant Agrawal
said. We have recovered bodies of three Maoists and the forces
have safely returned, he added. Three weapons- one SLR, one INSAS
assault rifle and a 303 rifle were recovered from the encounter
site. One of the women killed was Sameela Potai, a local area
committee ‘secretary’ who was active in the region for over a
decade and carried an award of INR 800,000 and another Rammo,
an LOS member with a reward of INR 100,000. The identity of the
third person is yet to be ascertained.
Maoists set on fire a tractor
engaged in road maintenance work in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
No one was injured in the incident, which took place near Malewahi
village under Barsoor Police Station limits where maintenance
work of a road was underway. Police said, around a dozen Maoists
stormed the maintenance site and threatened the workers before
setting the tractor ablaze, he said, adding, the Maoists then
fled into the forest.
The 12-hour ‘total shutdown’ imposed
by the UNC in ‘Naga territories’ of Manipur ended peacefully without
stray incidents.
The house belonging to Francis
Dkhar at Langkyrding of Nongmynsong in East Khasi Hills District
was partially damaged when arsonists hurled a petrol bomb. Police
suspects that supporters of KSU who are protesting against the
railway line may be involved in the incident.
Police and India Army, in a joint
operation, arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS, identified as Manik
Boro alias B Maithai, in Nalbari District. One 7.65mm pistol
along with two magazines and six 7.65mm live rounds were also
recovered from the arrested militant.
The Indian Army and Police recovered
200 plastic explosives and 200 electric detonators from a bus
heading towards Barpeta Road from Meghalaya at Patacharkuchi in
Barpeta District.
Mizoram Police recovered 400 sticks
of gelatin and two quintals of dried rhizome of a certain medicinal
plant from near Zokhawthar village in Champhai District. According
to the Police the recovered staff was brought for smuggling purpose.
|
June 19 |
India has made a pitch for the
BRICS grouping to strengthen ties in combating counter-terrorism,
as the foreign ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa held their first ever stand-alone summit in Beijing. Addressing
the opening of the summit, Minister of State for External Affairs
VK Singh, noted the group has launched a joint working group on
counter-terrorism which held a meeting last month. He also said
that India's NSA Ajit Doval will likely travel to Beijing next
month for a BRICS NSAs meet that will also discuss terror and
security cooperation.
India urged members of the BRICS
grouping to condemn all forms of terror and not divide terrorists
into good or bad ones. “They are terrorists, they are criminals
and we need to have concerted actions both regionally and internationally
to curb their activities,” Minister of State for External Affairs
VK Singh said. Terrorism, he said, remains one of the most potent
global menaces that threatens international peace and cannot be
differentiated between good or bad.
“We have the support of all the
BRICS countries (on this),” Singh said, adding there is a “strong
consensus” among BRICS nations that all forms of terrorism must
be condemned. China, the current chair of BRICS, was quick to
join India in condemning terror. “China opposes terror in all
forms. China is also victim of terror and China is taking part
in global initiatives against terror.
The Delhi Police has been placed
on high alert, and has asked its counterparts across India to
tighten security after receiving an intelligence tip-off warning
of a terror attack on crowded public spaces, a senior police officer
said "The Delhi Police Special cell has issued an advisory
to all security agencies across the country to beef up the security
measures at interstate bus terminals, railway stations, five star
hotels, malls and markets, religious places, embassies of western
countries, metro stations, airports, stadiums, and tourist places
or other sites visited by foreign nationals," the officer
told.
News has been received here about
the death of another Kerala resident, Sajeer M. Abdullah who had
gone to Afghanistan to join the Islamic State (IS) terror group,
an intelligence official said. The news about the death of Sajeer
and a picture of his body was received on the mobile of a man,
whose relative is among the 21 Keralites who left their homes
here to join the IS, said the official of the Kerala Police's
intelligence unit. However, there was no information about time
and cause of Abdullah's death. An intelligence official told that
the news and picture came to the same person who received reports
about the death of three others of this group during the course
of this year. "Beyond this, there are no other details...we
have done what we normally do when we get these types of reports,"
said the official.
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.”
Police arrested a linkman and
gun runner of ULFA-I and GNLA, identified as Nangsem Marak (36),
from Tatolgre village in Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills District.
Police also recovered an AK assault rifle, two country-made pistols
and three shotguns, mobile phones and a digital camera from the
arrestee.
A Police source said that operation
against GNLA militant had been stalled in the state due to the
bad weather. Police also said that the ‘c-in-c’ of the GNLA, Sohan
D Shira, had left with only a few cadres but he was trying to
revive his group. On June 19, informing about the current status
about the successful operations against the militants in the State,
former DGP Rajiv Mehta, who took over as the government security
adviser also said, “The GNLA cadres are still there and our inspired
men should make every efforts to neutralize them before they making
any attempt to regroup.”
Police arrested one militant of
KNA, identified as Cliff Kailun Haokip (34), in Imphal West District.
Police recovered four money demand notes of KNA from the arrested
militant.
One militant of KCP-Lamphel, identified
as ‘commander’ Soraisam Modhuchandra Singh alias SM Meitei
(45), surrendered before CM N.Biren Singh along with two 9mm pistols
with two magazines and nine live rounds at a function at the Chief
Minister's Secretariat in Imphal.
Condemning the recent killing
of two civilians (on June 14 and 15) by NSCN-IM in Ukhrul District
the MCPM said that the NSCN-IM has no legal sanction to open camps
on the soil of Manipur. The MCPM also asked the State Government
to take up action for demolition of its camps in existence in
the State, adding that the MCPM will on its own lead a campaign
to evict the NSCN-IM's camps from the state from October 1, 2017.
A one month’s time frame to hold
tripartite talks on the district creation issue involving the
Manipur Government, UNC, and Central Government of India lapsed.
According to sources, the tripartite talks could not be held due
to some ‘unavoidable reasons’. However, the talks are likely to
take place within this week.
State Governor PB Acharya, who
met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi expressed his
concern over extortion demands by militant groups including the
one (suspected to be NSCN-IM) which compelled the contractors
to stop work on the 4-lane Highway between Dimapur and Kohima.
A statement issued by the Nagaland governor’s office said Acharya,
while drawing the union home minister’s attention told him that
if the construction work was not resumed immediately, the project
would be severely affected.
ACAUT -an NGO that has been fighting
against corruption in the State -on June 19 asked the NSCN-IM
to clarify on reports which allegedly pointed the finger on its
members for sending ‘tax’ demands (extortion) to the companies
engaged in construction of the 4-lane National Highway project.
The NGO asked NSCN-IM to provide an appropriate reply within 3
days regarding the issue.
SFs arrested a militant belonging
to GLA, identified as ‘lieutenant’ Babu Konwar alias Babu
Gogoi, from Tinsukia District along with Arunachal Pradesh border.
According to the Police the militant was involved in extortions
and tried to establish influence of GLA in the villages in south
Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
An all-party meeting convened
by Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu unanimously decided to move
the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to revive the Joint High Powered
Committee on Chakma and Hajong refugee issue. It was also decided
that the minutes of the decisions of the all-party meet would
be put forth before the State High Powered Committee headed by
the CM.
Chhannuram Mandavi (55), the ex-sarpanch
of his native Cholnar village, was killed allegedly by CPI-Maoist
cadres in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, after they suspected
him to be a ‘police informer’. Some armed Maoists stormed into
the victim's house in Cholnar under Kirandul Police Station limits,
and slit his throat while he was asleep, killing him on the spot.
Some Maoists pamphlets were also recovered from the spot in which
Mandavi was branded as a ‘police informer’.
A wanted Maoist, who was carrying
a reward of INR 500,000, was killed by the SFs in an encounter
in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place in
the Katgaon-Kamteda axis of Koyalibeda village when a joint team
of the STF and the DRG of Chhattisgarh Police, the BSF, was out
on a counter-insurgency operation. “After the exchange of fire
stopped, the joint forces recovered the body of Jai Singh Kunjam,
a wanted Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh,” a senior official
said. Kunjam was a Maoist ‘deputy commander’. A villager identified
as Maan Singh was also found lying with bullet injuries on his
waist near Kamteda village. A SLR, some ammunition and three rifles
(.315 bore) have also been recovered from the spot, he said. The
forces estimate that three more Maoists were also killed during
the encounter, however, their bodies have not been recovered yet,
he added.
Thirteen Maoists were arrested
from three separate places during combing operation within Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. District Force and DRG personnel arrested
13 Maoist cadres -- including Jan Militia 'Deputy Commander' Tamo
Budhru and LOS Member Hemla Ayyutu -- from Jagargunda, Gadiras
and Tongpal areas. Eleven of those arrested were allegedly involved
in the recent Burkapal ambush in which 25 CRPF personnel were
killed in April this year. "While 11 cadres were apprehended
from Jagargunda police station area, one each was held from Tongpal
and Gadiras police station limits," DIG (Dantewada range),
Sundarraj P said.
A transporter and a PLFI cadre
were arrested in Ranchi District of Jharkhand for intimidating
the director of a finance company to try and force him to write
off a loan of INR 700,000 used to buy a truck. SP (city), Aman
Kumar said transporter Parmeswar Prasad (55), a resident of Harihar
Colony in Pandara Police Station area, had used the services of
his acquaintance, Badal (32), who is PLFI cadre, to scare off
the director of Paragon Finance that had financed a truck of his.
PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
|
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.
‘Lieutenant general (retired)’
Khango Konyak was formally ‘elected’ as ‘chairman/president’ of
GPRN of the NSCN-K. He joined NSCN in 1963 and went to East Pakistan
(Presently Bangladesh) on 1966. He also went to China for training
in 1977.
In a statement, the NSCN-K, reiterated
its 'pledge’ to ‘carry on forward the unfulfilled dreams and hopes
and visions’ of their leader and appealed to ‘every Naga’ to uphold
the spirit of nationalism exhibited by ‘chairman’ SS Khaplang
during his life time.
Police arrested one militant of
NSCN-R, identified as Kaplong Khimhun (26), in Changlang District.
Seven CPI-Maoist sympathisers
from Odisha border surrendered before the SP, LKV Ranga Rao in
Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. They were vexed with
the way the Maoists were functioning, said a release issued by
the Police department. Identities of those surrendered have been
kept in wraps as the District Police do not wish to endanger their
lives. Even their place of residence has been kept a secret.
The Bihar Government has announced
cash rewards ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 500,000, for anyone
giving information about at least 43 top CPI-Maoist leaders active
in the State. The cash awards will be on offer for anyone who
gets hold of the Maoist leaders -- living or dead -- or assists
the Police in facilitating the arrest of the Maoists. “Anyone
cooperating with the police in getting hold of the Maoists will
be rewarded with cash, as announced by the Bihar government for
each of the ultras falling in the rewards category,” ADG (headquarters),
Sanjiv Kumar Singhal said. The Maoists leaders on whose heads
a cash reward of INR 500,000 has been put include Arvind Kumar
Singh alias Dev alias Arvind
Kumar of Jehanabad, Sandip Ji alias Vijay Yadav
of Gaya, Ram Babu Ram alias Rajan of Madhuban
and Parvesh Da alias Anuj Da alias Amlesh
Da of Hazaribagh (Jharkhand). Of these, Arvindji (53), is a topmost
Maoist leader at the national level. A politburo member of CPI-Maoist,
he carries a reward of INR 10 million in Jharkhand, where he is
wanted in around 13 cases. He also carries a cash reward of INR
4 million each in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. In addition to
these top four, a reward of INR 50,000 each has been announced
on 33 Maoists and of INR 25,000 each against four Maoists. Interestingly,
21 out of 43 Maoists on the heads of which reward has been put
belong to one District - Jamui in south-eastern Bihar.
Police seized a powerful 25-kilogram
IED, which was packed in a big steel container, was unearthed
near a culvert on the Dornapal-Jagargunda road, suspected to have
been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Santosh Yadav, surrendered before SP, Dhananjay Kumar Singh,
in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Santosh had first joined the
PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, in 2008 and later switched
over to the Maoist outfit. He was forwarded to Latehar Divisional
Jail.
|
June 21 |
Punjab Police arrested two persons
with links to a suspected terror module neutralised in the month
of May. Gurpreet Singh and Simranjit Singh were arrested
from their native villages of Jiwanwal in Faridkot and Kamalpur
in Moga District of Punjab. Police have not shared any evidence
on the terror activity by any of the modules neutralised last
month. The operation was done by the Punjab intelligence wing.
However, ADGP (intelligence) Dinkar Gupta did not confirm who
the targets of these men were and whether there was any specific
alert from the ministry of home affairs or Interpol. The Police
claimed two .32 bore pistols, four magazines and cartridges have
been seized from them. The cops said Canada-based Gurjeet Cheema
during his visit to India earlier this year, gave two pistols,
along with ammunition to Gurpreet, who passed on one of the pistols
to Simranjit.
Maharashtra ATS has created a
video aimed at making parents aware about the dangers of online
radicalisation. The video is part of a campaign that the ATS plans
to run with the help of celebrities. Over the last few years,
the Maharashtra ATS has dealt with a lot of cases where youngsters
have been radicalised online and brought into the Islamic State
(IS) fold. Dealing with such cases, the agency has concluded that
online radicalisation is three times more effective and faster
than physical indoctrination.
India's Ambassador to UN Syed
Akbaruddin, urged the international community to 'ensure
that the resurgent forces of terrorism and extremism do not find
sanctuaries and safe havens anywhere and at any level'. Presenting
India's arguments during the debate on the situation in Afghanistan,
Akbaruddin stressed on the need of eyeing all terrorists
with same lens, "We must not differentiate between good and
bad terrorists, or play one group against the other."
In a veiled reference to Pakistan,
India asked the UN member states to find the source from where
the “anti-government elements” in Afghanistan were getting weapons,
training and funds to fight one of the biggest collective military
forces in the world. “We see a growing tendency of treating violence
in Afghanistan as a routine occurrence. Brutalities by terrorist
and criminal networks are ignored under the label of anti- government
elements or a consequence of a civil and political conflict. In
doing so, we appear to be failing in asking some crucial questions,”
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin
said.
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.
One businessman, identified as
Guljar Khan (40), was killed when two motorcycle-borne unidentified
assailants shot at him at Laluk Yuvanagar in Lakhimpur District.
However, sources have ruled out involvement of any militant groups
in the incident.
SFs arrested the ‘chairman’ of
the UPLF, identified as Garang Gajao, from Lahorijan area of East
Karbi Anglong District. Police also recovered one .22 mm pistol
and six live rounds from the arrestee.
Two persons, identified as Indrajit
Mazumdar alias Bapun alias Tarzan Dimasa and Joy
Mohan Phonglo, who were trying to ‘revive’ the militant group
DHD-A were arrested by AR and Police from Lumding station in Dima
Hasao District. "The duo were set to revive the DHD-A, a
militant outfit of Dima Hasao District, and disrupt peace by engaging
in extortions and abductions before the election to the North
Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, scheduled for mid-2018,"an
AR officer said. The DHD-A's ‘c-in-c’ David Kemprai alias
Action Dimasa, is currently lodged in Guwahati Central Jail.
The 100-hour Dima Hasao District
bandh (shutdown) called by the IPF from affected normal
life in the District.
A gunfight broke between the Indian
Army Para Commandos and suspected militants in Mon District bordering
Myanmar in the early hours. The exchange of fire took place in
Choknyu village near Tapi Bridge, when suspected militants fired
at the commandos. Police officials said, “The gunfight lasted
for an hour and suspected NSCN-K and ULFA-I militants retreated
back to the jungles after intensive firing from the Para Commandos.”
One militant of KCP, identified
as Aribam Rikesh Sharma alias Tingku (24), was arrested
by Police in Imphal West District. One .32 pistol along with two
live rounds, four contact notes of KCP (People’s War Group) militant,
one ID card and a mobile phone were recovered from the arrested
militant.
Accusing the Central Government
of India and the State Government of ‘betraying’ the Kuki people
by violating the SoO pact as well as the ongoing tripartite talks
with the groups in the SoO pact by arresting 26 cadres of KNF,
the Kuki community in Kangpokpi District under the aegis of Kuki
Inpi and other civil society organizations demanded the Government
to release the arrested KNF cadres and withdraw all charges against
its leaders.
Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist
were killed in an encounter with SFs at Narayanpur District of
Chhattisgarh. “On a tip-off about the presence of Maoists, a combined
team of STF and DRG carried out a search operation. The rebels
opened fire near Hasnar, about 15 kilometres from Orcha Police
Station, leading to an encounter. In the retaliatory attack, two
women Maoists were killed by the SFs. A temporary Maoist camp
in the area was also destroyed”, SP, Santosh Singh said. There
was no report of any injury sustained by the SFs, the SP said.
Some ammunition, rifles, items of daily use, a sewing machine
and literature were recovered from the site.
A Maoist 'deputy commander', carrying
a reward of INR 300,000 on his head, was arrested along with explosives
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadre identified as Rakesh
Sodhi (20) was arrested from Awapalli Police Station area when
a joint team of SFs was out on an area-domination operation. Sodhi
was arrested after a short chase and a tiffin bomb, two detonators
and electric wire were seized from his bag.
The SFs defused IEDs planted by
Maoists at 11 locations on Dhanora-Orchha road in Narayanpur District
of Chhattisgarh, to target Police party. Working on a tip off,
the SF personnel unearthed the explosives and ammunition which
were to be used to attack SFs and hinder the developmental work
in the area. The recovered IED's were later defused by the Bomb
disposal squad.
Police recovered eight IEDs, three
pistols, eight hand grenades, detonators, explosive powder and
codex wire during a search operation in the Manika Police Station
area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. A banner found there indicated
that the items belonged to CPI-Maoist.
Police raided a PLFI hideout in
Jilingburu forests under Torpa Police Station area in Khunti District
of Jharkhand, and seized three bikes, several mobile phones and
backpacks. ‘Sub-zonal commander’ Jeedan Gudia escaped with his
associates, but two suspected persons have been detained for questioning.
PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
An armed woman CPI-Maoist cadre
surrendered before Police in Rourkela in Sundargarh District of
Odisha. The surrendered Maoist has been identified as Muli Nayak alias Arti
(22), hailing from Jharkhand. She was active on Odisha-Jharkhand
border, Police sources said. When Arti was 13 years of age, she
was abducted by a person who encouraged her to work for Maoists
and she did so. She was trained with INSAS assault rifles, AK-47,
SLR, .303 rifles and other weapons. Realising that the Maoists
have deviated from their ideals, she decided to leave the organisation.
Besides, physical and sexual assault on her was also the reason
behind her decision.
A special court in Sasaram (western
Bihar), constituted for trial of cases under the POTA, pronounced
five CPI-Maoist cadres guilty of killing DFO Sanjay Kumar Singh
in the Rehal forests under Nauhatta Police Station area in Rohtas
District on February 15, 2002. The court pronounced former
CPI-Maoist ‘zonal commander’ Nirala Yadav and his associates,
Ram Bachan Yadav, Nitish Yadav and Lalan Singh Kharwar, guilty
under sections 302/149, 148 and 353/149 of IPC, section 27 of
Arms Act and 3(2) (1) and 22 (5) of POTA. Another member of CPI-Maoist,
Sudama Yadav was found guilty under section 20 of POTA, for being
a member and supporter of a terrorist organization.
Two jewelers in Sarai at Vaishali
District of Bihar have complained to the Police that they apprehend
a threat to their lives from Maoists who have demanded INR 2.5
million from them.
|
June 22 |
Police arrested Yuva Morcha leader
Erassery Rakesh (31) and recovered FICNs and printing machines
from his house at Sree Narayanapuram near Kodungallur in Thrissur
District. Police said they have seized fake currencies worth over
INR 1,31,000. BJP sources said Rakesh was a regional committee
member of the Yuva Morcha. His brother Rajeev who was also suspected
to be involved in the case, was absconding. The party has expelled
both of them, party District president A Nagesh said.
NIA at present, is tracking 80
Bangladeshi women in Agra and Firozabad who are suspected to be
engaged in fake currency dealings. The identities of the suspects
have not been revealed by the NIA. It is suspected that as many
as 15 of them, are living in Itmaduddaulah area of Agra posing
as grocery vendors while their real business is of dealing in
fake currency. All these women are on the NIA scanner and their
activities are being monitored. A team of Kolkata Police officers
and constables is closely working with the NIA, which has set
up camp in Agra. DSP B S Tyagi told that the local Police have
not been informed about the NIA probe. The local police have only
been deployed for the security of the entire operation and the
camp.
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.
SFs arrested three militants of
AANLA, identified as John Xalxo, Amruss Orang and Leius Orang,
after an encounter at Naobandha village in Udalguri District.
One .22 mm pistol with magazine, three rounds of ammunition, one
7.65 mm pistol with magazine and three rounds of ammunition, one
9 mm pistol with magazine and three rounds of ammunition and one
shot gun were recovered from the arrested militants.
One militant of NDFB-IKS, identified
as Salen Basunatary alias B Sankhang, was arrested by SF
from Serfanguri area in Kokrajhar District. A pistol, six round
bullets along magazine was recovered from the arrested militant.
One person, identified as Bhaity
Saikia, was arrested with FICN having face value of INR 6,00,000
of 2000 denomination at Bogababa Mazar in Dibrugarh District.
In apprehension of possible law-and-order
problems in the District, the District Magistrate of Kokrajhar
imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the District.
Police arrested one militant of
KCP, identified as Gurumayum Basanta alias Munda Sharma
(36), from Brahmapur Nahabam under Porompat Police Station in
Imphal East District. One 9 mm pistol loaded with five live rounds
was also recovered from the arrested militant.
A militant of UNLF, identified
as ‘lieutenant’ Narungbam Prameswor Singh alias Pari (42),
was arrested by the Police from Yaiskul Police Lane in Imphal
East District.
Six militants from Assam based
ULFA-I and NDFB-IKS have ‘crossed over’ from Bangladesh into the
Dalu’s Killapara border crossing of West Garo Hills District and
surrendered. The identities of the surrendered militants were
not revealed reportedly for ‘operational’ purposes. The ‘top secret
operation’ was orchestrated by Police from neighbouring Assam.
A constable was killed by CPI-Maoist
cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Sukku Gota (30), the
assistant constable posted at Farsegarh Police Station, went to
a relative's place in Ketulnar village when a group of Maoists
stormed into his relative's place and attacked him with sharp-edged
weapons, killing him on the spot. The attackers escaped from the
spot after committing the crime.
Heavily armed Maoists stormed
into an under-construction mine of NMDC in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh, and threatened the NMDC officials. According
to reports from Bailadilla, 350 heavily armed Maoists attacked
the mine, where the rebels assembled 40 workers in the mine and
warned them not to turn out for work again. They also threatened
the NMDC officials not to return or attempt to develop the mine.
The work in the mine was immediately halted. The Maoists also
thrashed a driver and set two vehicles of survey officials on
fire.
A Munger District court of Bihar
convicted a CPI-Maoist cadre to seven-year rigorous imprisonment
for possession of explosive substances. Additional District Judge
- II Purushottam Mishra passed the order convicting Birbal Murmu
after finding him guilty under provisions of the Explosive Substance
Act, 1884 and Rules, 2008. Murmu, a CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’
of Kharagur region of Munger District, was found guilty of concealing
93 gelatin sticks in Kandani forests. Earlier, he was arrested
in June 2012 from Pakur District.
The Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya
Manch (AARM) urged the Government to initiate a dialogue with
all the forces, including the CPI-Maoist that does not have faith
in the Constitution to join the mainstream. The third national
conference of the AARM held at Ukkunagaram in Visakhapatnam District
of Andhra Pradesh, appealed to the Government to withdraw cases
“framed” against innocent adivasis in Chhattisgarh and other States
branding them as supporters of the Maoists.
|
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.
A bullet riddled dead body with
hands tied on the back was recovered at a road side in between
Khabi Keithel and Parengtong Village under Machi Police Station
in Tengnoupal District. The deceased has been identified as T.Angson
(36). He was abducted by two unidentified masked man one day before
(on June 22). However, involvement of any militant group is not
yet clear and investigation of Police is still going on.
Suspected militants killed the
President of HSO named Letkholal Haokip (40) outside his house
at Langol in Imphal West District. He was shot dead from a close
range and the attacker who came in a car managed to escape. So
far no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Fearing a students’ agitation, Police have launched a massive
manhunt to nab the killers.
Police rescued an abducted businessman,
identified as Aktar Ali, after a gun battle with the abductors
from an area of South Garo Hills District. The person was abducted
at gunpoint by five armed men on June 22 from his home in Chokpot
town of South Garo Hills District. The identity of the group is
yet to be ascertained although Police doubt it to be the handiwork
of the GNLA militant.
SFs arrested five militants of
NDFB-IKS and one militant of ULFA-I from Indo-Bangladesh border
area near Dawki in West Jaintia Hills District. According to the
sources, huge cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered
from the arrested militants.
CMFG D.K. Pathak said that the
Indian government had no plans to re-enter into a ceasefire agreement
with the Myanmar-based NSCN-K.
In a statement, the NSCN-IM denied
the allegation made against them for halting the road construction
works at NH-29 in connections to extortion and said that the ‘so
called misunderstanding’ related to the halting of works was ‘purely
within the NCSU’.
Two unidentified arms dealer were
arrested by Police in Dimapur District. One .32 mm Pistol with
two magazines, one air gun and two live rounds of .32 mm were
recovered from the arrestees.
A Mukhiya was
shot dead by suspected cadres of the PLFI in Narahatu village
under Rania Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Around
10 PLFI cadres laced with fire-arm arrived in the village and
dragged John Lugun (32), Mukhiya of khatkura panchayat out
of his house late last night and gunned him down. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
An encounter took place between
the security personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres in Palamu District
of Jharkhand. The Maoists opened fire at the security personnel,
who were on anti-Naxal operation in Vijaygiri hills
under Naudihabazar Police Station of Palamu District. The Maoists
opened indiscriminate firing from foothill on seeing the approaching
security personnel, forcing them to retaliate, said SP, Indrajeet
Mahantha adding that the encounter lasted for two hours. After
the Naxals fled the scene in view of the mounting
pressure, a massive search operation was launched following the
encounter to arrest the Naxals but in vain so
far, he said.
Two CPI-Maoist ‘militia commanders’,
one belonging to the RPC and another to CNM, of the CPI-Maoist
were arrested by the Police during an area domination operation
near Taliperu dam in Charla mandal of Bhadrachalam
division in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The duo
were identified as RPC ‘militia commander’ Kalma Lakma alias Mahesh
(22), of Chennapuram, and CNM ‘militia commander’ Podium Idamaiah
(25), of Yerrampadu in Charla mandal. A steel box
weighing about 5 kilograms, 10 meter cordex wire, 24 iron pieces
and other material were recovered from the duo when they were
arrested at Taliperu dam by a joint squad of the District special
party police and the CRPF personnel of 141 Battalion.
Hyderabad Police arrested a suspected
Islamic State (IS) sympathiser, identified as Konakalla
Subrahmanyam alias Omar (24) who was allegedly planning
to carry out subversive activities in the country. Omar was arrested
from his room in the morning after a SIT received information
about him. According to D Hari Kumar Yadav, ACP, SIT, Subrahmanyam
embraced Islam in 2014, and changed his name to Omar.
|
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.
Unidentified assailants shot dead
one civilian, identified as Hiranya Doley at Dekapam village in
Dhemaji District. Though none of the militant groups has claimed
the responsibility, yet the Assam Police suspected the hands of
a small outfit named LDCM behind the killing. Police said that
the militant group had earlier served Doley an extortion notice
demanding a ransom of INR 200,000, which he did not pay. He was
also warned by the group for taking initiative to facilitate surrender
of cadres of an insurgent group before the Police.
Police arrested one person, identified
as Moniul Haque and recovered 52 FICN of INR 2,000 and 32 FICN
of INR 100 from him in Boko of Kamrup Rural District.
Nagaland Home minister, Y. Patton
said that he would request the Central Government of India to
sign a ceasefire agreement with the NSCN-K. He said, “We contacted
the NSCN-K earlier also, around one-and-a-half-years back, but
the agreement could not get through. We were in touch with Khaplang,
but since he is no more, we need to start afresh. We are in touch
with the new leadership in Myanmar.”
A 26-year-old woman was beheaded
by CPI-Maoist cadres in Nawada District of Bihar. "She was
a police informer and worked against the spirit of people's revolution.
The local Police Station in-charge will meet the same fate,” read
a note which was found near her dead body. Victim Jaya Devi was
a native of Baragad village which is situated near Kauakol jungle
bordering the Maoist-affected State of Jharkhand.
Three SF personnel and one CPI-Maoist
cadre were killed while four others injured, in two separate encounters
with Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A composite squad
of the STF, the DRG, the CRPF and its elite unit-CoBRA was out
on the operation named ‘Operation Prahar’ based on inputs about
the location of Maoist hideouts in the interiors of Chintagufa.
When the SFs were advancing through the forest of Dondamarka,
a Maoist den, armed Maoists opened fire on them, leading to a
gun-battle. Five STF personnel sustained bullet injuries, three
of them critically, in the face-off. Some personnel of the patrolling
team were on their way back to the base when they again came under
heavy fire from the ultras near Durma village. Two DRG jawans were
killed and as many others sustained injuries in the gun-battle.
"Two DRG jawans were initially killed and as many others
injured in the incident. Later, one of the injured succumbed while
being retrieved from the forest," DIG (Dantewada range),
Sundarraj P said. The body of a Naxalite was also recovered from
the spot along with an SLR weapon. The Maoists also fired upon
an IAF helicopter deployed to rescue injured jawans in Tondamarka.
According to reports, the Maoist killed was a top Maoist ‘commander’
named Korsa Mahesh, who carried a reward of INR 800,000 on his
head.
Three Maoists, including a minor,
were arrested in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. A firearm and
some explosives were recovered from Kanna Kawasi (42), Lalu Kawachi
(55) and a 17-year-old youth who were picked up from the forests
of Mad Pakhanjore village under Bande Police Station limits by
a joint team of the BSF and the District Force during a search
operation. He said while Kawasi was a ‘commander’-rank cadre wanted
in at least eight cases including murder and attempt to murder,
Kawachi and the youth are the ‘jan militia’ members of Maoists.
A muzzle loading gun, a five-kilogram cooker bomb, a pipe bomb,
a radio set, and an electric wire were seized from the possession
of the trio.
PLFI cadre Etwa Bodra was arrested
along with seven live bullets of 7.62 calibres from Murhu Police
Station area of Khunti District of Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
The Rourkela Police
along with DVF and CRPF in a joint search
operation found large quantities of arms and ammunitions
from a CPI-Maoist camp in the Lunga Reserve Forest under
the Mahulpada Police Station in Sundargarh District of Odisha.
The joint team found a 12-bore SBML gun, a PIR Rugan,
two country-made pistols, two INSAS bayonets, 20 rounds of 8mm
ammunitions, 12 rounds of 350 ball ammunitions,
4 rounds 12 bore cartridge, 20
rounds .303-ball ammunitions, 24 rounds of 5.56-ball ammunitions,
eight Maoist literatures, 20 kilograms of explosives, 10
meter of codex wires, 68 detonators and two walkie-talkies.
|
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.
Two LeT militants were killed
in an encounter that broke out between militants and SFs in DPS
building at Pantha Chowk in Srinagar District. The encounter broke
out at around midnight after militants attacked a CRPF vehicle
on June 24 evening, killing SI of CRPF, identified Sahab Shukla
and injuring two others near the entrance of DPS on the NH. The
militants fled towards the school and took refuge inside one of
the five huge buildings of DPS. SFs including on June 24 evening
cordoned off the DPS soon after the attack on CRPF. The exchange
of fire started after midnight when the militants fired on SFs
who were searching for them in the school buildings. The gunfight
continued till early morning on June 25 in which two militants
were killed. The slain militants were identified as Abu Tala and
Abu Hurraira, both Pakistanis who were part of Fidayeen
group who were killed in EDI building early this year. Two AK
rifles, one UBGL, 2 grenades and six AK-magazines were recovered
from their possession. At least three Army soldiers were also
injured during the operation in the building.
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.
UHM Rajnath Singh assured CM Sarbananda
Sonowal that the Centre is committed to deal with the problem
of infiltration of foreigners, besides sealing the international
border with Bangladesh to prevent further influx. CM Sarbananda
Sonowal, accompanied by his media adviser Hrishikesh Goswami met
the Union UHM at his official residence in New Delhi and discussed
various issues relating to the State, including sealing of the
international border, tribal issues, floods, etc.
A Maoist was killed and four SF
personnel, including three CoBRA commandos, were injured in separate
incidents in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. "While a Maoist
was killed in an exchange of fire with police, four security personnel
sustained injuries in three IED blasts, triggered by ultras at
different places," a senior Police official said. All the
incidents took place under the Basaguda Police Station limits,
he said. A joint team of SFs was carrying out an anti-Maoist operation
in the forest of Basaguda. "Body of a Maoist was recovered
after an exchange of fire between the patrolling team and ultras
this morning in the forest near Pediya village. Yesterday, one
Naxalite was killed in an encounter with the same team of security
forces in this area," Police said.
Palamu Police in a joint operation
with the CRPF recovered a huge cache of explosives from the hideouts
of CPI-Maoist at Kukukalan under Naudiha Police Station in Palamu
District of Jharkhand. Palamu SP, Indrajit Mahatha, said 500 metres
of codex wire, two IEDs, a cylinder bomb, 54 live bullets of 7.62mm
calibre, 24 live bullets of 9mm calibre and one electronic detonator
were recovered.
The CPI-Maoist has released a
letter to media, addressing that Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads
and Building Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu’s son Chintakayala Vijay
has huge amounts of share in the illegal quarry diggings in Sarugudu
village of GK Mandal in Visakhapatnam District
of Andhra Pradesh. Extending their support to Girijans in the
area, Maoists told Vijay to mend his ways else threatened with
dire consequences. The letter also alleged that Vijay & co
is behind the illegal quarry digging in the region and even accused
them of threatening the local media persons who go against them.
The letter said to have come from Kailash, Maoist Party’s East
Division Secretary. He demanded to immediately stop the diggings
in Sarugudu and Rajapaka and threatened with severe consequences
if they go ahead ignoring the ‘orders’.
In a case of arson, four persons,
three of whom are minors, have sustained burn injuries. The incident
occurred at Lad Shyiap in East Khasi Hills District when two assailants
on a two-wheeler lobbed a petrol bomb at a ration shop run by
a person named Shyam Singh.
|
June 26 |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said
the surgical strikes carried out across the LoC proved that India
would not hesitate to take the toughest measures to defend itself,
while noting that no country in the world had questioned it. Addressing
Indian-Americans at a reception in Virginia, Modi asserted that
India has been successful in convincing the world about “the face
of terrorism that is destroying peace and normal life” in the
country. “When we talked of terrorism 20 years back, many in the
world said it was a law and order problem and didn’t understand
it. Now terrorists have explained terrorism to them so we don’t
have to,” he said.
The mastermind of 1993 Mumbai
bomb blast Dawood Ibrahim, finds mention in the Indo-US joint
statement. Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump
stressed that terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought
and terrorist safe havens rooted out in every part of the world.
They resolved that India and the United States will fight together
against this grave challenge to humanity. They committed to strengthen
cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including Al-Qaeda,
Islamic State (IS), JeM, LeT, D-Company, and their affiliates.
India appreciated the US designation of the HM leader as a Specially
Designated Global Terrorist as evidence of the commitment of the
US to end terror in all its forms. In this spirit, the leaders
welcomed a new consultation mechanism on domestic and international
terrorist designations listing proposals.
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.
The US State Department designated
Syed Salahuddin, the head of Kashmiri militant group HM, as a
specially designated global terrorist. The move comes just hours
before the first meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington.
As a consequence of this designation, US persons are generally
prohibited from engaging in transactions with Salahuddin and all
of Salahuddin’s property and interests in property subject to
United States jurisdiction are blocked.
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres set three
earth excavators on fire at Darliput village under Lamtaput block
in Koraput District of Odisha. The three machines were completely
damaged in the fire, Police said. Before fleeing the spot, the
Maoists left a poster on the behalf of Srikakulam-Koraput division
of the Maoists, alleging in the poster that the residents of the
area are not getting basic facilities while contractors from Bihar
are duping lakhs of rupees in the construction works in the region.
SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Sudem Narjary alias N. Sujukhang Narjary
(22), at Polasbari village in Chirang District. One 7.65 mm pistol,
two magazines and five round 7.65 mm live ammunition were also
recovered from the arrested militant.
SFs arrested one linkman of NDFB-IKS,
identified as Birkhang Narzary from Jharbari village in Kokrajhar
District along with INR 39,000. On his revelation, SFs also recovered
INR 2,10,000 from the residence of NDFB-IKS’s one of the wanted
cadres Koninder Basumatary alias Komendar alias
Khrao Khrao at Jharbari village. According to the Police the recovered
money were extorted from different sources by the militants.
In a statement, a senior Home
department official said that the peace talks between Mizoram
Government and HPC-D scheduled to be held during July is most
likely to be elevated to political level talks from the present
official level talks. The official said that four rounds of talks
held since August 10 last year (2016) were held under cordial
atmosphere and mutual trust and had proceeded fast towards reaching
an amicable settlement to the vexed Hmar imbroglio.
According to an undisclosed senior
official source, India may ask Myanmar to revoke its ceasefire
pact with the NSCN-K when Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi visits
Naypyidaw next month on July 6. During earlier bilateral meetings,
India had handed over a list of over 20 insurgent camps operating
in Myanmar, a few kilometres from the Indian border. However,
the Myanmar Army has denied the existence of any insurgent camps
on its territory.
|
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.
Gaya Police and the CRPF during
a joint combing operation recovered 10 cylinder bombs, suspected
to be planted by CPI-Maoist cadres to target SFs, from the jungles
of Ashani village under Guraru Police Station area in Gaya District
of Bihar.
A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist
surrendered before Police in Deogarh District of Odisha. Sabitri
Murmu alias Kuni (18) hailing from Krushnapur
village under the Telkoi Police limits in Keonjhar District, surrendered
before the Deogarh SP, Sarah Sharma, saying that she and other
women Maoist cadres were tortured by senior Maoist cadres. Kuni,
who used to operate in the Kalinga Nagar division of the CPI-Maoist
since 2008 and was an aide of Maoist leader Sushil alias Basanta,
was involved in the abduction of ASI Umesh Marandi at Daitari
of Keonjhar District in 2010. Kuni was involved in a gun battle
between the Maoists and the SFs at Tikarpada under Kaliapani Police
limits in Jajpur District in 2011, used to recruit poor tribal
youths from Deogarh, Jajpur, Angul, Rourkela and Keonjhar as part
of the Maoists' membership drive. She was also involved in cases
of extortion from businessmen, industrialists and contractors.
A GNLA militant, identified as
Ading Ch Marak alias Lukseng Ch Marak, was killed by SFs
in an early morning raid on the outfit’s camp inside the forests
of the Chitmang hills in South Garo Hills District. It was suspected
that the ‘c-in-c’ of GNLA, Sohan D. Shira was hiding in the camp
but he managed to escape and the killed militant was the ‘bodyguard’
of Shira. An AK-56 assault rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile
phones, remote controls and detonators, a laptop, GNLA seals and
flags were also recovered from the busted camp.
A woman cadre of PREPAK-Pro, identified
as ‘lieutenant’ Longjam Ongbi Malem alias Thoibi (33),
was arrested by the Police from Khuyathong bus parking in Imphal
West District.
In a statement, the UNC expressed
its ‘anxiety’ over the delay in holding the tripartite talks on
the district creation issue, which was scheduled to be held on
last week. The UNC said, “If the delaying tactics or buying-time
tactics are played out by the government then we are not going
to take it lightly.”
|
June 28 |
Keeping in view the safety and
security of the growing number of tourists in the coastal areas
of the state, the West Bengal Government decided to recruit more
Police personnel for eight Police Stations in those areas. The
state Cabinet took the decision to recruit 267 Police personnel
for eight coastal Police Stations for the security and safety
of the growing number of tourists in those places, State Finance
Minister Amit Mitra said.
One of the two Islamic State (IS)
recruiters behind the online identity Yusuf-al-Hindi, could possibly
have been Mohammad Sajid alias Bada Sajid, who hailed from
Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and is believed by Indian agencies to
have been killed in 2015 while fighting in Syria. This is what
IS sympathiser Amzad Khan, who was deported to India from Saudi
Arabia in April, has indicated to interrogators, while identifying
a photograph of Yusuf-al-Hindi, sources said. Sajid was a member
of IM before fleeing to Pakistan after a security crackdown in
2008, from where he and Karnataka-born Shafi Armar migrated to
Afghanistan and Syria. Armar was recently designated as a ‘global
terrorist’ by the US.
Investigators believe that Sajid
and Armar had radicalised Indians online using the same identity
— Yusuf-al-Hindi. “It is possible that after Sajid’s death, Armar
has been handling the account,” said sources. According to sources,
Khan, a 37-year-old from Rajasthan, told interrogators: “In the
beginning, Yusuf had set a photo taken from his back as his profile
picture (on his Telegram account). By the end of December 2015,
he changed it to one taken from the front.” Investigators believe
this image was one of the same set of photographs taken from two
angles. Khan told interrogators that he later saw the same person
in a video posted on social media by the IS in May 2016, purportedly
showing those who had gone to Syria from Maharashtra.
Raising concern over possibility
of collusion between terrorists and those with access to WMDs
India called for the adoption of the long-stalled CCIT. Speaking
at the Security Council debate on preventing access to WMDs by
terrorists, India's Deputy Permanent Representative Tanmaya Lal
said that while "terror networks and non-State actors, by
themselves, do not have any capacity or access to advanced and
sensitive technologies and materials," there have been "instances
of proliferation of WMDs."
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.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed
in an encounter with SFs in the dense forest near Suktara village
in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on inputs about
movement of `vistaar (expansion) party of Maoists in Gandai forests
for the past few days, a joint squad of STF and District Police
Force had launched an operation in the area. The team came under
fire while passing through Suktara forest. The Maoists later escaped,
while two bodies were recovered from the spot apart from a .315
bore gun and a pistol. "Identity of the killed rebels is
being ascertained. Although prima facie it is clear that they
belonged to expansion team of ultras who are making attempts to
expand their base along the border of Chhattisgarh and Madhya
Pradesh," SP, Prashant Agrawal said.
A Maoist ‘commander’ was arrested
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Acting on a tip-off, Baman
Mandavi (25) was arrested by a joint team of CRPF and local Police
from Badegudra village under Kuakonda Police Station limits. Mandavi,
active as Badegudra ‘jan militia commander’ of Maoists, was allegedly
involved in Mailwada landmine attack in March, 2016, in which
seven CRPF personnel were killed. Besides, he was allegedly involved
in other Naxal incidents, including triggering blasts,
loot, SP, Kamlochan Kashyap said adding he was carrying a reward
of INR 100,000 on his head.
A Maoist couple, Dinesh Kadti
(26) and his wife Meena alias Lakho (25), surrendered in
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Dinesh, carrying cash reward
of INR 300,000, was working as president of DAKMS-a frontal wing
of Maoists. Meena was deputed as the head of KAMS - a Maoists’
frontal outfit and INR 100,000 was announced for her arrest. The
duo was allegedly involved in firing at a helicopter in Pedia
area in Bijapur District in 2012.
SFs have unearthed 48 IEDs and
800 metres of detonating wire from Jarda Pahar in Tamar in Ranchi
District of Jharkhand. The recovery, which also comprised three
five kilograms cylinder bombs and three switches.
Four dead bodies, suspected to
be cadres belonging to the HPC-D, were fished out from Barak River
near Jiribam and Palarbond of Silchar. Two bodies were recovered
from Barak River from Assam side on June 27 and another two bodies
fished out from Manipur side of the river on June 28. It is suspected
that the bodies were those cadres of the HPC-D who had reportedly
robbed doctors and nurses at Sivapukar Primary Health Centre in
Pherzawl District on the intervening night of June 21 and 22.
Later on, the HPC-D at Sinlung designated camp reportedly shot
dead some of its cadres believed to have been involved in the
Sivapukar robbery incident as punishment and threw their lifeless
corpses into the Barak River.
A Chinese-made grenade was lobbed
and exploded by suspected militants in front of a shop selling
two-wheelers near Khuyathong area in Imphal West District. No
one was injured in the explosion, but the incident triggered panic
in the capital city.
The ‘vice chairman’ of UNLF militant
of Manipur, named Sir Ayekpam Wangpa alias Tomba alias
Tona (61), died at a hospital in Myanmar. He died in a Yangon
hospital due to kidney failure and other health issues.
A source from the UNC revealed
that the tripartite talks involving the UNC, the Government of
Manipur and the Central Government of India on the district creation
issue will be held on July 10 at Ukhrul District headquarter.
SFs arrested two militants of
UPLA, identified as Jai Rajbanshi (32) and Ratul Boro (34), at
Sohorikota village in Dibrugarh District. Two .22 pistols and
9 rounds of ammunitions were also recovered from the arrested
militants.
Police recovered an AK-56 rifle
along with 47 rounds of ammunition, a .303 rifle and ammunition
from poachers identified as Mazibur Rahman and Jakir Hussain at
a village near the Orang National Park in Darrang District.
One suspected linkman of MULTA,
identified as Muslim Uddin Sheikh (52), was arrested in a joint
operation by Indian Army and Police from Borkanda area of Bilasipara
town in Dhubri District. SFs also recovered a pistol and two rounds
ammunition from his possession.
CM Shürhozelie Liezietsu said
that the demand for integration of the whole Naga-inhabited areas
may be difficult at present. Addressing a meeting of NPF Arunachal
Pradesh State unit in Kohima he said that the demand for integration
of the whole Naga-inhabited areas may be difficult at present
but coming together under the umbrella of NPF could be the first
step to integrate the people emotionally and politically.
|
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.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Podiyami Mukka (42) was arrested
from an area under Jagargunda Police Station, while Laxman Muchaki
alias Lakha (20) was arrested from Kukanar Police Station
limits. Mukka, who is the head of DKAKMS, a front organisation
of Maoists, was involved in the April 24 attack in Burkapal in
which 25 CRPF personnel were killed. Lakha is a member of jan-militia
squad and was allegedly involved in the attack on Police in Kunna-Dabba
village in 2014.
Six PLFI cadres were arrested
from Bakaspur forest area under Karra Police Station in Khunti
District of Jharkhand. One pistol, four live bullets and two stolen
bikes were recovered from them. PLFI is a splinter group of the
CPI-Maoist.
Former Chairman of the Garo Hills
Autonomous District Council and ex-member (MDC) Cary Marak, who
‘disappeared under mysterious circumstances’ and was presumed
abducted, was ‘released’ at Agia village in Goalpara District.
He had left Shillong on June 27 for Bongaigaon when he ‘disappeared’.
The Police forces of various States
of the Northeast Indian region may soon coalesce under an umbrella
organisation to improve coordination and efficiency. A suggestion
in this regard was reportedly made by Assam’s DGP, Mukesh Sahay,
at the 24th conference of DGs and IGs of Police of the Northeast
region held in Guwahati on June 29. It was attended by Satyendra
Garg, a Joint Secretary (Northeast) in the UMHA. Sahay said if
the militants can have an umbrella organisation, the Police too
can have it. He said it would ensure better coordination among
the Police forces of the Northeast region. "Like one nation
one tax, we can have one NE one NE police. We need to work on
making this concept, encouraged by the Prime Minister, possible.
We are eagerly looking forward to your recommendations on Nepol,"
Assam Chief Secretary Vinod Kumar Pipersenia said. Assam CM Sarbananda
Sonowal and DGP Mukesh Sahay also seconded the idea of ‘Nepol’.
|
June 30 |
Days after news of the massive
Islamic State (IS) recruitment drive from north Kerala's villages
in mid-2016 shocked the state, Kerala police launched a de-radicalisation
drive named Operation Pigeon aimed at preventing a repeat of a
Padanne-like situation. What started as a focused drive in "certain
areas'' in Kasaragod District, spread across the state with various
agencies mining social media to prepare a list of "vulnerable
Malayali youth'. The tally at the end of initial online recce
came to 350.
All Districts except Pathanamthitta
reported footprints of recruiters who had "made more than
preliminary contacts with them''. The state intelligence sleuths
formed a special task force with personnel from NIA and IB. "Kannur
district topped with 118 names followed by Malappuram (89) and
Kasaragod (66),'' a top source told. While Kozhikode had 25 youth
with ``deep interest'', Palakkad reported 16. ``It was single
digit for the rest. And there was not even one girl in this list
of 350,'' he said. Operation Pigeon's first phase saw a majority
of the youth realising that "the route was not as easy as
they were made to believe''. But about 30 youngsters were firm
in their commitment. We continue to engage them ``without ruffling
any feelings'', sources said. The best part of the campaign, a
senior officer said, was that not even one mosque committee or
a single parent protested against police's frequent visits.
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.
A local court acquitted 14 CPI-Maoist
cadres in connection with an attack on the base camp of a private
road construction company at Goh in Aurangabad District in July
2013 for lack of evidence.
The Chhattisgarh High Court granted
bail to seven TDF activists, arrested last year for their alleged
links with the CPI-Maoist in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According
to the prosecution, the seven members of Telangana-based civil
society TDF, including two advocates Ch Prabhakar and Bala Ravinder;
four social activists Rajendra Prasad, R Lakshmaraiah, B Durgaprasad
and D Prabhakar and a research scholar Mohamed Nazeer were arrested
from Dharampenta village under Kistaram Police Station in Sukma
District on December 25, 2016. Cash worth INR 100,000 in the demonetised
INR 500 and INR 1,000 currency notes and Maoist literature were
claimed to have been recovered from their possession, the counsel
for jailed TDF activists said.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Dharamjeet Singh (42), who has an expertise in planting landmines
and was hiding for the last six years, surrendered before Rourkela
Police in Sundargarh District of Odisha. Singh of Karda village
under Chandiposh Police limits in the District was inducted into
the Maoist outfit in 2008 by slain ‘area commander’ of Saranda
Sub-Divisional Committee, Sameer Xalxo. Singh had also worked
under the Maoist group, led by Anmol Hembram, and was active along
Odisha-Jharkhand border. During 2011, he had secretly quit
the outfit and fled to Punjab in search of opportunities. He recently
returned to his village and was motivated to give up arms. Police
said he was recently tracked and convinced by local Police and
CRPF personnel to quit the outfit. He was disillusioned with the
Maoist ideology, killing and exploitation of innocent tribal villagers.
One AR trooper, identified as
Biju Surupawal (30), was killed and two others were injured in
an IED blast at a check post at Lambui village on the Imphal-Ukhrul
road in Ukhrul District. The injured troopers were identified
as Yash Pal (37) and Niran Ranjan (35). No militant group has
claimed the responsibility of the blast so far.
SFs arrested one militant of KCP,
identified as Leitam Keni Singh alias Ibungo (33), from
Koirengei near forest gate in Imphal East District. Incriminating
articles were recovered from the militant. According to the Police
he was involved in extortion of huge amount of money from schools
located at Pangei road.
The former ‘chairman’ of ANVC-B,
Bernard N Marak urged the State Government to pay INR 2.5 lakh
rehabilitation package to each cadre as ‘promised’ by former Special
Director General of Police S.K. Jain.
Police arrested three members
of LDCM, identified as Amitab Patir (28), Satya Kumbang (34) and
Kangkan Morang (30), from Moonmuni Chapori in Dhemaji District.
A 7.65mm pistol and six live cartridges were seized from their
possession. The trio was arrested in connection with the killing
of INC leader Hiranya Doley, who was shot dead at his residence
at Dekapam near Assam-Arunachal boundary on June 24.
Entire Nagaland has been declared
as “disturbed area” for six more months under the AFSPA, which
empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere without
any prior notice. In a gazette notification, the Union Home Ministry
said it is of the opinion that the area comprising the whole of
Nagaland is in such a “disturbed and dangerous condition” that
the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section
3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, the central
government hereby declares that whole of the said state to be
a ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from
30th June, 2017 for the purpose of that Act,” joint secretary
in the Union Home Ministry Satyendra Garg said.
|
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.
SFs recovered seven live grenades
from Panki-Balumath road in Karimati Ghati in Palamu District
of Jharkhand. Acting on a tip-off, the District Police launched
a search operation and recovered the explosives. The grenades
might have been kept hidden by the ultras as the area is affected
by CPI-Maoist and PLFI militants. A massive search operation is
underway following the seizure in the area, Mahatha said.
The SSB along with Jharkhand Police
conducted a joint operation and arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Ravinder Kumar along with arms and ammunition from Hazaribagh
in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. The raiding team also recovered
one country-made pistol, ammunition, two sets of combat dress,
INR 95,000 in cash and five mobile phones from the possession
of the Maoist.
The CRPF has recovered two kilograms
explosives, 58 live bullets, two country made guns and 44 empty
containers from a CPI-Maoist hideout in Mukundpur and Piri localities
of Latehar District of Jharkhand.
A former Naxalite,
who failed to appear in a murder case trial in a special court
was arrested by the Police in Dharmapuri District of Tamil Nadu.
The trial in the murder case commenced in the Poonthamalli Special
Court in Chennai recently and Kamalanathan (53), of Mallikuttai
village, who had served in the Naxal movement
for some time, did not appear in the court. Following this, the
court issued arrest warrant. A Police team from Denkanikottai
Police Station arrested Kamalanathan. Police sources said that
Venkatesan, then president of the Thali panchayat in
Denkanikottai Police Station limits, was murdered by a group of
person way back in 2002.
The AR personnel recovered five
AK-56 rifles meant to be sold to the Manipur-based militant groups,
during an operation near the Tyao River between Farkawn and Vaphai
village of Champhai District along the India-Myanmar border in
Mizoram.
Police recovered one 9 mm pistol
with two magazines from two ‘gang members’ at Ningombam Sabaltongba
Lamkhai in Thoubal District.
|
July 2 |
Intelligence agencies have found
out that at least five persons from Kerala's Malabar region have
been killed while fighting for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria
in the past four months. With this the number of Malayalis killed
in the IS stronghold has risen to 10.
According to report, information
on the death of Sibi from Kanjikkode in Palakkad District reached
his relatives two days ago. Further details of Sibi, who was working
in Bahrain, is not immediately available. It is suspected that
he had links with Yahya alias Esa, who left to join the
IS in July 2016.
Another person killed in Aleppo
in Syria is Muhadis, hailing from Vandoor in Malappuram District.
It is suspected that he was killed in the military operations
in Aleppo in last February. Sources said that his brother Manaf,
who was working in Bahrain, came to Malappuram one month ago to
tell the family about the death of Muhadis.
Another person hailing from Chalad
in Kannur District is also suspected to be killed in Syria. Two
more people, one from Vadakara in Kozhikode District and another
from Kondotty in Malappuram District, are also believed to have
been killed in Syria. All these people are branded as 'Bahrain
group' in the Police circles.
Sources said that the group which
joined the IS in Syria, unlike the 21-member group in Afghanistan,
were the frontline soldiers of the terror organization. "The
Syrian group was engaged in actual fighting while the group in
Afghanistan was helping the jihadis in various capacities. The
members of the Afghan group got killed in the surprise attack
by the US forces," they said.
Earlier it was reported that,
Hafisudeen, Murshid and Yahya from Padanna in Kasaragod district
and Shajeer Mangalassery Abdulla have been killed in Nangarhar
in Afghanistan in the last two months. Abu Thahir from Palakkad,
who joined the Jabahat al-Nusra, an ally of the IS, was killed
in Syria last month.
Meanwhile, incidents of stone
throwing was reported during the indefinite blockade of OIL and
ONGC offices mainly located in the Upper Assam region imposed
by the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad. Six communities of Assam, which
are spearheading the demand for ST status have called a series
of protests, including a 24-hour Assam strike starting at 5am
on July 3, railway blockade on July 11 and an indefinite economic
blockade thereafter.
CM Sarbananda Sonowal, while addressing
the India-Bangladesh Friendship Dialogue, said that combating
the threat of terrorism should be a common goal for both the countries.
"We have common enemies, problems and threats that have to
be fought together. Poverty, terrorism and fundamentalism are
our common threats and we have to combat them together. We have
to ensure that our territories are not used by the forces inimical
to both," CM Sarbananda Sonowal said.
In a joint statement, the PLA/
RPF and MNPF claimed the responsibility of the IED attack that
killed a jawan (trooper) of the AR and injured to two others
on June 30 near Lambui village of Ukhrul District.
IPFT had announced an indefinite
‘Rail and Road blockade’ programme scheduled to commence from
July 10 to press for their demand for a separate ‘Twipraland’
state to be carved out of the TTADC areas which encompass 68.10%
of the state’s total geographical territory. Special security
measures will be made along the railway line from Agartala to
Churaibari and along the NH-44 from Agartala to the bordering
point with the Karimganj District of Assam.
Cadres of the JJMP killed one
Navrangi Yadav (70) and injured five others in Badaibatha village
in Latehar District of Jharkhand, over a land dispute. The deceased
was the father of local ward member Mithilesh Yadav. JJMP is a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
|
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.
Imphal West Police arrested the
prime suspect in the murder of President of HSO, identified as
Solomon Baite (38). Talking with the media persons, Police informed
that the accused has admitted to shooting the victim, Letkholal
alias Palal Haokip (37) at Langol Game village on June
23. But they said that the investigation was at an early stage
and refused to divulge details.
The proposed State-wide indefinite
strike of KSO from July 4 midnight has been called off following
the arrest of the killer of student leader Lenkholal alias
Palal Haokip (37).
Normal life was affected in several
places across the State due to a 12-hour bandh (shutdown
strike) called by Soi Jonogusthi Oikyo Manch demanding
ST status. The bandh paralyzed the Upper Assam Districts
of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat on the
south bank of the Brahmaputra and Lakhimpur and Dhemaji on the
north bank. In lower Assam, the AKRSU-H damaged some vehicles
in Kokrajhar District and set a Maruti van on fire at Salkocha
in Dhubri District.
The 10-hour bandh (shut
down) called by the AAMSU in Goalpara District passed off peacefully.
AAMSU had called this strike in protest against the firing at
Kharboja in the District on June 30, in which a protester, Yaqub
Ali (23), was killed and several persons were injured.
A Can-bomb weighing around 20
kilograms and a 200-metre electric wire were found from a one-foot
deep pit at Shantinagar under Adityapur Thana area
in Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. Informed by a local
resident, Police swung into action by pressing into service a
bomb disposal squad from Ranchi who blasted the bomb.
A wanted woman CPI-Maoist cadre,
who jumped bail and was on the run for the past five years, was
arrested at gunpoint by the sleuths of Andhra Pradesh SIB near
Sennimalai in Erode District of Tamil Nadu. Sources said V Kakarala
Padma (45), a native of Andhra Pradesh was arrested when she was
on her way to Erode to meet her accomplices. She was first arrested
in 2002 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, for giving arms
training to Maoist recruits at Uthangarai. Padma was in jail till
2005. After her release, she fought for the rights of women and
spearheaded several protests. She has over 10 cases and NSA and
UAPA slapped against her. Later, she was arrested and was lodged
as an under trial prisoner in Madurai Central Prison. In 2012,
she came out on conditional bail and had been absconding ever
since.
NIA filed a charge-sheet with
the NIA court in Kolkata of West Bengal, naming the top CPI-Maoist
leader Muppalla Lakshman Rao aka Ganapathi, ‘general
secretary’ of the Central Committee of the CPI-Maoist, and four
others. The name of the top leader of the LWE group has come up
in the charge-sheet in connection with the probe that the NIA
had undertaken in connection with the arrest of another of their
top leader Sadanala Ramakrishna. He was arrested from College
Street in Central Kolkata in 2012 along with two other Maoist
leaders. The STF had arrested the Maoist leader and seized INR
9.6 million cash, firearms, ammunition and Maoist literature from
him.
|
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
|
Rajasthan ATS arrested a suspected
Islamic State (ISIS) handler, identified as Haroon (30) from Burma
Bazaar area in Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The accused, Haroon, is
suspected of collecting and sending funds to the terrorist organisation
and was detained following information from two other accused,
Mohammed Iqbal and Jamil Ahmed, who are already under the custody
of Rajasthan ATS. Haroon reportedly runs a mobile phone shop in
the area.
The report states that Haroon
has been taken to Jaipur (Rajasthan) for further questioning and
investigation. There have been reports of several individuals
joining the Islamic State in Syria from Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
It is believed that nine people, including one from Telangana
and eight from Tamil Nadu, had joined Islamic State in the year
2016.
Israel believes there is no difference
between Pakistan-based “Lashkar-e-Taiba”-LeT and the Hamas group
operating in Israel and Palestine, senior officials said, adding
that the Israeli government has unequivocally supported India
on the issue of terrorism. “Killing civilians for any spurious
ideological reason is terrorism,” said Mark Sofer, Deputy Director
General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Asia-Pacific department.
He added, “As opposed to a number of other countries in the world,
Israel has never hidden the fact that it supports India hook,
line, sinker on the subject of terrorism. The horrors coming out
of Pakistan, from the Lashkar-e-Taiba are known, and we support
India’s right to defend itself against terrorism just as Israel
has the same right.”
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.
NSCN-IM named ‘kilonser’
(minister) Kraibo Chawang as convener of its CFMC. Chawang replaces
Vikiye Sumi who earlier held the post.
Interlocutor for Naga peace talks
and JIC Chairman, R.N. Ravi said that the solution to the ‘protracted
Naga political issue’ is close-by. “We are close towards solution
and bringing the framework agreement to a conclusion,” Ravi said.
According to sources in the UMHA
the Union Government is considering partially revoking the AFSPA
from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in view of improved law and order
in the two States. "The Centre is considering gradually easing
out AFSPA from the two States and we have asked the State governments
for their comments on the issue. We have got intelligence reports
suggesting that several areas in the two states are free from
insurgency," said a senior ministry official. The UMHA had
extended AFSPA in Assam for three months with effect from May
3. Usually, AFSPA is extended for one year or six months and this
was the first time it was extended for only three months. "In
the past, the notification for extending AFSPA was issued for
six months or more than that but now we are trying to reduce it
to three months. We are now considering gradually withdrawing
it from Assam and Arunachal," the official said.
Assam Finance Minister Himanta
Biswa Sarma stated that the draft NRC will be published by the
end of this year and once the document is out, the State Government
will approach the Bangladesh Government, through New Delhi, for
a lasting solution to the foreigners’ problem. Speaking during
the valedictory session of the 8th India Bangladesh Friendship
Dialogue which concluded in Guwahati, Sarma said the issue of
illegal immigration is an area of serious concern for the people
of Assam. He said that the issue of identification of aliens will
be laid to rest once the updated NRC comes out. “The draft NRC
will be out by end of this year. Then we will know the magnitude
(of the problem). Then we will come to the government of Bangladesh,
through the Government of India, for a lasting solution,” Sarma
said.
An internal probe report has suggested
conspiracy in the April 24 CPI-Maoist ambush on a CRPF party at
Burkapal in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh leading to massacre
of 25 troopers. The BSNL towers in the region had gone dead hours
before the deadly ambush was carried out and started functioning
after the attack, an internal probe report of the CRPF has disclosed,
indicating a conspiracy angel. Sources in CRPF stated that there
should be thorough probe into the aspect to “nail” Maoist moles,
if they existed, in the government machinery.
|
July 5
|
India and Israel decided to elevate
their relationship to a ‘strategic partnership’, after negotiations
and last-minute changes in the joint statement. “India and Israel
live in complex geographies. We are aware of strategic threats
to regional peace and stability. India has India, Israel forge
‘strategic partnership’, send strong message on terror suffered
first-hand the violence and hatred spread by terror. So has Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed to do much more together
to protect our strategic interests and also cooperate to combat
growing radicalisation and terrorism, including in cyber space,”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his remarks after the talks.
The two leaders, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi
chose the hotel, where 91 people were killed in a bomb attack
in 1946, to flag terrorism in their short statements.
Stating that the two countries
need to cooperate in the field of counter-terrorism, Netanyahu
described 26/11 [Mumbai] as a “horrible terrorist attack”. He
said the two countries are being challenged by “forces of terror”
and have agreed to cooperate in countering terrorism. “We also
recognise that we are being challenged. We are being challenged
by the forces of terror, the forces of terror that seeks to undermine
our world, our countries, the peace and stability of our common
civilisation, and we have agreed to cooperate in this area as
well… This is an expression of our commitment… ours is a partnership
to seek good, defend the good, achieve the good. This is indeed
a good day,” said the Israeli PM, after three hours of talks and
a working lunch. He added that this was a “deeply moving moment
for me, both in personal, but also in national and international
terms”.
The Central Government will provide
funds to Kerala to enhance its coastal security and keep a vigil
on Pakistan-sponsored terror modules, Union Minister of State
for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said. Pointing out that
Pakistan-sponsored terror modules could be expected to create
problems in any part of the country, he said Police must be vigilant
against such activities. Talking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram
in Kerala after reviewing the country’s internal security in a
meeting with the State Government officials, Ahir said the Centre
would provide funds to Kerala for enhancing the coastal security.
Lauding Kerala for having a good
policing system, he said its community policing was helpful to
arrest radicalisation of the youth. "So far only 22 youths
from the state were reported to have joined the Islamic State
outfit," Ahir said. He also said the fake currency note menace
has come down considerably in the last one year.
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.
Four militants of RPF/PLA, identified
as L Jiteshwor (51), Asem Brojendro (49), Konthoujam Indramani
(47) and Mayangbam Gopal (55), were arrested by SFs in an area
near Khudengthabi in Tengnoupal District.
SF arrested one militant of UNLF,
identified as ‘sergeant’ Konthoujam Romesh Meitei alias
Thoi alias Kumbala (31), from Wangmataba area in Thoubal
District.
One militant of KCP-N, identified
as Khaidem Naoba Meitei alias Telheiba alias Padaba
(15), was arrested by SF at Sagoltongba area in Imphal West District.
SFs arrested one militant of NSCN-R,
identified as ‘private’ Chawang Wangsa, at Mintong village in
Longding District. A pistol and live ammunition were also recovered
from the arrested militant.
SFs arrested one militant of NDFB-IKS,
identified as ‘area commander’ Ratan Boro alias B. Birfirlang
in Darrang District. A 7.65 mm pistol and three rounds live bullets
were recovered from the arrested militant. According to the SFs
he was involved in various cases of extortion and abductions.
SFs arrested two militants of
a newly formed militant group named NFFB from Goreswar in Baksa
District. The arrested militants were identified as Kanak Boro
(22) and Sukram Boro (38). The newborn militant group is unknown
to the Police and investigation is going on.
The CPI-Maoist cadres have abducted
two road construction workers from Kasaram village in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. According to the contractor, Viranna and Veera
Swami, two of his labourers, were carrying out measurement work
when some armed Maoists came to the spot and forcibly took them
away. A road is being constructed between Kistaram and Chintalnar
in Sukma District, which is around 500 kilometres from the state
capital Raipur. The densely forested region is considered to be
a stronghold of Maoists.
A wanted CPI-Maoist cadre was
arrested by the State Crime Branch in Pattangi in Koraput District
of Odisha. Mabadi Pandi, carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on his
head and who is suspected to be involved in the Sunki landmine
explosion in the District was arrested in Pattangi. Pandi is a
resident of Kanta area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
Eight State Police personnel were killed when their vehicle was
blown up by Maoists in a landmine blast on NH 26 near Sunki on
February 2, 2017.
Mallam Jogaiah, a militia ‘commander’
of the CPI-Maoist, who is wanted in 16 cases of Maoist violence
including two murder cases, surrendered before the ASP, Sunil
Dutt in Bhadrachalam District of Telangana. Jogaiah was an active
militia ‘commander’ of the CPI-Maoist affiliated to Rythu Coolie
Sangham (Agricultural labourers association) and operating under
the aegis of the outfit’s Charla LOS till his surrender. He hails
from Yerraboru, an interior forest fringe village in Charla mandal bordering
the strife-torn areas of neighbouring Chhattisgarh. He joined
the CPI-Maoist, inspired by the revolutionary songs, in 2011.
He worked as a militia member till 2013 before being elevated
to the rank of militia ‘commander’. He was allegedly involved
in the killing of two persons by branding them as “police informers”
in Charla mandal in 2014. He has several other
criminal cases including planting of land mine pending against
him under the Charla and Dummugudem Police Station limits.
Five Naxals were
convicted by a special court in Sasaram District of Bihar for
the murder of then DFO, Sanjay Kumar Singh, in the Rehal forests
under Nauhatta Police Station area in Rohtas District on February
15, 2002. The four accused, namely Nirala Yadav, Ram Bachan, Lalan
Singh and Nitish Kumar Oraon, all were sentenced life imprisonment
while the fifth accused Sudama Uraon will have to undergo 10 years
of rigorous imprisonment. CBI spokesperson R K Gaur said that
the agency had registered a case on March 22, 2002, on the request
of the Bihar Government.
Chhattisgarh Police claimed to
have identified seven CPI-Maoist cadres killed during anti-Maoist
strike ‘Operation Prahar’, carried out at Tondamarka in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh in between June 23 and 25. The Police
had earlier claimed to have killed 15-20 Maoists in the operation,
said to be the biggest so far against Maoist, on June 24. Sukma
SP, Abhishek Meena, citing inputs received from locals, said the
Police had ascertained the identification of the seven killed
in the encounter. “The deceased Maoists were identified as Udka
Lakhu, Sodhi Budhra, Podium Suresh, Muchaki Jogi, Madvi Hidma,
Vetti Joga and Sodhi Lakhe, all belonging to PLGA squad of Maoists,”
the SP said. The Police had then also claimed that top Maoist
‘commander’ Hidma had sustained bullet injuries. On Sunday (July
2), the Bastar-based South Sub-Divisional Bureau of CPI-Maoist
‘secretary’ Ganesh Uike issued a statement claiming that their
organisation had lost one cadre in an encounter with forces and
others that the Police claimed were just villagers.
|
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.
The Union Government will add
a new dimension to the two decades old peace talks with NSCN-IM
by including all other groups in the process, signaling the end
of Thuingaleng Muivah as the sole representative of the ‘Naga
people’. For three days from today (July 6), centre's Interlocutor
for the Naga talks, RN Ravi will be holding consultative meetings
with various stakeholders on the Naga issue at Kohima and Dimapur.
The Nagaland Government has said that civil societies wanting
to meet the interlocutor can contact State Home Secretary Rovilatuo
Mor.
Military Intelligence personnel
arrested two persons from Sulur in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu for
suspected extremist links with Assam based NDFB-IKS. One person
was identified as Upen Basumatary, an NDFB-IKS member wanted in
connection with insurgency activities. The other was said to be
the brother of an active member of the NDFB-IKS. They had reportedly
fled Assam following alleged involvement in terrorist activities
and got employed in the company in Sulur.
In a statement, the ULFA-I rejected
a call by a ‘pro-swadeshi’ organization to boycott Chinese
made goods in Assam saying that goods from China have not made
any adverse effect on the State and China and Assam are friends
and not foes.
Director General of Assam Police
(law and order) Kula Saikia reviewed the law and order situation
in four lower Assam districts of Bongaigaon, Chirang, Kokrajhar
and Goalpara.
A militant of GNLA, identified
as Mustan R. Sangma (22), surrendered before the Police in the
presence of family members and Church leaders in East Garo Hills.
However, he did not bring any weapon with him.
Three cadres were arrested from
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Based on a specific tip-off,
the ultras identified as Budhram Mandavi (45), Hunga Atra (20)
and Laxman Atra (26) were arrested from Ghadi chowk area of Bacheli
town in Dantewada when they arrived there for procuring daily
use material, Police said. Ration items, including rice and oil,
besides a cache of torches and batteries, were recovered from
their possession. They were allegedly involved in the attack in
Bacheli mining area of the NMDC in Dantewada in February this
year, wherein around 90 kg explosives, 1,550 meters wire, 149
detonators, two walkie-talkies were looted. The trio had been
acting as lower-rung cadres since the past five years and tasked
with supply of ration material, cutting roads and damaging Government
property.
Two Maoists - Somaru Gavde (35)
and Sonaru Gavde (26), were arrested from Bagjhar village under
Benoor Police Station limits of Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
Somaru was active as head of Janatana Sarkar squad
of Maoist in Chhinari area, whereas Sonaru was a CNM - a cultural
outfit of Maoist, member. Based on the statement of Sonaru, one
.315 bore country-made revolver and its cartridges were recovered
near his house in Bagjhar. According to Police, the duo was involved
in various kinds of Naxal-related incidents like damaging roads,
firing on police camps, arson and similar others.
|
July 7
|
The next round of proposed tripartite
talk will be held at the political level with the UNC on July
10 in Ukhrul District. The Agriculture Minister V Hangkhanlian
will lead the State delegates in the meeting. The State Government
has also invited Ministry of Home Affairs, Joint Secretary (North
East in-charge) Satyendra Garg to the tripartite talk. After two
rounds of tripartite talk involving the State Government, UNC
and the Centre were held at Delhi and Senapati, it was agreed
that the third round would be held at the political level.
The UNC is optimistic and expecting
‘remarkable’ outcome of the Framework Agreement signed between
the NSCN-IM and the Union Government on August 3, 2015. Immediately
after a marathon meeting with the Government of India’s interlocutor
for Naga talks RN Ravi at Chumukedima Police Complex in Dimapur,
UNC ‘president’ Gaidan Kamei told that the Government of India
is ‘almost determined’ to find a solution to the protracted Naga
issue and added that the interlocutor’s visit to Nagaland is a
clear indication in this regard.
Few hours after AR personnel raided
the residence of the NSCN-IM members, the militant group has accused
the SFs of meting out physical torture to its four ‘arrested members’
while terming this act as a ‘violation’ of the agreed ground rules
by the two parties.
The Charla Police claimed to have
arrested two CPI-Maoist militia members and a sympathiser from
Kaliveru village in Charla Tehsil of
Khammam District of Telangana. Police sources said a joint squad
of the Charla Police and the CRPF personnel arrested the trio
during a vehicle checking drive after spotting them moving suspiciously
at Peddamidisileru crossroads near Kaliveru. According to Police,
the trio was identified as K Jogaiah (39), and M. Irmaiah (29),
of Burugupadu village and Maoist sympathiser Sushanth alias Susen
(22), a petty vendor, in Charla. Several strips of tablets of
various brands and seven batteries, including three multi-purpose
heavy-duty batteries, were recovered from their possession, the
Police said. They said the three arrested were heading towards
the forest fringe areas of Chhattisgarh to handover the consignment
to the Maoists.
A group of suspected CPI-Maoist
cadres have threatened to kill ADSJ, Prabhunath Singh over his
sentencing, on July 5, four Maoists to life term for the 2002
killing of then Rohtas DFO, Sanjay Kumar Singh. The employees
of Sasaram civil court in Rohtas District of Bihar found a pamphlet
pasted on the wall of the court building. The pamphlet has warned
the judge of "punishment" in a kangaroo court.
Singh on July 5 sentenced self-proclaimed ‘area commander' Nirala
Yadav and three more Maoists to life imprisonment for the forest
official's murder in February 2002, and the fifth accused Sudama
Oraon to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.
|
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”.
Suspected Bangladeshi miscreants
abducted a person, Ricky Marwein (34), from Nongjri area of South
West Khasi Hills District. SP, H.G. Lyngdoh said that Marwein
is a gatekeeper of the Hashah clan at Umsur village. A group of
about seven miscreants barged into his room at night with arms
and iron rods and kidnapped him, said Lyngdoh. “They even took
away INR 5,000-6,000 in cash and a two-wheeler,” the SP added.
Police are keeping a close watch
on the actions of GNLA militants ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled
for early next year. A senior police official said that the security
forces are trying to prevent any fresh recruitment to the militant
outfit and at the same time the Government is encouraging the
GNLA cadres to surrender.
Suspected PLFI militants shot
dead a businessman Shyamlal Prasad (55) on the outskirts of Gumla
town in Gumla District of Jharkhand. The deceased used to run
a brick kiln and a stone crusher unit in Dumardih locality, about
7 kilometres from District headquarters and 150 kilometres from
Ranchi. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist
surrendered to the police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.
The surrendered cadres are CPI-Maoist platoon number 14 members
identified as Jairam Gawade and Deve Pungati, ‘mass team’ members
Sushila Pungati and Anil Gawade, and Bhamaragad Dalam member
Kamlesh Telami. The Maoists included two married couples. “Sushila
Pungati is married to Anil Gawade and Deve Pungati is married
to Jairam Gawade.
SFs arrested 16 CPI-Maoist cadres
from their hideout in Jamui District of Bihar. The Maoists had
assembled at Kalyanpur village.
A CPI-Maoist dalam member
and six cadres of the RPC of Charla mandal surrendered
before the ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam town in Bhadradri-Kothagudem
District of Telangana. All of them hail from Chennapuram, a remote
tribal hamlet under the Pedda Midisileru gram panchayat
in the tribal sub-plan mandal of Charla of Bhadrachalam
division. The surrendered include Madakam Laxmaiah (23), dalam
member of CPI-Maoist Charla and Manuguru area committee, Tellam
Kosa (35), ‘secretary’ of Chennapuram RPC and Kudam Adama (28),
‘deputy secretary’ of RPC, besides four other members of the RPC,
Police said.
According to UMHA, as many as
12,000 persons have lost their lives in Naxal violence
over the last two decades and out of these, 2,700 were SF personnel.
The report states, of the total, 9,300 were innocent civilians
which were either killed by the Naxals, labelling them
as 'police informers', or were victims in crossfire. The UMHA
added that there has been a decline of 25 per cent in LWE-related
violence and casualties to SFs has dropped by as much as 42 per
cent during May 2014-April 2017 as compared to May 2011-April
2014.The elimination of Naxal cadres rose by a sharp 65
per cent and the surrenders by the extremists recorded 185 per
cent increase, the official said. The MHA officials said currently
90 per cent of the CPI-Maoist activities were limited to 35 Districts,
though they have a hold over pockets in 68 Districts in 10 States.
SFs arrested two militants of
KCP- Lamyanba Khuman, identified as Thoudam Premkumar Singh alias
Manao alias Ta Manao (30) and Mohammad Manir Khan alias
Monir (30), from Wangoi Shantipur area in Imphal West District.
One .32 mm pistol along with one magazine and five live rounds,
one Chinese hand grenade along with detonator were also recovered
from them.
SFs arrested two militants of
KNA-I, identified as Seiboi Vaiphei (36) and Sanglian Neisial
(43), from Langol Games village in Imphal West District.
Police arrested one woman cadre
of UNLF, identified as Mutum Sumila Chanu alias Ichan alias
Leishembi (29), from Warukok Awang Leikai in Thoubal District.
Longding Battalion of AR launched
a major operation along the Arunachal-Nagaland border and busted
a NSCN-K camp in Pumao village under Longding District. However,
the cadres of the militant group managed to escape from the camp.
|
July 9
|
An Indian-origin man, identified
as Shivam Patel (27) who had voiced support for Islamic State
(IS) and had searched online for ways to join the terror group,
has been arrested for making false claims on his application to
join the US military. Shivam, who had converted to Islam several
years ago, was charged for not disclosing on his application to
join the Army that he had travelled to China or Jordan. He claimed
he had not gone anywhere outside the US in the past seven years,
except for a family trip to India in 2011-12. The charge carries
a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
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.
The six Bru relief camps in Tripura
should be closed and assistance provided to the inmates there
should be stopped if the Brus continue to refuse to return to
Mizoram, an adviser of Ministry of Home Affairs said. An official
release in Aizawl said that Union Ministry of Home Affairs Adviser
(North East) MK Singla expressed this opinion while meeting Mizoram
CM Lal Thanhawla. However, this is his personal opinion, the release
said.
|
July 10
|
An Indian man in America has pleaded
guilty to supporting terrorism by providing material support to
a "key leader" of al Qaeda for "violent jihad"
against US soldiers and a judge, authorities said. Yahya Farooq
Mohammad, 39, an Indian national who married an American citizen
in 2008, faces over 27 years in prison and deportation if convicted,
the Department of Justice said. "The defendant conspired
to provide and did provide material support to Anwar Al-Awlaki
in response to his calls to support violent jihad," said
Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana J Boente.
Following the release of Mosul
from Islamic State (IS) by the Iraqi forces, External Affairs
Minister Sushma Swaraj, assured Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder
Singh that her Ministry was making all-out efforts to trace and
facilitate the return of the 39 Indians, mostly from Punjab, who
had been held hostage in Mosul since 2014.
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.
One Indian Army jawan (trooper),
identified as Moirangthem Herachandra Singh (37), was found shot
to death at Nachou Kwak Siphai in Bishnupur District. Unidentified
assailants killed the Army personal and dumped his body in a canal.
No militant group has claimed the responsibility of the killing
so far.
One civilian, identified as Ranjan
Das (42), was shot dead by some unidentified assailants at his
residence at Chhata Bekra village in Jiribam District. Investigation
is going on and no militant groups have claimed the responsibility
so far.
Police have discovered the existence
of a new militant group, named the NFFB - active in several areas
in the BTAD in the State. The development came to light after
Baksa Police arrested two cadres of the newly formed NFFB in the
Goreswar area of Baksa District on July 5. The arrested militants
demanded money from a person of the area and extortion note named
former members of the militant outfit NDFB-IKS - B Dwthingra and
B Dwansarang - as its ‘chairman’ and ‘general secretary’ respectively.
After investigation, Police revealed that NFFB was formed in June
this year (2017) and several former militants, breakaway faction
cadres of NDFB-IKS and even criminals from Nagaland were found
to be involved in the militant group.
Road and rail traffic was affected
in Tripura as the IPFT party leaders and supporters launched an
indefinite blockade for Twipraland statehood. The report says
that thousands of IPFT supporters blockaded Assam-Agartala National
Highway and railway track at Khamthingbari in West Tripura District
cutting the State off from the rest of the country.
A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter with the Police near Ranwahi village in Dhanora tehsil of
Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The encounter happened when
the Police had descended on the Ranwahi forest following an intelligence
input. “During the search operation, Maoists suddenly opened fire
on the police. The police retaliated. After a while the Maoists,
feeling the pressure, decamped. A woman Naxalite was found dead
on the spot from where the police have also recovered a rifle
and a lot of other material,” a press note issued by Gadchiroli
Police said. The identity of the Naxalite is
yet to be established.
Madhya Pradesh Police has issued
a high alert following fresh inputs on CPI-Maoist movement in
Balaghat and Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. "They are
moving between Kavardha and Motinalla area in Balaghat along Mandla
district," said Amit Sanghi, SP Balaghat. The CPI-Maoist
has recently carved out a new zone for its operations — Gadchiroli-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat
(GRB), straddling the border tri-junction of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh
and Madhya Pradesh. SFs in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
have already intensified operations. The old North Gadchiroli-Gondia-Balaghat
and Rajnandgaon (NGGBR) division has now been converted into GRB
zone/division and Maoists and are already surveying and recruiting
in this region, Police sources said. This information was revealed
by Waman Mandavi (19), a member of the cultural wing of CPI-Maoist,
who was arrested from Gondia District of Maharashtra in April.
|
July 11
|
A 32-year-old man, identified
as Shahjahan Velluva Kandy with suspected Islamic State (IS) links
has been arrested by the Delhi Police’s Special Cell from IGI
airport. Kandy, a resident of Kerala’s Kannur, was arrested after
the Indian intelligence agencies received an input from CIA on
June 30. Kandy was deported by Turkey police for travelling with
a fake passport. Sources said he was planning to enter Syria through
Turkey.
Investigations have revealed that
this was Kandy’s second attempt to go to Turkey. In February,
2017 he went to Turkey from Chennai, also with a fake passport.
He was deported after which he made another fake passport in the
name of Mohammed Ismail Mohideen from Chennai. However, his plan
was busted by the Turkish police. The Special Cell also found
hundreds of telegram IDs of IS sympathisers on Kandy’s mobile
phone. He was in touch with several IS sympathisers in India and
Syria through the Telegram application. The data from his
phone has been sent for verification.
Police confiscated INR 5,000 in
FICN from a youth identified as Chamkor Singh, in Sudhar Rajputan
village of Amritsar District. The counterfeit currency was in
the denomination of INR 500. The Amritsar rural Police was investigating
whether it was sneaked in from the Pakistan side or whether it
was generated with the help of a computer.
Konakalla Subrahmanyam alias
Omer, who was arrested recently by the Hyderabad SIT for having
links with Islamic State (IS) was allegedly influenced by reading
three books on Islam. In his confessional statement, the 24-year-old
Omer said he had met one Abdul Shukur, who worked in a madrasa
(Islamic Seminary) at Pedana in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh
and was gifted three books—‘Shrushtini Kaadu, Shrushti Kartanau
Poojinchu’, ‘O Manishi Nee Shrushti Kartanu Gurtinchu’ and ‘Life
History of Prophet Mohammed and Laailaahailla-Illaihu Mahummadur
- Rasoolu-Illah’—which influenced him to convert to Islam.
“I attended prayers at Tabligh
Jamath Masjid in Machilipatnam. Later, I attended Tablig Jamat
at Siddipur in Gujarat where I met one Mohammed Shafi of Hyderabad.
I underwent training in rituals at Darul-ul- Uloom madrasa for
nine months at Khali village near Siddipur,” he told investigators
during his five-day-long questioning.
Omer also allegedly assisted Srinagar
youth in collecting funds in Hyderabad. In May, Mohammed Amir
of Islamic Global School of Srinagar told him that they wanted
to visit Hyderabad to collect donations for his school. “Amir
advised me to listen to the speeches and bayaans of prominent
religious scholars such as Zakir Naik, Fayaz Syed, Abu Zahid Iamir,
Qarie Shoib Ahmed, Mufti Menk, Arshad Bashir Madani, Mohammed
Ali Mirza that are available on social networking sites. I followed
his instructions. I worked for Islamic State Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
through social netwokring by motivating the youth and discussing
atrocities on Muslims in India,” Omer said in his confessional
statement.
India has provided financial assistance
of USD 500,000 to the Philippines as it battles Islamic State
(IS)-affiliated terror groups in the city of Marawi, 800km south
of Manila, in the troubled Mindanao province. The aid follows
a conversation between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
and Philippines' Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on July
6. A statement by the Indian Embassy in Manila says Swaraj expressed
"sympathies and condolences for the tragic loss of life in
Marawi city."
India and Myanmar discussed ways
to check cross border movement of militants, and smuggling of
arms, ammunition and drugs along their 1,643-km frontier. The
21st India-Myanmar national-level meeting also discussed how to
plug loopholes in a pact that allows free movement of citizens
of both countries within 16 km of the international border. The
issues were discussed threadbare at the two-day meeting held at
Nay Pyi Taw on July 5-6 and both sides agreed to enhance security
cooperation along the frontier region for better management of
the border, a home ministry official said.
The Mangalhat Police arrested
one person, identified as Pashwan, a native of Bihar, along with
14 FICNs of INR 500 denomination from Mangalhat in Hyderabad (Telangana).
According to the Police, Pashwan was working for a catering service
owned by one Digambar Rao for the last seven years. Efforts are
on to trace the source of the notes, Police said.
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.
Police, in a search operation,
arrested one militant of KCP-N, identified as ‘lance corporal’
Hidam Aboy alias Atappa (24), at Sawombung forest gate
under Lamlai Police Station in Imphal East District.
In a statement, the ULFA-I alleged
that the NEEPCO had caused the problem of flood in North Lakhimpur
by releasing water of Ranganadi Hydel Project, and threatened
the organisation to pay ‘adequate compensation’ to the affected
people.
In an operation, Police recovered
FICN of worth INR 340,000 and arrested three persons in this connection,
identified as Jitumani Das, Chittaranjan Kalita, and Parameswar
Kalita, from Saderi Nityananda under Patacharkuchi Police Station
in Barpeta District.
A fake voter identity cards racket
was busted in a joint operation by Police and BSF in Dhubri District.
Two persons, identified as Sayed Ali (22) and Sahijul Haque, allegedly
involved in the racket were arrested by Police and materials including
laptop, printer and papers were also recovered from their possession.
The IPFT sought Governor Tathagata
Roy’s intervention to find a long lasting solution of the problems
of the indigenous people living in the State. IPFT ‘general secretary’
Mevar Kumar Jamataia accompanied by Buddu Debbarma called upon
the Governor in Raj Bhavan and submitted a two-page memorandum
before him. In the memorandum, IPFT general secretary Maver Kumar
Jamatia said the party had submitted a memorandum to the Prime
Minister pressing for creation of Twipraland. On the other hand,
National Highway and railway blockade of IPFT entered second day
on July 11 with no untoward incident.
CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian,
identified as Ghasiyaram Salaam (60), in Khadka village under
Bhanupratppur Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
Preliminary probe revealed that before killing him, they accused
him of being a ‘police informer’, Police said.
Maoists set ablaze at least 18
vehicles and machines engaged in mining work in Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh. However, no one was injured in the incident.
A group of armed Maoists stormed into the Barbaspur iron ore mining
site under the limits of Korar Police Station and after threatening
the labourers, they set ablaze 18 vehicles and machines engaged
in mining work. After setting the vehicles on fire, the Maoists
fled into the forest, Police said, adding that the Maoists are
reportedly opposing iron ore mining in the area.
Giridih Police arrested a CPI-Maoist
cadre during a joint operation of the District Police and the
CRPF within Khukhara Police Station limits in Giridih District
of Jharkhand. SDPO, Giridih Manish Toppo, has identified the Maoist
as Nirmal Mandal alias Horil, who is active member of CPI-Maoist
in Parashnath areas. One mobile, one laptop, and INR 200,000 cash
were seized from his possession. According to reports, Nirmal
was allegedly in involved many dreadful incidents. In the past
two or three years, Police said, Nirmal was working with other
others rebels, and at present, he had been recruiting youths in
the Parashnath areas into his organization.
Suspected PLFI militants set ablaze
two vehicles at a crusher unit in Ormanjhi in Ranchi District
of Jharkhand. Posters ordering the closure of illegal crusher
units, proper pay to labourers and prohibiting the employment
of women labourers at night were found at the spot. PLFI is a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
|
July 12
|
India was relying heavily on its
contacts from Turkey and Palestine in Mosul (Iraq), besides other
neighbouring countries to locate 39 Indian construction workers
abducted by Islamic State (IS) militants in Mosul in 2014. Indian
officials responded that “It’s difficult, but don’t forget that
we have always been led by hope”, when asked about the India’s
chances of locating Indian construction workers. Nevertheless,
the MEA said that until there is any information to the contrary,
it will continue to work under the assumption that the captives
are still alive.
Getting credible information on
the labourers has been a daunting task, said an official familiar
with the developments. “The first task was to find local contacts,
and that became all the more difficult once the Islamic State
took over Mosul completely,” he added. External Affairs Minister
Sushma Swaraj discussed the matter with her Turkish counterpart,
Mevlut Cavusoglu, on two occasions after the kidnapping. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi also brought it up during interactions
with Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish premier Tayyip
Erdoğan.
A high security alert has been
issued at airports, as the Indian youth including Keralites who
joined Islamic State (IS) may return after the IS continues to
lose grip over Iraq. The NIA has launched an extensive investigation
on ‘IS recruit’ after a man from Kannur (Kerala) arrested in New
Delhi with suspected IS links on July 11. There are reports that
IS-joined Indian youth may use forged documents to return the
country. The NIA has directed the Immigration departments at airports
across the country to remain on high alert. The NIA had already
sent the list of those who left the country to join IS. The list
includes 183 youth from Kerala in which 95 are in Namgarhar in
Afghanistan and rest are suspected to be at Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Among the Keralites in the list,
88 are from Kasragod, 33 from Kannur, 28 from Malappuram, 19 from
Kozhikode, six from Kollam and five from Palakkad. The NIA has
revised the list including those who went missing after reaching
Gulf countries. Following NIA warning, the IB has issued a ‘Red-corner
notice’ to the immigration departments at the airports across
the country. Besides, Indian embassies in Turkey, Saudi Arabia,
Iran and UAE have been told to remain on high alert while issuing
documents especially to those who lost passports. It must be noted
that Subahani Haji of Thodupuzha in Idukki District in Kerala,
had returned from Syria in 2015 and worked as IS agent till he
was arrested in 2016 by NIA.
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.
In a statement, the militant group-
UTLA, claimed the responsibility of killing one civilian named
Ranjan Das (45) in Jiribam District on July 10. In the statement
UTLA alleged the person as an informer of AR.
In a statement, the UNC alleged
that "a party engaged in the tripartite talks is intentionally
trying to sabotage the ongoing dialogue on district creation issue"
and informed the Naga people in Manipur “to remain alert to face
any eventuality”.
The NIA arrested one Rabichand
Siaram from Uripok in Imphal West District, in a case related
to the killing of former ‘chairman’ of the PREPAK militant. According
to the NIA official, accused Rabichand Siaram was arrested for
his alleged involvement in carrying and delivering arms to the
accused who allegedly killed Ningombam Sanjit Singh, ‘ex-chairman’
of PREPAK and his driver Leishangthem Sanjit Singh on the intervening
night of June 21 and 22, 2016 at Manipur Rifles, Khabeisoi. The
official said that during investigation, it was revealed that
one of the absconding accused, Urikhinbham Budhichandra, ‘publicity
secretary’ of PREPAK, had sent the weapons to the killers through
one unknown person.
The IPFT which has blockaded the
National Highway and the lone railway track in the State to push
its demand for a separate state has sought tri-partite talks with
the Union and State Governments over its demand. “We have sought
the Governor’s intervention and a tri-partite meeting between
us, the Centre and state governments to resolve the matter,” IPFT
President Narendra Chandra Debbarma said. Meanwhile, a group of
14 IPFT workers stood nude in front of the Champak Nagar Bridge,
gateway to the Barmura hill ranges, as part of the protest. However,
after the Police intervention, these protesters fled the spot.
GPRN during its ‘joint council
meeting’ of ‘steering committee’, ‘council’ of kilonsers
(Ministers) and ‘heads’ of ‘departments’ unanimously accepted
the merger of Karbi Anglong (Assam) based militant group NRHPF
with the NSCN-IM. In a press note, ‘ministry of kilo affairs’
GPRN, ‘secretary’ M. Daniel Lotha stated that 30 members led by
its ‘advisor’, Keyhang Rengma (Joseph) ‘chairman’ Logusheng Rengma
(Arhabe) ‘vice president’, Manong Rengma (Tennyson) and 50 cadres
led by ‘lieutenant colonel.’ Rilugu (Kainito) ‘commander-in-chief’
along with 45 arms and ammunition joined the NSCN/GPRN.
GPRN [civilian arm of NSCN-IM]
in its ‘joint council’ meeting of ‘steering committee’ and ‘council
of kilonsers (ministers)’ held unanimously reaffirmed to
uphold and defend the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement signed
between the NSCN and GoI as two entities.
Two women CPI-Maoist cadres were
killed during an anti-Naxal operation in Yengao forest area in
Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. A Police team conducting an
anti-Naxal operation in Yengao forest came under attack from the
Maoists and in the subsequent exchange of fire that followed,
two women Maoists were killed. Identity of the slain cadres was
yet to be established, Police said. Ration items, including rice
and oil, besides a cache of torches and batteries and large amount
of weapons were recovered from the site, Police added.
|
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.
Three IEDs were recovered below
an iron bridge at Chota Bekra area located along Jiribam-Tipaimukh
in Jiribam District. The IED bombs were found by personnel of
37 AR on ROP duty at around 7:30 am. The IEDs were later retrieved
and disposed of by bomb experts of 37 AR. Person/group behind
the planting of the IEDs is being ascertained.
SFs recovered FICN of INR 2,000
denomination amounting to over INR 1.8 million from the possession
of three Mizo women at Abdullapur in Hailakandi District. The
women, identified as Sanfantui Fanai, Giliani Fanai and Lalhakliana
have been sent to the Police custody.
Top Army officials are of the
view that though militancy is on the wane in the State, there
is need for identifying the areas where insurgency can erupt again.
Further, according to the officials the present location of the
Army deployment can also be reviewed considering the fact that
some areas of the State have become peaceful.
Both civil society organizations
and political parties based in Mizoram have submitted a memorandum
to PM Narendra Modi demanding a “separate administration for the
Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) in the present Manipur at the
same status as that of the Nagas be made outside the ambit of
the Manipur Government”. The memorandum also demanded that “a
process be initiated for fulfillment of the enduring desire of
the Zo people (Chin-Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) in the present Manipur to
be integrated under the same administration with their Zo brothers
of present Mizoram which is apparently being done in the case
of Nagas”. The memorandum was jointly submitted by CYMA, MUP,
MHIP, MZP, MSU, ZORO, BJP-Mizoram, MPCC, MNF, ZNP and MPC. In
the memorandum it was stated that the GoI must ensure that no
ancestral Zo territory be left behind under the Manipur Government
to be further “subjugated and marginalized”.
The State Government urged the
IPFT leadership to call off their indefinite NH and Railway Blockade
programme keeping in mind of people’s sufferings. “The state government
requested the IPFT leadership to call off the ongoing blockade
programme immediate as it has been disturbing the people”, according
to an official release issued by ICA. In the press release, the
State Government said that it has been strongly opposing Twipraland
demand for long time.
Assistant Constable Mankuram Kashyap
was injured in an IED blast triggered by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist
in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place
in Kilam-Kudur forest under the Mardapal Police Station limits.
A Police team which was out on an anti-Naxal operation came under
fire inside the core area of the forest at Ranapal. After the
exchange of fire between the two sides stopped, the Naxals had
triggered the IED blast near Kudur as the SFs were leaving the
area, in which Kashyap sustained injuries.
SFs of Odisha will intensify combing
operations to arrest elusive CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Akkiraju Haragopal
aka Ramakrishna aka RK. Ramakrishna, who heads the AOBSZC of the
Maoists, is believed to be injured in a gunfight with a joint
team of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Police in Malkangiri on October
24, 2016. "He may try to move out of his hideout, taking
advantage of rains. This is the chance to catch him," Koraput
SDPO, Jagannath Rao said. In Odisha, Koraput and Malkangiri Districts
have been the main theatres of his activities. "He is cunning
as a fox and a master strategist. If we take him out, it will
be a body blow to the Maoist movement," said a Police officer.
Ramakrishna's grip over the Maoists active in Odisha became firmer
following the arrest of top Odia Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda
from Berhampur in July 2014.
Madurai-based advocate A. Murugan
(39), accused of assisting the cadres of the CPI-Maoist have moved
to Madras High Court Bench to seek bail in Madurai District of
Tamil Nadu. A. Murugan is in judicial custody since January 8,
2017, in a case booked against him by ‘Q’ branch CID on charges
of serving as a messenger to a group of CPI-Maoist cadres.
|
July 14
|
The officials of City Task Force
arrested one person, identified as Mohammed Sayyed and seized
FICN in denominations of INR 2,000 notes with a face value of
INR 408,000 from him at the railway station in Visakhapatnam.
Ali was involved in chain snatchings in and around Saidabad Police
Station under Ranga Reddy District of Telangana and was also accused
in abetment of a murder case in which a former CPI-Maoist Kondapuri
Ramalu was killed under Chaitanyapuri Police Station under Cyberabad,
the Joint Commissioner of Police D Nagendra Kumar said.
Britain’s approach to working
with India on the terrorism challenges faced by both countries
has long been “rock solid” and continued to remain so, British
High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith said. “There has
been close collaboration all the way through…we know India suffers
massively and we are as strong collaborating with India on fighting
it as we ever were,” said Asquith.
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.
India has yet again underscored
the need to flush out the Northeast-based militants operating
from Myanmar. Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services,
Senior General U Min Aung Hliang is currently touring India and
he called on PM Narendra Modi and several other ministers in New
Delhi. He also called on Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, besides
Army chief General Vipin Rawat. According to official sources,
the visiting Senior General briefed the PM about bilateral defence
and security cooperation. The Prime Minister appreciated the close
cooperation between the armed forces of India and Myanmar.
President of the IPFT Narendra
Chandra Debbarma rejected the appeal of Tripura Government to
withdraw the ongoing rail and road blockade imposed by IPFT that
enters its fifth day. Reiterating its stand in opposing the demand
for a separate State and the rail and road blocked movement as
unjustified the State Government has urged the IPFT leaders to
refrain themselves from the agitation that is causing grave problems
to people.
The Supreme Court directed the
CBI to probe 98 cases of extra-judicial killings in Manipur by
State Police and SFs and fixed a deadline of December 31 for registering
the FIRs, completion of investigation and filing of charge sheets
in appropriate cases. The apex court passed the direction saying
no member of the Manipur Police shall be part of the SIT to be
constituted by the CBI for the probe as the allegations are mostly
against the local Police and in most cases FIRs were lodged against
the deceased instead of the accused Police/security personnel.
"We are of the opinion that it would be appropriate if the
CBI is required to look into these fake encounters or use of excessive
or retaliatory force. Accordingly, the director of the CBI is
directed to nominate a group of five officers to go through the
records of the cases mentioned in three tables, lodge necessary
FIRs and complete the investigations into the same by December
31, 2017, and prepare charge sheets, wherever necessary,"
a bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and U.U. Lalit said.
CPI-Maoist cadres abducted three
members of a family, suspecting them to be ‘police informers’,
and subsequently killed them in Jamui District of Bihar. A group
of Maoists descended on the house of Shiv Koda at Tari village
in the early hours of Friday and held three members of the family
hostage at gunpoint. Thereafter, they took them to the nearby
Kukarjhap dam near Barhat and killed them. The Police identified
the deceased as Shiv Koda, Bajrangi Koda and Meena Devi. The bodies
bore multiple injuries which suggested that the killers had used
heavy stones and blunt objects to kill them. Jamui SP, Jayant
Kant said, “We found the bodies near Kukurjhap dam near Barhat.
A red slip found at the spot claimed responsibility for the killings,”
he said adding that the Police had started combing operations
in the Maoist-hit area.
Tamil Nadu Police arrested Valarmathi,
a second-year journalism student, under the Goondas Act for taking
part in the region's oil pipeline protests at Kathiramangalam
in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Police termed
her a CPI-Maoist sympathiser. The village has been rocked by continuing
protests over an ONGC oil pipeline. Protests first broke out on
June 30, 2017 after villagers noticed viscous substance leaking
out from an ONGC pipeline in the area.
|
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.
The NIA filed a charge-sheet before
the special NIA court, Guwahati in connection with a case registered
in 2013 against self-styled ‘chairman’ of ULFA-I Abhijit Asom
alias Dr Abhijit Barman alias Dr Mukul Hazarika,
`c-in-c’ of the outfit Paresh Baruah and one arrested cadre, Joydeep
Cheleng alias Gagan Hazarika accusing them of waging war
against India. The NIA chargesheet against Hazarika has formally
confirms that he leads the banned outfit. Hazarika, who hails
from Samaguri in Nagoan District in central Assam, is currently
settled in London. Hazarika was identified by one of his bodyguards,
Joydeep, who is under arrest. The NIA chargesheet against Hazarika
has paved the way for Government of India to seek his extradition
from UK.
The BGB has denied the presence
of North East-based militant camps in the country. Addressing
a press conference in Shillong after the culmination of the talks
with the BSF officials, BGB Additional Director General (North
East region) Mohammad Zahid Hasan said Bangladesh has zero tolerance
towards anti-social elements and the country’s leadership maintains
a tough stand against insurgent groups. “These (presence of insurgent
camps) are mere perceptions… We will firmly act if there is any,”
Zahid said. BSF had raised the issue of presence of outfits like
GNLA, ULFA-I and HNLC in Bangladesh territory and sought stringent
action against them. Earlier, IG of BSF (Meghalaya frontier) PK
Dubey reiterated that there are no regulated militant camps in
Bangladesh which existed 10-15 years back and there is coordinated
action between the border sentinels of the two countries.
The ED has initiated the process
to attach properties of two top CPI-Maoist leaders following a
letter received from Bihar Police in this regard. Sources said
the ED has initiated action against Pradyuman Sharma and Sandeep
Yadav, who are most wanted in Bihar and Jharkhand. Sandeep carries
INR 500,000 reward on his head in Bihar and INR 2.5 million in
Jharkhand. The Bihar Government has announced INR 50,000 on Pradyuman
while he carries a reward of INR 500,000 in Jharkhand. IG (operation)
Kundan Krishnan said four more Maoist leaders are on the list
of those whose property details have been collected to be sent
to the ED for attachment very soon while work was on against several
other leaders. “Most of these properties were in the name of their
relatives. This proves that the Maoists are not revolutionaries
but like other criminals who lead a lavish life with money extorted
from businessmen and villagers,” Krishnan said.
Three lower rung cadres of the
CPI-Maoist were arrested from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
The cadres were arrested from a forest near Potenar village when
a team of local Police was out on an area domination operation,
Bijapur ASP, Mohit Garg said. The arrested cadres were identified
as Motilal Mandavi (25), Paklu Beko (45) and Moti Beko (25). The
three Maoists were allegedly involved in setting ablaze a bus
in 2015 near Bardela village of Bijapur after asking its passengers
to alight. They were also allegedly involved in attacks on Police
party and other Naxal incidents, Garg said. Mandavi
was a member of CNM, the cultural outfit of the Maoists, he said.
Paklu Beko was a member of the Janatana Sarkar group
of the Maoists, while Moti Beko was a militia member, the ASP
said.
An ‘area commander’ of the TPC,
Chetan Yadav, was arrested from Gurug village under Latehar Police
Station in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Yadav is wanted in more
than a dozen cases of Naxal violence. TPC is
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
To counter social evils and to
aware the public in Naxal-affected Mirzapur District
of the State, Uttar Pradesh Police is promoting women gang like
Bundelkhand’s Gulabi (Pink) gang. SP in Mirzapur, Ashish Tewari
told reporters that they have started a unique experiment in Naxal-affected
areas. Police is promoting women’s Gulabi gang like it was active
in Bundelkhand. Members of Gulabi gang will lead awareness programme
against social evils and blind faiths of society. There are Naxal affected
107 village in Mirzapur and Police is promoting Gulabi gang in
these villages. The Gulabi gang will have at least 10 women member
initially. Also, the members of Gulabi gang will get training
and gears from local Police. He said these members of the gang
will also work as informer for Police. Government can provide
some funds for these gangs which will help them to be self-reliant.
|
July 16
|
The government gave families of
39 Indian abducted in Iraq a new lease of hope by saying that
Indians who were abducted by IS (Islamic State) may be alive and
lodged in jail in Badush in north-west Mosul. While most of the
Mosul is liberated from the IS, Badush jail is still under IS
control. The government said this on the basis of the intelligence
inputs received from Iraqi intelligence. Minister of External
Affairs, Sushma Swaraj said that Iraq minister for foreign affairs
is visiting in on July 24 and is expected to arrive with more
and good news about the Indians. Briefing the members of the family
from the abducted, most of who hail from Punjab this information
was collected by the minister of state for external affairs, VK
Singh after he went to Erbil in Kurdish controlled northern Iraq-
the nearest city to Mosul. Singh also held many meetings with
Iraqi officials.
Hundreds of crores of rupees of
FICN especially of INR 2,000 denomination printed by notorious
gangs of neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Pakistan are
flooding Malda District in West Bengal for illegal circulation
in the country and disrupting nation’s economy. DRI and IB officials
have alerted the Hyderabad Police to be vigilant in preventing
the circulation of such fake currency by providing proper leads
about the gang members indulging in the offence. “For the first
time after demonetisation, we have received specific information
from Central agencies about these gangs who have brought huge
quantities of fake currency of Rs 2,000 denomination to the city
and being circulated at selected congested business localities.
Following the tip off, our teams have kept a close vigil and arrested
three persons and recovered fake currency worth Rs 1.90 lakh from
them,” DCP, Task Force, B Limba Reddy said.
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.
IPFT has continued to impose the
ongoing rail and road blockade, which has entered into its eighth
day. CM Manik Sarkar on July 16, 2017 appealed to Union Minister
of Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh to intervene in the matter.
Residents of four villages in
Jamui District have taken shelter on the premises of Barhat Police
Station, fearing threat to their lives from the CPI-Maoist cadres. The
SHO of Barhat Police Station Amit Kumar told reporters that Police
is trying to instill confidence among the villagers to go back
to their respective houses. The SHO added that CPI-Maoist cadres
have lost their domain in the region. That is why they carried
out the incident on July 14, 2017 killing three members of family
suspecting them to be ‘police informers’. Sources in the Police
headquarters said requisition for the deployment of 12 additional
companies of the CRPF in Bihar have been made to UMHA. At present,
29 companies of the central force are engaged in anti-Naxal operations
in the State.
UMHA has asked CRPF (Bihar Sector)
to submit a fact-finding inquiry report for the feasibility and
use of the two additional battalions in the State. At present,
three battalions of SSB and five regular and two CoBRA battalions
of CRPF are deployed in Bihar.
Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati
will distribute around 10 lakh DTH set-top boxes free in Naxal-affected
areas of the country. The purpose is to reach out to people in
the “media dark” region, which is affected by Naxals.
Addressing an event in Raipur District of Chhattisgarh, I &
B Venkaiah Naidu said that such an initiative would enable people
in remote and tribal areas of Naxal-affected States
to connect with various development schemes of the Central Government.
Tribal youths are lured by the
cadres of the CPI-Maoist as the State Government has failed to
address the problem of poverty, said tribal leader from Bargarh
District, Pramod Kumar Jhankar, in Koraput District of Odisha.
Speaking at the State-level tribal community leaders’ meeting
organised jointly by OAKM and NBHOA on Tribal Museum premises
in Koraput, he said the rural youths must be weaned away from
the Maoists. The Maoists create hurdles in implementation of different
welfare schemes, he said. Chief Secretary of OAKM Niranjan Bisahi
said while the State Government claims that about 20,000 posts
meant for tribals are lying vacant, steps must be taken to educate
and provide proper training to the tribal youths. During the meeting,
it was decided to form an AOABSS to take up tribal issues. The
forum would launch agitations across the State, informed Bharat
Bhusan, convener of NBHOA.
Two militants including one from
the NSCN-K and one from NSCN-R were arrested by AR during two
separate search operations. In the first incident, a militant
of NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant’ Tonpha Pansa, was arrested
from Wakka village in Tirap District. A pistol and live ammunition
of various weapons were also recovered from the militant. In the
second incident, a linkman of NSCN-R, identified as Wangwa Hathum,
from Jairampur Town in Tirap District.
Two militants including one from
the NSCN-K and one from NSCN-R were arrested by AR during two
separate search operations. In the first incident, a militant
of NSCN-K, identified as ‘sergeant’ Tonpha Pansa, was arrested
from Wakka village in Tirap District. A pistol and live ammunition
of various weapons were also recovered from the militant. In the
second incident, a linkman of NSCN-R, identified as Wangwa Hathum,
from Jairampur Town in Tirap District.
|
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.
A suspected LeT operative, identified
as Salim Mohammad Khan alias Abu Amaar believed to be involved
in an attack on a CRPF camp in Uttar Pradesh in 2008, was arrested
by Maharashtra ATS from the international airport in Mumbai, after
he was deported from the UAE. Counter-terrorism officials said
Khan, who was trained in the PoK, was the “mastermind” of the
fidayeen (suicide) attack on a CRPF Group Centre in Rampur
that left eight soldiers dead and wounded five. Khan is accused
of sourcing AK-47s used in the attack from Kashmir and storing
them in his house in Fatehpur.
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.
Four civilians and one AR personnel
were injured when a powerful IED exploded at Khurai Ahongei in
Imphal East District. The four injured civilians have been identified
as Wangkheimayum Ibomcha Singh (50), Rk Amushang Meitei (43),
Mohammad Ahmed khan (43) and Mohammad Sahid Khan (35). The injured
AR personal was identified as F.L. Willington Kom.
Police arrested one militant of
KCP-N, identified as Kshetrimayum Gopal, from Moreh forest gate
in Tengnoupal District.
The SC issued notice to GNLA ‘chairman’
Champion Sangma over a bail application moved by his counsel for
the pending Pynursla case. SC lawyer and counsel for the State
Government Ranjan Mukherjee said informed that more than 22 cases
are pending against Champion out of which he is yet to secure
bail in four cases.
|
July 18
|
The passport of Zakir Naik, wanted
in connection with alleged terror funding cases, was revoked at
the request of the NIA. The officials of the probe agency
said the travel document was revoked by the Regional Passport
Office of Mumbai after Naik failed to respond to a showcause notice
issued to him for personal appearance by July 13.
FICN totalling INR 11.23 Crore
has been detected since demonetisation, Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley said. Data available from the NCRB indicates that 1.58
lakh notes of fake currency, having a face value of Rs. 11.23
crore, have been detected in 29 states post demonetisation until
July 14, Jaitley said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
A mobile app has been launched by RBI, which allows the users
to see the features of (New) Series INR 500 and 2,000 notes to
check their authenticity. The Minister also said that bank notes
with writing on them are treated as soiled notes and can be deposited
in bank accounts or exchanged at any bank branch.
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.
The Central Government would consider
dialogue with the CPI-Maoist if they renounce violence, says Minister
of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in Lok Sabha.
Minister Ahir said, “The Central Government will consider engaging
in dialogue with the Left Wing Extremists only if they renounce
violence and express faith in the democratic process and Constitution
of India.” Ahir added that, "The rehabilitation package inter-alia
includes an immediate grant of INR 250,000 for higher ranked CPI-Maoist
cadres and INR 150,000 lakh for middle or lower rank cadre surrenderees
to be kept in their name as fixed deposit which may be withdrawn
after completion of three years subject to good behaviour."
SFs arrested two militants of
NFFB near the Guwahati Railway Station in Kamrup (metro) District.
The two cadres were identified as Jona Basumatary (35) and Deepak
Choudhury (40).
State Government has urged the
Union Government to involve the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers
in completing the remaining fence work on the Assam-Bangladesh
border. In a memo to the UMHA, the State Government has requested
that the Corps of Engineers be used not only in finishing the
remaining border fencing work, but also involve the agency’s expertise
in repair of the fence damaged by erosion, floods, etc.
The NSCN-K said that no settlement
can be termed as a “political settlement” without the broad and
transparent interactive participation of the Naga people. In apparent
reference to the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN-IM
and the GoI, the NSCN-K said that the Nagas must be very cautious
to commit to any process that does not consider transparency and
accountability of the deliberated issues and contemplated settlement
as paramount.
Over the issue of the National
Highway and railway blockade by IPFT, State’s Governor Tathagata
Roy said that he would take up the issue with the Central Government
of India and the State Government to find a solution to the eight-day
old standoff. On the other hand, Union Minister of State Kiren
Rijiju denied meeting the representatives of agitating activists
of IPFT. Reiterating the same stand of BJP Tripura state committee,
Union Home Ministry has made it clear that they would not meet
anybody unless the blockade is withdrawn without any pre condition
and restore normalcy in the state.
|
July 19
|
The prosecution filed draft charges
against Anees Ansari who, according to Maharashtra ATS, is an
Islamic State sympathiser allegedly trying to attack US establishments
in the country, including a school in Bandra (Mumbai Suburban
District). The prosecution also charged him with the offense of
influencing others to join the Islamic State (ISIS) ideology and
spread terror. The draft charges read, "Between August 2,
2011 to October 18, 2014, Anees had created a fake account on
a social networking site and initiated chatting with people. He
had downloaded incriminating data by misusing the computer devices
and internet connection of his office dishonestly and fraudulently
without taking appropriate permission from the officer in charge
of the office premises."
At least 12 to 15 Indians recently
fought alongside the Islamic State (IS) against Iraqi SFs, Iraqi
envoy to India Fakhri H. Al Issa said on the occasion of the commemoration
of the victory of the Iraqi forces against the IS in the city
of Mosul. Some of the Indians who fought in Iraq might have returned
home. “We know that at least 12 to 15 Indians were among the large
number of foreign fighters who fought against our security forces
during the ongoing operations in Iraq. Foreign fighters came from
different parts of the world, including China, Japan, North and
East Africa to fight in Iraq. We do not know what really happened
subsequently to the Indians, but our information is that that
(sic) is the total number of Indians in IS,” said Al Issa at the
Embassy of Iraq in New Delhi. Foreign fighters often were killed
and many managed to escape. “We feel that some of the Indian fighters
might have escaped and returned home in the way many foreign fighters
returned home in Europe,” he said.
Al-Issa said that despite the
military victory of the Iraqi forces in Mosul, pockets of resistance
still remain to be conquered and indicated that Iraq has no concrete
idea about what happened to the 39 Indians who were kidnapped
by the IS in Mosul in 2014. We really have no information about
what really happened to them. The border between Iraq and Syria
was open for long and it is possible that the captives might have
been transferred to IS controlled areas in Syria,” he said, explaining
that India should also consider conducting forensic tests of the
mass graves that have been discovered in different parts of Iraq
where the IS had dumped bodies of their victims.
The Maharashtra ATS submitted
draft charges against suspected IS (Islamic State)-sympathiser
Anees Shakil Ahmed Ansari. The ATS has sought to try Ansari, an
engineer arrested for allegedly conspiring to blow up a Mumbai
school, on additional charges of cyber terrorism and criminal
conspiracy. In its draft charges, the ATS has submitted that Ansari
should be booked under Sections 43 (a) (penalty and compensation
for damage to computer and computer system), 66F (punishment for
cyber terrorism) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and under
Section 115 (abetment of offence punishable with death or life
imprisonment) read with section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of
the IPC.
India has welcomed US action listing
Pakistan among the nations and regions providing “safe havens”
to terrorists, saying US State Department’s Country Report on
Terrorism vindicated India’s long-held view that Pakistan was
providing safe havens for terrorists on its soil. “The segments
in the South And Central Asia section in the US State Department’s
Country reports on Terrorism in 2016 vindicate India’s long standing
position on the menace of cross border terrorism in our region,”
a person familiar with the development said.
The US State Department’s Country
Report said that terror groups like the LeT and the JeM continued
to operate, train, organise and raise resources inside Pakistan
in 2016. The report uses words like “safe havens” used in previous
reports but it does boost India’s diplomatic claims that Pakistan
is turning a blind eye to terror groups based on its soil that
are targeting India.
India has lodged a strong protest
with the US over the state department's "Country Report on
Terrorism 2016", released, 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 external affairs ministry stated,
"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."
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.
Ranchi Police foiled a major PLFI
offensive by arresting four cadres and recovering arms at Jara
Toli under Ormanjhi Police Station area in Ranchi District of
Jharkhand. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
SFs recovered about 600 rounds
of ammunition and few grenades during an anti-Naxal operation
in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The operation was jointly carried
out by a squad of the 134th battalion of the CRPF and Palamu Police
in Salaia forest area of the District where troops busted a suspected Maoist hideout.
SFs recovered 599 bullet rounds of various calibres, five hand
grenades and 127 grenade base plugs from the site.
Security Forces arrested four
cadres of a fledgling militant outfit,
Sangjuta Sadhin
Asamiya Sainya
(United Independent Assam Army), were
in Baksa District. The four, identified as Hitesh Kalita, (35),
Mintu Singha, (37), Hitesh Bezbaruah (40) and Munindra Patowary
(33), were arrested from Chenigaon village, about 85km from here.
SFs detained one KCP-Noyon militant,
identified as ‘lance corporal’ Hidam Aboy alias Atappa
(24), Sawombung forest gate area.
SFs during cordon and search operation
arrested two active cadres of UNLF identified as Konthoujam Jayenta alias Ngaiba
(23) and Sagolsem Momo alias Luwangjao alias Suresh
(21) from Lamlai bazaar area under Lamlai Police Station.
The tripartite talks on District
creation issue involving the UNC, the State Government and the
Union Government will be held on July 22 at Senapati district
headquarters. On December 8, 2016, the previous Government had
created seven new Districts out of the then existing nine Districts
which also includes the Naga dominated Districts.UNC, apex body
of Naga tribes in the State, is opposed to the division of ‘Naga
areas’ and wants it to be reversed.
The State Government has decided
to suggest the Indian Railway authorities to put the railway project
on hold to dispel all kinds of mistrust and misgiving before resumption
of work. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the 13-Non-
NGOs, the CM Mukul Sangma said, “We will be indicating to the
railways to hold on the work and resume as soon as comprehensive
measures are put in place which will be very soon.”
Taking a serious note over the
ongoing blockade of National Highway and Rail track, the State
Government has ask the IPFT leadership to clear road by 9 AM on
July 20.
|
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres have succeeded
in distributing pamphlets on ‘martyrs’ memorial week’ celebrations
to be conducted from July 28 to August 3. Hundreds of pamphlets
have been found in the Tadwai and Pasra forest area in Kamareddy
District of Telangana. The leaflets were found scattered on NH
153 at Tadwai mandal headquarters in the name
of TSC of CPI-Maoist. The party called upon the public in the
villages to observe the ‘martyrs’ memorial week’ and pay homage
to the martyrs. The Maoists accused the State and Central Governments
of resorting to anti-people policies while protecting the interests
of corporate and multi-national forces as part of globalisation
policy. Both the Governments were spending huge amounts on strengthening
Police wing aimed making it powerful to fight against the forces
that were questioning their misdeeds.
The AASU told the H S Brahma Committee
that Dispur should prepare a new land law, ensuring that land
rights in the state are given only to "the people who have
been living in Assam before 1951". The State Government had
formed the Committee on Protection of Land Rights of Indigenous
People, with former Chief Election Commissioner Hari Sankar Brahma
as its chairman, on February 6, 2017 to suggest measures, including
modification in the Assam Land & Revenue (Regulation), 1886,
other land laws, government policy and land policy for ensuring
protection of land rights of indigenous people in the State.
ULFA-I ‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh
Baruah aka Paresh Asom issued ultimatum to the Central Public
Sector Undertaking , NEEPCO to either rehabilitate the flood affected
population of Lakhimpur District or face dire consequences. Baruah
last week had asked the PSU to rehabilitate the affected people
after which NEEPCO said that the unprecedented flood in Lakhimpur
district is not due to release of water from Ranganadi but due
to incessant rain in Arunachal Pradesh. In the current wave of
flood, 11 persons have lost their lives in Lakhimpur District.
State Government has told the
UMHA that it will not recommend withdrawal of the AFSPA of 1958
from a few areas, at least till August 31, because of the possibility
of subversive activities by the ULFA-I.
Easy availability of FICN in Assam
and Mizoram has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies
in New Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with
a face value totaling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in
Assam in the last six months alone. “It’s really shocking that
within such a short time – from January till June this year –
fake notes worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam,” said a senior
MHA official. Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized
in Mizoram. The highest amount of fake currency has been seized
in Delhi during the same period.
Easy availability of FICN in Assam
and Mizoram has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies
in New Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with
a face value totalling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in
Assam in the last six months alone. “It’s really shocking that
within such a short time – from January till June this year –
fake notes worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam,” said a senior
MHA official. Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized
in Mizoram. The highest amount of fake currency has been seized
in Delhi during the same period.
Easy availability of FICN in Assam
and Mizoram has set alarm bells ringing among the security agencies
in New Delhi. According to the UMHA statistics, fake notes with
a face value totalling INR 650,800 were seized and detected in
Assam in the last six months alone. “It’s really shocking that
within such a short time – from January till June this year –
fake notes worth INR 650,800 were seized in Assam,” said a senior
MHA official. Similarly, INR 5,501,500 fake currencies were seized
in Mizoram. The highest amount of fake currency has been seized
in Delhi during the same period.
The ten-day blockade of National
Highway and railway, the first time in the history of Tripura,
has been withdrawn on July 20 morning (at 9 am) following an ultimatum
served by the administration,. The blockade was called
by IPFT demanding the creation of a separate tribal State of Twipraland.
|
July 21
|
SOG of Ahmadabad Police registered
an offence against unidentified persons for depositing, during
the past three months, a total of 4,426 FICN in 10 different private
and nationalized banks. SOG officials said the fake notes deposited
include post-demonetization currency in the denominations of INR
500 and 2000 and pre-demonetization notes in the denominations
of INR 500, 1000, 100, 50, 20 and 10. "Every three months,
on the complaint of banks, we register such offences in which
fake notes were deposited in banks," said ACP (SOG), BC Solanki.
However, what is significant is that though the time limit for
depositing demonetizing currency in banks expired in March 2017,
it is allowed only for those who were abroad during that period.
However, the old notes could be deposited only in branches of
RBI. It is noteworthy that though such cases are being registered
every three months with the SOG, not a single case has been cracked.
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.
Four cadres of the CPI-Maoist
were arrested with a large quantity of ammunition in an anti-Naxal
operation in Giridih District of Jharkhand. The arrested Maoists
were identified as Govind Manjhi, Tala, Kalicharan Turi and Girdhari
Mahato.
The Police and DVF discovered
huge cache of arms and ammunition of the CPI-Maoist from a forest
in Turekela in Balangir District of Odisha. SP, K Siva Subramani
said on a tip off an operation was launched in Maoist dominated
area. "The ammunition and other Maoist materials were found
at an old camp deserted by the Maoists. The ammunition was recovered,"
he said. The recovered items include two boxes stashed with explosives,
an empty explosive container, 62 gelatine sticks used in explosives,
five kilograms of urea, electric wire, two Maoist books, 18 syringes,
10 banners, two shawls, battery slips, salt and pants and trousers.
Notably, Turekela, Patnagarh and Khaprakhol block in the District
are known for Maoist menace.
NSCN-R has reportedly launched
an extortion drive in the tribal villages of Cachar and Dima Hasao
Districts. The letters have been delivered to the village headmen
of a number of villages in Joypur, Fulertal, Hmarkhawlien of Cachar
and Jinam valley areas of Dima Hasao. The outfit has demanded
a sum of INR 7 lakh from each of the village headman. In the letter
they have asked us to collect the money from villagers and hand
them over within two months', said a headman. We are helpless,
because the villagers are too poor to give the money. We are passing
sleepless nights', he said. Sources said the armed men have been
handing over the extortion notes since June.
CM N Biren Singh on July 21 stated
on the floor of the State Assembly that there are no 'authorised
noted' camp of NSCN-IM in Manipur even though there may be some
temporary camps. CM N Biren Singh made this statement in response
to a query raised by MLA Kh Joykisan during question hour today.
Joykisan asked whether the cease fire pact signed between the
Government of India and NSCN-IM has been extended to Manipur,
and if yes, how many noted camps of NSCN-IM are there in Manipur
.CM N Biren Singh who is also in charge of Home Department
stated that the ceasefire agreement.
Tripartite talks involving the
UNC, the Union and the State Government was scheduled to be held
on July 22 in Senapati district headquarters at the ‘political
level’ have been delayed. Talks are now likely to be held
early next month.
|
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.
SFs arrested two Maoists from
Peddapally village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Security
officials said arrested Naxals are wanted for attacking
Police forces and planting explosive across the District and they
belong to a local group affiliated with RPCs.
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said
there has been a considerable decline in Naxal activity
in the State and believes demonetisation has been a key factor
for this. "The Naxals are limited to a small area now. Demonetisation
has broken the backbone of the Maoists. We are also trying to
control them further," Singh said in an interview. Singh
said the people of Bastar region want peace and with integrated
development, the area will soon become peaceful. "Change
has been witnessed in the situation of the region. We have spent
Rs 3,000 crore for the construction of roads which will connect
the outskirts to the city," he said.
SFs, in a successful joint operation,
DHD-N former ‘commander of Umrangso region’ Mondesh Langthasa,
from village Dibarai in Dima Hasao District. On being interrogated,
Mondesh Langthasa admitted that he was involved in extortion in
Hathikali and Umrangso. He also revealed the name of another person,
Resley Langthasa alias Lambu, was also involved along
with him and Resley is in possession of one AK-47 rifle and ammunition
provided by Mondesh Langthasa. The two cases linked to the accused
are- five armed miscreants snatched INR 150, 000 in Hathikali
from Anil Das, manager of a saw mill on April 28, 2017. On May
10, 2017, five miscreants armed with one AK-47 looted INR 645,000
in 8 Kilo village of Umrangso from the staff of Ram Kamal Warisa
(owner) - Abdul Kalam and Sonu Pradhan.
Union MoS (Independent Charge)
for DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh said that after a long spell of disturbance
and disruptions, Manipur is finally back to peace and normalcy
and to a great extent, the credit goes to the out-reach approach
of the new government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh which
took over in March this year
The State Legislative Assembly
reaffirmed the resolution which states that prior consent of State
legislatures of affected State(s) should be obtained mandatorily
while forming new State and alteration of areas, boundaries or
names of existing States. The resolution was earlier adopted by
the House on August 31, 2015.
The proposed fifth round of peace
talks between the Mizoram Government and HPC-D, which was tentatively
scheduled to be held at the end of July is now likely to be deferred.
Mizoram State Home Department officials said that the next round
of peace parleys might need to be deferred as the Mizoram government
is yet to complete its “homework” for the proposed talks. The
next round of peace talks is likely to be held in August and is
believed to be the last official level talks after which the ongoing
parleys would be elevated to “political level”, the officials
further said.
|
July 23
|
The data, analysed by US state
department for the study of terrorism and responses to terrorism,
reveals India is third after Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of
terror attacks. Out of 11,072 terror attacks in 2016 worldwide,
India bore the brunt of 927, 16 per cent more than 2015 (798).
The number of deaths in India also rose 17 per cent from 289 in
2015 to 337 last year while the number of injured increased from
500 in 2015 to 636 last year.
US analysis has labeled Naxals
the third most deadly terror organisation in the world after IS
and Taliban, even ahead of Boko Haram. The CPI (Maoist) was behind
336 terror attacks last year in which 174 people were killed and
141 were injured. More than half of the terror attacks in India
in 2016 took place in four states - J&K, Chhattisgarh, Manipur
and Jharkhand. The geographical areas show that left-wing extremism
led by Maoists also contributed to terror incidents in parts of
east India. Jammu & Kashmir saw a surge of 93 per cent in
terror attacks last year, the data says. The Indian home ministry's
annual report 2016-17, however, reports a 54.81 per cent increase
in terror incidents in the state.
The US report said that "nearly
two third of terror attacks in India were carried by Naxals"
US says that compared to other countries that experienced most
terror attacks in 2016, the diversity of perpetrator groups was
much greater in India, with 52 active groups. There were 45 terror
groups listed by US in its 2015 report. The US has identified
334 groups and organisations behind terror attacks in 2016 worldwide,
while there were 288 such groups active in 2015.
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.
Jharkhand Police arrested a PLFI
cadre, Somnath Nag (28), from Goelkera in West Singhbhum District
of Jharkhand. West Singhbhum SP, Anish Gupta said a pistol, 10
cartridges, a bike and INR 7,500 cash were recovered from him.
PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Coming down heavily on Naxals across
the country, the UMHA has issued directives to all the Paramilitary
Forces and Security establishments to be more "vigilant"
and go "combative" while dealing with Naxals.
The Centre Government has also asked the SFs not to shun the multi-prone
approach like initiating development works in the Naxal-affected
areas and facilitating surrender of the Naxals. As
per the UMHA, till June 30 this year, 424 CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
before various laws enforcement agencies across the country. This
year, in Chhattisgarh, 298 Naxals surrendered,
followed by Jharkhand with 38 surrenders and Andhra Pradesh 35.
In West Bengal, 11 surrendered, in Telangana and Bihar 2 each,
in Odisha 27 and Maharashtra 7. According to the ministry report,
Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68.5 per cent
of the violent incidents and 69 per cent of deaths. Bihar followed
by Odisha and Maharashtra accounted for 12.3 per cent, 8.2 per
cent 6.9 per cent incidents.
Mangru Portet (48), an ‘area committee
member’ of Aheri Dalam of the CPI-Maoist, was
killed during an encounter with C-60 commandos in the forest of
Kopewancha near Rajaram Khanla village under Aheri taluka in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. A press release issued by the Gadchiroli
Police stated, during a heavy exchange of fire, the Police team
gunned down one Naxalite, identified as Mangru alias Ram
Chinna Portet, while others managed to flee the spot. A 12 bore
gun and some Naxal literature were also recovered
from the spot, said the release. Portet, engaged in the movement
for more than two decades, having more than 40 offences against
him, had a reward of INR 600,000 on his head. Portet was shifted
to Aheri a couple of years ago by the senior brass of rebels so
that he can strengthen the base of the party in his home taluka.
Gadchiroli DIG, Ankush Shinde said the Naxalites had
gathered at the forest between Rajaram Khanla and Damrancha to
hold a meeting. "It was their temporary camping site which
was raided by the C-60 commandos following concrete information.
We feel that more Naxalites could be injured during the exchange
of fire," DIG Shinde added.
The DIG of Police (Dantewada range)
of Chhattisgarh, Sundarraj P told reporters that IEDs planted
randomly in forests pose a big challenge in the counter-insurgency
operations. According to Police data, nearly 22 security personnel
sustained injuries in 31 IED blasts triggered by Naxals in
the first six months this year in Bastar range. SFs recovered
at least 170 IEDs of various natures (like pressure IEDs, pipe
bombs) in the same period from the region, which comprises seven
Districts - Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada,
Sukma and Bijapur.
A few hand written CPI-Maoist posters
were found put up on trees at Sindgilipadar, Bimalapadar, Barabandha,
Belgaon villages under M. Rampur Police Station in Kalahandi District
of Odisha. The posters in the name of Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh
(KKBN) division of CPI-Maoist urged the people to come forward
against Police forces. “Protest Police action against innocent
tribals and initiate a mass movement against the Police encounter
at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha,” the posters read. The Maoists also
asked the Police to withdraw their forces and camp set up forcefully
on the tribal land at Uraladhani in the District.
Police personnel arranged the
wedding of two surrendered Maoists with traditional festivities
in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The couples, Deba Madhi alias Raghu
and Soni Madkami alias Radha, were key members of
the Kalimela Dalam of the CPI-Maoist active in
Malkangiri District.
The Kolkata STF detained two CPI-Maoist
cadres near West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee's residence.
According to STF sources, the two claim that they are part of
the Purulia Maoist group and had come to surrender themselves
before the Chief Minister.
Karbi militant outfit UPLA lauded
KAAC CEM Tuliram Ronghang for his speech delivered during the
58th foundation day of KSA on July 21 where he raised the issue
of a separate State of Karbi Anglong.
A teenage girl, identified as
Nengneingah Khongsai (16), was shot dead by her alleged boyfriend
and KNA cadre, Sasat Haokip (21), at Gilgan village near Moreh
Gate Number 1, Tengnoupal District. Later, the accused was arrested
by the Police and a .9 mm pistol and three live rounds were also
recovered from him. KNA is the armed wing of KNO one of the principle
Kuki conglomerate signatories of SoO agreement.
|
July 24 |
The NIA which filed its chargesheet
in the terror on tracks case has said that the ISI roped in a
Nepalese national to carry out a blast in Bihar. In all NIA chargesheeted
nine persons including two Nepalese nationals in the case. On
October 2016, an attempt was made to blow up a railway track at
Bihar's Ghorasahan. Shamshul Hoda from Nepal was dialed by the
ISI. Hoda who has been providing manpower for the ISI roped in
men from Bihar to execute the blast. Hoda according to the NIA
chargesheet was acting on the instructions of an ISI agent, Mohammad
Shafi Sheikh.
In the recent times, Kerala has
fast emerged as a hot bed of terror-related activities with many
having close links with the Islamic State (IS). What is certainly
an alarming situation for the Indian security agencies, many residents
of Kerala are believed to have forged strong links with the IS.
Though the agency didn't confirm the number of IS recruits, it,
however, quoted the sources saying that suspects have gone to
Syria to join the dreaded terror outfit.
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.
Police unearthed a CPI-Maoist
dump consisting spare parts of rocket launcher from the forests
close to Ganepalle village near Ardhaveedu in Prakasam District
of Andhra Pradesh. SP, B. Satya Yesu Babu told that a special
Police team was combing the Nallamala forests when they chanced
upon milk cans which contained rocket launcher spare parts, hidden
probably during 2002 when the Maoists were active in the forests.
The Chintooru Police arrested
a supply team ‘commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Madivi Maasa alias Mahesh
(21) in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. Maasa
was working as a ‘supply team commander’ of CPI-Maoist’s SZCM
and DKSZCM battalion. Police claimed that Maasa was
involved in an attack on CRPF personnel in Burkapal area of Chhattisgarh
in which over 24 personnel were killed in April this year. The
Chhattisgarh Government had announced a reward of INR 500,000
on his head. Vital documents and Maoist literature too were recovered
from his possession, Police said. Maasa confessed that he
had joined Maoists in January 2016, and was presently residing
at Enkannagudem hamlet of Cherla Mandal in Bhadradri
Kothagudem District of Telangana. East Godavari SP, Vishal
Gunni said Maasa was trained in handling all sorts of
weapons and was a key figure in Maoist movement in Hiddumal Special
Zone. He was the ‘battalion commander’ of the Maoist Special Zone
Committee, SP, Gunni said.
A joint team of STF, CAF and District
Force arrested three cadres of the CPI-Maoist in two separate
incidents from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Acting
on specific inputs, the joint team had launched a search operation
towards Tamodi and Madpal villages under Mirtoor Police Station
limits, Police said. In first incident, when the patrolling team
reached near Tamodi village, a few Maoists triggered an IED blast
and attempted to flee from the spot. Of them, Pandru Kadti (36)
and Somru Potam (20) were arrested after a chase and wire and
a battery (used in detonating explosives) recovered from their
possession. In the second incident, a lower rung cadre Nuppo Budhra
(40) was arrested by a joint team of CRPF, CAF and District Force
from jungles of Galgam village under Usoor Police Station in the
District. Budhra was allegedly involved several Naxal incidents
— murder, attempt to murder, etc. — Police added.
A composite squad of DRG
and STF recovered a huge cache of explosives, including
13 grenade-headed arrows, from a CPI-Maoist hideout in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. While cordoning off the hill near
Khunduspara, two muzzle loading guns, eight country-made grenades,
grenade-headed arrows, 1,200 detonators, four kilograms of explosives,
three bundle cordex wire, one bundle electric wire, radio and
camera flash were recovered from the hideout, ASP, Jitendra Shukla
said. Besides, Maoist uniform, literature, bags and other materials
were also seized, the ASP added.
Lohardaga Police rescued three
minors from the CPI-Maoist cadres at Peshrar area in Lohardaga
District of Jharkhand. The children were working for CPI-Maoist
Central Committee member Arvind alias Dev Kumar.
The Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh
(KKBN) division of the CPI-Maoist had put posters on a tree in
Kalahandi District of Odisha. The poster urged people for a mass
movement against Police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha.
SFs, in an operation arrested
a cadre, identified Taya Labung (36), of NDFB-S in Balidonga village
of Biswanath District. One live hand grenade was also recovered
from his possession.
The Committee for Protection of
Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam has expressed the view
that illegal migration is the greatest threat to the security
and identity of the indigenous people of the State.
CM N Biren Singh categorically
stated on the floor of the State Legislative Assembly that the
State Government would withdraw from the SoO if the armed groups
which are parties to the pact violate ground rules and commit
excesses. The State Government has also intimated the Central
Government to initiate befitting action if SoO groups continue
to violate SoO ground rules and commit such excesses, Biren stated.
The State Government has also informed the Centre that it would
withdraw from SoO pact if the parties concerned do not abide by
the ground rules. In response, the Central Government asked the
State Government whether the SoO pact should be abrogated or not,
the CM informed the House.
The Union Government has asked
the State Government to deploy IRB along the NH to check unlawful
activities along NHs passing through the State. This was in response
to the State Government's proposal to set up a highway protection
force for the said purpose.
SF-10 Commandos recovered an AK-47
rifle and 26 bullets belonging to the GNLA after a pitched gun
battle with the militants at Rongjeng area in East Garo Hills.
There were no casualties. SF-10 personals were undertaking a search
operation in the area, following intelligence inputs about presence
of the rebels, when they spotted around eight armed rebels near
a stream outside the village of Chambildam, which falls under
the jurisdiction of Rongjeng police station, around 8 am. The
rebels opened fire leading to a brief exchange before they escaped.
SFs an arrested one “arms peddler”,
identified as Thungen Khiamnungan (24), with one Pt 22 mm pistol
with magazine at Taxi Stand (BOC) in Kohima city of Kohima District.
|
July 25 |
The NIA arrested two suspects
from Chakeri area in Kanpur District allegedly for planning terrorist
activities. The arrested suspects, 26-year-old Asif Iqbal and
27-years old Mohammad Atif, believed to be members of the Islamic
State (IS)-related module active in Kanpur, stayed at Jajmau locality
under the jurisdiction of Chakeri Police Station in Kanpur and
were known to each other. According to reports, Asif Iqbal is
the cousin of Saifullah, the alleged IS-inspired terror operative
who was gunned down in Kakori area of Lucknow in UP on March 7,
2017, soon after the blast in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train on
the same day.
A video of the narco-analysis
interrogation of former SIMI chief Safdar Nagori shows the former
SIMI chief admitting on tape that the Samjhauta Express blast
were carried out by those trained in Pakistan. He names SIMI operative
Adbul Razzak as the person responsible for the explosions that
killed 68 people on February 18, 2007. The video shows the interrogator
asking him, "Who ordered the Samjhauta blasts?" Nagori
answers, "Abdul Razzak did this. He is from Indore. He told
me, 'You cannot do anything, you are a politician now.' He would
say, 'You have retired from SIMI. They give you money and you
keep eating and drinking.' He once told me, 'You have become a
politician, you cannot do jihad, you need a quality life. I will
do something or the other now.'"
When asked about Razzak's contacts
in Pakistan, Nagori says, "He has relatives in Pakistan."
Nagori adds, "Abdul Razzaq used to say he could do this on
his own. He was in SIMI, he was with Misbah ul Islam Calcuttawala.
Abdul Razzaq, he said he could do it on his own. He was SIMI incharge
of Indore." In the video, Nagori admits he wanted to procure
an imported Mauser gun. For this, Nagori says, he contacted Lashkar-e-Toiba
(LeT) operative Nasir and told him he needed it "to punish
those culprits for a project". He adds, "When Nasir
told us Mauser and AK47 can be procured, we decided that when
we need to target someone and take no risk, we can use the 47.
But we wanted to target individuals, and not the masses."
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.
The origin of the funds is believed
to be in Pakistan, though NIA says it can establish more specific
details after questioning the seven arrested Hurriyat leaders.
The messages on the 28 Whatsapp groups tracked by NIA range
from religious posts, terror-inciting material to updates on J&K
militancy and ongoing anti-terror operations. There are messages
posted during encounters between the terrorists and SFs in J&K,
telling the participants how "your brothers have been cornered"
and sharing details of the encounter site. "The idea is to
mobilise the local youth for stone-pelting at the encounter site
so that the terrorists can escape," said an unnamed NIA officer.
It was on the basis of these 28 WhatsApp groups that the
NIA could zero in on phone numbers of 48 Kashmiri youth present
at more than three encounter sites that saw stone-pelting protests
over the past year.
Several banners in support of
the CPI-Maoist movement were spotted at Bukudibail in
Sringeri of Chikkamagaluru District of Karnataka. According to
the Police, these banners were spotted in eight places surrounding
a shop located opposite the bus stand. The messages on the banner
were against the State and Central Governments. According to eye
witnesses, it addressed issues opposing the Kasturirangan report,
Tiger Project, GST, Demonetization, caste-based issues and so
on. They have also decided to observe Martyrs’ Day in memory of
Kuppuswamy and Ajitha who were killed Nilambur forest in Kerala
in 2016. The banners also called upon people to fulfill the wish
of the Kuppuswamy and Ajitha. According to sources, it is learnt
that the total number of CPI-Maoist cadres currently active in
the region could be less than 10. They have been trying to develop
a tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as a suitable
operational base. Their movement was reportedly observed during
the second week of May in the forest.
The CPI-Maoist cadres have
resumed putting posters and banners at Podapadar Panchayat office
and on Janjabati river bank in Koraput District of Odisha. In
a latest poster, the CPI-Maoist cadres appealed to people to extend
support to the Martyr’s Week from July 28 to August 3. They asked
the tribals to take the revolution forward against the ‘dictatorial
government’.
CPI-Maoist cadres appealed to
the people to observe Martyr’s Week from July 28 to August 3 through
a banner that appeared at Talagumandi village in Koraput District
of Odisha. The banner in the name of Koraput-Srikakulam division
asked the tribals to pay homage to slain 31 cadres of CPI-Maoist
in the Police encounter in Chhattisgarh in October, 2016.
CRPF personnel will be given AK
series weapons instead of indigenous INSAS to fight Naxals in
the South Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The CRPF DG, RR Bhatnagar
told media, on the eve of 78th Raising Day of the Central Armed
Police Force, that more than 2000 CRPF personnel trained in countering
insurgency will be deployed in the south Bastar region. He added
that in last year from July 20, 2016 to July 20, 2017, the force
neutralized 51 CPI-Maoist cadres, apprehended 1,111, and facilitated
834 surrenders. The force managed to recover 562 arms and 1180
IED.
Union Minister of State for Home,
Hansraj Ahir informed the Lok Sabha that a total
of 2,753 Security personnel were killed in the Naxal-affected
States in the last two decades. He added that all
necessary measures were being taken by the Centre and the States
Government to prepare, train and technically equip the SFs to
deal with various kinds of threats emanating from the Naxals.
Mahabubabad Police arrested Madhu, a
‘regional Committee Secretary’ of the CPI-ML (New Democracy),
in Mahabubabad District of Telangana. Police recovered
one Sten gun, 10 bullets, one kit bag and revolutionary literature
from him. The Police also arrested two other persons acting as
couriers to the Naxal group — Kantha Rao and
Prasad. They are said to be members of AGP.
Police, in an encounter, killed a
militant, Janamon Basumatary (35) alias Jalar alias
Jagdaw, belonging to the NDFB-S at New Basbari area in Kokrajhar
District. A sub-inspector named Ramcharan Rabha also sustained
minor injuries during the encounter. The Police recovered an AK-series
rifle, a magazine, 15 rounds of ammunition, a hand grenade and
a mobile phone from the encounter site.
Police arrested suspected ULFA-I
linkman Ananta Saikia (38), from a rented house in Bahona on the
outskirts of Jorhat town.
State Chief Secretary Y. Tsering
said that there will be no let-up in operations against militants
in Garo Hills region. With the sustained operations, the situation
has improved in Garo Hills but the government will not be complacent,
Tsering said. He also appreciated the efforts of DGP SB Singh
and his team in maintaining law and order, especially in the Garo
Hills region. To a question, the chief secretary said the issues
related to the rehabilitation of surrendered militants are under
the examination of the department concerned.
|
July 26 |
The ED has been successful in
getting a Pakistani-origin terrorist, Mohammad Koya, convicted
by a city court in Karnataka under the PMLA. A sessions judge
in Karnataka convicted the accused Koya under PMLA and sentenced
him to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of INR 10,000.
The court has also upheld the confiscation of INR 90,470 recovered
from him. The case dates back to 2006 when two persons were arrested
by a police patrol team in Mysore based on an intelligence input
that certain terrorists from Pakistan were planning terror acts
in the city.
Posing as senior defence and district
administration officers, people in Pakistani intelligence agencies
are contacting Indian officials to gather information on troop
deployment along the Indo-Pak border, the Rajya Sabha was
informed by Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju. Rijiju
said spillover frequency of Pakistani mobile network into India
has been observed in few locations along the Indo-Pak border areas
in Barmer, Jaisalmer and Sriganganagar Districts of Rajasthan.
Militants shot dead one SOG personnel
of the JKP in Yaripora area of Kulgam District. Militants fired
upon the personnel identified as Gowhar Ahmad Tantray of Kujjar
village of Kulgam when he was on way to home on bike from nearby
Shopian District. Reports said that at least three militants appeared
at Kanjikulla and stopped him. They fired at him and he died on
the spot. The militants fled from the spot leaving him in a pool
of blood.
Acting on specific information
about the presence of at least three militants of LeT, a joint
team of Army and SOG cordoned off Lonepora in Mattan in Anantnag
District. Militants hiding in the village exchanged fire with
SFs briefly and managed to escape from the spot.
In the evening, after getting
inputs that the militants are hiding in a nearby village Krungsoo,
3 RR of Army and SOG Anantnag launched searches in the area.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, Charles Hembrom,
was sent to Dumka Central Jail in Dumka District of Jharkhand. He
was arrested from Kathikund Police Station area in the same District
on July 25.
The CRPF claimed that area controlled
by CPI-Maoist has "shrunk in three states in last two and
a half years". Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, the CRPF DG, however,
admitted that South Bastar remains to be an area of problem. He
said, "There is substantial decline in areas controlled by
Naxals in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Disturbance in these
areas are very less. Our major concern is in South Bastar of Chhattisgarh."
He said that after the attack, in which 25 men of the CRPF died
in April in Sukma area, the force has changed their strategy to
deal with Maoists. "In all ten left wing affected extremism
states CRPF is deployed and working in close collaboration with
state police forces and other central agencies," he said.
As many as 94 civilians were killed
by the CPI-Maoist cadres in the first six months of this year
(2017) after being branded as ‘Police informer,’ says UHM-MoS
Hansraj Ahir in the Rajya Sabha. He added, “The methods
of killing include shooting, multiple beatings and hacking with
sharp weapons. No case of beheading has come to light in Chhattisgarh
so far.”
The Committee for Protection of
Land Rights of Indigenous People of Assam in its interim report
stated that unrestrained influx of Bangladeshis, coupled with
massive transfer of land facilitated by a corrupt bureaucrat-politician
nexus, has led to alarming land alienation among indigenous communities.
This in turn has threatened not only the safety, security and
very identity of the indigenous communities, but also the very
entity of Assam and its entire geographical stretch stated the
report.
Former director of IB Dineshwar
Sharma has been appointed as interlocutor for the peace talks
with Kuki underground groups under tripartite SoO. The two SoO
groups are, KNO and UPF.
SFs arrested a GPRN/NSCN member,
‘general secretary of civil wing’ Vihoyi Sumi, along with five
grams of brown sugar and three extortion slips in Burma Camp of
Dimapur town in Dimapur District.
|
July 27 |
NIA court sentenced an Islamic
State (IS) operative from Bengaluru to five years in jail. Special
judge Virender Singh also imposed a fine of INR 5,000 on Abid
Khan alias Abu Mohammad. Khan, who was living in a church
in Banjar area of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh using the
fake name of Paul C Neo, was arrested by an NIA team in December
2016. He was on NIA’s radar and according to the prosecution,
he confessed that he was working with a sleeper cell of the IS
and also gave crucial information. Khan, who knows six languages,
fully cooperated with the NIA and also revealed that he planned
to meet his friend in Indonesia and later go to Syria though the
plan did not mature as he did not have sufficient money, it said.
He has been sent to Kanda Jail though he has requested that he
be transferred to Karnataka as his parents are aged.
India’s NSA Ajit Doval in Beijing
called on the BRICS grouping to "take a leadership role"
in combating global terrorism, as he held key meetings with the
Chinese leadership and BRICS national security advisers. Doval
held bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi,
taking place amid the ongoing border standoff at Doklam near the
India-China-Bhutan trijunction.
The mastermind of an interstate
FICN distribution syndicate was arrested at Rajouri Garden. Mohammad
Hussain (42) used to scan, print and then circulate fake notes
of INR 2,000 denomination. Counterfeit notes with a face value
of INR 40,000 were seized from him.
Three militants were killed while
Army foiled an infiltration bid near the LoC in Gurez sector in
Bandipora District. Sources said that these three militants were
part of the same infiltrating group, two members of which were
killed on July 18 in Gurez sector of Bandipora. They said that
these militants were killed in Kanzalwan forests of Gurez near
RP post along the LoC during an Army operation early today. One
AK-47 rifle along with 14 magazines and one pistol along with
two magazines were recovered from their possession. The identities
of the slain militants are yet to be ascertained.
A soldier and a Policeman were
injured as militants fired at them in South Kashmir. In the first
incident, a soldier of 62 RR of Army was injured when militants
fired at SFs in Matribugh village of Shopian District. Reports
said that 62 RR and SOG Shopian cordoned off Matribugh village
in Shopian. As they were cordoning off the village, militants
fired at them from the orchard in which one Army personnel was
injured. SFs chased the militants but they fled under the cover
of darkness. In the other incident, Militants shot at a Policeman
identified as Saleem Yusuf at Yamrach village in Kulgam District.
He had gone home on leave and received a bullet in the leg in
the attack.
Militants ransacked the house
of SP, Dawood at Qaimoh in Kulgam District. However, the SP was
not at home and lives in Srinagar. This is for the fourth time
that his house has been ransacked by militants.
Militants ransacked houses of
two Policemen at Mirhama village in Kulgam District. They also
threatened the families of the Policemen. However, the Policemen
were not at home at the time of the attack.
The counter-insurgency cell of
the JKP is monitoring the write-ups and the propaganda material
of the Al-Qaeda that mention Zakir Musa as the ‘commander’ of
its new Kashmir group. A top Police officer said, the cell was
keeping a watch on Musa, a Kashmir-born militant, whose name first
appeared in an Arabic publication close to the Al-Qaeda in May.
“We are monitoring the Musa group’s activity and its connections
across the borders,” the officer said. The U.K.-based Guardian
newspaper reported that Al-Qaeda “has formally announced the establishment
of a new Kashmir-based terror group Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind headed
by Musa.
The Global Islamic Media Front,
the online propaganda distribution arm of Al-Qaeda, has also mentioned
Musa’s name. On May 13, Musa quit the HM after the United Jehad
Council took exception to his statement threatening to “behead
separatist leaders, especially those who describe Kashmir as a
mere political issue” and not a religious war for an Islamic state.
Musa hails from a middle-class family. One of his brothers is
a doctor in the Tral area of Pulwama. Musa joined the militant
ranks during slain ‘commander’ Burhan Wani’s recruitment drive
in 2013-14.
Samastipur Police arrested five
suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist with illegal weapons during
a vehicle-checking drive in Samastipur District of Bihar. The
Police intercepted a SUV on National Highway-28 near Bangra and
on searching found one of the five occupants to be in possession
of two country-made pistols and two live cartridges. The suspect
was later identified as Basant Kumar, a resident of Chhajan village
in neighbouring Muazaffarpur District. Basant happened to be an
active member of a CPI-Maoist outfit led by Musafir Sahni. The
arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Ajit Kumar, Ashok
Kumar Singh, Rahul Yadav, Ashok Yadav and Shashikant Mehta.
Six cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
including a ‘Section Commander’ carrying a reward of INR 300,000
on his head, surrendered in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The
surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres cited disappointment with the "hollow"
Maoist ideology. The surrendered CPI-Maoist were identified as,
‘Section Commander’ of Military Platoon No.13 of the CPI-Maoist,
Hapka Payku (25), Madvi Sonu (27), a LOS Member, had a reward
of INR 100,000 on his head, Kadti Bheema (25), a ‘Jan militia Commander’,
Vekko Aytu (27) head of the Janatana Sarkar group
of CPI-Maoist in Bhairamgarh area, Raju Ram Modiyam (22) and Podiyam
Moti (27) both CPI-Maoist cadres.
The villagers of Markegaon village
on Gyrapatti-Sawargaon road in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra
protested and even burnt the pamphlets and banners of the CPI-Maoist.
The official also said that for the last eight years, peoples'
approach towards Maoists has changed.
Banners and posters of the CPI-Maoist
were recovered from Mandosil village of Sindhekela
Gram
Panchayat
under Paikmal block and Debrigarh jungle under
Attabira block in Bargarh District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres
urged local people to celebrate their “Shahid Week’ from July
28 to August 3 and protest anti-politician and anti-social works
of the Centre and State Government. They have threatened that
company raj would not be tolerated in the State. The leaflets
mentioned the name of Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) Divisional
committee of the CPI-Maoist.
Odisha Police have tightened security
in Naxal-hit areas across Malkangiri District with
the CPI-Maoist cadres beginning Martyrs’ Week from July 27.
Police arrested a NSCN-K cadre,
John Kimsing (23), from Naliapool of Dibrugarh town in Dibrugarh
District.
Students under KSA tried to storm
the State Assembly in lieu with their demand for restricting non-locals
from contesting in elections in the leading to the injury of a
student when police tried to stop them. The student was identified
as Rakesh Hawaibam (19). The protestors also want the government
to reserve eight AC for indigenous people. Wangkhei, Kangpokpi,
Jiribam, Thangmeiband, Sagolband, Sugnu, Bishnupur and Uripok
are the eight ACs.
State Chief Minister N. Biren
Singh urged the Union Government to arrive at a settlement with
Kuki militant groups in a time-bound manner. "In order to
bring final peace, the Centre should try to arrive at a settlement
with Kuki militant groups within two years. This will be in the
interest of all people in the state," N Biren Singh said.
On the issue of States territorial integrity, the CM, said: "There
are no different opinions on the issue of territorial integrity.
Kuki groups are demanding a Kuki state. We all should stand together
to protect our boundary. The state's boundary cannot be included
in the agenda of talks with any group". He said his government
has been taking action against cadres who violated the ground
rules.
The number of NLFT cadres sheltered
across the border has been reduced around 90 even after a change
in guard of the banned outfit, according to latest intelligence
inputs. The ‘president’ of the outlawed group, Subir Debbarma
and ‘chief of army’ Sachin Debbarma are trying hard to bring back
striking strength to influence the ensuing Assembly elections.
Erstwhile ‘president’ Biswamohan Debbarma, is now an ‘advisor
‘to the outfit.
A person identified as Thangkhanlun
Taitom was allegedly tortured and killed by ZRO militants on July
27, 2017. ZRO is under SoO agreement with the Government.
|
July 28 |
India condemned the "double
standards" in dealing with terrorists and warned against
the emerging "apocalyptic" threats in UN. "Terrorism
is an international threat that should not be allowed to serve
national strategy," India's Permanent Representative Syed
Akbaruddin said on during a General Assembly debate on the report
of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy. He added, "We must resist the temptation of buying
individual peace for ourselves by striking deals that divert terrorists
elsewhere," he said without naming any country. "We
need to intensify our efforts in persuading States to refrain
from using terrorism as a card in the games that nations play."
Army defused an IED on National
Highway near Pattan area of Baramulla District. Army said that
their RR Khanpath Camp in Parihaspora Pattan in the District detected
the IED on highway by 29 RR near Parihaspora Pattan and later
destroyed it.
Militants carried out raids on
the residential houses of officers and Policemen of JKP and workers
of ruling PDP in South Kashmir while they also set ablaze house
of a counter-insurgent. Militants barged into the residential
houses of SP, an Inspector and other five Policemen in Nowbal
Khudwani, Qoimoh, Desan, Marhsma and Sempora Behibagh of Kulgam
District. They ransacked the houses of Policemen and threatened
them of dire consequences if they didn’t quit from Police.
They also set ablaze house of
a counter-insurgent in Kulgam. In Pulwama District, militants
conducted similar raids at Naira, Tumlahal, Trichal and in Tral
during which they beat up Policemen, ransacked their properties
and asked them to quit from their jobs. Militants also raided
houses of Kashmiri CRPF personnel in Pulwama and beat them apart
from ransacking properties. Some of the forces men whose houses
were attacked and were beaten by militants have been identified
as CRPF 183Bn Constable Naseer Ali Rather of Naira, SPO, Bilal
Farooq Gaasi of Trichal Pulwama and SPO, Farooq Magray of Tumlehal.
The house of a PDP Panch
(member of gram Panchayat), Ghulam Mohiuddin, at Trichal was raided
and ransacked by militants. Militants attempted to set ablaze
house of Police Head Constable at Arigam in Tral. However, they
couldn’t set it ablaze and left from the spot. In Kareemabad Pulwama,
posters asking two local cops to resign from Police surfaced and
they were threatened of dire consequences if they fail to abide
by the direction.
A Police Constable Laxmaih was
injured when an IED laid by the CPI-Maoist cadres exploded in
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. A team of security personnel
led by Dantewada SP, Kamlochan Kashyap was patrolling in the area
when the incident happened.
The Central Committee (CC) of
the CPI-Maoist have admitted probably for the first time that
they lost 205 cadres, including 54 women cadres, of various ranks
between July 2016 and May 2017. The data was released to motivate
the CPI-Maoist cadres to observe the 'Saheed Saptah' or ‘Martyrs'
week' from July 28 to August 3, and mobilize masses and support.
DIG, Gadchiroli range, Ankush Shinde said CPI-Maoist cadres are
for the first time facing opposition from the tribals, who are
putting up anti-rebel banners and posters in some parts of Gadchiroli
and Gondia. "We have for the first time an instance where
tribals set Naxalite banners and posters on fire," he said.
Around 700 to 1,000 villagers
attended the programme held by the CPI-Maoist of the East Division
near Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.
The CPI-Maoist cadres warned the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Governments
that they would pay a heavy price for Ramaguda encounter where
31 CPI-Maoist cadres were gunned down in October 2016. The CPI-Maoist
cadres vowed to continue their struggle and carry forward the
ideology of their fallen comrades. The slogan, "All natural
resources of the forest belong to tribals," was raised. Red
salutes were also given to Maoists who were killed at Rayagada,
Gorrelametta, Kappatotti and Koraput.
Posters of the CPI-Maoist were
found in Ghaghra area of Gumla District of Jharkhand. The posters
urged people to wage a war on "feudal forces" and asked
Police to stop offensives.
Militants killed a suspected rapist
with two bullets to the head in Imphal West District. Themheng
Ngashangba, Imphal West District Police Superintendent, said,
“Suspected militants brought a blindfolded man on Friday night
at Tera in Imphal and shot him dead. The deceased was identified
as Irom Bobo, 43. There were two gunshot injuries in the head.”
The outlawed underground organisation, UNLF, has claimed responsibility
for shooting Bobo. The outfit says that he had confessed to his
crime.
AR personnel seized three weapons
and 300 rounds of live ammunition from NSCN-IM cadres in a vehicle
check post set up by the force at Namphisa in Kamjong District
on July 28,. The NSCN-IM cadres were suspected to be involved
in smuggling of weapons and ammunition and might have collected
the same from a supplier from neighbouring Myanmar. The weapons
and the ammunition were planned to be smuggled into Ukhrul town
of Manipur.
|
July 29 |
Pakistan army violated ceasefire
along the LoC in Digwar area of Poonch sector in Poonch District.
Official sources said the ceasefire violation in Digwar and surrounding
Naldyana villages of Poonch sector took place around 7.30 pm and
lasted 20 minutes only. No casualties or damage in the ceasefire
violation was reported on the Indian side, sources said.
Pakistan army had violated ceasefire
in Digwar sector of Poonch District.
The Police had already taken measures
to check any untoward incidents and intensified combing operations
along the AOB region in Andhra Pradesh. The posters had photographs
of 12 persons who had been killed by the Maoists, with names,
villages and Districts they hailed from. Among them, five were
from Visakhapatnam District, two from East Godavari, one from
Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, and two each from Koraput and
Malkangiri Districts of Odisha.
Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre,
Naulakh Singh, from Thathan village in Vaishali District of Bihar.
Police said Naulakh was involved in several Maoists related incidents
in Muzaffarpur and Vaishali Districts.
|
July 30 |
Detection and reportage of suspicious
transactions, FICN and cross-border fund transfers in the country's
economic channels doubled in the last fiscal year, leading to
unearthing of over INR 560 crore black money, according to FIU.
The report said the financial year 2015-16 saw a "record
increase" in the detection of such instances. All banks and
financial intermediaries apprise the FIU of the detections as
part of their obligation to comply with the country's anti-money
laundering and counter-terror financing measures. "The year
2015-16 ... saw a record increase in the number of reports received,
processed and disseminated by the FIU," the report stated.
The number of CTRs doubled from
INR 80,00,000 in 2014-15 to over INR 1.6 crore in 2015-16 and
that of STRs rose from 58,646 to 1,05,973 during the period, it
said. "A similar growth was registered in CCRs -- over 16
percent, NTRs -- nearly 25 percent, while there was an 850 percent
growth in the number of CBWTRs during the period," the report
said.
Two militants were killed in an
encounter with SFs in Tahab area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama
District. The encounter broke out early in the morning and the
counter-operation is currently underway at the time of reporting.
Over one dozen protesters were
injured in clashes which was triggered after the killing of two
HM militants in an encounter in Pulwama District. SFs cordoned
off Tahab village in Pulwama District after inputs that two militants
are hiding in the village. As the SFs laid siege to the village,
the militants hiding tried to flee and fired at the SFs, triggering
a brief gunfight in which two militants were killed. Soon after
the news of the killing of militants spread in the area, the area
observed shut down and protests broke out.
People tried to reach to the encounter
site and pelted stones on SFs who retaliated with aerial firing
and tear smoke. Over a dozen youth were injured one among them
is critical as a bullet hit him in the chest. He was identified
as Asif Ahmad of Lassipora Pulwama. The militants have been identified
as Shariq Ahmad of Gulzarpur Awantipore and Showkat Ahmed alias
Shabir of Mehand Anantnag, who had joined militant ranks this
year only. Large number of people attended the funeral of Shariq
Ahmad at his ancestral Takuna village of Pulwama.
Pakistan Army violated ceasefire
and started firing using light weapons and MMGs along the LoC
at Baba Khori in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District. The Indian
side retaliated effectively, leading to exchanges, which continued
for some time. However, there were no casualties or damage on
the Indian side.
A joint team of CRPF and Police
arrested three cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Aurangabad District
of Bihar. Acting on a tip off that Naxalites are
pasting posters in different areas to terrorise people to make
their proposed August 3, 2017, Bihar bandh a
success, a joint team of CRPF and local Police raided Sahajpur
and Kalidi villages of the District and arrested three Maoists
who had come to paste posters. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadres
have been identified as Ramlagan Singh Bhokta, Kamlesh Singh Bhokta
and Mahesh Bhuiya. These CPI-Maoist cadres were also trying to
influence and motivate local youths to join CPI-Maoist cadres.
A joint team of ITBP, DRG and
STF have arrested three lower rung cadres of the CPI-Maoist during
two separate search operations in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
In first incident, SFs, during a search operation, arrested CPI-Maoist
cadres Sonu Netam (40) and Shankar Hemla (20) and recovered a
muzzle loading gun. In the second incident, SFs arrested CPI-Maoist
cadre Suresh Markam (24) from Devgaon village in the Narayanpur
District.
Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist
hailing from Ranga Bayalu Panchayat of Munchingput Mandal in
Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh surrendered before DSP,
Mahendra Mathe. The surrendered cadres, who used to extend logistics
support to the CPI-Maoist cadres, were identified as Mandi Musiri
(35), Vantala Singru (30), Mandi Janbri (30), Mandi Subba Rao
(32), and Mandi Rama Chandhar (25).
Posters condemning the killing
of innocent people in the name of ‘Police informers’ appeared
on inter-State road transport services operating from Andhra Pradesh
to Koraput District in Odisha and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. As
per rumours, the posters, appearing in both Odiya and Telugu languages,
might have been printed and pasted by the Police of these three
Maoist-hit States or organisations opposing the CPI-Maoist activities.
Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
including a Chhattisgarh-based woman cadre, surrendered before
the Police in Bhadradri District of Telangana. The surrendered
CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Karatam Idumaiah (25) and
Madivi Jamili (23), both members of the CRC of the CPI-Maoist.
Police and administrative officials
recovered Naxal literature and newspaper cuttings
related to Naxal movement from an under trial,
Mahesh Mahto, during a raid at Ghatshila sub-jail in East Singhbhum
District of Jharkhand.
A group of 10 to 20 armed cadres
of the CPI-Maoist abducted three tribals of Tandipadar village
in Temurupalli Panchayat under Maithili Police
limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The identity of the villagers
has not been ascertained, reason behind the abduction is also
not known yet. Malkangiri Police have not confirmed the incident.
Police arrested eight militants
of NDFFB in Chirang District. The arrested militants were identified
as Ajoy Daimari, (24), Nizira Basumatary (25), Raja Daimari (19),
Francis Basumatary (23), Sudem Narzary (25), Biswajit Narzary
(40) and Biswai Basumatary (24).
SFs recovered four 7.62 mm AK
rounds, five 7.62 mm rounds, five hand grenades with accessories
from an abandoned and unregistered auto-rickshaw in Dimapur District.
|
July 31
|
Syria's Ambassador to India Riad
Kamel Abbas said his country has no information about the 39 Indians
who went missing in Iraq in 2014. He, however, said Syria is "keen"
to send them home if they are found in its territory. "The
Indian delegation went to Syria many times and the chief of Syrian
intelligence agency came to Delhi for it," the envoy said.
"We are very keen to bring them (missing Indians) home if
they are in our territory, but there is no official confirmation
about it," he added.
ndian Minister for External Affairs
Sushma Swaraj said India's geopolitical overtures had resulted
in better relations with all neighbouring countries, with one
glaring exception. "Our 'Neighbourhood First' policy has
yielded results with all countries in the region, barring one,"
Swaraj said. To be sure, Swaraj may also be pointing to China,
with which India has been engaged in a tense stand-off at Doklam,
as well as the more recent transgression by the People's Liberation
Army in Uttarakhand's Barahoti. But the frequent ceasefire violations
by Pakistan and its unwillingness to cooperate in the Kulbhushan
Jadhav case make it a more likely candidate for the foreign minister's
verbal salvo.
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.
In a joint operation conducted
by District Police and Chhattisgarh Sashastra Dal (CSD) arrested
four cadres of the CPI-Maoist from Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The
arrested cadres were identified as Malu Netam (45), Baijuram Gawde
(26), Ashiram Salam (42) and Shivnath Yadav. Malu Netam carried
a reward of INR 2,000 on his head.
Jharkhand Police arrested a ‘Zonal
Commander’ of the TPC, Anish alias Karampal Ganjhu
(28), arrested from Gerua in Sadar Police Station area of Chatra
District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the
CPI-Maoist. Police recovered a carbine, two live bullets,
three phones and a SUV from Anish. He was carrying INR 1 million
on his head.
Posters in the name of cadres
of the CPI-Maoist surfaced in Punchakkolli Tribal Colony, under
Vazhikadavu Police Station limit, in Malappuram District of Kerala
.
As per the posters, the CPI-Maoist cadres at Nilambur in the
District have vowed to avenge the murder of their senior leaders
Kuppu Devraj and Ajitha, as part of the on-going observance of
Martyrs' Week by the cadres. The posters say that the encounter
killing of Devraj and Ajitha is in clear violation of human rights
and the organization would not pardon the traitors.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested
by Police on the eve of Martyr’s week at Semliguda in Koraput
District of Odisha. He has been identified as Rupra Jani (28)
of Upar Kanti village and was working for Nandapur Area Committee
of the Maoists. Jani was involved with the Maoists for the last
three years in the area and he had accompanied them to kill a
‘Police informer’ last year. Police seized AK-47,9mm pistol, banners,
posters related to Maoists from his possession.
The CPI-Maoist cadres are in process
of forming village level teams to strengthen their strong hold
in the AOB region. The development comes a year after the CPI-Maoist
cadres suffered a major setback in an encounter at the AOB in
which around 31 CPI-Maoists were killed along with Adivasis (Tribals).
The Telangana State Committee (TSC) of the CPI-Maoist cadres with
the Adilabad District committee, Khammam District committee and
Khammam-Karimnagar-Warangal Divisional Committee with Special
Guerrilla Squad and 92 cadres are tasked to continue their activities
in the region.
SFs arrested two militants of
the NDFB-IKS, identified as Ranjit Daimari (29) and Prakash Bodo
(24), from Roumari Reserve Forest under Moran Subdivision in Dibrugarh
District.
Police arrested one NSCN-K cadre,
identified as Pong Gong Konyak, from Janki Pathar at Sonari in
Charaideo District close to Assam- Nagaland boundary. Police
recovered one .22 pistol with two rounds of live ammunition and
a bottle grenade from his possession.
Police have intensified the counter-insurgency
operation in chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal constituency, Majuli
Island in Majuli District. SP Baibhab Nimbalkar on July 31 said
that night patrolling was on in full swing and the police are
keeping a close eye on suspicious persons. He said the Police
and CRPF have jointly started patrolling by foot, boat, and vehicles
in the district. "We are using boats for search operation.
Majuli is important from political and religious points of view
as both domestic and international tourists visit the island.
So, we are not ignoring the threat perception," Nimbalkar
said
Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured
that Government will take up all necessary steps to check influx
of illegal migrants into the state. Responding to a question from
the opposition bench in the house of State Assembly, Singh said
that the Government is taking the issue of illegal migrants seriously.
The state government is looking into provisions given under the
Constitution of India to check influx of illegal migrants in the
state, said Singh while also assuring that it would identify migrants
living in the state. “If illegal migrants are detected, he/she
will be deported instantly,” Singh added.
Police Commando arrested a militant
of KCP-N while conducting a cordon and search operation at Salungpham
Mayai Leikai area in Thoubal district on July 31. The arrested
militant was identified as Thingbaijam Jotin alias Thoungamba alias Moramba
(22)
A GNLA militant, Hembone T. Sangma,
surrendered before Superintendent of Police South Garo Hills Abraham
T. Sangma.
An unnamed senior State Home department
official stated that Mizoram Government was making efforts to
rein in the Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction HPC-D to ensure that
they also come over ground. The official said the government wants
to ensure that Sanate faction of HPC-D comes over ground when
a peace accord is signed with the faction led by H Zosangbera
with which the State Government is holding peace talks. The proposed
next round of talks scheduled to be held during July was deferred
because of some reasons including the efforts made to include
Sanate’s faction of HPC-D in the proposed accord to find amicable
solution to the vexed Hmar imbroglio, he said. Preparations
have been made to resume the talks during August which would likely
be the last round of official level talks, he said, adding that
the talks would be elevated to political level parleys after this
round.
AR arrested one GPRN/NSCN member,
identified as Khrielietuo Keretsii (32), along with 15 extortion
slips in general area Kezekie colony in Kohima city in Kohima
District.
SFs launched an operation and
rescued an abducted civilian identified as Tonwang Konyak (54)
and arrested his abductor from Purana Bazar area of Dimapur town.
The abductor was identified as NNC militant named Khra Candi (23).
SFs also recovered one .22 mm pistol with magazine and other “war
like stores” and rescued one individual from the house of one
Kiyeho Sumi.
SFs arrested an arms dealer, Chetei
Shiu, with along with one. 22 mm pistol with magazine at New Market
Area of Kohima town.
|
August 1
|
A 23-year-old man from Kasaragod
District of Kerala who was suspected to have joined Islamic State
(IS) in 2016, was reportedly killed in an air strike in Afghanistan.
Police said his father had received a message through Telegram
app two days ago informing him about the death of Marwan Ismail
of Thrikkaripur in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan. The
message purportedly sent by one Asfaq Majeed, one of the 21 youths
from Kerala who allegedly went missing and joined the IS, did
not provide more details about Marwan or the place where he was
killed. Marwan had been working as a physiotherapist in a Gulf
nation before joining the terror group last year, Police said.
A homoeopath doctor and his associate
were arrested on August 1, in Indore (Madhya Pradesh) for allegedly
printing FICNs in invalid denomination of INR 500. Police seized
five pieces of the notes from Dr Deepesh Yadav (34) and his aide
Krishna Rathore (21). Pardeshipura Police Station in-charge Rajiv
Tripathi said they also seized a computer, a scanner and a printer
used for printing the notes from the duo. "We are interrogating
them to find out how many such fake notes they have circulated
so far," he added.
A Delhi court ordered framing
of charges against IM India’operations chief’ Yasin Bhatkal and
nine others in the September 9, 2010 Jama Masjid blast case on
the ground that prime facie there was enough evidence against
them. Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth Sharma, however, discharged
three alleged members -- Ismail Affaque, Abdus Saboor and Riyaz
Ahmad Sayeedi -- of the outfit, saying there was not enough evidence
against them. The three, who were today discharged, were later
named in a supplementary charge sheet which accused them of having
conspired with other IM members to carry out the terror strike
in the national capital.
Demonetisation has led to squeezing
of terror funds, including in J&K, Union Finance Minister
Arun Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha. He also said the number
of stone pelters in J&K has gone down in last few months as
a result of it. “In last few months, security forces have had
an upper hand. In 2008 to 2010 we saw thousands of stone pelters
on streets. In last few months, there have not been more than
25-50 or 100 stone pelters on the streets. There is one reason,
terror funding has been squeezed,” said Jaitley.
The Islamic State (IS) terror
group and climate change are seen as posing a major risk to India
by its people, while an assertive China is considered the third
top threat to the country, a latest Pew Research survey said.
In India, 66 per cent of the respondents considered Islamic State
of Iraq and Syria (also known as ISIS or ISIL) as a major threat,
while 47 per cent said they considered global climate change as
the major threat, the report said. ISIS is named as the top threat
in a total of 18 countries surveyed, mostly concentrated in Europe,
West Asia, Asia and the US, it said. Forty-four per cent said
China posed a threat to India. This was closely followed by cyber
attacks (43 per cent), according to the report.
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.
The cadres of the CPI-Maoist are
carrying out their Jana Sampark Abhiyaan (Public
Relations Drive) at nearby forest villages under Ambavona block
of Bargarh District of Odisha on the occasion of their celebration
of Martyrs' Week from July 28 to August 3. In their
public relations drive, they have conducted a series of meetings
with the public and appealed them to join hands with them. They
wanted to know from the locals about the corrupt officials, politicians
and contractors and present situation of the block. In the interim,
combing operations have been launched at the forest areas under
Ambavona Police Station limits. The concerned villagers expressed
happiness where as the corrupted officers, politicians and contractors
are a scared lot after hearing the CPI-Maoist cadres’ presence
in the block.
Two landmines weighing 12 kilogram
each, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres to target SFs were
recovered during a search operation from Manatu area in Palamau
District of Jharkhand.
Police recovered a bomb from Moreh
Ward No 5 in Tengnoupal District near the Indo-Myanmar border.
SFs arrested a MNRF militant from
Khuman Lampak in Imphal East District.
Police commandos arrested a Noyon
faction of KCP-Noyon militant, identified as Thingbaijam Jotin
Singh alias Thoungamba alias Moramba,
from Salungpham Mayai Leikai in Thoubal District.
A silent protest rally, led by
JAC against the killing of Thangkhanlun Taitom, was taken out
from Churachandpur District hospital’s morgue to Deputy Commissioner
Office located at Tuibuang area. The dead body of Thangkhanlun
Taitom continues to remain at the mortuary even after five days
of the incident as the demands of the protestors for justice and
compensation to the family of the deceased is yet to be met. Thangkhanlun
Taitom was allegedly tortured and killed by ZRO militants on July
27, 2017. ZRO is under SoO agreement with the Government.
Police commando arrested a KYKL
militant, RK Ranjan (42), at Lilong Bazar in Thoubal District. One
9 mm Mauser pistol with two live rounds and other incriminating
articles were seized from his possession,
A militant of KYKL, Sadam Hussain alias Angang
(27), was arrested from Naharup Bridge in Thoubal District. One
9 mm pistol and other incriminating articles were also seized
from his possession, it said.
SFs killed a GNLA militant
during an encounter at Gare Ringdi village in South Garo Hills
District. Another two rebels were injured but managed to escape.
SFs recovered one pistol along with live ammunitions, GNLA demand
notes, GNLA seals, diaries and six mobile phones from the spot.
Suspected GNLA militants had brutally
beaten up two men at Halwa Bilda village in South Garo Hills District.
GNLA militants suspected the duo as police informers.
Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation
(NGBF) has made a strong plea on Prime Minister Narendra Modi
to also include all apex Naga tribal bodies, apex civil society
groups, the six-member Working Group (WG) comprising of ‘Naga
political groups’, revive cease-fire with NSCN-K before hammering
a “final and permanent solution.”
A CPI-Maoist cadre identified
as Sushant Ram, resident of Shivdih village under Lakhisarai
District, was arrested by Munger Police near Amarasni river under
Larayatan Police Station in Munger District of Bihar. Police said
Sushant was a named accused in a number of cases and was also
associated with Naxalite leaders like Pramod
Koda and Kare Lal Koda, who were arrested recently. He was also
working as an ‘informer’ for the Maoists and used to report the
activities of Police and Police movements to them, said SDPO (sadar),
Harishankar Kumar.
|
August 2
|
China has again extended by three
months its technical hold on the US, France and UK-backed proposal
to list Pakistani terror group JeM 'chief' Masood Azhar as a designated
terrorist by the UN. China had in February, 2017 blocked the US
move to designate Azhar as a global terrorist at UN. The deadline
for China to take action on its technical hold was till August
2. If China would not have extended the technical hold, Masood
Azhar would have automatically been designated under the UN as
a terrorist. A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security
Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's move to put a ban
on Masood under the al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the Council.
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.
Eleven cadres of the CPI-Maoist
surrendered in front of Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. The cadres include three women. They also surrendered
two guns. Two of them were identified as Kunjam Hadma and Madvi
Hidma, were carrying reward of INR 800,000. Similarly, Tati Sanki,
a ‘Deputy Commander’ rank cadre, was carrying a reward of INR
200,000 on her head. Two others -- Dirdo Deva, a member of Dornapal
LOS, and Kadti Hidme, chief of the KAMS, a front organisation
of CPI-Maoist cadres were carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on
their heads.
The movement of trains on the
Howrah-Mumbai route was hit after cadres of the CPI-Maoist put
up banners and posters on railway tracks near Mahadevshal Station
in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand under Chakradharpur division
of South Eastern Railway. According to Railway sources,
security personnel of RPF went to the spot and recovered a couple
of banners and posters.
A joint team of the Telangana
Police and the CRPF arrested a cadre of the CPI-Maoist near Lenin
Colony at Charla Mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem
District of Telangana. CPI-Maoist cadre was identified
as Madivi Ungaiah alias Dudi (33). Police also
recovered four wall posters from his possession. Ungaiah had been
working as a Militia member of the CPI-Maoist’s Shabari Area Committee
for the past five years.
The 12-hours total shutdown imposed
in Churachandpur district by the JAC against killing of Thangkhanlun
completely crippled normal life here even as shops and other establishments
including Government offices remained closed for the day.
Unidentified militants killed
KNLF ‘general secretary’ Lalmoi Haokip alias Tonglenlal
using hand grenade and firearms at Tuibong Bazar in Churachandpur
District. As Lalmoi's wife rushed to her husband's help, the assailants
fired at her too. She sustained bullet injuries and was taken
to hospital. KNLF is one of constituents of the KNO observing
a SoO with both Union and State Government.
Suspected GNLA militants killed
a 53 year old farmer in South Garo Hills District. South Garo
Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma said that four
GNLA militants went to Olget R. Marak's house at Oripur, Dambuk
Aga, in South Garo Hills, around 2am.
Chief Security Advisor to the
Government of Meghalaya, Rajiv Mehta has asserted that GNLA is
well past its prime and it is just a matter of time before it
is totally obliterated by security forces. Mehta also tried to
downplay the “super cop” tag, stating that he was merely sharing
his expertise to handle the insurgency problem in Garo Hills.
The second batch of Meghalaya Police’s SF-10 commando force is
scheduled to a pass out on August 4.
GHSMC submitted a memorandum to
Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding creation of Garoland, to
be carved out of tribal Garo inhabited areas in Meghalaya and
Assam. Stating that Garo people were unanimously demanding creation
of Garoland state, contiguous to state of Assam and Khasi Hills
for Garo people, the GSHMC said, "We demand Garoland state
to include original lands inhabiting by Garo people in Assam and
Khasi Hills presently under Meghalaya."
One cadre of the JSJMM, a CPI-Maoist
splinter group, was arrested during a raid in Ambatoli area of
Barkagaon Police Station in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand.
Police seized two carbines, one pistol and four live cartridges
of .315 from the spot. SP, Anup Birtharay said the arrest came
after eight JSJMM cadres, led by its supremo Nishant ji, attacked
members of a company engaged in the construction of a 40 kilometres
road between Barkagaon and Urimani coal mining project of Central
Coalfields Ltd. The SJMM cadres threatened to stop the road construction
if the company failed to pay a hefty amount of money as ‘levy’.
The SP added that it was for the first time that SJMM cadres,
who were active in Latehar and Gumla, entered the Hazaribagh District
and targeted a road construction company.
|
August 2-3
|
Around 100 CPI-Maoist cadres reportedly
blew up a mobile tower, abducted three gatemen from different
railway level-crossings and also laid siege to the Danapur Durg
Express train for a few hours, abducting the cabin man, in the
Lakhisarai District of Bihar. “Around 100 rebels were involved
in the abductions from the level crossings, located in a 10-km
radius,” IGP, Bhagalpur Zone, S.M. Khopde disclosed. They then
hijacked the train. A statement by the CRPF noted, “Train no-13288
Danapur Durg Express train was hijacked near the Bhalui station
[in Bhimbandh area of Lakhisarai] around 2:30 am (on Thursday).
The cabin man who was on duty was also abducted.” The siege ended
after an exchange of fire took place between personnel of the
CoBRA, a specialised unit of CRPF proficient in guerrilla tactics
and jungle warfare, and the hijackers. However, no casualty was
reported from either side. The gatemen and the cabin man were
subsequently released.
|
August 3
|
A NIA team from Cochin (Kerala)
carried out searches in the houses of two people from Coimbatore
(Tamil Nadu), for allegedly having links with terror group Islamic
State (IS). The NIA searched the houses of Abdul Rahman,
(27), who hails from Kottai Pudur in Ukkadam and S Abdullah, (24),
whose house is on Pallivasal Street in Karumbukadai. Moreover,
the NIA also carried out searches at an internet browsing center
in Karumbakadai. The NIA reportedly interrogated the two accused,
till late on August 3, at the office of the Coimbatore Police
Commissioner.
They seized 70 DVDs with inflammatory
speeches, two mobile phones and two laptops. The two youngsters
were allegedly running a browsing center and were spreading ISIS
propaganda.
Abdul Rahman had finished MCA
and was searching for a job while Abdullah had completed Class
XII. The NIA had also conducted searches at the residence of a
person from Alapuzzha. “Based on the reliable information that
certain persons from Kerala and Tamil Nadu were in touch with
the members of the ISIS/Daesh terror module in this case,
over internet based social media platforms and have been radicalizing
on the ideology of ISIS, the NIA conducted searches at houses
and workplaces of such persons. Inputs had also revealed that
such radicalized individuals were inclined to support and further
the objectives of the prescribed terrorist organization,” the
press release stated. The NIA seized mobile phones, laptops, hard
disks, pen drives, DVDs/ CDs, memory cards, SIM cards, along with
books and manuscripts.
India will start dialogue with
Pakistan the day Islamabad stops promoting terrorism against this
country, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in
Parliament, while making it clear that terror and talks cannot
go together. "But it can't be one-sided ... Terror and talks
cannot go together. The day they stop promoting terror, we will
start the talks," she said replying to a discussion on "India's
foreign policy and engagement with strategic partners".
Three persons have been taken
into custody by the NIA on the charge that they were affiliated
with the Islamic State (IS). The NIA arrested one person from
Alappuzha in Kerala and two from Coimbatore. They were detained
after raids at their residence following inputs that they were
in contact with suspected IS recruits from South India. Data storage
devices, mobile phones and other materials were seized. The raids
were conducted after obtaining orders from the NIA court in Kochi.
Alok Mittal, Inspector-General, NIA, confirmed the detention and
said no arrest had been recorded. An NIA Kochi team is interrogating
the Alappuzha native, who is employed by a private firm in Kochi,
and the two others. Reports said the detained men were maintaining
social media contact with suspected IS recruits. The NIA raids
were linked to the investigation in a case regarding the Umar
Al Hindi module and a meeting held by its members in Kanakamala
in Kannur District of Kerala, in October, 2017. According to the
NIA charge sheet in the case, members of the module - youth from
Kerala and Tamil Nadu entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage
war against the Government of India.
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.
A total 38 CRPF security personnel
were martyred in 15 incidents of attacks by cadres of the CPI-Maoist
during the past six months as on June, 30, 2017, says the Central
Government. During this period, incidents of attacks
by cadres of CPI-Maoists in other Naxal infested
states are as follows- Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (3), Jharkhand
(4), Maharashtra (8) and Odisha (1).
The Centre Government of India
has asked the Naxal affected State
Governments to post "shadow intelligence officers" to
track big and high-value Naxal leaders on a dedicated
and sustained basis. The Central Government took this approach
as a part of its revised counter-LWE strategy drafted in consultation
with the affected States.
Minister of MoRTH, Nitin Gadkari,
at an inter-ministerial meeting on infrastructure said that obstructive
rules of the environment ministry and its notifications issued
without considering ground realities have proved to be roadblocks
for development in Naxal-affected areas.
Odisha Government demanded SRE
of nearly INR 2.80 billion for Naxal-infested Districts
in the State. Chief Secretary of Odisha Government, AP Padhi told
reporters that the SRE is due from Centre since last two years.
Simultaneously, State Government requested the GoI to upgrade
Internet connectivity and banking facilities in the two Naxal affected
Districts of Koraput and Malkangiri. The State Government
put forth its proposals during a video-conference with the Union
Cabinet Secretary.
CPI-Maoist activities in Odisha
has gone down sharply and out of 35 most LWE affected Districts
in the Country, only two Districts, Koraput and Malkangiri find
place in the list released by the UMHA. While about 95 per cent
of violence by LWEs is reported from 35 Districts of seven States,
Odisha shares only 8.2 per cent, which confirms the trend. In
the latest report of the UMHA on Maoist activities in the country,
while Chhattisgarh records the highest of 37.6 per cent LWE violence
cases, Jharkhand share 31 per cent of the total LWE violence reported
across the country. Odisha stood far behind the two neighbouring
States with just 8.2 per cent. In Chhattisgarh 8 and in Jharkhand
16 Districts are most LWE affected Districts, while Maoist activities
is confined mostly to Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Khammam
in Telengana. Among these States, Odisha leads in conducting more
number of Unified Command Meetings to review Maoist Menace and
Development. While Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand face larger degree
of Maoist violence, in the recent months both the States have
failed to conduct Unified Command Meetings while Odisha conducted
four meetings of Unified Command to tackle the ultras. State Police
is acting in tandem with Central Para-military Forces and an apex
Level Multi Disciplinary Group has been put in place tackle the
Left Wing rebels.
Odisha has asked the UMHA for
two more battalions of CRPF forces to be deployed in bordering
Districts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as these areas are porous
and ultras keep sneaking into the State since there is more presence
of CAFs in both the two States.
Altogether 63 Composite BOPs would
be constructed along the State’s international border with Bangladesh.
Of the total target, construction of 47 composite BOPs have already
been completed while some of them made operational for providing
better facility to the jawans. On the progress of
barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Bangla border, an unnamed BSF
official said there was no fixed target to complete the fencing
works.
|
August 4
|
Confidential information related
to the Indian Army has been allegedly leaked out from Jhansi Sadar
SDM’s office to foreign agents. The UP ATS officials suspect the
role of some insiders in the leak and interrogated some employees
of the SDM office. The sleuths also seized some documents, computers
and pen drives in this connection. IG of Police, ATS, Asim Arun
said the probe so far revealed that details related to movement
of troops in and from Jhansi Cantonment area have been leaked.
Indian Government urged countries
that share its concerns on international terrorism to cooperate
in fighting all forms of terror. “You are aware of our position.
He (Azhar) is the leader of JeM, which has been involved in terror
acts against India and fomenting trouble in other countries. All
the countries that share our concern will cooperate in the sanction,”
MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay said. Baglay said that Azhar had
been involved in carrying out terror activities against India
and this was a well-known fact. He was replying to a question
on China once again extending by three months its technical hold
on the US, France and UK-backed proposal to designate Azhar a
global terrorist by the UN.
Police arrested one person from
Bihar who was allegedly attempting to circulate FICNs from Neredmet
market in Secunderabad in Telangana. According to sources, vegetable
vendors at Neredmet market caught a man when he attempted to exchange
the fake 12,000 note on the pretext of purchasing vegetables.
The suspect had given 12,000 fake notes after purchasing vegetables
worth 11,100. Preliminary probe revealed that the suspect hailed
from Bihar had come to Hyderabad along with his friends and they
are into circulation of fake Indian currency notes, which were
reportedly procured by one of the gang members from West Bengal,
said sources.
The NIA was questioning two more
persons from the Coimbatore city (Tamil Nadu), believed to be
‘close friends’ of the duo who were interrogated two days ago
in connection with an Islamic State (IS) module busted in Kannur
District (Kerala) last year. A team of officials, led by a DSP
from Kerala arrived in Coimbatore and took the youths to a Police
station for “questioning” about the movement of their friends
from Karumbukadai and Ukkadam in the Coimbatore city. According
to Police sources, one youth is running a shop that sells second-hand
books and the other a shoe outlet in the city. They would either
be released after questioning or taken to Kochi, they said.
In the past few days, NIA has
questioned “a few persons” from Coimbatore and Alappuzha in Kerala
as part of its probe in connection with an Islamic State module
busted in Kannur District in 2016. Report adds that Basil
Shihab of Alappuzha (Kerala), Abdul Rahman, of Ukkadam in Coimbatore,
and S Abdullah, of Karumbukadai in Coimbatore, are being questioned
by the NIA team at its Kochi office since August 4. Their interrogation
will continue on August 6 too. The NIA had on August 3 carried
out searches at the residences of these youths.
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.
Bihar Police arrested a cadre
of the CPI-Maoist, Suresh Baitha, from Nonfarva village in East
Champaran District of Bihar. Baitha was carrying INR 25,000 on
his head. Baitha was wanted in 14 cases of violence and related
crimes in the District.
Escorted by a Police team, Kanyakumari alias Suvarna,
a woman leader of the CPI-Maoist involved in more than 20
cases registered in Kerala and other southern States, was brought
to Kochi in Ernakulam District of Kerala. She was
brought as part of a case related to an attack on a Policeman
in Wayanad in 2015. Suvarna, a Karnataka native, was brought to
Kochi from Chikmagalur following a production warrant issued by
the NIA Court.
UMHA said that a multi-pronged
strategy of security, development and ensuring rights of local
communities should be vigorously pursued to deal with Naxals-affected
States, while chairing a meeting in New Delhi. Singh
was chairing a meeting to review the status of development projects
and security-related issues in Naxal affected
States. Different development projects, including RRP, and those
concerning air connectivity, power, education, health and banking
were reviewed at the meeting. While reviewing the progress on
road connectivity under RRP-II, Singh expressed concern over the
delay in submission of DPRs by State Governments.
SF-10 with 152 commandos and a
Unit of 50 recruits in Law and Order Riot Control were formally
inducted after the passing out parade at APTC in Mawiong. CM Mukul
Sangma witnessed the parade as the chief guest. On the occasion,
CM Sangma said that there will be continuous recruitment in the
Police force and about 2,751 vacancies are to be filled.
CM Mukul Sangma said that the
rehabilitation package meant for disbanded groups is under examination.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sangma said, “There are certain technicalities
which need to be addressed and in the process there have been
delays. These aspects have been shared with the police headquarters.”
The statement came a day after the ANVC-B accused the State Government
of intentionally delaying the rehabilitation package for them.
|
August 5
|
The Jandiala Police arrested one
person, identified as Raman Kumar alias Romi along with
FICNs worth of INR 25,000 from Jalandhar District. SSP, Amritsar
rural, Parampal Singh said “Raman hailed from Mari Gahor Singh
village in Tarn Taran. He used to make fake currency using computer
and printer. The Police recovered currency notes of Rs 500 to
the tune of Rs 20,000 and Rs 100 notes to the tune of Rs 5,000.”
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.
District Police recovered 4,225
detonators and two rifles from a CPI-Maoist hideout in a forest
near Hesag village under Bagru Police Station area in Lohardaga
District of Jharkhand. SP, Kartik S. said Police acted on a tip-off
about the movement of wanted Maoist leader Sudhakaran and ‘zonal
commander’ Ravindra Ganjhu along with 45 armed squads in Hesag,
Hasru and neighbouring areas of Lohardaga.
Security agencies have stepped
up vigil after receiving intelligence inputs indicating the possibility
of terror strikes by ULFA-I in Dibrugarh District in the run-up
to Independence Day. "We have intelligence inputs
that the ULFA-I may try to target Dibrugarh town ahead of Independence
Day. Use of car bombs by the militants also cannot be ruled out
but we are fully prepared to thwart any kind of threat. Counter-insurgency
operations have been intensified in the border areas. We are checking
every vehicle and two-wheeler at all entry and exit points of
the town. Night patrolling is being conducted in all the major
roads and streets," said ASP-Headquarters Surjeet Singh Panesar.
|
August 6
|
A team of ATS arrested a Bangladeshi
man, Abdullah al Mamon, suspected of being a member of the banned
militant outfit ABT from UP. According to an ATS spokesperson,
four more people have been arrested following Abdullah’s arrest.
Two of them were living in a madrasa (Islamic Seminary).
Two were locals, while the others came from Kashmir and Bihar.
Indian investigators seized several fake passports, Aadhaar cards
and other official documents from Abdullah that he was also holding
for other people. They also discovered official seals, duplicated
signatures of important officials and copied panchayat pradhans.
Indian Police said that Abdullah and his team had succeeded in
laying the groundwork for spreading a terror network in the area
and were moving into the second or third phase of their operations.
Abdullah was also trying to marry a local girl, but his accent
was an impediment, said police. He had been working as an Imam
for over a year before he was removed because of his accent.
The militant was living in the
Deoband area of Saharanpur in UP since 2011. He moved to Muzaffarnagar
District in July, 2017. Abdullah admitted to have crossed over
to India through Assam. He had been active in terror sponsoring
activities in Malda District and other areas of West Bengal and
was linked to associates in the banned JMB and the Islamic State
(IS). He said he was working as a recruiter for the Islamic State.
His work in UP as an Imam in mosques, was a cover to hide his
main activity, which was to provide shelter and other help for
Bangladeshi jihadis crossing over to India.
BSF arrested a person, identified
as Samayon, carrying INR 92000 worth of FICN in INR 2000 note
denomination near Baliadanga area of Malda District in West Bengal.
So far in 2017, the south Bengal frontier of the BSF has seized
FICNs of the face value of INR 30.84 lakh and arrested five men,
the BSF said.
BSF arrested a Bangladeshi citizen,
Abdul Wahid (46), along with some documents, from Karimganj town
in Karimganj District. An Aadhaar card, panchayat documents, ILP
for Mizoram and three mobile phones were recovered from him. During
interrogation, he told the BSF that he is a resident of Jokiganj
in Sylhet district of Bangladesh and came to India four years
back with the help of a tout. He has been working as a labourer
since. On the Aadhaar card, his name has been written as Abdul
Kalam.
The cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered
a blast in an under-construction community hall at Jamgai village
in Gaya District of Bihar. The CPI-Maoist cadres left
leaflets claiming responsibility for the incident. The community
hall was being constructed to serve as a Police picket in the
Maoist-affected area.
A member of Western Ghats Zonal
Committee (WGZC) of the CPI-Maoist, Soman, had expressed to
surrender before Police in Malappuram District of Kerala. Sonam
joined PLGA of the party in 2014. The sources said the immediate
provocation for the surrender offer was due to threats faced by
Soman, a native of Kalpetta in Wayanad District, and his family
members from Naxal groups.
|
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.
The Union Government extended
the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing
various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and
others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border
areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three
districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA
for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30.
In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire
Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect
from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal
Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within
the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts
of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from
August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the
Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley,
East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.
The Union Government extended
the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing
various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and
others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border
areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three
districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA
for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30.
In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire
Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect
from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal
Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within
the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts
of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from
August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the
Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley,
East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.
GNLA’s senior commander and third
in the hierarchy of the outfit, Baltush N Marak, surrendered
at Chokpot in South Garo Hills. Baltush N Marak was the ‘area
commander’ in the coal-belt of Nangalbibra in South Garo Hills
District and West Khasi Hills District.
GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’, Sohan
D Shira, who fled to Bangladesh in June, has returned to Garo
Hills. A series of setbacks at the hands of Meghalaya police commandos
in the recent weeks has pushed GNLA to the corner. Sohan was forced
to flee into neighbouring Bangladesh following an encounter at
Rongsu in South Garo Hills on June 27 during which his personal
bodyguard, Lukseng Ch Marak, was killed and the elusive rebel
leader was saved by a whisker.
The Union Government extended
the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing
various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and
others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border
areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three
districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA
for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30.
In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire
Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect
from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal
Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within
the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts
of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from
August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the
Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley,
East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.
The Grand Council of Chiefs of
Meghalaya will be meeting to demand the inclusion of the Instrument
of Accession and Annexed Agreement in the Constitution as in the
case of Jammu & Kashmir. The Grand council consists of the
Federation of Khasi States and various other traditional bodies
Will also to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the signing of
accession agreement.
The CPI-Maoist has minimised recruiting
women into their dalams to avoid marital issues
and security reasons. The Police who are engaged in the ANS operations
observe that there is a decrease in women recruitment. A CRPF
personnel, on condition of anonymity, said, there are issues such
as harassment by superiors, negligence in elevation to higher
positions and domination by men which are discouraging CPI-Maoist
to recruit women cadres in the dalams. Love-related
issues and illicit affairs are major reasons for decline recruitment.
“We also observed in the minutes written and documented by the
Naxalites during plenums, which were seized during exchanges of
fire, about the ban on women recruitment,” a Police official said.
A group of 50 armed cadres of
the CPI-Maoist killed Nandapur Sarpanch, Jaga Khara,
by slitting his throat at Hatibari village under Padua Police
limits in Koraput District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist cadres
alleged
him as ‘Police informer’
. According to reports, the armed
Maoists barged into the house of Khara when he was asleep and
dragged him outside and later killed him by slitting his throat.
Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists set ablaze a tractor, a car
and a jeep of the Sarpanch besides leaving a
handwritten letter near the body.
The Odisha Police has decided
to form BDDS at range levels while constituting Anti-Sabotage
Check Teams (ASCT) in each District. The State Police Headquarters
at Bhubaneswar District has come out with an official order for
formation of dedicated units at all police range including Koraput,
Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Cuttack, Balasore, Angul and Police
Commissionerate Bhubaneswar-Cuttack. Presently, there are two
apex BDDS functioning under the Security Wing of the Special Branch.
Similarly, there are trained personnel at District levels too.
In fact, each of the LWE-affected Districts has its own BDDS which
is employed to sweep the areas during anti-Naxal operations.
However, in other Districts, though trained manpower is available,
no special unit has been formed as yet.
The Odisha Government has approached
and urged the UMoRD for more funds under MNREGA as there is more
demand for daily jobs in the tribal-dominated LWE zones. While
19 Districts are affected by Maoists in Odisha, the UMHA has identified
Malkangiri and Koraput as “Most LWE Affected Districts” among
the 35 Districts of the country, where Maoists are most active.
Further, funds sought for RRP-II are yet to be sanctioned, though;
the UMHA has favored such proposal long back. Once sanctioned,
Odisha is expected to receive over INR 6 billion under RRP II
and major roads in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts are to be
covered.
To monitor the movement of the
CPI-Maoist cadres in the reserve forest along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala
border, the Coimbatore Rural Police of Tamil Nadu have deployed
six more NSD teams with the field staff of the forest department
to conduct combing operations in Coimbatore District. The Police
have also created 13 more check-posts in bordering areas to monitor
the movement of vehicles round-the-clock. SP, Coimbatore District,
Pa Moorthy told that six more NSD teams from other Districts to
conduct combing operations in vulnerable areas. Tribal villages
in Kerala are infested with Maoists. But there is no movement
of Maoists in Tamil Nadu.
In a joint operation, Charla Police
and the CRPF arrested ‘area committee member’, Madivi Chukka alias Diwakar
(28), from Unjupalli forest area under Charla Police Station in
Khammam District of Telangana. Diwakar was one of the accused
in the killing of a home guard attached to Dummugudem Police Station
at the pilgrim centre of Parnashala in Bhadrachalam division in
2013.
The Union Government extended
the disturbed area under the AFSPA for one more month, citing
various violent activities by insurgent groups ULFA, NDFB, and
others. “The Union Home Ministry also declared Meghalaya’s border
areas adjoining Assam consisting 20 kilometre belt, and three
districts in Arunachal Pradesh as “disturbed” under the AFSPA
for two more months with effect from August 3 to September 30.
In separate gazette notifications, the Home Ministry said entire
Assam has been declared “disturbed” under the AFSPA with effect
from August 3 till August 31. The three districts of Arunachal
Pradesh – Tirap, Changlang and Longding – and areas falling within
the jurisdiction of 14 Police Stations in nine other Districts
of the State were also declared as ‘disturbed’ with effect from
August 4 to September 30. The 14 Police Stations fall under the
Districts of Papumpare, West Siang, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley,
East Kameng, West Kameng, Namsai, Lohit and Lower Subansiri.
|
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
|
The NIA filed a chargesheet against
four members of IS’s self-professed Lucknow-Kanpur module. Atif
Muzaffar, Danish, Syed Mir Hussain and Ghaus Khan, who were allegedly
involved in a blast on a Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train in March,
2017 have been charged under the IPC and the UAPA. In the chargesheet
filed before a special NIA court in Bhopal, the agency has alleged
that Muzaffar formed a terrorist gang with several members. An
NIA statement said the gang included Danish, Hussain, Khan and
one Saifullah and owed allegiance to the IS. Saifullah was killed
in an encounter in Lucknow on the day of the blast.
The UP ATS is probing whether
Faizan, an alleged member of Bangladeshi terror group ABT, planned
to recruit youths by offering them training in martial arts at
Deoband in Saharanpur. Bangladeshi native Faizan, who allegedly
holds a key post in ABT, is absconding. He is reportedly an associate
of Abdullah, who was arrested from Muzaffarnagar by the ATS on
August 6. Abdullah was produced before a Lucknow court on August
8, which sent him to five-day Police custody.
FICN of face value of over INR
2.55 crore, the maximum being in Gujarat, have been seized along
various international borders of the country post demonetisation,
Minister of State for Home Hansraj G Ahir cited NCRB data, collected
for the November 9, 2016-July 14, 2017 period, while furnishing
a written reply in Lok Sabha on the subject. A total of
23,429 FICN have been seized during the said period and the data
also includes the fakes for the old Rs. 500 notes that were demonetised,
along with the INR 1,000 currency, after a declaration by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, 2016.
The maximum seizures, both in
terms of number of fake notes seized of INR 100/INR 500 and their
face value, have been made in Gujarat followed by Mizoram, West
Bengal and Punjab. The face value of the seized FICN in Gujarat
stood at over INR 1.37 crore, followed by INR 55 lakh in Mizoram,
over INR 44 lakh in West Bengal and INR 5.60 lakh in Punjab. The
total face value of this FICN, across all Border States, is more
than INR 2.55 crore, the data said.
Forty-two people linked with various
organisations, including IS (Islamic State), were suspected to
have gone missing from Kerala in last five years, Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan said. There was no information about these missing
people, Vijayan said in a written reply in the state Assembly,
adding that all cases connected with IS were probed by the NIA.
Vijayan also said that the state government did not receive any
confirmation report from central agencies about the death of any
of these missing persons.
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.
NSCN-K announced to boycott the
Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in all Naga inhabited
territories and appealed to every Naga nationals to abstain from
participation.
The NIA arrested Sankhang Basumatary,
a suspected cadre of NDFB-IKS here for his alleged involvement
in the December 23, 2014, massacre of Adivasis at Pakriguri village
under Serfanguri Police Station in Kokrajhar District.
Prithviraj Narayan Dev Mech, a
descendent of Bodo king Chikra Mech has twice received threats
allegedly from the NDFB-S which accused him of working against
their demand for a sovereign Bodoland. The Prithviraj, who was
"coronated" as the prince last year, lodged an FIR at
Kokrajhar Police Station on August 8 following text messages from
a person, identifying himself as B. Mithinga of the NDFB-S, a
militant outfit, the day before.
An unidentified militant shot
at and injured a civilian, Sandam Bhogen (37), at Sagolband Khamnam
bazar under Lamphel Police Station along Imphal West district.
Sandam Bhogen is out on bail regarding the alleged rape of a three
and a half-year-old girl on December 3, 2013.
NSCN-K announced to boycott the
Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in all Naga inhabited
territories and appealed to every Naga nationals to abstain from
participation.
AR troopers arrested a NSCN-K
militant, ‘captain’ Inoto Chopy, from Alahuto colony in Zunheboto
District.
DIG Vikas Vaibhav, informed that
Bihar Police will extend its Lok Samvad (Public
Interface Initiative) to the Naxal affected Jamui
and Lakhisarai Districts of Bihar. DIG Vaibhav added, “Building
confidence of people in policing, apart from ensuring their involvement
in mainstream activities, will be our objective in extending the
programme to Maoist strongholds in Banka, Jamui, Munger and Lakhisarai
Districts under the two Police ranges of eastern Bihar.” The programme
was launched in Munger last Saturday (August 5) after DIG Vaibhav
was given additional charge of the range. The Munger range comprises
six districts — Munger, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Begusarai
and Khagaria. Meanwhile, sources said the Police had also initiated
sports activities; involve common man, at select places in Bhagalpur
District to make the programme more popular.
ATS of Gujarat Police arrested Naxal ‘ideologue’,
Tusharkant Bhattacharya (62), co-accused of Tappalapur killing
with Kondapalli Seetharamaih and Mupalla Laxmana Rao aka Ganapathy
in 1976, on charges of sedition, waging war against the State
and others from Nagpur-bound Geetanjali Express at Durg Railway
Station of Chhattisgarh. Bhattacharya was returning from Kolkata
in West Bengal after meeting his sister when he was arrested.
Gujarat intelligence agency team picked up Bhattacharya from the
train at Durg in Chhattisgarh and brought him to Nagpur by road.
He was flown to Mumbai from city on way to Ahmedabad. He was wanted
in the case registered in 2010 at Kamrej Police Station in Surat,
Gujarat. Nagpur-based Bhattacharya, who was in Cherlapally jail
in Hyderabad between 2007 and 2013 after being arrested in Patna
in 2007, was booked in the present case along with Pitla Narayan alias Arjun
Madhu, his wife Rela Prashanthi alias Shweta,
Kobad Ghandy and Seema alias Manju Hirani and
Anand Ambedkar. In March 2012, Bhattacharya's elder brother Aseem
was arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police and Maharashtra ATS from
Dombivli along with three others CPI-Maoist cadres for Naxal activities.
District Police arrested a ‘sub-zonal
commander’ of TPC-1, a breakaway group of TPC, from Cherwadih
village under Bhawnathpur Police Station in Garhwa District of
Jharkhand. Police also recovered one country made rifle loaded
with two cartridges and a mobile phone from his possession. According
to Garhwa SP, Mohamed Arshi, Police had received a tip-off that
TPC one ‘sub-zonal commander’ Chotu Singh Kharwar alias Ajay
Kumar Singh alias Ajay Singh Kharwar and his
associates were sheltering in Cherwadih village near school, a
joint team of Bhawnathpur Police led by OIC, Anil Kumar raided
there. Chotu was arrested while his associates managed to escape.
Arrested Chotu was involved in about one dozen Naxal violence
cases including murder, attempt to murder, extortion etc, SP added.
Chotu joined the CPI-Maoist squad in 1999. Later, he joined TPC
one and made the chief of the District. Besides this he was also
wanted to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Palamu Police in several cases,
SP informed. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
NSCN-K announced to boycott the
Independence Day celebrations on August 15 in all Naga inhabited
territories and appealed to every Naga nationals to abstain from
participation.
|
August 9
|
Security agencies in Uttar Pradesh's
Amethi railway station found a suspicious unattended package,
later found be a low intensity device, on a Amritsar-bound train.
"A low-intensity device was found, it has been deactivated
and train has left for its destination," Saumitra Yadav,
SP GRP. Earlier, the train was stopped at Amethi for checking
and two coaches were vacated and bomb disposal squad was also
called for aiding the operation. "A package with a 'sutli'
(thread) wrapped, two lighters and little powder material strewn
around was found in the train (Akal Takhat Express/12317),"
official said, adding, "The suspicious package was reported
at around 1am on Wednesday night.” The officials have also recovered
a threat letter near the package. The letter claims to avenge
LeT terrorist Abu Dujana's killing.
Madhya Pradesh ATS in a joint
operation with Punjab Police arrested three men and busted a terror
module that sources say had direct links with Pakistan's ISI backed
banned terror outfit ISYF. The arrests were made from Madhya Pradesh's
Gwalior city. Those arrested have been identified as Balvinder
Gill, Balkar Singh and Sathyendra Rawat. The trio was picked up
from their hideouts in Dabra, Chinor and Dulpura area of Gwalior.
Two of them were also associated with KLF, said officials.
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.
DGP-law and order Kuladhar Saikia
and ADGP-Special Branch Pallab Bhattacharya reviewed the law and
order scenario in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo Districts
of Upper Assam. The meeting was held taking into account a possible
ULFA-I’s threat before and during Independence Day celebrations.
Sources said this year Dibrugarh district is on the ULFA-I radar.
Intelligence agencies recently warned that an ULFA group, led
by a ‘captain’ Henry, may carry out remote-controlled IED blasts
in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts targeting security forces
and oil installations. ADGP Kuladhar Saikia said additional forces
would be mobilized in the sensitive districts in view of the threat.
The NIA served NBW of arrests
against ULFA-I’s London-based ‘chairman’ Dr Mukul Hazarika and
‘commander-in-chief’ Paresh Baruah, who is believed to be based
in Myanmar. Two teams of Guwahati office of NIA took the NBWs
to the native home of Hazarika at Samaguri in Nagaon District
and Baruah's at Chabua in Dibrugarh District.
SFs arrested person named Anowar
Hussain and recovered two China-made grenades from his possession
at Mazbat area in Udalguri District.
SFs arrested a militant, identified
as Ngamminlen Haokip (23) alias Diamond Haokip, at Kinkin
area of Churachandpur town in Churachandpur District. Ngamminlen
Haokip (23), the prime accused in the murder of KNLF ‘commander-in-chief’
Tonglianlal Haokip on August 2.
UNLF claimed responsibility for
shooting of the rape accused Sandam Bhogen at Takyel Khongbal
near SAI complex in Imphal West District.
The SoO pact was extended for
another year by the Union Government, the State Government and
two conglomerates of Kuki militant groups namely KNO and UPF. The
SoO is now operational till August 31, 2018.The meeting did not
touch any political agenda, it is reported that political dialogue
would be held with the Government of India's interlocutor who
is likely to arrive at Imphal soon, informed a source. Further,
the Government officials took up cases of violation of SoO ground
rules at Moreh and along National Highways by cadres belonging
to the SoO groups. They asked the KNO and UPF leaders not to create
such problems in future. They maintained that cadres which violate
SoO ground rules should be handed over to the Government authority
by the groups concerned. On their part, KNO and UPF cadres pointed
out that monthly stipends entitled to the cadres of SoO groups
have not been paid for two years. The UMHA officials assured that
the designated camps of SoO groups would be renovated and the
pending stipend amount would be released shortly added the source. The
interlocutor, Dineshwar Sharma, was introduced to the Kuki organisations
at the meeting in New Delhi. "Since the interlocutor
has just been appointed, no discussion could be taken up today
on statehood," Calvin H. of ZRO, a part of the UPF said.
The Assam Rifles caught four NSCN-K
militants with arms and ammunition from Jiribam district.
The Centre Government of India
has allotted a CRPF battalion to provide security for Andhra Pradesh
Secretariat, Chief Minister’s residence and the Camp Office located
in the capital region in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh. The
battalion is the first central force allotted to the State capital.
The 39th Battalion, comprising 1,000 personnel, will also take
up anti-Naxal operations in Telangana and Chhattisgarh
borders and on the AOB region. The State Government has allocated
land for the battalion headquarters at Chinavutapalli in Krishna
District, and 15 acres has been allotted to the force at Newgondlapalli
village near Agiripalli in the District, said its Commandant V.V.N.
Prasanna Kumar.
The patrolling team of SFs cordoned
off a forest in the interiors of Gangaloor area near Modipara
village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh and arrested four
Maoist cadres. The arrested cadres were identified as Manglu Hemla
(35), Raju Tati (28), Ramu Hemla (30) and Hemla Budhu (35), all
lower rung cadres.
SFs arrested a local CPI-Maoist
‘militia commander’ identified as Budhru Mandavi (23) from Kalmanar
village in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs recovered
a CPI-Maoist banner and two pamphlets from his possession. All
the arrested cadres were allegedly involved in arranging meetings
and food for the Maoists, gathering information for them, damaging
roads, spreading their propaganda and other offences, Police said.
A total of 36 CPI-Maoist
cadres were killed and 651 arrested during the last four
months (March 16 to July 15, 2017), in Chhattisgarh, informed
the Central Government. Chhattisgarh is among other Left Wing
Extremism infested States where highest 38 CRPF troopers were
killed in 15 incidents of Maoist attacks during the past six months
as on June, 30, 2017, the Central Government added. During the
period, incidents of Maoists attacks in other insurgency infested
States are as follows — Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (3), Jharkhand
(4), Maharashtra (8) and Odisha (1). Earlier, the Union Cabinet
had also approved raising of four ‘India Reserve Battalions’ (IR
Bns) for Chhattisgarh State to be deployed in LWE pockets of the
State. The Union Cabinet had announced to raise a total of 17
India Reserve Battalions (IR Bns) for J&K and LWE affected
States, officials stated. It includes five IR Bns in the State
of J&K, three IR Bns in Jharkhand, three IR Bns in Odisha
and two IR Bns in Maharashtra including four for Chhattisgarh.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition
of the CPI-Maoist were seized by BSF personnel in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. The security personnel deployed in Badapada under Chitrakonda
cut-off area were tipped off about presence of Maoists in a camp
at Bandhuguda forest area. BSF DIG (Intelligence), JC Nayak said
when the jawans raided the forest; they found the Maoist camp
near a nullah. However, before they could reach the spot, the
Maoists fled. During search, BSF personnel found four SBML guns
and two barrels, over a 100 round of ammunition, Maoist literature,
radio set and uniforms from the camp. DIG Nayak added that the
Maoist camp was set up to attack the BSF jawans deployed in the
area for Gurupriya Bridge work.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
before West Bengal Police at the Belguma Police line in Purulia
District of West Bengal. The surrendered Maoists identified as
Hazari Hembram alias Bijoy and Rani Munda alias Pooja
were known to be cadres of the Dalma squad active in West Bengal,
Jharkhand and Odisha region for the CPI-Maoist. The duo handed
over one 303 rifle and a 12mm bore gun to SP, Joy Biswas. Hazari,
a resident of Mahalitar under Balrampur Police Station in Purulia
had joined the Maoist squad in 2006. Rani, who hails from
East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, entered the Maoist squad
in 2015. The Dalma squad of Maoists primarily operates in the
East Singhbhum region of Jharkhand. A tribal squad, most of its
leaders and cadres are from West Bengal. “These two were also
member of regional committee of Dalma squad surrounding Jharkhand,
Orissa and Bengal,” SP, Biswas added.
|
August 9-10
|
An alleged al Qaeda terrorist
deported from Saudi Arabia, identified as Zeeshan Ali was on August
10 produced before a Delhi Court which remanded him in custody
of city Police for two weeks for interrogation in a case of terror
funding. 29-year-old Ali, a native of Jharkhand and relative of
2007 Glasgow airport attack suspect, was sent back from Saudi
Arabia last evening (August 9) in connection with the case in
which he is also accused of conspiring with other al Qaeda members
to organise and make provocative speeches to recruit Indian youths
and establishing a base for the terror outfit. After deportation
due to violation of visa, the alleged terrorist was arrested by
the Delhi Police on August 9 at the IGI Airport as there was a
Look Out Circular against him. Ali was declared a proclaimed offender
by a Delhi court on July 12, along with eleven others. Their name
was disclosed by five accused, arrested by the probe agency earlier,
as active cadres of this banned outfit operating in India from
Pakistan and other countries and known as AQIS.
|
August 10
|
A terrorist linked to al-Qaeda
was arrested in Delhi; he was allegedly trying to escape to Nepal,
Police said. Raza Ul Ahmed, who is involved in a fake currency
racket, is a member of ABT, a Bangladesh based terror outfit which
has an affiliation with al Qaeda, Police said. Ahmed has been
handed over to the West Bengal Police, which had filed a case
against him. ABT is said to be involved in the hacking of atheists
in Bangladesh. The group owes allegiance to al Qaeda. Many members
of the terror outfit, according to the Police, have sneaked into
India using forged documents.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh approved
a proposal of the State Police to set up an elite specially trained
SPG to deal with any terror attack and other threats in the State
which shares border with Pakistan. "The contours of the proposed
SPG, a small but effective 270-member young and dynamic team,
were discussed at a meeting chaired by the chief minister,"
an official spokesperson said. The SPG will be set up, with a
clear mandate to neutralise armed aggressors and to combat terrorism,
besides infiltration, hijacking, hostage-taking and other sensitive
threat situations. The CM had also suggested that a small core
team from the SPG could be sent to Israel for the latest and state-of-the-art
counter insurgency training.
According to the proposal discussed
during the meeting, the SPG would be headed by an ADGP rank official
with an IG and a DIG rank officer to assist him. The SPG would
be divided into three teams, headed by a SP rank officer who would
be of less than 35 years of age. The DSP rank officers in the
team would be younger than 30 years and Operators would be in
the age group of 18-25 years, the spokesperson said. These teams
would specialise in tackling different situations and would be
trained both by the Army and the NSG. Amarinder said the process
to identify officers and personnel for the SPG, who would be drawn
from various police departments should commence immediately.
The SC ordered the Kerala Police
to hand over to the NIA the probe records of a case concerning
the alleged conversion and radicalisation of a Hindu girl, and
her marriage to a Muslim. A Bench led by CJI, J.S. Khehar said
the NIA had to get involved to gauge whether this was an “isolated
case” or part of a radicalisation trend in the southern State,
threatening National Security. When the lawyer for Shafin Jahan
protested the move, the court promptly recorded its “impression”
that he “does not desire the correct and independent view of the
controversy”.
The three men arrested on August
9 night by Madhya Pradesh ATS and Punjab Police had supplied pistols
to pro-Khalistan militants for targeted political killings in
Punjab. The arrested trio includes cousin of a Canada-based Khalistan
separatist leader. The three were identified as Balkar Singh (45),
Balwindar Singh (28) and Satyendra Rawat (26) from Dabra, Thatipur
and Chinor areas of Gwalior District. According to key sources
connected with the joint operation, Balkar was originally a native
of Gurdaspur District of Punjab, who had migrated to Gwalior District
over three decades back and was primarily engaged in agriculture.
Gurmeet Cheema, Balkar’s cousin,
operates an outfit Khalsa Sewa Dal (KSD) in Canada, and also has
links with the terror outfits Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF)
and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) which primarily
operate from Pakistan. The nexus came in light, in May 2017, when
two KLF militants Maan Singh and Sher Singh were arrested by BSF
from near the international border in Punjab. From their possession
three country-made pistols and live cartridges were seized, after
which a case was lodged at Ramdas Police station of rural Amritsar.
Investigations in the case later
led to the arrest of three more KLF men in Punjab, including Jagroop
Singh, Gurdayal Singh and Satwindar Singh. Interrogation of the
arrested men revealed that the three pistols were supplied from
Balkar Singh and aides in Gwalior at the behest of Canada-based
Cheema. The pistols were to be used for executing targeted killing
of some politicians in Punjab as part of ISYF and KLF plans to
revive the movement for separate Khalistan, a key MP ATS source
told. “All three men arrested by Punjab Police from Gwalior were
accused in the case lodged at Ramdas Police Station in Amritsar
in May. They have already been taken to Punjab. Once their grilling
is completed by Punjab Police, MP Police too might interrogate
them,” said MP Police’s IG (Law and Order) Makarand Deuskar.
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.
Seven armed militant formations
called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire
North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration
of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of
Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by
‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP,
Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R
Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing
secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.
Seven armed militant formations
called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire
North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration
of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of
Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by
‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP,
Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R
Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing
secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.
Seven armed militant formations
called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire
North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration
of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of
Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by
‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP,
Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R
Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing
secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.
Seven armed militant formations
called a 12 hour shut down strike on August 15, in the entire
North East India, which they term as WESEA to ban celebration
of Indian Independence Day. The total ban on the celebration of
Indian Independence Day was made in a joint statement signed by
‘publicity secretary’, HNLC, Ksh Laba Meitei, ‘president’, KCP,
Jiban Singh Koch, ‘chairman’, KLO, N.Oken, ‘chairman’, KYKL, B..R
Ferengga, ‘general secretary’, NDFB-S, Sengphui Borok, ‘organizing
secretary’, NLFT and J K Lijang, ‘chairman’, PDCK.
The CPI-Maoist activist Tushar alias Kanti alias Shreekant alias Prakashji
Harnath Bhattacharya (62) was remanded to Police custody for four
days (till August 14) by a court in Kathore of Kamrej taluka in
Surat District of Gujarat. The Surat Rural Police had demanded
140-day custody of Bhattacharya, who was arrested by Gujarat ATS
on August 8 from a train at Durg Railway Station of Chhattisgarh
and handed over to the local Police in Kamrej on August 9. DSP,
Surat District, SK Vala said, "We will be questioning Bhattacharya
about the training classes conducted by him. We will also try
to find out what kind of information he shared with the participants."
Two families of the village under
Nandapur block have left Hatibari fearing violence by the cadres
of the CPI-Maoist in Koraput District of Odisha. The families
of Bibhisan Pangi and Manoj Kumar have shifted to Padwa following
the killing of Sarpanch Jagannath Khora on August
7. Koraput, SP, KV Singh said Police have intensified combing
in the area and asked villagers not to panic.
|
August 11
|
The NIA filed a charge sheet against
Islamic State (IS) operative Moinudheen Parakadavath, who was
a member of outfit called Ansar-ul-Khilafah Kerala (soldiers
of the Caliphate as propagated by IS), formed by Shajeer Mangalessary.
Moinudheen, a resident of Kasaragod District, had also travelled
to Tehran (Iran) along with the group leader Shajeer and even
met five members of the 22 missing persons from Kerala, who are
now in Afghanistan, at the Iran border. He was deported from UAE
on February 15, 2017.
According to a UN report, the
Islamic State (IS) terror group enlists "partners of convenience"
in Afghanistan and "outsources" terror attacks to Pakistan-based
outfits like the LeJ and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. The 20th report of the
Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team was submitted
to the UN Security Council al-Qaida Sanctions Committee. It said
that in South Asia, the al Qaeda's core continues to compete with
the Islamic State, also known as the ISIL, for dominance over
terrorist groups in the region. The report said the current leader
of al-Qaeda Aiman al-Zawahiri "is still assumed" to
be in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. "ISIL in Afghanistan
tends to enlist partners of convenience and 'outsources' terrorist
attacks to other groups such as LeJ, and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a TTP
splinter group," the report said..
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.
Security Forces arrested a NSCN-R
cadre and an OWG along with arms and ammunition in Changlang District. The
cadre, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Bokam Wangrey and OWG was
identified as Raju Kumar Choudhury. SFs recovered an AK-47 assault
rifle, ammunition, contraband, multiple SIM cards and other incriminating
documents.
The tripartite talks involving
the Union, State Government and the UNC, on the district creation
issue is all set to be held at Senapati District headquarters.
The UMHA Joint Secretary (in-charge of North East), Satyendra
Garg over phone expressed hope for a positive outcome.
A joint squad of DRG and District
Force arrested five cadres of the CPI-Maoist from the forests
of Tongpal Police Station area in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Those
arrested were identified as Dashru Dhruva (20), Gangaram Dhurva
(32) and Hadma Madkami (30), all hailing from Malkangiri District
of Odisha, while two others -- Madkami Somdu (32) and Vetti Sukda
(35) belonged to Bastar District. Dashru was active as ‘Commander’
of CNM - the cultural wing of the CPI-Maoist cadres whereas remaining
others were members of DAKMS - a frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist.
All the arrestees were allegedly involved in the firing on a Police
party after triggering blast near Mundagadh village in Tongpal
area on August 7, SP, Abhishek Meena said.
A cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Rupesh,
was produced before the Principal District Sessions court in Coimbatore
District of Tamil Nadu. The session Judge, Pongiyappan, ordered
that Rupesh be remanded in judicial custody till August 21. Rupesh
was arrested near Coimbatore in 2015.
Security Forces arrested a NSCN-R
cadre and an OWG along with arms and ammunition in Changlang District. The
cadre, identified as ‘sergeant major’ Bokam Wangrey and OWG was
identified as Raju Kumar Choudhury. SFs recovered an AK-47 assault
rifle, ammunition, contraband, multiple SIM cards and other incriminating
documents.
|
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.
Unidentified militants exploded
a bomb at Moreh town in Tengnoupal District. No casualties were
reported, Police said.
A “commander-rank” cadre of the
CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Police in Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem
District of Telangana. CPI-Maoist Manuguru LOS ‘commander’ Sodi
Devaiah alias Mallesh (22), surrendered before
Bhadrachalam ASP, Sunil Dutt, Police sources said. Devaiah is
a native of Rallagatta, an interior tribal habitation, in Charla mandal.
He was allegedly involved in 21 cases of Maoist violence under
the jurisdiction limits of Charla, Dummugudem and Venkatapuram
Police Stations.
The GRP has arrested a Tripura
based militant from Badarpur Railway Station in Karimganj District.
“During a routine checking, the GRP personnel arrested the militant
identified as Naresh Chakma, (34), at Badarpur railway junction
on Saturday. Over 600 cartridges were recovered from the extremist,”
a Tripura based police official said.
|
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
|
SOG of Surat Police arrested four
persons for printing and circulating FICNs. Police also recovered
INR 40.73 lakh from their possession. An SOG team raided a house
at Sania village near Surat and recovered FICN in denomination
of INR 2,000, INR 500 and INR 100. Police had earlier arrested
three persons for trying to circulate fake currency. The arrested
men revealed that they had got the notes from one Ravi Gandhi.
Police raided Gandhi's row house at Sania and arrested him. A
printing machine, a cutting machine, a laptop and the paper used
to print fake notes were found at the house, apart from INR 15.38
lakh in fake currency. Altogether, INR 40.73 lakh in fake currency
were recovered from the possession of Gandhi and the other three.
Police arrested a one person,
identified as Ravinder Singh alias Babbi along with FICN
with a face value of INR 8.8 lakh from Thandi Sadak locality in
the Sangrur District. The accused is a resident of Mithri Budhgir
village in Lambi. He is a drug addict and used to print these
notes at his house using a colour printer, the Police said, adding
that the notes were in denomination of 2,000.
The NIA has received information
that the major chunk of foreign funds routed from Qatar to Malabar
region (Kerala) in the name of charity works has been distributed
to agencies related to an organisation having alleged links with
terror outfits. Around INR 96 crore was received by agencies affiliated
to this organisation. Sources said the money has been transferred
to various parts of the country.
Earlier, officials had received
information that the perpetrators of terror attacks in Hyderabad
and Bengaluru received financial assistance from Kerala. According
to NIA, majority of the NGOs that received funds exist only in
paper. Further, it is learnt that the functionaries of the outfit,
who are under the clouds of suspicion for their role in recruitment
to Islamic State (IS) and terror outfits in Kashmir, have purchased
properties and buildings in Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram Districts.
Officials have raised suspicions that foreign funds were used
for major real estate deals carried out before the demonetisation.
It may be noted that the NGO was active in social service and
other philanthropic activities in the last five years and the
office-bearers used it as a cover to receive funds from Qatar.
The Central Government said that
illegal immigrants like the Rohingyas pose grave security challenges
as they may be recruited by terror groups, and asked State Governments
to identify and deport them. In a communication to all States,
the UMHA said the rise of terrorism in last few decades has become
a serious concern for most nations as illegal migrants are more
vulnerable to getting recruited by terrorist organisations. “These
illegal immigrants not only infringe on the rights of Indian citizens
but also pose grave security challenges,” the communication, sent
last week, said. Infiltration of (the Rohingyas) from Rakhine
State of Myanmar into Indian territory, especially in recent years,
besides being burden on the limited resources of the country also
aggravates security challenges posed to India, the UMHA said.
Union Minister of State for Home
Kiren Rijiju had said in Parliament on August 9 that according
to available data, more than 14,000 Rohingyas, registered with
the UNHCR, are presently staying in India. “However, some inputs
indicate that around 40,000 Rohingyas are staying in India illegally
and the Rohingyas are largely located in Jammu, Hyderabad, Haryana,
Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan,” he had said.
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.
A fierce gun battle broke out
between suspected ZUF cadres and suspected NSCN-IM cadres at Namdailong
village at Lakhipur sub-division of Cachar District. There were
no reports of any casualty. During the gun battle, NSCN-IM cadres
destroyed a kitchen, an office and a prayer centre of NNC/FGN.
A bomb exploded at Kakwa Naorem
Leikai under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West District.
There were no reports of any casualty.
SFs arrested three persons from
two different locations near Singjamei Police Station (Imphal
West) and the other two from Koirou Part I (Imphal East) in connection
with the bomb blast at Kakwa Naorem Leikai. The individuals
have been identified as Thingbaijam Sanjoy (35), P Yaima Maring
(29) and Sapam Nanda alias Makar (50). SFs also
recovered a huge quantity of explosive materials from the arrested
individuals including 81 number of gelatin sticks (power gel),
two TNT cases weighing around one pound each, six circuits and
four mobile phones with SIM cards . During preliminary interrogation,
the arrested individuals revealed that they are working under
the command of ‘ Major’ Prem Kumar alias Aheiba
Angom alias PK, ‘chief of finance’, PREPAK .
The KNF-N has called for a total bandh (shutdown)
of Independence Day in the entire hill districts of Manipur and
called for a total shutdown in all the State and National highways
passing through the hill Districts from August 14 evening till
the dusk of August 15. KNF-N will ceaselessly boycott Independence
Day until and unless the Government of Manipur paves the way for
creation of 'Kukiland' in letter and spirit’, a press statement
released by the ‘information and publicity secretary’, Gogou Vaiphei
said .
Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist were
killed during an exchange of fire between CPI-Maoist cadres and
a joint team of the DRG and the STF of the Chhattisgarh Police
under Kistaram Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The
killed CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Podiyam Sunna, ‘Militia
Platoon Deputy Commander’, and Vanjam Hunga, a member of the small
action team of the CPI-Maoist’ Platoon Number 8 in Sukma District.
SFs also recovered a muzzle loading gun and a country-made pistol
from the spot.
Jharkhand Police recovered a five
Kilogram can bomb and eight detonators from Khokro village on
the foothills of Dalma at Patamda in Naxal affected
East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Later, patrolling was stepped
up in and around Dalma.
The Maharashtra Police busted
a CPI-Maoist camp in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra and recovered
weapons and horses. “A special team headed by ASP (operations),
Maheshwar Reddy launched an anti-Maoist operation in Abujhmad
on the border of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra and Narayanpur
district of Chhattisgarh. The encounter near Tundewra and Kupnar
village forced the Maoists to flee leaving behind weapons and
six horses. Six weapons and other material of daily use were also
recovered at the camp site,” said the Gadchiroli SP, in a release.
This was the first time when horses were found in a Maoist camp.
“Senior Maoist leaders like Bhupathi operate in Abujhmad and the
horses may have been used for senior leaders,” the release added.
Senior central committee leader Sonu Bhupati is chief of Dandakaranya
range falling in areas of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh. Police also seized three Bharmar (Muzzle loading)
guns, items of daily use, and some Naxal literature
from the spot.
|
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.
NLFT-BM militant along with his
family surrendered before DIG, BSF Sector Headquarters, Panisagar
Sindhu Kumar. The surrendered militant identified as Bishwamoni
Debbarma (34) of Rathtilla of Khowai. He was accompanied by his
wife Semi Debbarma (23) and one son- Justin Debbarma and one girl-
Shini Debbarma said a BSF’s official communiqué.
NSCN-IM ‘vice president’, ‘general’
(Retd) Kholi Konyak hinted that the Naga political issue will
be settled "at any moment from now". He said that the
Naga people "are now blessed with the finest opportune time
to see the glory of God, the Almighty in our lives through the
realization of our political settlement at any moment from now".
In the same time the NSCN-IM leader however said, “Let us remind
ourselves that, nothing is certain until it is achieved.
Altogether 68 militants of six
different militant groups laid down arms before the Government
at a ceremony held at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall.
The militants who laid down arms today included 17 of UNLF, 23
of KCP, seven PLA, 10 of PREPAK, four of KYKL and seven of PREPAK-PRO
.However, only seven/eight weapons reportedly brought by the militants
were displayed at the ceremony saying that other weapons were
being verified by Police .Speaking at the home coming ceremony,
Chief Minister N Biren assured that all the militants who have
joined the mainstream would be fully protected .
A paralytic cadre of the CPI-Maoist,
identified as Bachhan alias Perwin of Amhee village
in Hussainabad Police Station was arrested by Jharkhand Police
on August 13 and was produced before Palamau District court of
Jharkhand. Bachhan was sent to Central Jail Daltonganj. Sources
said Bachhan is the first paralytic or disabled CPI-Maoist cadre
to have been caught and jailed. He has facial paralysis.
An exchange of fire ensued between
CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs at Gandhamardhan hills near Khaprakhol
in Balangir District of Odisha. Acting on a tip-off about presence
of Maoists, CRPF and SOG troopers launched operation in Gandhamardhan
hills last night, informed Balangir SP, K. Siva Subramani. There
were no reports of any casualties in the encounter.
Maoist’s posters urging people
to refrain from celebrating Independence Day were found at a ghat
in Chandahandi near Umerkote under Jhorigaon Police limits in
Nabarangpur District of Odisha. They (Maoists) appealed to the
people to observe August 15 as a black day. A day before, on August
13, Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division of CPI-Maoist released
an audio tape with same appeal. Through the audio, Maoist spokesperson
Budhuram Paharia urged people to hoist black flags instead of
the Tricolour on August 15, alleging rise of unlawful activities
and torture on tribal people in State. “Independence Day is being
celebrated only for namesake,” the Maoist leader said in the audio.
|
August 15 |
A large cache of firearms and
arms making equipment were recovered and seven persons were arrested
as the Police unearthed an illegal arms manufacturing unit in
Malda District of West Bengal. SP, Arnab Ghosh said 48 finished
firearms and a large number of unfinished arms were seized from
the factory at Debipur village under Kaliachak Police Station
area. The firearms were of 9mm and 7mm variety. During the raid,
the Police also arrested seven persons from the factory which
was being operated from the house, Ghosh said. The arrested were
the owner of the house and six persons from Munger in Bihar, known
as a hub of illegal firearms manufacturing centre for long. They
six were possibly engaged in manufacturing fire arms, the SP said.
During search of the house, the
Police also recovered FICNs with a face value of INR 50,000. It
was being suspected that the arms manufactured there were delivered
to neighbouring states.
Police arrested four persons,
identified as Mohammad Joshin, Mohammad Aaftab, Mohammad Sohal
and Samraj Aalam, all residents of Bihar, for circulating FICN
in the market in Ajmer. FICN worth INR 84,000 have been recovered
from them. All the accused were produced in the court which sent
them to Police custody. A team of IB officials are in the city
to probe the issue. According to sources, the paper and ink used
to make currency notes are not from India. The investigating team
is suspecting that the notes were either printed in Pakistan or
Bangladesh or smuggled through Nepal, sources said. Cops are trying
to nab the kingpin of the racket.
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.
Three STF personnel were injured
when cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered a pipe bomb blast the
forests under Fulbagdi Police Station limits in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. A constable identified as Kattam Rama was
seriously injured in the explosion. Separate teams of SFs,
comprising CRPF, STF, DRG and District Force, had launched the
operation since August 14 in the interior forests of Sukma District.
Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh,
said the battle against CPI-Maoist cadres in the State has
been yielding "comprehensive" results with the guidance
and cooperation from the Union Government of India, in Raipur
District. CM was addressing the Independence Day function at the
Police Parade ground in Raipur. Singh added that the State Government
has approved 1,175 new posts in Police force after which the total
sanctioned strength of the State forces has reached to 75,000.Singh
informed that, "In 2017, so far 599 CPI-Maoist cadres have
been arrested and 299 surrendered.”
|
August 16 |
Wary of terror threats from neighbouring
countries, the central government has approved INR 31,748 crore
to draw up a "definitive five-year action programme"
for the up gradation of the Coast Guard. The decision to bolster
the Coast Guard, it is believed, will help avert future attacks
from the sea, like the 26 November 2008 (26/11) attacks on Mumbai.
The Coast Guard works in combating piracy, smuggling, oil-spills,
and also works in controlling coastal and marine pollution.
The programme plans to improve
the Coast Guard's fleet with 175 ships (including patrol vessels
and boats) and 110 aircraft by 2022 to bridge critical operational
gaps. The Defence Ministry has also ordered the procurement of
16 indigenous Dhruv choppers and 14 twin-engine EC-725 tactical
choppers. Also, there are also five more air stations/enclaves
in the works.
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.
A group of GNLA militants hiding
in a village managed to escape following a gun battle with SF-10
commandos in West Khasi Hills District. The commandos launched
a search operation after they received intelligence inputs about
the rebels hiding at Dymmit village, sources in SF-10 and Rongkhugre
VDP said. However, when the commandos came near the hideout, the
militant on guard saw them and alerted others. The rebels then
opened fire and the commandos fired back in retaliation. But the
militants managed to escape.
The
CorCom, an umbrella body of four militant groups of Manipur, claimed
that the 68 militants, who surrendered before Chief Minister N.
Biren Singh on August 14, were all ‘deserters’ and
would be punished. Altogether 68 militants of six different militant
groups laid down arms before the Government at a ceremony held
at 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles banquet hall.
Suspected
armed militants looted money from a medical shop named RN Medicos
at Moreh Ward No 6, Nepali Basti in Tegnoupal District.
The BTCC Moreh has lodged a written
complaint to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Moreh informing
that some armed persons have been threatening and demanding money
and goods from shops at Moreh for quite some time. Such activities
have vitiated the atmosphere so badly that it is no longer conducive
for any trade and business activity at the border town, it pointed
out.
Police arrested three cadres of
the CPI-Maoist in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. “A DRG
party, headed by a SDPO, was sent to Tumiradi village after receiving
intelligence inputs about the presence of some Maoists in the
village. This police team encircled the village and nabbed three
Maoists,” said Santosh Singh, the SP of Narayanpur District. The
arrested cadres of CPI-Maoist were identified as Vijay Dhruva,
Gore Hichami and Maniram Dhruva. The Police also recovered a locally
made firearm from Vijay Dhruva.
One Sanjay Singh (30), a former
cadre of JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was killed
by his erstwhile cadres of JJMP at Sadwadih village under
Manika thana area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Originally
from Panki in Palamau, Sanjay left the JJMP with its weapons and
cash. JJMP cadres got wind of his arrival in Sadwadih and planned
his murder, Police said.
Four cadres of CPI-Maoist, including
a ‘sub zonal commander’ in the squad of infamous CPI-Maoist politburo
member Sudhakaran of Telangana, surrendered before Police in Lohardaga
District of Jharkhand. The surrendered Maoists are
identified as ‘sub-zonal commander’ under Sudhakaran's squad,
Balak Kherwar alias Bhagatji (28), ‘area commander’
Ajay Oraon (21), Brahmadeo Kherwar and Shivam Kherwar. Balak Kherwar
and Ajay Oraon carried INR 500,000 and INR 200,000 on their head
respectively.
A farmer was killed by suspected Naxalites of
the CPI-ML-New Democracy-Red Flag, at Narsampet village in Palwancha mandal in
Khammam District of Telangana. The Police identified the deceased
as Rayala Bhaskar (55), of Narsampet, a hamlet under Pandurangapuram
Gram
Panchayat
and a supporter of the TDP. Sources said around
15 Naxalites owing allegiance to CPI-ML-New Democracy-Red
Flag, Ravi Dalam allegedly barged into the house
of Bhaskar and dragged him out before battering him to death in
full public view. The Naxalites nursed a grudge
against the deceased for reportedly seeking the help of the members
of Chandranna group of CPI-ML (New Democracy) to resolve an internal
issue in the village.
The CPI-Maoist cadres have revived
their project to build rocket launchers, which is considered to
be a game changer in guerrilla warfare, according to top sources
in the anti-Naxal intelligence agencies in Telangana. The
intelligence agencies believe that CPI-Maoist cadres were working
on improvising the rocket launchers as earlier attempts to put
them to full use on SFs had failed. A top intelligence official
of Telangana state said, “They have a central technical committee
that is focusing on improvising rocket launchers. Their factory
is now located in Dandakaranya.”
5 AR arrested a NSCN-K militant,
‘captain’ Vinato Assumi (35), from Alahuto Colony
in Zunheboto town of Zunheboto District.
|
August 16-17 |
The UP ATS arrested another alleged
terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as
Jaswant Singh Kala from an Unnao farm house in Unnao District
on August 17. He is wanted in multiple cases in Delhi, Rajasthan
and Punjab and was hiding in the farm house for the past few weeks
after allegedly killing a supporter of anti-Babbar Khalsa group
in Punjab around two months ago. Kala was arrested on the revelations
made by his accomplice Balwant Singh, who was staying with changed
identity in Lucknow for the past five years. Balwant Singh was
arrested from a Gurudwara on Nadan Mahal road in Lucknow on August
16 evening. He was Granthi at the Gurudwara.
ASP of ATS, Rajesh Sahani said
Jaswant Singh Kala has been one of the most active members of
BKI. He said Kala is among Sikh hardliners who support pro-Khalistan
groups. Sahani said Kala was involved in three sensational killings
of the supporters of the anti-Babbar Khalsa groups in Hanumangarh
in Rajasthan, and Faridkot and Nawa Shahar in Punjab in 2016 and
2017. He said Jaswant was earlier arrested under sedition charges
and arms act from Delhi’s Modi Colony in 2008 and on similar charges
in 2005.
|
August 17 |
Crime branch squad neutralized
a FICN and Aadhaar card racket operating from a mobile shop at
Awasthi Nagar in Nagpur by arresting five persons including owner
of the outlet. Police also seized FICN of denominations of INR
2,000 and four of INR 500 worth around INR 6,000. Colour printers,
scanners, computers and some other gadgets, worth more than Rs
60,000, have been confiscated too during the action. Crime branch
had arrested Mohammad Iqrar, Mohammad Zeeshan and Abdul Rajik.
The three have been remanded to Police custody till August 23.
Following their custodial interrogation, the Police have now arrested
two more identified as Ashish Sathe and Shoaib Khan.
The UP ATS arrested another alleged
terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as
Jaswant Singh Kala from an Unnao farm house in Unnao District
on August 17. He is wanted in multiple cases in Delhi, Rajasthan
and Punjab and was hiding in the farm house for the past few weeks
after allegedly killing a supporter of anti-Babbar Khalsa group
in Punjab around two months ago. Kala was arrested on the revelations
made by his accomplice Balwant Singh, who was staying with changed
identity in Lucknow for the past five years. Balwant Singh was
arrested from a Gurudwara on Nadan Mahal road in Lucknow on August
16 evening. He was Granthi at the Gurudwara.
ASP of ATS, Rajesh Sahani said
Jaswant Singh Kala has been one of the most active members of
BKI. He said Kala is among Sikh hardliners who support pro-Khalistan
groups. Sahani said Kala was involved in three sensational killings
of the supporters of the anti-Babbar Khalsa groups in Hanumangarh
in Rajasthan, and Faridkot and Nawa Shahar in Punjab in 2016 and
2017. He said Jaswant was earlier arrested under sedition charges
and arms act from Delhi’s Modi Colony in 2008 and on similar charges
in 2005.
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.
Setting at rest, various media
speculations, which claimed, that Government of India and NSCN-IM
would be signing “final accord” by September 2017; Interlocutor
to Naga Talks, JIC Chairman R.N. Ravi and senior NSCN-IM functionary,
V.S Atem, in separate conversations have made it clear that there
is no such deadline for signing a permanent agreement.
A group of armed GNLA cadres assaulted
five persons in Dymmit village a West Khasi Hills District. This
comes a day after SF-10 commandos busted a hideout.
Zeliangrong frontal organizations
have condemned the “brutal act and cold blooded murder” of Elimelech
Gangmei on August 13, 2017 at Namdailong allegedly by cadres of
NSCN-IM ‘Zeilad Region’. The organisations included Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam,
Manipur and Nagaland), Zeliangrong Baudi-Nagaland,
Zeliangrong Mipui Organization, Zeliangrong Youth
Front, Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland, Zeliang People Organization
and all subordinate bodies.
Police arrested six suspected
Bangladeshis from Churaibari in Karimganj district. They arrested
foreign nationals were identified as Jalal Ahmed, 55, Amir Hossain,
29, Abdul Ahad, (25), Abdul Sabbur (25), Nurul Amin (19) and Rashid
Ahmed, (14).Police sources said they were arrested around 8.10pm
from a bus that was going from Agartala to Guwahati. The bus was
stopped by the Police at Churaibari on the Assam-Tripura boundary.
The arrested foreign nationals hail from Kutupalong, a village
in Cox's Bazar District of Bangladesh.
The cadres of the CPI-Maoist
are moving towards Araku region in Vishakhapatnam District of
Andhra Pradesh. SP, (Visakha Rural), Rahul Dev Sharma said
that the CPI-Maoist cadres either trying to regain some of their
lost ground or diverting the attention of the SFs. Sources said
that some senior leaders of the CPI-Maoist have been leading the
force to set up the new base in Araku Region, which was close
to Nandapur block in Odisha, where the presence of the CPI-Maoist
cadres is more. The Maoists presence has increased in Araku and
Chatuva area of Odisha.
An encounter took place between
SFs and the cadres of the CPI-Maoist near Chotte Hirma-Gumodi
Forest at Aranpur range in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
DIG, Dantewada range Sundarraj P, informed that Police forces
are safe and have recovered Naxal campaigning
materials from the site.
An exchange of fire took place
between the cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist,
and Simdega Police at the hilly areas of Thethainagar forest in
Simdega District of Jharkhand. Police arrested a PLFI cadre after
he sustained a bullet wound on a leg. A carbine, two double-barrel
guns and cartridges were recovered from him.
A joint team of CRPF Police recovered
13 landmines from Langdi Ghati forest in Bandi Panchayat area
of Koderma District of Jharkhand. SP, Surendra Jha
said that all the landmines were destroyed.
PLFI's Porahat ‘area commander’
Mathias Tuti alias Mangra Tuti (28) was arrested
from Mangalore at Dakshina Kannada District in Karnataka on August
13 and brought to Chaibasa in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
|
August 18 |
India 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 US state department
to designate HM 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 ministry
of external affairs Raveesh Kumar said.
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.
NSCN-IM will not decommission
its arms after the final accord is signed with the Government
of India.
Police on August 18 said that
at least 532 non-tribals, living in Mizoram without valid ILP,
were arrested across the State. Police said a special drive on
the violation of ILP by non-tribal workers in the State was launched
on August 17 and would continue for a few days.
Police arrested a youth ,Seiminthang
Lupheng (27) ,involved in extortion by using the name of KPLF
from Chanvangphai ground near Moreh Police Station in Tengnoupal
district.
CM Sarbananda Sonowal asked the
NBCC and CPWD to immediately seal 48.11 Kilometer (km) porous
areas of the India-Bangladesh border on a war footing at a high-level
meeting in New Delhi. Sarbananda Sonowal also asked the BSF to
use proven technology to intensify its vigil and put a spanner
into the alleged influx and smuggling from across the border.
During the meeting, NBCC and CPWD pointed out that of the 48.11km
unfenced border between Assam and Bangladesh, fencing of 13.38km
would be completed as soon as the floodwaters recede. However,
erecting a fence on the remaining areas involves enormous challenges
as a nearly 3km stretch, particularly in the Silchar sector, is
full of deep gorges. They said the Silchar sector has 61 gaps,
Dhubri 31 and others two and altogether INR 26.92 crore was required
to plug these gaps.
Police arrested four TPC cadres
from the outskirts of Ramgarh District of Jharkhand. TPC is a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
District Police and CRPF, arrested
two PLFI cadres, identified as Roshni Bhengra and Prafulla Lugun,
from Thethaitangar in Simdega District of Jharkhand. Police also
recovered weapons from their possession. PLFI is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist.
An ‘assistant commandant’ of the
CPI-Maoist identified as Somey Sodhi (33), surrendered in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. According to Police, she was the second in
command of Boipariguda area committee of MKV Border division under
AOBSZC. Sodhi hails from Edikonda village in the District and
was carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on her head. She was allegedly
involved in several incidents of murder, including killing of
two BSF personnel at Kaliajodi forest in 2016, blasting of a vehicle
carrying SOG personnel at Mantriam in 2010, exchange of fire with
SFs and setting ablaze mobile phone towers.
|
August 19 |
With the country ranking second
globally for online searches on the Islamic State (IS), the Kerala
Police have been on a high alert to spot the potential homegrown
recruits who are being radicalised online. A senior officer with
the Kerala Police said a good number of these searches on the
outlawed outfit were from the State, also alluding to the possible
radicalisation of youths through the Internet. "We have prioritized
about 60 user accounts associated with or sharing extremist material
and have zoomed in to examine the persons of interest closely,''
the official said. The majority of these groups intend to propagate
the ideology of Islamic terrorism by posting communally flared
up videos and pictures coupled with vitriolic messages, while
there are also a few that espouse the cause of a Hindu Rashtra
and LWE. The department has succeeded in sneaking into some of
these groups using fake profiles. Besides the social media accounts,
the Police are also monitoring their Internet usage patterns and
the kind of websites they are surfing to trace their interaction
with the terror outfit's propagandists in West Asia.
According to officers, the number
of these groups almost remained stable over the past several months.
They, however, have noticed a recent trend of some of the members
of these groups making one-to-one communications on their individual
capacity as well. Besides monitoring their activities, the Police
often disrupt their messages and even delete whole of their contents
and post counter-messages. Besides, tracking the handlers of these
pages and booking them under IPC 153(A) may not be practical given
that the majority of them are settled abroad, report said.
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.
Altogether 11 Bangladeshi nationals
were arrested by a joint patrolling party of Assam and Tripura
Police recently at Churaibari (North Tripura District of Tripura
and Karimganj District of Assam) inter-State border. Police recovered
a sizeable amount of Indian and Bangladeshi currency notes, mobile
handsets, fake medicine-making machines and some valuable documents,
etc from their possessions. According to sources, Jalal Ahmed,
Nurul Amin, Amir Hussain, Abdul Sabur, Abdul Ahad and Mohammad
Rashid of Sylhet in Bangladesh entered India by crossing Sunamura
international border in Tripura, while the other five Bangladeshi
nationals, namely Mujib Shek, Ujjal Shek, Babul Haldar, Najrul
Shek and Mintu Baidya were arrested by Dharmanagar Police.
The Police intensified operation
along the bordering areas to prevent entry into the Bangladeshi
nationals into the Indian territory. "During the flood, they (Bangladeshi)
try to enter the Indian territory in quest of their jobs and accordingly,
we take strict vigil along the border," Police sources said.
Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das said
that Naxalism is on the verge of extinction in the State
and invited investors in the country and abroad to invest in it
assuring them of full support and security. CM Das stated that
the State Government will take action if any such attempt was
made by them (Naxals). He was addressing the second 'ground
breaking ceremony' of 'Momentum Jharkhand', a Global Investors
Summit at Jamshedpur in East Singhbhum District.
|
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.
SFs arrested two OGW of NSCN-K,
identified as Wangnong Ronrang and Chankap Mossang from Jagun
in Tinsukia District. Six extortion letters, two mobile phones
and three SIM cards were recovered from them.
The STF of Bihar Police seized
a huge consignment of explosives, including detonators and gelatin,
from Rajauli Police Station area in Nawada District of Bihar.
The explosives were meant for the cadres of CPI-Maoist. The Police
have launched combing operations in Naxal-hit areas
of the district close to the Bihar-Jharkhand border.
Three militia cadres of Nandapur
Division of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by the Police in Koraput
District of Odisha. The arrested cadres were identified as Biswanath
Hantal, Sahadev Hantal, and Ghanu Sisa. The arrested cadres
were allegedly involved in Maoist activities, basically organized
meetings in tribal villages for the outlawed outfit, Police said.
As part of a three-day routine
exercise, the NSDW of the Tamil Nadu Police conducted combing
operations in the hilly areas of Vellore and Tiruvallur District
of Tamil Nadu. The special wing has presence in 13 Districts of
Tamil Nadu, including Tiruvallur, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri,
Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, Virudhunagar and Kanyakumari. According
to senior Police officers, this is a routine exercise with a three-pronged
approach — gathers intelligence about Naxals, understand
the problems faced by the villagers and solve them to prevent
the village youth from being drawn by the Naxals into
their movement. The movement of the Police is expected to reduce Naxal activity
in these localities.
Jairampur Battalion of AR and
Jagun Police, one NSCN-K militant and another NSCN-K linkman were
arrested from Phulbari village in the Assam- Arunachal border.
Security experts believe that
recent reports of GNLA cadres torturing individuals are due to
their frustration resulting from lack of co-operation on the part
of the villagers. There were two instances in South Garo Hills
and West Khasi Hills Districts where villagers were tortured after
they were accused of being Police informers. Rejecting the militants’
claims, a senior Police official overseeing counter insurgency
operations in the area said, “Can they prove that those people
they had beaten up are police informers?”
The Police official said that
GNLA cadres numbering around 20 have been shunting between the
tough terrains of South Garo Hills and West Khasi Hills in recent
months. GNLA’s dreaded self-styled ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan
D Shira, along with a well armed group numbering around eight,
is understood to be within the periphery of the thick jungles
bordering the two Districts. While many of the top GNLA cadres
have either surrendered or have been killed in exchange of fire
with SFs, Shira continues to be elusive. Known for his notoriety
since his days with the ANVC, Shira was an ‘area commander’ of
the now disbanded organisation in the 1990s, before he formed
the GNLA.
A leader of the CPI-Maoist leader
named Ratan Dey was arrested by the Kharibari Police from Jarla
Jote in Darjeeling District of West Bengal on August 19. The leader’s
supporters gathered around the Kharibari Police Station and started
a protest while the Police was taking the arrested to the Siliguri
Court. The Kharibari OIC, Ranjit Pal, stated that Dey has confessed
to being a CPI-Maoist leader. He hails from Kolkata.
A top leader of the CPI-Maoist,
Duna Keshav Rao wrote to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik asking him to
rehabilitate him under the State’s policy of bringing LWEs into
the mainstream. Rao is accused in several cases of violence including
the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati in June 2008.
Rao is also accused in at least 10 cases in Odisha and has been
under judicial custody since June 2011.
The Democratic Students’ Association
(DSA), a pro-Left outfit to be launched on August 26 in Kochi in
Ernakulam District of Kerala, could be a CPI-Maoist frontal
organisation, suspects the intelligence wing of the State Police.
The association’s members, however, call it “an independent group
upholding scientific socialism.” The Police, however, suspect
that it is another attempt by those propagating Maoist ideology
to “influence the hearts and minds of youngsters.” A senior official
in charge of internal security in the office of the State Special
Branch in Thiruvananthapuram told that Maoist sympathisers
were “trying to capture different spheres of our lives through
frontal organisations in various fields.” He pointed out that
Paadaantharam, under the auspices of which the DSA was being launched,
was the students’ outfit of Porattam, which has links with the
Maoists. “They have a cultural wing called ‘Njattuvela’. Though
the DSA cannot be called a Maoist organisation, their hidden agenda
is to propagate that ideology,” the official said. The Police
are keeping an eye on their activities, he said, pointing out
that Ami, an organiser of the DSA, is the daughter of Rupesh and
Shyna, who are in jail on charge of suspected links with Maoists.
|
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.
The Khonsa battalion of AR arrested
two militants of the NSCN-IM, identified as Nali Nyamtey and Rangmo
Thakte from Bera in Tirap District.
The Jairampur Battalion of AR
busted a hideout of the Reformation faction of NSCN-R at Miao
in Changlang District,. However, the militants were able to escape
using the cover of darkness and foliage. The militants were using
the hideout as an ad hoc base for terrorizing people and carrying
out extortion in the neighbouring villages, the AR spokesman said.
The SFs have been carrying out
aggressive operations in the South Arunachal areas bordering Myanmar
where Naga rebels belonging to all the factions of the NSCN including
NSCN-IM, NSCN-K and NSCN-R are active creating nuisance for the
people of the area.
HPC-D welcomed the Mizoram Government's
decision to hold talks with the HPC-D faction. The State
Government had decided to hold talks with HPC-D faction led by
Lalhmingthanga Sanate within this month and with the Zosangbera
faction next month which had been nearing conclusion.
CPI-Maoist cadre identified
as Eshwar alias Veeramanai, an accused in the
killing of a teacher in 2008, was produced at the session’s court
by the Police in Udupi District of Karnataka. Veeramanai had planned
and executed the murder of teacher, Seetanadi Bhoja Shetty, by
shooting at him in front of the gate near his home within Hebri
Police Station limits in the District on May 15, 2008. The court
adjourned the case to November 15 for framing of charges.
|
August 22
|
The official media channel of
Islamic State (IS), Amaq Agency claimed that an Indian suicide
bomber Abu Yusuf al-Hindi killed many Kurdistan fighters in an
attack in Syria's Raqqa area. In a statement in Arabic via its
Amaq propaganda agency, the IS identified the Indian suicide bomber
as Abu Yusuf al- Hindi, according to the SITE Intelligence Group,
a US-based monitoring firm. The terror group claimed killing and
wounding a "number" of what it described as "Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK) apostates" in the suicide attack involving
the Indian bomber.
However, there was no confirmation
about the IS claim by the Indian agencies. Abu Yusuf al-Hindi
was the fugitive ‘chief recruiter’ for the IS in the Indian subcontinent
and was known as Mohammed Shafi Armar, who had many aliases
like 'Chhote Maula' and 'Anjan Bhai'. The 30-year-old was named
a 'Specially Designated Global Terrorist' by the US in June, 2017,
becoming the first Indian leader of the IS against whom America
slammed sanctions. An Interpol Red Corner notice was also pending
against him. Al-Hindi, a native of Bhatkal in Karnataka, was a
leader and head recruiter in India for the FTO and SDGT group,
IS, according to the US State Department.
US President Donald Trump has
identified India as a key partner in stabilizing Afghanistan economically,
in a speech outlining his new strategy towards South Asia that
saw him giving the go ahead for increased US troop deployment
in the war torn country and slamming ally Pakistan for offering
safe haven to “agents of chaos”. “My instinct was to pull out,”
Trump said in a reference signalling frustration with the long-running
16-year-old war that has killed thousands of US troops, cost the
US exchequer trillions of dollars and has little support at home.
But he said things looked different after weeks of deliberations
with his senior security officials—concluding that “the consequences
of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable” and leaving
a “vacuum” that terrorists “would instantly fill”. “A core pillar
of our new strategy is a shift from a time-based approach to one
based on conditions. I’ve said many times how counterproductive
it is for the United States to announce in advance, the dates
we intend to begin, or end, military operations,” Trump said in
his address.
He also slammed Pakistan for its
continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of
the consequences of continuing to do so.
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.
Police recovered an UAV and an
inflatable boat among other things from a hideout of the GNLA
at Riangdim Nengdawak forest in West Khasi Hills District.
“The recovery is unique this time, we are examining the recovered
items to know the motive of the militants,” DGP SB Singh said.
The DGP further said the UAV appears to be made in China. Besides
the inflatable boat and drone, the search team found 82 rounds
AK ammunition, three life jackets, two claymore mines, one tent
and a magazine pouch.
BSF patrolling party arrested
four Bangladeshi nationals near NC Nagar in Sonamura subdivision in Sipahijala
District. Four Bangladeshi nationals were identified as
Mohammad Robin (16), of Comilla Mohammad Rubal (25) of Comilla
Chavapur, Razul Islam (13) of Harimangal and Mohammad Azahar (30)
of Nageswar.
Two CPI-Maoist militia members
were arrested by the Charla Police, in a joint operation with
the CRPF personnel at Kaliveru village in the Charla
mandal
in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. Police identified
the arrested duo as Madivi alias Kodi Vinod (25),
and Muski Soma (23), of Battigudem village under Peddamidisileru
Gram
Panchayat
in the District. The team also seized some
medicines from their possession.
|
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.
A large quantity of arms and ammunition
were recovered during a joint operation carried out by Assam Rifles
and State Police at Sagang in Bishnupur District. The recovered
arms and ammunition include one AK-56 rifle with one magazine,
50 rounds of 7.62 mm, one 9 mm pistol with nine live rounds, three
hand grenades, four lathode shells, seven electric detonators,
14 assorted detonators, two detachable butt, two 9 mm Luger rounds,
four .45 rounds, 18 rounds of .32, nine .22 rounds and four .35
rounds.
A GNLA cadre, Sengku M Momin (21),
surrendered to Police at Adokgre anti-dacoity camp in North Garo
Hills District. Police said that Sengku was with GNLA ‘commander-in-chief
‘Sohan D Shira at Wagara and ULFA-I militant Manoj Rabha alias Drishti
Rajkhowa during the Dymmit encounter on August 16. Sengku, who
worked as a courier, further revealed that GNLA cadres had come
to Adokgre village to recruit cadres 15 days before the Dymmit
encounter.
Bihar Police arrested four cadres
of the CPI-Maoist with explosives from Jhajha Police Station area
in Jamui District of Bihar. Police recovered 73 detonators
60 Kilograms of explosives and others related materials from them.
The identity of the cadres is yet to be ascertained.
Four members of a family were
allegedly abducted by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist from Lahsorba
village under Piri Bazar Police Station in Lakhisarai District
of Bihar. The abductees were identified as Bhuna Yadav, his sons
Vikas and Babloo and his nephew, Sanjay Yadav.
SFs recovered huge cache of explosives,
from a CPI-Maoist hideout at a forested hill in Moranga village
under Katekalyan Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
The seized items include 77 arrow bombs, 43 grenades, 73 detonators
(53 of them coupled with wire), cordex wire 4 bundles, a big drum
packed with explosive powder, one air gun and its pallets, 86
gelatin sticks, 10 Kilograms sulphur powder, 11 packets of explosives,
three meter fuse wire, one solar plate and three steel tiffin
boxes. Dantewada Range (DIG), Sundarraj P told that, “Prima facie,
inputs revealed that the cadres were allegedly planning a big
strike on security forces after Monsoon and had amassed these
explosives for the same purpose.”
A joint team of District Armed
Police and CRPF recovered six bombs suspected to be planted below
a road by the Naxals targeting SFs from a hilly
area during search operation in Palamau District of Jharkhand.
Two cylinder bombs of 20 kilograms each, two can bombs of 10 kilograms
each and two 10 kilograms IEDs were found from Chinia Pahar near
Rania-Masuria village under Manatu Police Station in the District.
In a joint operation, Hazaribagh
Police and CRPF arrested three cadres of TPC from Chanaro forest
area under Charhi block in the Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand.
TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. The arrested TPC
cadres were identified as Rahul Ganjhu, Nitesh Ganjhu and Prakash
Ganjhu. SFs also recovered two country made pistols, some live
cartridges and Naxal literatures from them.
Anti-Naxal operations
of Odisha Police are all set to go hi-tech as the State Government
has decided to purchase a number of modern equipment, including
UAVs at the cost of nearly INR 1.5 million. An UAV receiver station
and operational control room will be set up to collect the real,
vapour tracer, thermal monocular and contraband busters for the
first time to keep tabs on movement of Naxals. The
SAP for modernisation of Police Force in 2017-18, copy of which
is with The Times of India, revealed that nearly INR
43.7 million will be spent for purchase of equipment to boost
anti-Naxal exercise. The UMHA, on August 22, approved
the SAP for modernisation of Police force at a cost of total INR
317.5 million this fiscal year. The scheme is funded both by the
Central and State Governments on 60:40 basis.
A CPI-Maoist poster
in the name of Khammam-Karimnagar and Warangal (KKW) District
‘committee secretary’ Damodar was found near the proposed site
of the open cast – II mine in Bhupalpalli town in Jayashankar
Bhupalapally District of Telangana. The poster said that Assembly
Speaker S. Madhusudhana Chary and his three sons were cheating
people and they would be taught a lesson. The poster also said
that the Maoist party was against land acquisition and alleged
that the State Government was forcibly acquiring land belonging
to SCs and STs thereby rendering them landless.
IGP, West Zone, A. Pari, told
reporters that check posts have been installed and round the clock
vigil is maintained particularly in Coimbatore and Ooty Districts
areas of Tamil Nadu, that share border with other States, to prevent
infiltration of CPI-Maoist cadres. IG Pari said in view of
‘Vinayagar Chathurthi’, over 8,000 cops including armed reserve
Police and Home Guards have been deployed for security. “All sensitive
areas will be given additional security, “he said.
|
August 24
|
Indian Intelligence Agencies have
not been able to confirm the news relating to the death of Shafi
Armar, the recruiter in chief for the Islamic State (IS) in India.
Earlier this week the IS declared that Abu Yusuf al-Hindi alias
Shafi Armar a resident of Bhatkal was killed in Syria's Raqqa
area. “We are still working on it and ascertaining the correct
picture”, an IB officer said. “Such news has come out in the past
as well, but it turned out to be false. We are observing the chat
channels to ascertain whether the ISIS faked his death”, the officer
added.
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.
Police arrested Abhisek Rai alias Mithu
for his alleged involved in manhandling Moon Bora, a SULFA militant
from Panigaon area of Nagaon District. The incident took place
inside a business establishment at Kalibari in Panigaon area of
Nagaon District on August 22 when five former militants, led by
Bora, went to M/s Das Enterprise, a tractor dealer, to collect
"donation for flood relief". A group of traders there
roughed up Moon Bora, accusing him of extortion. While Bora
was arrested on August 22, his four friends were arrested on August
23 on the basis of a complaint filed by Das Enterprise. Tension
still prevails in Nagaon town for the third day following the
incident adds.
The mortal remains of former Manipur
Chief Minister Rishang Keishing will be buried in Mantripukhri
in Imphal instead of his birthplace Bungpa Khunou in Kamjong district.
Rishang Keishing's family disclosed that it was done following
a NSCN-IM "diktat" but did not reveal the reason for
the outfit's demand. Chief minister N. Biren Singh and his council
of ministers attended the funeral. When asked about the NSCN-IM's
stand, Biren Singh said he had no knowledge of this, but that
action would be taken if such was the case. Keishing died of multi-organ
failure on August 22 evening at the RIMS in Imphal.
The KNF has warned the intending
contractors of PMGSY initiative, not to bid on any PMGSY works
below the scheduled rate within its ‘jurisdiction’ of Kangpokpi
District. The ‘director, Project and Planning’ of KNF, Andrew
K alleged that in spite of huge amount of sanctions from the Government,
the road construction under PMGSY has failed to serve its purpose
to the hill residents in the far flung rural areas thereby robbing
the hill people of their rightful developmental schemes.
GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan
D Shira is forcing young men to join the outfit to strengthen
his ‘foot soldiers’ group reveled a surrendered GNLA militant.
A proposal has been sent to the
Union Government for aerial manning of two BoP in West Jaintia
Hills District by the BSF. BSF Inspector General (IG- Meghalaya)
P.K. Dubey said since Hingaria and Huroi border outposts in Jaintia
Hills are inaccessible by land, a proposal was sent to the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) for providing assistance for aerial
manning.“We are looking at aerial assistance to the personnel
posted in these BOPs by helicopters which can provide ration and
other materials as airdropping of essential things save time,”
Dubey said.
Six Naga NNPGs resolved to exempt
Naga entrepreneurs from ‘taxation’. “The NNPGs have resolved that
while free donations from our people will be solicited, Naga entrepreneurs
shall henceforth be exempted from taxations. This step is taken
in order to enable Naga youths to confidently pursue and strengthen
social fabric and build economic platform for the future,” NNPGs
stated through its media cell. However, NNPGS said that “joint
ventures and partnerships between Naga and non-Naga entrepreneurs
shall not be exempted in any manner.” NNPGs said it has taken
note of many Naga youths claiming ownership of business houses
and discreetly being paid monthly protection fee by non-Naga businessmen.
This practice must be stopped immediately, NNPGs asserted.
|
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.
Nagaon District administration
withdrew the case that was registered against former SULFA Moon
Bora and others in Nagaon Police Station after incident of assault
involving a group of businessman on August 22.
Several organisations in Assam
took out a rally over the "assault" of a ULFA-PTF member
by some traders at Kalibari locality in Nagaon town amidst a 12-hour
general strike in Nagaon District. Demanding immediate release
of the five former ULFA members arrested on Tuesday in connection
with an alleged extortion bid, groups like the AASU, AJYCP and
ULFA-PTF participated in the agitation, seeking action against
those involved in "assaulting" Moon Bora and four others.
ULFA-PTF leadership, led by ‘chairman’ Arabinda Rajkhowa, joined
the rally at Nehrubali in Nagaon town where they resolved to launch
an agitation to secure "immediate and unconditional"
release of the five ULFA-PTF rebels."If needed, we will float
yet another armed organisation to safeguard the rights and sentiments
of the people of the state," Rajkhowa said. "Assam will
yet again be covered in blood."
Two low intensity IEDs explosions
were reported from New Seijang village under Moreh Police Station
in Tegnoupal District. According to a source, one of the IEDs
exploded at around 1.50 pm and another at 1.54 pm, one after another,
at Khajing river bank.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has
assured the KSA that the State Government would soon convene a
meeting of all political parties to discuss the demand for reservation
of eight Assembly segments for the indigenous people of Manipur. KSA
has been spearheading a sustained agitation demanding reservation
of all the 60 Assembly Constituencies for the indigenous people
of Manipur starting from Wangkhei, Thangmeiband, Uripok, Bishnupur,
Sagolband, Sugnu, Jiribam and Kangpokpi assembly segments where
non-local people have overwhelming presence and removal of non-local
voters from the State's electoral roll .
Seven cadres of the CPI-Maoist surrendered
before senior Police and ITBP officials at District Headquarter
in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres
cited disappointment with "hollow" Maoist ideology and
their "wrong" policies. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres
were identified as Manish Salaam (21), Mandar Korram (30), Peelsai
Korram (40), Roshan Padihar (41), Anulal Bhandari (37), Sampat
(27), and Chunni Lal Bhandari (38). Salam was an active member
of Maoists Dandakaranya instructor team and Antagarh LOS, had
been allegedly involved in the two attacks on Police party this
year (2017) in Narayanpur and the neighbouring Kanker District.
Salam was carrying INR 100,000 on his head.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed one
Rakesh Mahto (40) on the suspicion of being a ‘Police informer’
at Khakhanda village under Mahuatand Police Station in Bokaro
District of Jharkhand. According to Gomia Circle Police Inspector,
Rajesh Kujur, prior to his murder the Maoists had accused him
of working as a ‘Police spy’ as stated on their poster. The posters
read,
"Police dalal Rakesh Mahto ko mrityudand diya
gaya”
(Police agent Rakesh Mahto is awarded death sentence)
and "Police dalal ko chun chun kar maut ka saja denge” (police
spies will be hounded and killed). OIC, P.C. Devgan said preliminary
evidence suggested murder by CPI-Maoist rebels.
SFs exchanged fire with CPI-Maoist
cadres in Palamau District of Jharkhand. ASP, (operations), Arun
Kumar Singh, said, “There was a tip off about Nitesh. His contingent
was near the foothills of Ghurghurya. As our Security Forces reached
there came firing from the Maoists’ side. It was repulsed with
tact and discretion.” No casualty or injury on the side of the
SFs was reported. Palamau police recovered a semi-automatic rifle,
cartridges, medicines, phones, wires and ropes from Ghurghurya
Pahar after the encounter with Maoists of ‘sub-zonal commander’
Nitesh Yadav squad.
The interstate crime conference,
discontinued towards the end of last decade, is set to resume
as Nagpur Police of Maharashtra are taking initiative to organize
a mega one-day brainstorming sessions on crime, terrorism and Naxalism.
The meeting is schedule to happen on August 28. Officers of the
ranks of SP and above from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra,
especially Vidarbha, are expected to attend the conference.
|
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.
A group of four NLFT militants
surrendered to BSF at Gandacherra in Dhalai District. The
militants were identified as Milan Mohan Tripura, Hiranjay Tripura,
Danta Kumar Tripura and Raiakumar Tripura. The four militants
had fled their hideout in the Khagracherri District of Bangladesh’s
Chittagong Hill-Tracts on August 22.
Chatra Police sealed the house
of TPC ‘zonal commander’ Kokaram under UAPA at Lawalong in Chatra
District of Jharkhand. Kokaram carries INR 1 million rewards on
his head. TPC is a splinter group of CPI-Maoist.
A CPI-Maoist leader with a reward
of INR 250,000 on his head surrendered before the Police in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. Gomaji aka Arsu Chaitu
Jetti, surrendered before the SP, Gadchiroli.
Maharashtra Police came up with
an intense counter-propaganda campaign, in which the ‘Police informers’
will be rewarded from INR 200,000 to INR 10 million for those
giving credible information leading to arrest or encounter of the
CPI-Maoist leaders. Maharashtra Police have published advertisements
in newspapers to announce the reward scheme. As per the scheme,
person(s) giving credible information leading to arrest or encounter
of Ganapathy, General Secretary of CPI-Maoist or the Supreme Commander
of the Maoists in India, will get a hefty reward of INR 10 million.
|
August 27
|
The MEA has expressed sadness
over the violence and terrorist attack in Myanmar wherein 32 people
were killed, including 11 Myanmar security personnel. Expressing
the concern over the reports of renewed violence and attacks by
terrorists in northern Rakhine State Myanmar, MEA said, “India
is seriously concerned by reports of renewed violence and terrorist
attacks in northern Rakhine State Myanmar. Such attacks deserve
to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.” “We hope that
the perpetrators of these crimes will be brought to justice and
we extend our strong support at this challenging moment to the
Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,” the External
Affairs Ministry added.
One individual, Vaseem Ramodia
went by the alias Ninja Fox and on his chat transcripts,
the NIA found a deadly plan to carry out lone wolf attacks in
India against the kafirs or infidels. The NIA detailed
this in its charge sheet filed against two Islamic State (IS)
operatives Vaseem alias Ninja Fox and Naseem. The NIA said
that the duo had discussed at length on how to replicate the terror
of the West where lone wolf strikes have almost become a routine
affair. The charge sheet was filed before the special NIA court
at Ahmedabad.
Indian Army Chief General Bipin
Rawat has said that Pakistan's alliance with the Jihadi groups
has serious ramifications on India's security. "Pakistan
unabated alliance with the Jihadi groups has serious ramifications
on our security. This can lead to the possibility of Pakistan
being a conduit for the eastward spread of fundamentalistic and
Islamic ideologies," he said. He also said that the neighbourhood
continues to have 'proxy wars' in Jammu and Kashmir.
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.
Altogether 300 militants belonging
to UDLA-B and BRAU based at Ramnathpur village in Hailakandi district
are likely to lay down their arms and join the mainstream in coming
months, Anurag Tankha said that he had held discussions with the
top leaders of two Bru outfits on August 26 at Circuit House and
they have agreed to lay down arms. IGP Anurag Tankha said that
they have already initiated the peace process with the outfit.
SFs arrested the ‘finance’ and
‘foreign secretary’ CorCom, ‘brigadier’ Mairembam Achouba (78) alias Achou
Meitei, from Tronglaobi area in Bishnupur District.
Nine cadres of the CPI-Maoist
surrendered before SP, Kamlochan Kashyap in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres cited disillusionment
with the Maoist movement and constant discrimination and exploitation
by senior CPI-Maoist leaders. Among the surrendered CPI-Maoist
cadres, one Nanda aka Barse carried INR 500,000
on his head.
NLFT is planning to indulge in
violence before and during the next assembly elections due in
February 2018. "The surrendered terrorists said they fled
from their Bangladeshi camp last week. The NLFT leaders recently
started recruiting new cadres to create violence before and during
the next assembly elections. The four surrendered rebels are part
of the newly recruited militants," Sub-Divisional Police
Officer Jawahar Debbarma said post surrender of four NLFT militants
on August 26.
|
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 |
Three persons were arrested along
with FICN, having face value of over INR 12 lakh in INR 2,000
and INR 500 denominations, from Kanpur Dehat area in Kanpur Dehat
District. Acting on a tip off, Police arrested Ashwani Kumar,
Jai Prakash and Rajkumar from Rasulabad area of Kanpur Dehat with
the FICN, having face value of INR 12,39,500, Police said, adding
that the notes are in denominations of INR 2,000 and INR 500.
The Police has also recovered a computer, a printer, a scanner,
paper and ink used in printing of fake notes.
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".
Two persons, Sudhir and Shankar
Pandey, were lynched allegedly for having connections with the
CPI-Maoist in Gaya District of Bihar. Their bodies were dumped
on the banks of river Morhar under Gurua Police Station limits.
A Police officer told that Sudhir had no direct links with CPI-Maoist
cadres; however, he did use to provide shelter to some active
cadres of the outfit at his ancestral village.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed,
a civilian, indentified as Sonu, in south Bastar near Kankerlanka
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The CPI-Maoist cadres pulled
Sonu out from a bus and fatally shot him with an arrow. According
to sources, Sonu had failed to return INR 30,000 he had taken
from a CPI-Maoist leader.
Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said
that State Government had vowed to free the State from the clutches
of Naxals before 2022. CM Singh was addressing
the 'Sankalp Se Siddhi' programme held at the Jawaharlal Nehru
Medical College (JNMC) auditorium in Raipur District.
The DG of CRPF, Rajiv Ranjan Bhatnagar
met CM, Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, and
expressed his satisfaction over the efforts of the Odisha Police
in anti-Naxal activities. The DG, RR Bhatnagar said
that the cadres of the CPI-Maoist are drawing new strategies to
challenge SFs and attempting to halt various development works
in the bordering Districts. The CRPF is making elaborate strategic
arrangements to counter the plan of the LWEs. Odisha DGP, KB Singh
said, “We also discussed on redeployment of paramilitary forces
with a change in strategy in certain corridors and areas like
Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri and Koraput.”
Two cadres belonging to NSCN-R
were injured in an encounter between 13 AR and militants at Tipong
village in Changlang district. Security forces seized a cache
of arms and ammunition, including AK 47 rifles, M16 assault rifles
and under-barrel grenade launchers.
A Myanmar-trained ULFA-I cadre,
Swadhin Saikia alias Jyotish Asom, was arrested
from Duliajan town in Dibrugarh District. A 7.65 mm pistol, six
live rounds of ammunition and INR 8,000 were seized.
A ULFA-I cadre, Naba Kanta Baruah alias Baroo
Asom, was arrested after he surrendered before the Superintendent
of Police, Sadiya, in Tinsukia District.
The training camps operated by
the dreaded Paresh Baruah faction of the ULFA-I in Myanmar house
more than 500 militants. All this was revealed by a militant who
surrendered to the security forces on August 27.
Twin IED explosions were reported
on a river bank near New Seijang village at Moreh town in Tengnoupal
district. However, there was no casualty. Police said two IEDs
exploded which is a just few meters from the international border.
|
August 29 |
Three SIMI members were sentenced
to life imprisonment by a Bhopal special court for attempted murder
of a BJYM activist in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa town in 2009. While
BJYM president Pramod Tiwari had escaped unhurt, a BJYM activist,
Dubey was critically injured in the attack that took place on
the night of January 2, 2009. There were seven accused in the
murder case, but four of them were killed in an alleged encounter
near Bhopal in 2016. Besides Abu Faisal — who was the key conspirator
in the attack and is facing trial in other terror-related cases
— Abdullah Hussain and Raquib were sentenced to life imprisonment
for attempt to murder Dubey. The trio were also sentenced to 10
years in jail for the attempt on Tiwari’s life by Special Judge
Girish Dixeet. Both the sentences will run concurrently.
A Delhi court put IM operative
Yasin Bhatkal and eight others on trial in two cases relating
to the 2010 Jama Masjid blast. Additional Sessions Judge Sidharth
Sharma said there was enough evidence against them and framed
the charges. The court issued production warrant against accused
Azaz Saikh, who could not be produced from a Mumbai jail where
he is lodged. Besides Bhatkal, those who were put on trial include
Gauhar Aziz Khomani, Gayur Ahmad Jamali, Mohd Adil, Mohd Irshad
Khan, Mohd Aftab Alam, Kamal, Assadullah Akhtar and Zia-ur-Rehman.
Another accused Modh Qateel Siddiqui died during the pendency
of the case, advocate M S Khan, who appeared for the accused,
said. The Police had earlier filed charge sheet against eleven
suspected IM members in connection with the blast case, alleging
that they had carried out the strike to deter foreign nations
from participating in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Weeks after he went missing, a
Kerala youth, identified as Najeeb (24) has sent a
Telegram
app
message to his family that he has escaped from among the
kafirs (unbelievers) and soon would become Shaheed
(martyr). The message has raised suspicion that the MTech student
of Malappuram, has moved out of country. Police on August 28 registered
a missing case following a complaint from his mother, Khamarunnisa,
a school teacher. Police sources said they could not trace Najeeb,
who has not been home for weeks. A message informing that he
has met with true jihadis which was sent to his mother
via Telegram messenger triggered suspicion about the youth.
The message further said: “There is no meaning in living with
kafirs and I have escaped from the world of kafirs.’’ Najeeb
advised his mother not to inform Police. Following this message,
the mother filed a complaint.
Intelligence sources said they
suspect the youth might have joined the Islamic State (IS), going
by the nature of his message. “However, we could not confirm it.
All airports have been alerted and probe is on. We began the probe
today (August 29). We have not got any details regarding his whereabouts,’’
a source said. Najeeb’s father is employed in the UAE and he had
completed his education there. He is an MTech student in Vellore
in Tamil Nadu. Informing his family in Kerala that he was going
for some special coaching programmes, Najeeb had recently moved
to Hyderabad in Telangana. Police sources said the family had
recently noticed changes in his behaviour. He had been close to
his family, particularly mother. But recently, he had become aloof.
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.
UMHA Rajnath Singh will roll
out details of the Central Government’s plan to combat LWE before
the MPs during the consultative committee meeting. According to
UMHA 12,000 citizens died in LWE violence over the past two decades.
Of these, 2,700 were security personnel and 9,300 were civilians.
Singh is likely to take up issues related to tribal rights and
discuss security and development related measures.
UMHA Rajnath Singh informed a
group of Parliamentarians that there is a decline of 53 per cent
in the number of incidents of Naxal related violence
and 72 per cent decline in resultant deaths, while addressing
Consultative Committee meeting on LWE related issues, in New Delhi. Singh
added that, “this year overall situation so far also indicates
a declining trend and the number of violent incidents have declined
by 25.6% as compared to corresponding period of 2016.” He said
106 Districts in 10 States were affected by LWE and 35 Districts
were identified as most affected in seven States.
Singh told MPs that a new initiative
SAMADHAN has also been introduced to control the situation in
the LWE affected states. SAMADHAN stands for Smart Policing and
Leadership; Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable
Intelligence; Dashboard for Development and Key Performance Indicators,
Harnessing Technology for Development and Security, Action Plan
for each Theatre and No access to financing.
The UMHA said that 743 STs candidates
from four most affected LWE Districts of Chhattisgarh - Bijapur,
Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma--had been recruited in Bastariya
Battalion in order to enhance local representation in SFs.
A STF team led by Ranchi SSP,
Kuldeep Dwivedi arrested Ramesh Turi, a cadre of TPC, from McCluskieganj
in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. TPC is a splinter group of the
CPI-Maoist.
A CPI-Maoist ‘Militia
Platoon Section Commander’, Podiyam Lakku (20) and a woman Militia,
Sodi Laxmi, surrendered before the ASP, Eturnagaram in Jayashankar
Bhupalpally District of Telangana. The Police also said that no
cases will be booked against those persons who have surrendered
and will also be provided relief by the government.
SFs arrested two cadres belonging
to NSCN-R, Khapsom Ngaimong (19) and Pengwang Kanglom (22), from
a hotel at the Miao lower market in Changlang District.
ULFA-PTF faction on August 29
asked the indigenous communities of the State to stand united
against any attacks on ‘indigenous community’ by ‘outsiders’.
The talks between the Government
of India and NSCN-IM are in “advanced stage” and the Centre has
rejected the demand of the militant outfit to allow Nagaland to
have separate constitution and Greater Nagaland. Meanwhile, the
Centre is also hopeful that the NSCN-K will also rejoin the peace
process.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said
the demand of Tipraland is unrealistic and deep-rooted conspiracy.
“There was a time when a section of people had raised independent
Tripura but the people rejected it vehemently. Now, another group
raised another slogan- Tipraland to disrupt the normal function
of the administration”, he said.
|
August 30 |
As many as 762,072 pieces of fake
notes were detected in the banking system last fiscal, a 20.4%
increase over the previous year, the RBI said. In 2015-16, 632,000
FICN had been detected, RBI said in its annual report for 2016-17.
It also said that barring INR 100, the detection of fake notes
increased across denominations—notably, INR 500 and Rs 1000—during
the last fiscal. In the annual report, RBI said that coincident
with the announcement of the withdrawal of INR 500 and INR 1000
notes due to demonetisation, it launched a nationwide exercise
to estimate the density of FICNs detected during the counting
and verification of notes.
“The result showed the rate of
FICN detected per million pieces of notes processed at CC (currency
chest) level at 7.1 pieces for Rs 500 denomination and 19.1 pieces
for Rs 1000 denomination, which were higher than the rate of detection
at the Reserve Bank,” the annual report said. At the RBI’s currency
verification and processing system, in 2015-16, there were 2.4
pieces of FICNs of INR 500 denomination and 5.8 pieces of INR
1000 for every million pieces notes processed. These figures rose
to 5.5 and 12.4 pieces, respectively, during the post-demonetisation
period.
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.
An exchange of fire took place
between SFs and the cadres of the CPI-Maoist soon after the cadres
triggered an IED bomb in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. SFs
were patrolling the forest area when the incident took place.
SFs also recovered a pipe bomb from the spot after the gun-battle.
No casualties were reported on either side during the encounter.
The Army and Police recovered
nine powerful IEDs, one gun and six rounds of ammunition from
the residence of one Abu Sahid at Tuktuki in Dhing of Nagaon district. Abu
Sahid and another person named Babul Ali were arrested in this
connection. Further investigation is still on. Security forces
suspect militants link to the recovery.
Police arrested two active cadres
of UNLF from Hatta near Orient Hotel in Imphal East District.
The arrested cadres have been identified as Mohammad Yunus Khan
(30) and Mutum Naobi Singh alias Mahindra (40
yrs).
Police arrested a KYKL militant,
Chungkham Raju Meitei alias Sanahal (33), from
Moreh- Imphal Van Parking in Moreh town of Tegnoupal District.
Police recovered a large quantity
of arms and ammunition belonging to GNLA militants from at Riangdem
– Nengdawak and Wakphangram jungle in West Khasi Hills District.
During the search, Police recovered weapons including one
INSAS rifle, 86 AK live ammunition, and 1 kg of gelatin sticks
from the area. Also, AK 47 ammunition, a hand grenade, ten SBBL
ammunition, one magazine pouch and one camouflage pant were recovered
from the compound of a house at Wakphangram.
|
August 31 |
The DRI arrested a man and recovered
fake INR 2,000 notes having face value of INR 7.56 lakh from him
at Mumbra in a suburb of Mumbai. According to the preliminary
investigation by the DRI, the FICN are suspected to have been
printed and smuggled in from Bangladesh. The officers of DRI on
specific information intercepted the man from Karnataka, at Mumbra.
On examination of his baggage, the officers found 349 notes of
INR 2,000 having face value of INR 6.98 lakhs. Follow-up operations
were conducted at his residence in Bengaluru that resulted in
the recovery of another INR 58,000 in fake notes. The total face
value of the seized fake notes is 7.56 lakh according to the press
release issued by the agency.
According to a charge sheet filed
by the NIA in a case related to March 7, 2017, Bhopal-Ujjain passenger
train blast incident members of Islamic State (IS) Lucknow-module
collected arms and ammunition to carry out terrorist activities
in India and to target non-Muslims when they failed to go to Iraq
and Syria. The members of the module visited various border areas
in India in a bid to go abroad to join the Islamic State, the
charge sheet said. After failing to reach Iraq and Syria, they
bought arms, ammunition and explosives to carry out terrorist
activities in India. It said the module had planned to target
non-Muslims, Muslim scholars of other sects as well as religious
places in India. "The module propagated the ideology of the
Islamic State to attract, motivate and recruit youths to carry
out terrorist acts," the charge sheet said.
"They took 'Bayath' (oath
of allegiance) to the Islamic State, hatched a criminal conspiracy
with intention of (committing) terrorist activities, recruited
persons, raised funds, organized terrorist camps and carried out
terrorist acts," the NIA said. It alleged that they conspired
to threaten India's sovereignty. They shifted their hideouts in
Lucknow, conducted a trial blast and killed a man in Kanpur, Ramesh
Chandra Shukla, on October 24, 2016, the NIA said. An NIA statement
said the accused conducted reconnaissance of Sufi shrine Dewa
Sharif in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh and other religious places
for planting IEDs.
Those named in the charge sheet
are Mohammad Faisal, Gauss Mohammad Khan, Mohammad Azhar, Atif
Muzaffar, Mohammad Danish, Asif Iqbal, Mohammad Atif and Syed
Meer Hussain. Sayed is a resident of Kannauj while others belong
to Kanpur -- all in Uttar Pradesh. Another accused, Saifullah,
also from Kanpur, was killed in a shootout in Lucknow a day after
the blast. NIA investigators said Saifullah along with Atif, Danish,
Syed and Gauss was allegedly involved in the blast. Atif, Danish
and Syed travelled to Bhopal and planted an IED in a general compartment
of the Bhopal-Ujjain train on March 7. They were held at Pipariya
in Madhya Pradesh while trying to flee to Lucknow. Saifullah was
killed next day.
The NIA filed the charge sheet
before a special NIA court in Lucknow against eight persons of
the module for being members of the Islamic State and their involvement
in the conspiracy. According to the NIA chargesheet in the case
Atif Muzaffar is the head of the module. On August 8, 2017, a
charge sheet was filed against Atif, Danish, Syed and Gauss in
a special court in Bhopal. The case was initially registered
by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad in March before it was
taken over by the NIA.
The Finance Ministry said that
fake currency was actually routed out of the system and old notes
will now no longer be permitted to be returned. “Rs 16,000 crore
of currency is still out of the banking system,” said Subhash
Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, adding
that there is no way that the demonetised currency notes can now
be returned. He also said that two relevant facts must be kept
in mind regarding fake currency. “Despite the rush to exchange
demonetised notes, the system was careful not to bring fake currency
into the system,” he said. He also argued that fake currency was
actually routed out of the system. “This has had a positive impact
on curbing terrorist activities in places like Kashmir,” he told
reporters.
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’.
The AP Police pasted posters alleging
atrocities by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist at villages such as
GK Veedhi, Chintapalli, G. Madugula and Munchingput in Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. Police pasted posters to spread the
message of goodwill and the “ill-effects” of joining the Maoist
movement. Supporting the ideological war, SP (Vizag rural) Rahul
Dev Sharma says, “The idea of the Maoists is to lure the youth
into their fold. We do not want that to happen. The Maoists say
that there is a need for doctors, not roads, in interior villages.
We counter the argument by saying without roads it is not possible
to build clinics and post doctors. The Adivasis support our idea.”
Sources in the SIB say, the ideological counter strategy, after
the Ramgarh exchange of fire in the AOB region in October last,
has hit the Maoist movement. The ultras have stepped up their
movement in the AOB region, thanks to the monsoon, but are unable
to get the desired number of new recruits, says an officer.
The CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead
a 30-year-old youth identified as Sunny Ram, suspecting him to
be a ‘police informer’, in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Police
said a group of 10 Maoists intercepted Sunny near Ramtaliganj
Mor under Kajra Police Station when he was returning to his ancestral
village Shivdih from the local market. They tied his hands with
a rope and shot him dead. The SHO of Kajra Police Station, Sujeet
Warsi, said a handwritten pamphlet and four empty cartridges of
7.62 bore were seized from the site of occurrence. The residents
told the Police that the Maoists had earlier warned the inhabitants
of the village to punish them for leaking information to the Police
about their activities.
The bandh call
given by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Magadh region
of Bihar passed off peacefully. The bandh was
called o protest the arrest of CPI-Maoist leader Rajesh Bhokta
and a former mukhiya Manu Yadav. Police sources
said the bandh was called in Magadh division
which includes Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal and Nawada Districts.
A brother, B. Narayan, and a close
business aide, Satyanarayan Reddy, of the CPI-Maoist leader
Sudhakar (50) were arrested in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Police
recovered INR 2.5 million in cash and half kilogram of Gold biscuits
worth INR 1.2 million. Police also recovered two gold watches, Naxal literature,
ATM and PAN cards and a calculator from the duo.
A joint team of BSF and Police
busted a camp of CPI-Maoist in Malkangiri District of Odisha. SFs
recovered explosive materials including 27 gelatine sticks and
around 100 detonators and several rounds of ammunition of AK-47
assault rifle and other weapons.
The Pradip Ray faction of AKRASU
has declared an agitation schedule for the coming days. AKRASU
announced for 48-hour long Assam bandh (shutdown strike)
from 5 AM of September 6, 100-hour long wheel stop from 5 AM of
September 14 and 10-hour rail blockade on October 13. AKRSU is
demanding separate ST status for Koch Rajbongshis and a separate
State of Kamatapur.
AFSPA was extended for six months
starting from September 1. Additional Director General of Police
(ADGP-Special Branch) Pallab Bhattacharya said, "This is
for the first time in Assam's history that the state government
has on its own extended the term of the Act for six months from
September 1."
Dilip Nunisa, former ‘chairman’
of disbanded DHD-N expressed serious concern over the delay in
rehabilitation of DHD cadres due to the ‘indifferent’ attitude
of both the Central and State Governments. DHD-N signed an Memorandum
of Understanding with the Union and State government on October
8, 2012 in New Delhi.
|
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.
The Police arrested Pathi Srinivas
Reddy, a graduate, on the charge of extorting money by posing
himself as Muppalla Lakshmana Rao aka Ganapathi,
the General Secretary and Central Committee member of the CPI-Maoist,
in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. A native of Veenavanka mandal in
Karimnagar District of Telangana, Srinivas Reddy was involved
in nine such offences at Veenavanka, Hanuman Junction, and Hanamkonda
in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Two lower-rung cadres of the CPI-Maoist
were arrested from separate places in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh.
While one Maoist, identified as Mangtu Gavde (30), was arrested
from an unspecified area under Farasgaon Police Station in Narayanpur
District, another one, Rava Bheema (32), was arrested from the
forest area under Phulbagdi Police Station limits in Sukma District,
Police said.
PLFI ‘area commander’ Amrit Aind
was arrested from Simdega District of Jharkhand. An AK-47 rifle,
cartridges and a backpack were found on him. Aind was involved
in an encounter with the Police in Bano on April 8 that killed
the then OIC Vidyapati Singh and Constable Turam Biruli, SP, Rajeev
Ranjan Singh said. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
SP Ashwini Kumar Sinha was informed
about three PLFI cadres collecting ‘levy’ under Karra Police Station
area in Khunti District of Jharkhand on behalf of their ‘commander’
Akhilesh Gope. A Police team spotted the three rebels on a bike
near Kulhutu Chowk who tried to speed away. The trio, who were
chased and arrested, was identified as Vijay Nag, Rajesh Gope
and Manoj Mahto. Levy amounts worth INR 30,000, PLFI pamphlets
and four phones were recovered from them.
Two cadres of JSJMM, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested from Chandwa Police Station
area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. Following a tip-off, about
JSJMM cadres had assembled near CCL's Sikni colliery in Chandwa
Police Station area; a team led by SP Dhananjay Kumar Singh conducted
a raid and arrested Sandip Kherwar and Suraj Kishore Prasad. Two
country-made pistols, cartridges, a mobile phone and a backpack
were found on them. "Sandip is from Gumla and Suraj is from
Latehar. Suraj has been to jail in the past," the Latehar
SP added.
A family of Jantri village at
Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District of Odisha had to leave
their home after cadres of the CPI-Maoist threatened
them to leave. According to reports, the CPI-Maoist cadres at
a Praja court held at the village suspected Sana
Pangi as a ‘Police informer’ and asked him to leave the place
along with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. The CPI-Maoist cadres
also alleged that Sana’s son, who stays and works in Andhra Pradesh,
is also passing information to Police about the movement of CPI-Maoist
cadres.
Two Naxal posters
were found pasted on the walls of the Loipada Ashram School and
the Thriveni Security Camp at Rugudi in Keonjhar District
of Odisha. The posters carried messages of threatening
to Police, industrialists and others. Police recovered the posters
which were apparently issued by the PLFI ‘area commander’
Sureya and ‘zonal committee head’ Arjun Rana. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
SFs killed a ‘corporal’ of the
NSCN-K near Kunsa village in Longding District. A defence source
informed that SFs carried out the operation acting on specific
intelligence about NSCN-K cadres trying to exfilitrate from the
Indian State to Myanmar.
Police have registered a case
against ULFA-PTF ‘leader’ Jiten Dutta for alleged racial abuse
and treason. Dergaon Police in Golaghat District registered a
suo
motu
case against Dutta under Sections 153A (promoting
enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to
maintenance of harmony) and 121 (waging or attempting to wage
war or abetting waging of war against the government of India)
of the Indian Penal Code.
|
September 2 |
Fresh Inputs from intelligence
agencies suggeststhat Sikh militants are getting more support
from across the border to foment trouble in Kashmir and other
parts of the county. The fresh inputs show support for Manjit
Singh, ‘leader’ of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). The intelligence
inputs say this outfit is getting more active in South Kashmir
and Kathua region of the state and in Punjab. Sikh radical elements
sheltered in Pakistan are engaged in anti-India activities such
as providing financial support to terror activities.
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.
A carpenter, Pavan Dehari (28)
was killed by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist near Baghdongari village
under Aundhi Police Station in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.
Dehari was killed in the area where SFs had gunned down three
cadres of CPI-Maoist two months ago in an encounter. Police term
killing as an ‘act of frustration’ by Maoists.
The SFs managed to foil a Maoist
ambush in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh when they detected
four IEDs on Bhopalpatnam-Madded road. The IEDs were planted on
the route of a ROP of the CRPF and the Police. But SFs managed
to detect and defuse the explosives near Pengadpalli village.
Khunti Police arrested a cadre
of the CPI-Maoist, Sohrai Pahan (35) from Lebed village under
Arki Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Pahan was
wanted in eight murder cases, abduction, loot and others.
Police arrested an active member
of KNF-P identified as Paominthang Kipgen (30), from Khuyathong
area in Imphal West District.
The JCILPS announced that a renewed
‘civil movement’ would be launched from September 4 with a mass
rally in pursuit of the ‘popular demand’ for enforcement of ILPS
or a similar mechanism in the State.
The Supreme Court dismissed the
special leave petition moved by the Meghalaya Government for cancellation
of bail granted to GNLA ‘chairman’ Champion Sangma by the Meghalaya
High Court since the hearing in the case will be held on September
4 at the Sessions Court, Shillong.
The proposed peace talks between
Mizoram Government and Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction of HPC-D
did not materialize as the State Government rejected the conditions
put forward by the militant group. “The HPC(D) faction led by
Lalhmingthanga Sanate set pre-conditions like establishment of
an autonomous district council under the Sixth Schedule of the
Constitution in the Hmar community concentrated area and tripartite
talks by inclusion of a senior official from the Centre,” a senior
State Government official said. The State Government rejected
the conditions as its stance was that there should be no conditions
for holding talks, he said. The talks were to be held in August
end. Peace parleys with the major faction led by H Zosangbera
would soon resume and the next round of talks was likely to be
the last official level talks as it would be elevated to the political
level, he said.
Dead body of taxi driver-cum owner,
Swuduve Nakro was recovered on September 3 at Chiechama village,
in Kohima District. He was killed on September 2.
|
September 3 |
India and Nepal began their joint
military exercise in the western part of the Himalayan country,
focusing on counter-terrorism and forest fighting operations.
The exercise - Surya Kiran - was being participated by around
300 troops each side in Rupandehi District in Nepal. Senior Nepal
Army officer Rajendra Karki inaugurated the exercise, according
to a statement by the army. The 12th edition of Nepal-India joint
military exercise will conclude on September 16. According to
the Indian Army officials, the Surya Kiran is the largest joint
exercise in terms of troop participation. The battalion-level
joint training between the two armies will focus on counter-terror
operations in mountainous terrain by facilitating interoperability.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu
said in Hyderabad (Telangana) that terrorism is the biggest enemy
of mankind and the biggest danger to the world peace. He stressed
on the need for international community to come together and curb
it mercilessly. Naidu said India in later years and particularly
after the September 11 (2001, US) attacks put considerable effort
in fighting international terrorism. “Several conventions resulted
from the efforts exerted under the auspices of the United Nations
[UN]. Mention may be made in this connection of the SAARC convention
on the suppression of international terrorism as well as the Indian
proposal to conclude a comprehensive convention on suppression
of international terrorism now under consideration of the UN,”
he said. “…That’s the need of the hour…The biggest danger to the
world peace is from terror. Terror has no religion, it has no
colour and it has no sex. But, unfortunately some people are trying
to mix terror and religion for their own narrow political and
partisan ends.
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.
In an encounter with CPI-Maoist
cadres, Police constable Budiya Karma was injured at Kandulnar
forests in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A joint
team of the DRG and local Police was out on the search operation
in the Madded area of the District.
An active LOS member of the Maoists,
identified as Raju Mandavi (28), was arrested by a team of local
Police from Barsoor Police Station area in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. Mandavi served as the gunman of a senior Maoist
‘commander’, who was killed in a Police encounter in May, and
carried a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, Police said. Mandavi
was allegedly involved in crimes like Maoist attacks on Police
parties and murder of local villagers.
A woman CPI-Maoist ‘Commander’
Shymala Sodhi alias Pojje (27) surrendered before
the SP in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Sodhi was carrying
a reward of INR 500,000 on her head. She was involved in Tahakwada
incident of Sukma District in which 16 Policemen were martyred.
The cadres of CPI-Maoist,
who used to get money from mines operators, engineering colleges
and real estate owners in Odisha to fund their activities, have
once again reverted to their old practice of Ganja (Cannabis)
cultivation to raise funds. As per sources, the CPI-Maoist cadres
have restarted extending their patronization to Ganja cultivators
and peddlers in Districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi,
Kandhamal, Rayagada, Boudh, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Angul, Sambalpur
and Deogarh. The hilly terrain and dense forests of these districts
serve as ideal ground for ganja cultivators and peddlers. An excise
department official said, once the crop is harvested, the Maoists
send the ganja West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and New Delhi
with the assistance of experienced peddlers.
An exchange of fire took place
between Simdega Police and a group of PLFI cadres led by its supremo
Dinesh Gope at Bano Police Station in Simdega District of Jharkhand.
A search operation led to the recovery of three motorcycles, 12
mobile phone chargers, one switchboard, bags, mats and other items.
PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Five armed cadres of the PLFI,
who were planning to target road construction sites for ‘levy’,
were arrested by Police at a forested patch of Lukaia Dodha under
Chanho Police Station area in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The
arrested cadres were identified as Krishna Yadav alias Sultan
(25), Vinod Yadav (28), Narendra Prasad Yadav (27), Bajrang Yadav
(20) and Devendra Yadav (19). Police recovered four firearms,
11 live bullets, two sharp weapons, INR 21,000 in cash, a stolen
bike and a PLFI letterhead from the cadres.
Police arrested a PLA militant
identified as, Ningombam Ronny alias Inaocha (50), at North
AOC near RK Sanatombi Devi Research Institute of Social Science
in Imphal West District.
Thoubal District Police commando
and 39 Assam Rifles troopers arrested an overground worker of
KCP, identified as Laishram Tombisana Meitei (41), from Sekmaijin
area.
Police arrested NSCN-K militants,
identified as ‘captain’ Toishe Aye (28), ‘2nd lieutenant.’ Daniel
Yimchunger (31) in Kohima town.
|
September 4 |
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter between joint team of the DRG, STF, and CoBRA's
204th battalion and CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
SFs recovered one AK-47 rifle, magazines and one wireless set,
along with Maoist-related material. The identity of the killed
CPI-Maoist cadre is yet to be ascertained.
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.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed
a civilian in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The deceased
has been identified as Bajirao Nareti. A Police officer from Rajnandgaon
claimed that Nareti was involved in supplying food grains to the
Maoists.
A Police Constable, Panku Punam
(35), was killed by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist at a weekly market
near Padeda village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A group
of CPI-Maoist cadres, dressed in civvies, attacked Punam with
sharp-edged weapons leaving him dead on the spot.
Kankar's DIG, Ratan Lal Dangi
and SP, Santosh Singh inaugurated the Aadka Police Station in
Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. This is the 10th Police Station
in the District, in which 14 villages come in.
The Central Government reimbursed
INR 100 Million to Chhattisgarh Government towards raising two
battalions of SIRB during 2016-17. The UMHA has stated that Chhattisgarh
Police forces are well equipped and a Bastar package for Police
was introduced in end 2015. Previously, a Bastar Battalion has
been sanctioned recently with strength of around 750 to be recruited
from the local tribals. Similarly 10 SIRB and 56 IRB are being
raised in the LWE affected areas of the country.
The Maoists in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh have released a letter asking the villagers to
boycott the meeting, which is to be held between the Police community
in the area and the villagers. The meeting that is supposed to
take place on September 14 in Chintagufa comes as a result of
the “mutual trust” between the villagers and the Police community.
The letter released by the Maoists asked the villagers to boycott
the meeting initiated by the Police community, which was earlier
supposed to take place on September 7, as the collector scheduled
to be at the meeting, was on leave. The letter has also barred
the villagers from visiting the nearby market, threatening to
kill them if they do so.
Troops of 21 Para Special Forces
and 16 Assam Rifles killed an militant and injured another one
of the NSCN-K near Votnu village under Wakka circle in the Longding
District. "Several other militants managed to escape into
the nearby dense forest because of dense fog in the area. The
Special Forces recovered an AK-56, a radio set and a hand grenade,
along with live bullets. During a combing operation, the forces
located a camp of the rebels and destroyed it," said an official
in the army headquarters.
ULFA-I asked two CPSU, NEEPCO
and NHPC to quit the region or face “military action.” “While
NEEPCO’s 405-MW Ranganadi Hydel project caused such havoc, it
is easily understood what disaster is in store in NHPC’s 2000-MW
Lower Subansiri project. It will wipe out the entire downstream
area. Hence both companies should shut down their operations in
this (Western South-East Asia) region. Otherwise ULFA-I will carry
out a military action against them,” the statement signed by ‘Major’
Arunoday Asom, ‘assistant publicity secretary’ said.
ULFA-I warned of "armed action"
if 22 model colleges, named after BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya,
are not renamed after prominent personalities of the state within
six months. In a statement e-mailed to the media here, the ULFA-I
asked State Government to remove names of all “outsider Indians”
from various educational institutions and rename the same after
eminent sons of the soil within six months failing which it would
take `punitive’ action against those institutions if they fail
to comply.
ULFA-PTF ‘leader’ Jiten Dutta
in connection to the Nagaon assault case, called his ‘fight’ a
‘battle’ to save the identity of Assamese people. This comes a
day after Dergaon police registered a suo motu case against ULFA-PTF
‘leader’, charging him with racial abuse and Sedition. Dutta said,
"I am fighting for our identity and existence, which are
in danger. If the government slaps cases against me during the
struggle to save the identity of Assamese people, I am least bothered."
A KNLF militant, Ngamminlen Haokip
alias Diamond (23), has been detained under the National
Security Act by the order of District Magistrate as per a dossier
prepared by Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur. The cadre
was involved in killing of KNLF ‘commander-in-chief‘Lalmoi Haokip
at Tuibong on August 2017.
Police arrested two NSCN-K ‘sympathizer’
Avito Zhotso (41), in Satakha of Zunheboto District
|
September 5
|
A FICN racket was busted at Samalkot
in East Godavari District, in which four persons were arrested
along with FICN worth INR 13,55,000. Acting on a tipoff, police
arrested Nallagachu Anjaneyulu near SRC Lodge in Samalkot. Upon
questioning Anjaneyulu disclosed currency printing racket at Anaparthy,
Peddapuram and Samalkot Police raided the house of Kovvuri. Satyanarayana
Reddi in Anaparthy and arrested him. The police seized Rs 13.55
lakh worth fake currency notes, colours used for printing of this
notes and a high-end printer from the house. The gang was printing
two thousand and five hundred rupees notes. Police also arrested
Intri Sunil and Pammidi Ramesh, who were involved in the racket.
Deepening relationship with Myanmar
is a priority for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as
he met Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. Modi spoke
on development and terrorism, while announcing that India would
begin giving Myamarese citizens visas free of charge. He also
addressed the situation in Myanmar's Rakhine, where a crackdown
on Rohingya militants has sparked an enormous refugee crisis.
"We share your concerns about extremist violence in Rakhine
state & violence against security forces & how innocent
lives have been affected," Modi said. "Being neighbours,
we have similar security concerns. Important for us to work together,"
Modi also said. Suu Kyi added, "Together we will ensure that
terror is not allowed to take roots in our country, on our soil
or in neighboring countries."
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”.
A special NIA court sentenced
ten cadres of the CPI-Maoist to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment
for supplying material used for making guns and explosives to
CPI-Maoist cadres in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The
CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Arun Agrawal, Balram Naik,
Deep Singh, Khudiram, Rajuram Bhaskar, Mohak Garg, Tarik Umar alias Pappu
Pathan, Ramesh Telam, Panchu Bhaskar and Joga Telam. According
to the Police, the accused were involved in supplying detonators,
explosives, gelatin sticks, besides lathe and welding machines
(used in making barrels of guns) to Commander Sanjay alias Mohan
Kadti, a prominent CPI-Maoist leader of the WBDC in Dantewada
District.
Police destroyed a camp of the
CPI-Maoist at Dururai jungle under Gua Police Station limits in
West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SP, Anish Gupta said a Naxal leader
Sandeep who is regional ‘area committee member’ of the CPI-Maoist
was holding a camp. As the Police and Paramilitary Forces
raided the camp, about 40 rebels who were present there fled.
Later the Police recovered 100 rounds of cartridged of AK 47,
one can bomb, detonators, a cell phone and rebel literatures from
the destroyed camp. The SP said they later detonated the
can-bomb which weighed 10 kilograms. Meanwhile intelligence sources
maintained that the Naxals have once again started
influencing the local residents to come to the fold of the Naxalism,
said a senior intelligence officer. He said the rebels are targeting
areas in Sonua, Goelkera and Porahat region of West Singhbhum.
The intelligence sources also maintain that most of the Maoists
who were in Saranda forest have shifted to the adjoining Sundargarh
District in Odisha and several others hid themselves at the villages
in Saranda in the guise of cultivators.
SFs are planning to launch a drive
against the CPI-Maoist with special focus on the border Districts
of Malkangiri and Koraput of Odisha. The decision to intensify
the operation against the Maoists was taken following the meeting
between CM Naveen Patnaik and the DG of the CRPF, Rajeev Bhatnagar,
in Bhubaneswar on August 28. In the meeting, Bhatnagar had reportedly
stressed the need for a joint offensive by State Police and Paramilitary
Forces against Maoists entering Odisha from Chhattisgarh and Andhra
Pradesh. Malkangiri and Koraput Districts are in focus in anti-Maoist
drives mainly because of the fact that these two Districts share
long borders with the neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh and
Andhra Pradesh which also have a strong Maoist base. Among other
Districts where SFs are expected to step up operations are Rayagada,
Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Balangir. The Maoists have already been
well entrenched in Rayagada and Kandhamal, while they are trying
their best to get a foothold in Kalahandi and Balangir, said a
Police officer.
With a motive to win hearts and
minds of innocent people especially in tribal dominated Naxal-hit
areas of Odisha, CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs, both have taken to
a novel and revolutionary approach other than gun battle to woo
locals. A film recently released by Bastar Division of Maoists
in a village on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border showed alleged Police
brutality in the name of security. The SFs have also been showing
videos to tribals portraying positive side of rebels who have
shunned violence and joined mainstream.
The Pradip Ray faction of the
AKRSU alleged that Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is giving
only assurances about holding tripartite talks and lacked action.
"Sonowal had assured us that tripartite talks would be held
in August. He has failed to do so and even the earlier talks did
not bear any fruit. Hence, we will no longer believe his words
and continue our agitation till our demands are met," AKRSU
president Pradip Ray said.
Union Minister of State for Home
Kiren Rijiju reiterated that solution of Naga imbroglio is at
the final stage and it will be settled soon. “Naga issue is on
final stage and it will be settled soon,” said Rijiju, without
disclosing anything, while interacting with reporters during the
Second NEDA conclave. He also said that porous borders with Bangladesh
will be sealed soon.
|
September 6
|
Police in Amroha arrested a BSc
student, identified Sunil Kumar and his associate in a college
along with FICN worth INR 5,00,000. Sunil Kumar was also
kingpin of the FICN racket. Sunil Kumar, with other gang members,
was allegedly printing fake notes of high quality and supplying
them to other parts of the country. Printing machines and other
equipment, inks and dyes have also been seized.
India and Myanmar agreed that
terrorism remains one of the most significant threats to peace
and stability in the region and the fight against the menace should
also include strong measures against countries and entities who
finance and provide sanctuary to terrorists. In a joint statement
issued after PM Narendra Modi’s talks with State Counsellor Aung
San Suu Kyi, the two sides called on the international community
to end selective and partial approaches to combating terrorism.
The two leaders discussed the security situation prevailing along
their borders and expressed concern at various incidents of terrorism
and extremist-inspired violence that have taken place in their
countries.
The two sides agreed that the
fight against terrorism should target not only terrorists, terror
organisations and networks, but also identify, hold accountable
and take strong measures against States and entities that encourage,
support or finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists
and terror groups, the statement said.
The Centre has asked all the state
governments to identify Rohingya Muslims living illegally while
raising concern over terror groups trying to use the migrants
to trigger trouble in the country. An advisory issued by the Home
Ministry has asked all state governments and Union territories
to identify Rohingyas while indicating that they could pose grave
security challenges. "These illegal immigrants not only infringe
on the rights of Indian citizen but some also pose grave security
challenges," the advisory said. Around 14,000 Rohingyas living
in the country are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees, while about 40,000 are said to be staying illegally.
According to media reports, Pakistan’s
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country will
continue to face “embarrassment” if terror groups like the LeT
and JeM are not reined in. Asif’s admission came two days after
the BRICS grouping that includes China, for the first time named
terror groups like LeT and the JeM among the internationally banned
outfits operating from within Pakistan. US President Donald Trump
had also criticised Pakistan for being a “safe haven” for terror
groups like the Haqqani network. Asif acknowledged the existence
of LeT and JeM among the internationally banned outfits operating
from within Pakistan. “We need to tell our friends that we have
improved our house. We need to bring our house in order to prevent
facing embarrassment on the international level,” Asif said while
speaking to Geo News on September 5, days ahead of his
visit to Beijing to meet the Chinese leadership.
According to Asif, the BRICS declaration
should not be considered as China’s official stance as other countries
— Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa — are also a part of
the group. Asif said that “friends should not be tested [every
time], particularly in the changed scenario”. “Instead, we should
impose some restrictions on the activities of elements like LeT
and JeM, so that we can show the global community that we have
put our house in order,” he said. “We need to ask ourselves have
we acted upon the NA in letter and spirit? Did we take the measures
we had decided on, besides Operation Zarb-i-Azb, Raddul Fassad
and Khyber 4, during the last three years? Did we show the world
that we acted according to the resolve we made in 2014?”, Asif
asked. Clarifying the position of the Government, he said that
for the first time, the Foreign Ministry published an advertisement,
requesting people to avoid donating hides of sacrificial animals
to proscribed organisations, including the the LeT and JeM. “Despite
all these efforts, in some isolated instances, the organisations
were allowed [to collect hides] at some places,” he acknowledged.
He reiterated that Pakistan must put its affairs in order, given
that the “entire world is pointing fingers towards us.”
US said that Pakistan must “change
its approach” towards terror groups operating from its soil and
take decisive action against them. “As the administration has
said, Pakistan must change its approach,” a State Department spokesperson
said in response to a question on the BRICS statement that named
Pakistan-based LeT and JeM among the terror groups that create
problem in the region. “We look to the Pakistan Government to
take decisive action against militant groups based in Pakistan
that are a threat to the region,” the spokesperson said.
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.
SFs recovered three IEDs, weighing
three Kilogram each during an anti-Naxal search operation
at Chhipadohar in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The IEDs were
later defused by bomb squad.
Maharashtra Government has decided
to buy a new helicopter for anti-Naxal operations.
The new chopper will be used for anti-Naxal campaign
in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur Districts and also as an air ambulance,
told an official from the Chief Minister's Office. At present,
the Government has been spending about INR 200 million annually
to hire helicopters for Naxal affected areas of Vidarbha.
The District & Sessions Court
of Rayagada District of Odisha acquitted Sabyasachi Panda, OMP
'chief' and former Secretary of the Odisha State Organising Committee
of the CPI-Maoist, in two murder cases. District & Sessions
Judge Biswajit Das acquitted Panda on grounds of lack of evidence
on the basis of statements of 14 witnesses, court sources said.
There are as many as 134 cases against Panda in different Police
Stations across the State.
The 48-hour long Assam bandh (Shut
down strike) called by AKRSU, Pradip Ray faction)
from 5 am on Wednesday for the demand of separate Kamatapur state
and ST categorization of Koch- Rajbongshi community affected normal
life in Bongaigaon.
NSCN-IM has asserted that judged
by the level of dedication in pursuit of honourable settlement
to the Naga political issue, there is no reason for the Naga people
to be doubtful.
|
September 7
|
A special judge presiding over
the second trial in the Mumbai serial blast case on September
7, pronounced death by hanging for Taher Merchant (55) and Feroz
Khan (47), both of whom were absconding till 2010, for having
conspired to cause the RDX blasts that killed 257 and injured
713. The court sentenced five of the seven accused on trial (one
was acquitted in June and one died after conviction). Extradited
gangster Abu Salem (48) and Karimullah Khan (55) were spared the
noose. Salem by virtue of a Lisbon court order saying he could
not be given death and Khan by Tada court judge G A Sanap. Riyaz
Siddiqui (67), guilty of the lesser charge of abetment, was handed
a 10-year sentence. He has already been in jail for 11 years since
his arrest in 2006. This is the second and last set of accused
to be convicted in the case for now. Another 33 accused are absconding,
including Dawood Ibrahim.
NIA has shared details with UMHA
of four terror probes where cadres of PFI and its political arm
SDPI were chargesheeted or convicted under the UAPA. The four
cases related to chopping of a professor's palm in Kerala's Idukki
District; holding of a training camp in Kannur from where NIA
allegedly seized swords, country-made bombs and ingredients for
making IEDs; murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru and the
Islamic State- IS Al-Hindi module case in which attacks were plotted
in south India.
Based on its probe findings, NIA
has claimed that PFI pursues a strategy aimed at communalising
Indian polity, enforcing Taliban brand of Islam, heightening existing
social divisions and maintaining a trained bank of volunteers
for physical actions. "PFI had consistently been indulging
in actions detrimental to overall national security," NIA
said while blaming the outfit for seeking to impose religious
orthodoxy on Muslims and using sister outfits like Sathya Sarani
based in Malappuram to carry out "forceful conversions",
with the most recent cases being that of Akhila Asokan and Athira
Nambiar in which PFI women's wing chief Sainaba A S name figures.
The dossier pointed out that many
of PFI's founding leaders were associated with SIMI before it
was banned. This includes former PFI chairman E M Abdurahiman,
who was all-India general secretary of SIMI in 1980-81 and 1982-93,
PFI national vice-chairman P Koya who was with SIMI in 1978-79
and SDPI president E Aboobacker who was Kerala state president
of SIMI in 1982-84, among others.
The NIA has told the Interpol
that Zakir Naik is being targeted for terrorism and not because
of his religion. While sending out a detailed response to the
Interpol, the NIA has said that evidence against Naik is strong
and his acts violate the Indian law. Zakir Naik is under investigation
for funding terror suspects, the NIA also said. The NIA pointed
out that it had repeatedly sent out summons to Naik, but he has
not once presented himself before the agency. The NIA also said
that his passport had been revoked. Further the NIA also said
that Naik's NGO IRF had been banned by the Government and the
same was upheld by the tribunal. He had funded a few terror suspects
through his NGO and hence he needs to be questioned in that connection,
the NIA also told the Interpol. The NIA requested the Interpol
to help track Naik so that he could be deported to India.
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.
About 10 armed militia cadres
of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze four earth-moving equipments (two
each in Nurmati and Pulusumamidi) in the G. Madugula Mandal of
Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. However, no one was
hurt in the incident. DIG, Visakhapatnam Range Ch. Srikanth said,
“Maoists generally destroy equipment used for laying roads. Their
action could be intentional or even a mistake.” A senior Police
officer said the incident could also be a bait to lure the forces
into the forest for a probable ambush. The Police are aware of
the presence of a few top leaders such as Central Committee member
Chalapathi and Gajarla Ravi or Uday, in charge of the AOBSZC.
A group of 10-15 cadres of the
CPI-Maoist set ablaze a passenger bus at Todempara in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualties were reported
in the incident.
Maoists stopped a private bus
belonging to Vishwanath Travels on Bhopalpatnam (Bijapur)-Bareguda
road (Adilabad District in Telangana), asked passengers to disembark
and set it on fire in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. However,
no casualties were reported in the incident.
Kerala Police launched a massive
combing operation against the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in the
forest areas near Parappanpara at Thamarassery in Kozhikode District
of Kerala. District Police Chief (rural) M K Pushkaran said five
suspected armed CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, visited
a house at Parappanpara. It is suspected the Maoists were led
by Soman, a native of Wayanad and a former leader of Porattom.
A joint squad of Police and CRPF
arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist at Lenin Colony in Charla Mandal in
Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The arrested
were identified as G. Kishor Kumar (35), a ‘Maoist courier' of
Charla town and Sodi Devaiah (28) a ‘Maoist militia member’ of
Korakatpadu. SFs recovered injections, eye and ear drops, surgical
spirit and absorbent cotton.
Two Central Public Sector Undertakings,
NEEPCO and NHPC have sought security cover from Assam Police after
ULFA-I asked them to close operations in the state within six
months and threatened to launch armed action after the time period,
The first tripartite talks at
the ‘political level’ with KNO and UPF are likely to be held either
by the end of this month or early next month. According
to ‘negotiator’ of KNO Dr Seilen Haokip, the Interlocutor had
told him that the tripartite talks are likely to be held either
by the end of September or in the first week of October. SoO terms
with KNO and UPF were extended for another one year which became
effective from August 31.
|
September 8
|
One person, identified as Sameer
Khan (32) was arrested for printing and circulating FICNs of INR
100 and INR 500 denominations from central Delhi’s Farash Khana.
FICN with a face value of INR 47,500 and equipment used to print
these notes were also recovered from his possession, Police said.
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.
One Policeman was seriously injured
in a CPI-Maoist attack in Korchi division in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. The Maoists opened fire at Police Constables Manit
Harami and Ashish Madavi who were in plain clothes and were travelling
to Korchi from Kotgul village on a motorcycle. Madavi was injured
in the firing by the Maoists.
New posters of the CPI-Maoist released
in the name of the BGN Divisional Committee surfaced on the walls
of the panchayat office at the Ichhapur village
of the Muniguda block in Rayagada District of Odisha. Some of
the posters were seen with messages appealing the State Government
to make immediate arrangements for relief and rescue of flood-affected
people in Kalahandi and Rayagada Districts. The Maoists of BGN
Divisional Committee have also sought pucca houses for flood victims
under various welfare schemes like Biju Pucca Ghara and Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojna. Advocating for the environmental preservation,
the Maoists have also demanded a ban on the growth of the mining,
tree-felling and other deforestation activities. With special
focus on the development of the people in Karlapata area in the
District, a demand has also been made for the upgradation of healthcare
and educational infrastructure in the area.
The new DGP of Odisha, R P Sharma,
said that the infrastructural issue is a major challenge in the
anti-Naxal operation as Naxals change
their strategy keeping eye on the force movement. Sharma added,
"Maoists are adopting new strategy and create fresh corridors
at various places. Depending on the movement of the Naxals the
security forces also should move accordingly and establish themselves
in new areas." Sharma took charges as the new DGP recently
and was attending a review meeting with IGs of CRPF and BSF. In
the meeting, Sharma said that anti-Naxal operations will
be intensified especially in the inter-state border regions. So,
we will request the Union Government of India to provide two additional
Battalions of CAPF for deployment on inter-state borders. The
State Government of Odisha has been demanding deployment of additional
central forces as their number in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand is
more than 100 Battalions. At present, 16 battalions of central
forces have been deployed in the state, out of which eight are
from the CRPF and one from the CoBRA unit.
A cadre of the CPI-ML (New Democracy),
Burka Pratap alias Shyam, was arrested by the
Police in Warangal District of Telangana. Police recovered
a kit bag, five SLRs live rounds and revolutionary literature
from him.
ULFA-I ‘vice chairman’ and ‘chief
of staff’, ‘major general’ Paresh Asom has rejected Art of Living
founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s offer for facilitating the peace
process and to join the main stream, saying “we only follow the
revolutionary stream that will lead to an Independent Asom.”
Police recovered FICN of INR 2,000
denomination with a face value of INR 190,000 and arrested four
persons from Ahmedabad, in this connection. They were arrested
from Chiloda circle on SP Ring Road. They were identified as Sanjay
Giri, Paresh Parmar, Narendra Parmar and Dharmendra Rathod. “One
of the four persons is an engineering diploma holder and has knowledge
of computer. Upon questioning, they revealed that they were in
financial crisis and wanted to make quick money which is why they
started printing fake currency notes,” Police said.
Police arrested three militants
of the of KCP, ‘chairman’ Senjam Notenkhomba Singh, Leishram Ibmugomtomba
Singh and Rajesh Singh from Siliguri. The group had committed
robbery, around 3pm, in a Jewellery shop at Salt Lake area in
Calcutta on August 27. Earlier, the arrested trio had committed
robbery at MP Jeweller’s branch at G S road in Guwahati city on
May 9.
NSCN-IM ‘caretakers/ CAO s’, ‘Executive
Officers’, 'political organiser', ‘presidents’ of the ‘regions’,
‘sub-region’, CAA present in the meeting with its
kilo
kilonser
(Home Minister) have fully extended support
to August 3, 2015 “Framework Agreement” and termed it as a “landmark
progress on the Indo-Naga peace process.
|
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.
The chief of Battalion No.1, Hidma
(36), of the CPI-Maoist, has reportedly been promoted to the CPI-Maoist
Central Committee. Hidma was also the member of the DKSZC
of the CPI-Maoist. Hidma joined the PLGA of the CPI-Maoist as
a lower rung cadre in the late 90s. Officers involved in the anti-Naxal
told, “Hidma is being projected as the tribal face. With increasing
pressure of SFs in Bastar, the Maoist battalion needed encouragement
and Hidma’s battalion has been exceptionally successful in combat
against the SFs. It has less than 10% casualty ratio in every
combat compared to the security forces and its morale is extremely
high. To maintain a large formation like battalion is a tough
job and Hidma has successfully managed that.”
Security Forces arrested a NSCN-R
militant, identified as Hunmai Taidong, from Old Changlang Village
in Changlang district.
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.
The CRPF DG said that the JeM
militants who stormed DP) Pulwama and killed eight security personnel
have not been identified and they appeared to be foreigners. In
reply to a question about number of militants in south Kashmir,
he said: “I will not go into numbers as they are not important.
The important thing is that we are ready for every challenge.
Whatever the numbers, you have seen that we have achieved success.
We will continue such actions in the future as well along with
JKP and the Army.”
|
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.
The District Police arrested a
self-styled ‘area commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Satyendra Paswan,
from Pachmo village under Barem Police outpost in Aurangabad District
of Bihar. Paswan, a resident of Nimdih village under Dhibra Police
Station in the District, carried a reward of INR 50,000 on his
head.
One CRPF jawan was injured
in an exchange of fire with the Maoists in the forests under the
Aranpur Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
A DRG trooper sustained injuries
in an IED bomb blast, triggered by ultras, at an unspecified place
in the interiors of Aranpur under the same Police Station limits
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
A lady CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter with the SOG in the Daka forested area at Barakhamma
under Baliguda Police limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha.
“Exchange of fire between Maoists and SOG jawans has been reported
from Daka forest near Barakhamma under Baliguda police station
jurisdiction. While one woman Maoist has been killed in the exchange
of fire, two SOG jawans have been injured. The injured jawans
have been hospitalized,” informed Kandhamal SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.
SFs during search recovered one .303 rifle and other materials
from the encounter site. Barakhamma is located on Kandhamal-Kalahandi
border.
Maoist posters were recovered
after getting information from villagers in Trilochanpur village
under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The Maoist
posters warned suspected ‘Police informers’ in the area of dire
consequences. The posters put up on mango trees categorically
mentioned the Niyamgiri area and dubbed it as the property of
tribals. It also cautioned the Kalahandi and Rayagada Police against
visiting the Niyamgiri area claiming that the Policemen are perpetrating
brutalities on the innocent tribals. The Maoists posters warned
all locals against cooperating with the Police for which they
could risk death in Kangaroo courts.
Two Over Ground Workers of GNLA,
identified as Gonam Ch Momin (19) and Walseng T Sangma (24), surrendered
at Williamnagar Police Station in East Garo Hills District. Police
said that they worked with GNLA since November 2015.
The BSF personnel recovered suspected
FICN with a face-value of INR 690,000 being smuggled from Bangladesh
in Malda District. Acting on a tip off, the border guards were
keeping a watch at a place in Churiantpur border outpost last
night and found someone from Bangladesh side dropped two packets
and another person was coming to collect it from Indian side,
a BSF release said.
BSF recovered country made weapons
and bottles of cough syrup from Mehrani border outpost in Nadia
District. Three 8 mm calibre handguns, some ammunition and 125
bottles of a cough syrup used as intoxicant were recovered, the
release said.
DRI arrested two men Azaruddin
Shaikh and Abdul Sabir Subhan along with INR 736,000 in FICN in
denomination of INR 2,000 from Mafco Market in Navi Mumbai. What
has baffled the agency is the fact that how post demonetisation
the fake new notes of INR 2,000 is being now finely printed in
neighbouring country and is routed through Bangladesh to India
via Kolkata. During interrogation, the accused admitted that they
were aware that the notes were fake and they had procured it from
West Bengal near international border close to Bangladesh and
Nepal.
A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
and two jawans of the SOG sustained injuries in an encounter between
the Maoists and the SF personnel in the Daka forested area near
Barakhamma village under Baliguda Police limits in Kandhamal District
of Odisha. The slain woman Maoist was identified as Banila, a
native of Gariabandh District of Chhattisgarh, an ‘area committee
member’ of the CPI-Maoist, carrying a cash reward of INR 400,000
on her head, and was with the KKBN Division of the outfit. The
SFs also recovered one .303 rifle with magazine, 13 rounds of
7.62 mm ammunition, a camera flash, Maoist literature, maps, utility
items and cash of INR 4,000 from the encounter site.
As the Indo-Myanmar border is
porous, there is widespread apprehension that Rohingya refugees
from the Rakhine (Arakan) region of Myanmar could sneak into Manipur."The
police headquarters alerted the superintendents of police of the
border districts two days ago, asking them to be on strict vigil
to check influx of displaced Rohingya Muslims into Manipur. Police
teams, led by respective sub-divisional police officers and officers-in-charge
of police stations, have been patrolling the border round-the-clock,"
an official source said.
|
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.
The Centre is mulling a crackdown
on 'radical' outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), including banning
it under the UAPA, over alleged involvement of its cadres in terror
activities, sources in the UMHA said. "We have enough material
on PFI's terror links. The time has come to act and carry out
a crackdown on it," an unnamed senior UMHA official said
days after the NIA submitted a dossier to the ministry detailing
four terror cases in which its PFI cadres have been chargesheeted
or convicted under UAPA. The cases relate to chopping of a professor's
hand in Idukki, Kerala; holding of a training camp in Kannur from
where swords and country-made bombs were allegedly seized; murder
of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru; and the Islamic State Al-Hindi
Module case in which accused from Kerala and Tamil Nadu planned
to hit targets in south India.
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.
Suspected
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a construction vehicle on the Bijapur-Geedam
National Highway under Modakpal Police Station limits in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists also left some pamphlets
on the spot accusing the Police of killing an innocent man in
a “fake encounter” on September 4.
Five
Maoists were arrested following an encounter between them and
SFs at an unspecified place in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.
After the firing stopped, five Maoists were rounded up from the
forests while they were trying to escape from the spot. Those
arrested were identified as Hemla Podia (40), Hidma Madvi (40),
Hemla Joga (45), Hemla Budhu (42) and Madvi Deva (36).
Three
lower-rung cadres identified as Muchaki Pandu (25), Podiam Hunga
(26) and Podiam Gutta, were arrested by a joint team of DRG and
District Force from Chintagufa Police Station area in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. The trio was allegedly involved in the exchange
of fire between Maoists and security personnel in Tondamarka and
Durma villages of Sukma on June 24, 2017 that had resulted in
the death of two DRG personnel and a Maoist, Police said.
One
more Maoist cadre was arrested by the Police in Narayanpur District
of Chhattisgarh. “The security forces surrounded Kachora village
in Narayanpur after a suspected activity of a person in the village.
After searching the village, Maoist leader Sukder was found hiding
inside a house and was arrested,” Narayanpur District Police said
in a statement.
Former CPI-Maoist leaders Sirimane
Nagaraj and Noor Sridhar have denied the possibility of the role
of Naxals in Gauri Lankesh’s murder. They said that Naxalites were
being blamed to “bury the truth”. “Since all suspicions point
towards the Hindu right-wing, investigation should begin from
them,” they said. At a press conference in Bengaluru, Sridhar
said that there was no enmity between Gauri Lankesh and Naxals as
suspected by some people. “The CPI (Maoist) is not a mafia. Whenever
they have killed someone in the past, they have left a poster
owning responsibility and even mentioning the reason for the act,”
he said, pointing to differences in the modus operandi. Sridhar
said it was unfortunate that Vikram Gowda, an alleged member of
the Naxal movement, was being falsely accused
of the killing by a section of media.
Police recovered firearms and
ammunition from a GNLA hideout after an encounter in the forests
near Keni Badimagre village of Chokpot in South Garo Hills District.
SP, Abraham T Sangma said there were around 14 militants but it
could not be confirmed whether GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan
D Shira was with them. However, villagers claimed to have seen
as many as 21 armed men before the encounter. The Police recovered
an AK 47, three magazines, 90 rounds of AK ammunition, a LMG magazine,
SMG ammunition and GNLA flag, besides some incriminating documents.
|
September 12 |
India will extend further assistance
for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, the two countries
announced after the 2nd round of their strategic partnership
council meeting in New Delhi. Announcing the launch of a next
generation New Development Partnership, India and Afghanistan
also agreed to take up 116 High Impact Community Development Projects
to be implemented in 31 provinces of Afghanistan, including in
the areas of education, health, agriculture, irrigation, drinking
water, renewable energy, flood control, micro-hydropower, sports
infrastructure, administrative infrastructure.
Bangladesh has urged India to
convince Myanmar to end violence against Rohingyas. "India
has good relations with Myanmar - we are both members of BIMSTEC.
India must emphasize to Myanmar that conditions must be created
so that these refugees can return to their country. India can
call for the immediate implementation of the Kofi Annan report,"
said Syed Muazzem Ali, Bangladesh High commissioner to India as
Bangladesh grapples with a huge influx of refugees- which now
total 6,70,000 - in the midst of one of the worst floods in recent
years. "Myanmar must engage with Bangladesh to ensure repatriation
of all of its nationals living in Bangladesh through international
joint verification as also proposed by the Kofi Annan Commission,"
the Bangla envoy said
The UK government has confiscated
the property owned by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Terming Rohingya refugees as a
threat to national security, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
said that the issue will be dealt with a firm hand. "The
illegal foreign immigrants will be strongly dealt with,"
Rajnath said in reply to a question about Rohingya Muslim refugees
living in different parts of the country, including Jammu.
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.
Two
cadres of PLFI, including a woman cadre, were killed in a joint
operation by the SFs comprising of CRPF and DRG, at Kantabandatoli
hill under Gudri Police Station in West Singhbhum District of
Jharkhand. According to Police, the spot where the encounter took
place is close to the border of Khunti District’s Rania Police
Station, which is considered to be a PLFI stronghold. After the
encounter, Police recovered one 9mm carbine and double-barrel
gun, cartridges of both the carbine and double-barrel gun from
the spot along with the dead bodies. Besides, Police have also
recovered a cell phone. The identity of the cadres is yet to be
identified. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
A group
of armed CPI-Maoist cadres killed a surrendered cadre, identified
as Karu Dugga, near his house at Barda village under Pakhanjore
Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. As per
the preliminary information, Dugga, who had surrendered last year,
was attacked with sharp-edged weapons by a group of five Maoists
who left him dead on the spot, Police said.
The
CPI-Maoist Central Committee (CC) rejected the allegations that
they were behind the killing of Gauri Lankesh through a press
release. CPI-Maoist spokesperson Abhay appealed to people to protest
the killing of Gauri Lankesh and demanded punishment to her killers.
Charla
Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as M Mangaiah
and K Nagaiah, in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana.
Police also recovered wall posters from the arrested CPI-Maoist
cadres.
Odisha DGP, R P Sharma said more
SFs would be deployed in the CPI-Maoist affected Kandhamal District
of Odisha. While attending a review meeting, Sharma took the decision
after reviewing Maoist activities in the KKBN division of the
CPI-Maoist. He also stated that CPI-Maoist cadres are taking the
geographical advantage of Kandhamal District to expand their activities.
The District is densely forested and surrounded by hills. Sharma
stressed on deployment of CRPF, DVF and SOG in a strategic manner.
The Hiteswar Barman faction of
the AKRSU took out a rally at Barpara Public Field in Bongaigaon
District to seek support for their demands for a Kamtapur state
and Scheduled Tribe status."We are ready to take up arms
if the Government does not consider our issues seriously,"
said the AKRSU's ‘president’, Hiteswar Barman.
Suspected militants of NSCN-IM
attacked a combined team of the PLA and MNPF at Makan village
at Kamjong District, near Border Pillar No, 8 along the Indo-Myanmar
border. In the incident, NSCN-IM cadres killed five
militants of the rival group and also managed to take away their
weapons. Various militant groups have reportedly frequently clashed
at the border region to dominate the area from both Indian and
Myanmar sides.
NSCN-K militants attacked 15 AR
Check post at Pangsa village in Tuensang District. The AR troopers
too retaliated and the encounter lasted for around 15 minutes.
Report states that at least 4 Riflemen sustained bullet injury
in the attacked.
|
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.
The Central Government has asked
J&K Government to offer professional counselling to youth
arrested for the first time for stone-pelting and open more rehabilitation
homes in the State where they will be housed for the counselling.
Senior Government officials said that the Centre considers these
youth, the third generation Kashmiri born post year 2000, as the
“real stakeholders” in the peace process in J&K since they
do not carry the baggage of 1947 or the militancy struggle of
1990s that their earlier generations did. Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh during his four-day visit to J&K had said that
the first-time young stone-pelters should not be sent to jail
but rehab homes and review such cases in the past. This is being
seen as a big confidence-building measure. Officials said both
the Army and J&K Police were on board for the measure proposed
by the Home Minister and the J&K Government had pushed for
it too.
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.
AAPSU is opposing the decision
of the Union Government to grant citizenship to all Chakma and
Hajong refugees living in the Northeast,. “The decision of the
Centre will spark social unrest in the state and we will oppose
granting of citizenship to them (Chakma and Hajong refugees) within
the territory of the state,” AAPSU ‘general secretary’ Tobom Dai
told reporters here. "The Chakma and Hajong refugees will
not be entitled to the rights enjoyed by Scheduled Tribes in Arunachal
Pradesh, including land ownership. But they might be given inner
line permits required for 'foreigners' in the state to travel
and work," an unnamed Union Home Ministry official said.
Altogether 41,033 people, declared
as foreigners by Foreigners Tribunals in Assam, have gone missing
since 1985, according to data available with the State Government.
The data reveals that between signing of the Assam Accord in 1985
and June this year, 484,381 cases were referred to Foreigners
Tribunals and 86,489 people were declared foreigners. Of these,
29,663 were pushed back and 71 deported to Bangladesh, while 833
are lodged in detention camps awaiting expulsion and 41,033 remain
untraced.
The bodies of the five militants
suspected to be from the PLA and MNPF at Makan village in Kamjong
district have been retrieved and brought to Kasom Khullen in same
District .The five deceased were identified as ‘sergeant
major’ Richard alias Wareppam Dinesh ‘, ‘sergeant’
Lalloi alias Khundrakpam Sunil, ‘private’ Nanao alias Moirangthem
Tomba, ‘private’ Sinthouba alias Konjengbam Shyamsundar
and MNPF cadre Raikham Jajo alias Nimai Jazo.
The five were gunned down by NSCN-IM cadres on September 12.
Kukis in Manipur observed a "black
day" urging Delhi to settle the issue of "Kuki genocide"
by the NSCN-IM before making an agreement with the militant outfit.
The community in the state observes September 13 as "black
day" every year in memory of the Kukis killed during the
ethnic clashes that began in 1992 and continued till 1995.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh
on September 13, 2017, reportedly said that there are at least
22 inmates from Myanmar, including 10 Rohingyas, who are in Sajiwa
Central Jail in Imphal East District, even after their jail terms
expired (date not specified), reports Times of India.
Reports stated that nine of the 10 imprisoned Rohingyas have been
in prison since 2012, and one from 2014.
The KSA and JCILPS have asserted
that no non-local people should contest the forthcoming
Panchayat
election (local body election) on October 7. Altogether
71 non-local people are contesting in the Panchayat election. KSA
has threatened to ban movement of non-local people at all localities
if the non-local candidates contesting in the forthcoming Panchayat election
do not withdraw their candidature by September 20.
BSF in the Meghalaya frontier
has increased its surveillance and patrolling along the international
border following the exodus of Rohingyas from Myanmar to Bangladesh.
|
September 14 |
Terror suspect Taufique Alam,
who was wanted in connection with the 2008 serial bomb blasts
in Ahmedabad District of Gujarat, was arrested by the ATS of Bihar
Police from the Civil Lines Police Station area in Gaya District.
Patna zone IG of Police, Nayyar Hasnain Khan said one of his associates,
who had given shelter to Taufique at his residence in Civil Lines
area, was also arrested. IG, Khan said Gujarat ATS has also been
informed about Taufique’s arrest. The Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts
on July 27, 2008, had left 29 persons dead and 88 others injured.
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.
Police unearthed five powerful
bombs and several explosives, planted in the path of a team of
SF personnel on the Pathra-Jharna road under Dhibra area in Aurangabad
District of Bihar. Notably, the CPI-Maoist cadres plant the explosives
to target the SFs.
An exchange of fire took place
between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres near the forest of Sonua block
in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. A senior Police official
said that the Naxals are trying to regain their
lost areas in the West Singhbhum District area. They have changed
their strategy and are even trying to recruit children and girls
in regaining their position in the tribal-dominated West Singhbhum
blocks. West Singhbhum SP, Anish Gupta confirmed that a squad
of Naxals opened fire on the SFs involved in
routine patrolling.
The DAP and CRPF during a joint
operation arrested two armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist under the
jurisdiction of Arki Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand.
The arrested cadres were identified as Ganesh Lohra and Sanika
Munda.
The cadres of the CPI-Maoist opened
fire on SFs from the hills in forest between the villages Machalda
and Karamda under Sonua block in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
Following the incident, the SFs started a massive combing operation
at Sonua block and adjoining areas in West Singhbhum to flush
out Naxals who are trying to make their presence
felt. A senior Police official said that the Naxals are
trying to regain their lost areas in the West Singhbhum area.
They have changed their strategy and are even trying to recruit
children and girls in regaining their position in the tribal-dominated
West Singhbhum blocks.
Around 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres
barged into Murelguda village under Chitrakonda block in search
of their ‘convict’ in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Ramachandra
Sisa, the ‘convict’, was handed to death sentence in a
Praja
court
last week deep inside a forest for defying their
(Maoists) sermon. The members of the Kalimela Dalam headed
by Maoist leader Ranadev forced into the house of Sisa and when
they failed to extract any information about him, they set Sisa’s
two-wheeler on fire. The rebels also terrorised the villagers
while enquiring about their convict. Sisa in the meanwhile is
running for life after he escaped from the Praja court.
A woman “deputy commander” of
Charla LOS of CPI-Maoist, Madivi Budri alias Bhadri
(18), surrendered before SP, Ambar Kishor Jha at Kothagudem
town in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana. Budri belongs
to Korakatpadu village under Kurnapalli Gram Panchayat.
Sources said that she was shifted to Charla LOS after the surrender
of Sunita and subsequently elevated as ‘Area Committee Member’.
She was allegedly involved in a total of 10 cases of Maoist violence
including two attempt murder cases under different Police Station
limits in Bhadrachalam Division.
AAPSU called a 12-hour state wide
strike to protest granting of citizenship to Chakma and Hajong
refugees in the State. The call came a day after the Union Government’s
decided to give citizenship to the refugees of the two communities
rehabilitated mostly in Arunachal Pradesh in 1964-69 following
their escape from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.
AR personnel guarding the Indo-Myanmar
border have been put on "high alert" to check the possible
influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar. Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing
Myanmar's Rakhine state following intense violence and many of
them have entered Bangladesh for shelter. "Troops of Assam
Rifles in the hill districts of the northeastern states, bordering
Myanmar, are on high alert because of apprehension that illegal
immigrants might try to enter by crossing the international border,"
a statement issued by the AR said.
Police recovered two IED s from
the Kenibadima village in South Garo Hills District
AR personnel guarding the Indo-Myanmar
border have been put on "high alert" to check the possible
influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar. Rohingya Muslims have been fleeing
Myanmar's Rakhine state following intense violence and many of
them have entered Bangladesh for shelter. "Troops of Assam
Rifles in the hill districts of the northeastern states, bordering
Myanmar, are on high alert because of apprehension that illegal
immigrants might try to enter by crossing the international border,"
a statement issued by the AR said. The statement also said patrolling
all along the Indo-Myanmar border has been "intensified"
over the last three days. "Till today, no illegal immigrant
has been detected or intercepted. High priority is being given
to the border town of Moreh/South Mizoram," the statement
added.
|
September 14-15 |
AR arrested a NSCN-K ultra and
two OWG of NSCN-IM in a two separate operations against the outfits
from Longding District. NSCN-K militant was identified as ‘lance
corporal’ of the Penom Konyak was arrested from Longding town
along with a pistol and live ammunition. The two OWG of the NSCN-IM,
Ganglaih Gangsa and Chailai Wangsu, were arrested from Niausa
village.
|
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.
Bihar Police arrested a CPI-Maoist
cadre, identified as Sanjay Sahni, at Parsauni Kapoor village
in East Champaran District of Bihar. Sahni, a native of
Parsauni Kapoor village was wanted in a case lodged at Chakia
Police Station against some Maoists' for an abortive bid to blow
up railway track three years ago. SP, Upendra Kumar Sharma said
that Police was interrogating him to find out his role in other
Naxal activities in the District.
The CPI-Maoist cadres damaged
an under-construction building of a primary school and community
health centre (CHC) in Kohakameta village under Kurusnar
Police Station area in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
“The Maoists once again proved that they are opposed to development
… The building was being constructed painstakingly by the authorities
to provide relief to local villagers,” said Narayanpur SP, Santosh
Singh. The Maoists damaged walls and plinths of the two buildings,
being built at a cost of INR 10 million, the officer said.
Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh,
said that the Government is working to strengthen education in
the backward and the Naxal-hit areas of the State. Raman
Singh told that they have introduced the Porta cabin (prefabricated
temporary structure) for schools in the Naxal-affected
areas, where the school building was destroyed by the Naxals
and will soon inspire them to join schools. "We have introduced
the Porta-Cabins in the Naxal-hit areas, in place of the school
that was destructed by them. We have increased the count of schools.
We have now reached the interior part of the Naxal-hit area and
will soon train them and will try to bring to school," Raman
Singh said. The CM further said that the Chhattisgarh Government's
aim is to improve the quality of the education provided to the
students and match up to the national literacy level.
The Police killed a woman cadre
of the CPI-Maoist, during an encounter in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. A team of District Police was attacked by the
Maoists near Bhendikanhar forest in Pendhari sub-division of Gadchiroli
who had taken a position in the forest and opened indiscriminate
firing on the Police team. In the ensuing encounter one woman
Maoist was killed and rest of the Maoists fled from the spot taking
advantage of thick forest. After the encounter, the Police team
recovered the body of the woman Maoist along with a weapon, ammunition
and Maoist literature from the spot. The woman cadre is yet to
be identified.
The AAPSU has demanded deletion
of names of Chakmas and Hajongs from the voters' list. AAPSU's
legal advisor Marto Tato wondered how the Government could decide
to give the refugees citizenship when the matter was sub-judice.
AAPSU ‘general secretary’ Tobom Dai appealed to the people to
make the state wide bandh on September 19 against granting citizenship
to the refugees a success. Union Ministry of Home Affairs had
recently decided to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajong refugees
living in Arunachal Pradesh.
AR troops have arrested three
NSCN-K militants in an operation against the outfits in Kohima
District. AR arrested three NSCN-K militants for “threatening
the local populace, vendors and making unjust demands of extortion”.
The NSCN-K militants arrested were identified as ‘sergent’ Hoshito
Ayemi, L Majingmong Thiipori (NSCN-K ‘civil wing’) and Linpingthu
Pachuri (NSCN-K ‘civil wing’).
|
September 16 |
Tauseef Pathan, a suspected IM
operative and key conspirator of the Ahmedabad serial blasts,
who was arrested from Gaya District by the Bihar ATS with Gulam
Sarvar on September 14, had plans to devastate Bihar, stated the
Police. While Gaya Police is in the process of lodging a complaint
under sections of the UAPA it has come to light that Pathan and
Sarvar of Gaya were conspiring launch targeted killings and also
to trigger a blast at a temple in Gaya. "We have found some
documents which reveal their plan to regroup as IM cadre,"
said a senior Gujarat ATS official. Some Gujarat ATS and crime
branch officials are in Gaya to take custody of Pathan. They are
expected to return once the FIR under sections of the UAPA is
filed against the duo. Gujarat Police officials said that Sarvar
had been on their radar since July 2010 when they arrested Hasib
Raza of Azamgarh just days before the Jagannath Rath Yatra.
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.
Four persons sustained splinter
injuries after unidentified persons lobbed a grenade on the lawn
of a five-storied apartment at Mantripukhri in Imphal West District.
The injured are Bijoi Gogoi, (52), Chun Chun Prasad, Tapas Prasad
(57), and Jaffa Sheikh (49), all employees of Hindustan Construction
Company. Police, however, suspect that the attack could be linked
to an extortion demand by a militant group.
MCMM said that the outfit will
join and intensify the ‘struggle’ for protection of ‘Indigenous
Manipuri people’ and land.
AR troops have arrested four NSCN-K
militants in an operation against the outfits in Kohima District.AR
intercepted a suspected vehicle near Naga Bazaar bye pass road
and arrested four NSCN-K cadres. PRO said that the four persons
were identified as ‘finance secretary’ Bennilo Bukh
alias
Ato Rengma (37) alias Ato Chakesang, Adeo
Kiewhuo (29), Neiktoula Kenguruse (34) and Thejavinuo Theja (38).
|
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.
Chhattisgarh Police would be using
night vision Monocular for tracking the CPI-Maoist cadres in the Naxal affected
areas of the State. The UHM has already heightened the use
of UAVs and CCTV surveillance in insurgency pockets of Chhattisgarh.
There is also enhanced co-ordination with the State Police and
undertaking intelligence based joint operations. It is important
to note that a total 259 battalions of CAPFs were deployed in
the Naxal affected region of the State. The deployment
in other States is as follows-Andhra Pradesh (16), Telangana (12),
Bihar (57), Jharkhand (144), Madhya Pradesh (8), Maharashtra (34),
Odisha (102), Uttar Pradesh (6), and West Bengal (53). Recently,
Union Cabinet approved of raising four IRBns for Chhattisgarh.
A youth, Pilku Khara, fled home
after the CPI-Maoist cadres threatened him to join their
organisation or face punishment in the Kangaroo court in Malkangiri
District of Odisha on September 9. Pilku belongs to Luchapani
village under Chitrakonda Block of the District. Sources said
he has now moved to Chitrakonda leaving behind his mother, wife
and son in the village. Apprehending further problems, Pilku has
planned to bring his family to Chitrakonda to stay with him. Malkangiri
District SP, Jagmohan Meena, said the Police was verifying the
claim of the Pilku about the Maoist threat to him and will protect
him if the threat is genuine.
To instill confidence among the
tribal people and gain their support in anti-Naxal activities,
the NSD, a special wing of the District Police, conducted
a special awareness programme at Kondanur in Coimbatore District
of Tamil Nadu. An official of the wing said, the NSD
wing was conducting such programmes once in three or four months
in tribal villages to improve rapport with the tribal youths and
women. Over four hundred tribal people from 20 villages around
Kondanur participated in the event. Sports materials including
cricket bat and volley ball for youths, and saris for the women
were distributed by ASP, A. Mohan Nawaz of NSD in the presence
of Police officials. To counter the movement of Maoists in
the hilly terrains and also to prevent people from falling into
the clutches of the Maoists, the Police department was regularly
conducting such awareness camps in the tribal hamlets, he added.
|
September 12
|
Three schoolteachers and two panchayat secretaries
have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing
of Karpi BEO, Shalik Ram Sharma, in Arwal District of Bihar. The
arrested have been identified as Virendra Kumar, husband of panchayat schoolteacher
Sudha Devi, teachers Suraj Kumar and Umesh Kumar Madhukar, besides panchayat secretaries
Ayub Ansari and Dina Nath Singh. The five persons have been arrested
for hiring a Maoist to kill the BEO, pursuing a case of fraud
in appointment of panchayat teachers. Suspected
Maoists had shot at Karpi’s BEO Shalik Ram in Arwal District on
August 30. He succumbed to his injuries the next day. Arwal SP,
Dilip Kumar Mishra, said the accused had hired Vicky Paswan, a
Maoist and an accused in the 2005 Jehanabad jail break case, to
kill the BEO. Paswan later engaged three others to execute the
job. The deal was struck for Rs 60,000, of which they paid Rs
28,000, he added.
|
September 13
|
The Delhi Police arrested a man,
identified as Mohammed Pervez suspected to have links with Pakistan
spy agency ISI, from Chandni Mahal in north Delhi for blackmailing
an Indian Army officer for sensitive defence-related information.
The Police is also on a lookout for three of his alleged accomplices,
who are on the run. The Army officer, a resident of southwest
Delhi’s Dwarka, had alleged that she was getting threat calls
from two unknown numbers and obscene morphed photos of her from
a Facebook profile called Ikta Sharma. She alleged that
she was warned that the pictures and her personal information
would be released on social media if she did not leak critical
defence information. On the basis of the information gained through
the Facebook profile and the records of the two numbers,
Parvez Mohammed, who is in his early 30s, was arrested on September
13 by the local Police.
Parvez purportedly admitted that
he is an ISI agent and had been tasked with gathering confidential
information about India’s strategic defence deployment from the
colonel. The accused is also suspected to have already supplied
some secret information pertaining to country’s security to the
Pakistani agency, the officer said. During his interrogation,
it emerged that he had visited Pakistan and had made SIM cards
available to some Pakistani nationals. It was suspected that he
is linked with the ISI, the Police said.
One woman Maoist was killed in
an encounter with SFs in a forest area in Kalahandi District of
Odisha. The encounter took place when personnel of the SOG and
the Police on a combing operation came across a group of Maoists
inside the forest in Bijepur area. While the body of the woman
Maoist was found after the gun-battle, the other members of the
group fled the site; he said adding some articles including four
weapons – an INSAS rifle, one SLR and two rifles – were recovered
from the site. The Maoists belonged to Bansadhara-Ghumusara-Nagavali
(BGN) division of the CPI-Maoist.
|
September 16
|
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
said that the fate of 39 Indians captured by the Islamic State
(IS) group when the extremists initially overran Mosul three years
ago is still unknown. Al-Abadi said the situation is "still
under investigation at the moment. I cannot comment any further,"
in an interview in Baghdad.
A group of armed cadres of CPI-Maoist
abducted 10 villagers including women Sarpanch, Podiyam
Muye, and Deputy Sarpanch of Chintagufa village
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. ASP, Jitendra Shukla informed
that woman Sarpanch’s son Kosa, brother-in-law
Komal are also among the 10 abducted villagers. Muye is the wife
of Podiyam Pandu alias Panda (45), a
Jan
militia
‘deputy commander’ of CPI-Maoist, who had surrendered
in May 2017. He added that, after his surrender, Panda had revealed
crucial details about Burkapal incident besides the "high
profile" urban network of Maoists. Preliminary investigation
has revealed that senior Maoist leaders, including Ramanna and
Hidma, were behind the incident.
Hand-written posters and banners
of the CPI-Maoist were found at Gudighat village in Titlagarh
area in Balangir District of Odisha. The posters and banners mentioning
the name of Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division of the
CPI-Maoist demanded announcement of the area as drought-hit while
opposing the Operation Green Hunt launched by the MHA and the
State government. Police officials visited the area after locals
informed them about the banners and posters put up at the forest
beat office, panchayat office, bazaar and in
the premises of the local hospital.
|
September 16-17
|
Two militants belonging to UTLA-SK
Thadou and a woman were killed in an alleged attack carried out
by rival faction UTLA-Poukhai, at Mukhtohal area, under Jiribam
Police Station in Jiribam District of Manipur. The deceased
militants were identified as ‘private’ Ngamboi (22), ‘private’,
Mangminlen (20) and Hatsei wife of ‘private’ Chonchon of Senjang
village, Paren District of Nagaland.
|
September 17
|
The STF arrested three members
of the BKI group along with 2.5 kilograms of Heroin from Ludhiana
city in Ludhiana District of Punjab. The STF arrested Gurlal,
who, along with two other men, was going to Firozepur to supply
the Heroin, sources said.
A suspected al Qaeda operative,
identified as Shauman Haq (27) was arrested from Vikas Marg in
east Delhi. Haq's interrogation is underway and further details
are awaited, official 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.
SFs arrested ‘publicity
secretary’ of KLF, Lummilen Bey, from Sukhanjan village in Karbi
Anglong District of Assam.
|
September 18
|
The NIA arrested one person, identified
as Shakul Hameed, who had planned to travel to Syria to join the
Islamic State (IS/ISIS) as well as carry out attacks in Tami Nadu,
from Chennai. NIA said that Hameed had hatched a conspiracy along
with eight others in 2013, to further activities of ISIS in India.
The agency had filed a case against this module from Tamil Nadu
in January this year (2017). "Hameed and associates, with
the intention of furthering the activities of the proscribed terrorist
organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daesh, had
hatched a criminal conspiracy from 2013 onward and formed a terrorist
gang which had raised and received funds, organised meetings,
recruited and facilitated the travel of some persons to Syria
to join the ISIS/ Daesh," said NIA in a statement.
Earlier on September 15, another
accused Khaja Moideen alias Abdullah Muthalif, the son
of Chinna Thambi Ambalam of Salapathputhu Nagar in Cuddalore District
was remanded in this case by a NIA special court in Chennai.
Thane Anti-Extortion Cell arrested
Iqbal Kaskar, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, on charges
of extortion, from his Mumbai residence. Sources said a police
team had been keeping tabs on Kaskar since his name cropped up
in the investigation. Police said that Kaskar had been threatening
builders on behalf of Dawood Ibrahim and was demanding huge extortion
money as a cut for his brother. Many of these builders who are
from Thane, Ulhasnagar, Dombivli had allegedly paid huge sums
of extortion money to Kaskar. In fact, one builder who had suffered
significant losses during the demonetisation and was under debt,
had filed the complaint against Kaskar.
A chargesheet submitted by the
NIA stated that the Lucknow module of the Islamic State (IS) had
Muslim scholars on its hit list. Muslim scholars from the Shiva,
Barelvi and Deobandi sects were on its hit list the NIA chargesheet
stated. The NIA is probing the Ujjain-Bhopal train blast case
in which the Lucknow module of the IS has been blamed. "Investigation
has established that the accused IS persons conspired to carry
out terrorist activities in India and planned for targeting Muslim
scholars of other sects, Shia, Barelvi, Deobandi, within India."
The chargesheet also reveals the module had several Sufi shrines,
including Dewa Sharif in Barabanki, on its target. NIA said the
module religiously followed the Wahabi doctrine of Sunni Islam
that regards Muslims who do not agree with its interpretations
as infidels or apostates. "The material recovered from their
possession is not just sophisticated arms and ammunition or explosive
substances. There are videos, photographs, literature and discourse
recordings that suggest how badly they wanted to take on the scholars
of the community who opposed the idea of Caliphate," the
NIA further stated.
The UMHA stated that the Government
has credible inputs that Rohingyas have links with terrorist groups
and hawala channel operators while some of them were in-league
with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Pakistan’s ISI.
Describing Rohingyas as “serious security threat”, an affidavit
filed by the UMHA Joint Secretary (Foreigners) Mukesh Mittal in
the SC on behalf of the Home Ministry described Rohingyas as part
of “bigger sinister designs” under which they were infiltrating
into India illegally through agents and touts. The affidavit,
said: “some of the Rohingyas with militant background are found
to be very active in Jammu, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mewat and have
been identified as having a very serious and potential threat
to internal and national security of India”.
The Centre defended in the Supreme
Court its decision to deport some 40,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees
on security grounds, saying it had "authentic material"
linking some of them to terror outfits based in Pakistan and other
countries. The Centre urged the apex court against any "interference"
in what was an "essential executive function". It argued
that these refugees from Myanmar "figured in the sinister
designs" of extremist groups like the Islamic State (IS),
and had no statutory or constitutional rights in India but through
their presence violated Indian citizens' rights to life and liberty.
India called Pakistan "the
face of international terrorism" and a "terrorist manufacturing
units" at UNHRC. Speaking at UNHRC, India further
asked Pakistan to shutdown the terrorists' manufacturing factories
and bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice. Responding
to Pakistan's statement at the 36th Human Rights Council Sessions,
IFS Officer Dr. Vishnu Reddy said, "Even Pakistan Foreign
Minister admitted that internationally banned outfits including
LeT, JeM are operating from within Pakistan. They must shutdown
its terrorist manufacturing units and bring the perpetrators of
terrorism to justice." Reddy added, "PoK is run
by a deep state and has become an epicentre of terrorism. Instead
of working with sense of purpose to address issues, Pakistan resorts
to shortsighted tactics of diverting attention."
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.
One Maoist, identified as Satyendra
Paswan, was arrested near a canal at Pachmo village under Badhem
Police outpost area in Aurangabad District of Bihar. Police said
Satyendra was involved in various Naxal activities
and was at large since long.
A joint team of CRPF, STF and
District Police arrested a Maoist from Kajra Police Station area
in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Police said that the Maoist,
identified as Vrihaspati Koda, was arrested from Kajra forest
during a combing operation against Maoists. Koda was involved
in various unlawful activities in Lakhisarai and neighbouring
Jamui Districts.
Police killed two CPI-Maoist cadres
in an encounter in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A team of the
DRG was out on an anti-Maoist operation and advancing through
Rasantong area, when the Maoists started firing on them leading
to an encounter between the two sides. After the exchange of fire
stopped, bodies of two cadres clad in ‘uniform’ were recovered
from the spot. The identity of the killed Maoists was yet to be
established. However, preliminary investigation suggested that
they were members of the Golapalli LOS of the Maoists, Police
said. The Police recovered a 12 bore gun, a muzzle loading
gun, 13 detonators, a radio set, a wireless set, codex wire, a
couple of batteries, solar plates and some Maoist-related material
from the spot.
Two Maoists were arrested from
Edka Police Station limits in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh.
SP, Santosh Singh, said they had warrants issued against them
for murder of civilians, and damaging BSNL towers and hostels.
The identity of the Maoists was yet to be established.
One Maoist cadre identified as
Podium Mara was arrested by SFs from Basaguda area in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. It was a joint operation of the Chhattisgarh
Police and the CRPF’s special anti-Maoist unit CoBRA.
A middle-aged couple Amush Kerketta
(47) and wife Catherine (42) were shot dead allegedly by PLFI
cadres at Konsa village in Kamdara Police Station area in Gumla
District of Jharkhand. The rebels left behind a pamphlet
alleging Amush was a ‘police informer’. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
A threat from the cadres of the
CPI-Maoist forced a family from Paparmetla Palem village and take
shelter in cut-off areas of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. Ten members of the family of Kamal Khila took the decision
as the CPI-Maoist cadres branded their son working outside the
State as a ‘Police Informer’. Malkangiri SP, Jagmohan Mina, told
that the Police after verifying the identity of the people will
be provided shelter. Mina also said all the villagers have temporarily
settled behind the Chitrakonda Police Station.
Unidentified armed men abducted
the driver of an excavator, identified as Robin Rabha (27), from
Mellim village in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Unidentified armed miscreants
entered Kuda Cold Storage, owned by L. Doulo, at 5th mile Model
Village in Dimapur District of Nagaland and serving a ‘taxation
slip’. The militants later opened fire when their demand was not
met; the businessman escaped unhurt.
|
September 18-19
|
SFs busted a hideout of the Meghalaya
based HNLC and arrested five militants at multiple locations in
West Karbi Anglong District of Assam. Huge cache comprising
two G3 rifles, one 303 Rifle, one 7.62 mm pistol, one single barrel
gun, 10 kilograms explosive, 40 detonators, 66 live rounds and
other war-like stores were recovered. The arrested militants were
identified as Badhu Bey (38), Pop Yedoh (42), Polin Nongrom (53),
Besterwen Hanse and Donboik Marbanean (28).
|
September 19
|
In joint operations that last
all of last week, Punjab Police and UP ATS have arrested six suspects
who had non-bailable warrants issued against them for their role
in high-security Nabha jailbreak in Patiala (Punjab) in November
2016. Police said those arrested also have links with outlawed
group BKI.
One BKI suspect, identified as
Harpreet Singh alias Jitendra Singh Tony was arrested from
Mailani area in Lakhimpur Kheri District. Another BKI suspect,
Satnam Singh was arrested by the joint team of the ATS, Punjab
and local Police from Sikanderpur area of the Lakhimpur Kheri
District. Sources said Police are close to busting a network of
Sikh militants in the region, including from Shamli, Muzaffarnagar,
Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri. UP ATS IG Asim Arun
said, “One of the terror suspects, Balwant Singh, who was arrested
in Lucknow led us to Jitendra Singh Toni who is wanted for supplying
arms during the armed jailbreak in November last year.”
According to Police officers involved
in the investigations, Baba Babwant Singh, a resident of Naushehra
Pannuan in Punjab’s Tarn Taran District, was held on September
16 from Lucknow, while Jaswant Singh alias Kala, a resident
of Sonewala village in Punjab’s Muktsar Sahib district and a close
aide of former BKI chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, was arrested from
Unnao District the same day. Both were also wanted in several
cases of targeted killings. Their interrogation led to more arrests
from the region.
Sources added that Harjinder Singh
Khalon, a Sikh leader from Pilibhit, and his aide Amandeep, who
is from Udham Singh Nagar, were arrested from Lucknow based on
inputs provided by Baba Balwant Singh. Punjab ATS IG Vijay Pratap
Singh confirmed the involvement of Harjinder Singh, Amandeep and
one Sandeep Tiwari, who was arrested from Sultanpur, in the armed
attack on Nabha jail on November 27, 2016. “The arrested accuseds
were involved in the armed offensive during the Nabha jailbreak.
We are also trying to trace one of the key conspirators of the
jailbreak, Gopi, who was last seen on September 10 in Shahjahanpur
but managed to flee,” Singh said. Soon after the jailbreak last
year, west UP had come under the radar of Punjab Police and was
dubbed as a safe haven for suspects linked to the banned outfit.
Hours after the jailbreak, main conspirator Parvinder Singh was
arrested from Shamli in Uttar Pradesh. At least 10 armed men had
broken into the premises of the high-security Nabha jail and freed
six men, including Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorist
Harminder Mintoo, on November 27.
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.
The SIB of Andhra Pradesh is tracking
the investment links of the cadres of CPI-Maoist. The arrest of
Buriyari Narayana and Satyanarayan Reddy, CPI-Maoist cadres from
Telangana, in Jharkhand on August 30, has put the intelligence
agencies on an alert and it is learnt that they are now probing
the investment links of the CPI-Maoist, especially in Andhra Pradesh
and Telangana. A senior officer from the intelligence department
in Visakhapatnam said many top leaders were on the radar amid
indications of investments in real estate and gold, through a
chain of networks. As per reports, many senior leaders have investment
links and they retain about 20 to 30% of what is collected in
the form of extortion.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres blew
up the office of a private solar power plant in Gaya District
of Bihar. However, there was no report of casualty in the incident.
ASP (anti-Naxal operations), Arun Kumar said about 25 Maoists,
including women, raided the premises of Wellson Energy Company
Private Limited at Saun village in Aamas Police Station area,
held hostage two guards of a security agency deployed there and
triggered a dynamite blast. The explosion blew up the control
room and the administrative building on the 125-acre premises
of the solar power company. The Maoists also set on fire other
buildings adjacent to the control room. Non-payment of ‘levy’,
demanded by the Maoists, is believed to be the reason for the
attack. Sources said the Maoists had earlier demanded a levy of
INR 10 million from the company, but its executives refused to
make the payment.
A tea stall owner, Sudhram Brijia,
abducted three days ago (September 17), was killed by the cadres
of CPI-Maoist near Netarhart Sunset Point in Latehar District
of Jharkhand. CPI-Maoist cadres alleged Sudhram as
‘Police informer’. On being informed of the incident, a Police
team led by DSP, Omprakash Tiwari and OIC of Netarhart Police
Station Alok Dubey rushed to the spot and recovered the body.
Police said as per a chit recovered from the spot, the CPI-Maoist
cadres has "owned the responsibility" for killing Brijia.
Police launched a massive search operation to track down the Maoists.
CPI-Maoist Charla ‘Area Committee
Member’ Madakam Jogi alias Kamala (22), surrendered
before ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem
District of Telangana. The surrendered woman Maoist belongs to
Kistarampadu village under Peddamidisileru gram panchayat in
Charla mandal. Kamala was allegedly involved in eight
cases of Maoist violence, including one murder and five cases
related to planting land mines, Police said.
Violent incidents were reported
during the 12-hour State-wide bandh called by
the AAPSU in Arunachal Pradesh. The dawn-to-dusk bandh was
called in protest against the Union Government’s decision to grant
citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees residing in Arunachal
Pradesh. Normal life was hit by the bandh as
shops and business establishments kept their shutters down across
the State.
|
September 19-20
|
The BSF shot dead two Pakistani
intruders along the Indo-Pakistan border in the intervening night
of September 19-20 when they refused to surrender while crossing
over to Indian territory. DIG BSF J S Oberio said the BSF shot
dead two Pakistani intruders when they ignored warnings and kept
marching towards BSF troops aggressively. The incident took place
along the Indo-Pak border in Ajnala sector of Amritsar at Border
Out Post (BOP) Shahpur where BSF troops spotted two Pakistani
nationals who crossed over to India and refused to surrender.
The border guarding force said it has recovered the bodies of
the two. An AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and over two dozen bullet
rounds were recovered from them. A BSF spokesperson said that
a Pakistani SIM card, four kilogram of heroin and Pakistani currency
worth PKR 20,000 were recovered from the two. "When challenged
by BSF troops, infiltrators fired on ambush line with automatic
weapons. Taking cover, the fire was appropriately retaliated and
infiltrators were neutralised near the border fence," the
spokesperson said.
|
September 20
|
Arrested al-Qaida recruiter Samiun
Rahman has told his interrogators that he was contacted by associates
of Dawood Ibrahim in a Bangladesh jail. This has confirmed the
Indian intelligence agencies' information that D-Company, was
actively participating in terror activities in India with the
support of Pakistan's ISI. Rahman is said to have revealed to
intelligence officials that a man named Farooq, claiming to be
a core member of D-Company, met him during a walk in Dhaka Jail
and offered to supply weapons and ammunitions for him to carry
out strikes in India.
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.
The 10 villagers, including
women Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch,
who were allegedly abducted by the Maoists on September 16, have
been released in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. “All the hostage
villagers were released last night (September 20) and they have
reached to their village Chintagufa safely,” Sukma SP, Abhishek
Meena said. The Maoists took them to Kasalpada and two other villages
where they held ‘jan adalat’ (People’s court) and warned them
not to help the administration in carrying out development activities
in remote areas. Maoists have also threatened them asking not
to attend meetings held by the District administration to address
the grievances of villagers, the SP said.
One STF constable, Kailash Netam,
and a tribal woman, Muser Bai (35), were injured in an IED blast,
triggered by cadres of the CPI-Maoist, in Narayanpur District
of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place when a joint team of
SFs was carrying out patrolling to ensure security to the weekly
market in Orchha village, Narayanpur SP, Santosh Singh said.
Ranchi Police arrested two cadres
of CPI-Maoist, identified as Sushil Munda and Etwa Mahli,
from Bundu in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The CPI-Maoist
cadres were wanted in seven cases since 2003 Police recovered
a gun from them.
Arunachal Pradesh has finalized
900 applications out of 4,637 for citizenship in accordance with
a September 2015 Supreme Court order asking the State and the
Union Government to confer citizenship on Chakma and Hajong refugees.
The State Government had submitted before the apex court on July
11, 2015 that the applications of another "1,014 will be
completed within two months" and the "remaining will
be finalized in five months positively". The apex court ordered
that if the pending cases are not finalized within five months
from that day, the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh would
be present in person in court on every date of listing of the
matter. The court has fixed December 12, 2017 as the next date
of hearing.
The 24 hour bandh called
by NRF in connection with the Merger agreement with Union of
India on September 21, 1949, greatly affected Thoubal and Kakching
Districts of Manipur. Shops, street vendors, and other business
establishment remained closed at Kakching Bazar, Khongjom Bazar,
Thoubal Bazar, Wangjing Bazar and Yairipok Bazar.
|
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
|
India once again urged the world
to act against countries sponsoring terrorism and said "the
horror of terrorism continues to haunt global peace and security".
"We must condemn efforts, including by States, to use religion
to justify, sustain and sponsor terrorism against other countries,"
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a speech at
the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of UNGA. In a veiled
attack on Pakistan, Sushma said that the terror groups draw sustenance
from support systems in South Asia.
Dawood Ibrahim is presently in
Pakistan, a senior Police officer has quoted his brother Iqbal
Kaskar as saying. Kaskar has given some four-five addresses used
by Dawood in Pakistan. Pakistan consistently denies that the global
terrorist is holed up there. Kaskar's claim backs up the dossier
India has handed to Pakistan, listing over nine addresses of Dawood
in Karachi and other cities. Kaskar is also understood to have
told the investigators that Dawood has avoided speaking to him
and other relatives in India for the past three years over fears
of his phone being tapped.
He has, however, claimed to be
in touch with Anees Ahmad, another brother who helps Dawood run
his crime empire, a couple of times in the past. Kaskar said Anees
has called him from international numbers on his mobile phones
on Eid and other occasions. "Kaskar is not cooperating in
the investigations and is hardly speaking. But yes, he has admitted
he was in touch with his elder brother Anees Ahmad, involved in
the 1993 serial bomb blast," said an officer.
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.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was
killed in an encounter with SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The exchange of fire took place in the forests between Pidmel
and Palamdgu villages under Polampalli Police Station limits,
when a joint team of DRG and STF was out on a counter-insurgency
operation in the interiors of Polampalli, Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena
said. After the encounter, SFs recovered the body of a Maoist
along with three country-made firearms, explosives and other Maoist-related
materials from the spot, the SP said. The slain Maoist was identified
as Podiyam Bheema, an ‘Area Militia Commander’ of the Maoists,
who was handling operations of the outfit in at least 10 villages
of the region. Besides, several cases related to Maoist incidents,
including attacks on Police party, were also registered against
him, the SP added.
CRPF and Police destroyed a CPI-Maoist camp at
Saranda forest in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The
Maoists opened fired at the SFs, ensuing an exchange of fire,
as they (SFs) approached near their (Maoist) camp. “Maoist leaders
and other cadres managed to escape in the dense forest taking
benefit of the night,” a CRPF officer said. The SFs recovered
10 51MM mortars, safety caps of mortars, single barrel gun, electric
detonators, live ammunitions, bomb making materials, Maoist uniforms,
Jharkhand Map, Naxal literature and daily usage
material, during the search operation.
One CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Kalicharan Munda, was arrested from Tamar Police Station area
in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Munda was wanted in eight cases
of Maoist violence registered at different Police Stations of
Ranchi and Khunti Districts.
CPI-Maoist leader Kalidasan aka Kalidas aka Sekhar
Raja (44), was arrested from the Moolakombu tribal settlement
on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border at Pudur near Attappady block
of Mannarghat Taluk in Palakkad District of Kerala. Kalidas, who
hailed from Pannaiyapuram near Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram District
of Tamil Nadu, has been working underground for the past several
years across southern India, was facing criminal cases in Kerala,
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Police claimed that he belonged to the
Bhavani dalam of the Maoist outfit working in
and around the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve comprising the hill Districts
of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Two cadres of CPI-ML-New Democracy
were killed in an encounter in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of
Telangana. The encounter took place while Police were combing
the Sidharam forest area in Tekulapalli Mandal when
CPI-ML cadres’ of Ramanna Dalam resulting in
the exchange of fire.
The Police and the underground
cadre of the CPI-ML-New Democracy Chandranna faction, headed by
Ramanna, allegedly exchanged fire in the Siddaram forest area
in Tekulapally mandal in Khammam District of
Telangana. However, no casualties were reported in the exchange
of fire that reportedly lasted for about 15 minutes. The Police
arrested one of the underground cadres of the squad after a chase
soon after the exchange of fire stopped. He was identified as
Madivi Bheema alias Gowtham (19), of Narsampeta
in Palvancha mandal, Police said. The Police subsequently
seized two 8 mm rifles, a revolver and an air gun besides 54 live
rounds of ammunition, 11 kit bags and six olive green dresses
from the incident site. Bheema was allegedly involved, along with
other members of the squad, in the last month’s murder of Rayala
Bhaskar, a farmer of Narsampeta.
According to the sources in the
anti-Naxal intelligence agencies the PGLA committees
of the CPI-Maoist has reorganized themselves in accordance to
newly created Districts in Telangana. The CPI-Maoist cadres were
functioning with a divisional committee of the Khammam-Karimnagar-Warangal
(KKW) led by Bade Chokka Rao aka Damodar and
a District committee of Adilabad. Damodar was trying to build
base in the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Now they have formed
divisional committees for Mancherial-Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Jayashankar
Bhupalpally-Mahabubabad-Warangal-Peddapally and Khammam-Bhadradri
Kothagudem. A senior Police official told, “They have few cadres
on ground but they are trying to rework on with the changed geographic
allocations.”
The East Khasi Hills District
Police of Meghalaya is concerned about HNLC having links with
other banned outfits of Assam. Earlier, SFs busted
a hideout of the Meghalaya based HNLC and arrested five militants
at multiple locations in West Karbi Anglong District on September
18-19.
URF ‘chairman’ Lanheiba was brought
to Imphal of Manipur from Assam by a team of State Police. Lanheiba
has been brought to Imphal after completing necessary legal produces
so as to produce him before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate,
Imphal West in connection with murder cases. Lanheiba is currently
lodged in Guwahati Central Jail as an under trial prisoner of
NIA.
|
September 21-22
|
The two day peace talks between
the Mizoram Government and HPC-D held in Aizawl concludes on a
positive note. It was the fifth and the last official level talks
which began on August 10, 2016 to find amicable solution to the
vexed Hmar political problems in Mizoram. With the culmination
of the official level talks, the next round of peace talks will
be held at a political level, a senior officer in the Home department
said.
|
September 22
|
India went hammer and tongs at
Pakistan for its policy of sponsoring terrorism and said the country
has now become "Terroristan", or a land of "pure
terror". "Pakistan is now 'Terroristan', with a flourishing
industry producing and exporting global terrorism," India
said while exercising its 'right of reply' at the UNGA.Taking
a dig at the prefix "Pak", which means "pure"
in Urdu, India said Pakistan has long abandoned its aspirations
to be moral and virtuous as a nation and instead, its name has
become synonymous with terror.
"The quest for a land of
pure has actually produced 'the land of pure terror'. In its short
history, Pakistan has become a geography synonymous with terror,"
India's first secretary to the UN Eenam Gambhir said. Citing the
example of Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist who has floated
a political party to contest the next general election in Pakistan,
India underscored how the neighbouring country was providing safe
havens to terror leaders in its military town or protecting them
with political careers.
The number of threats and incidents
endangering South Asia's peace and stability are on the rise,
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, in an apparent reference
to Pakistan. Sushma Swaraj, on the sidelines of the 72nd
Session of the UNGA, said regional prosperity, connectivity and
cooperation can take place only in an atmosphere of peace and
security. "It, however, remains at serious risk in the region.
The number of threats and incidents that endanger South Asia's
peace and stability are on the rise," she said in the opening
statement at the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting. "It is
necessary for our region's survival that we eliminate the scourge
of terrorism in all its forms, without any discrimination, and
end the ecosystem of its support," Sushma Swaraj was quoted
as saying in a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs.
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.
Ten cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
who worked in the Darbha Division of Bastar District of Chhattisgarh,
surrendered to the Police. The Bastar Police said that the surrenders,
in the presence of Dantewada range DIG, P. Sudarraj, were a result
of the community policing campaign Amcho Bastar Amcho Police (Our
Bastar, Our Police). “They were also attracted by the surrender
and rehabilitation policy of the State Government. They were working
for the CPI-Maoist since 2014,” the Bastar Police said in a statement.
They included seven Jan Militia members, two
Janatana
Sarkar
members, and one member of the CNM.
UMHA Rajnath Singh while addressing
an event to mark the CM Raghubar Das Government's 1,000 days said
that Naxals create hurdles in the path of development
and the Centre is committed to rooting out the menace at Dumka
District of Jharkhand. Singh added, "Naxalites give
guns in the hands of the children of the poor and create hurdles
in the development of remote areas. They try to misguide the poor
and the tribals. They do not give guns to their own children.
We have ended this. The Centre is committed to rooting out Naxalism from
the country".
The cadres of the CPI-Maoist damaged
Essar Steel's 273-Kilometre iron ore slurry pipeline from Dantewada
District in Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam District in Andhra Pradesh
near AOB. The pipeline is critical for Essar's Visakhapatnam Steel
Plant, bringing 22,000 tonnes of iron ore daily from state miner
NMDC's Bailadila mines in Dantewada District to the plant with
annual capacity of eight million tonnes. Jagmohan Meena, SP of
Malkangiri District in Odisha, said told ET that,
"A company mechanic is on his way to fix it, but there is
no conclusive evidence yet that Maoists have broken it."
A group of NC Debbarma faction
of IPFT supporters injured a non-tribal car driver Alam Mian when
he was on his way to Khumulung of Tripura, the Head quarter of
the TTAADC, along with non-tribal female teachers. The vehicular
traffic towards the Khumulung came to a halt instantly following
the incident. The State Government called the AR to restore peace
in the area. The TTAADC, CEM, Radhacharan Debbarma, squarely blamed
IPFT leaders, N.C Debbarma and Mebar Jamatya for the current situation
of ‘fear and terror’. Earlier on 20 September, Shantanu Bhowmick,
who worked with a television channel in Agartala, was covering
an agitation by the IPFT in Mandai area of West Tripura was killed
by IPFT-NC Debbarma cadres.
|
September 23
|
India stated that while the country
had made substantial progress since independence, all Pakistan
had achieved was a reputation as the “pre-eminent export factory
for terror”, reports Reuters Addressing the annual UNGA,
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj rejected allegations by
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the world body
earlier in the week in which he accused India of state-sponsored
terrorism, and violating human rights. “A country that
has been the world’s greatest exporter of havoc, death and inhumanity
became a champion of hypocrisy by preaching about humanity from
this podium”, Swaraj added.
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.
Police arrested a woman LOS cadre
of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Santila Salaam (28), near Marda
village under Koyalibeda Police Station area in Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh. Salaam was involved in the attack on a team of
the BSF at Koyalibeda in June 2011, when two of its personnel
were killed, and also in the killing of a villager in Jiramtarai
in 2010.
Gujarat ATS arrested Sriramula
Venkatam, wanted in a case registered in 2010 at Kamrej Police
Station of Surat District, in Hyderabad of Telangana. Senior sources
in the ATS said that while a warrant was issued against Venkatam
by a Surat court because he was absconding for about seven years,
they received a tip-off that the wanted man was based at Hyderabad
and running a small-time travel agency and also working as an
estate agent. "We dispatched a police team headed by Inspector
Nikhil Brahmbhatt to Hyderabad and arrested him. He has been brought
to the city by air. We will be handing him over to the Surat district
police as he is wanted in a case," a senior ATS official
said. The case was regarding Naxal activities in the area.
Sources in the Gujarat ATS said that Venkatam used to head the
team of Naxals in Kamrej which was planning to carry out
disruptive activities in the area.
The Uttarakhand Police arrested
two cadres of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Devendra Chamyal and
Bhagwati Bisht, from Chorgaliya area in Nainital District of Uttarakhand. They
received training for four years in Jharkhand and started operations
in Uttarakhand in 2013. They are residents of Almora. Police recovered
some notes from them outlining their plan to oppose the construction
of the Pancheshwar dam. State DGP, Anil K Raturi, announced reward
of INR 20, 000 to the team for arresting the Maoists. In course
of interrogation, Devendra said that he was distributing pamphlets,
posters and flags at Dhari, Bhawali, Someshwar, Chanauda, Lod,
Dwarahat, Bagwali, Pokhar and other areas since February 2017.
Devendra is a member of ‘zonal committee member’ of the CPI-Maoist.
|
September 24
|
Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal
Kaskar has told interrogators that Dawood was receiving money
in Pakistan through angadias and hawala (illegal money
transaction) operators. According to the Thane Police, which arrested
him, a diary recovered from Kaskar’s house after his arrest on
September 18 had details of several angadias and hawala
operators believed to be working for Dawood. A Thane Police officer
involved in the interrogation said, “Hawala racketeers across
the country are under scanner and they may be called to the Thane
Commissioner of Police’s (CP) office for questioning.” The police
will be writing to the Enforcement Directorate to probe suspected
hawala links and overseas transactions made by Kaskar and
his co-accused. Former Mumbai CP Rakesh Maria said angadias and
hawala operators are playing a vital role in moving black money
from one place or country to another. “Most of the time, these
people use bank accounts to move money,” Mr. Maria said.
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.
Jharkhand Police killed three
cadres of the PLFI in an encounter at Kullatuttu forest in Simdega
District of Jharkhand. The SP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh told that acting
on a tip-off that Dinesh Gope (PLFI Chief) along with his squad
members had assembled in Tonia Kullatuttu to commit a crime, a
Police team was sent. The PLFI cadres started firing on the Police
team, forcing the Police to retaliate. Gope suffered injuries
and flew from the site. The security personnel have recovered
an AK-47, LMG, carbine and daily core items. The bodies of the
three PLFI cadres have been recovered and are yet to be identified.
PLFI is the splinter group of CPI-Maoist.
Two close aides of the outfit’s
chief, Sohan D Shira, of the GNLA, surrendered before the acting
SP, Ringrang TG Momin, with arms at Williamnagar in East Garo
Hills District of Meghalaya. East Garo Hills Police said the duos
from the 6th batch of the outfit have been identified as Chanchan
Ch Momin alias Gonggaram alias Teenfoot (22) of
Rapdikgre and Challang C Marak alias Rongpak (21) of Adugre.
A pistol and a revolver were handed over to the Police. During
interrogation, the duo said they were unable to bear the hardships
posed by continued Police operations and were forced to surrender.
They also told Police that the outfit’s cadres were facing financial
crunch as the money collected was being managed by GNLA ‘chief’
Sohan alone.
Nagaland CM, T.R. Zeliang, appealed
Myanmar to seriously work together towards bringing about ceasefire
between the NSCN-K, Government of India and Myanmar so that there
could be permanent peace and development between the two countries.
According to CMO, Zeliang urged upon a delegation from Myanmar
during the recently concluded Summit at Kohima to “convert ‘sanctuary
of insurgents’ into commercial hub through peace initiative and
development process.” He also urged upon Myanmar to take initiative
in Myanmar and “we will take initiative in our country.” CMO also
informed that the Myanmarese delegation and the Chief Minister
discussed varied issues including border trade, air, rail and
road connectivity, political and cultural exchange programmes
and promotion of tourism and building people-to-people-contact.
Suspected Maoists killed Sukku
Nareti (57), a revenue official of a village on suspicion of him
being a ‘Police informer’ in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
The rebels attacked the Kotwar (village revenue official)
identified as Sukku Nareti, in Sureli village under Antagarh Police
Station area, Kanker, ASP, Jaiprakash Badhai said. A group of
armed Maoists stormed into Nareti’s house and dragged him out
on the street. They then strangled him with a rope and threw the
body on a road near the village, the Police official said. The
rebels then fled the spot raising slogans in support of the outlawed Naxal movement,
he added. Some Maoists’ pamphlets were recovered from the spot
in which Nareti was branded as a ‘Police informer’.
|
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.
Hem Mishra, who was convicted
by the Gadchiroli District court in March 2017, for his links
with cadres of the CPI-Maoist, has been shifted from Nashik jail
to Kolhapur jail due to security concerns. The move follows intelligence
inputs from the State (Maharashtra) ATS about increased `Maoist
movement' around Nashik.
Unidentified assailants set off
a low intensity bomb blast near the house of a businessman, identified
as Pankaj Jain, at Mantripukhri in Imphal East District of Manipur.
The blast went off at Mercylane in Mantripukhri, damaging slightly
the outer wall of the residential building. However, no casualties
were reported in the blast.
The banned RPF, the political
wing of the PLA, announced that it would continue to wage the
"liberation war" in association with like-minded organisations.
In his message to the people on the occasion of 39th raising day
of the PLA, RPF president Irengbam Chaoren, said RPF believes
in a united struggle. Chaoren claimed that "India's oppressive
counter-liberation activities" have never been able to shake
up the foundations of the liberation project. "The sacrifices
of the ongoing struggle should prepare the ground for a glorious
independent future of the people of Manipur. The spirit of sacrifice
is the pride that RPF takes forward to rejuvenate the being of
a Manipuri."
|
September 26
|
India has urged the UNSC to ensure
that the first and foremost duty of the international community
is to ensure that the forces of terrorism and extremism do not
find sanctuaries and safe havens anywhere and at any level. "We
must not differentiate between good and bad terrorists, or play
one group against the other. The Taliban, Haqqani Network, al-Qaida,
Daesh, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and others of their ilk
are all terror organizations, many of them proscribed by the UN,"
said Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the
UN. "The international community cannot remain silent. It
is the international community's first and foremost duty to ensure
that the forces of terrorism and extremism do not find sanctuaries
and safe havens anywhere and at any level," he said in an
apparent dig at Pakistan.
The ‘chief’ of the SIMI, Abu Faisal
and Sarafat Ali, have been sentenced to three years imprisonment
each by the CJM Court in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, in connection
with the Khandwa jail break. A fine has also been imposed on both
of them. The jailed duos have been named in the controversial
Khandwa jail break of 2013. The SIMI is said to be involved in
similar incident in 2016 where eight SIMI terrorists were killed
in an encounter after escaping from the Bhopal Central Jail.
Maharashtra ATS, in the past two
years, deradicalised at least 70 people who were trapped in extremist
literature online and were on the verge on being recruited. Cyber
laboratory of ATS, which keeps a tab on all websites and URLs
spreading radical propaganda, has blocked 450 such sites in the
past one-and-a-half years. A senior official from Maharashtra
ATS said that Islamic State (ISIS)'s indoctrination is done by
different people and there are multiple levels for it. "ISIS
websites keep releasing extremist content and get in touch with
youths who share its ideology. They use chat rooms and apps which
are difficult to trace," said an official.
A day after India decided to review
the free movement regime with Myanmar, SFs have managed to push
back several Rohingya Muslims trying to cross over and identified
75 locations as vulnerable to infiltration. Following the
decision by the Government to deport Rohingya Muslims, the BSF
has reviewed several vulnerable locations along the border. During
this operation, the BSF managed to push back over 15 Rohingya
Muslims. BSF officials also identified 75 locations and termed
them as vulnerable to infiltration.
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.
Five militia members and CPI-Maoist
sympathisers of Pungutta, a border village of Chhattisgarh and
who participated in the Maoist activities, surrendered before
SDPO, O. Dilip Kiran in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh.
The militia members identified as Diridi Gangayya, Muchika Madayya,
Kunja Raju, Punem Raju and Sode Idamaih, surrendered following
motivation and counselling by the Chintur Police.
A STF jawan, Antosh
Markam, sustained injuries during an encounter with cadres of
the CPI-Maoist in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The encounter
took place when a joint team of the STF and the DRG, Chhattisgarh
Police’s special Anti-Maoist unit, attacked a CPI-Maoist camp
in Bhatbeda forest in Orchha area. Santosh Singh, SP said, “There
was an exchange of fire for over an hour after which the Maoists
fled from the spot. STF jawan Antosh Markam sustained injuries
during the encounter. He was immediately sent to Raipur by a chopper
for treatment.” Police recovered Maoist literature, water tanks,
solar plates, Maoist uniforms, bullets and IEDs from the encounter
site.
A joint team of BSF and local
Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, Gopi Gavde (42), from
Koyalibeda Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. SFs
recovered one five Kilogram bomb from Gavde. Gavde is a of Kasansur
area in the neighbouring Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. He
was involved in planting IEDs in Paralkot village area in March
this year to harm the SFs.
A team of security personnel detected
an IED packed in steel tiffin box between Gudabeda and Kagbaras
villages in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
The CCS approved INR 250.6 billion
for implementation of umbrella scheme of MPF for years 2017-18
to 2019-20. UHM Rajnath Singh told reporters after a meeting
of the Union Cabinet that the Central Government would contribute
around 80 per cent of money earmarked for Police modernisation.
Under the scheme the share of Central Government will be INR 186.36
billion and that of states INR 64.24 billion. Special provision
has been made under the scheme for internal security, law and
order, women security, availability of modern weapons, mobility
of Police forces, logistics support, hiring of helicopters, upgradation
of Police wireless, NSN, CCTNS project and E-prison project. The
scheme of SCA for 35 worst Naxal-affected Districts
has been introduced with an outlay of INR 30 billion to tackle
the issue of underdevelopment in these Districts. The umbrella
scheme also provides for setting up of a state-of art forensic
science laboratory in Amravati of Andhra Pradesh and upgradation
of SPGCSTAI in Jaipur and GFSU in Gandhinagar.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres, including
a woman, were killed in a Police encounter in Salepali forest
under Paikmal block in Bargarh District of Odisha. Acting on a
tip off, SFs had launched a combing operation in the forest. The
two cadres were gunned down in an exchange of fire between Police
and the Maoists. Police recovered two .303 rifles, 105 rounds
of live bullets and INR 20,000 from the deceased Maoists.
Nainital Police have secured Police
custody of CPI-Maoist cadre, Devendra Chamyal, from the court
in Nainital District of Uttarakhand. The District Police had filed
a petition, seeking Police custody of Chamyal on September 25.
Uttarakhand Police had arrested Chamyal and his friend Bhagwati
Bisht from Chorgaliya on September 24 who was on the run for years.
|
September 27
|
Major (Retd) Ramesh Upadhyay,
an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case who got bail September
26, has moved the special NIA court in Mumbai seeking Police protection.
“Upadhyay has filed an application seeking security, saying there
is threat to his life. We have opposed it,” special public prosecutor
Avinash Rasal said. Rasal told the court on Thursday that there
is no specific threat to Upadhyay. The court is likely to hear
Upadhyay next week. The Bombay High Court granted bail to Upadhyay
on September 26 on the ground of parity, as some other accused,
including Lt Colonel Prasad Purohit, have already got bail. The
NIA had in its charge sheet cited transcripts of phone conversations
between Upadhyay and Purohit as the main piece of evidence against
the former. The Supreme Court last month granted bail to Purohit.
Seven people were killed in a bomb blast at Malegaon, a communally
sensitive textile town in Nashik District of Maharashtra, on September
29, 2008.
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.
The CPI-Maoist has admitted that
the revolutionary movement is currently undergoing a “difficult”
phase all over the country. The senior Maoist leadership, constituting
the all powerful CC, met in February, 2017, last to review the
progress of the revolutionary movement in the country. One of
the resolutions passed in this crucial CC meeting was on the current
situation of the revolution, which candidly admitted that the
revolutionary movement was going through a ‘difficult’ stage all
over the country. The same resolution also pointed out that the
LWE movement in urban areas was weak and that in several regions
it was still passing through a ‘setback’ phase. These significant
observations in the resolutions, speak of the overall impact of
the intensified crackdown on LWE movement in the country despite
the PLGA, the military wing of the CPI-Maoist succeeding in carrying
out spectacular raids on SFs in their base areas. The CC document,
containing many resolutions, speaks of a very serious debate that
the 19-member CC had on the current status. The Maoist party used
three types of expressions, “Set back”, “Weak” and “Difficult”
to denote the status of the revolutionary movement in different
areas depending on the situations. The Maoist party also claimed
that revolution was in different phases in 16 areas of the country,
spanning different States. Organizationally, the CC oversees the
functioning of four regional bureaus, which in turn monitor and
coordinate Naxalite activity of SZCs, SACs, SCs
or LCs.
A huge cache of ammunitions, guns
and explosives were seized from a CPI-Maoist camp after an exchange
of fire between the Maoists and the SFs in the Dangateka Reserve
Forest in Kisinda in Sambalpur District of Odisha. As many as
484 rounds of live bullets, two rusted metallic portions of .303
rifles, a hand grenade (live), a sealed tiffin bomb (live), a
tiffin bomb without detonator, fourteen .303 magazine catches
and a canvas ammunition pouch were seized, Police sources said.
According to reports, Kisinda Police officials spotted the Maoist
camp while conducting a search operation in the forest with the
Rourkela DVF.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, DG, of the
CRPF told that CRPF plans to focus on the tri-junction area located
between Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka following intelligence
information that activities by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist are
taking place in the Western Ghats says in Coimbatore District
of Tamil Nadu. Bhatnagar was in Coimbatore to attend the passing
out parade of the 90th batch of 100 directly-appointed
subordinate officers at the CTC. Bhatnagar said that they have
planned to add five more battalions to CRPF and five exclusive
women battalions by January in RAF. He also added that CRPF has
made new SOPs for anti-Naxal operations after Sukma District
ambush in April 24, 2017, which claimed the lives of 25 CRPF jawans.
Speaking on the inclusion of more women in CRPF, he said that
one battalion has been raised from Bastar which has got 240 lady
recruits.
A GNLA cadre, identified as Tengrak
M Sangma alias Adram, who was part of the 6th
batch of recruits was surrendered without arms before East Garo
Hills Police of Meghalaya. SP of East Garo Hills, RTG Momin informed
that Tengrak M Sangma gave himself up at Williamnagar. Tengrak
M Sangma had joined the militant outfit in 2014.
GoI and the WC of the six NNPGs
officially held its first round of political dialogue to resolve
the protracted Indo-Naga political issue in New Delhi. The meeting
was held between GoI representative and interlocutor for Naga
talks, R.N. Ravi and the 18-member delegation of the Working Committee
led by its convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi. WC media cell said Ravi,
while welcoming the delegation, described the meeting as a historic
one for both GoI and the Nagas as the effort was aimed towards
resolving the 70 year old political problem through dialogue.
Stressing on the principle of equality, mutual respect and trust
for resolving the issue, WC said Ravi had urged upon the Naga
delegation to be realistic and not dwell on rhetoric. “Pointing
out that neither side could fool the other, being frank and brutally
honest on all contentious issues would be in the interest of both
entities.” Despite the differences, WC said that Ravi hoped that
the Centre and the WC would work as partners and deliver the best
political solution for both the GoI and the Naga people.
|
September 28
|
Catholic priest from Kerala Reverend
Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was rescued from the Islamic State
(IS) or ISIS captivity in Yemen, arrived in New Delhi. After his
arrival at the IGI Airport in New Delhi, Father Uzhunnalil said,
“Very happy, thank almighty for making this day possible. All
people who have worked in their own ways, I am grateful.” Reverend
Father Uzhunnalil was allegedly abducted from Yemen by ISIS on
March 4, 2016, before releasing him on September 12. Soon after
his release, Father Uzhunnalil was brought to the Vatican and
efforts were made with the intervention of Oman, India to bring
him back to his hometown in Ramapuram at Kottayam District of
Kerala.
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.
LWE Naxal posters,
urging people to wage a war against soaring prices, were found
in Murhu thana area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police suspect
the role of some Naxalite outfit.
Anti-Maoist operations would be
intensified in the cutoff areas of Malkangiri District and the
border areas of Odisha along Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as
the areas are in prime focus, said BSF ADG, Arun Kumar. Speaking
to reporters in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, Kumar said, “We
are planning to fill security gaps in the cutoff areas of Malkangiri
and Tulsi Dongri of Chhattisgarh to cause maximum damage to the
Red rebels. Accordingly, we are planning operations in those particular
areas. Communications in the cutoff areas is a major problem.
Recently, the Central Government has allotted Rs 25 crore for
upgradation of infrastructure in these areas. This has boosted
the morale of the forces.” Besides, he informed that a meeting
on BSF would be held soon in Visakhapatnam which would be attended
by top officers of SFs.
A tea estate supervisor, identified
as Sailyo Dahotia (40) was abducted by a six-member armed group,
suspected to be ULFA-I militants, from Dihingia tea estate in
the Kathalguri area in Tinsukia District of Assam. The incident
occurred around 6.30pm near the office of the tea garden on September
28 while other employees were busy with Durga Puja festivities.
Police said ULFA-I had served an extortion notice, demanding INR
1 lakh, to the proprietor of the tea estate Rajib Phukan three
months ago. Despite repeated intimidation and threats over telephone,
Phukan refused to cough up the money. Meanwhile, on the basis
of his complaint, Police conducted a couple of raids to nab the
ULFA-I members suspected of being involved in the extortion bid.
In view of the Rohingyas’ movement
along the India-Myanmar and India-Bangladesh borders and the on-going
Durga Puja festivities, vigil was increased in the border areas.
“Though Tripura has no borders with Myanmar, we have asked the
BSF to further strengthen security along the 856-km boundary with
Bangladesh,” DGP, Akhil Kumar Shukla, said in Agartala. He said:
“According to the BSF, over 18 battalions of paramilitary troopers
were earlier deployed along the India-Bangladesh border with Tripura.
We have asked the BSF to also deploy their training battalions
in these frontiers.” The Tripura Police chief said that in view
of the Rohingya imbroglio in Myanmar and the on-going Durga Puja
festivities, border security has been further intensified to foil
any attempt by the Rohingyas, fleeing the Rakhine state in Myanmar,
to enter India through Bangladesh. A Mizoram Home Department official
said Special Secretary (Internal Security) Rina Mittal and Joint
Secretary (North-East) Satyender Garg last week visited four northeastern
states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
|
September 29
|
The recently announced South Asia
strategy by US President Donald Trump is an opportunity for Pakistan
to engage in ‘counter terrorism campaign’, US Defense Secretary
Jim Mattis has said, as he praised India’s commitment towards
the development of Afghanistan. “I agree 100 per cent with President
Ghani that this South Asia strategy and this renewed commitment
is an opportunity for Pakistan to engage in the counter terror
campaign,” Mattis told reporters at a joint news conference in
Kabul in Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon transcript. Afghanistan
President Ashraf Ghani echoed Mattis, as the latter travelled
to Kabul directly from New Delhi, without going to Islamabad.
Pakistan, so far has resisted Trump’s Afghan and South Asia policy,
report said. Mattis further said that the US ‘will watch’ Islamabad’s
choices.
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.
An 18-year-old woman CPI-Maoist
identified as Chitren Pangi of Malkangiri District surrendered
before Odisha Police in Koraput District of Odisha. Chitren was
an active member of Guma area committee of AOBSZC, operating in
Chitrakonda and Machkund area in Malkangiri District. According
to Police, Chitren had joined the outlawed CPI-Maoist in May 2017
after being instigated by a few local Maoist leaders. Soon she
became an active member of Sudhir’s group. A senior official informed
that Chitren was a member of the CNM and was also trained as ‘team
doctor’. She also had knowledge of different medicines and during
her brief stint with the Maoists, Chitren had helped the Maoists
in collecting local intelligence about the presence of the SFs
in Guma area. “Chitren became disillusioned soon after joining
the Maoists group and left the party. She was also fed up with
the anti-people attitude of the group and unjustified violence
against people,” SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said.
One person, identified as Jahiruddin
was arrested in Delhi along with FICN worth INR 5,50,000. The
Special Cell unit of the Delhi Police learnt that the FICN was
being smuggled to Malda, West Bengal, through the porous Indo-Bangladesh
border. From Malda, it was being distributed to FICN racketeers
in various parts of the country, including Delhi, the Police said.
|
September 30
|
The counter intelligence wing
of Punjab Police arrested seven militants of the Babbar Khalsa
International (BKI) from Moga District. Sources said four of the
accused are aged between 18 and 23 years. One is a minor. Commissioner
of Police R N Dhoke said, "BKI was planning to carry out
subversive activities in Punjab, especially against anti-Khalistan
and anti-Sikh groups. These seven were handpicked by England-based
Surinder Singh Babbar, who approached them through social networking
sites. The arrested have no criminal background. They joined BKI
a few months ago and were preparing for a big strike in Punjab."
Police have also recovered one .32 bore pistol with 20 cartridges
and two .315 bore country-made pistols with 13 cartridges from
their possession.
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.
Churachandpur Police and personnel
of 25 AR arrested the former town commander of the ZRA, Vungthianlal alias Romeo
(39), who was wanted in a murder case and carries a bounty of
INR 100,000, in a joint raid at New Lamka’s Vengnuam area in Churachandpur
District of Manipur.
A close aide of the GNLA ‘chief’
Sohan D Shira, was arrested from remote Dosogre village in South
Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. Acting on specific information,
a special team was deputed to the village and after conducting
raids, the cadre identified as Bande Ch Marak alias Border
was arrested. A close aide of Sohan since he joined in 2012, Bande
was present during the last two encounters with Police in the
District although he managed to escape during an encounter in
Rongsu two months ago, SP, Abraham Sangma said. According to preliminary
investigation, Bande was part of the group that ambushed Police
personnel a few years ago where several Policemen had been killed
both at Kolapara and Panda ambushes, the SP added.
|
October 1
|
Seven cadres of the PLFI, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested by the Police during a
combing operation in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur
Police Station in Sundargarh District of Odisha. According to
the Police, on getting information about the presence of PLFI
extremists in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police
Station on September 29 last, an operation was launched. About
10 to 15 armed LWEs were found moving in the forest. However,
only four of them could be arrested. Based on the interrogation
of these members, another three cadres were arrested. Pinak Mishra,
SP, Sundargarh, said, of the seven PLFI identified extremists,
three each hail from Odisha and Jharkhand while one is from Assam.
The Sundargarh Police identified one of them as Arjun Rana alias
Kapil Pathak, who is the ‘zonal committee member’ of PLFI for
Odisha-Jharkhand. A .9 mm carbine machine gun, three .9 mm double
bore barrel guns, two .9 mm pistols and 37 rounds of live ammunition
were seized from them.
A ward councillor identified as
identified as B Ashok Kumar, suffered critical injuries after
a pressure bomb planted by the CPI-Maoist exploded at
Elarmadgu village under Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma
District of Chhattisgarh. The blast triggered after Kumar inadvertently
touched the IED hidden in bushes. Sukma SP, Abhishek Meena, said,
the incident occurred when he was heading towards the anganwadi
centre to pick his mother.
|
October 2
|
UMHA held a series of meetings
last week to review the terror cases involving PFI's cadre which
are being probed by NIA and Police forces of Kerala, Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu. PFI, which claims to be an NGO, could face action
under the UAPA, if the UMHA concludes that it is sufficiently
linked with cases of jihadi terror and promotes Islamic
fundamentalism. UMHA sources said there is enough material against
PFI, including a dossier from NIA detailing role of its cadres
in six terror cases probed by and inputs from states where the
organisation's members face allegations of religious extremism,
terror and 'forced' conversions to justify a ban.
However, NIA recently added to
its dossier that originally cited four terror cases involving
PFI cadres — chopping of a professor's hand in Kerala's Idukki
District, a training camp in Kannur where NIA seized swords and
ingredients for making IEDs, murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru
and the Islamic State Al-Hindi Module case in which IS-inspired
youth from Kerala and Tamil Nadu planned to target prominent people
and places in South India. Two more cases involving alleged PFI
cadres were cited — that of Hadiya alias Akhila Asokan's
"forced" conversion and the 2017 IS-Islamic State/Daesh
Chennai case where linkages to PFI have surfaced.
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.
A CRPF constable of 195th battalion,
identified as Hemant Boro, was injured in an IED blast, triggered
by of the CPI-Maoist cadres near Chikpal village under Katekalyan
Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident
took place when CRPF and the DRG had launched the operation in
the interiors of Katekalyan.
Cadres of the CPI-Maoist were
attempting to raise a new armed group along the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh
tri-junction as they continue to face the heat at their stronghold
in Bastar region, an official of the UMHA stated. The official
said the new unit, ‘Vistara Platoon,’ was trying to gain a foothold
at the tri-junction, which has lesser deployment of SFs than the
seven Districts in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, said to
be one of the last Maoist bastions. An official of the CRPF said
the forces had opened new camps in the once-inaccessible Bastar
region to “squeeze out” the CPI-Maoist cadres. The official added,
that the focus of SFs will be on the South Bastar-Sukma region
and Dantewada and Bastar Districts. There are more than 160,000
CRPF personnel deployed in Chhattisgarh, of which 130,000 concentrate
on a 40,000 square kilometres area in Bastar, known for rich mineral
deposits of iron ore, granite, tin and corundum.
The Mumbai Police is believed
to have identified a Naxal link to a well-entrenched
marijuana trafficking operation. Officers in the Mumbai
Police claimed that they have identified a Naxal "levy
manager" who uses the proceeds from the sale of marijuana
to fund Naxal activities in Chhattisgarh and
Odisha. The manager, identified as Narayan Sahu, is still at large,
but the ANC arrested his compatriots -- Indrapradhan Laddukishor,
Prashant Jena, Kalia Prakash and Narayan Dhanurjay - from Kalyan
on September 23 and seized 28 Kilogram of marijuana in their possession.
The Police said that Sahu, along with Indrapradhan, was in charge
of collection of funds, mostly from cities such as Mumbai. He
directed the movement of marijuana from the Naxal-controlled
Districts of Malkangiri, Ganjam and Gajapati, in southern Odisha,
into Mumbai. Indrapradhan, in turn, arranged for the necessary
"human resource requirements" at the delivery end. "Both
Indrapradhan and Sahu ensured the supply chain links remained
intact until the consignments reached designated targets,"
said a police officer. Police officials are working out leads
to establish if Sahu is related to an active Naxal who
is part of the "unofficial administration" responsible
for collection and levying of "taxes" on the AOB. According
to the Police, Naxals "supervise the cultivation"
of marijuana on the AOB.
Police recovered sophisticated
arms along with ammunition from the forest in Dosogre Chipitgittim
area of South Garo Hills District. The GNLA
cadre, Bande Ch Marak who was arrested on September 29 from South
Garo Hills District led to the recovery of arms and ammunition
which the GNLA cadre had hidden in the village from where he was
arrested.
Three persons were arrested from
a village near Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura in connection
with “trafficking” of Rohingyas. Acting on a tip-off, sleuths
of Assam and Tripura Police and BSF personnel raided Nabadwip
Chandra Nagar village in West Tripura District on October 2 night
and arrested Suman Chowdhury (35), Faruk Chowdhury (32) and Sahjahan
Choudhury (38), SP, Sipahijala District, Sudipta Das said.
|
October 3
|
One person, identified as Kranti
Chaudhary was arrested in Betiah, Bihar along with FICN worth
INR 50,000. Chaudhary also revealed that he procures FICN from
Nepal. He has been involved in supplying FICN for 15 years. He
disclosed that he had supplied FICN to various persons in Delhi,
UP, Haryana and Punjab, etc, police said.
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.
A joint team of CRPF’s 85th battalion
and District Force while carrying out an area domination operation
on Bijapur-Gangaloor road spotted the connection of an IED weighing
two kilograms near a Government High School in Tondapara village
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Later, the low intensity
explosive, packed in a small steel container, hidden beneath the
earth on a dirt track was detected there and diffused.
A joint team of CRPF's 168th battalion
and local Police unearthed the five kilograms explosive from a
dirt track between Sarkeguda and New Tarrem in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh, where a SFs camp is located. The explosives were
defused by the bomb disposal squads.
UMHA has brought down the range
of 'disturbed area' under the controversial Armed Forces [Special
Powers] Act (AFSPA) 1958 in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh following
improvement in the law and order situation.
The ceasefire agreement signed
by the NDFB-P
with the Centre is nearing completion of 12 years, but the NDFB-P
leaders have firm belief that they will have a separate state
of "Bodoland" one day. Leaders of the NDFB-P on October
3 raised the statehood demand again while addressing their cadres
at a conclave organised on the occasion of the 31st foundation
day of the outfit at Kumguri designated camp in Serfanguri in
Kokrajhar District of Assam. Over 600 cadres of the outfit are
lodged in this camp which was set up in 2006. Two other camps
are at Borbori in Baksa District and Sapekhaiti in Udalguri District
in which around 400 cadres are staying.
MCPM said that it will organise
a week long Mega Protest from November 11, 2017 to protect the
‘Indigenous people’ of the State. In a statement the outfit said
that they will take all responsibility of planning and organising
the protest.
A 17-year-old cadre of HNLC
from Lakadong village in East Jaintia Hills District surrendered
without arms before Meghalaya Police.
Surrendered GNLA cadres under
the banner, UPWS, expressed concern over the delay in providing
rehabilitation packages to cadres even after more than a year.
UMHA has brought down the range
of 'disturbed area' under the controversial Armed Forces [Special
Powers] Act (AFSPA) 1958 in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh following
improvement in the law and order situation.
The UHM Rajnath Singh raised the
issue of the influx of Rohingyas from Bangladesh with the DG of
BGB Major General Abul Hossain, and urged him to stop the illegal
migrants from entering India. The Home Minister conveyed his request,
when a delegation of BGB officials led by its DG called on Singh
at his North Block Office in New Delhi on October 3.
|
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.
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.
A group of CPI-Maoist cadres killed
two civilians in Aundhi area of Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh
on the suspicion of being ‘Police informers’. The victims identified
as Chandan Kirsam (51) and Vinod Salame (18) were beaten and strangulated
to death by Maoists late on Tuesday night, District SP, Prashant
Agrawal said.
The city based SDJM court in Rourkela
of Sundargarh District of Odisha, allowed the Biramitrapur Police
to take the four arrested cadres of the PLFI, including former
BSF Assistant Commandant Jadumani Patra, on a two-day remand.
Patra allegedly used to train members of the rebel group on the
use of sophisticated weapons at different centres of the organisation.
The other arrested PLFI cadres are Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP)
employee Manu Kujur, ‘zonal committee member’ Arjun Rana alias Kapil
Pathak and ‘area commander’ Karan Sai. The cadres were arrested
by the Police during a combing operation in Khukhundbahal forest
under the Biramitrapur Police Station in Sundargarh District on
October 1. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Police sounded a high alert across
the State, especially in Districts bordering Bangladesh, in a
bid to curb infiltration of Rohingya refugees into the State.
The move comes after the arrest of three Indian touts from Sonapura
in Sipahijala District of neighbouring Tripura on October 3, who
had helped Rohingya refugees gain illegal entry into the State.
Unidentified militants shot dead
a non-local trader, Lal Babu Singh (50), near a crematorium located
at Oinam Leirak at Chanchipur area under Singjamei Police station
in Imphal West District.
|
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
villager, identified as Imra Kabasi, from Bapanapalli under Padia
Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. According to reports,
the Maoists dragged Imra to the nearby forest and slit his throat.
The Maoists suspected Imra as a ‘Police informer’.
The Chhattisgarh Police arrested
four CPI-Maoist cadres, including a couple, in Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh. Acting on specific inputs, a composite squad
of personnel from the BSF and District Force launched a search
operation in the interiors of an area under Koyalibeda Police
Station limits, Kanker ASP, Jaiprakash Badhai said. On spotting
the patrolling team, the Maoists tried to escape but were nabbed
after a short chase in Panidobir village, he said. Those arrested
were identified as Ramnath Usendi (30), Saman Singh Anchla (50),
Bazaru Ram Anchla (20) and his wife Urmila Anchla (20), the ASP
said. Two muzzle loading guns, a detonator, explosive powder,
some splinters, electric wires, Maoist banners and other items
were recovered from their possession, he said. The cadres would
be interrogated to gather details about the functioning of lower
rung rebels in the region, ASP, Jaiprakash added.
Plans to hand over Relief and
Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Departments to the Bodoland
Territorial Council (BTC) by December 31 was finalised at a review
meeting between the Union and Assam State Government and
Bodo leaders.
230 Kuki ‘chiefs’ from across
the State under the aegis of Kuki Inpi (apex
body of Kuki) on October 5 resolved that the scheduled tripartite
talks between the State Government, Union Government and UNC should
not infringe on the interest of other communities.
The PDDC has urged all concerned
to desist from including Pherzawl district in any demand for rollback
of newly created districts. Pherzawl is one of the seven newly
created Districts.
The decision to create seven new
districts in Manipur, which led to massive protests and 139-day
blockade on National Highways connecting the State, will be reviewed
at a tripartite meeting called by Union Home Ministry on October
6 (today) in Senapati District. The representatives of UNC, Union
and State Governments will take part in the UHM meeting. UNC,
the apex political organisation of Nagas residing in the hill
districts of Manipur, had staged massive protests following the
creation of the new districts alleging that such a move would
divide the ancestral land of the Nagas.
Surrendered ANVC-B cadres who
are yet to receive their rehabilitation package have expressed
disappointment over the Meghalaya Government’s delay to act on
the matter. Pointing out that those cadres who are yet to receive
the package are finding it difficult to start a new life, they
urged the government to speed up the process of releasing the
same. The cadres have also sought the intervention of NGO and
Church leaders on the matter.
TUCT at the public rally resolved
to deport “ IBIs ” from Chumukedima area in Dimapur District with
immediate effect. During the rally the TUCT also adopted a 10-point
resolution. Social activist, Khekiye K Sema explained, “This is
not a rally against Muslims but a rally against illegal Bangladeshis”.
Sema pointed out that Bangladeshi immigrants were not Indians
but illegal foreigners, and therefore “we are saying that they
must be deported from our land.” At the end of the rally, after
the adoption of the 10-point resolution, the tribal bodies also
decided to form a state level body to check the influx of IBIs
in the state.
|
October 6
|
Underlining their common concern
over the threat from terrorism and extremism, India and EU adopted
a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism with a
view to deepen their strategic and security cooperation. The 14th
India-EU summit here saw the two sides expressing strong commitment
to combat terrorism "in all its forms and manifestations,
based on a comprehensive approach".
BSF DG KK Sharma said that as
many as 140 vulnerable spots have been identified along the 4,096-kilometer
long India-Bangladesh border from where Rohingya Muslims could
cross over to India. The BSF has chalked out a detailed plan to
keep a vigil on the "spillover effect of the Rohingyas crossing
over to India." The security at these 140 sections has been
strengthened by deploying more manpower and adding technological
inputs and gadgets, diverted from other posts, he said while interacting
with media at a joint conference with BGB Director General Major
General Abul Hossain in New Delhi.
The two border forces concluded
their four-day bi-annual DG-level talks, during which several
issues like the influx of Rohingyas, smuggling of cattle, fake
currency and drugs were discussed. Sharma said that the BSF, with
the help of intelligence agencies, has also launched a campaign
to identify and take action against the touts, who could help
Twenty Bangladeshi youngsters,
believed to be in touch with Islamic terror organisation recruiters
have gone missing from western Uttar Pradesh (UP) over the years,
according to the revelation made in a report prepared by ATS of
the UP Police, which arrested four illegal Bangladeshi immigrants
linked to Bangladesh-based terror modules in the past 10 weeks.
All four had taken refuge in Saharanpur and were staying in Deoband,
the Islamic seminary in western UP.
IG UP ATS Asim Arun said, “Faizan
went missing from Saharanpur in the first week of August. We had
recovered IS literature from his room and he had even scribbled
a few things on a piece of paper used for making lethal bombs”.
Linked to JMB, ABT and other Islamic terror outfits, Faizan, was
apparently trying to wage war against the country and had visited
Kashmir valley. Through cash deposit receipts found in his room,
the ATS found that Faizan had received money from different sources,
regularly. “Most of the payments the group of illegal immigrants
received were valued below `50,000 but we were surprised to see
up to `9.80 lakh deposited in one go in accounts operated by them
at Saharanpur”, the IG said. Other security agencies in the country
have been alerted to look out for Mr Faizan.
A court in Jaipur (Rajasthan)
awarded life sentence to Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) terrorist,
Harnek Singh for the abduction of Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha’s
son Rajendra more than 22 years ago. Additional District Judge
Pramod Malik also slapped a penalty of INR 20,000 on the convict.
Harnek Singh, who belonged to terrorist outfit KLF, has been in
jail since he was arrested by the Punjab Police in 2004. He was
brought to Jaipur and arrested in this case on February 28, 2007.
The Additional District Judge had held Singh guilty in the abduction
case on October 5 and reserved the order on quantum of punishment
for today (October 6).
Rajendra, was abducted on February
17, 1995 while out for his morning walk. He was later rescued
by the Police in an operation.
The NIA questioned a 26-yer-old
youth, identified as Amir in Mettupalayam in Coimbatore Rural
District of Tamil Nadu for his suspected links with the militant
group Islamic State (IS/ISIS). The youth, who is running a mobile
sales and service shop, was picked up by a NIA team from Kochi
in Ernakulam District of Kerala on October 6th morning.
Amir, who has no criminal record in the local police stations,
was taken to Mettupalayam station and questioned him. NIA officials
recovered a mobile phone and five SIM cards from him. After questioning
him for hours, the officials let him go. He was asked to appear
before them in Kochi on October 9.
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres have gunned
down a person, identified as Dambaru Nayak, after a ‘praja court’
trial at Kurub village under Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. Dambaru was shot dead by the Maoists on the
charges of being ‘Police informer’. According to reports, nearly
20 to 25 armed Maoists had come to the village and dragged Dambaru
out of his home. Later, after branding him as a ‘Police informer’,
they killed him before other villagers. Dambaru was earlier a
Maoist sympathizer and had later surrendered before Police around
two years ago.
One SF personnel snatched a firearm
from a CPI-Maoist cadre and fired at the Maoists, forcing them
to retreat in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. A Police official
said five Maoists masquerading as villagers attacked Constable
Bhimaram Kunjam at Hitwar village in Maoist-hit Kuakonda. Undaunted,
Kunjam snatched the pistol and fired at them, forcing them to
flee, the Police official said, adding that the Constable had
gone to the village for gathering information. The official said
the pistol belonged to sub-inspector who was killed in a Maoist
attack in Kuakonda on February 28, 2014.
The UN has received reports of Naxalites using
children to fight in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and of terrorists
burning at least 30 schools in Kashmir last year, according to
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In his annual report on Children
in Armed Conflict, Guterres said, "Children continued to
be affected by incidents of violence between armed groups and
the government, in particular in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, as
well as tensions in Jammu and Kashmir." He further said,
"The United Nations continued to receive reports of the recruitment
and use of children by armed groups, including the Naxalites,
in particular in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand." In the report
for 2015 released in 2016, the then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
had said the Naxalites were using children as
young as six in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha
and West Bengal. Guterres's report covering conflicts during 2016
was sent to the Security Council on October 5. The report recorded
far more violations against children by terrorists and other armed
groups than by Governments. It said there were about 4,000 verified
cases involving government forces and over 11,500 by non-state
armed groups in the 20 nations covered in the report. "I
call upon the (Indian) government to develop appropriate mechanisms
to protect children from recruitment, as well as to separate and
reintegrate recruited children," Guterres said. "I also
urge the Government to ensure the protection of children from
any form of violence in the context of civil unrest or law and
order operations." "Children continued to be killed
and injured in the context of operations of national security
forces against Maoist armed groups," Guterres said, but did
not provide any numbers. According to the MHA, 213 civilians were
killed in encounters, an increase from the 171 in 2015, but the
number of children was not provided, his report said.
Police arrested one cadre of PREPAK-VC,
Sapam Tiken alias Momocha alias Siroy
(30) in a search operation at Keishampat Aheibam Leikai area of
Imphal West district.
The UNC demanded the State Government
to state its "concrete position" on the district creation
issue. UNC also demanded the nullification of the Manipur State
Government constituted 'Boundary Commission’. Sources from UNC
informed that tonight that though the next round of talks
has been slated for November 10, the future talks on the district
creation issue will depend on how the State Government respond
to the objection raised by the Naga body on the constitution of
the Boundary Commission .on December 8, 2016, the then Okram Ibobi
Singh Government created seven new districts namely Jiribam, Kakching,
Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl and Noney.
The Joint Secretary at Union Ministry
of Home Affairs (in-charge of Northeast), Satyendra Garg, visited
designated camps of the UPF and KNO militants to assure them that
the ongoing peace talks with the Centre would be speeded up, reports
The Telegraph. Garg visited UPF camp Ebenezer at Nathaljang in
Kangpokpi district and KNO camps at Cherap and Salem in Tengnoupal
district. He interacted with the leaders of the umbrella organisations
to seek their opinions on the ongoing talks.
An official informed that the
Mizoram Government is not ready to begin the process of Bru repatriation
from the first week of November as desired by the Centre for different
reasons. It would not be possible to start the proposed Bru repatriation
from the six relief camps in North Tripura District (Tripura)
from November one for different reasons, including lack of prompt
action by the Centre on fund allocation, state Additional Secretary
for Home Lalbiakzama told.
Rh Raising, ‘Convenor’ of ‘Steering
Committee’ which is the highest decision making body of NSCN-IM,
said that the “Framework Agreement recognizes the sovereign right
of the Nagas and integration of all Naga territories is the legitimate
right of the Nagas”.
|
October 7
|
The Thane ATS suspects that a
23-year-old youth from Kalyan, identified as Yusuf Akhtar Shaikh,
who went missing in May 2016, may have joined the Islamic State
(IS). “We suspect Shaikh has joined the IS, but we have no leads.
We will talk to his mother once we get his call data records,”
said an officer from the Thane ATS.
However, the local Police claimed
they have no such information. According to Police, Shaikh, a
resident of Indira Nagar in Kalyan in Thane District, has been
undergoing treatment for schizophrenia for the past few years.
He left from home on May 11, 2016, after a fight with his mother.
When he didn’t return till late at night, his mother filed a missing
person’s complaint.
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.
Five JPC cadres were arrested
by the Ranka Police during a search operation in Garhwa District
of Jharkhand. The Police team also busted the camp of the Naxal
group, JPC. Police recovered one country made pistol, four live
cartridges, two stolen bikes, Naxal pamphlet, Police uniform,
five mobile phones etc. from their possession. They arrested cadres
have been identified as Amresh Chaudhry, Sitaram Chaudhry, Chhotu
Chaudhry, Arun Chaudhry and Dharmendra Chaudhry, all resident
of village Danda under Danda Police Station. Garhwa SP, Mohammed
Arshi said the arrested JPC extremists were demanding extortion
money from 22 families of the newly appointed constables in primitive
tribe battalion. They had demanded INR 400,000 and a son or daughter
for the organisation from all the families. Extortion money was
demanded from families who are living in Ranka Bhandariya Police
Station area. JPC extremists sought extortion money after distributing
Pamphlets. Amresh Chaudhry was the ‘commander’ of the JPC. After
killing of JPC founder ‘commander’ Kuldeep Chaudhry organisation
was dead. Amresh and Sitaram are making efforts to revive it through
extortion of people. JPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
The NIA has arrested a Jharkhand
ASI of Police in connection with the case of killing of MLA, Ramesh
Munda, allegedly by Naxalites, in 2008. Investigations
revealed that ASI, Sheshnath Singh, had provided information about
the movement of Munda to the Naxals, an NIA spokesperson
said. Singh has been sent to Policy custody till October 15, he
said, adding that NIA teams had also conducted searches at four
locations in Ranchi. Munda was shot dead in the Bundu town of
his Tamar constituency in the Ranchi District on July 9, 2008.
Five ULFA-I and GNLA militants
were arrested during an operation carried out recently by Meghalaya
and Assam Police. The two ULFA-I militants were identified as
Simanta Rabha and Kusha Rabha of Rongjuli area of Goalpara District
and were arrested from the same area. The GNLA cadres are Pillar Sangma, Philip
Sangma and Nobin Sangma, the trio was arrested from Williamnagar
in East Garo Hills. The modus operandi was such
that GNLA Overground Workers would identify potential victims,
in this case coal dealers and other businessmen, in the Nangalbibra-Jadigittim
coal region of South Garo Hills and they were directed to deliver
the money in Assam.
Five ULFA-I and GNLA militants
were arrested during an operation carried out recently by Meghalaya
and Assam Police. The two ULFA-I militants were identified as
Simanta Rabha and Kusha Rabha of Rongjuli area of Goalpara District
and were arrested from the same area. The GNLA cadres are Pillar
Sangma, Philip Sangma and Nobin Sangma, the trio was arrested
from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills. The modus operandi was
such that GNLA Overground Workers would identify potential victims,
in this case coal dealers and other businessmen, in the Nangalbibra-Jadigittim
coal region of South Garo Hills and they were directed to deliver
the money in Assam.
SFs arrested a Government of GPRN/NSCN
militant, Neikhoo Tarakhano (31), from south point market in Kohima
town in Kohima District. SFs recovered 28 GPRN ‘work permit’ and
cash of INR 4,310.
|
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.
SFs claim to have arrested four
CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman during a joint search operation
between Tindori and Dhusawad under Bhairamgarh Police Station
limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A joint squad of District
Force and 199th Battalion of CRPF on October 7 engaged in search
operation in Maoist-hit areas falling under Bhairamgarh Police
Station limits spotted some suspicious persons while passing through
a forest patch between Tindori and Dhusawad, who were trying their
escape sensing personnel’s presence. The personnel arrested them
after a brief chase. The arrestees were identified as Kumari Poyami,
Jagra Benjami, Laxman Benjam and Lakhma Podiyami. According to
Police, these Maoists were involved in various crimes including
demolition of culvert, which was got constructed by the District
Administration in association with the Police Department.
Lohardaga District SP, Karthik
S, said that he Maoists should surrender or to be ready for action.
“Search for other 12 Maoists is still continuing. Those were included
Sudhakaran, Nilima, Ravindra Ganjhu, Bhushan Yadav and others.
They have no alternative other than to surrender. They must come
forward and try to lead a normal life. They wander in jungles
with arms in vain. Their family members also have to lead terrible
life,” said the SP. He added that in last two years as many as
16 Maoists have surrendered and 21 children were rescued from
them. “15 times the Police have confronted with the Maoists whereas
16 big arms were recovered. 25 Maoists were given punishment after
trail in court. The arrest of notorious Naxal Nakul Yadav was
a milestone in this thread,” he said.
The 48km India-Bangladesh riverine
border on the Brahmaputra in lower Assam has become the focal
point of vigil by the Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent possible
infiltration by Rohingya refugees from Myanmar via Bangladesh.
GNLA ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan
D Shira is banking on his ally, the ULFA-I to fill the void left
by his men who deserted him in large numbers to surrender. ULFA’s
‘deputy commander-in-chief’ Manoj Rabha alias Dristi Rajkhowa
is reportedly trying to import ULFA cadres from neighbouring Assam
and even Bangladesh to strengthen the group. According to Meghalaya
police, as many as three cadres based in Bangladesh have crossed
over and joined the ULFA ranks in GNLA hideouts.
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.
SFs arrested seven CPI-Maoist
cadres along with firearm and some explosives from the forest
of Bechagaon village under Narayanpur police station limits in
the Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested were identified
as Guddu Ram Hichami (28), Deuram Hichami (25), Juru Mandavi (25),
Guddu Ram Potai (21), Katia Ram Nureti (25), Budhuram Mandavi
(22) and Popendra Mandavi (24). SFs also recovered three IEDs
weighing 15 kilograms, six kilograms and four kilograms each,
one country-made gun and other arms and ammunition from the possession
of the arrested Maoists, who were allegedly tasked with collecting
ration for Maoists, arranging meeting of villagers, spreading
Maoist propaganda and planting IEDs to harm SFs.
SFs have been
unable to trace Bedanta Kumar Sinha, an engineer who was abducted
by suspected ULFA-I rebels from his rented house at Bordumsa in
Changlang district.
|
October 9
|
The NIA arrested one accused,
identified as Azharudeen aka Azhar (24) for organising
a terror camp in Kerala's Kannur District in 2013. The person
arrested was a resident of Narath in Kerala. The counter-terror
agency said the arrest involved the April 23, 2013, case when
the secret training camp was organised by Thanal Foundation Trust
inside one of its building to impart training in using of swords
and explosives. The case was first registered by the state police,
before it was taken over by the NIA in August 2013.
Stating that terrorist organisations
are looking for opportunities to attack India to weaken its fastest
growing economy, UHM Rajnath Singh asked the CISF to safeguard
the country's strategic installations from militant attacks. Singh
said the country was emerging as the fastest growing economy and
it was among the top 10 economies. He said the country's economy
would touch USD 5 trillion and would be among the top three economies
by 2030. At present, the country's economy is USD 2 trillion,
he said. "However, there are anti-India forces that did not
like this. They want to weaken the country's economic growth by
attacking the strategic installations. Today, the terrorist organisations
are looking for an opportunity to strike India," he stated.
"Terrorism is a global issue today, but Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has succeeded in bringing various countries on board in this
issue," he said.
LeT terrorist Abdul Karim Tunda
has been pronounced guilty in 1996 Sonipat bomb blast case by
Sonipat Court. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on
October 10. Twin blasts had rocked Sonipat (Haryana) on December
28, 1996, injuring around a dozen people. Tunda is also accused
of masterminding over 40 cases of bomb blasts in Mumbai, Delhi,
Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Hyderabad and Surat.
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.
Former Jharkhand minister Raja
Peter (54) was arrested by the NIA, for allegedly masterminding
and paying for the killing of his political rival Ramesh Singh
Munda of JD-U in 2008 at the hands of CPI-Maoist. Peter, whose
official name is Gopal Krishna Pater, was arrested following revelations
by former Maoist ‘commander’, Kundan Pahan, during interrogation
by the central anti-terrorism agency. Pahan (38), a former CPI-Maoist
‘zonal commander’ who surrendered before Jharkhand Police in May
2017, was a prime accused in Munda's murder. Pahan told NIA officers
that Peter had paid the Maoists INR 40 million to eliminate Munda,
then a sitting MLA of Tamar constituency in Ranchi District. Munda,
who was previously a minister in Jharkhand's NDA-led Government
by Arjun Munda, was gunned down by a group of Maoists during a
school function on July 9, 2008. Two of his three bodyguards,
a party colleague and a student were also killed in the attack.
A group of suspected NSCN-K militants
attacked the Niausa post of the 4 Sikh regiment of the Indian
Army at Longding district. No casualties were reported
on either side.
Eight additional companies of
Assam Rifles have been deployed along the Mizoram-Myanmar border
to ensure that no Rohingya Muslims enter the State from the neighbouring
country.
|
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.
The DGP’s of four Maoist-affected
States - Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh -
discussed about various issues related to movement of Maoists,
ganja transportation and other issues here at a resort near Bhogapuram mandal in
Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. The DGPs' reportedly
discussed about precautionary measures to be taken as the Naxals are
gearing up for the first anniversary of the martyrs of Ramaguda
encounter. The meeting reportedly concentrated on the LWEs and
coordination between the States, besides discussions on present
scenario of the Naxal movement.
The CPI-Maoist in Andhra Pradesh
extended its support to academic Kancha Ilaiah in the backdrop
of threats hurled at him following a book written by him on Vaishya
community and gave a call to people and democrats to stand by
him. The CPI-Maoist condemned the threats as undemocratic saying
people who had objections were free to present their arguments.
The threats against Prof. Ilaiah were part of a larger conspiracy
by Sangh Parivar, State and Central Governments to curb voices
against superstitious beliefs and unscientific thinking, a press
release by CPI-Maoist’s official spokesman Jagan stated.
One woman CPI-Maoist leader was
arrested during a Police operation against the Maoists in Banka
District of Bihar. Police said a joint team of the CRPF, SSB and
the District Police conducted a raid in the Pararia forest under
Katoria Police Station of the District and arrested Parwatia Devi alias Kewali
Devi, wife of slain Maoist leader Mantu Khaira. Banka superintendent
of police Chandan Kushwaha said the operation was launched on
a tip off that Parwatia was scheduled to come to Pararia to meet
her associates. The police had to face mild protest from local
residents when they took Parwatia into custody. Later, a Police
team led by ASP, operation, Vimlesh Chandra Jha carried out a
raid and seized around 30 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from her
hideout under Chanan Police Station of the District. Mantu Khaira,
a self-styled ‘zonal commander’ of the outfit, was killed in an
encounter with the Police in Dahibra forest in Banka District
in February 2017. Khaira was carrying a reward of INR 100,000
on his head and the Police had launched a special operation to
arrest him.
District Police arrested five
close aides of CPI-Maoist ‘area commander’ Maharaja Pramanik from
Toklo Police Station area in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
They have been identified as Meghnath Sahu, Jagmohan Tanti, Sudhir
Munda, Sukhram and Balkishan Munda. West Singhbhum SP, Anish Gupta
said those arrested had resorted to poster campaigning recently.
CPI-Maoist posters calling for
Odisha bandh on October 21 was recovered at Radiguma
village under Kotagarh tehsil in Kandhamal District
of Odisha. The posters released in the name of CPI-Maoist Odisha
State Committee and put up near the Radiguma-Kotagarh road categorically
warned the Odisha Government against providing water to industrial
houses. Maoists had demanded water for farmers and appealed to
the Chhattisgarh Government to stop barrage construction work
on the upstream of Mahanadi immediately. Giving an Odisha bandh call
on October 21 against the anti-people policies of the State and
Central Governments, the Maoists appealed to people to join the bandh in
large numbers.
The Uttarakhand Police declared
a reward of INR 20,000 on information leading to the arrest of
Bhaskar Pandey alias Bhuvan for his alleged involvement
in CPI-Maoist activities. ADGP, Law and Order, Ashok Kumar said
that the DGP has announced the reward of INR 20,000 on the arrest
of Pandey, a resident of Almora District. Pandey was involved
in Maoist activities in Almora and Nainital region, he said, adding
the accused was involved in incidents of arson and violence in
Nainisar and had several cases pending against him.
The AAPSU has asked the State
government to pass legislation against the Central government’s
decision to grant citizenship to the Chakma and Hajong refugees.
The 12-hour railway blockade from
5 am to 5 pm demanding the early creation of Bodoland state and
ensuring political rights to the Bodos living outside the proposed
Bodoland area by the ABSU, NDFB-PTF and PJACBM paralyzed the movement
of train services in the Northeast.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs
has set a deadline to complete the fencing of India-Bangladesh
border by March 2019. Disclosing this, a top unnamed Government
official said on October 11 that the government has sanctioned
the order to fence 3,326 Kilometre (km) of the 4,096 km long India-Bangladesh
border.
An accountant of a Kopili tea
estate, Kedar Nath Jha (45), was allegedly abducted by unidentified
persons while he was returning to his home located at 15 kilo
area under Umrangso Police Station in Dima Hasao district.
SFs arrested a militant of Lamyanba
Khuman faction of KCP-MC, Palmei Lovingson (32), from Konthoujam
Maning Leikai in Imphal West District.
SFs arrested another active cadre
of Lamyanba Khuman faction of KCP-MC, namely Hoineilung Kamei
alias Temba (38) from Konthoujam Maning Leikai in Imphal
West District. One .32 revolver was seized from his possession.
Students of the DM College of
Commerce staged a sit-in-protest in front of the college campus
in protest against the hurling hand grenade inside the college
campus in Imphal West District. The grenade did not explode.
|
October 11
|
MCOCA has been invoked against
Dawood Ibrahim’s brother Iqbal Kaskar and Chhota Shakeel in an
extortion case. MCOCA has been invoked against Mumtaz Shaikh,
Israr Sayyad, Pankaj Gangar, Guddu and Shami in an extortion case
registered at the Kasarwadavali Police Station in Thane. Because
MCOCA has been invoked, Iqbal Kaskar getting released on bail
becomes highly unlikely.
SPOT has been constituted to better
equip UP ATS in dealing with any possible terror attack or any
other kind of eventuality. The team will help in expediting cases
and investigation, besides assisting in cyber monitoring of people
involved in terror activities. It will also help in the de-radicalising
activities, the ATS said in a release. The team would initially
have 694 posts, while 316 more posts would be created for the
ATS for quick intelligence compilation, internet monitoring and
investigation of events, the release said. Currently, there are
264 posts in the ATS.
"The new force will be ready
to deal with bold attacks (attacks on CRPF camps in Rampur, Ayodhya
and Pathankot), an abduction and hostage crisis and a bomb attack
situation," the ATS said. Specialised commando training would
be given to the team members for countering the ultras, rescuing
the victims during any such attack and also for foiling a subversive
activity by responding to an intelligence input in the shortest
possible time, it added. The nature of the team would be that
of a high-risk operation team, the release said.
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly
blasted the BSNL cell tower at Darakonda area under GK Veedhi
Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.
Police suspected that a group of armed Maoists, including militia
members, moved into the Darakonda area and blasted the equipment
of cell tower to disturb the communication system and fled from
the spot.
The Charla Police arrested one
Madivi Pinnu alias Srinu (30) of Pouruguda in
Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, on charge of acting as a courier
for CPI-Maoist cadres from Charla tehsil of Khammam
District of Telangana. The Police said they held him during a
vehicle checking drive while he was travelling on a bicycle at
Lenin Colony in Charla mandal. A consignment of medicines
valued at INR 10,000 meant for the Maoists based in the neighbouring
State was seized from his possession, Police said.
SFs arrested a militant belonging
to PLA, ‘corporal’ Sorokhaibam Bedarjit Singh alias Ibungotomba
alias Momosana (28), from Lilong Chajing area in Imphal
West District.
Two Chinese nationals, who were
detained for visiting the State without having the PAP, were released
by the court. The Chinese nationals were detained at foreigner
check post of Tulihal International Airport on October 7.
|
October 12
|
SFs deployed along India's borders
with Bangladesh and Myanmar have been alerted by the Indian Government
to remain extra vigil to foil attempts by Rohingyas to enter India,
a home ministry official said. In a communication, the UHM asked
the BSF, deployed along the 4,096-km Indo-Bangladesh border, and
the Assam Rifles, which guards the 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border,
to intensify vigil. The two border guarding forces were asked
to remain extra vigilant so that no illegal immigrant could enter
India, the home ministry official said.
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.
Personnel of the CRPF seized a
huge cache of arms during a special operation against the CPI-Maoist in
Gaya District of Bihar. Acting on a tip off, a CRPF team headed
by Commandant Ankit Kumar launched an operation in Chakarbandha
forest in Gaya, during which, the team detected a tunnel near
Tartua village, which the Maoists used for storing arms and ammunition.
Three semi-automatic rifles each of .12 bore, a country-made rifle,
a country-made pistol, seven cartridges, hand grenades and explosives
were recovered from the tunnel. A walkie-talkie and wires in large
quaintly were also seized. The arms were stored in the forest
to carry out an attack by the Maoists on the SFs. Though some
armed squad members of the banned outfit were present in the forest,
they preferred to disperse from the spot after leaving behind
their weapons.
The Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre carrying
a reward of INR 300,000 on his head in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
Punem Sona (30), who was active as ‘Deputy Commander’ of the LOS
of Maoists, was arrested from a forest near Futapalli village
under Usoor Police Station area, Police said. Acting on specific
inputs about the presence of Sona in Futapalli village, a team
of local Police had launched a search operation near the area.
Sona was wanted in four Maoist-related incidents, including attempt
to murder, arson and loot, a Police official informed.
The Police arrested three PLFI
cadres from Khunti District of Jharkhand. Acting on a tip-off
that some active PLFI cadres have assembled at Balo under Murhu
Police Station, SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha constituted a Police team
to conduct a raid. The Police team reached the spot and arrested
three cadres, identified as Devendra Gope, Mangra Barjo and Linus
Kundalana, the SP said. During interrogation the cadres admitted
that they had assembled at Balo to hand over the organisations
letterhead and a mobile phone to Bagrai Champia, the ‘area commander’.
The letterhead, a mobile phone and a motorcycle without a registration
number were also seized, Sinha said. PLFI is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist.
Three other PLFI cadres were arrested
from Sawda village under Karra Police Station limits in Khunti
District of Jharkhand. The cadres were identified as Kisto Kashyap,
Anand Munda and Anup Verma. The Police also recovered a motorcycle,
two mobile phones and six PLFI leaflets from them. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
Jailed CPI-Maoist ‘commander’
Kundan Pahan during interrogation by the NIA has revealed that
he was given INR 50 million to kill former Jharkhand Minister
Ramesh Singh Munda in 2008. According to Police, Pahan admitted
to taking the contract given by former Minister Gopal Krishna
Patar alias Raja Peter to kill the then JD-U legislator
Munda. Police also said the deal was struck between the ‘politburo’
of the CPI-Maoist and Raja Peter. Along with Raja Peter, NIA has
arrested ASI, Sheshnath Singh in the Munda killing. Singh was
the bodyguard of Munda and he allegedly passed on information
about the movement of Munda to Maoists.
A ULFA-I cadre, Dharmendra Moran
alias Mukti Axom, surrendered before Tinsukia Police.
The coordinating body of the Scheduled
Tribe Demand Committee launched a campaign here to create awareness
and garner support for the demand to include Meiteis in the ST
list. The coordinating body, a conglomerate of several citizen
organisations, has been spearheading the campaign.
SFs arrested a KCP-Noyon cadre,
Damu (38), at PVCP in Khudengthabi of Tengnoupal District.
|
October 13
|
The ED said it has attached assets
worth INR 5,00,000 in Karnataka in connection with a money laundering
probe in a terror financing case involving IM. The central probe
agency said the attachment, issued under the provisions of the
PMLA, includes a residential property in Mangalore “belonging
to the persons involved in terror financing” who were also “linked”
to a Pakistani.
The ED said that a person named
Dheeraj Sao got cash deposits in his bank accounts from various
parts of the country for a commission. “After keeping his commission,
he (Sao) used to transfer the remaining amounts to bank accounts
of persons associated with terror outfit Indian Mujahideen such
as Zubair Hussain, Aysha Banu, Raju Khan and others,” it alleged.
The agency said it tracked the
crime money and found that Banu and Hussain had acquired a residential
property at Panjimogeru in Karnataka’s Mangalore. “All the accused
were linked to Pakistani national Khalid and as per his directions
had opened accounts in various banks to receive money and transfer
the same to members of terrorist outfit IM after deducting their
commission...In all these accounts, mostly cash money had been
deposited by unknown persons from various locations in India other
than the home branch and the cash deposits were withdrawn immediately
through ATMs and used for terror activities,” the ED said.
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.
The ninth Anuradha Ghandy Memorial
Lecture to mark 50 years of the ‘Naxalbari uprising’ was conducted
at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh in Mumbai of Maharashtra.
The public lecture series is conducted every year in honour of
Anuradha Ghandy, who died of cerebral malaria in 2008 while working
with tribal women in Jharkhand, also one of the founders of the
CPI-ML. The event features various speakers – often intellectuals
and activists from the Left – to speak on socially relevant issues.
This year, to mark the half-centenary of the revolutionary Naxalite
movement, the lecture was attended by revolutionary poet and writer
Vara Vara Rao from Andhra Pradesh and Left-Wing leader Tilak Dasgupta
from West Bengal. “Nowhere else in the world will you find a continued
class struggle that has lasted so many years,” Vara Vara Rao said,
speaking at the memorial lecture, while, writer Tilak Dasgupta
described the 50-year-old Naxal movement as one that is about
the revolutionary seizure of power by the people, and a movement
that has brought peasants, workers, Dalits and Adivasis to the
forefront of the political arena, as independent actors.
Spokesperson of AOBSZC of the
CPI-Maoist, Jagabandhu, in an audio tape released to media, denied
role of its cadres in the gang rape of a minor at Sorispadar forest
near Kunduli Haat under Pottangi Police limits in Koraput District
of Odisha on October 10. The CPI-Maoist strongly condemned the
incident and called for Koraput bandh on October 16, in
protest against the atrocity of the SF personnel on innocent villagers.
At least ten people sustained
injuries when a hand grenade exploded at Tera Lukram Leirak under
Lamphel Police Station, Imphal West District.
SFs recovered a huge cache of
arms from a hut in a jungle near Sabual village in Lawngtlai district.
The arms recovered included, two AK-47 rifles, one 1.9 mm carbine,
one 1.22 rifle, 14 different magazines, 674 rounds of bullets
and 36 detonators, two sets of walkie-talkie and a compass. Police
suspect that the arms were hidden by insurgents groups operating
in the area.
|
October 13-14
|
NSCN-K ‘chairman’, Khango Konyak
was ‘unanimously elected’ as the new ‘chairman’ of the UNLFWSEA.
A press note issued by UNLFWSEA publicity committee comprising
of ‘colonel’ Isak Sumi of NSCN-K, NDFB ‘foreign secretary’, NE
Esara and Jibon Singha Koch of the KLO informed that the decision
was made during the general session of the UNLFWSEA, hosted by
NSCN-K at Taka CHQ.
|
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.
Former CPI-Maoist cadre Tarkeshwar
Paswan (46) was injured when three Maoists attacked him at Thathan
Bujurg village in Vaishali District of Bihar. Tarkeshwar, once
considered close to self-proclaimed ‘zonal commander’ of the Maoist,
Musafir Paswan, was attacked when he was sitting at a tea stall
at Hanuman Chowk, close to the National Highway-77 stretch connecting
Hajipur with Muzaffarpur, around 7.30am. Three assailants in a
motorbike reached the spot and sprayed bullets from a sophisticated
weapon on Tarkeshwar inflicting three bullet injuries. Agitated
over the incident, a group of Tarkeshwar's supporters blocked
the road and paralysed traffic for over four hours. Tarkeshwar
was involved in Maoist-related incidents since 1990. Several villages
such as Thathan, Thathan Bujurg and Asadharpur were his areas
of operation. Sources, however, said Tarkeshwar had developed
good relations with the Police in the region, which angered senior
members of the outfit. "He was being touted as an informer
of the police."
NIA arrested four senior officials
of the Nagaland Government for their alleged involvement in collecting
‘tax’ from various Government organizations on behalf of the NSCN-K
and diverting Government funds to militants.
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 14-15
|
Normal life in the State was severely
hit during the total shut down called by various militants groups
of the region against the ‘annexation’ of Manipur to the Indian
Union. CoRCom a conglomerate of RPF, UNLF, PREPAK and PREPAK-Pro
observed as ‘National Black day’ and called total shut down from
midnight October 14-October 15.
KYKL, KCP and the NLFT have called
a total shut down in Tripura and Manipur from October 14 midnight
till 6 pm of October 15 as a show of resistance to the alleged
Indian colonial rule which came into effect since October 15,
1949.
|
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.
The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist
cadres, identified as Nar Singh (25), Mani Ram Markam (22), Sunder
Singh (30) and Sukku Ram (35), during a search operation in Kanker
District of Chhattisgarh. Three muzzle-loading guns, an IED weighing
two kilograms, some explosive powder, splinters, electric wires,
Maoist pamphlets and literature were recovered from their possession,
Police said. The cadres were arrested from Alparas village under
Koyalibeda Police Station limits, when a composite squad of personnel
from the BSF and District Force was out on a search operation,
Kanker's SP, K L Dhruv said.
There has been a 52.6 per cent
drop in incidents of CPI-Maoist violence between 2010 and 2016,
according to MHA data. Incidents of Maoist violence fell 22.5
per cent in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the same
period last year, according to MHA figures published in September
2017. Police cases were registered for 625 incidents–compared
to 807 in 2016–over this period, from assault and murder to arson.
In a review meeting held in early 2017, the CPI-Maoist concluded
that its armed struggle was undergoing a “difficult” phase. There
are 16 Maoist strongholds across India, and the resolution spoke
of “setback” in some, and the movement having become “weak” elsewhere.
The spread of the Maoist movement
across India, which grew in the last decade, appears to have been
arrested, as per CPI-Maoist documents. The party’s traditional
bastions, once considered unshakeable, too have been affected.
The party’s ‘Central Committee’ (CC) oversees the functioning
of four regional bureaus–northern, eastern, central, and south-west.
These bureaus in turn monitor and coordinate Naxalite activity
of three panels–the ‘Special Zonal Committees’ (SZCs), the ‘Special
Area Committees’ (SACs) and the ‘State Committees’ (SCs) or ‘Leading
Committees’ (LCs). The CC’s assessment is that in the northern
bureau–comprising Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh–the
party’s grip is “very weak”. In the eastern pocket–Bihar, Jharkhand,
West Bengal and Assam–it is “weak/ (suffering a) setback”. In
central areas, the forested Dandakaranya area in central Chhattisgarh,
once considered an unbreachable Maoist stronghold, has been declared
“difficult” for extreme left wing activities. Andhra Pradesh,
Odisha and Telangana have been categorised as “weak” or “setback”.
Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, states in the party’s south-western
bureau, are all down to “stagnation with only mass organisation
activity”.
The Maoist movement in India appears
to be facing its biggest challenge from a new quarter–ageing leadership.
Seven of the 19 members of the CC are above 60 and a few are coping
with health issues. Party ‘general secretary’ Muppalla Laxmana
Rao aka Ganapathy, is now 66, and the senior-most leader
of the team, Prashant Bose, is 69. At its February 2017 meeting,
the CC decided to pull ‘veterans’ at all levels out of the job
of leading the movement in the jungles. The party would, however,
use their services in different ways and ensure that they were
“respected” and “supported” by the rank and file. “In areas where
Government offensive is serious and we are unable to protect our
leadership, we should send them to villages or urban centres which
are unaffected by revolutionary movement,” the resolution said.
This move to villages and cities would also allow ailing senior
leaders to seek medical help, it added. The party, known for its
secrecy, would contact relocated or transferred leaders once in
six months, as per the party’s document.
The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist
cadres while carrying out combing operations at Elkanur forest
in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The arrested cadres who are
yet to be identified are suspected for the killing of Dambrudhar
Nayak, former ward member of remote Kurub village under Kalimela
block in the District on October 7 on suspicion of being a ‘police
informer’. Dambrudhar, who was a member of the CPI-Maoist, had
quit the outfit a couple of months back and engaged himself in
road construction works as a petty contractor.
SFs arrested a NSCN-K militant,
Yugdi alias Dangche Cena, in Jairampur circle in Changlang
District. A pistol and live ammunition were also recovered from
his possession.
Union Minister for State for Home
Affairs Kiren Rijiju asserted to protect the rights of the indigenous
people of Arunachal Pradesh and not to let them down at the cost
of Chakma and Hajong Refugees
Several organisations, representing
nearly 40 lakh indigenous Muslims of Assam urged the State Government
to constitute a committee for their inclusion in the NRC 1951,
as original inhabitants.
The State Government will keep
vigil in the run-up to the Assembly polls in the wake of recent
reports of ULFA-I gaining ground in Garo Hills with the support
of GNLA. Chief Secretary Y Tsering said though Police have control
of law and order in Garo Hills, the Assam-based militant groups,
especially ULFA-I, may become more active during the polls.
Union Government interlocutor
for Naga talks, RN Ravi asserted that the territorial boundary
of any of the States of the region would not be affected while
finding a solution to the Naga political issues.
The CPI-Maoist cadres hijacked
a motor launch and took its driver hostage in the cut-off region
of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District of Odisha, when the vessel
was on its way to Kunturpadar carrying grocery items for the IRB
forces. While the launch was about four kilometres from its destination,
a group of 30 to 40 armed Maoists led by Koraput Dalam
‘chief’ Sudhir and other leaders like Anil and Sarita hijacked
it near Kathagada village and took it to Orapadar. The Maoists
took the driver, Ghasi Pangi, hostage for some hours and later
assaulted him for allegedly carrying the grocery items for Para-military
personnel before setting him free. A native of Kathagada village,
the launch driver was also warned by the Maoists not to help the
SFs in future.
Maoists have issued a diktat asking
villagers to join the organisation in a bid to strengthen their
outfit through posters and letters found at Badatekguda under
Kalimela block in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Through the posters
and letters, the Maoists demanded that at least 10 from each village
must join the Maoist camps. In violation of the order, the villagers
would be awarded death sentence, they warned. The letter also
mentioned that at least 10 people from each village must meet
the Maoists and join their organisation at the Helkanur hill on
October 25. Besides, the Maoists, who have surrendered before
the Police, have been asked to return to the cadre. The Maoists
also threatened that ‘Police informers’ would never be spared.
The Maoists’ diktat was issued after a number of militias belonging
to their Kalimela Dalam cadre in Malkangiri surrendered
before the Police in the past few months.
SFs arrested a NSCN-R militant,
Corporal and ‘Town Commander’ (Changlang town) Hangnong Pangtha,
in Changlang town in Changlang District.
The Police rescued one person,
identified as Devender Kumar Sinha who was abducted by the NSCN-IM
militants from his rented accommodation at Bordumsa in Changlang
District on the evening of October 8. Sinha, an employee of Voyants
Solutions Pvt Ltd was escued from the Neotan jungle area under
Miao Circle in Changlang District.
The rank and file of the Manipur
based Hmar militant formation, HPC-D have endorsed the proposed
framework agreement made during peace talks with the Mizoram Government
|
October 16
|
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma
Swaraj met Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood and discussed
the current state of affairs in bilateral relations with Mahmood,
who officially took charge as Pakistan's envoy to India only last
month. Swaraj also touched upon India's concerns over cross-border
terrorism and asked for Islamabad to quickly bring to book the
accused in Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks. Swaraj is also
learnt to have mentioned the need for Pakistan to review its position
on Kulbhushan Jadhav, the alleged Indian spy who remains in Pakistan's
custody.
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.
Gampa Lova Srinu (29) was killed
by the CPI-Maoist cadres on the AOB near the Korukonda tribal
hamlet, in Balapam panchayat of Chintapalli mandal
in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Srinu was killed
by the Maoists suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’, Police
said. Srinu had gone to Korukonda tribal market, where he ran
a small business and while returning home, a group of Maoists,
believed to be members of the Korukonda Area Committee, abducted
and later killed him, Police added. Chintapalli CI, A Chandrasekhara
Rao said a letter was found near the body, which was written by
Ramana, ‘secretary’ of Korukonda Area Committee.
The PLFI cadres shot dead a contractor
after he refused to pay them extortion money at Diha village under
Guraru Police Station area in Gaya District of Bihar. Police said
contractor Ramadhar Singh was allegedly shot dead by armed squad
of the outlawed, after he refused to pay the "levy"
demanded by them. The Police said Singh on way to the construction
site from his house when three suspected PLFI cadres intercepted
him near Diha village and shot him dead. PLFI is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist.
Police arrested two CPI-Maoist
cadres, identified as Sitaram Majhi (23) and Mahasingh Sardar
(26) from Kalajore village under Kandra Police Station area in
Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand. The Police also recovered
a country-made pistol, two live cartridges, a can-bomb weighing
15 kilograms and 300 metres of electric wire for detonating the
IED.
An IRB jawan was injured
in an encounter with TPC, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist,
cadres in Balumath in Latehar District of Jharkhand. Based on
information that some Naxalites had assembled at Hundi
village, DAP personnel had rushed to the spot last night. As soon
as the team reached the area, TPC cadres started firing at the
Police, forcing them to open fire in retaliation, SP, Dhananjay
Singh said. One IRB jawan, identified as Vikash Kumar, received
a bullet injury on his chest and was airlifted to Ranchi.
The ongoing Assembly session of
Arunachal Pradesh will hold a special discussion on the Chakma-Hajong
issue which has been a major concern among the State's organisations.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that his Government respected
the emotions of the people and had not moved away from its stand
on the Chakma-Hajong issue. He appealed to the people to "wait
and watch" the Assembly proceedings, which would raise the
issue of Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh in view of the
Supreme Court''s directive to grant them Indian citizenship.
Police arrested a militant of
PREPAK-Pro, ‘sergeant major’ Thongam Anand alias Iku alias
Binod (25), near Moreh Gate Number 2 in Tengnoupal District.
|
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.
A local court in Sheohar District
of Bihar awarded life imprisonment to two CPI-Maoist cadres in
connection with the killing of a youth over five years ago. Additional
District and Sessions Judge, Rajesh Kumar also slapped a fine
of INR 50,000 on each of the two convicts, Lalu Sahni and Brahmadeo
Ram. The court also held both the Maoists guilty under the Arms
Act and awarded them seven years imprisonment, besides imposing
fine of INR 10,000 each. The two had shot dead Sunil Kumar in
January 2012, as he was vocal against Maoists and their activities.
The bullet riddled body of a NREGP
worker, identified as Basant Kumar Bhatta, was recovered near
a village in Kandhamal District of Odisha, two days after he was
allegedly abducted by the CPI-Maoist cadres. A few posters bearing
the name of BGN division of the CPI-Maoist were found near the
body with a message that Bhatta, a ‘Gaon Sathi’ (youth who facilitate
smooth implementation of NREGP) of Durgapanga village was killed
because he was a ‘Police informer’. “The Gaon Sathi of Durgapanga
was engaged in providing information to police about Maoists’
activities. Other police informers would also face similar fate
if they continue to work for police,” the posters read.
UPF spokesperson, Aaron Kipgen
said that Kuki armed militant groups will not remain silent if
NSCN-IM forces the chiefs of various Kuki villages located at
Ukhrul and Tamenglong Districts to support the Framework Agreement
signed between the NSCN-IM and the Union Government.
Surrendered militants under the
banner of TPDF and ATTF would organise a meeting to know the problems
being faced by the returnees. The meeting will be held at Easrai
under Sidhai Police Station on October 21 where 2500 returnees
of ATTF are expected to join. In the meeting, the problems of
surrendered militants will be discussed threadbare and way forward,
said ATTF’s ‘president’ Ranjit Debbarma at a press conference
here. “A preparatory meeting has already been held to prepare
the roadmap for the October 21 meeting”, he said.
|
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.
Acting on specific intelligence
about the presence of a Maoist camp, the SF personnel carried
out a combing operation in the Satokoshia forest near Narsinghpur
area under Athagarh sub-division in Cuttack District of Odisha.
One platoon each from CRPF and DVF were engaged in the combing
operation, informed DGP, Rajendra Prasad Sharma, adding, one more
CRPF platoon would join the operation. It is suspected around
20- 25 Maoists held a camp and were conducting meetings in the
Narasinghpur area. Notably, Maoists have a significant presence
in some interior Districts including Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput,
Gajapati, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Nayagarh etc, but their move towards
to costal area of the State is a great cause of concern for the
State Government.
An unidentified man fired at and
injured the manager of a tea leaf factory in Jorhat District.
According to police, a youth wearing a helmet came to the factory
office of Bohniman Pvt Ltd at Cinnamara and demanded all the cash
the manager, Mulchand Prajapat, had with him. When Prajapat stood
up to gather the money to give to the youth, he shot at him and
fled.
BSF has sounded an alert along
the 856-kilometre-long Indo-Bangladesh international border in
Tripura to prevent possible influx of Rohingyas to the State.
"The threat of Rohingya intrusion cannot be ruled out as
in the past similar cross-border movement of the same group was
observed. Many Rohingyas have taken shelter in Bangladesh. So,
we have alerted our people guarding the border in Tripura to prevent
any such intrusion," BSF Inspector General (IG-Tripura Frontier),
S R Ojha told media in Agartala.
|
October 19
|
Manila Police arrested online
propagandist Karen Aisha Hamidon whose name figured during the
NIA probe into Islamic State's (IS) Jaipur module. Hamidon is
suspected to have recruited more than 20 Indians for the terror
outfit, following which the NIA issued a Lookout Circular against
her. Sources said Hamidon was arrested earlier this week after
the Philippines police mounted surveillance on her online activities.
She was under observation of counter-terror agencies there for
the last six months. The NIA is likely to approach the Philippines
authorities to question her in connection with the Jaipur module
of IS in which the agency has filed a chargesheet. The NIA case
into the Jaipur module RC-05/2016/NIA/DLI was registered by the
agency against Sirajuddin, a resident of Jaipur and native of
Bengaluru. The interrogation of Sirajuddin by the agency revealed
that he was radicalised by the Filipino woman through a WhatsApp
group. Following the revelations by Sirajuddin, the NIA had reportedly
sent a Letters Rogatory (judicial request) to the Philippines
seeking details about her activities and links to the terror outfit.
According to inputs, Hamidon is
closely associated with the IS leadership and has access to the
Moro Islamic insurgents of the Philippines. She is suspected to
be engaged in influencing young Muslim girls from Mindanao province
to join the IS, the sources said. A source said cyber profiling
of Hamidon’s social networking accounts suggested she was in touch
with over 20 youth from India, including from Jammu & Kashmir,
Mumbai and the Konkan region, Sri Lanka and Maldives. The Kashmir
connection of Hamidon is reflective of the IS’s growing reach
in the Valley with Kashmiri youth waving IS flags in the state
on a regular basis.
The revelations made by Dawood
Ibrahim's brother, Iqbal Kaskar has made it clear that six properties
belonging to Dawood, advertised by the Central government on November
14, 2016 could not be auctioned off due to fear of reprisal from
Dawood.
Road construction Minister Nand
Kishore Yadav said the Centre has approved construction of 49
roads in five Maoist-hit Districts of Bihar. "The total length
of roads will be 835 km and the estimated cost will be Rs 1,584
crore," Nand Kishore said, adding, "The Centre will
give Rs 821 crore while the state will provide the rest."
After the construction of these roads commuting would become safer
in Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui and Banka. The Minister
said six roads will be constructed in Aurangabad, 5 in Banka,
9 in Gaya, 6 in Jamui and 23 in Muzaffarpur. The department has
been asked to complete tender process in two months and complete
the roads within a year.
The pro-active intervention of
China has been stopping the NSCN-K from joining the ongoing peace-talks
in Nagaland. Disclosing that Chinese agencies were frequently
meeting the NSCN-K leaders in Ruli and Kunming in Southern China’s
Yunnan province, security sources in the UMHA said that they have
conclusive intelligence inputs-indicating indulgence of China
with Northeast insurgent groups.
China also played key role in
appointment of Khango Konak, who had taken over as ‘chairman’
of the NSCN-K after SS Khaplang died in June this year, as the
‘chairman’ of the UNLFWSEA, security sources said that it was
aimed at to dissuade the NSCN-K from joining the peace-talks with
Government of India.
|
October 20
|
Three persons were arrested for
suspected terror link in Jaipur. The three were arrested in a
joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and RPF. One of
the arrested youth is allegedly wanted in militancy related cases.
The probe is still underway.
Seeking extradition of Zakir Naik,
the NIA has sent a detailed investigation report about his alleged
"terror" activities and sought prosecution sanction
from the UMHA against him under the UAPA and relevant sections
of the IPC. Sources said the ministry has been informed that investigation
against Naik is complete and his role in radicalizing Indian Muslim
youth to join jihad; spreading enmity between religious groups
and disturbing communal harmony and attempting forced conversions
through his NGO - IRF — has been backed by strong evidence.
For the first time, Pakistan Sikh
Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) general secretary Gopal
Singh Chawla publicly admitted to have been part of separatist
‘Khalistan movement’ and have also undergone training for the
purpose. A video of Chawla has surfaced on social media on October
20 where he is seen as saying "I have been a part of Khalistan
movement, I have also undergone training, I have been abusing
India and its prime minister, if we want to get rid of India,
we have to help this organization (MML- Milli Musli League)".
Chalwa is seen addressing a gathering from the platform of MML,
a political wing of the banned JuD, a front of anti India LeT.
PSGPC general secretary Chawla
in his speech addressed in Punjabi said that PSGPC receives minimum
of five to seven thousand pilgrims every year from India. "We
look into their eyes , out of those seven thousand pilgrims at
least two thousand are RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] agents
and we see a fear of Hafiz Saeed Sahib in their eyes". PSGPC's
controversial general secretary also raised slogans in praise
of Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwala and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and said
his organization (Punjabi Sikh Sangat) and supporters from UK
and Canada would help MML. Calling terror mastermind as his 'Amir'
(Ruler), Chalwa bestowed praise upon Hafiz Saeed saying that "Unha
Indians dia nazra vich maray Aamir Hafiz Saeed Sab da khauf hunda
hai" (There is fear of my Aamir Hafiz Saeed Sab in the eyes
of those Indians)" he said.
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.
At least four vehicles and a railway-track
laying machine were set ablaze allegedly by the CPI-Maoist cadres
in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident happened around
7:30 pm near Kamaloor railway station, where track-laying work
was underway on the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam route, a Police official
said. Around two dozen armed Maoists reached the construction
site and torched the vehicles and the track-laying machine and
fled after the incident.
Two top CPI-Maoist leaders in
Bihar and Jharkhand who boast of fighting for the cause of marginalised
sections of the society are millionaires and their family members
lead a lavish life with the extortion money collected by cadres,
according to an intelligence report prepared by the STF of Bihar
Police. The report which has been submitted to the ED, says that
children of top Maoists Sandeep Yadav and Pradyuman Sharma, who
are active in Bihar and Jharkhand, study in prestigious colleges,
own sports bikes and travel by air. Sandeep, who is in charge
of BJSAC, is wanted in 88 cases and carries a reward of INR 5
lakh on his head. His brother Dhanik Lal is also a Maoist. Pradyuman
is wanted in 51 cases and carries a reward of INR 50,000. He is
also a member of the special area committee.
Terming it a successful weapon
against the Naxalites, the Maharashtra Government extended
its policy facilitating surrender by the Naxalites for two years.
The State Home Department recently approved extension of the ‘Aatmasamarpan’
(surrender) scheme for Naxalites till August 28, 2019.
Satish Mathur, the State DGP, had submitted a proposal to this
effect in June. Following Mathur’s proposal, the Home Department
recently issued a Government Resolution (GR) extending the scheme.
The GR noted that the policy has proved to be a successful weapon
against Naxalites in the Gadchiroli and Gondia Districts
of the State. The Naxal surrender scheme was introduced
in 2005 with the aim of rehabilitating and absorbing the ultras
in the mainstream of society. The scheme was re-launched with
some changes in April 2013. Since then the scheme has been very
effective in curbing the influence of Naxals, the official said.
The frequency of meetings between
the Chinese agencies and militant groups of the North East has
increased in recent months. The Government of India is closely
monitoring the situation. The Indian security agencies are also
of the view that the Chinese agencies are facilitating the insurgent
groups to procure weapons. Sources said that India has definite
information about the recent meetings between the Chinese agencies
and members of militant groups of the north east India.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
tribal man, Made Babu Rao (45), in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
The Maoists allegedly abducted the tribal man, suspecting him
to be a ‘police informer’, on October 19 from Kandulnar village,
located around 450 kilometres from State capital Raipur. Though
no complaint was lodged about his abduction, the matter came to
light on October 22 when some villagers informed the Police that
Rao was allegedly murdered in the night of October 20 by the Maoists
after they (Maoists) held a ‘jan adalat’ in a forest near Kandulnar,
Bijapur’s ASP, Mohit Garg said. The Police recovered the dead
body from the forest in the evening of October 22, the ASP further
said “As per preliminary reports, the Naxals beat up Rao with
sticks after tying his hands while branding him as a police informer
at the jan adalat.”
|
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.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed
a villager, identified as Mohan Majhi, of Lahidi village at Lahidi
village near Gumudumaha in Kandhamal District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist
observed a bandh in five Districts (Rayagada, Kandhamal,
Kalahandi, Ganjam and Gajapati) of the State. Demanding immediate
arrest of the accused in gang rape of a minor in Kunduli, a check
on violence against tribal women and solution to Mahanadi water
row, the BGN division of the CPI-Maoist called for the bandh.
Vehicular movement was affected in the five districts due to the
bandh, report said.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
in lieu with the greater Nagaland issue said
that the Government is committed to protecting the territorial
integrity of the State,
Police arrested a cadre of KCP-Noyon
,identified as Wahengbam Momocha (29),from Singjamei Kongba Road
opposite to Mata Cinema Hall at Imphal East District. A police
source said that a sum of INR 50,000 extorted from staffs of Ideal
College was recovered from the cadre.
Palamu Administration and Police
has put an embargo on the plots of land of ‘sub zonal commander’
of CPI-Maoist, Kundan Yadav alias Brahamdeo Yadav of Manatu,
whose prime plot of land bought in Chak and Adourya villages of
Daltonganj town in Palamu District of Jharkhand. DSP, Heeralal
Ravi said the administration has put an embargo on the plots of
land of the Maoist whose kin in whose names this Maoist has bought
land now cannot sell, cannot construct any kaccha or pucca building
or structure nor they can do any agricultural activities. The
DSP further said the total value of these plots of land in Daltonganj
and in Manatu’s two villages account for more than INR 2.2 million.
|
October 22
|
Indian security agencies are looking
for information about a doctor, believed to be from of Kerala,
who recently featured into a propaganda video of Islamic State
(IS). Abu Muqatil al-Hindi, who appears to be in his mid-forties
and speaks with a thick accent, is seen exhorting medical professionals
from across the world to join the healthcare services at the IS-held
zones of Syria in the name of Islamic brotherhood. Agencies point
out to another doctor in the same video, named Abu Yusuf al-Australi
who turned out to be Dr Tareq Kamleh from Adelaide (Australia)
who joined the terror outfit in 2015. "We strongly suspect
al-Hindi to be at the helm of recruiting jihad-sympathisers from
India," a top security official said. "Shahjahan Velluva
Kandy from Kannur (Kerala), who was deported from Turkey after
he was caught trying to sneak into ISIS territory, had revealed
during questioning that at least six persons from the state have
joined ranks in Syria," the official said.
India and Bangladesh discussed
the common challenge of terrorism and resolved to fight the scourge
together even as New Delhi reaffirmed its status as a reliable
development partner to Dhaka. “We are both determined to protect
our societies from the threat of ideologies of hate, violence
and terror by adopting a zero tolerance policy and a comprehensive
approach in fighting violent extremism and terrorism at all levels,”
India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. “We discussed
the common challenges that we are faced with today. One such challenge
is that of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and we will
continue to fight this scourge together and along with other like-minded
countries,” she said.
The Trump administration wants
India to help strengthen Afghanistan’s capacities and institutions
so that the war-torn country can take on a resurgent Afghan Taliban
based in neighbouring Pakistan, a senior US official has said.
“Where the help is needed by India primarily is in areas of ensuring
that Afghanistan can be strengthened as a state, that the state
can be hardened and strengthened against any regenerative capacity
of the Taliban which lies mainly across the border in Pakistan,”
said the official. The US wants to ensure that Afghanistan gains
the security gains even as the US and the coalition have the lead
in assisting Afghanistan’s security sector and enabling the fight
against the Taliban and the Haqqani network and other terrorist
organisations on Afghan territory, he said.
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres gunned down
an alleged ‘Police informer’ who they also suspected of ferrying
ration for SFs deployed in the "cut-off" area of Chitrakonda
area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The victim identified as
Sama Pangi was shot dead by a group of Maoists near Spillway Ghat
of Balimela reservoir in Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri. Around
10 Maoists came to the ghat on a motorboat and shot Pangi, a native
of Janti village, from point-blank range. The Maoists also suspected
Pangi of being a ‘Police informer’ and had attacked him two years
ago. But he had survived that attack. Following the attack, he
had left his native village and was staying at Pilobai in Chitrakonda
area and had sought protection from District Police. Pangi made
a living by selling food items near the Spillway Ghat.
At least 17 Adivasi organisations
in Assam will block National Highways at several places on October
25 in support of their demand for Schedule Tribe status and dialogue
with five militant groups that are in ceasefire since 2012.
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.
Four Maoists were arrested near
Badegudra village under Kuakonda Police Station limits in Dantewada
District of Chhattisgarh. Dantewada ASP, Gorakhnath Baghel said
the arrestees were identified as Baman Mandavi (27), Sannu Kawasi
(30), Joga Kartami (35) and Ayta Madvi (30), all active as ‘jan
militia’ members. They were allegedly involved in setting ablaze
vehicles engaged in bridge construction works and transportation
in the area in the past, the ASP further said.
Palamu Police neutralised a new
Naxal outfit of TPC-2, a breakaway group of the TPC, a
splinter group of the CPI-Maoist. A press release issued from
SP, Palamu read that this outfit tried to extort money from the
contractor of the Government polytechnic college under construction
on State highway in Lesliganj Police Station’s Basoura village
in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The new outfit, a group of 12
to 13 persons, having dubious past and role in the society, had
olive green battle fatigue, which was worn by its cadres in turn
in order to create an impression that they were of extremist outfit,
the Police said. OIC of Lesliganj Police Station, Rana Jung Bahadur
Singh said this outfit on October 14 reached one construction
site in the area, assaulted a few workers there and looted one
cell phone of the worker giving order to ask the contractor to
speak to this outfit. OIC Singh said the outfit erred and it helped
us most. Calls were made from the same looted cell phone. Police
put that cell phone number and other details on its Technical
Cell and finally succeeded in intercepting their conversation.
Police got the location of the tower of the cell phone and then
arrested Dharmender Singh who spilled all the beans and on his
confession two others Jubair Alam and Chattu Bhuiyan too were
arrested. Police seized the three olive green uniforms too along
with a few cartridges.
A ‘zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist,
identified as Buddhan Miyan alias Bhola ji was arrested
and jailed in Palamu District of Jharkhand, stated SP, Indrajeet
Mahatha. Palamu Police, CRPF, made a combined effort led by ASP,
operations, Arun K Singh, to track Buddhan Miyan down when he
was going to Dalee village under Patan tehsil. He was remanded
in judicial custody on October 24. Buddhan Miyan, who worked in
the squad of Vyas ji a top Maoist, has 11 cases against him and
he carries a reward of INR One million. The SP further said this
Buddhan Miyan whose father is Rehman Miyan of Saraideeh village
under Naudeeha Bazar Police Station went to Panipat also to eke
out his living when he fell apart from CPI-Maoist. According to
SP this Buddhan Miyan had had his arms and explosives training
in the jungle of Tarchua in Bihar in 1998. Buddhan Miyan was jailed
first in 2005 and after two years he came out and indulged in
heinous crimes against police. There was a warrant of arrest pending
against him since 2013 and he was walking down free.
The Dao Division’s Army Camp arrested
two cadres of NSCN-U in Charaideo District. The arrested individuals
were resident of Wakching village in Mon District of Nagaland,
and reportedly involved in arms dealing. The troops recovered
one Chinese made .22mm auto pistol, one Thailand made .22mm pistol
along with 5 .22 mm rounds and one mobile phone.
|
October 24
|
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
said that "social media and cyberspace" have increased
the threat of terrorism, as they can be used to manipulate people's
minds. "Social media and cyberspace have expanded the threat
(of terrorism), as these are exploited by terrorists to develop
less visible but lethal ways and means of manipulating minds of
the people," she said. The minister stressed that the constantly
evolving strategic and security situation of the world "has
thrown up fresh and serious challenges." Sitharaman also
to reiterated India's long-held position that "there are
no good terrorists," and that "terrorism anywhere is
a threat everywhere." "India has taken resolute measures
to fight the scourge of terrorism from across its borders,"
said the minister, taking a dig at Pakistan without naming it.
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.
SFs busted a Maoist ammunition
dump located in Ghodapath Hill under Gatapar Police Station limits
in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh and recovered a cache
of material used for manufacturing and repairing firearms. The
seizure comprised a lathe cutting machine, a drill machine, butts
of SLR rifles, SLR trigger guards, a charger, a vernier calliper,
some iron-made weapons, Maoist literature and camping materials.
SFs reportedly have intensified their operations since the last
few months on inputs that Maoists have been trying to expand their
base in the tri-junction forests in Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh),
Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh, MP) and Gondia (Maharashtra). On October
17, a base camp was set up in Malaida on Chhattisgarh-MP border
where a joint team of the ITBP, STF, Rajnandgaon Police and the
Hawk Force from Balaghat has been stationed, Rajnandgaon SP Prashant
Agrawal said. Besides carrying out extensive search operations
in the region, the SFs have also been holding meetings with villagers
on both sides of the border and asking them to refrain from extending
any kind of assistance to Maoists, he added.
The NIA recovered INR 2.7 million
from Shelly Sumi, wife of Niki Sumi, a ‘commander’ of the NSCN-K.
The searches at Shelly Sumi's residence came a week after four
Nagaland government officers - former tourism director Purakhu
Angami; additional director of agriculture V Aza; joint director
of irrigation Hutoi Sema and fisheries superintendent Kekhriesatuo
Tep - were arrested for allegedly funding the insurgent group
from the state exchequer. In a statement, the NIA spokesperson
IG Alok Mittal said that they had information that Shelly Sumi
and her associates were in possession of cash and other incriminating
documents pertaining to the NSCN-K in their houses in Dimapur,
Nagaland. "Accordingly, searches were conducted at the houses
of the accused persons Shelly Sumi, Ikheli Yeptho, Shutoli and
Hozheli at Naharbari Basti, Dimapur, Nagaland on Tuesday [October
24] and cash amounting to INR 27,90,550 was recovered from these
premises," he said. 12 mobile phones, three laptops, one
hard disk and 33 incriminating documents were also seized during
searches. The agency said that the seized money, suspected to
have been extorted/collected from the public/government servants,
was meant for sending to the NSCN-K camps in Myanmar to fund activities
prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
|
October 25
|
Three youths from Kerala, identified
as Midilaj K.C (26), Rashid M.P (23), and Abdul Razakh K (24)
who joined the Islamic State (IS) and left the country to undergo
training in Syria were arrested by the Police in Kannur District
of Kerala on October 25 after four months of Police surveillance.
The youths were arrested by the Valapattanam Police in Kannur
District after they were questioned by Police officers led by
the Kannur DSP P.P. Sadanandan. They had been under surveillance
after they returned to the country four months ago from Turkey.
Police said that they had gone
to Turkey and stayed there for three to four months and had been
captured by Turkish authorities while they were trying to cross
the border to Syria. Valapattanam Police registered a case against
the three on charges of joining a banned terrorist organisation
under Sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA. Hinting that more arrests
would be made in the coming days, Sadanandan said that those who
had gone to Syria and Afghanistan to join IS saw themselves as
participants in hijira (migration), and members of Islamic
fighters for Ghazwa-e-Hind (conquest of India). The latest
case relates to those who returned to the country after joining
IS, the Police were also probing cases of IS fighters from the
region who had been killed in Syria and Afghanistan and those
who were still fighting in those countries, he added.
Report said that the number of
Indians in Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi-led terror outfit is a miniscule,
a little over 100, as compared to the number of fighters from
UK, France, Belgium or Russia, but the fact that they would be
highly trained; capable of easily mingling with the local population;
and may work as part of 'sleeper cells' or for 'lone wolf' attacks
cannot be overlooked. Investigators said the arrested operatives,
along with others from Kerala, had travelled to Turkey and Syria
to fight alongside Islamic State. Sources said Razakh, Rashid
and Midilaj are also linked to Shajahan Velluva Kandy alias
Mohamed Ismail Mohideen, who was arrested by the Special Cell
of Delhi Police in July on his return from Turkey. NIA got five-day
custody of Mohideen on October 25 to question him about others
who may try to come back to India.
Five Kerala youths, Shahanad (25)
of Chalad, Rishal (30) of Valapattanam, Shameer (45) of Pappinissery
and his son Safwan (20), Shajil (30) of Koodali (all from Kannur
District) were among those who were reportedly killed in Syria
and Afghanistan. In the neighbouring Kasaragod District, five
of the 21 people from Padanna who had gone to Afghanistan had
been confirmed dead, Police said adding that two youths from neighbouring
Vadakara in Kozhikode District were also reportedly dead. Police
also identified Manaf and Shameer of Valapattanam and Abdul Qayyoom
of Mayyil in Kannur District as an IS fighter still in Syria.
Gujarat ATS arrested two suspected
Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists, identified as Mohammad Kasim
Stimberwala and Ubed Ahmed Mirza from Surat in Surat District
who were planning terror attack in the State during the upcoming
Gujarat assembly elections. The duo was in touch with ISIS through
social media. They even conducted recce at some religious places
in the state. They have been inspired by terrorist Abdul al-Fazal
and were planning to flee the country after executing their plan.
Report said that the duo claimed
that they were plotting an attack on a Jewish synagogue in Khadia
area of Ahmedabad in "very near future". While Stimberwala
used to work as a laboratory technician with a hospital in Ankleshwar
town, Mirza is a practicing lawyer with the Surat district court
and also owns a hotel there. They were booked under for criminal
conspiracy, waging or attempt to wage war against Government of
India and other charges, an official said.
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.
Three cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
carrying cash rewards, were killed in an encounter with the SFs
in the forest of Kopenkadka village under Khadgaon Police Station
Limits in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The SFs had launched
an anti-Maoist operation in the interiors of Manpur, around 200
kilometers away from the state capital, Raipur. When the patrol
team was advancing through the forests of Kopenkadka, it came
under heavy fire that led to a gunbattle between the two sides.
However, the Maoists soon escaped into the deep forest on finding
security personnel zeroing on them, said Rajnandgaon SP, Prashant
Agrawal. During a search, bodies of three Maoists along with three
automatic weapons one AK 47 rifle, one INSAS rifle and one SLR
rifle were recovered from the spot, he added. Those killed were
identified as Mahesh, an ‘area committee member (ACM)’ Rakesh,
ACM and Pallemadi ‘LOS commander’ and Ranjit, Pallemadi ‘LOS deputy
commander’ said the SP, adding that they were carrying rewards
of INR 500,000, INR 500,000 and INR 300,000, respectively. They
all hailed from Bastar region of the state and more details are
awaited, he added.
Maoists-triggered an IED blast
near a weekly market in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. A
team of SFs was patrolling the area to provide security at a weekly
market at Manjhipara in Orchha village when the IED went off a
little distance ahead. Nobody was injured. One of the three Maoists
who fled into jungle after detonating the IED was arrested later,
Narayanpur SP Santosh Singh said. His questioning led to recovery
of another IED from the spot, the officer said.
Roopesh, Shyna, Anoop Mathew,
Veeramani and Kannan, the five cadres arrested on charges of CPI-Maoist
activities in 2015, were produced before the Coimbatore District
of Tamil Nadu and Principal Sessions Court on October 25. Principal
District Judge R. Pongiyappan posted next hearing in the case
on November 8.
The NIA is likely to issue summons
to Shelly Sumi, wife of Niki Sumi, a ‘commander’ of the NSCN-K,
and others over a case of terror funding in Nagaland, an official
said. On October 24, NIA recovered INR 2.7 million from the house
of Shelly Sumi at Naharbari Basti in Dimapur, the main commercial
town of Nagaland. Twelve mobile phones, three laptops, a hard
disk and 33 documents were also seized, it said. “So far, we have
not arrested anyone. Summons will be issued to Shelly and her
associates,” a top NIA official said. Various intelligence agencies
have been keeping a close watch on the movement and activities
of Shelly and her associates in Nagaland and Manipur. NIA officials
said the seized money was suspected to have been extorted from
the public or government servants and meant for sending to the
NSCN-K camps in Myanmar to fund activities “prejudicial to the
sovereignty and integrity of India”.
The BSF Meghalaya Frontier IG
P.K. Dubey said that fencing was necessary for the security of
border residents. "In areas where fencing has been completed,
we have been able to put a more effective check on smuggling and
militancy. It (fencing) will help in border surveillance,"
he said. Informing that about 90km of unfenced areas remain in
the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Dubey said around INR 110 crore has
been deposited with the Meghalaya Government for the purpose of
acquiring land for fencing.
Surrendered militants belonging
to the GNLA, ANVC-B, AMEF, LAEF and others from North Garo Hills
came together under the banner of the A’chik Welfare Organisation
(AWA) and organised a one day awareness campaign on environment
at Chirimdare under Mendipathar Police Station of North Garo Hills
District. Under the new initiative, the members of AWA along with
the villagers of Chirimdare plan to start joint efforts of plantation
programmes beginning from the first week of June next year till
their dream of ‘clean and green’ is achieved.
|
October 26
|
One of the four-member cell of
students from Maharashtra’s Thane who became the first Indians
to join the Islamic State (IS), identified as Fahad Tanvir Sheikh,
was killed fighting near Raqqa in Syria last week, his family
was told by an anonymous caller. Sheikh was the last surviving
member of the cell, following the arrest of Areeb Majeed, and
the killing of Sahim Tanki, and Aman Naim Tandel. “Late Tuesday
[October 24], my wife received a call from a foreign number from
someone who told us our son had been killed,” said Dr Tanvir Sheikh,
Fahad Sheikh’s father. “She was distraught, and did not note down
the details the caller offered about what had happened and where.”
NIA sources said Dr Sheikh had telephoned the organisation immediately
after receiving the call, adding that they were now working to
trace its origin. Sources, however, said there were no means available
to independently verify the circumstances of Sheikh’s death, given
violent and anarchic conditions in the area.
Fahad Sheikh had left for Iraq
in May 2014, as part of a pilgrimage group, travelling with Majeed,
Tanki and Tandel. The four men then drove from Baghdad to Mosul,
before disappearing into Islamic State-held territory. Family
members said Sheikh, an engineering student, had misled his parents
into believing he was leaving home to take up a job in Mumbai’s
Bandra area. Intelligence sources said Sheikh may have been among
the 300-odd jihadists who staged a last stand against Kurdish
forces at a Raqqa sports stadium and a hospital, even as their
commanders debated whether to surrender to forces that were closing
in. Forces from the Kurdish Yekîneyên Parastina Gel, or Peoples’
Protection Militia, are believed to have killed dozens of the
Islamic State’s foreign fighters in the last days of the battle
for Raqqa, after receiving informal instructions not to take prisoners.
The report further said that the
fate of several other Indians known to have been in jihadist-held
territories now recaptured by the Syrian Government and Kurdish
forces remains unknown. Former Mumbai eye-hospital worker Abu
Rashid, wanted by the NIA for his alleged role in the IM’s urban
terror strikes, was among those who appeared in the Islamic State
video, warning the Government of India that he would soon return
to “avenge every crime that has been committed against Muslims”.
Muhammad ‘Bada’ Sajid, similarly sought by the NIA for being a
member of the IM, is also missing.
A Telegram blog run by
Abu Thahir, a 28-year old Kerala resident who served as a stringer
for the Islamist publication Thejas before becoming an al-Qaeda
propagandist, has had no new posts in weeks. India’s intelligence
services say they have no word on several IM jihadists suspected
of having been in Syria, including Shahnawaz Ahmad, a Unani doctor
and the son of a SP politician in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh; and
students Mohammad ‘Bada’ Sajid, Mirza Shadab Beig. Karnataka Muhammad
Shafi Armar, a key figure in recruiting Indian jihadists for the
Islamic State, is also missing. “There’s a strong possibility
some of these individuals may already be in Afghanistan, or Pakistan’s
north-west,” a senior Indian intelligence officer said. “However,
no-one has eyes on them, and to the best of our knowledge, they
have not made contact with their families.”
Two more persons suspected of
having links to the terror group Islamic State (IS) were arrested
in Kannur District of Kerala. With this, the number of persons
apprehended in IS terror connection from Kerala so far has raised
to five. Thalassery natives Hamza aka Taliban Hamza and
Manaf were picked up in the morning, Kannur District DSP PP Sadananandan
said. “Hamza, who has strong connections with the terror outfit’s
high command, was behind the recruitment of youths from the state
for IS... He had worked in Gulf countries for more than 20 years,”
he said. About six months ago, Manaf was prevented by authorities
at Mangalore airport in Karnataka from leaving the country, the
official said. All the five suspects were put under surveillance
for the last months, he added. The accused have been charged under
sections 38 and 39 of UAPA.
The Beed Police and Madhya Pradesh
(MP) Police team jointly neutralised a FICN racket, seizing fake
currency worth INR 1,50000 in denomination of INR 100 and INR
50 from Sayed Shakoor Shabir and arrested him in a joint action
from an unknown location. According to Beed Police sources, MP
Police had arrested one Kartar Singh who was circulating fake
notes of INR 61,000 in market at Bhind in MP. He confessed that
he got fake currency from Shabir hailing from Beed. MP Police
team With the help of Beed Police raided house of Shabir and seized
FICN along with printing material and machines from his possession
Zakir Naik deliberately insulted
the religious beliefs of Hindus, Christians and Islamic sects
like Shia, Sufi and Barelvi, and his speeches influenced recruits
to the cause of the so-called Islamic State-IS, the NIA has said.
The agency has charge sheeted the "televangelist" under
the UAPA for heading an 'unlawful association' and accused him
of inciting youth to take up terror acts and join global terror
outfits like IS. Naik's NGO IRF, banned in 2016 under the UAPA,
as well as private firm Harmony Media Pvt Ltd were named as co-accused
for having conspired with Naik to promote enmity and hatred between
different religious groups and insulting certain sects of Islam
and other religions.
According to the chargesheet,
a witness, Noor Mohammad, who was on his way to Syria to join
the IS but later aborted the plan, told the NIA that he was influenced
by Naik's oratory at 'peace conferences' organised by IRF in 2007
and 2008. Later on, he was motivated by an accused in the Malad-Malwani
IS module case, Mohsin Sayyed, who quoted Naik as saying that
suicide bombing was permissible in Islam. "Since he considered
A-1 (Naik) an authority over Islamic viewpoint, he readily agreed
to join the IS to fight jihad for them," the chargesheet
said.
An alleged LeT operative, out
on bail after serving a sentence for possession of firearms and
explosives, was arrested by Police for possessing fake documents,
including a passport from Barablan locality of Moradabad District.
Farhan Ahmed Ali (48) had used the passport to travel to Kuwait
in 2011, which was also a violation of the conditional bail on
which he had been released from prison. Following a complaint
of land grab, Police arrested Ali from Barablan locality of Mughalpura
Police Station. A search of his house turned up fake IDs including
ration card, driver's licence, Pan card and Aadhaar card, as well
as a fake passport.
On August 28, 2002, Ali and another
alleged LeT man, Shahid Ahmed Bakshi, were arrested from New Delhi
with 4kg of RDX, detonators, pistol and ammunition. They were
accused of plotting to assassinate then Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi and top Sangh Parivar leaders to "avenge"
the 2002 Gujarat riots. They had also been accused of indoctrinating
Muslim youths affected by the riots.
The State Government is intensifying
its drive against CPI-Maoist with focus on joint operations by
Police and Central Forces in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts
of Odisha, which are considered to be the Maoist strongholds.
DGP, R.P. Sharma, reviewed anti-Maoist operations, during his
first visit to Malkangiri and Koraput since taking charge as the
State Police Chief. "Our emphasis will be on joint operations
and better co-ordination between the forces," said Sharma,
who visited a BSF camp at Badapada in the "cut-off"
area of Malkangiri District. He also had a look at the ongoing
work on the Gurupriya Bridge that would connect the six
gram
panchayats
in the "cut-off" area located across
the Balimela reservoir with the District's mainland. DGP, Sharma's
visit comes in the wake of attacks by the Maoists on boats ferrying
ration for the SFs stationed in the "cut-off" belt.
On October 15, the Maoists had looted a boat carrying provisions
for the BSF jawans. On October 22, the Maoists in Malkangiri gunned
down an alleged ‘Police informer’ who, they suspected, was ferrying
ration for the SFs. Sama Pangi was shot dead near the reservoir's
spillway ghat in the Chitrakonda area. Following attacks by the
Maoists on boats carrying provisions for SFs, Malkangiri Police
had decided to use helicopters for the purpose. The helicopters,
according to DGP, Sharma, will be used for anti-Maoist operations.
FGN, kedahge (president),
‘general’ (retd) Viyalie Metha said that the NNC and FGN would
“firmly stand by the mandate of the May 16, 1951 Naga plebiscite,
which was to be a sovereign Independent Naga nation”. Metha said
since the “prop up ongoing parley between the so called NSCN-IM
and GoI has been added with a new twist by inclusion of six NNPGs,”
the FGN was compelled to highlight the “historical facts about
the Indo-Naga conflict”. He went on to point out that the Indo-Naga
conflict “did not begin with any aggressive action” by Nagaland
against India. Citing B.N. Mulik’s statement, he said the conflict
started when “troops moved into Tuensang by October 1955, and
the war with Nagas started from then.”
Metha reminded that the Nagas
had declared Naga independence on August 14, 1947 a day ahead
of India’s own independence declaration. Accordingly, he said
the republic of Nagaland known as the Federal Government of Nagaland
was setup on March 22, 1956. “Unlike other states in the Indian
union, the NNC, FGN and the Naga army have been defending Nagaland’s
sovereignty from 1947 to the present,” he added. He therefore
cautioned that “any Naga citizen from any Naga organization, who
would ignore these irrefutable facts of our history and make any
sham settlement with India, would be guilty of treason to the
nation.” Metha also reminded that the NNC and FGN were still holding
on to the 1964 Indo-Naga ceasefire between the FGN and the Government
of India in order to have a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga
conflict.
|
October 27
|
The Razole Police arrested three
members of a five-member gang, two of them former members of the
CPI-Maoist, on the charges of possessing unlawful weapons, and
resorting to abduction, extortion, and robbery in East Godavari
District of Andhra Pradesh. The arrestees are identified as Sagiraju
Appala Trinadha Varma (35), a native of I. Polavaram in East Godavari
District and resident of Srinagar Colony in Hyderabad, Karla Raji
Reddy (54), of Vattipalli village in Siddipeta District of Telangana
and Isthari Venu Madhav (48), of Kadavandi village in Janagam
District of Telangana, both former members of the Giraipalli
dalam
and Palakurthi dalam of the CPI-Maoist. Two
pistols, 18 rounds of cartridges seized from their possession.
The Police were yet to arrest Mani Kumar and Ratnakumar.
The Maoists damaged a slurry pipeline
belonging to Essar Steel near Gunthabeda forest under Chitrakonda
Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The pipeline was
constructed by Essar Steel to transport iron ore from the Bailadila
iron ore mines in the slurry form to its pelletisation plant in
Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
One CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Bhagat Singh (32), who is on the run for five years, surrendered
before the SP, P. Rajan in Salem District of Tamil Nadu. Bhagat,
a resident of Singarapettai in Uthangarai in Krishnagiri District,
was one of the 32 Maoists arrested by the Q branch of Tamil Nadu
Police for undergoing arms training in the forests of Oothankarai
in 2002.
Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya
‘requested’ Myanmar-based NSCN-K to join the ongoing peace talks
with the Centre, a Raj Bhavan communique said. “P.B. Acharya values
the formal joining of six NNPGs in peace talks, and requested
the NSCN-K to join the ongoing peace process so that a meaningful
solution to the protracted Naga political problem is found at
the earliest,” the communique said. The NSCN-K abrogated a 2001
ceasefire accord signed with the Central Government in March 2015,
just a month before the truce was up for renewal. Appreciating
the efforts of the Government interlocutor for Naga talks, R.N.
Ravi, to address the long-pending issue and the positive response
from the Nagas, the Governor appealed to all NGOs, political parties
and civil society to stand united to make the peace process a
success.
This week, Ravi held talks with
leaders of NSCN-IM, NNC, Federal Government of Nagaland, NSCN-R,
National People’s Government of Nagaland (Non-accord) and Government
Democratic Republic of Nagaland (Non-Accord). The central government
and the Working Committee of six Naga groups officially began
a political dialogue on September 27 in New Delhi.
One person, identified as K. Ginzalian
(70), of Vengnuam in Churachandpur District, was arrested. A 9mm
pistol and five live rounds were recovered from him. On a tip-off,
another one, identified as Zamkhanpau (48) of Suangdoh village
in Churachandpur District, was arrested for receiving an arms
consignment from Myanmar. He said he received it from Ginlianthang
(47) and Nengkhanlun (34), who were also arrested later. Two magazines
of a 9mm pistol and cash were also recovered. Further, two more
were arrested on information provided by the duo.
Dimapur Police AET Zone–II arrested
one person, identified as Alok Dutta for collecting yearly Tax
of INR 500 in the name of NSCN-R from Loknath Pan Shop at New
Market in Dimapur. Accordingly a case has been registered at Dimapur
West Police Station and investigation is on, informed Police.
Dimapur Police SOT arrested one
person, identified as Mughabeto Aye (27) for extorting money from
business community and auto drivers at Murgipatti area in Dimapur.
Police said six demand slips and cash amount of INR 1800 was recovered
from his possession. Accordingly a case has been registered at
Dimapur East police station for further investigation.
|
October 28
|
Four persons, identified as Harshad
Divani, Govind Maheshwari, Mayur Nimawat and Imran Sanghwani were
arrested with FICN with face value of INR 5,25,300 from Morbi
in Morbi District of Gujarat. "The seizure includes 138 notes
of INR 2,000 denomination, 482 notes of INR 500 denomination and
83 notes of INR 100 denomination. That apart, we have also seized
four cellphones from the accused," an official from Morbi
local crime branch said. They added that all notes are colour
photocopies of original currency notes.
During their interrogation, the
accused revealed the name of their accomplice as Jaydeep Joshi
following which the Police have launched a manhunt for him. Police
further said that Maheshwari used to print the notes in Abdasa
in Kutch District. He had also delivered 38 fake notes of INR
100 denomination to Joshi on October 28 morning.
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police
arrested three persons along with the FICN with a total face value
of INR 1.3 lakh in Firozabad District. The fake notes were in
INR 2000 and INR 50 denominations. The Police also recovered equipment
and material used to make the notes.
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”.
An exchange of fire took place
between the CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs in the Chandili forests
at Lathor in Balangir District of Odisha. Acting on a tipoff,
a joint team of the DVF and the CRPF conducted raids in the forest
area to trace the Maoists’ hideout, however, on spotting the SFs,
the Maoists first opened fire and in retaliation the SF personnel
fired back, following which the Maoists fled from the spot. “Our
operation is still on but we have been able to bust the hideout
and seized few ammunition including a live grenade with detonator.
We are trying to ascertain whether there have been any casualties
or not,” said SP, K. Subramani. One live grenade, five kit bags,
12 containers and other articles have been recovered from the
camp that was busted.
Governor of Nagaland, P.B. Acharya
congratulated and appreciated the efforts of Interlocutor for
Naga talks, R.N. Ravi to address the long pending issue, and positive
response from Naga people. Governor valued the formal joining
of the peace process by the Working Committee of six NNPGs and
requested NSCN-K also to join it so that a meaningful solution
to the protracted Naga political problem is found at the earliest.
He appealed all the NGOs, political parties and civil society
to stand united as one society to make the peace process a success.
|
October 29
|
Five men were arrested on October
29, for printing and distributing FICN in Indore. The members
of an inter-state gang have till now printed INR 10,00,000 in
fake notes in the denominations of INR 2,000, INR 500 and INR
100 and consignments were also sent to other states. Police
recovered INR 2,60,000 fake notes from their possession. Working
on a tip off, Police arrested five persons found trying to use
the notes in Patnipura area.
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.
A DRG trooper was injured when
an IED, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, went off in Dantewada District
of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place in the forest near Telam-Tetam
village under Katekalyan Police Station limits when a joint team
of state's DRG and local Police was out on an anti-Maoist operation,
a Police official said. When the patrolling team was on a dirt
track in the Letam Tetam forest, around 400 kilometres away from
State capital, Raipur, the DRG jawan inadvertently stepped on
the IED, leading to a blast.
The NIA has established that four
Nagaland Government officers had made the banned insurgent group
NSCN-K richer by over INR 20 crore in just four years by sharing
with the outfit funds from the state exchequer. The NIA has recovered
payment slips and registers to this effect, which establishes
that the arrested officers were hand in glove with NSCN-K in its
‘illegal tax collection’ racket. The four officers - Vilepral
Aja (additional director of department of agriculture, Kohima),
Purakhu Angami (former director of department of tourism), Kekhriesatuo
Tep (superintendent of fisheries department) and K Hutoi Sema
(executive engineer of irrigation and flood control department)
- were arrested on October 13.
"These officers maintained
slips and registers in which exact amount and name of the person
to whom money was to be given are mentioned. The handwriting experts
of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Gandhinagar have
confirmed that these four officers maintained these slips/registers,"
said a source. An assessment of payment slips and other documents
suggests that arrested officers have handed over somewhere between
INR 20 to INR 25 crore to NSCN-K and other factions since 2012,
said the officer.
Sources said that while S Khetoshe
Sumi, finance in charge of NSCN-K who was arrested last year,
was extorting money from State Government officials, instructions
were coming from Isak Sumi, a Myanmar-based key member of the
outfit, who handles all the finances for anti-India operations.
In a charge-sheet filed earlier this year against Isak Sumi, Khetoshe
Sumi and another finance collection agent, Victo Swu, NIA claimed
that they raised funds through illegal tax collection and extorted
money from government offices to support the banned organization
in its activities.
The UNC warned Naga elected members
at this most crucial moment that whoever among them is working
against the ‘collective history’ of the Nagas will not be spared.
This ‘warning’ from the Naga body came at the backdrop of the
‘all political parties meeting on the territorial integrity of
Manipur with reference to peace talks between the Government of
India and NSCN-IM’. The UNC warned ‘elected members’ from Naga
community saying that, indulging in activities which are detrimental
to the Naga movement will invite serious consequences.
UNC also asserted that it will
not remain mute to ‘all those measures which are against the Naga
interest’ taken up by different elements including the Manipur
Government. “We are closely observing the unfolding development
in Manipur currently,” said UNC while adding, “We will respond
befittingly to all those elements and factors who/which are hurdles
to the Naga peace process.” UNC further said that “we feel our
patience has been taken as our weakness”. UNC then asked Nagas
not to extend co-operation or involve in any programme which is
attached with the names of the ‘seven new districts.’ UNC further
asked the Naga people to remain fully aware of the ‘designs of
our adversaries’.
The NPF, Manipur State unit has
pledged to work for unity and integrity of the ‘people’ by integrating
all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative roof
and also to provide protection to all the ethnic groups who are
indigenous inhabitants of all Naga inhabited areas. Significantly,
the NPF issued this statement to press in the backdrop of the
all political parties meeting convened this afternoon (October
29) at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
The General Secretary of the UCM,
YK Dhiren asserted that the ongoing political dialogue between
the NSCN-IM and the Government of India should have no room for
any arrangement such as a separate administrative system. Dhiren
said this during a one day discussion on the ongoing negotiation
between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India. Asserting that
the ‘Framework Agreement’ should have no bearing on the unity
and territorial integrity of Manipur, Dhiren said that the people
of Manipur have been standing up for the territorial integrity
of the State ever since the beginning of the ceasefire agreement
in 1997 and added that the stand will continue .
A Manipur delegation will soon
meet PM Narendra Modi to discuss the issues related to the state’s
territorial integrity in view of the ongoing peace talks between
the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, the Government said.
This was decided at an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister
N Biren Singh in Imphal last evening, it said in a statement.
Participants in the meeting decided to depute a team comprising
five to seven members to be nominated by the Chief Minister to
the national capital to submit a memorandum to the prime minister,
it said. The memorandum will highlight the issue of territorial
integrity of Manipur and an appeal to inform the developments
on the Naga talks at the earliest.
NSCN-K through its MIP’ has accused
the NIA of ‘perpetrating terrorism in Nagaland’ and warned that
it would be ‘forced to ask every Indian people to leave Naga country’
if NIA continued with its policy.
Dimapur Police AET Zone-II arrested
one person, identified Atoka Chishi (28) for issuing information
slip to business establishment in the name of NSCN-R in Dimapur.
Police recovered one .32 pistol with live rounds, two information
slips and cash amount of INR 3210. Accordingly, a case has been
registered at East Police Station for investigation.
|
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.
The UHM Rajnath Singh said that
terror exported from neighbouring countries was one of the biggest
threats to India. He also said the country would have to find
a permanent solution to terrorism and militancy and the Government
was working towards that endeavour. Minister said the world was
facing challenges like terrorism, cyber terrorism and radicalisation.
Singh said that Islamic State (IS)-linked groups had succeeded
in setting up their network in most parts of the world. “India
has not been unaffected by these global developments, but compared
to other countries, only a small number here are influenced by
the radical ideology of the IS,” he said.
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.
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal asserted
that ‘not an inch of Assam land’ will be affected by the ‘Naga
Framework Agreement’ and asked people of the State not to be apprehensive.“You
need not be apprehensive. I can assure you that not an inch of
Assam land will be affected. The State’s territorial integrity
will be intact,” he said.
With expectations of the new accord
by the year-end running high, the NSCN-IM declared Hebron [Nagaland],
the peace camp set up by government as the future ‘centre of Naga
politics, government, culture, civilization and the seat of their
high command’. The camp was set up about 100 kms off state Nagaland's
capital Kohima, after it had signed a ceasefire agreement in 1997.
Two Chhattisgarh-based Maoists,
including a senior cadre of the rank of the ‘district committee
member’ of the CRC-II, surrendered before the Police in the presence
of ASP, Sunil Dutt in Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem District
of Telangana. Police said Doddi Nandu (27), company ‘platoon commander’,
and Sodi Muke (25), a member of the CRC-II based in neighbouring
Chhattisgarh, gave themselves up before the ASP following persistent
efforts by the Police through their family members to convince
them to join the mainstream. Nandu hails from Gottodu village
of Bijapur District in Chhattisgarh. Sodi Muke belongs to Chennapuram
in Charla mandal of Bhadrachalam division in
Bhadradri Kothagudem District. Nandu was enrolled into
the CPI-Maoist Balala Sangham when he was ten years old, and Sodi
Muke joined the outlawed outfit as militia member in 2011, the
Police said.
|
October 31
|
The Punjab Police claimed that
the militancy is returning to the State as it has busted many
groups and arrested many people who were planning to carry out
terror activities in the State. It said that several of the arrested
men were planning to kill those who wrote or spoke against Sikhism.
The latest such case involves seven youth who were arrested from
Ludhiana on September 29 for allegedly being a part of the banned
terror outfit BKI. However, human rights activists and the accused’s
kin have called these arrests the Police’s way to divert public
attention from real developmental issues.
The Police said that although
the youth have no criminal past, it found incriminating evidence
against them. It said that the seven accused were arrested for
trying to disturb law and order by getting overactive on social
media platform. The Police also recovered a 32 bore pistol, two
315 bore pistols and cartridges from the accused. The arrested
accused were Kuldeep Singh alias Rimpi (29), who worked
as a granthi (one who reads religious books in a Gurudwara)
in Basti Jodhewal of Ludhiana, Jasvir Singh alias Jassa
(32), of village Balipur of Tarn Taran; Amanpreet Singh alias
Amna (21), of Shakti Nagar of Jalandhar; Onkar Singh (30), and
Jugraj Singh of village Jhadu; and Amritpal Singh (30), of Amritsar.
The seventh is a minor and a resident of Moga in Punjab, the Police
said.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner RN
Dhoke said, "The youth have no criminal background but their
operations were funded by Surender Singh Babbar of BKI who operates
from England." A case had been registered against the seven
under the UAPA, 1967 and the Arms Act. The Police said that it
has proof of the arrested accused were talking to terrorists and
working for them as sleeper cells. Dhoke added that three of them
were school dropouts and were helping others in identifying 'anti-Khalistan'
pages on social media platforms and the people running them. The
Police also said that it has deactivated their social media accounts,
which contains a lot of inflammatory content. "We have clinching
evidence and if needed, we will bring members of Babbar Khalsa
International to Punjab from the United Kingdom," Dhoke added.
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.
One person, identified as Sanjenbam
Herojit Singh (31) was arrested by SFs for extorting money from
public in the name UNLF in his locality in Haorang Khunou in Imphal
West District. A case has been registered at Patsoi police station
for further investigation, the press release said.
Four cadres of the PLFI, including
‘Area Commander’, Maina Gope, were killed in an encounter with
SF personnel in Khunti District of Jharkhand. SP, Ashwini Kumar
Sinha told that based on a tip-off that a group of PLFI cadres
would arrive at Palsi village under Karra Police Station, a team
of SF personnel were sent to arrest them. On seeing the SFs, the
PLFI cadres started firing at them, prompting them to retaliate,
SP, Sinha said. Four PLFI ultras were killed in the encounter
and all the bodies have been recovered, he added. Four firearms
including an INSAS assault rifle, a .315 bore rifle and a country-made
pistol were recovered from their possession. PLFI is a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist.
Sixteen former CPI-Maoist cadres
surrendered before senior officials of the Police and SSB in Sheohar
District of Bihar. Fourteen of them were earlier active in the
areas falling under the jurisdiction of Sheohar District while
the other two were residents of neighbouring Sitamarhi District.
They all faced charges of involvement in attacks on security personnel
and for inciting people against the Police. None of them deposited
any firearms.
Maheshi Yadav, a Maoist and self-proclaimed
former ‘zonal commander’ of Morhar Nilanjan sub-zone who carried
a reward of INR 50,000 on his head, surrendered in Barachatti
area in Gaya District of Bihar. He was wanted in 12 cases.
A ‘deputy commander’ of the CPI-Maoist,
identified as Kondagorla Ravinder alias Vinod
(25) surrendered to the Police at Eturnagaram in Jayashankar Bhupalpally
District of Telangana. Ravinder, a resident of Bore Narsapur,
Mangapet mandal, working as ‘deputy commander’ of
Eturnagaram-Mahadevpur Area Committee and member of JMPW Area
Committee, previously known as KKW, studied up to fifth class
and worked in a printing press from 2009 to 2012, carrying a cash
reward of INR 400,000 on his head, surrendered with a weapon.
Ravinder was involved in burning of mini transport vehicles on
the outskirts of Duddeda village in Chhattisgarh in 2014, setting
on fire the vehicles of road contractor at Tekulagdudem in 2015.
He was involved in exchange of fire at Bottentang in 2016, and
also in attack on CRPF personnel at Burkapad in 2017. Ravinder
went underground in 2013 and worked in Illandu-Narsamapet Area
Committee from 2013 to 2015. During the period of 2015-2016, he
worked as guard to Apachi Narayana alias Ramesh,
member of Maoist Party Production Team (Weapon team) and was trained
in weapons production. Later he was promoted as ‘deputy commander’
of Mahadevpur-Eturnagaram Area Committee and was allowed to carry
SLR weapon.
SFs engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist
operations in Malkangiri and its adjoining areas are gearing up
to prevent the entry of Maoists from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh
and Andhra Pradesh into Malkangiri District of Odisha. Stopping
infiltration of the Maoists from the neighbouring States has become
imperative in view of recent attacks on boats carrying provisions
for SFs deployed in the "cut-off" area of Malkangiri
that shares a border with the Maoist-hit areas of Chhattisgarh.
Sources said the boat attacks were taking place at the behest
of Maoist leaders directing Maoist operations in Malkangiri from
across the border.
|
November 1
|
Maharashtra ATS have successfully
managed to de-radicalise 120 youth who were on the verge of joining
dreaded terror outfit Islamic State (ISIS). In last few days,
the ATS had in Maharashtra including in Mumbai identified 120
youth who were radicalised by the ideology of the ISIS and were
planning to join the group. The agencies, instead of booking them
under the law, chose to look for ways to de-radicalise them. According
to security agencies, these youth were in regular touch with handlers
in Syria. But the prompt action taken by the security agencies,
prevented these youth from fleeing. So far, 80 out of 120 youth
have joined the mainstream.
Agencies said that they contacted
the family members of these youth and with the help of Maulanas
and Ulemas, they helped these youth get rid of Islamic
radicalisation. Agencies said that Maulanas and Ulemas
informed these youth about the real meaning of Islam and Jihad.
Maulanas and Ulemas also praised the role of security
agencies for their timely action to prevent these youth from choosing
wrong path in their life.
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.
Sadiya Police arrested two youths,
identified as Biswajeet Gogoi and Vikash Parit for allegedly running
an extortion racket from Kakopathar town, 42km from Tinsukia town
in Tinsukia District. They were allegedly extorting money in the
name of ‘Asom Freedom Fighters’. The Police said this hints at
the emergence of a new outfit. Sadiya SP Prasanto Changmai said,
"We were working on inputs of extortion calls made to local
small traders at Sonpura. The investigation prompted us to believe
in the involvement of local youths. We got the mobile number from
which the extortion calls were made. On Wednesday [November 1],
we arrested Biswajeet from outside the house of one Dhonti of
Kakopathar. Dhonti fled from the backdoor. Biswajeet took us to
a local computer shop from where we seized letterheads of Asom
Freedom Fighters. The police seized the computer and arrested
shop owner Vikash." A search is on for their accomplices.
According to a statistics available
with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel
were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast
region over the last seven months. Official statistics has revealed
that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204
insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As
many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.
SFs are on their toes following
reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the
landlocked Northeastern States.
According to a statistics available
with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel
were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast
region over the last seven months, reports. Official statistics
available with said that 28 civilians and nine security
personnel were killed in 204 insurgency related violence across
the Northeastern States. As many as 57 persons were also abducted
this year up to July 31st.
SFs are on their toes following
reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the
landlocked Northeastern States.
According to a statistics available
with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel
were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast
region over the last seven months. Official statistics revealed
that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204
insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As
many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.
SFs are on their toes following
reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the
landlocked Northeastern States.
The AR arrested one NSCN-K cadre,
identified as Kiyeto Kinimi (33) from general area of Hekiye Village,
under Zunheboto District. The cadre was arrested when the AR launched
an operation along with a Police representative based on specific
information regarding presence of the cadre. Kiyeto Kinimi revealed
that he was a member of NSCN-K since 2008; the Police release
said adding that a rifle as well as live ammunitions was recovered
from him.
According to a statistics available
with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel
were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast
region over the last seven months. Official statistics reveals that
28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204 insurgency
related violence across the Northeastern States. As many as 57
persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.
SFs are on their toes following
reports of recruitment of youth by the insurgent outfits in the
landlocked Northeastern States.
According to a statistics available
with the UMHA, as many as 37 persons including nine SFs personnel
were killed in the insurgency related violence in the Northeast
region over the last seven months. Official statistics revels
that 28 civilians and nine security personnel were killed in 204
insurgency related violence across the Northeastern States. As
many as 57 persons were also abducted this year up to July 31st.
Four cadres of Galikonda dalam of
the CPI-Maoist, identified as Korra Balaram alias Chitri
(28), Korra Sathi alias Barasu alias Ko-Ko
(30), both ‘section commanders’, Pangi Ganesh alias Gaddar
(26) and Dippala Venkat Rao (27), both dalam members,
surrendered before SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District
of Andhra Pradesh. All of the four cadres belonged to Pedapadu
village of G.K. Veedhi in Visakhapatnam Agency and carried a reward
of INR 100,000 each on their heads. They have cited disillusionment
with the ideology and family pressures among the reasons for their
surrender. “The Maoists had been in the dalam for the last seven
to 10 years and have a number of cases against them. Korra Balaram
who joined the dalam in 2009, has 10 cases against him, including
three murders. Balaram was involved in the murder of Vanthala
Malathi at Kothapalem in 2009, elimination of three villagers
at Saagulu near Lakkavaram in 2013 and the murder of businessman
Makkali Satyanarayana at Kumkumpudi last year,” SP, Rahul Dev
Sharma said.
Only 10 hardcore Maoist leaders
are left in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and close to AOB zone
and each must be having eight to 10 followers, according to SP,
Rahul Dev Sharma. “After suffering a heavy blow in the last year’s
Baliguda encounter, they are trying to regroup and strengthen
their base. Dwindling funds and frequent surrenders have weakened
them in the region,” he was saying while producing four Maoists
who surrendered to the Police before media.
The Chintooru Police arrested
Gundi Chalapathi (34), who joined the CPI-Maoist in 2014 and presently
working as supply committee member and supplying diesel, electrical
wire bundles and medicines to the Maoists from Chintooru mandal in
East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. SP, Vishal Gunni, charged
Chalapathi with transaction banned currency notes worth INR 2.5
million with the help of middlemen and handed over the valid currency
to Maoists during the demonetisation period. He said that following
a tip-off, the Etapaka Police conducted a vehicle check at Kannayigudem
and arrested Chalapathi on suspicion. During the questioning,
he confessed to his offence to the Police.
A STF team seized 260 live cartridges
of SLR meant for supply to SFs from NH-31 near Srichandrapur village
under Sahebpur Kamal Police Station area in Begusarai District
of Bihar. Three arms smugglers, Manchan Yadav (42), Arvind Mandal
(45) and his son Bhrigu Mandal (22), were arrested with the ammunition,
a bike, three cell phones and INR 5000. However, Shushil Singh,
who had handed over the cartridges to the trio, managed to escape.
SHO of the Sahebpur Kamal Police Station, Rajesh Kumar Yadav said
the cartridges were manufactured at Indian Ordinance Factory and
are supplied only to SFs. "Shushil had brought them from
Odisha. It will be known only after his arrest that how he got
the cartridges," Yadav said adding that the consignment might
have been sold to the CPI-Maoist. He further said Manchan used
to purchase the smuggled cartridges at INR 300 per piece and later
sold it to Arvind for INR 350. "Arvind used to sell them
to Maoists for INR 400 per piece," the SHO said and added
that in 2015, Shushil and Manchan were arrested from Begusarai
with more than 250 cartridges of INSAS assault rifle.
Intelligence agencies reports
that the CPI-Maoist, despite recent reverses, are regrouping and
looking to expand their presence to areas beyond the so-called
‘Red Corridor’. According to intelligence reports, the Maoists
are now expanding their base beyond their usual bastion of Chhattisgarh’s
Bastar District to the tri-junction of MMC in order to support
their existing strongholds in Sukma and Dantewada Districts. The
report also reveals that under the Odisha State Committee (OSC)
of the Maoists, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Kalahandi Districts in
Odisha are also emerging as hotbeds of Naxal activity,
with the “absence of road infrastructure in these regions aiding
the Naxals.” The AOB region, the report stated, is
also seen by Naxals as a safe corridor between
the Dandakaranya region in Chhattisgarh (areas such as Sukma and
Dantewada) and the forests of Jharkhand. “The planning of Maoists
is to build a new battlefield in the MMC tri-junction area with
an aim to create a new guerrilla zone. They discussed the need
to expand their battle zone towards the north and then the east
to create a corridor with their old battle zones of Odisha and
Jharkhand,” the intelligence report states.
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu
called upon the CPI-Maoist to give up violence and join the democratic
process by fighting polls to serve the people. “If you have faith
in your ideals, come and contest polls. Give up violence”, the
Vice President exhorted Maoists in his address while inaugurating
a five-day glittering ‘Rajyotsava 2017’ function at smart city
Naya Raipur of Chhattisgarh. “Give up your illusion. Believe in
democracy’, he told Maoists who have significant presence in State’s
forested patches in Bastar. Naidu said that Maoists will not gain
anything by disrupting developmental processes and by demolishing
hospitals and schools. “They need to shun violence and join the
mainstream of development.”
District Police and CRPF arrested
top CPI-Maoist leader, Motilal Soren alias Sandeep,
carrying prize money of INR five million and wanted by Jharkhand
and Odisha Police, from near a field in Latarkundrijhor village
under Jetia Police Station in Saranda forest under Gua block in
West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SP, Anish Gupta confirmed
the arrest at Chaibasa Police headquarters and said, “We acted
on a tip-off that the Maoist leader was coming to Jetia to watch
a football match. We had spread our team and deputed our sources.
On getting information, a joint team of CRPF and District Police
entered the field in the village. We could see a man sitting in
a hut and watching the match. Our informers helped us in identifying
him as the Maoist. He tried to escape but was caught. We recovered
a loaded pistol and two highly explosives bombs from his possession.”
Motilal Soren (48), a resident of Giridih had a prize money of
INR 2.5 million each from both State and Odisha Police and was
amongst the ‘most wanted’ Maoists in the Police list after leading
Chaibasa jail break in December 2014 (in which 13 Maoists had
escaped).
The CPI-Maoist cadres have allegedly
abducted four youths of Badadenguni village under Muniguda block
in Rayagada District of Odisha. The abducted have been identified
as Bali Karkaria, Hara Takri, Chela Karkaria and Nepal Takri,
informed Rayagada SP, Rahul PR, adding, the role of Maoists is
not confirmed behind the missing of youths, however, cadres of
BGN division were active in the area. Though the exact reason
behind the abduction is yet to be ascertained, the locals suspected
that the Maoists might have abducted the youths citing as ‘Police
informers’.
|
November 2
|
The Kerala Police confirmed that
six more youth from Kannur District have joined the Islamic State
(IS) in Syria. The Police said these people were active workers
of the PFI in Kerala. Those who have been identified now are Abdul
Khayyoom (25), resident of Chekikulam near Kuttiattoor, Abdul
Manaf P P (30), resident of Valapattanam, Shabeer Muhammed Shafi
(33), resident of Mooppanpara in Valapattanam, his relative Suhail
and his wife Rizwana, and Safwan (18), resident of Pazhanjirapally
in Pappinissery (All in Kannur District). Kannur DSP P P Sadanandan
said that all six men were active as PFI activists in the state.
Police said that these men managed to move out of India, possibly
to Syria, with fake passports.
Police said that the families
of four of them are in Syria, and efforts are on to get their
complete details. Khayyoom went to Syria on April 18, 2017, while
Abdul Manaf travelled using a fake passport, said Police. Moreover,
he was a close associate of Shahjahan Velluva, another IS operative
who was arrested in Delhi a few months ago. When Shahjahan and
his group reached Istanbul (Turkey) in an effort to sneak in to
Syria, Manaf had met them, but the group could not coordinate
and their bid to enter Syria failed, and they were deported. Suhail
reached Syria from Dubai in 2016, said Police. Last week, the
investigating team had confirmed the death of Safwan's brother
Salman and their father T V Shameer in Syria, along with three
others from the District.
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.
NSCN-K has served extortion notices
to big-sized and mini truck owners'' unions of Charaideo district.
Office-bearers of the unions on the condition of anonymity, told
that the first notice was purportedly issued by the NSCN-K with
a seal and signatures of a local commander and his subordinate
(a ‘ 2nd lieutenant’) stating to be of ‘Konyak region ‘ and demanding
INR 800,000 as ‘income tax’ was received on November 2 night.
The ‘notice’, issued in the pad of NSCN-K/GPRN, ordered the mini-truck
owners to pay INR 800,000 as ‘income tax’ for a three-year period,
namely 2015, 2016 and 2017 to the outfit within one week.
A combined team of Manipur Police
and Army arrested one active cadre of KCP - People War Group,
from Wabagai Bazaar area in Kakching District.
A combined team of Manipur Police
and AR arrested another active cadre of proscribed KCP-MJC from
Thoubal Bazaar area in Thoubal District.
The Police arrested two CPI-Maoist
cadres, identified as Kartam Hunga and Podiya Masa, are experts
in bomb-making, within Awapalli Police Station limits in Bijapur
District of Chhattisgarh. The Bijapur Police, in a press statement,
said, “The Additional Superintendent of Police [Bijapur] Mohit
Garg led a joint team of the DRG and the CoBRA in an anti-Maoist
operation in Hamrah, Murduda, Vayguda and Chatalpalli areas of
Bijapur. When the team was returning through Chatalpalli forest
road two youths were seen digging the road.” The members of the
team found the behaviour of the youths suspicious. When the SFs
approached the youths, they ran away. The team then cordoned off
the area and arrested both of them. The statement said, “One of
them was carrying a tiffin bomb and a long wire. A nylon rope,
pressure mechanism and electric wire were recovered from them
along with batteries.” The statement added, “Both of them confessed
that they were planting bombs to target the police parties. They
were produced before a court in Bijapur on Thursday.”
An alleged Maoist member was arrested
by SFs at Basaguda in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The Bijapur
Police said, Midium Kanna alias Fulla (36), was
wanted in cases under the Arms Act. He had warrants pending against
him in Basaguda Police Station.
The CPI-Maoist have released all
four residents of Badadenguni village in Rayagada District of
Odisha, after keeping them in captivity for four days, since their
abduction on October 29. The abductees identified as Bali Karkaria,
Hara Takri, Chela Karkaria and Nepal Takri were reportedly released
after intervention of two interlocutors from the village. While
the exact reason of the abduction of the villagers is yet to be
confirmed by Police, it suspects that they could have been captured
by the Maoists on suspicion of being ‘Police informers’. Notably,
at least 10 armed Maoists of BGN division of the CPI-Maoist raided
the village in the night of October 29, and took the four with
them.
|
November 3
|
The DRI arrested a man, identified
as Asikul Sekh recovered 198 FICNs along with a face value of
INR 3.96 lakh from near India-Bangladesh border in Malda District
of West Bengal. Investigations revealed that the FICNs were smuggled
into India from Bangladesh. Acting on a tip-off, accused Asikul
Sekh residing in Charianantpur village near the international
border was intercepted at the New Farakka Railway Station late
on Friday (November 3) evening, the official said. "The accused
was to board the Malda Town-Patna Intercity Express. Two plastic
packets were recovered from his possession which contained 198
fake notes of INR 2,000 denomination, totaling up to INR 3.96
lakh," the official said.
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.”
Four legislators of the AIUDF
have written to Assam Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami, requesting
a special session on the 2015 ‘framework agreement’ signed by
the Government of India and the NSCN-IM. The letter, signed by
MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) Aminul Islam, Aziz Ahmed
Khan, Suzam Uddin Laskar and Nijanur Rahman, was sent to Goswami
on November 2. The MLAs requested Goswami to call a special session
on the issue "as news has widely been spread by electronic
and print media that a large section of Assam has been included
in Greater Nagalim through the framework agreement".
Before this, the Assam Congress
and peasant rights organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti had
also demanded a special Assembly session on the issue. The ATTSA
on November 3 demanded that the Centre should make public the
contents of the framework agreement. "The people of Assam
are worried as the content of the framework agreement has been
kept in the dark though Assam will be affected by it. We demand
that the Centre make the contents of the agreement public,"
ATTSA general secretary Paban Bedia said.
Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun
Gogoi said that Manipur had already approached the Centre on the
issue while Assam was not doing anything to protect the territorial
integrity of the state.
The Government of India’s interlocutor
R.N. Ravi said that most of the substantial issues of the Naga
peace talks had been resolved and only symbolic issues needed
resolution. Ravi made the statement in a meeting held at Nagaland
House in New Delhi in the afternoon. Earlier in the day, Nagaland
Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, his cabinet ministers and MP (Member
of Parliament) Neiphiu Rio met UHM Rajnath Singh in his office.
Zeliang impressed upon Rajnath
the need for a final solution to the Naga political issue before
the Assembly elections next year. Rio said with the commitment
and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajnath, the
final settlement did not seem far and it would be in the interest
of all if it was arrived at before Christmas. Rajnath hoped that
a settlement to the Naga political issue would be arrived at soon.
A two-member consultative committee,
constituted by the Manipur Government to monitor peace talks between
the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, is also in New Delhi
to discuss progress of the talks with central officials. The team
met Ravi and Union Home secretary Rajiv Gauba on November 2. It
is believed to have conveyed to the officials the Manipur Government's
stand on its territorial integrity. They also plan to meet National
Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval and other stakeholders.
A DRG trooper, identified as Mohit
Patel, was killed in an exchange of fire with CPI-Maoist cadres
in the forest of Binagunda village under Chhote Bethiya Police
Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The incident
took place when a joint team of DRG and local Police was out on
a search operation; it came under heavy fire from a group of ultras
leading to the gun-battle between the two sides at Binagunda forest.
However, Maoists soon escaped from the spot on finding security
personnel zeroing in on them, a Police official said.
Four Maoists, including a woman,
were arrested following an encounter between SFs and Maoists in
Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The cadres were arrested from
Mirtoor Police Station area when a joint team of SFs was out on
a search operation, a local Police official said. When the patrolling
team reached between Madpal and Tamodi it came under fire from
a group of Maoists following which the encounter broke out, and
after the firing stopped, four Maoists, including a woman, were
arrested while they were trying to flee from the spot, he said.
Of them, the woman cadre was identified as Lakkhe (26) who was
active as a member of military platoon no 13 under Bhairamgarh
area committee of Maoists, the officer said, adding, that a muzzle
loading gun was also recovered from her possession. The remaining
cadres were identified as Moti Vetti (26), a ‘Jan Militia commander’,
Bijju Telam (19) and Gutta Madkam (22), both Jan Militia members,
he said.
The Union Government assured all
assistance to the Chhattisgarh Government to deal with Naxalism,
which continue to pose a threat to several States. UHM Rajnath
Singh gave the assurance to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman
Singh at a meeting in New Delhi, which was attended by senior
officers of the Central and State Governments, a statement said.
The two leaders noted that the declining trend of left- wing extremism
continues across the country. Naxalism-related incidents
have dropped by 21 per cent as compared to the corresponding period
last year. Naxalites are under pressure with
ever shrinking influence, both in terms of geographical spread
and public support, they noted. Security and development-related
measures required to achieve the same were discussed, the statement
said. Important development schemes include the RRP Phase I under
which Chhattisgarh was sanctioned 1,988 kilometres of road out
of which 1,351 kilometres have been completed. Under the newly
launched RRP-II, Chhattisgarh has been sanctioned 891 kilometres
of road. To improve mobile connectivity, 519 mobile towers have
been installed in Phase-I. Another 1028 towers are being planned
in Phase-II of the project. In addition, 11 IRB and two
Special IRBs have been sanctioned to the State. The Central Government
provides security-related assistance to the State which includes
provision for CAPF personnel, helicopters, UAVs among others.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter with the Gadchiroli Police in Bhamragadh tehsil in
the Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on October 2, according
to a press release issued by the Police. “An encounter ensued
between the police and the Naxals in the forest near Kothi village
in Bhamragadh tehsil close to the border of Narayanpur district
of Chhattisgarh on October 2 between 4.30 and 5,00 pm. The Naxalites
fled after the police built intense pressure through retaliatory
firing. A search of the spot after the incident revealed the body
of a Naxalite, whose identity is yet to be established,” the press
note said. It also added, “The search also revealed one SLR gun,
one air gun, a mobile phone, blasting material and Naxal literature.”
A six-member armed group, suspected
to be CPI-Maoist cadres, threatened a shopkeeper at gunpoint at
his house in Wayanad District of Kerala. The Police said the group
in green uniform reached the house of Moideen of Melmuriyil Kodiyadan,
who runs a small provision store at Pozhuthana under the Vythiri
Police Station limits, around 1 a.m. The team threatened Moideen
at gunpoint and asked him to provide them food. When he tried
to call his family members, the armed men forbade him to do so.
Later, they took him to his shop beside the house and took away
provisions such as tea dust, rusk, biscuits, bun, and sugar, the
Police said. The team left to the nearby Kurichyarmala forest
after spending nearly one hour in the area, the Police said.
|
November 4
|
The Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested
one suspected Islamic State (IS) terrorist, identified as Abu
Zaid (37) from the Mumbai Airport, soon after deboarding a flight
from Riyadh. "Abu Zaid, suspected ISIS terrorist was arrested
by the ATS team from Mumbai Airport yesterday (November 4) after
he came from Saudi Arabia," ADG - Law and order, Anand Kumar
said. He said Zaid was residing in Riyadh and formed a social
media group to allegedly radicalise youths and lure them to ISIS.
Abu Zaid of Azamagarh District
of Uttar Pradesh, who had been staying in Riyadh for a year, allegedly
used a highly-secure chat application Threema, for his
conversations with his targets from western UP, Kumar said. 'Threema'
provides random IDs to users without asking them to provide a
phone number or e-mail address. Abu Zaid was later brought to
Lucknow on a transit remand. A police team was sent to Zaid's
house in Azamgarh.
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.
PDCK group has called for a 24-hour
total bandh (shutdown) starting from November 7. In a press note,
PDCK ‘red army’s ‘chief of army staff’, ‘captain’ David Mukrang
alleged that the bandh has been called in protest against alleged
“atrocity and torture committed against its ‘functionaries’, Raju
Engleng and Logsing Teron, by Indian occupational forces.”
The HNLC ‘publicity secretary’
Saiñkupar Nongtraw stated that it was keeping a low profile as
it was preparing implement its hit list that is topped by the
incumbent CM, Mukul Sangma. “The CM is also included into the
top hit list. In case, if he loses the 2018 upcoming legislative
assembly elections he shall become very vulnerable and it will
be easy for us to hunt him down..
The Centre will provide INR 7
billion for the development of CPI-Maoist-affected Districts of
Chhattisgarh. The funds will be provided in the next three years
under the SCA scheme. A meeting, presided over by UHM Rajnath
Singh, was held in New Delhi on November 3, to review development
works and security operations in Maoist-affected regions of the
State. During the meeting, it was decided that more emphasis should
be given on finding effective ways to provide maximum benefits
of road and telephone connectivity and other public welfare schemes
to beneficiaries.
The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze
nine vehicles kept in the contractor’s camp at Narengtola in Melakajoba
village under Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada District of Odisha,
to protest the construction of a road in the region. According
to reports, eight masked Maoists stormed into the camp, threatened
the workers to leave the place and set ablaze the vehicles, including
four tractors, four motorcycles, one Bolero SUV and a JCB. The
Maoists committed the act as they were reportedly protesting the
Gunduriguda-Lakhapadar road work under PMGSY.
|
November 5
|
An absconding accused involved
in printing FICNs and circulating them in market, identified as
Abhishek Chouhan was arrested by Bhopal city crime branch in Betma
in Indore District. He was on the run after his five accomplices
were arrested a few days ago. ASP (crime) Amarendra Singh said
that following a tip off about the presence of accused Abhishek
Chouhan in his residence in Betma, a joint team of crime branch
and MIG Police Station reached Betma and arrested him. A printer,
cutter and fake notes amounting INR 7,100 were also recovered
from the accused.
During sustained interrogation,
the accused told Police that he works with a company in Pithampur.
Prime accused of the gang Naresh had given him lift on his bike
in Pithampur a few days ago following which they became friends.
Naresh told him that he prints FICNs of INR 2000, 500 and 100
at home. Later, Naresh gave him fake notes of INR 5,000 to circulate
it in the market. Abhishek later started printing fake notes with
Naresh and accused Rameshwar at their home in Pithampur. To circulate
the notes in the market, they included Rajesh, Chandrashekhar
and Nandu in their group. Abhishek also confessed to circulate
fake notes in Indore, Dhar and Ujjain as well.
Earlier, Crime Branch team had
arrested five accused named Naresh Pawar, Narendra Chouhan, Rajesh
Mali, Chandrashekhar Parmar and Rameshwar Parihar a week ago in
connection with the printing of FICN and recovered INR 2.60 lakh
from them. The investigation is underway into the case.
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.
A 12-hour bandh (shutdown strike)
called by the MCPM over misappropriation of Public Distribution
System items paralyzed life in the Imphal city. The group also
demanded resignation of Consumer Affairs and Food Public Distribution
Minister Karam Shyam.
NSA Ajit Doval categorically stated
that the solution to the Naga political problem has to be a win-win
situation for all in order to create a congenial atmosphere for
acceptance of the agreement between Union Government and the ‘Naga
National groups’.
SFs arrested a ‘private’ of NSCN-IM,
Ganhee Wangpan, from Longding village in Longding District. A
pistol and live ammunition was recovered from his possession.
Post spot interrogation, the cadre admitted to being active part
of the outfit since 2010 and had undergone training at NSCN training
camp, said the PRO-Defence release. The cadre has been actively
involved in extortion activities in Longding and Tirap District
and has been apprehended twice before in 2010 and 2012, it added.
One SOG trooper was injured by
CPI-Maoist cadres in combing operation in Mahakhanda forest in
Kantabanji in Balangir District of Odisha. The Maoists attacked
the SOG team while they were going from a combing operation in
the region. There was an exchange of fire in which the trooper,
identified as Chandrabhanu Bhoi, was hit by a bullet in the stomach.
The AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist claimed
responsibility for the hijacking of a boat laden with ration for
BSF personnel near Totapadar in the “cut-off” region of the Malkangiri
District of Odisha. In a letter, the Maoists have mentioned that
the loot was to protest the Andhra Pradesh Police’s arrest of
three innocent villagers from Andarapalli Panchayat in
the District in the name of Maoist cadres. Earlier, the Police
used to stand by the people in difficult times, but now have changed
their attitude and are least bothered about the villagers’ plight,
alleged the Maoists in the letter.
Several posters extolling the
Russian Revolution of 1917 have appeared in the name of CPI-Maoist
along the Charla-Pusuguppa main road at Pujarigudem village in
Charla Mandal of Bhadrachalam Agency in Bhadradri-Kothagudem
District of Telangana. The posters, purportedly put up by the
Maoists, contained slogans urging people to participate in the
week-long centenary celebrations of the Russian Revolution from
November 7-13 across the State, sources said.
|
November 4
|
Police arrested one KCP-Noyon
militant, ‘corporal’ Khuraijam Ingocha Singh alias Black
alias Kakabi (44), in a search operation carried out in
and around Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai in Imphal West District.
|
November 5
|
The NIA has decided to send a
team to Manila in the Philippines to interrogate a notorious woman
recruiter for the Islamic State (IS) terror group, Karen Aisha
Hamidon, who radicalised several Indians in the last three years
through social media. Sources said the NIA was already in touch
with investigators in Manila following her arrest last month.
A proposal for the planned visit would be sent soon through the
UMHA.
Minister C.P. Singh's distant
relative Gupteshwar Singh, whose wife is a mukhiya, was
beaten up with sticks by TPC cadres at Nawgarha village in Vishrampur
in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The TPC also wanted Gupteshwar's
mukhiya wife to pay INR 30,000 as ‘levy’ for building roads from panchayat funds.
TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Police arrested two NDFB-IKS militants,
Ananta Boro alias Ankhwma and Kwrawmga alias Krawmshar
Basumatary at Batachipur under Dhekiajuli Police Station in Sonitpur
District along the interstate boundary with Arunachal Pradesh.
The police recovered a pistol, 12 bullets along with a magazine
and a mobile phone from them.
|
November 6
|
An IM undertrial, Naki Ahmed Wasi
Ahmed Sheikh (28), who was arrested in connection with the Mumbai
triple blasts on July 13, 2011, was injured in Taloja jail in
Raigad District of Maharashtra after another inmate assaulted
him with a tin sheet. The brawl between Sheikh and Amir Khan,
another undertrial arrested in a murder case occurred in their
barrack. “We have registered the case under Section 324 of the
IPC for causing hurt by dangerous weapon, and will arrest Mr.
Khan,” SI Seema Mundhe said.
The recoveries and seizures of
FICNs in the current year following demonetisation have witnessed
a sharp drop from the levels recorded in 2016 and 2015. The face
value of FICN recovered across the country between November 2016,
when demonetisation was announced, and November 6, 2017, totalled
INR 16 crore, less than one-third of the INR 51.3 crore recovered
in 2016. In 2015, this figure was INR 44.2 crore, according to
data on FICN seizures.
Gujarat ATS picked up one person,
identified as Uruzkhan Pathan of Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) for questioning
in connection with the firearms which were to be supplied to alleged
Islamic State (IS) operatives, Ubaid Mirza and Kasim Stimberwala
who were arrested by Gujarat ATS on October 25. According to the
FIR registered by ATS, both Mirza and Stimberwala were planning
to carry out 'lone wolf' attacks on a synagogue in Khamasa area
of Ahmedabad city to kill Jews. Senior ATS officials said that
Pathan had been picked up but not yet arrested. He works at a
bakery in Ujjain. "During Pathan's interrogation, it came
to light that Ubaid Mirza had met him in Delhi," said a senior
ATS official. Later, Ubaid had phoned Pathan and asked him to
arrange for an imported pistol and some ammunition.
Senior ATS officials said they
suspect that Pathan knew that the weapons were to be used for
a lone wolf attack on the Synagogue in Khamasa area of Ahmedabad.
"On the directions of Ubaid, Stimberwala had recced the Synagogue
on 12th of September with logistic support from two in Ahmedabad.
Both Ubaid and Stimberwala were to flee to Jamaica after the attack
to take shelter with a radical preacher named Mohammed el Faisal
who was born as William Forrest" a senior ATS official added.
Sources in ATS also said Ubaid was in contact with one Zabiullah
of Tamil Nadu who was to help him smuggle gold with the help of
one air hostess based in Tamil Nadu. "We have dispatched
a team to Tamil Nadu to record the statement of Zabiullah and
track the air hostess," an ATS officer said.
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.
The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist
imposters, including a businessman, on the charge of carrying
out extortion in Sheohar District of Bihar. Acting on a tip off,
a Police team led by Sheohar SDPO, Pritish Kumar raided a garments
shop at Babali Chowk in the District headquarters town and arrested
Devendra Ram alias Dev. They also seized copies
of extortion letters sent to businessmen, brick kiln owners and
other professionals. Devendra, Police said, was the kingpin of
the group that operated in the garb of Maoists. During interrogation,
Devendra admitted he had sent threat letters to three businessmen
- Pintu Tiwary, Reza Ahmad and Bechan Kumar - demanding extortion.
Four of his associates are residents of East Champaran and the
others to Sheohar and Sitamarhi Districts.
The JJMP cadres exchanged fire
with the SFs in Manika in Latehar District of Jharkhand. After
the encounter, two JJMP cadres, identified as Chintaman Ganjhu
and Kamlesh Yadav were arrested by the SFs. Chintaman is being
treated for bullet injuries, while Kamlesh is being interrogated
at an undisclosed spot in Latehar. Police also claimed, at least
two more cadres sustained bullets and have intensified search
in forests of Barwaia-Kumrahi in Manika where over 350 rounds
were fired, 200 by the cadres alone. JJMP is a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist.
Two powerful landmines placed
under a culvert by the CPI-Maoist cadres, were unearthed by the
Police near Abbaigudem village in Venkatapur mandal on
the highway towards Bhadrachalam in Jayashankar Bhupalpally District
of Telangana. According to information, each landmine weighing
500 kilograms and some gelatine sticks were planted by the Maoists
near Abbaigudem village near Morlonigudem Gram Panchayat.
Police found electric wire of 2.5-kilometres length meant for
detonating the landmines. Two days ago, the Maoists had left some
pamphlets at the same place.
Guwahati city Police busted a
FICN printing unit at house number 10 on Minaj Path at Sijubari
under Hatigaon Police Station and FICN with a face value of INR
300,000. City Police commissioner Hiren Chandra Nath said the
seized FICN were in denomination of INR 200, INR 500 and INR 2,000. The
owner of the house, Sahida Latif Begum, has told the police that
three persons, Jainal Ahmed (45), Azmal Hoque (31) and Jiabuddin
Lashkar (30), had taken her house on rent six months ago but she
had no idea about their illegal activities. "We are trying
to track them down. We have learnt that the accused hail from
Barak Valley and efforts are on to find their permanent addresses,"
a Police source said.
The ABSU, NDFB-PTF and the PJACBM
staged a three-hour demonstration and blood signature campaign
demanding early creation of Bodoland state and political rights
to the Bodos residing outside the BTC region.
The AJYCP, ATASU and ATYP were
among the organisations organised a sit-in in front of the Charaideo
Deputy Commissioner's office as a protest against the framework
agreement signed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM. These organisations
were demanding the Centre to make the agreement public.
Police arrested a NDFB-IKS cadre,
Swmkhwr Narzary alias N Sibilang (25), from Mwndarguri
village under Amguri Police Station of Chirang District.
SFs arrested KYKL militant, ‘sergeant’
Sorokhaibam Omita Devi alias Memcha (26), while conducting
a search operation in and around Chairel Awang Leikai in Kakching
District.
Director General of Police SB
Singh asked the State intelligence agencies to assess the threat
perception to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Cabinet Minister
Ampareen Lyngdoh following the statement by militant group HNLC.
The Union Government has offered
a final repatriation deal to Reang refugees in Tripura, saying
that it would stop all relief if they do not return to Mizoram
in January 2018. Dates for the process will be finalized this
December, said Special Secretary (internal security) Mahesh Kumar
Singla, who visited refugee camps in North Tripura district (Tripura)
on November 6.
|
November 7
|
The Central Government has decided
to create two new divisions in the UMHA to shape up policy and
response to these new-age threats like radicalisation, mostly
online, and cyber crimes. The two new divisions, counter-radicalisation
and cyber security are likely to be created as part of an administrative
restructuring plan that will see the merger of four existing divisions
of the UMHA into two. The judicial division and Centre-State divisions
are being rolled into one, as are international cooperation and
public grievances divisions. "Though home ministry will continue
to have 18 divisions even after the restructuring, eliminating
the need for Cabinet approval, consolidation of four divisions
into two will create space for two additional divisions headed
by joint-secretary level officers. The structural changes are
likely to take effect in the next few days, possibly within this
month," said a UMHA functionary.
While the counter-radicalisation
division will focus on tracking and assessing the online reach
of global terrorist outfits like the Islamic State (IS) terror
group and devising strategies to counter their propaganda, the
cyber security division will monitor online crimes and threats,
including cyber fraud and hacking, and suggest ways to minimize
and fight them. "Online radicalisation has become a global
phenomenon, given the growing use of social media by terrorists
outfits for propaganda. Though this problem is not too pronounced
in India, with only a few youth influenced enough to join IS or
travel to Iraq/Syria, the need for a counter-radicalisation division
and policy was felt as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was keen
that the problem be "nipped in the bud," said a UMHA
officer.
The newly appointed envoy of Russia
to India, Ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said that Russia’s relation
with India is ‘privileged and strategic’ and Moscow shares New
Delhi’s counter-terrorism concerns. Addressing the media for the
first time since his appointment, Nikolay Kudashev said Russia
supported India’s pursuit of global convention against terrorism.
“We stand united on majority of issues [with India] including
the [UN] comprehensive convention on counter-terrorism,” said
Mr. Kudashev.
Demonetisation has choked the
flow of funds to terrorists in J&K besides adversely impacting
the LWE in several parts of the country, Defence Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman said. She also said that the number of incidents of
stone pelting in Kashmir has come down since summer and suggested
that it was the result of fund crunch being faced by terror outfits
due to the note ban. “The data shows flow of funds to the terrorists
has clearly been choked after demonetisation,” Sitharaman said.
She said the terrorists are “really running short of funds. There
have been a lot of attempted bank robberies and it clearly shows
that demonetisation or withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency
notes has affected the flow of funds for terrorism.”
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh
claimed that his Police force had cracked the string of targeted
killings of religious leaders in the State by busting a terror
module managed by Pakistan-based ISI. Amarinder said ISI was working
in tandem with gangsters and ‘cells’ abroad to destabilise Punjab.
The victims include RSS leader Brig Jagdish Gagneja (Retd), RSS
activist Ravinder Gosain, Pastor Sultan Masih and two Dera Sacha
Sauda supporters. Most of the killings took place in Ludhiana,
Khanna and Jalandhar.
Amarinder said that four persons
have been arrested in this connection. This included UK national
Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi, who had landed in India
on October 2. Others are Jimmy Singh, who had stayed in the UK
for several years, and alleged gangster Dharmendra alias
Guggni, who was lodged in Nabha jail and had supplied weapons
to the killers. The fourth accused, who is believed to be the
main shooter in various cases, was caught on November 7th
afternoon. Police officials said his identity cannot be revealed
at this juncture as he is still being interrogated. Amarinder
said, "Forensic and ballistic evidence in these cases matched,
which confirms the hand of this module. The module was using encrypted
mobile software and their main handler was the ISI, besides cells
in other countries. The objective was to further ISI's agenda
of carrying out anti-India activities to fan communal tension."
Interrogation of the four conspirators showed that they had met
and were trained in various places abroad and had been using encrypted
mobile software and apps for communication with handlers based
in Pakistan and some western countries.
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.
At least six cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
including a woman cadre, were killed by the SFs in two simultaneous
encounters that took place in the Abujhmadh area in Narayanpur
District of Chhattisgarh. When the operations were undergoing
near Dhurbeda in the morning, the SFs came under heavy fire from
a group of armed Maoists, leading to strong retaliation by the
SFs. After the encounter stopped, the SFs recovered a body of
a woman Maoist along with weapons. Later in the afternoon, five
Maoists were killed in another exchange of fire between SFs and
Maoists near Pinka village. Two .303 rifle, five .315 bore rifles,
one 12 bore gun and one pistol were recovered by the SFs in the
two encounters. ADGP, Anti-Naxal Operations, Durgesh Madhav Awasthi
said, five Maoists were gunned down during an encounter at Pinka
village, the woman Maoist was eliminated also in another encounter
at Dhurbeda forests, both under restive Narayanpur District. Awasthi
further informed the media persons that the SFs recovered nine
weapons, including two .303 rifles and large number of Naxal materials
and literatures during both these operations. Both the operations
were taken place in the interiors of Abujhmadh area, considered
Maoist hotbed, he added. The identity of the killed Maoists were
yet to be established as the operation is sill still underway
in the region and will conclude by tomorrow, he said.
A large number of Maoists' posters
were found pasted at Saria area, Chichaki Railway gate, hotel,
Chirua water tank, and other villages of Saria block in Giridih
District of Jharkhand. The posters in red ink appealed to locals
to dethrone the local operation of “green-hunt” as well as Raghubar
Das Government as it supports capitalism. The Maoists also raised
voice against the domicile policy of the Government in the poster.
They asked the villagers to get united against the “Operation
Green Hunt” in which Police have been killing innocent villagers,
they also appealed to the local people to organise Kranti Diwas.
Saria SDPO, Deepak Kumar Verma said that Police have removed the
posters which were pasted to instill fear among the residents.
The Maoists have lost their domination here, he said. "We
have intensified raids in the areas to nab the Maoists,"
added the SDPO.
CPI-Maoist posters resurfaced
in Narayanpatna of Koraput District of Odisha, with the Maoist
cadres appealing people to participate in the week-long centenary
celebrations of the Russian Revolution from November 7-13 across
the State. The posters have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam
division of the CPI-Maoist at various places in Narayanpatna.
They have called upon people to draw inspiration from Russia’s
Bolshevik Revolution dating back to 1917 and strive to achieve
the New Democratic Revolution in India. The rebel outfit has also
asked all organised and unorganised labourers to launch a powerful
agitation demanding eight hours work, minimum wages, social security
and labour law. The posters also urged the people to protest the
false arrests and encounters of people by the Police under the
Naveen Patnaik Government. Similar posters were also found in
Bandhugaon block of the District on November 3.
Police claimed that a group of
well-equipped and trained NDFB-IKS militants, accompanied by a
highly sophisticated arms trainer, had entered Assam with the
"objective" of disrupting the NRC update process.
Police arrested one NDFB-IKS cadre
along with an overground worker, Sukron Basumatary alias B.
Saorailang (26) and Badam Goyari, from Dwimuguri village under
Panbari Police Station in Chirang District. The Police recovered
a pistol, 12 bullets along with a magazine and a mobile phone
from them.
NIA arrested a NDFB-IKS militant,
identified as Upen Basumatary alias Jathi alias Uasaobadao
(41), who is a prime accused in the killing of at least 11 Adivasi
villagers, including three minors, at Shantipur village of Kokrajhar
district in December 2014. The militant was already lodged
in the Kokrajhar jail in connection with other criminal cases.
UNC expressed its disappointment
on the alleged “dilly-dallying tactics employed” by the State
Government and the Central Government on the district creation
issue. The next 'tripartite talks' on the District creation issue
is scheduled for November 10 at Senapati district headquarters.
|
November 8
|
Uttar Pradesh Police busted a
FICN racket and arrested one member, identified as Abul Hassan
along with FICN worth of INR 30 lakh at Behat in Saharanpur District.
SSP, Bablu Kumar said that on tip off Police raided at Pathlokhar
village and arrested Abul Hassan while his two accomplices managed
to flee. Kumar said during interrogation Abul disclosed that racket
of three miscreants had plan of purchasing gold after printing
FICNs.
Kerala Police have registered
a case against eight persons for joining the Islamic State (IS)
and going to Syria to wage the 'holy war'. The case has been
registered against Shybu Nihar from Thamarassery in Kozhikode
District, Shahnad from Kannur District, Mansoor from Kondotty
in Malappuram District, Mansoor from Vadakara in Kozhikode District,
Fajid from Koyilandi in Kozhikode District, Ashraf Moulavi from
Vaniyambalam in Malappuram District, Safeer from Perumbavoor in
Ernakulam District and Muhadhis from Vaniyambalam in Malappuram
District. Among them, Shahnad, Mansoor (Kondotty), Mansoor (Vadakara)
and Muhadhis are believed to be killed in Syria.
Wandoor Police have registered
the case under Section 38 and 39 of the UAPA on the basis of confessions
of U K Hamza, a Thalassery (Kannur District) native who was arrested
by Police on October 26. They said Hamza had confessed that he
met Shybu while he was in Bahrain 20 years ago and that they used
to discuss religious matters. They were in contact after Hamza
left Bahrain. Shybu told Hamza that some youths had already left
for Syria to join the IS. Hamza said the youths had contacted
him over phone to clear their doubts on doing Hijra (migration)
to Islamic countries. Quoting various religious texts, Hamza advised
them that it would be better to go to Syria. The group had met
at various places, including at the houses of Hamza and Ashraf
Moulavi. Hamza further told the police the youths had told him
that Ashraf Moulavi and Safeer had conducted classes at a Salafi
centre in Bahrain. It was reported that Moulavi and Safeer had
an important role in radicalising youths, known as the `Bahrain
Group'. District Police Chief Debesh Kumar Behra said the group
of men who were in Bahrain were on the radar of the State's investigation
agency.
Alleged Islamic State (IS) operatives
Kasim Stimberwala and Ubaid Mirza were sent on Police remand for
six more days in Gujarat. Both were arrested by Gujarat ATS on
October 25 on charges of planning to attack a synagogue in Khamasa
area of Ahmedabad and then flee to Jamaica. Both were to take
shelter with a radical preacher, Abdullah el Faisal of Jamaica,
said a Police officer. ATS officials said they are keeping watch
for the weapons and firearms that they had allegedly been acquired
to attack the synagogue.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that controversial televangelist Zakir
Naik, who has been charge sheeted under terror charges in India,
will be extradited if a formal request is sent to Malaysia under
MLAT by the Indian Government. The Malaysian newspapers reported
that Hamidi informed the lower house in Malaysia that it was yet
to receive any formal extradition request from India. NIA sources
said they will send an extradition request to Malaysia through
Ministry of External Affairs as soon as the court takes the cognizance
of its charge sheet filed against Zakir Naik last month. Naik
has been accused of money laundering and radicalising several
Indian Muslim youths through his speeches.
The terror module busted by the
Punjab Police on November 5 was allegedly operated by Pakistan-based
KZF militant Harmeet alias Happy alias PHD, while
the network of all operatives was spread in the UK, France and
Italy. Happy’s name had figured in the questioning of the members
of the previous terror modules also. The accused whose arrest
was announced on November 7, Jimmy Singh of Jammu, Jagtar Singh
Johal alias Jaggi and gangster Dharmendra alias
Guggni, were being questioned for further leads. Police sources
claimed that the questioning had revealed they operated with a
new modus operandi in which sub-groups of the module worked on
different aspects of the killings.
The sources said unlike the usual
functioning of the Pakistan’s ISI, this terror module operated
with one group arranging the weapons, another radicalising the
youths, yet another finalising the targets and conducting recce,
while the fourth carrying out the killings. The questioning has
revealed that after the killings, the assailants quietly went
about their life. “None of them had a criminal record. They were
not known criminals or activists of a specific ideology,” said
a Police official. Though the Police are tight-lipped about the
ongoing investigations into the links and activities of the terror
module, the sources said the assailants had revealed they were
influenced into killing of Hindu leaders by tales of atrocities
on Sikhs during 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The shooter who has confessed
to his involvement in the seven targeted killings in Punjab, including
RSS leaders Brigadier Jagdish Gagneja (retd.) and Ravinder Gosain,
since last year has been identified as Ramadeep Singh alias
Raman Canadian (28), a resident of Chuharwal in Ludhiana District.
After his arrest on November 7, Ramandeep was produced in Baghapurana
court on November 8 and has been remanded to seven days of Police
custody. During his interrogation, Ramandeep revealed that he
had selected his targets to carry out killings at the behest of
his ISI handlers and some of the KLF leaders, who have taken refuge
in Pakistan, so as to create communal disturbances to destabilise
the State.
Punjab DGP Suresh Arora interrogated
four suspects for the murders of religious figures that took place
in the State in the past months. Arora arrived at Moga (Moga District)
a day after Chief Minister Amarinder Singh declared that the high
profile cases of the killings of religious figures had been solved
with the arrest of four persons. Amarinder had also claimed that
the gang members were being funded by Pakistan-based ISI. Harminder
Singh Mintoo of the KLF and one of the main accused in Nabha jailbreak
case is also learnt to have been brought to Moga on November 8
for questioning. Moga SSP Rajjit Singh confirmed that five suspects,
including Mintoo, were in custody of the Moga Police and DGP Suresh
Arora had questioned them personally.
A woman originally from India
was among three Singaporeans arrested under the ISA for supporting
the Islamic State (IS) and terrorism-related activities, authorities
in Singapore said. Of the three, Adzrul Azizi bin Bajuri (19)
was issued with a Restriction Order, while Abu Thalha bin Samad
(25) and Munavar Baig Amina Begam (38) were issued with Detention
Orders, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore said in a statement.
Amina, a housewife and a naturalised Singapore Citizen originally
from India, is an ISIS supporter and harboured the intention to
make her way to the conflict zone to join IS, the Ministry said.
She was radicalised by a foreign online contact, who shared pro-IS
materials with her and convinced her that ISIS was fighting to
defend Sunnis in the conflict zone, it said. “She was radicalised
to the extent that she was prepared to undergo military training
and take up arms to fight for ISIS in the Middle-East if called
upon by ISIS to do so,” the statement said.
Amina shared on social media materials
promoting terrorism. She was issued a Detention Order for a period
of two years this month. Of the two men, Abu Thalha was found
to be a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). He
was educated in JI-linked schools in the region and also underwent
paramilitary training in some of the schools he attended.
The Anti Extortion Cell of the
Mumbai Crime Branch arrested two persons, identified as Sana-ul
(22) and Suleiman (46) along with FICN worth of INR 480,000 in
Dongri in Thane District. The two accused were found to be in
possession of 240 fake INR 2,000 notes. They were of superior
quality and had the same serial numbers. Investigating officials
said the accused hailed from Malda District of West Bengal and
were part of a large group of residents of border towns who are
regularly used as conduits of fake currency.
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.
Two RPF jawans were attacked by
a gang of suspected CPI-Maoist cadres at the Bacheli Railway station
in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. According to reports, both
the jawans were found with their throats slit. While one jawan
succumbed at the station, another was rushed to a nearby hospital
where his condition is said to be very critical. Police said that
they suspect the hand of Maoists behind this heinous act.
A jawan of the STF was injured
in an encounter with the Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The skirmish took place in the morning in a forest in Regargatta
village of Sukma when a joint team of personnel from different
SFs was out in an anti-Maoist operation. The composite squad of
STF, DRG and District Force was passing through the forest in
Regargatta, when the SFs came under heavy fire from a group of
Maoists, leading to an exchange of fire between the two sides.
The Maoists, however, soon escaped into the dense forest and a
constable of the STF sustained bullet injury in the incident.
A wanted CPI-Maoist cadre, Lakhinder
Patar, was arrested during a joint combing operation by Seraikela-Kharsawan
District Police and 196 battalion of CRPF from Bada Bandi village
in Kuchai block of Seraikela-Kharsawan District of Jharkhand.
Seraikela-Kharsawan SP, Chandan Kumar Sinha, said that acting
on a tip-off, the joint combing operation was carried in the forest
area of Bada Bandi village. The Police said the team managed to
arrest the Maoist cadre who identified himself as the aide to
‘zonal commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Maharaj Pramanik. Lakhinder
was wanted in connection with several murder and loot cases.
Normal life in the capital city
of Imphal was hit because of a 12-hour strike (5am-5pm) imposed
by the MCPM demanding action against the culprits responsible
for misappropriation of PDS items in the State.
Assam and Meghalaya Police in
a joint operation arrested five militants, including three militants
of GNLA and two from TLA from Salang area in East Jaintia Hills
District. The five arrested were identified as ‘commander’ Motilal
Deori, Sourav Deka (TLA cadre), Khasang .A. Marak (GNLA), Smart
.A. Marak (GNLA) and Arween .A. Marak (linkmen GNLA). The 'commander'
of TLA, Motilal Deori had issued an extortion note to Tiwa Autonomous
Council (TAC), Chief Executive Member (CEM) Paban Manta demanding
INR 5 million.
The draft MoS proposed to be signed
between the Mizoram Government and the HPC-D was approved at the
consultation meeting of the Hmar community. The meeting was convened
by the "Hmar Inpui" (apex Hmar body) and chaired by
Joseph Lalrothanga, ‘president’ of the Hmar Inpui. The meeting
also approved the draft Sinlung Hills Council Bill, 2017, which
is required to be approved by the Mizoram council of ministers
before its introduction in the State Legislature.
|
November 9
|
The trial in the first Islamic
State (IS)-related case registered in Kerala, in which 15 persons
from Kasaragod District migrated to Afghanistan to join the terror
group, began at the NIA Court in Kochi. NIA-II Court judge Santhosh
Kumar examined three witnesses on the first day of the trial.
The lone arrested person, Yasmeen Mohammed Zahid of Bihar was
produced at the court as part of the trial.
“The witnesses examined by the
court on the first day include the brother of Abdulla Abdul Rashid
of Kasaragod, his aunt and a village officer, who is an official
witness. Abdul Abdulla Rashid is the prime accused in the case
and his brother has deposed some crucial matters regarding the
case before the judge. As many as five witnesses will be examined
on Friday,” an NIA officer said. Though there are 16 accused persons
in the case, the NIA had filed the first chargesheet against Rashid
and Yasmeen. The probe against the other accused is still proceeding.
There are 68 prosecution witnesses in the case. The witness examination
will be completed on December 4. NIA prosecutor Arjun Ambalapatta
appeared for the investigation agency.
A NIA official’s team questioned
two persons in Chennai for their alleged links with the Islamic
State (IS). NIA sources said the two men, identified as Mohammed
Jaffer of Kondithope and Sahib of Mannadi, were questioned by
a team of officials from Delhi in a secluded place in Chennai
city. They were summoned to appear before them to inquire after
IS sympathiser Shajahan VK had spilled the beans about them during
questioning. NIA officials said Shajahan, hailing from Kannur
District in Kerala, was deported from Turkey in July after a failed
attempt to enter Syria. The Delhi Police arrested him in July
after he was deported from Turkey. The NIA took over a case from
the Delhi Police in September.
Inquiries revealed that Jaffer
and Sahib met Shajahan during their visit to Uttar Pradesh in
2016. Shajahan disclosed to intelligence agencies about the presence
of 17 people from Kerala in the IS in Syria and Iraq. Shajahan
had visited Turkey for carrying out terrorist activities after
procuring an Indian passport in the fake name of Mohammad Ismail
Mohideen. He travelled to Turkey from Chennai in February.
The SGPC president Kirpal Singh
Badungar said that “as per a SC ruling, there is nothing wrong
in raising the demand for Khalistan”, a separate Sikh nation,
and that “it is neither unconstitutional nor an offence”. He was
talking to mediapersons in Amritsar in Punjab at Guru Ramdas Medical
College where he attended a function along with Punjab’s Health
Minister Brahm Mohindra. Badungar was replying to a question related
to election of a Sikh as Mayor of Hoboken city in the US and reacting
to alleged ‘labels such as terrorists and Khalistani attached
with Sikhs.’
He was apparently referring to
the SC verdict in a case about two men having shouted some slogans
in Chandigarh after assassination of Indira Gandhi in Delhi
in 1984. The court had held that mere shouting of slogans did
not amount to sedition unless there was incitement to violence.
When specifically asked to comment on some Sikh leaders living
abroad being termed ‘Khalistanis’, he referred to movements going
on in other parts of the world: “Irish people have been fighting
against England. Similarly, we can consider the conflict between
South Korea and North Korea. The conflict between Shia and Sunni
Muslims in as many as 37 countries is another instance... This
is not only an issue about Sikhs, but also of others.”
The Punjab Police identified the
fourth accused of the terror module as Ramandeep Singh, the sharp-shooter
seen in CCTV footages with covered face on a motorcycle. Sources
said Ramandeep had revealed the name of KLF chief Harminder Singh
Mintoo during his interrogation, following which the Moga Police
brought him from the Nabha jail on a production warrant. After
bursting the ISI terror module, the Police on November 9 claimed
to have solved seven out of the eight cases of targeted killings
in the State. The other three were Jimmy Singh of Jammu, Jagtar
Singh Johal alias Jaggi, a UK national, and Dharmender
alias Gugni, an infamous gangster from Meharban village
of Ludhiana.
In the meantime, the Moga Police
produced Mintoo and the four accused before the duty magistrate
in Baghapurana and procured their custody for five days.
The Kozhikode Rural Police arrested
three youths, identified as Aswin Venugopal (26), Mohammed Aslam
(24) and Sanal Sahadevan (31) in connection with the FICN distribution
case from Kozhikode District. According to Police, the youths
joined the FICN network hoping to make money enough for their
silver screen entry. The youngsters were allegedly lured to the
gang by the three persons who were arrested by the Rural Police
from Karnataka. Earlier, Police had arrested P V Gold Joseph,
M Shihab and Josephs's nephew Vipin and recovered printers and
FICN to the tune of INR 32 lakh. According to Police, the gangsters
have distributed counterfeit currency notes to the tune of INR
1 crore in Kerala and Karnataka. The currency notes were in the
denominations of 2000 and 500. All the six arrests were made after
the arrest of Punaloor Sabu from Koduvally in Kozhikode District
while trying to fill fuel from a petrol pump by giving fake note
in 500 denominations.
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.
A huge cache of explosives, including
detonators and gelatin sticks, has been recovered from separate
CPI-Maoist hideouts in the forests in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh,
during Operation Prahaar-2. The seizure included a tiffin bomb,
60 detonators, 50 gelatin rods, one grenade headed arrow, 500
grams of explosive powder, 3 kg gun powder, a couple of batteries
and switches, one bundle cordex wire, splinters, three cameras
flash, few live cartridges of SLR and a 12 bore gun, besides Maoist
material, medicines and commodities of daily use. "Separate
teams of security personnel were engaged in gun battles with naxals
at three places on November 7 during the operation. No harm was
reported to forces in the exchange-of-fire," DIG (Dantewada
range), Sundarraj P said.
The Indian Army arrested a suspected
NSCN-K cadre, Khampai Konyak, from Sonari town in Charaideo District.
|
November 10
|
Mumbai Crime Branch officers said
that FICN gangs employ poor residents of towns on the India-Bangladesh
border to smuggle fake notes into cities like Mumbai. A Crime
Branch officer said, “The accused said during interrogation that
scores of poor like them hailing from Malda and other border towns
signed up for the job as they were in dire need of money. “The
gangs operate from across the border and are on the lookout for
people willing to take the risk of circulating counterfeit currency
to make a quick buck. The officer said the fake currency was sold
to Suleiman at 40% of its value and he was told to keep the profits
earned while making purchases with the notes. Another officer
said, “Both the accused lived in Malda and knew each other well.
Suleiman had relatives in Bangladesh and was in regular touch
with them. He once came into contact with the masterminds of the
fake currency racket in Bangladesh through his relatives. The
racket operates on word of mouth publicity and there is no dearth
of poor men and women willing to take the risk.”
The Governments of Odisha and
West Bengal will soon organize a joint security exercise named
as 'Sagar Kavach' to further tighten the existing coastal security
mechanism along the 630 km long coastline. This was informed by
Odisha's additional chief secretary, Home department, Asit Tripathy
after attending a meeting in Bhubaneswar. "Sagar Kavach security
exercise is a realistic drill to check the efficacy of the security
parameters and preparedness of various security forces like the
Indian Navy, Marine Police force, ICG, Forest Department, Fisheries
and district administration," Tripathy said.
Stating that Odisha for the first
time will have a joint security drill along with West Bengal,
Tripathy said, "We are going to organise a simulated terror
attack named 'red force' at a random place along Odisha or West
Bengal coast and check how effective our marine policing is. The
exercise will be held over two days within a week," he said.
The participants in the drill will be personnel from the Indian
Navy, Coast Guard at Paradip and Haldia, 18 marine Police stations
in Odisha and 12 Police stations of West Bengal.
Punjab DGP Suresh Arora claimed
that the handlers of the ISI-backed terror module behind targeted
killings of religious leaders in the state were based in Italy,
the UK and Canada. "The role of the KLF is being investigated.
Although it is too early to share details, funding for the module
from foreign sources has been confirmed," he said. The DIG
made the announcement after the arrest of a second alleged sharp-shooter
in the case on November 10th morning. Hardeep Singh
Shera (21) of Fatehgarh Sahib is believed to be directly involved
in at least three of the eight murders. Shera and the second jailed
sharp-shooter, Ramandeep Canadian, were reportedly contacted on
Facebook. So far, five people have been arrested over their
alleged involvement in the killings. Those arrested include a
UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal.
Shera is believed to have fled
to Italy six days after he allegedly killed Gagneja on August
6, 2016. His passport has revealed that he would leave the country
after each killing and return when the ‘dust settled’. Officials
were reluctant to give details, but said his passport bore visas
for ‘many nations’. Arora said Shera tried to fire at the Police
who confronted him at a gym in Fatehgarh Sahib on November 10.
However, he was quickly overpowered. He has no criminal record.
The DGP said the motorcycle used in Gagneja's killing was recovered
from a canal after Shera gave them the details. "Since the
conspiracy was executed by trained operatives, the perpetrators
managed to hide their footprints quite well," said a Government
official, "The modus operandi...was to kill RSS and other
leaders... in the hope of triggering communal disharmony in Punjab."
Shera had met KLF ‘commander’
Harminder Singh Mintoo in Italy three years ago. “Hardeep was
adopted by his paternal uncle. He was just 18 when he met Mintoo
in Italy. Mintoo had stayed at Hardeep’s place in Italy for 21
days and then he also tried to influence him with Khalistani ideology.
He tried to radicalise him and asked him to join KLF but he refused
then. However, later Hardeep’s relationship with his foster father
(paternal uncle) turned sour and then he again contacted Mintoo.
Probably, he needed money. They started interacting through Skype.
Both Ramandeep and Hardeep were hired through Facebook for
these killings,” said Inspector Jangjit Singh Randhawa, SHO (station
house officer), Baghapurana Police station and investigating officer
in an illegal weapons case of 2016 in which first two accused-
Jimmy Singh and Jagtar Singh (UK-based) – were arrested and following
their interrogation, the shooters were traced.
A 25-year old woman filed a petition
in the Kerala High Court accusing her husband of forcing her into
marriage and conversion and attempting to sell her as a sex slave
to the Islamic State (IS). The woman has claimed that her husband
Muhammed Riyaz is a member of Popular Front of India (PFI), which
has been under the scanner for its alleged terror links. In her
plea, the woman, a native of Kerala who was born and brought up
in Gujarat, stated that she met Riyaz in Bengaluru (Karnataka)
and the two got into a relationship. Riyaz later recorded a private
video and forced the woman to change her religion and marry him
using the footage. victim also stated that she was taken to Saudi
Arabia and made to join the ISIS in Syria. Somehow, the girl managed
to contact her parents and asked them to rescue her. The case
will be considered by the court on November 13.
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.
Three lower rung CPI-Maoist cadres
were arrested during a joint search operation in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. The cadres – Uika Joga (24), Madkam Somdu (21)
and Kujnam Bodda (40) – were arrested from the forests of Bugdicheru
village under Basaguda Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP, Mohit
Garg said. The three cadres were allegedly involved in Naxal-related
incidents of attempt to murder, riots, the ASP said.
SFs arrested twelve CPI-Maoists
cadres from different districts of Bastar division of Chhattisgarh
in the past twenty-four hours. SFs arrested eight Maoists in Kharagupa
region from Sukma District. SFs arrested three Maoists from the
Bacheili area of Dantewada District. Police arrested a Maoist
in Bijapur District.
Four CRPF personnel were injured
in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Latu
village in Latehar District of Jharkhand. "Four of our police
personnel have been injured after a land mine was triggered while
a patrolling party was walking through the Latu jungles during
the ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the area," said Latehar
SP, Dhananjay Kumar. The SP further informed that a joint team
of State Police and CRPF were out for anti-Maoist operation and
as soon as they reached near Latu village at 2:15 pm, Maoists
triggered a land mine leaving four jawans injured. He also said
that intensive search operation has been launched in the area
to trace the culprits out. The CRPF personnel who got injured
in the land mine blast were identified as Deputy Commandant HL
Gangte, Radio Operator Nitish Pandey, Constable Deepak Singh and
Gopaljee Yadav.
Six armed Naxalites of
the CPI-ML New Democracy were arrested by the Police in Mahabubabad
District of Telangana. SP, N Koti Reddy said a SLR, a Springfield
rifle, a, 8 MM rifle, a .303 single shot rifle, and one 9MM pistol
were recovered along with 53 live rounds of ammunition. The arrested Naxalites were
identified as Kothaguda ‘dalam area commander’ J Sammaiah alias Jampanna,
Gangaram ‘dalam area commander’ S Papa Rao alias Pradeep,
‘dalam member's’ G Kranthi Kumar alias KK,
B Vinod alias Samba Rao, N Ashok alias Veeraswamy,
and M Karnakar.
Police took ULFA-PTF ‘leader’
Jiten Dutta and seven others into custody for their alleged involvement
in a case of arson at Bor-phukial sapori area of Tinsukia District.
However, seven, including Dutta, were released on a personal recognizance
(PR) Bond. Margherita Sub-Divisional Police official Debabrat
Morang said, "
Third round of tripartite talk
between the Union and State Government and UNC was held at Senapati
District head quarter. During the talk representatives of UNC
led by its ‘president’ Gaidon Kamei questioned the Government
authority for the delay in materializing the demands of the UNC.
Next round of meeting is scheduled on Feb, 23, 2018.
|
November 11
|
Around 100 persons from Kerala
are suspected to have joined the Islamic State (IS) over the years,
Kerala Police said in Kannur. The Kerala Police has collected
evidence in this regard, including over 300 voice clips and messages
from WhatsApp, Telegram messaging applications and
other social media platforms, sources said. The latest proof was
an audio clip from a woman, wherein she can be heard informing
her kin in Kannur District about the death of her husband, who
had joined IS. The woman can be heard saying her husband Shajil
was killed recently in the ‘jihadi war’. According to the
audio clip, she and her two children are still in Syria, the sources
said. The woman can be heard telling her kin that many Keralite
women, who have lost their husbands, and their children are in
Syria, they said. The voice clip was received by Shajil’s brother.
Police have another audio clip from one Qayoom, whose photos in
the IS uniform are available on the Internet, the source said.
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
|
The NIA claimed to have busted
an inter-state gang cheating people on pretext of exchanging FICNs
and arrested three persons from Maharashtra, identified as Rashid
Khan, Gagan Kumar Vyas and Iqbal Ahmad Ansari in Dholpur in Dholpur
District of Rajasthan. The arrest came during investigation into
a 2016 NIA case relating to seizure of FICN of face value INR
9.8 lakh, by the BSF from Malda District of West Bengal. NIA has
already filed a chargesheet in the case naming arrested accused
Nasir Sheikh and Tajik Sk. Searches were carried out at two places
in Mumbai and one place in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) after the detention
of three persons early on November 12. A total of 20 gold biscuits,
each weighing 100 grams, have been recovered from their possession
so far. The purity of the gold biscuits is being verified.
The NIA has confirmed that the
youths from Kasaragod District of Kerala, who had fled the country
last year (2016), have joined the Islamic State (IS) in Nangarhar
Province in Afghanistan. In the charge-sheet filed against Yasmin
Muhammad, who was arrested at the Delhi airport while she was
allegedly trying to leave for Kabul on August 1, 2016, NIA states
that some of the youths, who are in Afghanistan, "are still
spreading the messages in favour of the IS and are inviting others
join the terror organization." There are 15 persons in the
charge-sheet who have been charged under Section 120 (B), and
Sections 38, 39 and 40 of the UAPA. NIA took over the case on
August 23, 2016 from the State Police after initial investigation.
According to the NIA, witnesses have revealed that Abdul Rashid
had taken secret classes in support of IS to motivate others 'in
the path of violent jihad terming it as holy war, by showing
them online propaganda material of ISIS like the Dabiq magazine.'
"Investigation by the NIA has established that Abdul Rashid
(first accused) along with his wife Sonia Sebastian alias
Ayisha had taken secret classes in support of the proscribed organization
ISIS and violent jihad, as propagated by it, during last part
of Ramadan, sometime in the month of July, 2015," said the
chargesheet.
The charge-sheet further added
that the "mobile communication made by the absconding accused
with their relatives, over internet-based social media platforms,
have been recovered during investigation and the same establish
that the absconding accused Sajid is staying at same place as
Murshid." It is believed that two among the youth, Hafeesudeen
and Marwan have been killed in the battle. The charge-sheet said,
"The mobile phone, SIM Cards and memory cards seized from
the possession of accused Yasmin Mohammed were subjected to digital
forensic examination. The two memory cards contain pro-ISIS propaganda
videos, videos advocating violent jihad, ISIS propaganda
material as PDF documents, besides certain communication amongst
the accused." The charge-sheet has the passport details and
travel information of all the accused.
Abdul Rashid and Ayesha left via
Mumbai airport on May, 31, 2016 on the flight WY 204. Muhammad
Sajid went through Mumbai on March 31, 2016 on the flight AL 983
and Muhammad Murshid on November 11, 2015 on the flight 9W502.
Muhammad Marwan and Hafeesudheen also left the country through
Mumbai airport on June 5, 2016 on the flight EK 507. Firoskhan
left India on July, 5, 2016 on flight EY 203, Shamsiya, Ashfak
and Muhammad Manzad departed the Mumbai airport on July 2, 2016
EK 507. Dr Ijas and Refeala had gone via Hyderabad airport on
July 2, 2106 on WY 232 flight and Shihas and Ajmala via Bengaluru
on May, 24, 2016 on the flight KU 354.
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.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres were killed
in an encounter with the SFs in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
Three weapons, including one INSAS assault rifle, and IEDs were
recovered from the encounter site. The encounter took place near
Mankeli village under the Bijapur Police Station limits when a
joint team of the STF and the DRG was on an anti-Maoist operation,
DIG, Dantewada range, Sundarraj P said. After a brief exchange
of fire, the Maoists escaped into the core area of the forests.
During a search operation of the encounter site, bodies of three
Maoists were recovered and their identities are yet to be ascertained.
Police arrested a ‘chairman’ of
the ATTF, Ranjit Debbarma from his house at Sidhai under Mohanpur
Sub-Division of Khowai District on sedition charges, reports
The
Sentinel
. Ranjit Debbarma, who is out on bail since 2015, in
a meeting at Dushki near Teliamura on November 9, 2017, he challenged
the merger of princely Tripura with the Indian Union in 1949 and
promptly the police registered a sedition case against him.
Two TPC cadres were arrested from
Bantha forests in Kunda Police Station area of Chatra District
of Jharkhand. Following a tip-off on the presence of a TPC squad
in Bantha forests, SP, Anjani Kumar Jha formed a team of State
Police and the CRPF and arrested TPC ‘area commander’ Subhash
Ganjhu and his close aide Kailu Ganjhu. "A carbine, a .303
rifle, a country-made pistol, cartridges and mobile phones were
found on the rebels, both of which are natives of Bantha village.
We were looking for them for a long time," Jha said. TPC,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
Two TPC cadres, identified as
Ramlal Oraon and Sadwa Oraon, were arrested from Chandwa Police
Station area of Latehar District of Jharkhand. They are alleged
to have killed school headmaster Vinod Baitha and torched his
house in 2014 for refusing to pay a ‘levy’. TPC, a splinter group
of the CPI-Maoist.
CPI-Maoist cadre identified as
Kushal Munda was arrested from Murhu Police Station area of Ranchi
District of Jharkhand.
A Maoist cadre identified as Chhotu
Besra was arrested from his residence at Chatra village in Giridih
District of Jharkhand.
Suspected GNLA militants abducted
a Nokma (traditional Garo Village headman) of
Rongding Awe village under Nangalbibra Police Station in South
Garo Hills District.
|
November 13
|
Absconding gangster Saraj Sandhu,
in a post on a social media website, Facebook claimed to
have killed the Hindu Sangharsh Sena leader Vipan Sharma in Amritsar
on October 30. The Punjab Police had not included Vipan Sharma's
murder in the list of targeted killings of religious leaders in
the State which they had solved a week ago by busting a terror
module managed by Pakistan's ISI agency. Saraj Sandhu, who is
main accused in the Amritsar case, has been on the run after the
murder. He allegedly also posted on his Facebook account
on November 13 that the ‘killing should not be linked with any
religion.’ "I want to tell my friends that the murder of
Vipan Sharma which took place on October 30 on Amritsar-Batala
road was committed by me," Sandhu allegedly admitted in his
Facebook post, which has now been deleted. The incident
comes just days after a Punjab gangster-turned-activist uploaded
a Facebook video from Faridkot jail.
Amritsar DCP (investigation) Jagmohan
Singh, said, "I do not believe that the gangster Saraj Sandhu
had himself put this post on his Facebook account. It seems
to have been done by someone else. But we are investigating the
case." It is learnt that the Amritsar Police have brought
Monday's (November 13) incident into the knowledge of its cyber-crime
cell so as to ascertain as to who is behind the Facebook post.
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.
Five CPI-Maoist militia members
of the Galikonda and Korukonda area committees of the CPI-Maoist
in Visakhapatnam Agency surrendered before the SP, Rahul Dev Sharma
in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The surrendered militia
members were Gemeli Ramesh (18), Musiri Appalanaidu (20) and Musiri
Ramakrishna (20), hailing from Nallabelli area in Koyyuru mandal of
Galikonda area committee. They allegedly extended logistics support
to the Maoists, put up Maoist posters and were involved in a few
other offences. They reportedly joined the outfit around three
years ago. The two others were Killo Bangru (28) and Gemeli Venkateswara
Rao (29), hailing from Chintapalli mandal. The duo
was allegedly involved in the offences which include the killing
of home guard Sheikh Valli by planting and triggering a landmine
in the AOB area close to Ramaraopalem in Annavaram Police Station
limits in Visakhapatnam Agency this year.
Two troopers of CoBRA were injured
in an IED blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. The incident took place in the Chitrakonda forest when
the joint SFs including Odisha Police and CoBRA were on sanitization
operation. According to sources, a joint operation was launched
on early hours of November 13, after Odisha Police received intelligence
inputs regarding Naxal leaders from various zones
gathering at Chitrakonda forest area, to corner the Maoists.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
said the State’s territorial integrity would not be compromised
at any cost when a final peace accord would be signed by the Union
Government with NSCN-IM.
Two AR troopers died and six were
injured in a powerful IED explosion at Maha Mani village in Chandel
District. Two AR personnel, identified as riflemen Indra Singh
and Sohan Lal, died on the spot. The six injured, identified as
S. Sekhar, N. Shyamkumar, Tirendra Nath Das, Ram Govind Singh,
Nirmal Roy and Lalnunpuia, were evacuated to the Army Hospital
at Leimakhong, on the Imphal city's outskirts, by helicopter.
RPF, the ‘political wing’ of PLA has claimed responsibility for
the attack. Source said that condition of one among the six injured
is critical.
|
November 14
|
The number of cybercrime complaints
has seen a rise by 350% from 2013 and by over 44% from 2016, according
to cyber cell statistics. Most crimes are related to online banking,
emphasising why policymakers are concerned about digital security
as the government pushes for a more cashless economy and card-based
or wallet-based transactions. As many as 3,474 cybercrime complaints
have been registered in the past 10 months till October 2017.
A total of 2,402 such complaints were registered last year and
760 in 2013.
The number of online banking fraud-related
complaints in Gurgaon has increased nearly nine times in the last
five years. The number jumped from 248 in 2013 to 2,095 this year
(till October). While online banking and credit card fraud tops
the list, social networking-related crime, email hacking, online
sexual harassment or pornography, lottery fraud, data-theft and
job-related fraud are also frequent. Social networking-related
complaints have doubled from 2016. The number of complaints related
to Facebook was 151 in 2016, and is 316 this year (till
October). The number of complaints related to Twitter was
just four last year. This year, the number is three times more
at 12 complaints.
A Malayalam audio clip, claiming
to be from the Islamic State (IS), has surfaced on the internet
calling for war against India and conducting lone-wolf terror
attacks on crowds thronging Indian festival events like Kumbh
Mela (major Hindu religious festival in North India) and Thirssur
Pooram (major Hindu Temple festival in Kerala). The male voice
in the 10-minute clip liberally quotes from the Quran with an
authentic Arabic pronunciation. It claims that it is the 50th
audio clip from Daulatul Islam (house of believers). “You
use your intellect. Poison them in food. Use trucks. Drive over
them at Thirssur pooram or at Maha Kumbh Mela. IS Mujahideen are
doing it in several parts of the world. In Las Vegas, one of
our supporters killed many people at a music concert. At least
you should try to derail a train. Or use a knife,” the clip said.
Police sources said the audio
clip has been transmitted over Telegram Messenger from
Afghanistan and its voice belongs to Rashid Abdullah, the leader
of the Kasaragod IS module who left to join Islamic State in Afghanistan.
He has been chargesheeted by NIA under IPC sections 120B r/w 125
and UAPA Sections 38, 39 and 40. There has also been an Interpol
red notice issued against him. The case against him came to light
after his father filed a Police complaint last year saying Rashid
Abdullah, his wife and son were missing from Kasaragod.
The clip in question says that
Muslims should go for hijrah (migrate) from Darul Kufr
(house of non-believers) to Darul Islam (house of believers).
“If you are not able to do that despite your prayers and efforts,
then you should financially support Daulatul Islam and Islamic
State,” it says. According to sources, Rashid Abdulla's previous
audio clips had only urged people to perform hijrah. However,
in his 50th clip, he has changed his tone and has made
an open call for attacks in India, which he has described as a
country where ‘Hindus rule.’ “Many are trying to finish IS and
khilafat. We have been reduced to nothing in many parts. But,
Daultaul Islam is still active and we will fight until the last
man,” the clip adds. Responding to the audio clip, former special
Director of Cabinet Secretariat, V Balachandran said, "This
is very serious. They are going to take the battle to India from
Europe and Middle East."
The NIA, Kolkata Branch, arrested
four persons, identified as Barkat Ansari, Utpal Chowdhury, Fijul
Mia and Rabjul along with FICN with a face value of INR 9.1 lakh
(in the denomination of INR 2,000) from the vicinity of the Howrah
Railway Station in Howrah District. All four accused are residents
of Sattari village in Malda District.
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.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered
blasts of a slurry pipeline, belonging to Essar Steel, near Chinitalguna
village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District of Odisha.
According to reports received here from the company sources, the
Maoists blasted portions of the pipeline in at least three spots
by using landmine explosives. The damaged points are located 500
metres from one end to the other. The blasts caused considerable
damage to the pipeline, which is stretched across the Bailadila
mines area of Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to its steel
plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The Palvancha sub-division Police
arrested an underground cadre of the CPI-ML-New Democracy
Chandranna faction, and seized a knife from his possession
at Rajeev Nagar in Bhadradri-Kothagudem District of Telangana.
The Police identified the arrested cadre as Muchhaka Aitha alias Srinu.
He was allegedly involved in the murder of a farmer of Narsampet
village in August this year and in an “exchange of fire” with
the Police in September.
NSCN-R has appointed Akato Chophi
as its ‘vice president (collective leader)’.
Over 120 surrendered insurgents
of the ATTF started an indefinite hunger strike in Agartala to
press for the fulfillment of their demands. The former militants
have been in talks with the State Government since 2007 for post-surrender
support and rehabilitation.
Kajal Debbrma, wife of ATTF ‘chairman’
Ranjit Debbarma wants to surrender before law enforcement agencies
to lead a normal life, the CM Manik Sarkar informed the State
Assembly.
CM Manik Sarkar has alleged that
peace talks with the NLFT-BM could not be held because of the
Centre's lack of initiative.
|
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
|
A year after demonetisation of
high value Indian currency notes, the Pakistan’s intelligence
agency, ISI is back with a mirror copy of INR 2000 and 500 notes
that was launched by the RBI with new security features to neutralize
FICN factories operating across the border, reports DNA India
on November 15. Although, ISI suspected to have copied majority
of security features of newly launched notes, the sudden increase
in last two months is perplexing. The intelligence agencies have
revealed the reason behind the surge. Sources said Pak’s ISI has
managed to set up a proper unit in PoK and newly printed FICN
is smuggled to Bangladesh before it reaches to India through FICN
mules.
The FICN business that involves
both state and non state actors is using high quality machine
and ink making the lot difficult to detect, identified and easy
to slip as original. The Intelligence agencies officials last
week have voiced concern over the high quality of INR 2000 FICNs,
which makes them difficult to distinguish from real notes.
A local court at Baghapurana in
Moga District of Punjab extended the Police remand of the alleged
hitman Ramandeep Singh and KLF ‘commander’ Harminder Singh Mintoo
arrested in connection with a series of targeted killings in Punjab.
Ramandeep’s Police remand has been extended for three days till
November 18 and Mintoo’s for two days till November 17. Moga Police
sources said that during his interrogation, Ramandeep had named
‘PHD’ and ‘Baiji’, their two accomplices abroad, and now the Police
will be interrogating him further to know their real names and
locations. “These are the secret code words. We are now tracing
their real names and location,” said a source. As per initial
Police probe, ‘Baiji’ is related to KLF ‘commander’ Mintoo and
is one of his closest aides handling all his operations after
Mintoo was arrested from Thailand in 2014.
The Police also told the court
they had to interrogate Ramandeep about how they procured illegal
weapons from Meerut and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Inspector
Jangjit Singh, SHO at Baghapurana Police Station, said, “Ramandeep
has revealed they were procured weapons from Saharanpur and Meerut
in UP. Mintoo is being questioned about how much funding came
from abroad through his pro-Khalistan network.” So far, the Punjab
Police have arrested five men in connection with the targeted
killings including that of RSS leaders Jagdish Gagneja, Ravindra
Gosain, Shiv Sena leader Durga Prasad Gupta, church pastor Sultan
Masih, Hindu Takht leader Amit Sharma among others. The arrested
five are Jagtar Singh alias Jaggi, Jimmy Singh, Ramandeep
alias Raman Canadian, Hardeep alias Shera, jailed
gangster Dharmendra Singh Ghuggni and Mintoo.
Kerala Police have come across
a money trail behind the migration of youths from Kannur (Kannur
District) to fight for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria. Police
sources said the money was handed over to the recruited persons
by K O P Thasleem, a native of Pappinissery in Kannur District.
“All those who either migrated to Syria or tried to sneak into
that country from Kannur have got financial assistance to the
tune of $400 each. They were paid through Popular Front of India
[PFI] activist Thasleem, who channelled the funds from the Gulf
through a hawala route. Thasleem has been in Sharjah for the last
six months and we now suspect he has moved to Syria,’’ a Police
source said.
Sources said documents seized
from the houses of the arrested persons substantiated the money
transactions. “We are yet to look into the sources who have channelled
the money from the Gulf through Thasleem. The amount handed over
to the recruited persons was meant only to meet their travel and
other expenses. We have not come across any evidence to suggest
that money was paid to lure youths to join the IS,’’ the source
said. Two weeks back, Police in Kannur had arrested six persons
who had earlier tried to go to Syria but were deported by security
agencies. Based on the input received from the arrested persons,
Police said five others from Kannur were still fighting in Syria,
while five others had been killed since 2015.
The national executive member
of the PFI, P Koya said that getting killed in an unknown country
that, too, for a mysterious organization which has ulterior motive
is not the martyrdom envisaged in Islam. Inaugurating a public
meeting held here against the Islamic State (IS), he said martyrdom
in Islam is sacrificing life in the fight against injustice. "IS
is a dubious outfit, the origin of which is shrouded in mystery,"
he said. Koya said that only less than 150 Muslims have reportedly
joined IS from India which has 18 crore Muslims. "That means
IS has not succeeded in influencing the Muslim population in the
country'" he said.
India witnessed an 18 per cent
surge in terror-related casualties in 2016 as compared to the
previous year (2015) and has been ranked eighth in the Global
Terrorism Index (GTI) report released on November 15. Although
340 deaths from terrorism were recorded in 2016 alone, the figures
were still the third-lowest since 2000. The GTI report is released
annually by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics & Peace.
The report said that though there has been a palpable dip in
terror-related deaths in the last couple of years, the number
of terror attacks have actually increased 16 per cent over the
last year. A total of 929 terror-related incidents were reported
in the country as compared to 800 in 2015.
However, India still has the lowest
rate of deaths per attack among the top 10 countries that are
most impacted by terror-related violence. India had an average
of 0.4 deaths per attack compared to 2.7 deaths per attack for
the rest of the other countries that figure in the top 10. The
report elaborated that most of the non-lethal explosions were
designed to attract people and the Government’s attention and
aimed at evoking a shock-and-awe effect. In fact, such blasts
were intentionally carried out some distance away from crowded
places to lessen the impact.
Maoist rebels, operating in the
‘red corridor’ in central and eastern India, remained the biggest
challenge for India’s security apparatus. According to the report,
Maoist groups were behind the highest number of blasts and were
responsible for over 50% terror-related deaths. Police and civilians
were the predominant target of Maoist rebels as they accounted
for over 50 per cent of all attacks and 88 per cent of deaths
last year, the report said.
On the issue of Islamist terrorism
in the country, the report cited dispute with Pakistan over Jammu
and Kashmir as the primary reason behind a spike in violence.
Despite numerous international sanctions - LeT, founded by Hafiz
Saeed, and HM, headed by Syed Salahuddin - remained the two deadliest
terror groups. The report said that LeT, which mainly operates
out of Pakistan, was responsible for 30 deaths in as many as 20
attacks in 2016. HM, on the other hand, was responsible for five
deaths.
The report also revealed the role
of various ethnic secessionist movements that are causing terror-related
deaths in the country. For instance, NDFB, the report said, was
responsible for 15 deaths, while ULFA militants claimed seven
lives in 2016.
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.
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
villager, identified as Ajit Poddar of Paralkot village, after
branding him as a ‘Police informer’ in the Paralkot village under
Pakhanjore Tehsil in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
At least 30 armed Maoists barged into the victim’s house late
night and dragged him out of his home. Later they took him to
a village road bordering Malkangiri District of Odisha and shot
dead. Maoists also left a few posters on the spot which read,
Ajit had been cautioned against becoming police informers on two
occasions earlier—once on July 25 and then on November 15—this
year. As the deceased didn’t pay heed to the warning, he was eliminated.
AR trooper and at least two militants
were killed in an ambush by the PLA militants near Chamol village,
about three Kilometer from the Police Outpost at Sajik Tampak,
in Chandel district, along the Indo-Myanmar. The Assam Rifles
trooper identified as Jay Prakash Araon (33). The militant killed
was identified as ‘sergeant’ Loko alias Themreiyo.
One AR trooper and three militants were also wounded in the incident.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh
announced an INR 3.25 billion development package for the
hill district of Tamenglong. He promised that power, water supply
and road condition would improve considerably in the district.
The GHSMC took out a public rally
in Tura to press for their demand for a separate state to be carved
out of Meghalaya. “The struggle for a Garoland state did
not start in 1912 but has been a demand since the time of Late
Sonaram Sangma, the first Garo political leader from the time
of the British rule,” said Niman Ch Marak, ‘Chairman’ of the GHSMC
which is leading the separate state demand. A supporter for
the Gorkhaland state which is currently being demanded from West
Bengal, Joydeep Chetry called on the people of Garo Hills to give
their unflinching support for the Garoland demand. “Just as we
are fighting for Gorkhaland, so too are the people of Garo Hills
fighting for Garoland. We give our support for this movement,”
said Chetry.
State Home Minister R Lalzirliana
on November 15 said that 400 people from the Arakan region in
Myanmar had entered Mizoram. No Rohingya Muslim refugee
has entered the state till date but around 400 people from conflict-torn
Arakan in Myanmar have taken refuge in Mizoram, state Home Minister
R Lalzirliana told the Assembly. Mr Lalzirliana also explained
that the ongoing armed encounter between militant group AA and
the Myanmar Army have resulted in around 400 people fleeing Arakan
in the past few months to take shelter in Lawngtlai district.
Of these 400 people, three are AA militants who received injuries
during clashes with the Myanmarese Army.
|
November 16
|
In the first organised campaign
by a terrorist group to use the Internet to recruit support across
India, AQIS has begun online distribution of Tamil, Bengali and
Hindi translations of key jihadists. The translations,
obtained by The Indian Express, range from excerpts from
magazines like al-Risalah and Inspire, to ideological tracts by
the jihadist leadership. The organisation’s vernacular push reflects
the increasing reliance of the jihadist movement on recruits
from States in the southern, western and eastern regions - a phenomenon
which first became evident with the IM which, from 2005, carried
out the most lethal urban terrorism campaign India has ever suffered.
For the most part, the translations
appear to be targeting educated volunteers. The Tamil articles
include one from issue 3 of al-Risalah, aimed at doctors and engineers.
“I ask you, Doctor: are your services not better spent in patching
the leg of that child who lost his limb in a barrel bomb in Aleppo
rather than prescribing medication for an Islamophobe with you
in your country,” the article asks. “We use the excuse of being
watched by the enemy of Allah and our passports being flagged,”
the article goes on. “Do we not have trust in Allah? Did Prophet
Muhammad not leave Mecca and migrate to Medina under the very
eyes of the disbelievers?”. Another Tamil translation from al-Risalah
tells the story of an elderly man who volunteered to fight despite
having only one eye. “If I am incapable of fighting, at least
I will increase the number of the army and would guard your luggage,”
he is claimed to have said.
In addition to speeches and messages
from a Qaeda ‘chief’ Ayman al-Zawahiri, and his Uttar Pradesh-born
Karachi-trained subcontinent deputy Sami-ul-Haq, the Bengali-language
material produced by al Qaeda includes subtitled videos, telling
the stories of jihadists fighting in Syria and Somalia. Large
numbers of Sami-ul-Haq’s speeches have been translated into Hindi,
notably his call to target IAS and IPS officers. “This is an organisation
which is aware that many young Muslims cannot read Urdu,” a police
officer noted. “In earlier decades, material like this circulated
clandestinely, through pamphlets and so on, but almost always
in Urdu.”
The Delhi Police Special Cell
arrested a 54-year-old resident of Malda (West Bengal), identified
as Kashid for allegedly trafficking FICN into the Capital (New
Delhi) and the neighbouring States from Anand Vihar in New Delhi.
The Police also recovered FICN with a face value of INR 6.6 lakh
from the accused. During interrogation, the accused allegedly
told the Police that he was in FICN trafficking business for the
past 15 years and supplied fake notes in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar. “He said the supply of FICN was halted for a while
after demonetisation but began again over four months ago,” said
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P.S. Kushwah.
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.
At least eight SF personnel of
the CRPF and the Jharkhand Police sustained injuries in an encounter
with CPI-Maoist cadres, during which the latter exploded several
IED in Burha Pahar area in Latehar District of Jharkhand. According
to the Police, around 2.15 pm, it was during the search and combing
operations that Maoists exploded several land mines, following
which there was fierce exchange between the SF personnel and the
Maoists. “At least six personnel of CRPF and one each of district
police and Jharkhand Jaguar sustained injuries in the explosions.
Nevertheless, our forces continued with their operation during
which many naxals are suspected to have been injured. Some could
be dead also,” Police said.
UHM Rajnath Singh has urged Microsoft
founder Bill Gates to adopt villages affected by LWE violence
in Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand and make them “model villages”
by focusing on sanitation and cleanliness. The Home Minister met
Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
(BMGF) and his wife Melinda Gates with senior officials of the
MHA at North Block. “The Home Minister appreciated the welfare
works being undertaken by the BMGF. He requested Gates to initiate
health awareness programmes in India and suggested that the Foundation
should concentrate on developing villages and make them Model
Villages so that the local people get inspired,” a MHA statement
said.
Police arrested three persons
and recovered a huge cache of explosives from their possession
at Sadaipali and Dunguripali villages in Bolangir District of
Odisha. The arrested persons are identified as Sudam Mahaling
of Sadaipali, Mahesh Agrawal and Murarilal Agrawal of Kantabanji.
Sources said on a tip-off, Balangir Sadar Police raided the house
of Sudam at Sadaipali in Turekela block and seized gelatin, ammonium
nitrate and detonator which are used in making of explosives.
A cash of INR 232,000 was also seized from the house. Similarly,
Belpara Police raided the godown of Murarilal in Dunguripali and
seized 27 bags electrical explosives. The seized items from Sadaipali
include 106 bundles of safety fuse, 38 bags of ammonium nitrate
weighing around 15 kilograms, 83 kilograms of Gelatin, 13,527
detonators, 35,770 non-electrical detonators, 15 kilograms of
charcoal power, 15 kilograms of sulphur powder and eight bundles
of electric wire. Police are yet to verify if there are any links
with the Maoist.
The militant group ENNG has made
it clear that it would not compromise with the territorial integrity
of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh
in the event of Framework Agreement between NSCN-IM and the Centre.
Stating that the only solution to the vexed Naga political issue
is a full-fledged sovereign nation for the entire Nagas, ENNG
in a press statement said that neither the Supra-State, which
is a Pan-Naga idea nor “Shared Sovereignty”. “There cannot be
a solution to the vexed Naga political issue unless there was
a full-fledged sovereign nation for the entire Nagas,” the release
said
The CorCom, a militant conglomerate,
has called a bandh (general shutdown strike)
to boycott President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Manipur to inaugurate
the State's annual tourism event, The Sangai Festival. The visit
is Kovind's first to three states of the Northeast -Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam and Manipur - beginning November 19. He will arrive
in Imphal on November 21 to inaugurate the festival with a function
here the same day. CorCom consists of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK-Pro,
RPF and UNLF.
|
November 17
|
Kerala Police are on the lookout
for a former PFI worker from Kannur District who is suspected
to have raised funds for the Islamic State (IS) cadres from the
State to travel to Syria. Thasleem, from Pappinassery in Kannur
District, is presently in the Gulf and is an accused in eight
cases related to the clashes between the PFI and the CPM, Police
said. "Thasleem had handed over $400 to two of the IS cadres
who were leaving the country at the Kannur railway station premises.
He had also arranged money for another group in the Gulf,"
said a Police officer. PFI Kannur district president V K Noufal
said that Thasleem had dissociated from the organisation ever
since he left for the Gulf around seven years ago. "He used
to come to Pappinassery while on leave but never contacted our
organisation. We learnt that Thasleem was in Kannur around six
months ago," he said.
Police have also found out that
V K Shajahan, the PFI worker from Koodali in Kannur District who
was arrested from Turkey for trying to sneak into Syria four months
ago, had received money sent from Kannur while he was in the Gulf.
The money was sent through 'reverse hawala' channels operating
in Kerala and the Gulf. A businessman from Kannur, who was in
the WhatsApp group of IS leader Abdul Rashid Abdualla,
is also in the radar of the Police for lending financial help
to the IS module from Kannur.
Terrorism has no border and the
ultras take advantage of boundaries between countries to cause
menace and kill people which is why Government and the Indian
Army is getting closer to the SAARC nations to jointly combat
terrorism, said Major General MS Ghura, Commandant of the CIJW
School at Variegate in Mizoram. While interacting with media after
the 13 days filed exercise between Armies of India and Bangladesh
‘SAMPRITI’ conducted by the CIJW, Major General MS Ghura said
“If terrorism has no borders, the armies across the globe and
of the neighboring nations in particular should also stretch beyond
borders to combat the rising instances of terror attacks.” Appreciating
the benefits of the international bilateral exercises, the commandant
of the Jungle Warfare School informed that drills such as the
one held between the Indo-Bangladesh soldiers here shall pave
way for strengthening bonds and lend solidity to the forces against
terrorism.
Major General Mohammad Moshfiqur
Rahman of the Bangladesh Army expressed happiness over the successful
completion of the joint exercise saying “the exercise is an outcome
of the friendly relations between the two armies which bears the
diplomatic and political relations between the two neighboring
countries. We are going back with fruitful results of exhaustive
drills.”
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.
Chhattisgarh Police said that
two CPI-Maoist ‘commanders’ were killed in an encounter with the
Police in the jungles of Kanhaiguda in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The names of the slain Maoists are yet to be ascertained, however,
Police claimed that both the Maoists carried a head money of INR
800,000 on them.
Ten Maoists were arrested from
separate places during search operations launched by SFs in the
Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Of them, nine were arrested from
Sukma District and one from Kanker District, a Police official
from Bastar said. The Maoists arrested in Sukma were facing criminal
cases like murder, attempt to murder, attack on Police teams and
arson, in different Police Stations, the official said. The Police
seized a rifle from the 25-year-old Maoist arrested in Kanker,
they added.
Suspected Maoists put up banners
and posters in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh, threatening to
kill State Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda, local officials, and
even journalists who report “incorrectly on encounters”. In a
poster seemingly signed by Madvi Hidma, South Bastar Zonal Committee
‘secretary’, the Maoists threatened the Minister, as well as the
patwari and tehsildar of Usur block, accusing
them of “anti-people” activities. The posters were found at the tehsildar’s office
in Usur. The poster also says that journalists who misrepresent
encounters on television or in newspapers will be killed, like
Sai Reddy. Bijapur-based journalist Sai Reddy was killed in Basaguda
village in Bijapur District on December 6, 2013. D M Awasthi,
DG, Anti Naxal Operations, said, “This is the first time in recent
times that they have issued a written threat like this… a case
will be registered and the matter investigated. Journalists report
from these difficult areas with great bravery.”
A CPI-Maoist cadre, carrying a
reward of INR 100,000 on his head, was arrested under Penk Police
Station limits in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. Baldeo Manjhi
alias Baldeo Kisku, a member of Navin Manjhi group- associates
of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested by a joint team of CRPF and District
Police during a search operation in the forest under Penk Police
Station, CRPF Assistant Commandant Nitesh Singh Bhadoria said.
Working on tip-off Security personnel had launched the operation
in the Penk region, they arrested the rebel who was trying to
escape, he said. During interrogation Manjhi accepted his crime
and involvement in dozens of cases registered under different
Police Station across the District.
District Police arrested a CPI-Maoist
cadre, identified as Deepak Singh (22), from Kunda-Pahadi area
in Gopikandar block in Dumka District of Jharkhand. Deepak is
wanted in six Maoist related cases.
ZUF militants fired three rounds
of gunshots in the air near Noney market under Noney police station
in Noney district. Sources say the gunshots were a warning meant
for the NSCN-IM, who report suggests has an undesignated camp
in Noney.
A sub-committee of political parties,
which is drafting a memorandum to be submitted to the Centre on
the peace talks with NSCN-IM, has "almost finalized"
its points. "The memorandum is almost final. It will be submitted
to the Chief Minister (N. Biren Singh) in the next couple of days.
It will be finalized after an all-party meeting," Deputy
Chief Minister Y. Joykumar Singh, who is the chairman of the committee,
on November 17, said. "It is early to disclose all the details
of the memorandum. However, there will be no compromise on the
state's territorial integrity and no Sixth Schedule status to
the hill districts," Y Joykumar Singh said. An all-party
meeting on October 28 constituted the seven-member committee in
view of the Centre's move for a final agreement with the NSCN-IM.
Meghalaya Government reiterated
that the members of banned militant groups should come over ground
and take advantage of the rehabilitation programmes of the Government.
Speaking to media persons after
holding the meeting of the State Security Commission here
on Friday , Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma said “In view of
our past experiences, we say them to resort to peace and besides
sustaining it, members of the any outfit should withdraw themselves
from their organisations and assimilate with the national mainstream.”
Mukul Sangma added that if the State Government wanted to
negotiate with the outfits. Firstly, it has to discuss the matter
with Government of India. CM Mukul Sangma also said that even
the Union Government had made it clear that there would be no
talks with the militant outfits unless they gave up arms.
On being asked about the overall law and order situation in Garo
Hills, Sangma informed that the Government would strengthen the
Police to deal with the challenges of militancy and terrorism.
“There will be some intervention and support to Police,”
Sangma said.
Government of India and WC comprising
of six NNPGs, signed an agreement which recognised the political
and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future
in consonance with their distinct identity. According to sources,
in the agreement the government of India has “recognised the political
and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future
in consonance with their distinct identity”.
|
November 18
|
Punjab Police are investigating
the role of BKI member Gursharan Bir Singh in the series of targeted
killings of religious leaders in the state over the past two years.
Gursharan is also wanted in the murder of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat
head Rulda Singh in Patiala on July 28, 2009. Punjab DGP Suresh
Arora said that the State Police has got some leads about Gursharan's
involvement while interrogating the men arrested for their alleged
role in the killing of at least eight people, including former
Punjab RSS vice-president Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) in Jalandhar.
The State Police had recently arrested UK resident Jagtar Singh
Johal alias Jaggi in the targeted killings case. He was
arrested from Jalandhar.
DGP Suresh Arora said the Police
are investigating the alleged links between Pakistan-based Harmeet
Singh who is believed to be running ISI-back ISYF and another
fugitive Rampreet Singh alias Romy who is in Hong Kong.
Romy is believed to have links with gangsters in Punjab and has
been named as an accused in the 2016 Nabha jailbreak case as well.
Police believe Harmeet trained the men involved in the targeted
killings.
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.
SFs arrested two militants belonging
to the ALA in a joint operation at Dudhnoi, in Goalpara District.
They were identified as Silgrak Sangma alias Amar
Thapa (Assam resident) and Changke R. Marak (Meghalaya resident).
The police recovered a pistol and three bullets from the duo.
"They came to Dudhnoi to abduct a person for extortion,"
the Superintendent of Police of Goalpara, Amitava Sinha, said.
The ‘finance secretary’ of militant
outfit NSCN-K, Inovi Avika Assumi, was arrested from Demseiniong
area in Shillong city in East Khasi hills District.
Following reports of a group of
NDFB-S militants having crossed over into the State, Police have
sounded high alert in the BTAD.The group, comprising 11 members,
reportedly entered the state a fortnight ago via Nagaland after
crossing the international border from Myanmar. "Seven of
them have already been arrested. A search is on for the rest.
Police in Chirang and Kokrajhar districts have been alerted,"
ADGP special branch Pallab Bhattacharya said.
|
November 19
|
The NIA has identified Darul Sheikh
as the key operator who from Dhaka (Bangladesh) controls an international
network dealing in the distribution and peddling of FICNs aimed
at damaging the monetary stability of India. The NIA is now investigating
if Darul's cartel is actively behind the recent spurt in "FICN
racketeering" across cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata
and Ahmedabad. Also, the NIA is probing if Tajel Sheik alias
Tiger Sheikh and Nasir Sheikh, residents of Malda in West Bengal
close to the Indo-Bangladesh, who were arrested in March last
year (2016), were 'employed' by Darul to smuggle counterfeit Indian
currency notes through the porous border into India. The agency
had then seized FICN worth INR 9.8 lakh from the duo in demonetised
denominations of INR 1,000 and INR 500. Both Tajel and Nasir were
charge-sheeted by the NIA in June this year.
The agency's TFFC cell is probing
if Darul, a Bangladeshi national, has connections with terrorist
groups and their leaders. The cell is also investigating whether
he was in touch with members of the gang recently busted by the
agency which used to convert demonetised scrap notes aimed at
funding terrorists in Kashmir.
Considering the gravity of the
growing Islamic State (IS) related activities, the Kerala Police
machinery has been forced to change its operational procedures
and the State is now in high alert mode. Ever since the first
migration of Malayalees to join IS in Syria and Afghanistan was
reported in June 2016, Kerala Police have been on the trail of
suspected IS operatives in the State. With the latest audio clip
of Rashid Abdullah, the leader of the Kasaragod group which left
for Syria to join IS, exhorting IS modules to unleash lone wolf
attacks in Kerala, the Police have become even more determined
to go for an all out offensive drive.
State Police chief Loknath Behera
said the situation has become very alarming and the Police have
taken necessary operational measures to counter IS activities.
“We are fully geared up. The entire force has been put on high
alert,” he said. Though the State Police have been tracking the
activities of dedicated IS cells camouflaged in the form of other
organisations, the real, functioning modules in the State were
identified after a dedicated Kerala Police started to coordinate
with Central agencies in analyzing various communication channels
of the suspects. “We have been interacting with Central agencies
on various levels to ensure we don’t miss any leads in the investigation
into IS activities in the state,” said a senior intelligence officer.
A few senior police officers in
north Kerala have been specifically tasked with keeping track
of the activities of a few suspects flagged for their association
with certain organisations clandestinely supporting IS modules
in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. “In the past two years, a
few suspects have flown to West Asia to raise funds using the
cover of some organisations, said the intelligence officer. “The
fund is used to strengthen IS activities in Kerala.
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.
A CRPF trooper was killed in an
IED blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District
of Chhattisgarh. Head Constable K Venkanna sustained splinter
injuries after a joint patrol of the CRPF and State Police were
out for an operation in the Chintagufa area of the District. The
incident happened early morning around 5.30 am when the IED blast
took place in which the trooper sustained injuries and later succumbed
to his injuries.
The final list of tribals selected
from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh for the newly raised Bastar
Battalion raised by the CRPF for counter-insurgency operations
had been released, an official statement issued in March this
year had informed. It may be recalled that the recruitment process
for all Districts of insurgency infested Bastar region had been
held earlier. The newly being raised ‘Bastar Battalion’ by CRPF
will have one-third women representation, officials informed.
The Bastar Battalion of CRPF is being raised by recruiting 744
ST youths from four insurgency infested Districts of Bastar in
Chhattisgarh, the Central Government has informed. The Districts
from where the tribal youths are being recruited for the new Battalion
are —Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma.
A NIA team from Ranchi went to
a Gumla guest house named Repose in Gumla District of Jharkhand
to establish that CPI-Maoist ‘politburo’ member Sudhakar's wife
Nilima alias Madhvi, brother B. Narayan and aide Satyanarayan
Reddy stayed there last November-December, when the woman fell
ill. The NIA also suspect that Sudhakar's aides allegedly used
this address as a transit point to amass information from cadres
and collect ‘levy’. However, findings from search at Repose in
Gumla town, 95 kilometres from Ranchi, proved inconclusive. The
NIA had taken along arrested trio of Satyanarayan, Sudhakar's
younger brother B. Narayan and Gumla-based contractor-cum-aide
Prabhu alias Mintu for identification but Repose manager
Shantanu Singh could not be certain if any among the trio had
stayed or come to their establishment last year.
State Police team seized several
documents including electronic evidences related to the public
meeting of JuH president Arshad Madani held on November 13 in
New Delhi. JuH president Madani on that day had reportedly said
that Assam would witness unrest if the NRC updating process excludes
local Muslims.
Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana
expressed hope that the ongoing peace talks between the state
and H. Zosangbera faction of the HPC-D would end the imbroglio
over the SHDC. The home minister said the onus for the continuation
of parleys with the group lies with Chief Minister Lal Thanhawala.
An unnamed Home Department source said another HPC-D faction of
the Convention, led by Lalhmingthanga Sanate, which had earlier
insisted on conditional talks with the state, has now softened
its tone. The Sanate faction has expressed willingness to come
to the negotiating table, before the government signs a peace
agreement with the Zosangbera-led faction, he said.
|
November 20 |
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres abducted
Suresh Rajak, a forest official from a wildlife sanctuary, in
Kaimur District of Bihar. The abductors allegedly made the call
for ransom on the mobile phone of the victim's son Kaushal Kumar,
claiming that they were Naxalites operating in
the region. Another call was made on the cell phone of an employee
Dhananjay Kumar. The Maoists demanded a ransom of INR 800,000
from his family for his release, officials and his relatives said
the next day. The Police said the Maoists descended at the office
of Rajak and held him captive at gunpoint. He was posted as forester
at the Karar beat office in Kaimur wildlife sanctuary, around
200 kilometres southwest of Patna. Buxar SP, Rajesh Kumar, said
a Police team has been assigned to rescue the official from the
abductors. He confirmed that ransom calls were made to the victim's
family.
A makeshift camp of a construction
company was attacked and a machine set on fire near Shivpur village
in Darigav Police outpost area in Rohtas District of Bihar. Seven
armed men raided the camp of Baba Hans Construction Company, engaged
in making canals under Durgawati Reservoir Project (DRP), and
assaulted the staff as well. The area is 15 kilometres south of
District headquarters Sasaram and 166 kilometres southwest of
Patna. Some farmers, whose land had been acquired for the project,
had threatened the staff earlier in the day. Police were investigating
if the attack was carried out by farmers or Maoists, SHO, Manoj
Kumar said.
An ASI, Ashfak Quarashi of the
BDS and Mahendra Turi, a constable of Jharkhand Police were killed
and three others were injured, when a bomb they were defusing
exploded accidentally at Saria Police Station in Giridih District
of Jharkhand. The bomb was found during an anti-CPI-Maoist operation
and a BDS was called from Hazaribagh District to defuse it. The
injured are identified as Satyendra Sharma, Binod Upadhyay and
Porai Oroan.
Akash Singh (24), an ‘area commander’
of the PLFI, surrendered before SP, Rajiv Ranjan Singh in Simdega
District of Jharkhand. Akash, who surrendered after Police of
Odisha and Jharkhand mounted pressure on the outfit, has six pending
cases at Bisra police station of Sundargarh District of Odisha,
which include a double murder. This apart, eight cases of crimes
including rape and murder in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum District
and six more in Simdega District are pending against him. Akash
of Kolebira area in Simdega had joined PLFI in 2012 after his
friend Ratan Gope was killed by operatives of CPI-Maoist. After
receiving training, he worked for PLFI in Jaldega, Bano and Tatotonia
areas of Simdega. From 2013 to his surrender, Akash was ‘area
commander’ of Anandpur area of West Singhbhum and Bisra area of
Sundargarh. He was carrying INR 200,000 reward on his head in
Jharkhand. The Simdega SP said it was an irony that Akash was
working for the outfit while his father had served in the Police
force and his twin brother is in the CRPF. “Akash also revealed
that PLFI chief Dinesh Gope is destroying the future of local
youths by recruiting them for extortion. He was forced to extort
and pay `1.30 lakh to Gope to get a Sten gun,” said SP Singh.
PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
The JJMP, a splinter group of
the CPI-Maoist, made an extortion call to a stone crushing plant
at Asehar under Panki Police Station in Palamu District of Jharkhand.
The 100 million worth of stone crushing plant is at Asehar under
Panki Police Station 20 kilometres from the nearest Police Station
Panki and 33 kilometres from the Police headquarters in Daltonganj.
One Paramjeet identifying himself to be from JJMP outfit made
calls to one of the members of plant management asking him to
meet and finalise the issue (read money).
A tribal woman, identified as
Jaini Parsa, sustained bullet injury after Maoists tried to attack
her husband at Laheritola in Bhamragarh tehsil in
Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The rebels had come to her
place to eliminate her husband when Jaini had put up a resistance
shielding her husband. After she had raised an alarm, the Maoists
learnt to have fled from the place.
A CPI-Maoist ‘Jan Militia commander’,
carrying a reward of INR 100,000, was arrested by Chhattisgarh
Police from neighbouring Telangana. Acting on a specific input,
the cadre Baman Kawasi alias Chaman (32), was
arrested from Husnabad area in Khammam District of Telangana,
Dantewada ASP, Gorakhnath Bahgel said. After receiving the information
about the location of Kawasi, a native of Kuwakonda Police Station
area (Dantewada), a local Police team was sent to the place and
was he was arrested, he said. Kawasi was allegedly involved in
the attack on police personnel in Etepal forests after the patrolling
team was returning after dismantling a Maoist memorial in July
this year. Besides, he was also allegedly involved in other incidents
of planting IEDs to target troopers, firing on Police patrolling
team, set ablaze machines and vehicles engaged in construction
works, the ASP said.
Police arrested Art of Living
(AOL) foundation ‘Interlocutors’ when they were heading to Sylhet
in Bangladesh to meet top members of HNLC from Dawki check post
in West Jaintia Hills District. The duo was identified as Khroo
Lamsalanki Pariat (39) of Iawmusiang Jowai and Samir Jolly (44)
of Noida. The duo’s meeting with HNLC leaders was scheduled for
November 21.
Unidentified militants, shot dead
one non local, Murali Thakur (41), at Liwa Lambi near Catholic
School Chanchipur, under Singjamei Police Station in Imphal West
District. The deceased was staying at Liwa Lambi for the last
20 years and ran a canteen at Catholic School Canchipur.
AR claims arrest of two persons
who are responsible for the IED blast at Mahamani Village in Chandel
district.
The AR has clarified that the
report of apprehension of one Thokchom Ningthemba alias ‘Private’
Pheiroijamba by 4 AR during an encounter with the militant is
totally false and baseless. A press release issued by the Public
Relation Officer, Inspector General Assam Rifles (IGAR-South)
stated that on November 15, at around 5.30 am, a foot column of
4 AR came under indiscriminate firing in Sajik Tampak area. In
the ensuing retaliatory fire, a militant was killed on the spot,
while the rest of the militants fled.
The Juvenile Justice Board that
held an 18-year-old boy guilty of planting explosives at the Bodh
Gaya temple complex in Bihar in 2013 has said the attack was to
avenge the atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The
juvenile placed a bomb under the 80-ft statue of Gautama Buddha
at the revered temple complex as “Buddhists from all over the
world used to come there and a message will be sent to all,” an
order of the juvenile court that convicted the boy of terrorist
activities said. The board sentenced him to three years in a remand
home on October 11.
Myanmar, a Buddhist country, has
seen the exodus of thousands of Rohingya Muslims from the Rakhine
province over the past several decades. Before this year’s exodus,
the mass migration intensified in 2012-13 when hundreds of Rohingya
fled to neighbouring countries, including India. On July 7, 2013,
the juvenile and other accused planted 13 bombs at the Maha Bodhi
temple complex. Two monks were injured and three unexploded bombs
were recovered. One of the accused, Haidar Ali, told the NIA that
on the day of the blast, he along with the juvenile and others
came from Ranchi and had 13 bombs with them. “Two accused — Mujibullah
and Imtiyaz — got down at the monastery. The juvenile and another
accused, Tarique Ansari, were directed to put the bomb under the
80-ft statue of Lord Buddha. Haidar Ali proceeded towards the
Mahabodhi complex, changed to a monk’s attire and first planted
a bomb at Animesh Lochan temple, the second at Mahabodhi tree,
the third under an ambulance and the fourth at a small temple.
The bombs were timed to explode between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.,” the
Board’s order said. The accused, residents of Ranchi (Jharkhand)
and Raipur (Chhattisgarh), came together to avenge the killings
of Muslims in the 2002 Gujarat riots and were also affected by
the civil war in Yemen.
Haidar Ali, who was associated
with the banned SIMI), “drew a map of the temple and decided to
plant the explosives early in the morning as Buddhists and local
people would be present in large numbers to offer prayers,” the
order said. Ali was closely linked to the IM. “The Board’s order
was the first judgment in the Bodh Gaya and Patna blast cases.
The case against the other accused is pending trial,” an NIA official
said.
GRP arrested two persons along
with FICNs worth of INR 1.20 lakh at the Jhansi railway station
in Jhansi District of Uttar Pradesh. During the routine checking,
two youths were arrested with FICN of INR 2,000 denomination to
the tune of INR 1.20 lakh, SP Railway Om Prakash Singh said. The
accused, one hailing from Shivpuri of Madhya Pradesh and the other
from Babina area of Jhansi said that they had brought the notes
from New Delhi for using them in the Bundelkhand region, the SP
said.
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.
BSF personnel arrested two persons
who were allegedly running a FICN racket in Dhubri and South Salmara-Mankachar
Districts from Fekamari market under Deepchar border outpost.
BSF seized FICN worth at INR 100,000 from the duo. The duo was
identified as Mohammad Shah Alom, (34) and Mir Jamal (35).
|
November 21 |
One Sunil Pawar, a former supporter
of the CPI-Maoist, was shot dead at a market at Jhadapapda, which
is located around eight kilometers from Pendhri in Dhanora tehsil in
Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Two more persons, Sadaram
Thakur and Ravindra Kusram, sustained injuries as the Maoists,
in civil attires, opened fire at them. Gadchiroli Police said
Chatgaon Area committee of the CPI-Maoist outfit has claimed in
a pamphlet that they had targeted Pawar as he was helping the
Police since 2007. The Maoists have also claimed to have warned
Pawar several times. Police said Pawar, requesting for pardoning,
had initially tried to flee but was later shot on head from close
quarters.
Police arrested wanted CPI-Maoist
cadre, indentified as Sachindra Majhi alias Sachin
of Kuimunda village under Boden Police Station in Nuapada District
of Odisha. Sachin was the president of CMAS, a known CPI-Maoist
front organization. He was also an active militia of the Maoists
in Patdhara Reserve Forest area of the District. Nuapada SP, Smit
P Parmar said Sachin was wanted by Boden Police for his involvement
in the killing of a civilian Gajapati Majhi on April 18 last year.
His role as a militia included arranging meetings in Patdhara
area, logistics, providing information on movement of SFs besides
extortion from contractors engaged in development work.
Over 10,000 State Government employees
took out a massive protest rally in the heart of Kohima, to demand
immediate suspension of probes on Government servants by the NIA
pertaining to demands of illegal ‘taxation’ from NNPGs. CANSSEA
member Er Tsukti said that 36 departments were currently under
NIA scanner and warned that the hospitality of the Nagas should
not be misconstrued.
The NIA have intensified search
for more than 20 suspected Islamic State (IS) recruits, including
12 Keralites, who they believe, might have returned to the country
from Syria. According to information provided by foreign intelligence
agencies, the members of the IS’s Bahrain module, who were engaged
in militant activities in Syria, have returned to the country.
Most of them found their way back home via Turkey and had used
fake passports. NIA has handed over the details of 12 Malayalees
to the Kerala Police. Eleven people are from Kannur (Kannur District)
and Kasaragod (Kasaragod District) regions and one belongs to
Malappuram (Malappuram District).
A total of 97 Indians were learned
to have joined the terror outfit’s Bahrain module. Of them, 67
people migrated to the war-torn regions of Syria. Fifteen of them
were killed in various conflicts.
Kolkata Police busted a module
of the ABT - a group banned in Bangladesh for killing secular
bloggers – and arrested three of its members who were in the city
to buy arms and chemicals from Kolkata railway station in Kolkata
District. Two of the arrested are Bangladeshi nationals, identified
as Samsad Mian alias Tanvir (26) and Rizaul Islam alias
Riyaz alias Suman (25) and the third is an Indian, identified
as Manotosh De alias Monda (42). All the three accused
were arrested after three days of tracking following tip-offs
from the IB during two of this year's biggest festivals in Kolkata:
the first came on Nabami, September 29, and the second a couple
of days before the start of the Fifa U-17 World Cup in October.
According to officials, the three
men have been working in close coordination with the AQIS, a wing
of the global al Qaeda having active presence in Bangladesh and
believed to be behind much of the available jihadi literature
in Bengali. STF officials claimed they had found papers mentioning
some of the more important places in the city, including Esplanade
bus terminus and Eden Gardens, where the India-Sri Lanka cricket
match ended on November 20.
The Indian national, Manotosh
De alias Monda (42), a resident of Kholapota in Basirhat,
was into arms smuggling, officials said. But the biggest catch
for officials is Samsad Mian alias Tanvir (26), a resident
of Bangladesh's Sylhet: this civil engineer was found with a fake
Aadhaar Card. "A separate probe on the fake card has been
launched. He did not have a genuine passport or visa," STF
Deputy Commissioner Murlidhar Sharma said. Samsad is believed
to be the "amir" (head) of the ABT's explosives wing
and is responsible for the group's revival after a major crackdown
in Bangladesh. "We are ascertaining with Bangladesh cops
whether he is named in any FIR there," a top Lalbazar official
said. Rizaul Islam alias Riyaz alias Suman (25),
a madrasa-educated youth of Khulna (Bangladesh) is believed to
have come to India on successful reconnaissance missions in the
past. "Both Samsad and Rizaul have been staying in India
for the past one-and-a-half years after crossing the International
Border (IB). They have visited at least three other Indian cities,
including Patna, Ranchi and Hyderabad. We have not yet been able
to establish any particular assignment they may have had in Kolkata
but the Bangladeshis and the Indian were in touch. The Bangladeshis
approached Manotosh De for arms and an initial demonstration might
have been completed. They were coming to Kolkata as part of a
deal. Further questioning will reveal more details," Sharma
said.
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.
SFs arrested a ‘lieutenant’ Tikkam
Mossang, (area commander of Miao area) of the NSCN-R with arms
and ammunitions from Miao town under Changlang District.
A rally organised by the All Apex
Bodies' Coordination Committee of Dima Hasao district in Haflong
town saw thousands of protesters, protesting against any inclusion
of any area of Dima Hasao District in the NSCN-IM proposed
"Greater Nagalim"
|
November 22 |
The CPI-Maoist documents recovered
from the site of an encounter in Abujhmaad on November 7, show
that they successfully exchanged demonetised INR 500 and INR 1000
notes adding up to INR 200,000. D M Awasthi, SDG, Anti-Naxal Operations,
Chhattisgarh, confirmed that at least 20 pages of handwritten
accounts, spanning several years, were recovered after the encounter
in the jungles of Abujhmaad in Narayanpur District on November
7 in which six Maoists were reported to have been killed. A postscript
in the ‘balance sheet’, maintained by the Nelnar area Janatana
Sarkar, for 2017 States: “
Note bandi ke dauran 2 lakh jama
kiya manta
(Deposited 2 lakh during note ban).” While
the year’s total expenditure has been put at INR 46,720, there
is a line which says that a sewing machine worth INR 16,000 was
damaged during an attack by SFs. The handwritten ‘balance sheets’,
for 2013 to 2017, include sub-heads like expenditure incurred
by the “vikas shakha”, “raksha shakha”, “school sanskriti shakha”,
“jan sampark shakha” and so on. There are separate pages on expenditure
incurred on “community infrastructure”, such as building of wells
and small check dams as well.
The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze
a tractor cum trolley in the buffer area of Palamu Tiger Reserve
(PTR) near Budha Pahad in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The incident
took place in the contiguity of the Baresaad based sambhar enclosure.
SP, Dhanajay K Singh said that the act was done by the Maoists
as the site of the incident falls in their territory. Sources
said that Maoists had identified the tractor which was, as the
Maoists suspected, providing logistics to the SFs on hunt for
Arvind ji and Sudhakaran ji, believed to be holed up in the Budha
Pahad.
Acting on the suspicion that CPI-Maoist
cadres may have entered the Bandipur National Park, and its surrounding
areas, the ANF, DAR Police and forest department launched a joint
combing operation in Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. The
personnel of ANF, DAR and forest department were divided into
two separate groups. While Chamarajanagar SP, Dharmendra Kumar
Meena led the 60-member ream that carried out the operation in
Kundakere, Mulapura and Karapura forest areas and along the banks
of Mayar River. The second team, led by ASP, MS Geeta, on the
other hand, covered Mulehole, Kalkere and surrounding areas. This
team comprised around 60 personnel. Sources said that neither
team managed to find any information pertaining to Naxal activities
during their respective operations. Adding that the operation
would continue on November 23, a Police said, "Combing operations
will be carried out near the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border and near
the Kerala border. We did not uncover any information on Wednesday."
The CPI-Maoist cadres have killed
a villager suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’ in Sodegaon
under Dhanora Tehsil in Gadchiroli District of
Maharashtra. According to report, the Maoists entered the house
of one Suresh Tofa woke him up from the sleep and took him outside
the house. Soon after this the Maoists killed him with an axe.
The Maoists suspected Suresh was a ‘Police informer’ and had been
informing the Police about their movements. After killing Suresh
the Maoists put up as banner in the village which read Suresh
as ‘informer’ and further stated that the persons informing Police
will punished in a similar manner.
The BDS of State Police’s SOG,
engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist operation in Gajapati District of Odisha
defused the landmines spread across the forest areas. The land
mines were detected by the SOG personnel during combing operation
to flush out the Maoists in Baliganda forest cover under Mohana
Block of the District. The BDS personnel later defused the live
landmines.
The CRPF personnel seized huge
cache of explosives of the CPI-Maoist while carrying out combing
operation at Kendu Panduli forest in Keonjhar District of Odisha.
Reportedly, the Armed Forces personnel spotted a Maoist camp in
the forest during combing operation and raided the camp. Even
though the Maoists managed to flee from the spot, they left behind
three tiffin bombs, 38 gelatin sticks, 35 detonators, 10 packets
of gunpowder and other materials used in explosives. The materials
have been seized by the Police.
A Kolkata court (West Bengal)
remanded two suspected members of banned Bangladeshi terror group
ABT and their Indian accomplice in 14 days of Police custody.
The trio, who were arrested by the STF of the city Police from
Kolkata railway station on November 21, were sent to Police custody
till December 5 by Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Satya Arnab Ghosal.
Seeking their remand, public prosecutor Pijush Kanti Mondal submitted
that Bangladeshi citizens Samsad Mia and Rizaul Islam were suspected
members of ABT, while their Indian accomplice Manotosh Dey was
an arms dealer. He submitted that all the three were arrested
when they met at Kolkata railway station in the northern part
of the city to discuss an arms deal.
Mondal stated that documents related
to terror outfit al Qaeda were recovered from the two Bangladeshis,
who were also allegedly in possession of some Aadhaar cards. The
three persons have been arrested under the Arms Act and accused
of forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.
The JuD ‘chief’ and 26/11 Mumbai
terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed's release order by a Pakistani
judicial body shows how Pakistan is ‘hoodwinking’ the international
community on the issue of terrorism, Indian Government sources
said. It is also reflective of Islamabad's "duplicity"
in tackling terrorism, they said and asked Pakistan to ‘walk the
talk’ on its assurances to the international community over dismantling
terror infrastructure and not allowing its soil to be used for
terror acts. "The release order only shows that Pakistan
provides free space to terrorists to indulge in acts against other
countries. And in case of Saeed, a designated terrorist, it also
shows how Pakistan is hoodwinking the international community
on the issue of terrorism," the source said. The sharp reaction
came within hours of the Judicial Review Board of Punjab province
comprising judges of the Lahore High Court ordering Saeed's release
on the expiry of his 30-day house arrest which is going to expire
in a couple of days. Hafiz Saeed's release may also coincide with
the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which at least
166 people were killed.
Frustrated by the failure of terrorist
activities in J&K and other places, Pakistan's ISI is now
planning to target Hindu leaders in India to create communal tensions
with other communities, top Government sources said. Sources said
that the ISI carried out the first such attack in Punjab, where
RSS leader Ravinder Gosain was shot dead in Ludhiana in broad
daylight on October 17 by gunmen hired using money routed through
Europe, Dubai and Mumbai. According to sources, investigation
has revealed that the Pakistani spy agency would try to follow
the same modus operandi in other parts of the nation as well.
Eight Hindus at the local level have so far been targeted by terrorists
in Punjab. Investigation into these cases has been handed over
to the NIA. ISI has been employing petty criminals to target leaders
to trigger riots and violence in India in the run-up to 2019 polls.
Security of key leaders has been tightened to thwart the ISI's
plans, sources said.
The NSG is planning to train their
commandos exclusively to deal with ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks
using vehicles at public places. The elite SF has taken this decision
in the wake of some recent incidents across the world where terrorists
used vehicles to mow down people at crowded places. According
to sources, the NSG is likely to send their commandos to European
countries to get training to deal with ‘lone wolf’ attacks. This
comes amid Indian authorities fearing a possible attack by the
Islamic State (IS) on places of religious significance like Kumbh
Mela (major Hindu religious festival in North India) and Thirssur
Pooram (major Temple festival in Kerala).
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.
Maoists killed Jadhoram Jangi
(50), native of Ranwahi village in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra,
in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh, suspecting him to be
a ‘Police informer’. The body of Jadhoram was found near Raimanora
village under Aundhi Police Station area of Rajnandgaon, a Police
official said. As per the Police, around two dozen armed rebels
abducted Jangi from his house in Ranwahi late on November 21.
Later, locals spotted his body near a rivulet in Raimanora. "Prima
facie it appears that he was brutally beaten to death, suspecting
that he was working as a police informer," the Police official
said.
|
November 23 |
Twelve CPI-Maoist cadres have
been arrested from separate places in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh,
during a joint operation of the CRPF’s 199th battalion and the
District Police. The Maoists were arrested from the forests under
the Bhairamgarh Police Station limits, ASP, Mohit Garg said. Acting
on specific inputs, SFs had launched a search operation in the
interior of Bhairamgarh, around 450 kilometres from State capital
Raipur, on November 22, he said. The Maoists were rounded up after
the joint team cordoned off Itampara, Uspari, Biriyabhoomi and
Daler villages inside the forests, he added. Among those arrested,
warrants were pending against nine Maoists including a woman,
he added. The maximum numbers of warrants, for 36 incidents, were
pending against Sitaram Hemla, while 12 warrants were pending
against Bheema Atra, the ASP said. The arrested Maoists were active
as lower-rung cadres and involved in attacks on Police, planting
of IEDs and putting up Maoist banners and posters, he added.
30 IEDs, seized from Budha Pahad
in Latehar District of Jharkhand, were defused by the BDS. The
IEDs planted in series were seized by the SF personnel soon after
the suspected CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a tractor in Mounasilli
under Palamau Tiger project in Baresaad Police station limit,
the sources said. The Maoists have also stopped the construction
work of a watch tower being set up by the forest department amidst
ongoing anti-Maoist operation, they said.
Jharkhand Police arrested a TPC
cadre, identified as Shyam Bhokta and seized INR 500,000 cash
when he was on way to Balumath from Chatra via Panki in Palamu
District of Jharkhand. SP, Palamu, Indrajeet Mahatha stated, “A
joint team of Palamu Police and Jharkhand Jaguar nabbed one TPC
cadre Shyam Bhokta on way to Balumath from Chatra via Panki in
Palamu and the joint team recovered Rs 5 lakhs in possession of
this TPC cadre.” On Shyam’s revelation about a tunnel at Kekargarh,
the joint team recovered one LMG, 307 bullets, four rifles one
Lethe machine, transformer, welding machine and other articles
all for making illicit arms. There were bullets of AK 47 and INSAS
assault rifles too. The joint team also arrested two more at Kekargarh
tunnel identified as Prem Sagar Mahto and Uchit Mahto. The SP
said this tunnel (read cave) was used as a store cum manufacturing
unit of TPC for illicit arms. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
A CPI-Maoist cadre and his two
associates were arrested from West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand,
following an encounter with the SF personnel. SP, Anish Gupta
said, the DAP had rushed to Boritika village in the District acting
on a tip-off on the movement of the Maoists in the area, it is
when the Maoists opened fire at the approaching security personnel,
who retaliated. The Maoists beat a hasty retreat and the three
were arrested while the others managed to escape, Gupta said.
SFs recovered a gun and a pistol from their possession.
Security Forces arrested two arms
dealers from Supermarket area near Sunrise ground of Ward No.4
Moreh in Chandel district. The two arrested armed dealers have
been identified as Liansuan Maung Ngaihte (22) (Myanmar resident)
and Jamkheng Maung Ngaihte (25). SFs recovered one 5.56 HK rifle
along with a magazine were recovered from their possession.
Taxi operators of the State threatened
to suspend services between Imphal and Dimapur in Nagaland if
the State Government failed to check extortion and looting along
NH-2 within 15 days. The drivers alleged that Kuki militant outfits
were behind the lootings, particularly the KNF, KRA, KRF and KRA-U.
The groups are in a ceasefire with the government, the drivers
said.
The special NIA court in Mumbai
rejected the bail application filed by Kalyan (Maharashtra) youth
Areeb Majeed, who was arrested for allegedly joining the Islamic
State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “The (bail) application filed
by the accused (Majeed) is rejected,” said special NIA judge.
Majeed had sought bail on the ground that section 20 (being member
of terrorist organisation) of the UAPA had been removed against
him and hence the other sections also do not survive because he
had been charged with committing crimes as a member of a terrorist
organisation. Opposing Majeed’s bail plea, the NIA had contended
before the court that his bail and discharge application have
been rejected in the past considering serious allegations against
him so he should not be granted bail. The NIA counsel had also
argued before the court that there are serious charges against
Majeed, including that of waging war against an Asiatic country
that has friendly ties with India.
Reacting sharply to a Pakistan
court's decision to set 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD
‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed free, India said that the move has once again
exposed Islamabad's policy of shielding terrorists. In a press
briefing MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that India and the
entire International community is outraged that a self confessed
and a UN proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and
continue with his evil agenda.
India is likely to raise the issue
of terrorism in a big way at the Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign
Ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi on December 11 against
the backdrop of China’s continued stonewalling of the attempts
by the international community to get JeM ‘chief’ Masood Azhar
declared as a global terrorist by the UN. The MEA on November
23 confirmed that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang
Yi would hold the trilateral meeting. ‘’We are still working out
the programme for the meeting,’’ MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar
said. India has also been upset with China for the ‘double standard’
it has adopted in fighting terrorism. On the one hand, China was
declaring its firm commitment to tackle terrorism while on the
other it was blocking listing of the JEM chief as a global terrorist,
only to save its close ally Pakistan from facing embarrassment
across the globe, a source said.
Asia-Pacific region, which now
accounts for more than half of the world’s Internet users and
is the largest region globally in terms of e-commerce sales, has
seen a huge rise in cybercrime as well, according to the 2017
APAC Cybercrime Report by ThreatMetrix. “Spurred by massive economic
growth, the Asia-Pacific region continues its rapid digital transformation.
Cybercrime in the region is also growing with attacks becoming
more organized and sophisticated,” states the study. Further,
China, India, Japan, and Vietnam are now some of the top cybercrime
hotspots in the world, with China ranking second behind the US
as the largest source of global threats. The Asia-Pacific region
continues to demonstrate its susceptibility to malware, with Indonesia,
India, and the Philippines among the top countries with the highest
number of malware infections, says the report.
Nations must take responsibility
to ensure that the internet does not become a playground for the
dark forces of terrorism and radicalisation, PM Narendra Modi
said at the Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCSS) in New Delhi.
“Information sharing and coordination among security agencies
is essential to counter the ever-changing threat landscape,” Modi
said at the inaugural session.
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.
In protest against the ULFA-I
threat hundreds of tea workers of Shree Krishna tea estate blocked
NH- 38 for over half-an-hour at Digboi-Tingrai in Tinsukia district.
The agitation comes almost 48 hours after ULFA-I rebels attempted
to kidnap the manager of the Shree Krishna Tea Garden and threatened
to shut down the garden for failing to meet their extortion demands.
|
November 24 |
An armed squad of the CPI-Maoist
attacked the base camp of an agency engaged in the construction
of Jagdishpur-Haldia Gas Pipeline and set ablaze four vehicles
in Gaya District of Bihar. The Maoists yesterday attacked the
camp located at Darna village under Aamas Police Station of the
District and indulged in arson in which many vehicles, including
three trucks, were set on fire, Patna's IGP, Naiyar Hussnain Khan
said. The Maoists also beat up some staff of the agency, Police
said.
Jharkhand CM, Raghubar Das, speaking
at the India Today Conclave 2017 in Kolkata, West Bengal, said
that the state will be "Naxalism-free" in 2018. He further
said the Police along with the ED have cracked down on those funding
Naxal terror. As a result, many Naxalites have surrendered, he
said. Simultaneously, CM Das said, the Government is working towards
developing Naxal-hit regions. "I have visited many of these
Naxal-hit areas," he said, and added that "people have
supported development".
A Policeman on duty was killed
and a policewoman seriously injured when suspected CPI-Maoist
cadres triggered a blast in a bustling market place in Gadchiroli
District of Maharashtra. The incident occurred when the two were
on security duty in Kotgul village of Kurkheda region as the weekly
market was in full swing with participation of hundreds of tribals
and traders from surrounding areas. Suddenly, an IED triggered
off by the Maoists exploded, seriously injuring the two security
officials, Suresh Gawde and Sonal Khevale, standing close by.
While, Gawde succumbed to his injuries Khevale's condition is
reported to be stable.
A CPI-Maoist couple surrendered
before SP, Jagmohan Meena in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The
Odisha Government had declared a reward of INR 200,000 for capture
of each of the surrendered Maoists — Bijal Kadme (26) and Soni
Oyame (23). Lured by “better rehabilitation package” for surrendering
Maoists in Odisha, they decided to lay down their arms in Malkangiri,
said Meena. The couple was a part of the military wing of the
CPI-Maoist organisation. They were involved in Maoist activities
in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. There are
more than 17 cases of violence, ranging from IED blasts to murders,
registered against them in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Kadme had
joined the Maoists in 2008 and Oyame in 2009. They hailed from
Pedakarme village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The duo
alleged that the Maoist organisation as well as its leaders had
deviated from their original ideology and were involved in atrocities
on tribals. “Both cited miserable condition of low-rank cadres
in the Naxalite organisation and alleged that senior cadres were
self-centered with no concern for their problems,” said the SP.
The Charla Police have arrested
three CPI-Maoist militia members and seized medicines allegedly
meant to be delivered to the Maoists from Satyanarayanapuram under
Charla Police Station in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana.
Those arrested include Madakam Seethaiah (44), Karam Muthaiah
(40) and Punem Ganapathi (30), of Kaliveru village in Charla mandal.
A Police team arrested the trio during patrolling at Satyanarayanapuram
in the mandal late on November 23 and seized
medicines from their possession. The seized material included
tablets and injections besides 20 saline bottles, all worth INR
5,000.
Unidentified militants abducted
four employees of Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) from Khasiamangal
area of Teliamura subdivision in Khowai District. Police on November
26 recovered the car of the town hall of Ambassa in Dhalai District.
The abducted TGB employees are TGB’s Taidu Branch Manager Tanumoy
Bhattacharjee (30), Sujit Chandra Dey (28) and Raktim Bhowmik
(31) and Subrata Debbarma (32). The abductors have reportedly
asked for INR 2 million each for the release of the bank staff.
A fourth Bangladeshi national
with suspected al Qaeda links was arrested by Kolkata Police STF
near Sealdah station in Kolkata District. This comes days after
three persons, including two suspected members of Bangladesh-based
Islamist group ABT, were arrested on November 21 from the Kolkata
railway station. The arrested person was identified as Sahadat
Hossain (26) a resident of Benapole port in Bangladesh. The development
came after the two ABT operatives, arrested on November 21, admitted
that they had illegally infiltrated into the Indian territory
from the Bangladesh border.
The Police are on the lookout
for two more persons - Shopon Biswas alias Sajol Ahmed
alias Moon alias Tamim (23) and Nayan Gazi alias
Zafor alias Safik alias Saiful alias Ariful
Gazi (28). "We are now looking for Gazi. Both Gazi and Biswas
are ABT members and had put up at a hotel in Howrah in the first
week of October. They may be taking shelter anywhere in India
and if anyone gives any lead, will be rewarded suitably,"
said Murlidhar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (STF) said.
NSA Ajit Doval said that use of
cyber space by terrorists and criminals is a threat to a converged
and connected world and sought greater cooperation between various
countries, businesses, and other stakeholders to counter the menace.
"Never before has there been any change which is so wide
in its expanse, and which can affect the lives of so many people...
(but) if it provides you global connectivity, it also provides
global connectivity to the terrorists and criminals. It also provides
connectivity to the people who want to subvert the minds and hearts
of young generation and take them to a certain path of thinking,"
Doval said at the GCSS. "How to control this is the real
threat?" He said that the threats from cyber world are alive
and have the potential to impact every section of the society.
"It is expanding too fast, (and) in every walk of life ...
It could add criminality not only in the areas of trade, commerce
and bank frauds, but also pollute the minds of our children,"
he said.
With the recent busting of a terror
module operating in Punjab having links to other countries, Chief
Minister Amarinder Singh directed the State Police to be vigilant
against radicalization campaigns being carried out on various
social media platforms such as Facebook. Calling for greater
vigilance along the India-Pakistan border, as the infiltration
activity moves southwards once the passes close in neighbouring
Jammu and Kashmir due to inclement winter weather, he said that
the Punjab Police should curb any attempt to use territory of
the state for anti-national activities. Chairing a high-level
meeting to review the crime and law and order situation in the
state, the Chief Minister said prevention of terrorist crime was
his Government's top priority agenda and ordered all District
police chiefs and commissioners of Police to lead from the front
in combating such threats to Punjab's peace and stability.
A three-member team from the British
High Commission met UK national Jagtar Singh Johal, arrested in
connection with targeted killings in Punjab, to ascertain whether
he was subjected to any human rights violation. The team from
Delhi remained with Johal for about an hour, said DCP Dhruman
Nimble. The commission officials asked the accused whether he
was being given facilities available to all prisoners. He was
also whether he was being tortured. Johal alias Jaggi is
among five persons arrested in connection with the killing of
RSS leader Jagdish Gagneja.
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’.
The CPI-Maoist cadres hacked Anit
Kumar Sori (25) to death suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’
at Pendra village under Mainpur Police Station limits in Gariabandh
District of Chhattisgarh. A group of armed rebels entered the
village, located around 130 kilometres away from the State capital,
Raipur, and asked Sori to come out of his house, a local Police
official said. Sori was attacked with an axe. Afterwards the rebels
fled into forest, the official said. Some Naxal pamphlets,
accusing Sori of being a ‘Police informer’, were found on the
spot, the official said.
|
November 24-25 |
Four Maoists were arrested
from two places in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. “Out of the
four, three ultras were apprehended from Bhansi police station area,
while another from Aranpur police station limits yesterday,” a local
Police official said. The patrolling team, while cordoning off a
forest near Kamaloor village, spotted three Maoists. Subsequently,
the team arrested the rebels — Suresh Bhaskar (25), Manglu Bhaskar
(21) and Jaggu Bhaskar (55) — all active as ‘jan militia’ members,
he said. The three were allegedly involved in torching trucks and
a railway-track laying machine last month near Kamaloor railway
station where track-laying work was underway on the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam
route, the officer said. In a separate operation, a ‘jan militia’
member, identified as Barse Bheema (21), was arrested from Rewali
village of Aranpur, the official said. One tiffin bomb, 30-meter
long electricity wire, batteries and crackers were also recovered
from his possession, he said.
|
November 25 |
The CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead
the son of a contractor whom they had abducted from a rail construction
site in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Ramesh Jain
(38) was found at a forest near Rekhabat village in the District
on November 26, Kanker's SP, K L Dhruv informed. Darbari Ram,
the father of the deceased, had the contract for cutting of trees
in the forest area for laying tracks as part of the Dallirajhara-Rowghat
railway project and transportation of logs to the forest department's
depot, he said. On Saturday (November 25), when Ramesh Jain was
engaged in the work of transportation of timber logs in the forest
close to Rekhabat between Rowghat and Tadoki, a group of armed
Maoists reached there. The rebels asked the workers to leave the
place. After setting ablaze four trucks and a loader machine they
took the victim along with them, the SP said. "Later, they
shot him dead in the nearby forest," Dhruv said.
Manipur Baptist Convention Higher
Secondary School, Kangpokpi, Lenkholal Chongloi alias Helen
(45) was found dead with multiple bullet injuries in Kangpokpi
District.
In a press conference JCILPS
stated that ‘’JCILPS talked with the UNC and civil organisations
of Churachandpur and most of them have agreed in-principle to
enforce ILPS or a similar mechanism in the State". JCILPS
has announced that a public convention would be held on December
1 to discuss about the next phase of protest movement.
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.
The TMPK has called for a 12-hour
Assam bandh in support of 18 tribal organisations
of Assam from 5 am to 5 pm on November 27 for demanding to stop
eviction drive on the flood and erosion affected indigenous tribal
areas.
Assam Rifles and Myanmar’s Light
Infantry Regiment successfully conducted a joint boat patrolling
along Tiau river in Champhai district of Mizoram that divides
the two countries. Sources said the boat patrolling was conducted
on November 24 and 25, covering a stretch of 90 kms. Eight soldiers
and one officer each from both countries joined the patrolling.
|
November 26 |
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed
a tribal man, branding him ‘Police informer’, at Peddamidisileru
village in Charla mandal in
Bhadradri
Kothagudem District
of Telangana. The Police identified the
deceased as Sodi Prasad (45), of Peddamidisileru, an interior
village close to the State’s border with Chhattisgarh. The Maoist
left behind two handwritten letters — one in Telugu and the other
in Hindi — containing stern warnings to ‘Police informers’. In
one of the letters, the Maoists claimed to have punished a person
belonging to Charla for allegedly acting as a ‘Police informer’.
In a statement, SP, Ambar Kishor Jha refuted reports that Sodi
Prasad was a ‘Police informer’. The local Police, also, denied
having any association with the deceased and attributed the murder
to a financial dispute the latter reportedly had with some militia
members over “exchange of demonetised currency.” The incident
came just a few days ahead of the CPI-Maoist’s annual PLGA week
to be observed by the banned organisation from December 2-8.
The CPI-Maoist posters were found
at the Kalyansinghpur Tehsildar’s office in Rayagada District
of Odisha, opposing anti-Maoist combing operations. The CPI-Maoist’s
Rayagada Area Committee was suspected to have put up two posters
at the premises of the Government office demanding stopping of
the combing operations in the Niyamgiri area. The posters threatened
three persons, Suresh Kumar Bal, Ajit Padhi and Raju Gouda, who
are working with the Police intelligence wing against Maoists.
The Maoists also opposed the construction work of a CRPF camp
in the Haat Dahikhal area asking the contractors and brokers to
stop the construction work in the Niyamgiri area and demanding
that the Government waive off farmers’ loan and remove Vedanta
from the region. Two more posters were also found at the Anganwadi
Centre at Kadambadwar Sahi and Sai Nagar Squares.
The Railway Police on the basis
of an intelligence tip-off have warned of a likely security threat
to the lives of commuters, especially Ayyappa devotees,
in Thrissur (Thrissur District of Kerala) from the so-called Islamic
State (IS) terror outfit. According to the advisory received by
the Station Master at the Thrissur Railway station, the IS operatives
might well poison the potable water provided at the station as
part of the terror design. Hence, the Station Master has been
advised to undertake a safety audit of the food and potable water
made available to commuters and Sabarimala pilgrims.
Thrissur Station Master K R Jayakumar
said he had indeed received a tip-off in this regard from the
Railway Police. He revealed the missive specifically referred
to a possible bid by the IS operatives to lace the potable water
with poison. “We are not taking any chances and viewing the issue
in all seriousness. The water tanks and food items will be properly
inspected and regular checking will be carried out,” Jayakumar
said.
State Police Chief Loknath Behera
cautioned people against spreading threat messages through social
media, claiming to be those of IS (Islamic State). Against the
backdrop of Police issuing an alert to railway authorities in
Thrissur, Behra said it was a normal Policing activity and there
was no need to panic. “Every aspect of threat messages, including
their veracity, is being inquired into by the police. We normally
give certain alert messages to the authorities concerned, as a
precaution and to remain alert. We are keeping a watch on the
critical infrastructure of public interest.” said a statement
from Police chief.
The Maharashtra ATS has deradicalised
86 people in the last two years as a part of its efforts to wean
away misguided youth from the path of extremism in the aftermath
of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, an official said. Those brought
into the mainstream include well-educated people like a young
couple, both post-graduates in pharmacy, an aeronautical engineer
and an IT professional, he said. The deradicalisation is done
to bring back to normal life persons who had strayed in the name
of 'jihad', a senior official of the ATS said. He said
all these people, including eight women, had come in contact with
their handlers via social networking sites and were radicalised
online.
They were on the verge of joining
the terror outfit Islamic State (IS) or planning to work for it,
but the law-enforcement agencies silently monitored their activities
and successfully brought them back to the normal life, he said.
The ATS approached the family members of these people, their community's
spiritual leaders and counselors were also roped-in. After continuous
efforts for more than two months in each case, all these people
were deradicalised and now they have been brought back into the
mainstream, he said. Among the many other initiatives of tackling
terrorism post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, one of the important
programmes of the ATS was to keep a close watch on the online
activities of young minds of the minority community, he said.
The Government has conducted security
audits of 227 non-major seaports to ensure their foolproof security
and foil possible attempts by terrorists, to use them as launch
pads to carry out 26/11 Mumbai attacks-type escapade. As India
observed the 9th anniversary of the country’s worst terror attacks
on November 26, a UMHA official said a number of steps have been
taken since the tragedy to strengthen the coastal security and
that include monitoring of suspicious vessels and boats by ISRO
satellite imageries. Security audits of 227 non-major seaports
and single- point moorings have been completed and as per the
recommendations of the experts, vulnerabilities of these harbours
were plugged, the official said.
SOPs were developed for dealing
with the breach of International Maritime Boundary Line and SOPs
were issued for upgrading security in the 227 non-major ports
and single point mooring facilities. Strengthening of security
in 12 major seaports in the country—Kandla, Mumbai, Jawaharlal
Nehru port, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, V O Chidambaranar,
Chennai, Kamarajar, Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata-Haldia—has
already been completed where additional security protocols were
implemented.
According to official statistics,
around 95 per cent of India’s trading by volume and 70 per cent
by value is done through maritime transport. In 2015, the total
traffic was recorded at 1,052 MMT and it is expected to reach
1,758 MMT by this year-end. As part of the tightening of the coastal
security, the Indian Space Research Organisation will monitor
boats and vessels through satellites imageries and provide 1,000
transponders by March next year to observe the movements of boats
under 20 meters. India has strengthened the coastal security after
the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai which claimed 166 lives.
During his nation-wide address
through Mann Ki Baat, PM Narendra Modi emphasised that
humanity must unite to fight against the evil of terrorism. Recalling
the notorious terror attack on Mumbai in 2008, the PM paid tribute
to the sacrifices of security personnel and common citizens who
became victims of the terror attack. “26/11 is our Constitution
Day but how can the nation forget that on this very day nine years
ago, terrorists had launched an attack on Mumbai. The country
remembers and bows to those brave citizens, policemen, security
men and each one who lost their lives then. This country can never
forget their sacrifice.” said the PM.
Speaking at an event commemorating
the bravery of SF personnel during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks,
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir
on November 26 said that the funds are being raised through drug
smuggling and are used for terrorist activities. At present, such
cases are booked under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance
Act, 1985. But for the first time, these cases will be booked
under UAPA. As most of the known drugs are supplied from
the Afghanistan to the Pakistan border and then enter India through
the north-east, the government had decided to use UAVs to monitor
and make border areas safer, says the Minister.
Report said that due to unease
with progress of Indian SFs to eliminate terrorism in Kashmir,
the Pakistan Government has released the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai
terror attacks, Hafiz Saeed to promote terrorism in India, said
Hansraj Ahir. Speaking on the government’s measurement to improve
internal security, the Minister said that the Indian Government
increased the expenditure to buy new and modern weapons for the
SFs. Claiming the success in curbing Naxal activities in
the past three years, “The Naxal attacks have come down by 20-25
per cent. The government is also working on bringing down instances
of smuggling through the coastal areas", said the Minister
A year after the sensational Nabha
jailbreak in Punjab’s Patiala, wherein two militants and four
gangsters escaped from the prison with the help of 15 other gangsters,
the Punjab Police have failed to nab eight accused, including
two escapees and a Hong Kong-based handler. KLF ‘chief’ Harminder
Singh Mintoo, another militant Kashmir Singh and gangsters Vicky
Gounder, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, Neeta Deol and Amandeep Dhotian
had escaped on the morning of November 27, 2016. The daring act,
the kind of which was never seen even during the heydays of militancy
in Punjab, had rocked the nation.
Police later re-arrested KLF ‘chief’
Mintoo, gangsters Gurpreet Singh Sekhon, Neeta Deol, Amandeep
Dhotian, but militant Kashmir Singh and gangster Gounder are still
eluding the Police net. Apart from the six escapees and 15 attackers,
there were 15 others who had helped or harboured the gangsters.
SP-detective Harvinder Singh Virk said that a total of 28 accused
have so far been arrested in the case, which include four escapees,
11 perpetrators and 14 others who helped the gangsters involved
in the jailbreak. “Eight accused, including two escapees and four
perpetrators, are still at large. Various teams are working to
nab them. Police have also alerted central agencies to nab Hong
Kong-based Romi, who was handling and funding the jailbreak operation,”
he added.
Nine jail officials and other
private individuals, who were booked earlier, were found innocent
during the investigations. Their names were later dropped from
the FIR.
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.
ULFA-I has "courteously requested"
McLeod Russell’s Samdang tea estate in Tinsukia District to "contribute"
INR 10 million to the outfit's organisational fund. Tinsukia Superintendent
of Police Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta said on November 26 that the extortion
note was sent to a garden employee through WhatsApp. The purported
extortion note read: "Please accept our revolutionary greetings.
You/Your company is courteously requested to contribute INR 10000000.00
to our organisational fund. Your cooperation in making this payment
promptly will be greatly appreciated." The note is signed
by ULFA-I ‘finance secretary’ "brigadier" Jibon Asom.
Police on recovered the car of
the Tripura Gramin Bank the town hall of Ambassa in Dhalai District.
A CRPF jawan, identified as Manjunath
Shivaligappa was killed and two others were injured during an
encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres in Padiyalmetta
forest under Gyarapatti Police Station limits of Gadchiroli District
in Maharashtra. Three CRPF jawans — Deepak Sharma,
Lokesh Kumar and Manjunath Shivaligappa — sustained serious injuries
during an encounter which took place when the 113th battalion
of the CRPF was carrying out a joint anti-Maoist operation. Later,
Shivaligappa succumbed to his injuries.
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
|
The UMHA has decided to use
the CAPFs and more than 500 of their camps, located in areas affected
by Naxal violence in different States, as the
focal point for delivering Government-run schemes and programmes
among villagers and tribals. The UHMA believes this is
also one way to counter the perception about Government as propagated
by the Naxals and promote the development to
villages abutting these camps. The Ministry has termed is as ‘camp
village development (CVD)’. According to the report, UMHA sent
a letter to Principal Secretaries (Home) of the Governments affects
by the Naxal violence - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana on
November 20. The District administration should also coordinate
and make best use of CAPFs for delivery of centrally sponsored
or State sponsored schemes in the villages nearby the camps. There
are 118 battalions of CAPFs deployed in these seven States. Besides,
States have raised IRBs and special IRBs, and 10 CoBRA of
the CRPF battalions have been deployed to handle Naxal violence.
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.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
said that the strength of the ULFA, a separatist outfit, is "no
more" and there is "no law and order problem" in
the state."There is no law and order problem in the State
and it is now a peaceful State... ULFA's strength is no more,"
he told reporters in Kolkata. Responding to a query about
the reported incident of a Tea Garden being asked to contribute
to ULFA-I’s fund, he said: "This is misleading information.
We have to see the situation in the entire State. "The state
is peaceful. Why had investors invested more than Rs 6,500 crore
in our regime so far in the state? Only single incident cannot
justify. There is no such incident in the state... only WhatsApp
message. Cyber activities sometime create confusion in the mind
of people."
The CCTOA, an umbrella organisation
of 19 indigenous communities, has called a 12-hour Assam bandh (strike)
on November 29 (today) to protest the eviction in Amchang Wildlife
Sanctuary in Guwahati by State Government authorities.
Altogether 1,240 refugees entered
Mizoram from bordering Myanmar recently, fearing reprisal following
encounters between the Myanmar army and rebel group, AA.
The refugees entered Lawngtlai district in the southern end of
the State after an exchange of fire between the Myanmarese Army
and the militants intensified near the border in the past couple
of days. The police said there has been no increase in the number
of refugees entering the State till November 27. Around 420 refugees
have settled in Zochachhuah, 500 in Laitlang, 120 in Dumzautlang
and 200 in Hmawngchhuah villages across the District.
Naga talk’s interlocutor R.N.
Ravi told the parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs
that “no deadline” could be fixed for the Naga peace agreement
and talks were on with at least five or six Naga groups other
than the Isak-Muivah. Mr. RN Ravi is learnt to have told the parliamentary
Standing Committee on Home Affairs that the NSCN-IM had been insisting
that since it was the “legitimate Naga group”, negotiations should
take place only with it but that was not the stand of the Government
of India. “All members wanted to know when the details of
the framework agreement will be disclosed by the Centre? The Naga
interlocutor said negotiations were still on and the Government
of India was not comfortable with only one or two main groups
such as the NSCN-IM coming on board, but wanted to take into the
fold the other groups as well,” a Member of Parliament who attended
the meeting said.
Keeping a security tab on the
GES 2017 and Ivanka Trump’s visit to India, the US intelligence
agencies have notified its Indian counterparts about a possible
threat of IS-inspired lone-wolf attack. Following the alert issued
by the US intelligence, the IB and Telangana Counter Intelligence
Cell is keeping a close security tab on around 200 suspects who
earlier had terror links and expressed jihadi ideology.
According to officials, Ivanka Trump’s security will be closely
monitored by the US Secret Service officials whereas India’s SPG
will take care of the security measures of Indian PM Narendra
Modi. In addition to the existing anti-sabotage and anti-explosive
equipments, the Telangana Police will have special equipments
that are recently acquired from Israel.
As per the latest Intelligence
inputs, around 100 Indians have joined IS-controlled regions in
Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan since 2014. While 50 Indians left
India, the remaining 50 are part of Indian Diaspora who left from
their respective countries, mostly from the Gulf countries. These
low numbers depicts that IS propaganda to lure Indian Muslims
has failed to an extent, as the numbers are very low in proportion
to the large Indian population and also in comparison to the percentage
of large Indian Muslim community, said an official of the UMHA.
According to an Intelligence
official, the IS related content on social media is highly accessed
in southern states such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka, including Maharashtra, although the J&K youth
is also drawn to the ISIS ideology at various phases of the radicalisation.
As the indigenous outfit - Popular Front of India (PFI) is ‘systematically’
radicalising the some youths, the government is working on a proposal
to declare PFI an ‘unlawful association’, said sources.
The UMHA has asked the NIA to
probe the case where a suspected AQ operative was alleged to set
up camps for Rohingyas fighters in the N-E region. The suspect
in question, Samiun Rahman alias Shuman Haq alias Raju
Bhai—a UK citizen, was arrested on September 18, 2017 and revealed
to the interrogators that he is an active member of al Qaeda since
2013.
According to the investigators,
Rahman had travelled to Morocco, Mauritania, Turkey, Syria, Bangladesh
and India regarding ‘suspected terror activities’ and had alleged
conversation on Telegram—a cloud-based instant messaging
application, with the handlers from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Rahman
arrived in India in July 2017 with intentions to setup a base
camp in Mizoram and Manipur, raise funds, and lure the youth to
fight for the cause of Rohingyas, said the Special cell.
India and Russia on November 27
agreed to help each other in combating terrorism as the two strategic
partners signed a key agreement, asserting that there are no good
or bad terrorists and the menace should be fought jointly. The
agreement between the two countries for cooperation in tackling
all forms of terrorism was signed by the India’s UHM Rajnath Singh
and Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Moscow
after they held wide-ranging talks. The Ministers underlined
that cooperation in the field of security was an important aspect
of this bilateral relationship further strengthen cooperation
to combat terrorism, extremism and radicalism, a statement issued
by the Indian embassy said.
According to the Intelligence
sources, AQIS is engaging its members in India to spark the communal
tensions and target religious places. In the video titled, ‘Saffron
Terror’, AQIS media unit included the morphed images and video
clips associated with ‘Hindu extremism’ to communally charge the
contents of the video. After the release of the video, the intelligence
agencies are keeping an eye on the movements of AQIS affiliated
sleeper cell headed by Sanual Haq, an Uttar Pradesh resident.
In connection with RSS leader,
Ravinder Gosain murder case, on November 27, the NIA special court
extended the custody of two accused—Ramandeep Singh
alias
Canadian and Hardeep Singh alias Shera. The
investigation has some ramifications that suspects the role of
Pakistan in this conspiracy, said senior special Public Prosecutor.
Both the accused have links with the UK based banned Khalistan
separatist groups—ISYF and the KLF, said an official on condition
of anonymity.
The Azamgarh Police on November
27 opened history sheets of four alleged IM operatives under instructions
of the Uttar Pradesh ATS. A senior ATS official said it was recently
decided that history sheets of all terror suspects hailing from
the State would be opened to record the cases lodged against them
in Police stations of their native districts for surveillance
purposes. The four fugitives - Abu Rashid alias Sheikh alias Danda,
Dr Shahnawaz Alam, Mohammad Sajid alias Bada
Sajid and Mohammad Rashid Sultan - belong to Sanjarpur village
in Azamgarh District. Their history sheets were opened at Saraimeer
Police station, confirmed IG, ATS, Asim Kumar Arun.
The ATS has prepared a list of
25 such suspects which include those who are absconding, in prison
as well those acquitted in cases by a court. Shahnawaz and Sajid
carry a bounty of INR10 lakh each on their heads, announced by
the NIA. Station Officer of Saraimeer police station, Ram Naresh
Yadav, said, “Abu Rashid’s historysheet has been opened with number
70A, Shahnawaj’s as 46A, Sajid’s as 37A and Mohammad Rashid’s
as 26A. “These four historysheets were opened today on the basis
of details provided by UP ATS.” An ATS official said they are
yet to acquire “concrete information” about the whereabouts of
the four alleged IM men since after terror cases were lodged against
them in different states. The official, however, claimed that
the agency suspects the four are fighting for IS in Syria.
|
November 28
|
A villager Dudhi Hidma (50), hailing from the neighbouring Amapenta
village, was killed in a pressure IED blast in a field near Kansaram
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Such devices are generally
planted by Maoists to target SFs who often pass through agriculture
fields and dirt tracks during patrolling, SP, Abhishek Meena said.
A joint team of CRPF and District
Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre from Parasi forest
under Jhajha Police Station area in Jamui District of Bihar. Ravindra
Rawat, an associate of Maoist Pintu Rana was arrested from the
forest following a specific intelligence input, said ASP, Naxal-Operations,
DN Pandey. The arrested CPI-Maoist cadre was mainly involved
in extorting money from construction companies. A country pistol
and some live cartridges were recovered from his possession.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified
as Junul Tigga (27), was arrested from a village in Tamar Block
in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Tigga, who joined Maoists sometime
in 2013, was operating in Khunti District, was a member of the
armed squad of Maharaj Pramanik and Amit Munda who are currently
operating in the Tamar-Bundu zone, was wanted for the murder of
a Mukhiya and several robberies on NH 33. "He
was arrested on basis of a tip-off that he had come to his village,
Basukicha. Last year, he had murdered mukhiya of Jargo panchayat
in Tamar Jeevan Singh Munda (38). Munda was dragged out of his
home and then shot in the head. Maoist posters left near the body
claimed he was killed for being a police informer," said
Bundu, SDPO, K.V. Raman, adding that investigations had, however,
revealed that Tigga had a personal feud with the mukhiya.
Two of his associates allegedly involved in the murder, Rammohan
Munda and Das Tirkey, were also arrested. No weapon was found
with Tigga when he was arrested. But Police seized his mobile
phone, which he had looted from a truck driver on NH 33 on August
23, along with INR 13,000 in cash, Police said.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered
blasts of a slurry pipeline, belonging to Essar Steel, near Chinitalguna
village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District of Odisha.
According to reports from the company sources, the Maoists blasted
portions of the pipeline in at least three spots by using landmine
explosives. The damaged points are located 500 metres from one
end to the other. The blasts caused considerable damage to the
pipeline, which is stretched across the Bailadila Mines area of
Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to its steel plant in Visakhapatnam
in Andhra Pradesh. The slurry pipeline passes through dense and
thick forest, where the Maoists have sizeable presence and influence.
The Maoists have targeted the slurry pipelines thrice since past
one year.
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.”
Demanding an early solution to
the Bodoland issue, the ABSU has called for a 10-day economic
blockade in January 2018. The student body has also announced
a 24-hour national highway blockade in December 2017. “We want
solution of the Bodoland issue at the earliest. We had organized
several tripartite talks with the government but there was no
result. We are dissatisfied with the lackluster attitude of the
government towards the issue,” said ABSU ‘president’ Pramod Boro.
Security has been stepped up in
the vulnerable pockets like Digboi, Pengaree, Bordumsa, Kakopothar,
Doomdooma and Makum following intelligence inputs stating the
possible large scale sabotage activities, including abduction
and extortion were being planned by the ULFA-I.
Suspected NSCN militants set ablaze
five vehicles and a generator at Tikak west colliery belonging
to North Eastern Coalfields close to the Assam-Arunachal border
in Tinsukia District.”There were around 50 dumpers in service,
four of which were parked at the workshop. Over 100 employees
were in the mine and the workshop. They fired on diesel and water
tanks, hit employees with the butt of their rifles and set on
fire five vehicles and a generator. Four dumpers and a service
van, valued at over INR three crore, were damaged,"
Mining in-charge of ANE Industries Private Ltd Balbir Singh said.”
Imphal Police arrested four PLA
cadres, two of them women, from their residences in Imphal West
District. The arrested were identified as Naorem Bhume Singh (44),
of Naorem Leikai, Konsam Joykumar Singh, (47), from Thongju Part
II, Naorem Ongbi Premila Devi, (37), of Kha Naorem Leikai and
Huidrom Ongbi Jiballata Devi, (54), of Thongju Pechu Lampak. Bhume
and Joykumar were active members of the banned organisation while
the two women were overground workers who helped Bhume and Joykumar.
Police recovered one AK-56 rifle, five magazines, 15 AK-57 ammunition,
one lethod gun, 10 lethod shells, and a .9mm pistol with magazine
from the arrested persons.
NSCN-IM announced the appointment
of ‘lieutenant general’ Anthony Ningkhan Shimray as its ‘longvibu’
(commander-in-chief of the Naga army). The outfit’s ‘vice-president’
Kholi announced this via an ‘order’. Shimray, a 56-year-old Tangkhul
Naga from Manipur’s Ukhrul district, replaces Phungthing Shimrang,
who was formerly the convenor of the ceasefire monitoring cell.
The NSCN-IM did not specify the removal of Shimrang, also a Tangkhul
from Manipur. Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, arrested on charges of
gunrunning in 2010, is out on bail since 4 August, 2016.
Security agencies have arrested
an alleged LeT militant from Varanasi District and claimed that
he was carrying out reconnaissance of vital installations such
as army camps and power projects, officials said. The arrested
militant was identified as Abdul Naeem Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad
in Maharashtra. It is alleged that Sheikh had visited J&K
where he had carried out a recce mission involving some vital
installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials
claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh,
especially Kasol, which is being frequented by Israeli nationals.
The case has been handed over to the NIA for further probe.
An alleged operative of ABT—Omar
Farooq alias Mohammad Aftab Khan has been arrested
by the Kolkata Police’s STF from the India-Nepal border. Including
this, the total arrests made in alleged connection with ABT—a
banned Bangladeshi terror outfit has increased to five.
Aftab was an expert in IEDs and
belongs to the explosives wing of the ABT outfit, said an official.
Last week, the Kolkata STF arrested other two members of ABT from
Kolkata railway station and seized fake identity cards and arms
from their possession. These terrorists were suspected with their
involvement in the killings of bloggers and writers in Bangladesh.
India is most vulnerable to online
crime, with explored trends in frauds conducted in financial services
such as insurance, retails and telecoms, according to a survey
conducted by the Experian. The persons behind these online frauds
are mostly educated and well-aware of their target’s whereabouts.
So far the Cyber Crime Cell of Cyberabad had registered over fifty
cases related to online frauds, said Inspector of the Cyber Crime
Cell, P. Ravi Kiran in Hyderabad.
According to the data from Cyberabad’s
Cyber Crime Cell, around 60 to 70 complaints are related to the
fraud involving ‘OTP’, jobs and matrimonial matters. Ironically,
50 per cent of the victims are IT professionals and the accused
are from non-IT background, said S. Jayaram, ACP of Cyberabad’s
Cyber Crime Cell. The fraudsters also used advertisements and
classifieds listing in well-known newspapers as their
modus
operandi
in cyber crime, said a senior official at Cyberabad’s
Cyber Crime Cell.
The security level was stepped-up
at Mumbai airport after a private security guard at airport’s
cargo division found an alleged IS’ note regarding an attack on
its cargo facility section. According to the sources, the note
read “attack the cargo on 26 January 2018 or anytime—ISIS”, after
which the bomb disposable teams of the CISF and local Police were
briefed up for security. As the cargo area is not monitored by
CISF team, the levels of vigilance and passenger checks has been
increased in the main airport terminal area, said senior CISF
office.
Zakir Musa—chief of AQ’s Kashmir
outfit, AGuH, and other members of the outfit are getting ready
with their supplies for winters. According to a video released
on November 28, Zakir Musa and other militants of AGuH were seen
stocking up to the eatables, including Ghee, Milk while singing
jihadi songs and waving IS' flags. Reportedly, in winters, routes
in forests get clogged due to heavy snowfall and seasoned rains.
It is suspected that the Musa and other members filmed this video
from their hideout somewhere located inside the dense forests
of the Tral belt in Pulwama District where they have enormous
support from local population, said Police sources.
|
November 29
|
A CRPF constable was injured in
an IED blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Palodi village
under Kistaram Police Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place when the jawan of the 208th CoBRA battalion,
along with a Police team was carrying out an anti-Naxal
operation in the area.
Seven alleged CPI-Maoist cadres
were arrested in a search operation launched by the SFs in Toayameta
and Kaynar forest in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Those
arrested were identified as Benja Korram, Kulle Madavi, Madda
Podiyam, Aasi Usendi, Sukko Kashyap, Pandharu Kurhami and Guddi
Mandavi, the Narayanpur District Police said in a statement. All
seven were working for the Maoist ‘militia’ in Bhattbeda, Kakawada
and Kolokal area of Narayanpur. The Police also managed to recover
two locally-made guns, ammunition and other party literature from
the arrested Maoists.
A top ‘zonal commander’ of the
CPI-Maoist and a ‘strategist’ Enul Khan alias Govind
ji (52), who was wanted for killing at least two dozen security
personnel in the red zone area of Jharkhand and Bihar, surrendered
with a gun before the Jharkhand State Police along with a ‘Commander’
of the TPC, Roshan alias Ajay Prasad Sao in Latehar
District of Jharkhand. Govind had joined the banned left wing
organisation as a regular cadre in 2005. Considering his strategy
making capabilities, senior leaders of the outfit rose his ranks
to ‘area commander’. He was also member of the political wing
of the CPI-Maoist. “He was wanted by Jharkhand and Bihar Police
for carrying out attacks on joint security forces. He carried
Rs 10 lakh award on his head,” said Indrajeet Mahatha, SP of Latehar
District. The SP added that Govindji in 2013 led a troop of Maoist
cadres which had triggered a landmine blast killing eight security
personnel including a SI rank officer in Bihar’s Gaya District.
Govind was also part of the Maoist team which ambushed joint SFs
in Palamu in 2016. Six CRPF troopers were killed and several others
were injured in the attack. Active since 2014, Roshan has been
in jail and came out only in 2016 but he again became a Naxal.
As per the surrender policy of the Government, Khan was given
INR 1.1 million while Roshan got INR 50,000. Palamu, DIG, Vipul
Shukla informed that Khan has 21 cases against him and was operating
interstate, covering Bihar, whereas Roshan’s tally was 24 of which
14 cases are registered in Garhwa District.
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.
The 12-hour Assam bandh called
by the Coordination CCTOA passed off peacefully in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur
and Majuli in Upper Assam with vehicles remaining off the road.
The protest was launched against the eviction of settlers at Amchang
Reserve Forest who took shelter from Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli
districts after losing their land to floods and erosion. The protesters
shouted slogans like Tez dim, mati nidiu (we
will give blood, not land).
Two Rohingya refugee families
comprising eight members were apprehended from Khayerpur area
in Agartala in West Tripura District. Eight members of two Rohingya
refugees were on their way to the city on an Inter-State bus but
they landed at Khayerpur ‘mistakenly’ at 10.05 am. All the detain
Rohingya families were taken to Bodhjungnagar Police Station for
interrogation, according to sources. The eight were identified
as Mohammad Ansarulla (35), Syed Karim, (55), Khasina Bibi (25),
Sufeda (20), Mohammad Jubain (13), Safilum Islam, (7), Taslima
(5) and 16-month-old) Mohammad Afran.
The team comprises of local Police
and the NIA raided a house and arrested Akhtar Hussain Khan (52)
in Samantrapur village, around 40 kilometres in Cuttack District
of Odisha. Before the arrest, the team probed Akhtar for five
hours and thoroughly searched his house which includes examination
of his mobile phone and other documents. Later, they took him
to an undisclosed location. On the basis of suspicious terror
links, the NIA team found some messages and phone numbers in Akhtar’s
mobile phone, following his arrest, said sources. "My father
was sitting in his room in the morning when suddenly the NIA team
arrived and isolated him. They questioned him for over five hours
and later took him along with them. When I opposed they said they
are taking my father with them for further questioning and will
leave him by evening," said Illiyash Khan, Akhtar's son.
The raid on Akhtar’s house was based on the informative inputs
from another suspected terror operative arrested by NIA team from
Varanasi District of Uttar Pradesh on November 28, 2017, said
sources.
LeT operative Shaikh Abdul Nayeem—arrested
by the NIA on November 28, turned out to be an associate of 26/11
Mumbai attacks’ accused Syed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu
Jundal. According to the NIA, Nayeem was also associated with
LeT ‘commander’ Amzad alias Rehan who is based
in Pakistan, and facilitated funds from LeT operatives in UAE
with intentions to setup basis in different parts of India. Nayeem
also did recce of different tourism-focal areas in Delhi, Uttar
Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for the purpose of carrying out
terror attacks, said NIA statement. The NIA special court had
granted his custody to NIA for ten days.
SFs arrested some pro-Khalistani
militants from Punjab on November 4, which includes Jagtar Singh
Johal alias Jaggi—a citizen of the UK, allegedly
using the Internet to lure youth to revive Sikh militancy in Punjab.
Allegedly Jagtar Singh was in touch with KLF ‘chief’ Harminder
Singh and other members of the outfit. Adding to the role of Pakistan’s
ISID, Chief Minister of Punjab—Amarinder Singh claimed that ISID
always looks for the opportunity to disturb the internal security
and peace in India, whether through Khalistan issue or anything
else.
Emphasising on ‘no place for violence’
in a democracy, India’s V-P— M. Venkaiah Naidu said that terrorists
neither belong to any religion nor caste, and all nations along
with the UN must come forward with strong steps to eradicate terrorism
from the world. “A terrorist is a terrorist. A terrorist has no
religion, no caste and is an enemy of humanity,” said Venkaiah
Naidu at an event of “Dr Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture 2017”
in New Delhi, India.
Indian Defence Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman and her Singaporean counterpart, Ng Eng Hen, on November
29, added depth to the collaboration of two countries by signing
an agreement to strengthen the maritime security and overall military
cooperation, focusing on combating terrorism and China’s increased
military strength in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement would
also look-after areas of aerospace and electronics between two
nations’ defence industries for enhanced collaboration. Appreciating
India’s proposal for routinely naval engagements over shared maritime
space between the two countries, Singaporean Defence Minister—Eng
Hen also appreciated Indian PM Modi’s acceptance to be the keynote
speaker at the forthcoming ‘Shangri-La’ Dialogue in 2018.
The co-founder of LeT and the
26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind—Hafiz Saeed continues to remain
a ‘free man’ in Pakistan, as earlier he had been arrested under
the peer pressure from the US Government. Hafiz carries
a bounty of 10 million US dollars imposed by the US considering
his involvements in terror activities, but last week he was freed
by Pakistan Government claiming no further cases against him.
According to the recent data released
by the NCRB, out of 12,317 cybercrime incidents that were reported
in 2016, in only 30 per cent the Police or concerned investigation
agency filed a charge sheet. There were 40 cases that were
done with a “political” motive and 14 cases pertained to sale
and purchase of illegal drugs. As per the data, 149 cases were
registered for ‘inciting crimes against a community’ and three
cases were of ‘inciting hate crimes against the country’. Along
with, other 6,818 cases were registered under various sections
of the IT Act that pertains to sending offensive and false information.
Under the various sections of the UAPA, total 922 cases were registered,
where the state Meghalaya tops with 42 cases registered under
the sections pertaining to the ‘sedition and waging war against
the country’.
|
November 30
|
The CPI-Maoist cadres have set
up a permanent camp ahead of ‘PLGA Week’ starting from December
2, in cut off area of Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Maoists
constructed a building, painted in red colour and cordoned off
the place with the barricades like Police Station, in a remote
area near Totaguda village in Jantri Panchayat in
Chitrakonda area in the District. Sources said that Maoist leader
Samara and his wife will be in charge of the management of the
office. The Maoists office will be officially inaugurated on the
first day of the ‘PLGA Week’ on December 2.
Posters of the CPI-Maoist appealing
people to observe ‘PLGA Week’, surfaced at the Kurtamgarh area
under Tumudibandha Police Station area in Kandhamal District of
Odisha. At least two posters were put up beside the
Tumudibandha Road, released in the name of CPI-Maoist group appealing
people to observe ‘PLGA Week’ to mark its foundation day from
December 2-8. Through the posters, CPI-Maoist cadres also gave
a call to people in the District to join the Naxal movement
in large numbers. The posters highlighted of the Bargarh encounter
and Naxals have warned through the posters that
the sacrifice of woman CPI-Maoist cadre Banila and two others
would not go in vain and they would fight for the rights on water,
forest and women’s liberation.
Security has been beefed up across
Malkangiri District of Odisha, after posters of Kalimela Regional
Committee of the CPI-Maoist were found in Tekguda and Chitrakonda
areas in the District. Surveillance has been strengthened to foil
violent activities of Naxals who will observe
the ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2, to pay homage to their ‘martyrs’
killed during encounter with SFs. The Police have been put on
high alert and combing operations are underway in all sensitive
areas along the border. Police sources said anti-Maoist operations
are on in full swing with the combined efforts of the BSF, SOG
and CRPF personnel. The District Police has stepped up joint combing
operations with the Central forces. Additional forces have been
deployed in all sensitive places such as Kalimela, MV-79, Motu,
Podia, Maithili, Chitrakonda, Govindpalli and Bhejangwada of the
District.
Jimendra Mallick, a CPI-Maoist
cadre, who was providing logistical as well as intelligence inputs
to the outfit, was arrested form Tumudibandha Police Station area
in Kandhamal District of Odisha. Mallick, a native
of Daringpada village of Kotagada Block, was actively operating
in Tumudibandha, Baliguda and Kotagada blocks of the District
for the CPI-Maoists’ cause. He was disseminating the movement
of Police and SFs in advance and confessed his allegiance to CPI-Maoist,
said SDPO, Bibekanand Sharma.
‘District secretary’ of CPI-ML-New
Democracy’s armed squad D. Sammaiah alias Gopi
(49), was arrested by the Police in Mahabubabad District of Telangana.
SP, N. Koti Reddy said the arrested Naxal leader
was underground for the past 30 years and belonged to Enchagudem
in Kothaguda mandal. On credible information that
Sammaiah was in Mahabubabad town to extort money from a contractor
the Police laid a trap and arrested him. The Police seized one
8 mm rifle, 8 mm rifle magazine, 10 live rounds, one pouch and
a kitbag. He was involved in a exchange of fire with the Police
in 2004, in murder of two persons in 2012 in Gudur mandal,
blasting of a belt shop and assault of a person in 2010 at Kothaguda mandal.
The SP said the arrested Naxalite was extorting
money from tendu leaf contractors, civil contractors and petty
traders. He appealed to people to inform the Police about the
movement of armed squads that were indulging in extortion and
unlawful activities. He wanted the underground cadre to give up
arms and join the mainstream.
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.
The Conkorf raised the demand
for separate “Koch Hajo” state. This development comes after the
demand for a separate "Bodoland" state to be carved
out of Assam was raised by different Bodo organisations recently.
According to the organisation, there is no historical basis of
the demand for "Bodoland" as the ancient Bodo Kachari
comprised Cachar and a part of Nagaland with Dimapur as the capital
and not the areas that they are demanding as "Bodoland".
Conkorf said in the BTAD, comprising Kokrajhar, Baksa, Udalguri
and Chirang, Bodos comprise only 27 per cent of the total population.
The Supreme Court rejected the
Centre's plea to extend the deadline for update of the NRC from
December 31 this year to July 31, 2018.
Security Forces in an encounter
killed ULFA-I militant "sergeant major" Rajan Deka alias Rajan
Asom (44), at Khoirabari village Udalguri district. An AK-47
rifle, three magazines, three pistols, 74 live cartridges, eight
mobile phones and INR 6,000 were recovered from the militant who
carried a bounty of INR 5000,000 on his head.
Police arrested three NNC militants
from Meherpur near Silchar in Cachar district. The cadres were
identified as Sumgailung Gonmy, (19), Keirijin Kamai, (35), and
Thuijinang Kamai, (26).
Unidentified militants planted
a powerful IED in front of an iron and steel shop located at Khoyathong
Polem Leikai Pukhri Mapal in Imphal West District. The IED was
later safely detonated by bomb experts on the spot.
President Ram Nath Kovind, hailing
Mizoram as “special”, said it is the focus of the Centre’s
Act East policy that aims at providing access to new markets for
the State. The policy will give Mizoram’s agricultural produce
and traditional products entry to such markets, as well as strengthen
information technology and Internet connectivity in the State,
Mr. Kovind said at a special session of the Assembly. He said
this process would have a multiplier effect across a range of
industries.
The eight Rohingya refugees arrested
in the State were sent to seven days' judicial custody by the
Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Agartala. They will be produced
in court again on December 6. , investigating officers have found
that the refugees we-re planning to cross over to Bangladesh.
They were charged under Section 3/6 IPC and Section 14 of Foreigners
Act.
Pakistan’s PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
said that JuD chief and founder of LeT— Hafiz Saeed was released
by the Lahore High Court in the lack of charges against him. No
substantial evidences have been provided by India to prove the
allegations on Hafiz Saeed, these are only accusations, said Pakistan’s
PM Abbasi. Abbasi asked Indian Government to provide substantial
evidences and prosecute Hafiz Saeed at international platform.
|
December 1
|
AR apprehended two cadres of NSCN-IM
from Mullong village in Changlang district. The arrested cadres
have been identified as ‘private’ Mohonong Tikhak and ‘private’
Ronong Tikhak. A pistol along with live ammunition was recovered
from the two along with other incriminating possessions.
The Naxal rebellion
in Chhattisgarh is at its end and red corridor will become a green
corridor of development and peace. The State is turning a new
tide with Government’s development policies. The development projects
are being pushed despite continued violence. Recently, 12 security
personnel lost their lives, while trying to build a stretch of
road. Infrastructure like schools and roads are being rebuilt
whenever they have been destroyed in Naxal hotbeds
such as Bastar, said Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh at Hindustan
Times Leadership Summit in New Delhi. Red corridor will become
green corridor. Green corridor means peace and development. There
will be drums of celebrations, not the sound of bombs exploding.
Change can’t be brought at gunpoint. It will need dialogue and
development. The per capita power consumption statistics and healthcare
indicators showcase Chhattisgarh’s growth path, added Singh, while
responding to questions from media.
Unidentified armed Naxals killed
Bhaiya Ram Munda (38), a local BJP leader and injured three others
including the wife, mother and brother at Bagma village under
Murhu Police Station area in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Police
said a group of 15-20 ultras belonging to an unidentified CPI-Maoist
/ splinter group reached the house of the deceased Munda in the
night and opened indiscriminate fire in which he was killed on
the spot while his wife, mother and brother sustained injuries.
However, Police suspected PLFI ultras of being responsible for
the killing. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.
A joint team of Jharkhand and
Chhattisgarh Forces and Para-Military personnel are conducting
a major anti- Naxal operation in Burha Pahar,
located in Garhwa District of Jharkhand bordering Chhattisgarh
to target and root out top Maoist ‘commanders’. The Jharkhand
Government has directed the local administration to evacuate Burha
Pahar village, witnessing repeated bombardments following the
heavy offensive over a month by the SFs.
Posters of CPI-Maoist appealing
locals to join the Maoist movement were found at Barabandha hilly
road under M Rampur Block in Kalahandi District of Odisha. The
CPI-Maoist posters put up on roadside trees as well as guard walls
gave a call for fight against the encroachment of forest and land
of tribal people by outsiders and condemned the killing of CPI-Maoist
cadre Rupa in Police encounter in the District in November. CPI-Maoist
is observing the ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2-8 to mark its foundation
day.
CPI-Maoist posters also surfaced
in Mahupadar and Kalimela areas of Malkangiri District of Odisha. The
bus services in eight routes in Rayagada, Kandhamal and other
few pockets in Malkangiri District were suspended as a precautionary
measure.
A permanent ‘camp building’ constructed
by CPI-Maoist at Totuguda in Malkangiri District of Odisha is
likely to be inaugurated on December 2.
LWEs cadres belonging to JJMP,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, slapped a forester of East
Garu Range, was on his duty supervising an upcoming multipurpose
tower there, in PTR under Garu Block in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
Sources said about two dozen JJMP cadres reached the work site
of the tower and then on identifying the forester, S Pathak, there,
they slapped him as a token of warning not to continue the construction
of the tower. Sources said the JJMP cadres forbade the forester
quite threateningly. The JJMP cadres demanded that prior to the
construction of this tower permission from JJMP ought to have
been taken. Sources said the JJMP is all for extraction of ‘levy’.
A ‘poster war’ broke out on the
first day of ‘PLGA Week’ at Pottangi in Koraput District of Odisha.
CPI-Maoist banners were placed at Kartulpeta village within Bandhugaon
Police limits and anti-Naxal posters were seen at
several places in Pottangi. According to the report, CPI-Maoist
posters pasted by its SKDC protested against leasing out bauxite
mining to corporate house by ignoring the rights of tribal people
and urged locals to fight for land rights and invited local youths
to join their movement with their posters. However, anti-CPI-Maoist
posters highlighted Naxals as barrier to development
works and killers of innocent people. This was the first time
anti-Naxal posters were seen in Pottangi. No one has
claimed responsibility for putting up the anti-Naxal posters.
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.
Twenty-eight posts of members
of foreigners tribunals in Assam are lying vacant for the past
few months. As a result, some members were given additional charge
of tribunals where posts are lying vacant and this has somewhat
slowed down the pace of disposal of cases."Even though the
process of selection of members was initiated in July, the appointments
could not be made as yet because of a legal tangle," an official
source said.
President Ram Nath Kovind during
the part of his one day visit to Nagaland said that the State
was on the verge of making history after years of insurgency.
"After years of conflict, there is hope. Aspirations should
be met soon. I am confident that a final agreement will be reached
soon," Kovind said while inaugurating the 18th edition of
the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, the Naga heritage village, in
the morning. He, however, refrained from announcing a time frame
for the final solution.
Speaking at the SCO Summit in
Sochi, Russia, India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj
stated that terrorism must not associated with any religion, nationality
or an ethnic group, it is a sin against the humanity at large,
reports The Times of India. She emphasised on improved
mechanism of intelligence sharing among the SCO’s member countries
to surface the way for cooperation and trust. India urged all
the member countries to enhance the intelligence sharing, law
enforcement, mutual legal assistance, extradition agreements and
other measures to counter the threat of terrorism, said Sushma
Swaraj.
|
December 2
|
SFs recovered a cache of explosives,
including mortar bombs and detonators, from a CPI-Maoist dump
in the forests of Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. The recovery
was made at the dump located between Manhakal and Hethle villages
under the Durgkondal Police limits by a joint team of the BSF
and District Force, Kanker, SP, K.L. Dhruv said.
The Centre has told the State
Governments to strengthen their own Police machinery in terms
of number of personnel as well as modernisation to reduce dependence
on CPMF in LWE-affected areas, North-East, Jammu and Kashmir and
in eventualities related to terrorism. An unnamed senior official
said, “The Centre feels that there is a limitation to the efficacy
of Central Paramilitary Forces in these areas and as such the
state forces need to take the lead role in tackling these problems.”
The issue has been under discussion in the various State-Centre
meetings that have taken place from May this year and a definite
plan is likely to be finalised in a meeting later this month in
Delhi, according to the official. “The Centre has offered Rs 25,000
crore for the project to modernise State forces and to augment
their numerical strengths,” he said.
State Chief Secretary, Rajbala
Verma, and DGP, DK Pandey, held a review meeting in Garhwa District
of Jharkhand, to discuss strategies for the offensive, besides
deliberating on the development projects the government is planning
for the area. Jharkhand Government wants to liberate Burha Pahar
from CPI-Maoists by December end. Jharkhand DGP, DK Pandey,
warned CPI-Maoist ‘commander’ Arvindji, who is reportedly
holed up in Burha Pahar, to surrender or be ready to face bullets.
CPI-Maoists described SFs offensive, which started on October
29, as a conspiracy to displace locals from their Jal, Jungle
and Zameen without resistance and paving way for construction
of pending Kutku Dam, according to statement released by CPI-Maoist
spokesperson for BJ-SAC, Gopal in Palamu District. SFs used
light Bofors-like long-range heavy artillery gun to shell the
area for four days from October 23 and put the blame on us, added
Gopal.
768 roads of 1760 kilometres will
be constructed in Jharkhand in five years as part of special plan
for construction of roads in Naxal –affected
States. The construction of roads under the PMGSY increased to
130-135 kilometres from 75-80 kilometres built daily, said Minister
of State for Rural Development, Ramkripal Yadav.
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.
The ANC announced a fresh agitation
to demand ST status in Assam, beginning with a seven-hour rail
blockade on December 19 when the winter session of Parliament
begins. The convention is an umbrella body of 17 Adivasi organisations,
including five militant groups in ceasefire. The secretary of
the convention, Birsing Munda, said that its members would block
tracks in Kokrajhar, Mazbat in Darrang, Rangapara in Biswanath
and Bokajan in Golaghat districts from 6am to 1pm as part of their
agitation. They demanded that the number of designated camps
for members of the militant groups be increased from five which
are not sufficient for more than 1,200 cadres. The organisations
also demanded an increase in their monthly stipend of INR 3,000.
A convoy of AR troopers, who were
on their way to conduct a free medical camp, were attacked by
unidentified militant group by exploding three IEDs at Konkan
village in Kamjong district. No casualty was reported during the
ambush.
A GNLA militant, ‘West Khasi Hills
district commander’ David Ch. Marak, surrendered before the BSF
at Tura in West Garo Hills. The surrendered GNLA cadre
David Ch Marak (24), said that the number of militants left in
the outfit was around 50.
An IED explosion was reported
form a paddy field at Konthoujam Laingam village along the National
highway 37 between Keithelmanbi and Khumbong in Imphal West District.
The NIA has picked up a man from
his house in ward number one at Sareya in Gopalganj district,
suspecting him to be a LeT operative. His name surfaced during
interrogation of alleged LeT operative Abdul Nayeem Sheikh, who
was arrested from Varanasi in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh last
week. Nayeem Sheikh reportedly told interrogators he had close
links to a political activist in Gopalganj.
Rajasthan Police’s SOG arrested
one Rajiv Sheikh (20 years-old) of Mursheedabad (West Bengal)
with FICN worth INR 190,000 in the denomination of INR 2,000.
The investigators were probing if Rajiv Sheikh is a native of
West Bengal or Bangladesh. "The quality of these currency
notes is good and they also have series under increasing order.
Only a few things can prove that they are FICN. Such currency
notes were manufactured in Bangladesh factories while we were
on the job of seizing FICN in the denomination of older currency
notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.”, said the ASP of SOG, Karan Sharma.
|
December 3
|
Bele Ram Dhruv (42), a villager
was killed allegedly by CPI-Maoist cadres on the suspicion that
he was a ‘Police informer’ in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.
The body of Bele Ram was found on the outskirts of his village
Sarandi within the Tadoki Police Station limits. A group of Maoists
stormed the house of Dhruv, who was running a small cycle store
along with a grocery shop, on Saturday (December 2) night, and
took him to a nearby forest. They strangled him and threw his
body there, the Police said. After getting information, a Police
team went to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem. “Dhruv’s
two brothers are posted as Policemen in Kanker district,” a senior
Police officer said. The cause behind the murder is yet to be
ascertained. Some Maoist pamphlets were recovered from the spot
in which he was branded as a Police informer, he said.
Some Maoist pamphlets were found
in a field at Barrebeda village in Antagarh region of Kanker District
of Chhattisgarh, in which ultras have given a call to observe
the ‘PLGA Week’ from December 2 to 8. SFs have intensified patrolling
in the forest of Bastar division.
The Police have arrested three Naxalites of
the CPI-ML, Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction, near Narashimhasagar
project forest area during combing operations in Jayashankar Bhupalpally
District of Telangana. The arrested Naxalites have
been identified as Dharmarapu Yakaiah alias Mohan,
‘District Committee Member, DCM’ of the group, Darra Ashok alias Srikanth,
‘deputy commander’, and Kaviri Narsinga Rao alias Dilip,
‘district squad member’. Police recovered four SBBL rifles, 20
rounds of ammunition, one 8mm rifle and 122 rounds of ammunition,
82 rounds of SBBL ammunition, five empty magazines, six kit bags,
seven cell phones, two power banks, two grenades and other articles
such as literature, flags, cooking items and INR 6,500 in cash
from their possession. On interrogation it was disclosed that
on July 24, 2017, a new group called CPI-ML, Chandra Pulla Reddy
Bata faction was formed with 12 members under the leadership of
Kura Rajanna and Bommani Narasimhulu alias Vishwanath alias Anand,
Aler of Nalgonda District. “The entire members are indulging in
extortions from business people. They had been involved in the
land settlements, civil panchayats and also put pamphlets and
created terror in the society,” ASP, B.K. Rahul Hedge said. Their
areas of operation are Bhupalpalli, Mahabubabad, Kothagudem and
Khammam.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered
before the before the SP of East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh.
The surrendered Maoists included Madivi Jogayya alias Roshan
and his lover Kaluma Pojja alias Radha. Roshan
who belongs to Gasampadu village of Sukma District, Chhattisgarh,
was associated with Kistaram LGS in Gollapalli area since 2011.
The main reason for Jogayya's decision to surrender was that he
had fallen in love with Seenam ‘dalam’ member Radha who
belongs to Jaggaram village of Yetapaka mandal of
East Godavari District. Another CPI-Maoist cadre who surrendered
is Sunnam Nagesh from Gangileru village of Sukma District. He
was working as a courier supplying various items, including medicines,
food items, electric wires, edible oils, electronic items and
red cloth banner bundles and Jaggery since 2014, to CPI-Maoist
dalams.
Chhattisgarh CM, Raman Singh visited
to the forested area of Chhindgarh in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh,
and unveiled INR 2.31 billion infrastructure package to spur development.
Chhindgarh is located in extreme southern tip of the State in
Sukma District where the CPI-Maoist have carried out several attacks
in past on Police and Para-military Forces and locally it is classified
as ‘no-go area’ for Government officials. CM, Singh laid foundation
stones for various constructions works worth INR 2.06 billion
while he dedicated four completed construction projects of over
INR 240 million to public at a function attended by large number
of local tribals who defied Maoists diktat. Singh also distributed
bank cheques under ‘Tendu patta Bonus Tihar’ drive to 550 tribals,
provided land patta ownership to 300 tribals and also handed over
solar-powered irrigation pumps to 50 local farmers.
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.
SFs arrested two women militants
of KYKL from Tengnoupal Bailey Bridge in Tengnoupal district.
They were heading to Imphal from Moreh with the intent to carry
out "illegal activities", Police said.
Two cadres of the GNLA, Mahat
Sangma, (22) and Abat Momin, (22), surrendered before Police at
Baghmara in South Garo Hills District. The duo was had been with
the outfit's ‘commander-in-chief’ Sohan D. Shira, before the Police
raid at Halwa Atong village, near Rongara on November 16. The
cadres joined the outfit in July this year. The duo is being questioned
for information on Shira and his movements.
IS operative Mohammad Mosiuddin
alias Abu Musa attacked and tried to slit the throat of
a jail guard inside the Alipore Central jail in Kolkata. As
per the morning routine, the prison inmates took out of the cells
over to grounds inside the jail premises. The jail guard, Gobinda
Chandra Dey (45 years-old), opened Musa’s cell and Musa attacked
him with a stone. Following the attack, Gobinda Dey stumbled on
ground and Musa tried to slit his throat with a piece of metal
in ‘IS fashion’. Other guards and inmates managed to hold over
Musa and Dey was taken to a nursing home. Abu Musa will be kept
in solitary confinement and probe will be initiated on how Musa
got hold of the piece of metal inside the jail, said DG &
IG Correctional Services Arun Kumar Gupta. He was arrested
by the NIA from Viswabharati Fast Passenger train at Burdwan in
West Bengal on July 5, 2016. His other aliases include Mosiruddin
alias Mosi alias Majnu.
The NIA probe has found that Shafin
Jahan — husband of Akhila Asokan alias ‘Hadiya’, was allegedly
in contact with two members of IS — Manseed and P. Safvan - through
group chats on Facebook, during the months preceding his
marriage with Hadiya. Manseed and P. Safvan were arrested
by the NIA and chargesheeted in a case related to the criminal
conspiracy to target the judges of the High Court, Senior Police
Officers and well-known political leaders in South India, says
the report.
Two Pakistani intruders — Nawaz
Ahmed (28 years-old) and Suhail Ahmed (19 years-old) - were arrested
by the BSF troopers, from an area near to the border outpost in
Ferozpur sector (Punjab). Both intruders were residents
of village Khudian Khas, District of Kasur (Punjab Province- Pakistan)
and were roaming on a motorbike inside the Indian Territory before
they were arrested by the BSF troopers, said an unnamed BSF official.
Along with a motorbike, the BSF has recovered Pakistani currency
worth PKR 10,102, a mobile phone, three Pakistani mobile SIM cards,
a memory card, said BSF official.
|
December 3-4
|
Suspected NSCN-R militants abducted
and assaulted Development Authority of Nagaland secretary, I.
Imtilepden Pongen, at an unspecified location. Later, a local
resident of Naharbhari in Dimapur found him and safely brought
him to his residence at about 10am.
|
December 4
|
An elderly man was killed after
a pressure IED planted by CPI-Maoist cadres went off in Kansaram
village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place
when the victim, Karko Kanna (70), had gone to an agriculture
field for farm-related work in Kansaram village under Kistaram
Police Station limits, Sukma, SP, Abhishek Meena said. As per
preliminary information, Kanna inadvertently stepped on the pressure
IED while passing through the field on the outskirts of the village,
around 500 kilometres away from the State capital, Raipur, he
said.
Khunti Police arrested three cadres
of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, for the murder
of BJP leader, Bhaiya Ram Munda (38), in Murhu Police limits in
Khunti District of Jharkhand on December 1. The arrested have
been identified as Achu Munda, Ladu Munda and Raja Ram Munda.
A pistol and cartridges were recovered from their possession.
The trio told Police that PLFI ‘zonal commander’ Prabhu Sahay
had demanded INR 200,000 from a contractor engaged in a road project
between Bagma and Goa villages in Murhu.
CPI-Maoist cadre, Krishna
Ahir, was sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment by Ranchi
High Court (Jharkhand) in a case related to murderous attack on
Police Party in Hapadag-Burwadag forest of Anegada village under
Bagru Police Station limits in Lohardaga District in 2014.
Jharkhand Police had arrested Krishna Ahir on August 14, 2014.
A sudden surge in Naxal activities
in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra, during last ten days, which
has resulted in killing of seven persons, including two Policemen,
and injuring five others, has prompted top Police Officials to
camp and monitor counter-insurgency operations. ADGP, Operations,
D Kanakratnam; SIGP, Anti-Naxal Operations, Sharad Shelar; and
DIGP, Gadchiroli Range, Ankush Shinde; rushed to Gadchiroli and
visited many remote Police outposts, around which recent incidents
of Naxal violence were reported. 100 personnel from CoBRA
of the CRPF battalion were called from Jagdalpur. The Police
have launched intensive combing operation and visited many remote
posts in Dhanora and Bhamragad tehsils, said Sharad
Shelar, SIGP, Anti-Naxal Operations.
CPI-Maoist poster surfaced at
Vijayapuri Colony of Venkatapuram mandal in Jayashankar
Bhupalpally District of Telangana, during the ongoing annual ‘PLGA
Week.’ The annual ‘PLGA Week’ observed from December 2 to 8 in
the honour of slain leaders of the CPI-Maoist's armed wing, the
PLGA. The poster released by the Maoist party Charla-Sabari Area
Committee appealed the public to organise programmes in all the
villages commemorating the ‘week’. The poster also called upon
the public to join the Maoists in large numbers, to set up village
protection committees, to punish ‘informers’ and ‘Police agents’,
to fight for Jal, Jangal and Jameen.
It also told the public in the village to wage war against Brahminical
Hindu Fascism.
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.
Chirang district police busted
an NDFB-IKS. Chirang Superintendent of Police, said that on the
basis of secret information about the movement of militants under
the command of Batha in Ballambari Bagan Forest area near Indo-Bhutan
border located at about 35 km north-west from Runikhata Police
Station, a search operation was launched by Chirang Police.
The Mizoram Government has started
the process to register over 1,600 Myanmar nationals, who had
taken refuge in four remote villages in Lawngtlai District. The
refugees would be given temporary ration cards for food distribution
among them once they are registered with the Lawngtlai district
administration, he added.
The Punjab Police filed a chargesheet
against 11 KZG militants. Those named in the chargesheet included
Harwinder Singh, Mohkam Singh Barnala, Amritpal Kaur, Tarsem Singh,
Jarnail Singh, Satnam Singh, Sukhpreet Singh, Parminder Singh,
Gaurav Kumar and Ramandeep Singh. They all were arrested in May
2017. However, one militant is not identified in the news report.
During their arrests, the Punjab Police had recovered the letterhead
of BKI and four weapons. The militants had formed the KZG and
were planning to initiate another militant outfit — JVK - on the
anniversary of the 1984 Operation Blue Star. These militants were
financed by the Khalistani sympathisers based out in Pakistan,
KSA and the UK, said an unnamed police official.
A Supreme Court (SC) bench of
CJI Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and M. Shantanagoudar
stayed the death penalty for 1993 Mumbai serial blast convict
Tahir Merchant sanctioned by a designated TADA. The bench also
sought a response from the CBI and summoned the records of the
case from the trial court. “The State of Maharashtra is directed
to compile the evidence in entirety and file the compilation in
convenient volumes and also serve a copy thereof to the learned
counsel for the appellant…There shall be stay of the execution
of death sentence,” said the SC bench. Next hearing of the case
is scheduled on March 14, 2018.
The Special court of NIA framed
charges against three accused —Nainar Abbas Ali alias Appas
Ali alias Library Abbas (28 years-old), M. Samsun Karim
Raja alias Karim alias Abdul Karim (23 years-old)
and S. Dawood Sulaiman (23 years-old) - in 2016 Mysuru Court blast
incident. The accused were part of a “larger conspiracy” which
included establishment of AQ’s base movement and carrying out
other terror activities, including carrying out blasts at different
court premises in South India, said NIA. The accused have been
booked under various provisions of the UAPA, the IPC, the ESA
and the PDPPA, the NIA said.
The questioning of Abdul Naeem
alias Headley 2, LeT operative, revealed that he went about
his operations using a Hindu name. Naeem said that he landed in
Bihar and worked at a private firm under a Hindu name. From Bihar
he visited the Nepal border several times. He was trying to find
an easy and safe route for the terrorists from Pakistan to sneak
in and carry out the attack. An NIA official told that by using
the Hindu name he went about his operations and this helped him
conceal his identity and not get suspected.
Naeem also said that he had visited
several places in Agra, Varanasi, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar to
gather information about possible targets. "During the first
round of investigation Naeem had told the NIA that the initial
plan was to launch me into India in 2011, but my handlers felt
that it would be better if there was more cooling off period.
In 2014, I was sent to Bangladesh and told to infiltrate into
India. They felt that it would be easier for me to infiltrate
through West Bengal. Things however did not go right and I was
arrested as there was a look out notice for me in the Aurangabad
case. When I was being taken to Mumbai from Kolkata, I realised
the cops were complicit. I managed to escape from the train at
Chhattisgarh. I left for Uttar Pradesh where I stayed underground
for several months. Gradually I began contacting other operatives
who were to be part of this big operation. I went around collecting
information about military installations and other big tourist
locations in Himachal Pradesh", Naeem had also told the NIA.
|
December 5
|
The CPI-Maoist cadres and Andhra
Pradesh Police personnel exchanged fire in the Nalubari forest
area of Pedabayalu mandal in Visakhapatnam District
of Andhra Pradesh. "After the exchange of fire, the Maoists
fled from the spot. As of now, we do not have any information
about the casualties. It will be confirmed by the evening. Combing
operations have been intensified after the incident," a senior
officer of Visakhapatnam Rural Police said. According to sources,
around 30 Maoists opened fire on a special party Police team which
was combing the forest area in view of the ongoing ‘PLGA Week’
from December 2 to 8. The Maoists allegedly blasted a landmine
near Jakkam village in Injari Panchayat of Pedabayalu mandal in
the AOB region. The exchange of fire is the first untoward incident
reported from the Andhra side of the AOB region after the ‘PLGA
Week’ began.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
by joint SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The Police said,
“Maoist cadre was shot dead during a gun battle which took place
between joint security forces and Naxals near Duled village under
Chintalnar police station limits.” A combing operation was launched
by State Police and CoBRA in forested area near Duled village,
around 500 kilometres from the State capital, Raipur, when the
Maoists opened fire at the joint SFs. The personnel took their
position and retaliated. A CRPF official said, “The gun battle
between security forces and Naxals lasted for an hour. Body of
a Maoist cadre was recovered during search operation launched
after the encounter.” The identity of the slain Maoist is yet
to be ascertained.
Three women Maoists were arrested
following a gun battle with Policemen in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.
The cadres were arrested in the forest near Dharma village under
Bhairamgarh Police Station, the Police said. A joint team of DRG
and local Police had launched a search operation in Bhairamgarh
area, around 450 kilometres from the State capital, Raipur, in
view of the ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ observed by the CPI-Maoist from
December 2 to 8. When the patrolling team was on the way back,
the rebels opened indiscriminate firing on them in the forest
on the bank of Indrāvati River near Dharma, following which
SFs also retaliated, the Police said. After a brief exchange of
fire the Maoists fled to the forests. Meanwhile, three women Maoists
identified as Daso Oyam (28), Sunita Oyam (24) and Kumari Oyam
(21), all natives of Dharma, were arrested from the spot, a Police
official said. Besides, a muzzle loading gun, one tiffin bomb,
detonator, couple of fire crackers and Maoist literature were
also recovered from their possession, he added.
G. N. Saibaba, the DU Professor
whose is convicted in March by Gadchiroli Court in Maharashtra,
for links with CPI-Maoist had shared platform with Maoists
and ultra-Left organisations at international conferences between
2008 and 2012, according to intelligence agencies. The appeal
of Saibaba will come up on December 6 before the Mumbai High Court. According
to the report, Saibaba attended the Third Conference of International
League of People's Struggle (ILPS), an organisation claiming to
fight imperialist forces across the world, in Hong Kong in June
2008. He was also present at meetings of ILPS' international core
committee in November 2009 in Europe. He participated in the 40th foundation
day of the Communist Party of Turkey (Marxist-Leninist) in Germany
in April 2012. In May 2012, Saibaba reportedly attended a meeting
of Maoist Parties of Latin America in Brazil. He was in the US
to participate in meetings to protest operations against CPI-Maoist
by security forces, organised at the behest of pro-civil rights
Black Panthers movement of the US. Later, Saibaba attended the
30th foundation day celebrations of Communist Party of Greece-Marxist
Leninist in Greece in November 2012. The presence of Saibaba at
international platforms linked with Maoist organizations points
towards his association with CPI-Maoist, said UMHA official.
The 'CC’ of the CPI-Maoist,
observing its 17th anniversary, directed its ‘regional
committee members, RCM’ to indoctrinate women cadres in large
numbers across the country. According to the report, CPI-Maoist
pasted posters and banners inviting women living in far off villages
in Maoist ‘dominated states’ to join the outfit. CPI-Maoist highlighted
for protest against patriarchy system and increase women’s involvement
in all fronts in its posters. This move of CPI-Maoist is
being taken after losing large number of male CPI-Maoist cadres
and leaders in encounters. CPI-Maoist cadres are observing ‘PLGA
Week’ between December 2 and 8.
The CPI-Maoist tried to make its
presence felt by putting up posters in parts of Nawadih Block
in Bokaro District of Jharkhand, urging people to join their agitations.
Sources informed, the posters were found in different villages
including Pannk, Galohowar, Guniato, Parsabera, Harladih, Dhorjatard
and other villages in Bokaro District, while some posters were
also found in Khetko under the Nawadih and Bagodar Police Station
yesterday (December 5) night but removed this morning, “Maoists
are doing it out of desperation after a spate of surrenders and
intensified offensive by SFs. Anti-Maoist operations are going
on in Bokaro and we are ready to counter any rebel violence in
presence situation, Police said.
Suspected cadres of the PLFI,
a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze vehicles, including
an earthmover, two tractors, and tents of labourers engaged in
canal construction work at Basia under Basia Police Station area
in Gumla District of Jharkhand. The repair work of the irrigation
canal between Tapkara Dam in Gumla and Suruda village in Simdega
District is nearing completion. It is believed that the construction
company's earthmover, tractors and tents were set on fire after
the contractor did not pay ‘extortion cash’. "We have identified
the group involved in the arson. The culprits will be brought
to book soon. Our raids are in full swing," Gumla SP, Anshuman
Kumar said.
Police conducted a raid in Kumari
forests under Bishunpur Thana area in Gumla District of Jharkhand,
and recovered various items used for making IEDs. During the search
operation, Police recovered around 25 pressure cookers of different
capacities, 85 lunch boxes, large plastic and steel containers,
nylon strings used for booby traps and other such items used for
making IEDs and laying landmine traps. "Our boys have penetrated
deep into the forests. We will not let them (rebels) escape so
easily. These recoveries were made after being tipped off by local
people. This proves that local residents are no longer willing
to extend logistic support to the rebels," Gumla SP, Anshuman
Kumar said.
The OSRTC has stopped plying buses
in the Odisha’s southern CPI-Maoist-affected regions because of
the Maoists’ ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ that began on December 2. The
bus services in those areas would resume on December 9, after
the outfit’s December 2-8 foundation day celebrations are over.
“OSRTC has stopped operations on 61 out of 190 routes in south
Odisha,” Corporation’s Divisional Manager for Berhampur Division,
Amulya Kumar Mishra said, adding that routes of some long-haul
buses have been changed so that they do not have to go through
these regions. Passenger bus operations from five out of the OSRTC’s
10 depots in south Odisha have been completely halted. The depots
that have shut down are Phulbani in Kandhamal District, Paralakhemundi
in Gajapati District, and the ones in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur
and Rayagada.
A pressure activated device suspected
to have been planted by CPI-Maoist cadres as a booby trap at Vijayapuri
Colony of Venkatapuram mandal in Jayashankar
Bhupalpally District of Telangana, was defused by the Police.
Eturnagaram, ASP, Rahul Hegde said, the booby trap with small
batteries had been placed under a poster by the CPI-Maoist. “They
placed the device with intention to kill or harm policemen as
they know that the police/CRPF personnel conduct combing operations
in that area,” the ASP said, adding that the CRPF personnel and
DBS had defused the bomb. The Maoists have been putting up posters
calling upon the people to make their ongoing ‘PLGA Week’ celebrations
a success.
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.
The JCILPS announced that it will
launch an agitation if the government fails to pass a bill to
safeguard the’ indigenous people’ from influx during the upcoming
winter session of the State Assembly. "The State Government
should give an assurance that a bill will be passed during the
upcoming winter session of the Assembly," JCILPS ‘convener’
Arjun Telheiba said. Telheiba said this on Tuesday after a delegation
met the chief minister on Monday evening. The committee submitted
a representation to Biren Singh on the issue. The winter session
of the Assembly will commence on December 20.
Unidentified assailants abducted
one Mahindra Rai of Jalaphet village of East Jaintia Hills. Later
his vehicle was recovered from Mooriap village, along Assam-Meghalaya
border.
The Mizoram Government has rescheduled
the proposed repatriation of over 5,000 Bru families from six
relief camps in Tripura to March 2018. A State Government official
said that according to the earlier schedule, it was proposed that
the repatriation would begin from December first week, but it
was deferred to March as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs failed
to release funds meant for the exercise. He said the proposal
to commence the repatriation from March 2018 would be implemented
on time only if the Union Ministry of Home Affairs releases the
funds for expenses to be incurred in the repatriation process.
NSCN-R has informed all workers
of the six NNPGs that the talks with the GoI have entered a crucial
phase. In a statement issued, NSCN-R ‘Ministry of Information
and Publicity’ said that the long-awaited political solution
was expected sooner than later and added that it was, therefore,
time for all groups to focus more on the Naga political solution
“prayerfully rather than factionalism or detection”. The Nagas
must seek wisdom from Almighty God for help, the statement said.
The UAE stands together with India
in fight against terrorism and designated terrorists under the
UN. "We denounce terrorism, we denounce extremism. We work
very closely with India, with many different countries in the
world, to counter-attack all those organisations that have been
listed either by the UN or by some other countries or our own
country as terrorist organisation and extremist organisation,
and we work together to fight those organizations,” said UAE’s
ambassador to India Ahmed Al Banna.
A NIA probe into a series of targeted
killings, including those of RSS workers, Dera Sacha Sauda followers
and a pastor in Punjab in the last two years has revealed that
Pakistan's ISI is using Khalistani extremists to try and stoke
communal unrest in the state. The plan was to foment tension by
killing key people and revive militancy. ISI turned to KLF led
by Harminder Singh Mintoo, lodged in Moga jail, and Harmeet Singh,
said to be living in Pakistan under ISI cover. Details of the
conspiracy were revealed during questioning of two hitmen — Ramandeep
Singh alias Canadian and Hardeep Singh alias Shera — by
the NIA in the case relating to the murder of Ravinder Gosain,
an RSS pracharak, in Ludhiana in October 2017. The duo allegedly
admitted to killing six other men — RSS state V-P Jagdish Gagneja
in August 2016, Shiv Sena leader Durga Prasad Gupta in April 2016,
Hindu Takht leader Amit Sharma in January 2017, Dera Sacha Sauda
follower Satpal Singh and his son in February 2017 and Christian
pastor Sultan Masih in July 2017. They also attempted to kill
a few others. Sources said other cases would soon be probed by
the NIA and added that Ramandeep and Hardeep were recruited as
contract killers online sometime in 2015. They were asked them
to carry out executions in Punjab. The KLF used its network in
the UK to reach the two men. Hardeep was arrested on November
10, 2017, from Fatehgarh Sahib District in Punjab and Ramandeep
was arrested November 8, 2017.
|
December 6
|
Three CPI-Maoist militia members,
including two women, surrendered before Rural Police of Visakhapatnam
District of Andhra Pradesh. The members have been allegedly involved
in number of offences, including exchange of fire at several places.
The surrendered militia members have been identified as V. Seetha alias Vanaja
(20) of Saluru mandal in Vizianagaram District,
G Eswara Rao (26) of Dumbriguda mandal of Visakhapatnam
District and V. Sobhana (32) of Pedabayalu mandal of
Visakhapatnam District. According to SP, Visakhapatnam Rural,
Rahul Dev Sharma, Vanaja reportedly has been in the Dalam between
2012 and 2016 in Galikonda Area Committee. She was allegedly involved
in exchange of fire that occurred near Siribala in 2015 and Palasamudram
in 2016. Eswara Rao joined the Dalam in 2005
and was in it till 2008 in Galikonda, East division. He allegedly
took part in two exchanges of fire — Nallaballi in 2005 and Kannavaram
in 2007. He was also allegedly involved in a arson at Gorlemetta
and few others. Sobhana reportedly worked in the Dalam from
2003 to 2008. She allegedly arranged Maoist meetings from 2004
to 2005 near Killamkota. In 2008, she had been in three months
remand over murder of Pangi Krishna Rao at Busiputtu.
An exchange of fire took place
between SFs and cadres of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist
at Tarobora village in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. The
encounter took place during routine long-range patrolling by SF
personnel comprising of CRPF and DAP in Naxal affected
areas in West Singhbhum District. The retaliation fire of 30 to
35 rounds by SFs resulted in retreat of PLFI. Mobile phones and
SIM cards were recovered during the operation, said SP, Anish
Gupta.
Seven cadres of the CPI-Maoist,
including five women cadres, were killed in an encounter with
the commandos from the ANS, C-60 of the Maharashtra Police, near
Kalled village, 15 kilometres north of Zinganoor Police Station
in the Sironcha tehsil of Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.
Bodies of the seven uniformed Maoists, along with two SLR rifles,
two .303 rifles, two 12 bore guns and one country-made pistol,
were recovered from the encounter spot. The deceased CPI-Maoist
cadres were identified as Aheri area ‘dalam commander’
Ashok Pendam aka Aaytu, (34), resident of Lingampalli in Gadchiroli,
who carried a head money of INR 800,000; Sironcha ‘area assistant
commander’; Sunita Kodape and ‘assistant commander’ Chandu from
the Aheri area, both of whom carried rewards of INR 600,000 each;
Sarita Kavande from Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, Shaila Pokur from Bhamragarh
area in Gadchiroli, and Akhila Kulmethe from Aheri, each with
a reward of INR 200,000 on their heads. The identity of one remaining
cadre is yet to be ascertained.
The Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh is set to meet the CMs of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur
on the issue of ‘Framework Agreement’ signed between the GoI and
the NSCN-IM. Manipur Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh is likely
to meet his Assam and Arunachal Pradesh counterparts Sarbananda
Sonowal and Prema Khandu before the meeting with Rajnath Singh.
The UMHA Rajnath Singh on December
6 said that the Central Government is committed to secure all
International Borders with all neighbouring countries. BSF soldiers
arrested 87 Rohingya Muslims along the Indo-Bangladesh border
since the beginning of the current year till October 31, of whom
76 were sent back to Bangladesh, said BSF Director-General K.
K. Sharma.
The NSCN-IM has drawn flak from
two organisations DUCCF for its alleged recruitments of non-Naga
persons into its hierarchy. Survival Nagaland issued a statement
seeking clarification from the NSCN-IM with regard to the arrest
of two of its non-Naga cadres – Kabir Ahmed, a Raja Peyu and Nazmul
Islam – by the Dimapur police ‘for tax collection’. The police
are also said to have recovered one .32 pistol, 5 live rounds,
2580 Spasmo Proxyvon capsules and ‘duplicate receipt books’ from
them.
A Jaipur court sentenced eight
people, including three Pakistan nationals, to life imprisonment
and imposed a penalty between INR 11,00,000 and INR 14,00,000
on each of them for being operatives of the LeT and conspiring
to carry out terror activities in India. Earlier, on November
30, the court of Additional District Judge, Jaipur Metro, Pawan
Kumar, had found three Pakistan nationals — Asghar Ali, Mohammad
Iqbal and Shakarullah — and Rajasthan residents Babu alias
Nishachandra Ali, Arun Kumar Jain, Hafiz Abdul Majeed, Qabil Khan
and Pawan Puri guilty under the UAPA. According to the order,
all eight were found guilty under sections 13 (unlawful activities),
18 (conspiracy), 18 B (recruiting persons for terrorist act) and
20 (being a member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the UAPA.
Babu and Pawan Puri were also found guilty under section 17 of
the Act “for raising funds for terrorist act”. “While Babu and
Pawan were fined Rs 14 lakh each, the six others were fined Rs
11 lakh each,” Special Public Prosecutor Mahaveer Prasad Jindal
said.
The Kashmir-based AQ affiliated
terror group, AGuH called on Indian Muslims to join the cause
of jihad as ‘Hindus keep changing their tactics until their mission
is accomplished—which is to eliminate every Muslim, be it children,
elder, men or women’. The message was also directing the audience
in Pakistan, pointing the military ruler ex-Pakistan Army Chief
General (retd) Parvez Musharraf’s assault on Lal Masjid premises
in Islamabad, “The Babri Masjid and the Lal Masjid were one, and
those who extinguished them were also one, both idol-worshippers”.
Notably, unlike other jihadist groups operating in Kashmir, AGuH
believes in ‘widening the struggle’ to impose Islamic rule in
India. The call was read by a jihadist using the pseudonym ‘Sultan
Zabul al-Hindi’ whose dialect suggests that he is a non-Hindi
speaker. There is no information on any individual from outside
of Kashmir serving in AGuH, said intelligence sources.
The UMHA Rajnath Singh said that
the Central Government is committed to secure all International
Borders with all neighbouring countries. BSF soldiers arrested
87 Rohingya Muslims along the Indo-Bangladesh border since the
beginning of the current year till October 31, of whom 76 were
sent back to Bangladesh, said BSF DG K. K. Sharma.
AQ affiliated group, AGuH urged
every Muslim to attack the US and Israeli embassies, also to harm
the corporate and financial interests established around the world.
“The honour of Bait Al-Maqdisis will be restored by shedding the
blood of Americans and Israelis. The Holy Land must be made a
graveyard for Jews, for oppression to end and word of Allah to
prevail," said news report. Notably AGuH is AQ affiliated
group based in Kashmir. The call was a response to the US President’s
recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.
On the basis of the report compiled
by the NIA, the IB has informed the UMHA that the Kerala-based
PFI is making efforts towards expanding their base beyond the
state of Kerala. Although the Government is considering banning
the organisation, the UMHA have received a detailed report from
the IB that PFI may expand its existence in the state of Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and West Bengal, said sources in UMHA.
On the basis of intelligence inputs
from the MI unit in J&K, Punjab Police has arrested Gurmukh
Singh alias Gopi—an alleged Pakistan’s ISI agent from Mattewal
village of District Amritsar (Punjab). Allegedly Gurmukh Singh
had been passing-on information related to the mobilisation of
Indian Army to his Pakistan-based handlers. The Batala district
Police led by SHO Mukhtiyar Singh arrested Gurmukh Singh and recovered
a pair of mobile phones, a passport and several photographs of
Indian Army’s movement.
Preliminary investigation has
revealed that Gurmukh Singh had made two religious visits to Pakistan
in 2009, 2012 and during his second visit he came in contact with
an ISI handler who lured him to pass-on the classified information
related to the mobilisation and deployment of the Indian Army.
In return of this favour, Gurmukh Singh had been asking for weapons
and money from his Pakistan-based handlers, said an official of
Punjab Police.
As per the NCRB’s annual report
2016, total of 2,272 fake notes of Rs. 2,000 denomination were
seized in merely 53 days (between November 8 and December 31,
2016) of the historic step of demonetisation taken by the Indian
PM Narendra Modi in November 2016. Fake Indian currency of Rs
2,000 notes were part of the 2, 81,839 fake notes of different
denominations recovered from different locations across India.
At large, of Rs. 2,000 denomination—1,300 were recovered from
the state of Gujarat, followed by 548 from Punjab, 254 from Karnataka,
114 from Telangana, 27 from Maharashtra, 8 from Madhya Pradesh,
6 each from Rajasthan & Andhra Pradesh, 3 each Arunachal Pradesh
& Haryana, 2 each from the state of Jammu and Kashmir &
Kerala, whereas a single note was recovered from Manipur and Odisha.
Among others, 82,494 notes of Rs 1,000 and 1, 32,227 of Rs 500
denomination were also seized along with 59,713 notes of Rs 100
and 2,137 notes of Rs 50 denomination, said the NCRB report. A
total of 1,172 FIR were registered and 1,107 people were arrested
for their involvement in the illegal trade of FICN.
One DRG personnel was injured
when CPI-Maoist cadres fired at a newly set up Police
camp at a forest in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. A small
action team of the Maoists fired at the Police camp in Hadeli
village where some finishing work was underway, following which
the SF personnel retaliated and after a brief exchange of fire,
the rebels escaped into the dense forest, Police said. Head constable
Komal Khalko, belonging to DRG, had sustained bullet injuries.
The Police camp was recently set up in Hadeli, located 50 kilometres
deep inside forest from Kondagaon town, which is around 200 kilometres
away from State capital, Raipur.
Two Maoists identified as Madvi
Mada and Bendja Lakhmu were arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from
Jangla and Farsegarh area of Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. They
are charged in cases of murder, arson, loot and violence.
|
December 7
|
The District Police arrested a CPI-Maoist
cadre, identified as Mangra Manjhi, from the forest area
of Upparghat near Sishua village under the Pannk-Narayanpur Police
Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The Police have recently
held a series of operations in Upparghat and Jhumra areas. There
was no recovery of any arms and explosives from arrested CPI-Maoist
cadre. Mangra was active as a member of the local organisation
squad which operates under Nawadih area committee of the CPI-Maoist. He
was involved in the different cases and was wanted in Naxal–related
incident which was filed in Nawadih Police station in 2014.
Two cadres of CPI-Maoist,
identified as Kamla Gavle and Nagesh Madavi, surrendered
before the Gadchiroli Police and officers from the Anti-Naxal
Operations of Maharashtra Police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. Both
of them had joined CPI-Maoist since 2011 and were involved in
various cases in border areas of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
Each of them carried a reward of INR 2, 00,000 on them. According
to the report, in 2017 around 19 CPI-Maoist cadres have surrendered,
which included some top ‘commanders’ of PLGA.
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.
The East Khasi Hills district
administration foiled the plan of the HYC activists to stage a
three-day hunger strike from December 7 at a parking lot near
the additional secretariat in Shillong for implementation of their
14-point charter of demands, including the ILP.
Deputy commissioner of Lawngtlai
District in south Mizoram stated that registration of 1,600 Myanmarese
nationals have been undertaken to ascertain the number of refugees
in four villages of the District. The Myanmarese nationals fled
their country due to clashes between the Myanmarese Army and the
Arakan militants.
A District Court of Delhi issued
a production warrant against an AQ suspect—Shamiun Rahman (27
years-old) - a Bangladeshi-British national, for his involvement
in recruitment of Rohingya Muslims for AQ and train them to fight
against the Myanmar Army. Rahman had stayed at madrassas
(seminaries) in Kishanganj (Bihar), Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), and
different locations in the NCR following his plans to set up base
in either in Mizoram or Manipur to train the radicalised youths,
said the Delhi Police. Following his arrest in September 2017,
a FIR was filed under various provisions of the UAPA, Arms Act
and the Passport Act.
IM suspect Tauseef Pathan, an
accused in July 2008 serial blast was planning to flee to Bangladesh,
say investigators. Crime Branch officials claim that Pathan has
a contact in Bangladesh and through his help he was to obtain
shelter in that country. "We suspect that from Bangladesh,
Pathan could have fled to Pakistan on a fake passport. We have
the cell number of Pathan's contact in Bangladesh and will soon
contact our counterparts there to track the helper," said
a senior Crime Branch official. Crime branch investigators said
Pathan's plan of fleeing to Bangladesh supports their suspicion
that he was involved in a jailbreak conspiracy at Sabarmati Central
Jail in Ahmedabad. "In February 2013, 24 alleged IM suspects
accused in the serial blasts case had conspired to escape from
Sabarmati jail. They had dug a 213-foot tunnel from the barrack
to the end of the outer wall of the high security jail. However
the attempt was foiled by jail authorities at the last moment,"
a senior Crime Branch official.
A suspected LeT operative, Abdul
Nayeem Sheikh, arrested by the NIA last week from Varanasi in
Uttar Pradesh, had spent almost two years in Gopalganj District
headquarters town in Bihar to build sleeper cells of the banned
terror outfit. The revelation came to the fore during interrogation
of Bedar Bakht alias Dhannu Raja, who was arrested from
Sareya ward number 1 locality of Gopalganj town on November 30
this year.
Dhannu reportedly told interrogators
that he had provided shelter to Nayeem, who allegedly worked for
LeT, in the house of one Id Mohammad at Purani Chowk in Gopalganj,
around 145 km northwest of Patna. Nayeem, considered close to
26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Abu Jindal, had lived in Gopalganj
from 2015 to March 2017. He procured Aadhaar card, passport and
PAN purportedly by submitting forged documents in which he introduced
himself as Suhail Khan alias Mohammad Ali, a resident of Gopalganj
ward number 19.
Nayeem claimed that he completed
his post-graduation from JP University, Chhapra. Prior to leaving
Gopalganj, Nayeem used to run a private coaching institute there.
He came in contact with a local resident, Prashant Kumar Rai,
who reportedly helped him set up an English spoken coaching centre
on Jadopur road in Gopalganj. An NIA team, which is camping in
Gopalganj, picked up two more suspects from Gopalganj on December
7. The two suspects were associated with the educational institutes
from where Nayeem had reportedly obtained fake certificates of
the secondary school to get his passport issued from the Patna
regional passport office.
In total 400 FICN of Rs. 2,000
denominations with worth of Rs. 8 Lakh were recovered by the DRI,
with an arrest of two individuals from Murshidabad district of
West Bengal. Acting upon the intelligence inputs, the team of
DRI arrested an unidentified man (25 years-old) carrying the FICN
at Chander crossing of NH-34 in Murshidabad district (West Bengal).
The accused—resident of area bordering India-Bangladesh border,
revealed that the FICNs were smuggled into India from Bangladesh
and he was travelling to Kolkata for delivering these FICNs to
another person, said an official of DRI. The DRI investigators
arrested the second person—resident of area close to India-Nepal
border in Bihar, in this matter.
|
December 8
|
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres gunned
down two youth, identified as K. Suryachandra Babu alias Suryam
(26) and M. Kishore (22), both hailing from Maddigaravu, after
allegedly branding them ‘Police informers’, near Chapagedda Bridge
in Maddigaravu village under G. Maduguala Police Station limits
in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The incident took
place on the concluding day of the 17th annual ‘PLGA Week’. The
Police suspect that the CPI-Maoist had killed the youth only to
make their presence felt in the Agency as the victims were not
‘Police informers’. A group of 60 armed and unarmed Maoists, led
by Pedabayalu Area Committee ‘commander’ Sudheer, entered Maddigaravu
at around 11.30 p.m. and picked up the youngsters from their homes,
ignoring the pleas of their family members that they had nothing
to do with the Police. They took them to Chapagedda Bridge and
pumped bullets into them, saying they had tipped off the Police
about their movements.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. CPI-Maoist cadres,
identified as Muchaki Manga (45) and Muchaki Deva (25), were arrested
from Chintalnar Police station area when a joint team of SFs during
a search operation, said Sundarraj P, DIG, Dantewada Range. The
arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were active members of DAKMS - a frontal
wing of CPI-Maoist and involved with firing at Police patrolling
team in the forests near Chinnabodkel village in November. No
harm was caused to SFs in that incident, added Sundarraj.
LWE cadres opposing road
construction work, set ablaze six vehicles at Navani village under
Ghaghra Police Station in Gumla District of Jharkhand, and warned
labourers against working without their permission. According
to Police, the rebels of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, attacked
a stone crusher unit belonging to a person, Arun Pandey, and set
on fire six vehicles. The rebels also fired in the air and left
a pamphlet claiming responsibility for the incident, Police said.
The crusher was being used in road construction. Through the pamphlet,
the rebels also appealed to labourers not to work on the crusher.
The denial of ‘levy’ to the rebels is said to be the reason for
the incident.
A joint team of Police and CRPF
arrested three rebels of JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist,
following an encounter at Kanhara village in Charhi, around 30
kilometres from the Hazaribagh District headquarters in Jharkhand.
Two rifles and 100 rounds of bullets were recovered from them.
One of the extremists is said to have sustained bullet injuries.
Hazaribagh, SP, Anoop Birtharay said the injured rebel had been
identified as P. Khan, while the other two were ‘area commanders’
Bhakhra Munda and Biga Paswan.
The Police recovered arms and
explosives hidden by the Maoists from Sikid Jungle located on
the border of Herhang and Manika Police Station area in Latehar
District of Jharkhand. Acting on information received by SP, Prashant
Anand and Commandant of CRPF 11th Battalion Pankaj Kumar, the
search operation was launched. The recovered arms include two
cylinder bombs, five-five kilograms of two cylinder bombs, three
pipe bombs, three bombs of corner type, five grenade bombs, 250
gelatine, 80 meter codex wire, six non-electric detonators, five
meters of 10-10 kilograms Safety fuse, two native katta, 3 indigenous
rifles of 315 magnum, one leather machine, four kilogram piece
of iron and 86 pieces of M. seal and many pamphlets containing Naxal literature.
The explosives were later disabled.
Babloo Paswan alias Nageshwar,
head of the Jharkhand Prastuti Committee, a splinter group of
the CPI-Maoist, was injured in an encounter with Ganjam
Police in Bhanjanagar NAC in Ganjam District of Odisha. Ganjam,
SP, Ashish Singh said Babloo and two of his associates had come
to Ganjam as contract killers to kill one accused when he was
supposed to be produced in the District court. Acting on a tip-off,
the Police swung into action to arrest Babloo. "When the
Police team, headed by the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional police officer,
Bhanjanagar inspector in charge and Aska inspector in charge asked
a four-wheeler in Gallery outpost limits to stop, Babloo, who
was inside, fired at the Police who fired back. Though Babloo
was injured, his two associates managed to escape into a nearby
forest," Singh said. The Police seized the car, two pistols
and ammunition. Active in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh,
Babloo has allegedly been involved in more than 40 cases of loot,
dacoity, abduction, extortion and murders.
Hand written posters and banners
bearing the name of CPI-Maoist Kalimela Zonal Committee surfaced
at different places in Malkangiri District of Odisha, appealing
people to join the outfit and take ahead fight against the administration
through constitution of RPC. A slew of posters purportedly written
by the rebels in red ink and red banners written in silver ink
were put up on roadside walls at Badigeta and Tekguda areas calling
locals to take part in the ‘PLGA Week’ observation from December
2-8 in large numbers to foil the administration’s efforts to quell
the revolution. The posters also contained slogans demanding protection
of the rights of the tribal on the forest and land in the District.
Odisha Government approved an
annual budget of INR 710 million for 2017-18 under the SRE scheme.
The State-level committee on anti-CPI-Maoist operations approved
the SRE budget ahead of a crucial meeting of the Central Government
on December 11, informed Asit Tripathy, State Home Secretary.
The SRE scheme fund is utilised by the State to fortify Police
Station, train Police personnel and meet arms and ammunition expenses
of Paramilitary Forces, including providing ex-gratia to families
of civilians or security personnel killed during anti-Maoist operations.
Usually the State Government spends money for anti-Maoist operations
and the Centre reimburses 60 per cent of the total spending.
LWE in Odisha is mainly a result
of infiltration from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh
and CPI-Maoist cadres have no local base in the State, CM, Naveen
Patnaik said in Bhubaneswar. “There has been a substantial improvement
in the LWE scenario in the State. People do not support violent
activities and the LWE cadres have no local base. Our problem
is mostly caused by infiltration from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
as well as from Andhra Pradesh,” Patnaik told the State Assembly.
The CM further said: “The asymmetric deployment of Central forces
on the Chhattisgarh border is a major issue towards which we have
drawn the Centre’s attention. However, as usual our repeated requests
for additional deployment of Central forces have not been considered
so far. The State government’s commitment to eliminate the LWE
menace is reflected in our determined efforts to complete the
Gurupriya Bridge in spite of the Centre not giving adequate funds.
I am hopeful in a few months from now the cut-off areas will have
connectivity.” While furnishing a written reply on December 4,
the CM had informed the House that there was drop in Maoist violence
in 2017 compared to 2016. In 2016, as many as 68 incidents of
LWE violence were recorded in the State, whereas till November
this year there were only 47 violent incidents perpetrated by
Maoists. In 2017, Maoist violence claimed the lives of 14 civilians
and 9 security personnel. Patnaik also said improvement in Police
infrastructure, recruitment of armed personnel, specialised training
and a progressive policy of surrender and rehabilitation had led
to substantial improvement in the situation.
Bhadradri-Kothagudem ‘district
committee secretary’ of the CPI-ML-New Democracy’s Rayala
Group, Punem Lingaiah alias Linganna (43), was
arrested by the Police on charges of extortion in Khammam District
of Telengana. A pistol, four rounds of ammunition, INR 25,200
cash and a bike were seized from his possession, Police said.
Lingaiah, who had been extorting money from traders and contractors
along with other members of his underground squad for the past
few years, was arrested by a Police team based on a tip-off near
Raghunadha Palem, Khammam Police Commissioner Tafseer Iqbal said.
Lingaiah, the ‘squad commander’, was allegedly involved in as
many as 20 offences, including one murder case, reported under
various Police Station limits in erstwhile undivided Khammam District,
the Police Commissioner said.
SFs arrested a militant, identified
as Muhammad Younis Sheikh, from Chadoora area of Budgam District.
SFs recovered four live grenades have been recovered.
Six ULFA-I militants, entered
Kunapathar Tea Estate in Bordumsa in Tinsukia District and opened
fire targeting the estate manager, after the authorities refused
to pay extortion money. The attack came 23 days after ULFA-I initially
demanded extortion money of INR 4 million from the estate authorities.
In protest against the alleged
inclusion of Dima Hasao District in ‘Greater Nagalim‘ AABCC, Dima
Hasao has given a call for 24 hours rail blockade on December
12. The president and general secretary of AABCC stated that 24-hour
rail blockade program would be organized on Dec 12 from 6 am onwards
at Haflong and other parts of the District.
CM Biren Singh stated that he
had mentioned to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that he nor
the people of Manipur and the present state government would agree
division of Manipur to bring a solution to the Naga issue. The
CM urged the Home Minister not to do anything which may disturb
the oneness of hill and valley people.
Leaders of HYC reiterated that
the ILP must be implemented in the State, and termed it as the
only solution to protect the indigenous people of the state form
the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly session which began on December
8, the HYC leaders stated that they will continue their hunger
strike.
Union Minister of Home Affairs
Rajnath Singh stated that Indian Prime Minister was fully committed
to fulfil the aspirations of Naga people. Without mentioning a
word about Naga political issue, Singh remarked that Nagaland
had an opportunity to lead the North Eastern States to the path
of peace, stability, prosperity and growth. He gave the statement
while attending the eighth day of Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage
Village, Kisama.
NLF comprising the sitting MLAs
of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in its ‘consultative meeting’
held today resolved to urge the GoI to resolve the Naga political
problem well before the next Assembly election. Meanwhile, CMO
issued a statement mentioning that the present moment as the most
opportune time for the Nagas and the Government of India to resolve
the seven decades old Naga political issue and called for finding
a lasting solution to the Naga issue.
The Jammu Police has arrested
Showkat Ahmed from Reasi district of Jammu, in the case of FICN.
The Police recovered fake currency notes of worth Rs. 6.30 Lakhs
along with a computer and other gadgets that have been used in
the production of counterfeit notes. The investigation started
few days ago when a local resident—Bahar Din approached the Police
with Fake notes of worth Rs. 6,000 and reported that these notes
were given by Mohammad Maqbool, said Jammu Police’s SSP Tahir
Bhat of Reasi district. On December 6, Jammu Police arrested Mohammad
Maqbool and he revealed the name of Showkat Ahmed—resident of
Kulgam district and main accused in this case.
The AQ has restructured its organisational
apparatus in India, with one unit being dedicated to terrorist
operations in J&K and the other to subversive actions in the
rest of India. The terror outfit has also released a video exhorting
Muslims in the uniformed services in India to join their fold,
where they can continue to fight while practising Islam.
As part of the internal restructuring, the outfit designated
for J&K has been named Al Qaeda Kashmir (AQK), to be led by
Zakir Musa, who has been operating in the Valley under the banner
of AGuH after breaking away from HM in 2016. AQIS headed by Maulana
Asim Umar alias Sanaul Haque, will carry forward the terror
agenda of the outfit in the rest of the country. “The AQK has
also been given responsibility for training radicalised youth
for terror operations in the Valley and beyond. The Musa-led group
has so far motivated 15-20 Kashmiris to join its ranks for so-called
jihad and to fight for the Rohingyas in Rakhine state of Myanmar,”
a senior Intelligence official said.
Railway employees recovered an
IED, suspected to be planted by the Maoists, from a railway station
in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The IED was detected near the
track between Chhipadohar and Barwadih railway stations in Latehar
District at around 11pm. Officials said the timely recovery of
the IED averted a major railway mishap as Delhi-bound Tata-Muri
Hatia Jammu Tawi Express train (18101) crossed the track near
Ukkamarh village within 20 minutes after the recovery. A CRPF
team soon rushed to the spot and recovered cans, gelatin sticks,
detonators and wires and foiled a Maoist bid to blow up the tracks.
A group of around 20-22 armed
Maoists, including 9-10 women cadres, in uniform raided the farmhouse
of local BJD leader Ishwar Chandra Panigrahi located at Kumbhariput
village under Machkund Police limits in Koraput District of Odisha,
and roughed up the supervisor, Chandrakant Dalei. The Maoist rebels
attacked supervisor Chandrakant, snatched CCTVs and monitors installed
on the farmhouse premises at put up posters at various places
in and around the farmhouse before leaving. The posters released
bearing the name of SKDC of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist, warned Ishwar
Panigrahi against encroachment of tribal land, employing outsiders
in his farmhouse as well as abuse of tribal workers. The posters
also threatened the ruling party leader with dire consequences
demanding a minimum wage of INR 200 and maximum 8 hours of working
per day for the workers. They also demanded protection of the
tribal rights on forest and land resources in the area.
Telangana Police arrested a ‘leader’
of the Chandranna faction of the CPI-ML-New Democracy, Enugula
Chandra Reddy aka Sagar, in Bhadradri Kothagudem
District of Telangana. The Police recovered a gun and bullets
from Sagar. Sagar did post-graduation from the Kakatiya University
and was a gold medalist in Geology. He actively worked for PDSU
during his student life. It was learnt that Sagar was underground
for the last 15 years.
|
December 9
|
Paramilitary forces, DVF and jawans
of SOGs have intensified the combing operation in the cut-off
area of Malkangiri District of Odisha. “The series of recent Maoist
violent activities revealed that the red rebels are trying to
strengthen their eroding support base in the cut off region,”
said a Police official.
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.
SFs arrested a militant of the
ULFA-I, identified as Abha Deka, from Dillighat in Sivasagar District.
One pistol, six live rounds and thirteen extortion letters were
recovered from him. The arrested militant was reportedly involved
in a firing incident in Dillighat in November 2015.
SFs arrested two unidentified
ULFA-I militants from Kalaigaon in Udalguri District. One AK-56
rifle, one magazine and 18 rounds of bullets have been recovered
from their possession.
The DRI has recovered the demonetised
Indian currency notes in the denomination of INR 500 and
INR 1000 from the premises of M/S Yamuna Building Material—a company
located in the GIDC’s Panoli area in Bharuch of Gujarat.
Acting on the intelligence inputs,
the team of DRI officers from Surat (Gujarat) accompanied with
the team of CGST officers of Vadodara raided the premises of M/S
Yamuna Building Material and recovered the demonetised currency
notes with the face value of Rs. 48.91 crore, said an official
of DRI. The company would face the penalty of Rs. 245 crore under
section 5, section 7 of newly enacted SBN Act of 2017, said the
DRI released statement.
The NIA, which arrested suspected
LeT operative Abdul Naeem Sheikh from Uttar Pradesh last month,
has summoned a DTO of Bihar for his alleged links with the terrorist,
an official said. The NIA arrested Sheikh alias Nomi, 37,
on November 28 from Charbagh bus stand in Lucknow in a joint operation
with the Uttar Pradesh Police’s ATS. The NIA official told they
have summoned a DTO officer, identified as Diwakar Jha, posted
in Bihar’s Buxar District, for questioning over his alleged links
with Sheikh. According to the NIA official, Jha had inaugurated
Sheikh’s coaching centre in Bihar’s Gopalganj District in 2015,
when he was posted there. The official said the anti-terror probe
agency has recovered some pictures of Jha with Sheikh. Sheikh,
who is said to have done a recce of army and power installations
in J&K, was caught after he applied for a passport under a
fictitious name. The NIA official said security agencies stumbled
upon a lead to Sheikh after a man complained that his address
was being used by the LeT operative for his passport.
Maoist posters were found in Kumbarput
village under Lamataput block in Koraput District of Odisha. The
posters are stated to have been put up by CPI-Maoist with a message
of threat for life for BJD State general secretary Kishore Panigrahi
and demands for justice to the Kunduli gangrape victim and arrest
of all culprits in the case.
Police arrested KYKL militant
Saikhom Surjit Meitei alias Phireppa from Pangei bazaar
in Imphal West District.
Centre's interlocutor for the
Naga peace talks, R.N. Ravi, has invited five prominent personalities
of Manipur to hold discussions on the Government's process to
finalise a final agreement with NSCN-IM.
Ravi invited Amar Yumnam, professor
of economics, N. Joykumar, retired professor of history; Ksh.
Bimola Devi retired professor of political science - all of Manipur
University, chairman of BJP Manipur vision document R.K. Ranjan
and editor of Imphal Free Press Pradip Phanjoubam to New Delhi
to hold the discussions on December 13.
|
December 10
|
The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a
villager suspecting him to be a ‘Police informer’ in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. The deceased was identified as Sitaram Khila,
a resident of Nuatekpadar village under Ralegada Panchayat in
the Chitrakonda cut-off area in the District. According to reports,
around 15-20 armed Maoists took Sitaram from his house on December
9 night and thrashed him mercilessly and later killed him by slitting
his throat. However, Police denied the Maoists’ claim that Sitaram
was a ‘Police informer’.
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.
Five Bishnupuri Manipuri organizations
have called a 101-hours rail blockade in Barak Valley from December
21 to press for demands, including reservation of seats in the
Assembly and Lok Sabha.
In their recent online propaganda,
the FIF—a charity wing of LeT has reached-out to Rohingya Muslim
population in Rakhine State of Myanmar. The FIF, with assistance
from other Islamist groups are operating in the Rohingya refugee
camps near the town of Cox’s Bazaar of Bangladesh, claimed Bangladesh’s
intelligence official. The FIF’s operations could initiate a new
phase of Myanmar conflict where terror groups become powerful
with support of ARSA—also known as Harakah al-Yakin (HaY), a local
insurgent group active in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar.
Speaking at an event organised
by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India’s V-P Venkaiah
Naidu emphasised that terrorism and extreme violence is the worst
form of human rights violation and all countries must join hands
to contain this evil. “The Indian democracy has also been confronted
by terrorism and extreme violence. Both trample the right to life
and liberty of an individual. Any violence and senseless killing
is the worst form of human rights violation”, said V-P Venkaiah
Naidu.
In reply to Pakistan’s MFA Khawaja
Muhammad Asif’s letter dated on December 5 regarding ceasefire
violations on LoC and India-Pakistan IB, India’s UMEA Sushma Swaraj
written to Khawaja Asif that Pakistan must claim the ceasefire
violation as the firing by Indian Armed Forces was only retaliatory
to curb infiltration and cross-border incursions. In his letter,
Khawaja Asif claimed that India violates the ceasefire over 1,300
times in 2017 whereas, the Indian figures argued that the ceasefire
violations by Pakistani forces figures to over 700 times until
October 2017. "India has responded to the letter and instead
of accepting our message for peace once again repeated old allegations
of cross-border incursions and refused to stop violations”, said
Pakistan’s foreign spokesman Mohammad Faisal.
Rachakonda SOT arrested two person
for circulating FICN. On a credible tip off, the sleuths of SOT
Malkajgiri Zone, conducted a decoy operation in the limits of
Ghatkesar Police Station in Medchal District and arrested the
duo. Police seized 22 fake bundles of INR 2,000 notes, along with
mobile phones and INR 25,000 cash from their possession. The main
accused has been identified as Reddy Pandu Ranga Rao, a resident
of Kukatpally and his associate Rajula Kolanji from Jeedimetla.
The accused and his associate would regularly circulate fake currency.
They would give the notes in 1:3 ratio. The main accused, Ranga,
was arrested and jailed twice in 2014, 2015 for the same crime.
The Uttar Pradesh Police is clamping
down on self-radicalised youth influenced by ideologies of groups
such as IS, HUJI-B and SIMI in several districts. "We are
keeping a close tab on self-radicalised youth and their activities.
We have arrested about 18-20 people in recent months and some
are under close watch. All these youth and their groups are influenced
by the ideologies of terror outfits like IS, LeT, SIMI and HuJI
of Bangladesh. Of late, Kerala-based PFI was on our radar and
their monitoring has increased with their involvement in 'anti-national
propaganda' on December 6. We're trying to assess the growth of
such radicalised groups and their influence on youth and others
in the state," said Anand Kumar, UP's ADG of Police (law
and order). He added, "There are specific alerts and in recent
times, nearly 14-15 terror modules have been busted." Some
officials also gave vital leads to why UP Police are on their
toes against terror groups operating from the state. "Starting
from Azamgarh as the nerve centre for such terror ideologies threatening
to influence minority-community youth to various pockets of western
UP - Shamli, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh and Moradabad
- UP Police have zeroed-in on Bijnore for strong SIMI links with
locals," a source in UP PHQ told this correspondent.
Intelligence agencies have gathered
information that a “lone wolf” may try to target road shows of
“big political leaders” during the campaigning for the assembly
elections in Gujarat, officials said. Based on intelligence inputs
and interrogation reports of two arrested suspected terrorists,
the agencies have alerted the Gujarat Police that a “lone wolf”
may try to carry out attacks on road shows of top political leaders
and there is a need to take maximum precaution, a senior government
official said.
One Uroz Khan, arrested in Madhya
Pradesh on November 6, had reportedly told Police that he promised
to supply arms and explosives to two suspected IS operatives for
allegedly carrying out “lone wolf” attacks on a Jewish synagogue
and during election rallies in Gujarat, the official said. IS
suspect Ubaid Mirza, who was in the custody of the NIA, also reportedly
told the agency that IS style “lone wolf” attack was planned on
road show and rallies in Gujarat.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres were
arrested from Pesauni village under Patahi Police station
in East Champaran District of Bihar. Two of the three
arrested CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Lalbabu Sahni alias Bhaskar,
‘secretary’ of the NBZC; and Md Mushtaque, CPI-Maoist cadre from
Pakaridyal. Bhaskar was involved in the Madhuban attack by CPI-Maoist
on the Police in 2005, in which two Policemen and three others
were killed when over 500 CPI-Maoists attacked the bank, besides
the house of a MP, the block and circle offices simultaneously.
He has over 18 criminal cases related to bank dacoity, attacks
for levy, attacking brick kiln owners and murder at various
Police stations in Bihar. He was in East Champaran to galvanize
members in hibernation since Tariyani attack, which killed five CRPF
personnel. The Police recovered five detonators, 10 SLR cartridges,
besides levy receipts. Another arrested CPI-Maoist cadre, Mushtaque
is an accused in the murder case of Rajesh Kumar at Sheikhpurwa
in 2011, said HS Gaurav, ASP, Operations. The identity of the
arrestee is yet to be ascertained.
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.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh state
that adequate security measures have been taken up in border areas
to check entry of illegal migrants into the state. Manipur government
had already put its security forces including state police on
high alert as there were possibilities of displaced Rohingya Muslims
from Myanmar sneaking into the state.
|
December 11
|
CPI-Maoist pamphlets were thrown
by its cadres in tehsil office of Bijapur City
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. CPI-Maoist called
for bandh in Bijapur District on December 12
in its pamphlets. These pamphlets were issued by South Sub Zonal
Bureau of CPI-Maoist.
LWE cadres opposing road construction
work set ablaze two vehicles in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
According to Police, cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the
CPI-Maoist, raided a private company involved in road construction
work at Madhuamilan village under Chandwa Police Station area
of the District. The private company is involved in road construction
work of around five kilometres under the PMGSY. The rebels asked
the labourers to leave and later set one tractor and one JCB machine
on fire used for road construction, by pouring petrol. They also
left a pamphlet claiming responsibility for the incident. The
denial of ‘levy’ is said to be the reason for the attack.
The State Home Department has
given sanction to conduct the ‘Martyr Meet’ at Gandhi Park in
Mananthavady in Wayanad District of Kerala on December 14, to
commemorate the death of CPI-Maoist leaders Kuppu Devaraj alias Shanker,
and Ajitha alias Latha alias Meera
killed in a special operation in the Nilambur forests on November
24, 2016. The Police gave permission based on an application filed
by the ‘Martyr Meet Commemoration Committee’. Wayanad District
Police Chief Arul R B Krishna said the committee had applied for
a mike sanction and the Police gave the nod after verifying the
antecedents of the applicants against whom there were no criminal
records. “But the event will be under thorough police surveillance.
We’ll take action if they resort to any speeches which are against
the nation and inflammatory in nature,” said Arul.
The CPI-Maoist cadres held a ‘Kangaroo
court’ at Panasput and assaulted three villagers mercilessly alleging
that they were ‘Police informers’ in Malkangiri District of Odisha.
Sources said the Maoists dragged former Panasput Sarpanch,
Arjun Hantal, and two of his associates from their houses and
produced them in the ‘Kangaroo court’ held inside the forest outside
the village. The rebels warned them of dire consequences if they
cooperate with the Police and pass any information about them,
sources added. Later, they released the trio.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said
the CPI-Maoist situation in at least eight Districts of the State
continues to "remain challenging" even as there has
been a substantial improvement in the situation in other Districts.
In a written reply to Congress member Naba Kishore Das in the
Assembly on December 8, Patnaik named the eight Districts as Malkangiri,
Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Bolangir, Bargarh and
Angul. The CM told the Assembly that as many as 13 Districts were
hit by the LWE violence since 2007, which included Malkangiri,
Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj,
Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jajpur and Dhenkanal.
However, Patnaik said the LWE situation in Gajapati, Keonjhar,
Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Nuapada, Bodh, Nayagarh, Deogarh and Sundargarh
was under control. He further said there have been no incidents
of Maoist violence reported from Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Nabarangpur
and Ganjam Districts so far. "Improvement of police infrastructure,
recruitment of armed personnel, specialised training and a progressive
policy of surrender and rehabilitation have led to substantial
improvement in the situation," Patnaik had said. The State
has, meanwhile, requested the Centre to send Additional Central
Forces to be deployed in areas prone to Maoist violence.
Two imposters of CPI-Maoist were
arrested from Mangi village of Tiryani Mandal of
Kumram Bheem Asifabad District of Telangana. The arrested CPI-Maoist
imposters were identified as Shaik Razak Hussain (34), native
of Janakapur in Asifabad; and Bavandlapalli Ravindra Prasad (34),
a resident of Kaghaznagar town. They had demanded INR 100,000
for CPI-Maoist from Venkat Rao, a sub-contractor of L&T Construction,
posing as CPI-Maoist cadres. They had threatened to kill him if
he had exposed this information. They took away INR 6,000 from
him. Both of them have confessed to be indulging in the offence,
said Superintendent of Police Sunpreet Singh.
In a joint meeting among the foreign
ministers of Russia, China and India, a strong counterterrorism
narrative is likely to be issued with a plan of action. The trio
meet will also focus on maintaining peace and stability in the
regional security architecture as well as reflect ‘continuing’
support of Russia and China for India becoming a member of the
APEC. India’s UMEA Sushma Swaraj will host her Russian and Chinese
counterparts Sergei Lavrov and Wang Yi, respectively, for the
15th edition of the meeting to be held in New Delhi. Notably,
China has consistently blocked Indian efforts to bring Mazood
Azhar under the UN’s sanction list. The listed entities and individuals
face asset freezes, travel bans and other measures that dismantle
their ability to carry out terror strikes around the globe. “The
joint statement can make the larger point of the three countries
having greater common ground on how to deal with international
terrorism. The leaders would also have a free and friendly exchange
on the issue that is always helpful,” said former Foreign Secretary
Lalit Mansingh.
In a publication dated December
1 in their magazine Rumiyah the IS has urged the Kashmiri
Muslims to re-initiate their jihad under the “banner of
the Khalifah” and behead every Indian and Pakistani soldiers
who confront them. The ‘article’ also warned the audience not
to be swayed away with lies by spies of R&AW and ISI, intelligence
agencies of India and Pakistan, respectively. "Even if their
names resemble those of Muslims, they are murtadd (apostate)
and have left the religion of Allah just as the arrow leaves the
bow, so crush the heads of these wolves in sheep's clothing before
these murtaddin (a person who became apostate) hit you,"
said the post uploaded on SITE Intelligence Group website. Originally
published in Urdu language, the ‘article’ was translated by a
Kashmiri-centric pro-IS media group ‘Al Qaraar’.
The Central Government took steps
to formed a ‘strong firewall’ around the cyber networks of
the Central and State Government to monitor, detect and prevent
the cyber attacks. The NIC-CERT has been formed to ensure the
security of the official cyber channels from the occurrence of
cyber threats originated from within and outside the country.
"Although this has made the services highly accessible to
citizens, it has also exposed them to the threats and vulnerabilities
which are an inherent part of cyberspace”, said the UML&J,
E&IT Ravi Shankar Prasad. "This is establishment of an
institution in India's pursuit of safe and secure cyberspace.
Any unusual movement on the NIC network, any attacks, and intrusions
will be detected and cleaned”, said Ravi Shankar Prasad. Notable
there has been a significant growth in cyber attacks that lead
to data theft and as a result the Government enacted to draft
the DPA.
India-China-Russia trilateral,
for the first time, called for cooperation to take decisive and
concerted action against globally-proscribed terrorists and terror
entities. Indian EAM Sushma Swaraj, however, did not mention JeM
in the list of terror groups, although she mentioned LeT, Taliban,
IS and AQ. In her bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart
Wang Yi, she stressed the need to meet more frequently and without
any agenda to strengthen mutual trust. While the RIC statement
is viewed positively, South Block sources said they do not expect
any radical change in China’s behaviour. “We call for the swift
and effective implementation of existing international commitments
on countering terrorism, including the UN Global Counter-Terrorism
Strategy, relevant UNSC resolutions and targeted sanctions relating
to terrorism and the FATF International Standards worldwide. We
agree to strengthen cooperation to take decisive and concerted
actions against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities.
We condemn all forms of terrorism and all terrorists, terror entities
and organisations listed by the UN Security Council,” said the
joint statement issued after the trilateral meeting.
Zakir Naik has approached the
Bombay High Court challenging the cancellation of his passport
by the external affairs ministry. His passport has been revoked
after he repeatedly failed to appear before the NIA and the ED
in connection with alleged terror-funding cases. In his petition,
filed by his lawyer, the 51-year-old televangelist claimed he
had never incited communal disharmony or any illegal activity
against any specific religion or community and that he had always
condemned those who incited violence and terrorised people. He
was accused of spreading hatred through his provocative speeches,
funding terrorists and laundering several crores of rupees over
the years.
To promote closer engagement in
the areas of strategic defence and security, India and Australia
held first high level ‘2+2’ dialogue between two countries. The
dialogue was attended by Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar,
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra who led the Indian delegation for
inaugural talks with Australian Foreign Secretary Frances Adamson
and Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty. "There is a growing
convergence of strategic perspectives between the two countries.
Both sides agreed that a free, open, prosperous and inclusive
Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries
in the region and of the world at large," said a statement
released India’s Ministry of External Affairs. In recent times,
India and Australia participated in joint naval exercises to build
on their convergence as Indian Ocean powers.
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.
UPML a local body demanding PRC
by the state government to the non-Arunachal Pradesh STs has declared
a 12-hour strike in Namsai on December 12. The strike will affect
Namsai and Lohit districts and the Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia,
Dibrugarh and Sivasagar as well because National Highways 37 and
52 are connected.
SFs Killed an NSCN-K militant
A Colt pistol, a radio set and other incriminating documents were
recovered from the slain militant. According to the Defence Spokesman,
SFs have been carrying out aggressive operations in south Arunachal
Pradesh and the incident has struck a blow to the illegal activities
being carried out by NSCN- militants.
ULFA-I militants shot
dead a local VDP President Anteswar Mahanta and his son identified
as Karun at Dirak-Hunjan village in Bordumsa in Tinsukia. Karun
was a former President of Kakopathar AASU. Tinsukia SP stated
that ULFA-I militant identified as Rupom Asom and his group were
behind the killing.
A bomb was recovered at the gate
of a school at Khangabok under Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal
District. The bomb was later disposed off at a firing range in
Thoubal by the Police.
KCP-PWG has claimed responsibility
for placing a bomb near a school gate on December 11 in Thoubal
District.
AR arrested NSCN-K militant Ashukhomi
in Zunhebeto District. One booklet and seven leaves of tax collection
slip of NSCN-K and cash worth INR 6,200 was recovered from him.
An OGW of NSCN-K, identified as
Saia Konak, was arrested from Mon District. One .22 rifle, 58
rounds of .22 ammunition, 12 rounds of 12 bore ammunitions, eight
extortion slip 15 Voter’s Id cards, and INR 8,68,300 were recovered
from him.
Working Committee of NNPGs held
a consultative meeting with 25 apex Naga tribe organisations,
civil society groups, women organisations, indigenous minority
tribes etc to seek views and suggestions for negotiation with
GoI Giving the keynote address at the consultative meeting N Kitovi
Zhimomi, ‘convenor’ of WC .
N Kitovi Zhimomi, ‘convenor’ of
WC stated that GoI has informed NSCN-IM that sovereignty as well
as integration were out of question, the same could also be conveyed
to the WC. He also added that unlike the Framework Agreement signed
between NSCN-IM and GoI, agreement between GoI and WC was like
a preamble based on principles and talks would be held only under
that agreement.
|
December 12
|
Four tribals who were working
as CPI-Maoist couriers surrendered before the Police at Y. Ramavaram
Police Station in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The
four surrendered CPI-Maoist couriers identified as Korra Bangarraju,
Korra Salupu, Gammila Ramesh, and Manga, were reportedly involved
in supply of ration and medicines to a dalam of
the CPI-Maoist. The surrendered tribals will be rehabilitated
as per the policy of Government, said Ravi Shankar, OSD, Operations.
A court in Visakhapatnam District
of Andhra Pradesh granted bail to CPI-Maoist 'Politburo member',
Kobad Ghandy, in a case related to recovery of arms and explosives.
A case was registered against him by the Vizag Police for carrying
out weapons and explosives. He was in Visakhapatnam jail since
April 4, 2017. There are eight cases against him and he was sentenced
to eight years in various jails. All his cases are related to
CPI-Maoist activities.
The Maoists set ablaze six vehicles
used in construction work which include one concrete mixer
machine, one JCB, one truck, one road roller and two tractors
in Iragaon village of Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh, during Bharat bandh call
on December 12.
A pump house of NMDC Bacheli Deposit-5
project was blown up by the Maoists in Akash Nagar of Dantewada
District of Chhattisgarh, during Bharat bandh call
on December 12.
A BSNL tower was blown up by the
CPI-Maoist rebels in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh, during Bharat bandh call
on December 12. The water supply in NMDC mines area was stopped
due to blowing of water pump house.
An unidentified CPI-Maoist cadre
was killed in an encounter in the forest between Kamasur and Yelaram
hamlets in Sironcha Taluka in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. The Gadchiroli Police have claimed his body is
the eighth retrieved after the encounter near Kalled village,
around 12 kilometres from Kamasur, where seven Maoists were killed
on December 6. Ankush Shinde, DIG of Police, said the Dechlipetha
sub-Police Station and Jimulgatta QRT conducted an intelligence-based
operation following which the body was recovered. Gadchiroli,
SP, Abhinav Deshmukh said the deceased Naxalite probably belonged
to any of the formations of Platoon 14, or LOS of Sironcha, Perimili
and Aheri who were present near Kalled. "The firing lasted
for around 15 minutes. We have recovered a .303 rifle, a few live
rounds and some regular material for daily use," said Deshmukh.
The identity of the slain Naxalites is yet to be confirmed,
said Deshmukh.
The SFs ensured that the
Naxal
Bharat bandh call turns out to be a damp
squib. The week was observed by the Naxalites between
December 6 and 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. The 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.
SPG of 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 Security
Forces 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.
The Delhi Court send an alleged
al Qaeda operative, Shaimun Rahman, a Bangladeshi-British national
to judicial custody with extending the period of investigations
by the NIA by a month conducted. Shaimun Rahman (27) was
arrested in September by the Delhi Police for his alleged involvement
to recruit youths for the terror outfit and train them to fight
against the Myanmar Army.
Dawood Ibrahim’s long-time aide
Chhota Shakeel parted ways with him, according to India's intelligence
agencies. He has also moved away from the Clifton area of Karachi,
where both had been based ever since they fled Mumbai in the 1980s,
and is currently holed up at an unknown location, sources said.
One of the main reasons for the fallout is reportedly an argument
that Shakeel, who is in his 50s, recently had with Dawood over
the latter's younger brother Anees Ibrahim's alleged interference
in the gang's operations. Though Shakeel is known as Dawood's
most trusted lieutenant and has played a major role in handling
the gang's activities for the past three decades, sources claimed
that Anees, who also lives in Pakistan with his elder brother,
has at various times attempted to gain the upper hand. Despite
Dawood making it clear to his sibling that he should not come
in the way, Anees reportedly exceeded his brief recently, sparking
an argument between the gang leader and Shakeel and prompting
Shakeel to stay away after that. Known for meeting his confidants
in Dubai, Shakeel recently held a meeting with some aides in an
East-Asian country, sources noted.
India’s NIA has been assigned
six cases to investigate which are related to the Khalistan movement.
Out of six, four cases are registered in Ludhiana and two in Khanna
(Punjab). So far, the Punjab Police was investigating the case
but now-on the NIA teams will investigate the matter. The NIA
team has already reached the location, Ludhiana and Khanna to
take over the investigation, said the NIA statement. The
modus
operandi
in all six cases is similar therefore, regarding
the possibility of domestic and international ramifications of
the conspiracy in the matter, the Punjab Government had decided
to hand-over the investigation to the NIA. After the discussion
with top officials of the Punjab Police, the decision of transfer
of the cases to the NIA team led by its Director Y.C. Modi, earlier
this month.
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.
Two NDFB-IKS militants were arrested
at Jhalbari forest area in Kokrajhar District. Two pistols along
with a magazine and six ammunition were recovered from the militants.
Following December 11 killings,
residents and organisations from Sunjan Simaluguri and nearby
areas blocked National Highway 52 to protest the killings. AMSU
called a 24-hour Tinsukia District shutdown on December 13. tea
gardens such as Sri Krishna, Bogapani, Hollongabi in Digboi, MKB
and Lalung in Bordumsa, and Samdung in Doomdooma have been alerted
and additional security has been assigned to the tea estates.
IGP stated that four ULFA-I militants
involved in the killing has fled to Arunachal Pradesh.
Following the intervention and
assurance from the District administration, the 24-hour rail blockade
was called off by AABCC. The rail blockade was called by AABCC
in protest against the inclusion of Dima Hasao in ‘greater Nagalim
and also the establishment of satellite council in Dima Hasao.
Indigenous Forum-Assam, a joint
platform of over 30 organisations representing various indigenous
communities, will try to build a consensus on the definition of
indigenous people of the state at its first convention to be held
here on February 12 and 13. Leader of the forum and ULFA-PTF
‘general secretary’ Anup Chetia said at the two-day convention,
which will be held at the district library auditorium, an attempt
would be made to arrive at a consensus on the definition of indigenous
or Assamese people for implementation of Clause VI of the Assam
Accord.
KCP Peoples war group faction
has banned all ‘artificial’ fairs and festivals in the state.
A ZUF-Arei militant identified
as Ramsau Zeme alias Nelson was arrested from Langol near Ramgailong
village gate in Imphal East District.
South Garo Hills Police busted
GNLA hideout, after a brief fire fight with a group of 10 militants.
The hideout was used by GNLA as an extortion centre to collect
money from coal quarries and trucks in the Nangalbibra area of
south Garo Hills District. No casualties were reported from the
encounter. Police have not ruled out the presence of GNLA ‘chief’
Sohan D Shira in the camp. They also indicate that the motive
of the rebels was to set up base in the Maidugittim area to run
an extortion racket targeting the coal trade.
Unidentified assailants lobbed
two petrol bombs in Alizan Compound in Lumdiengjri area in Shillong
in East Khasi Hills. Three houses and a shop were damaged in the
incident. Police also added that attack could be the fall out
of the arrest of a member of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on the
same day. Prime Minster Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Meghalaya
on December 16.
|
December 13
|
Sanya Bahal—a teacher from an
unidentified place in Bihar, was arrested by Bihar Police, for
keeping Hyderabad Police ‘on toes’ regarding a hoax attack
on Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad. Sanya
Bahal phoned RGIA officials on December 11, and informed that
an IS sympathiser named Shoab is about to board the flight to
Jeddah, (Saudi Arabia). She also supplied Shoab’s ticket details
to the airport authority officials. The officials carried out
a small search operation but found no-one with the given name
travelling on same day, said the Police sources. Acting upon the
suspicious information, the Cyberabad Police traced the call to
Bihar and informed the Bihar Police to act upon the matter. The
Bihar Police has registered a case of a hoax call and have been
questioning the woman in this matter, said the Cyberabad Police
official.
As the nation remembers the 16th
anniversary of a ‘horrific’ terrorist attack on Indian Parliament
on December 13, 2001, the Indian PM Narendra Modi paid floral
tribute to the martyrs of this attack. Around 14 people—including
SFs personnel and a civilian were killed when five heavily-armed
terrorists of LeT and JeM attacked and indiscriminately opened
fire in the Parliament complex on December 13, 2001. Extensive
investigations also revealed the involvement of four accused namely
Afzal Guru, Shaukat Hussain, SAR Geelani/Gilani and Navjot Sandhu
for their roles in logistic services to the perpetrators of this
attack. Among others, the remembrance ceremony was also attended
by the Indian V-P Venkaiah Naidu, former Indian PM Manmohan Singh,
UMEA Sushma Swaraj, and the Parliament Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
AKDDSU has declared a 12-hour
District shutdown on December 20 to protest the deprivation of
the district in terms of development. The shutdown is in response
to the State Government’s failure in fulfilling a charter of demands
that the union had submitted to the CMO on October 30.
Normal life was affected across
the industrial District of Tinsukia following a 24 hours bandh
(shutdown strike) called by several student bodies of the state
to protest against the killing of a father-son duo by ULFA-I.
Shutdown was called by AMSU with
Districts of AASU, ATASU, AJYCP Moran Sahitya Sabha, Moran Jatiya
Mahila Parishad etc extending support to it. While shops, business
establishments, banks and educational institutions remained shut
in Tinsukia, Margherita, Ledo, Doomdooma, Digboi, Bordumsa, Makum
and Kakopathar towns, vehicles also remained off the road.
ULFA-I ‘publicity secretary’ Arunodoy
Asom alleged that the VDP official and his son were spying for
SFs.
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal on
December 12 stated that the state Police forces will be modernized.
AR arrested three NSCN-K militants
from Old Phuyetu village in Zunheboto District. Arms and ammunition
as well as incriminating documents were recovered from the militants.
AR recovered two firearms and
ammunition during a search operation at Tenyiphe-I in Dimapur
District.
15 member delegation of working
committee of six NNPGs led by its convener N Kitovi Zhimomi held
the second round of talks with GoI Interlocutor for Naga talks
RN Ravi in New Delhi. The maiden round of talks was held in New
Delhi, where Ravi, the Centre’s interlocutor, met an 18-member
delegation of the Working Committee led by its convener Zhimomi.
Nagaland CM TR Zeliang said that
the State Government is hopeful that the ‘vexed’ Naga ‘political
issue’ would be resolved before the Assembly election due next
year.
|
December 14
|
Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre
in Khagaria District of Bihar. SP, Meenu Kumari said that the
‘area commander’ of the CPI-Maoist, Manoj Sada, active in Farakiya
diara under Morkahi Police Station area in the District, was arrested
from his hideout at Jhamakia Musahari by the Police. A pistol
and some live cartridges were recovered from his possession. Manoj
was involved in more than 24 unlawful activities under Morkahi,
Alauli, Chautham and Mansi Police Stations of Khagaria District
and also under Salkhua, Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Chiraiyya Police
Stations of Saharsa District, the SP said.
Nine cadres of the CPI-ML-Janashakti-Chandra
Pulla Reddy Bata faction were killed in an encounter with Police
in the Mellamadugu forest area under Tekulapally Mandal
in the Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The deceased
were identified as Etti Kumar alias Rakhi (35), Jakkati
Praveen Kumar alias Azad (24), Nunavath Arjun alias
Naveen (22), Boina Omprakash alias Ganesh (22), Easam Naresh
alias Sudharshan (30), Turkuli Madhu (35), Gadudula Srinu
(40), Bhattu Adinarayana (38) and Rachakonda Kiran alias
Karthik. Police also recovered a SLR, three 8mm rifles, two guns,
and some other materials. The dead body of Karthik, a native of
Kambalapally village in Mahabubabad District, was recovered on
December 16, along with one 8mm rifle and 50 rounds bullets from
the encounter place. The Police received information that the
battalion of the Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata faction was
in the dense forest area of the Tekulapally Mandal and
had launched the operation on Wednesday (December 13) night,
which ended in the morning of December 14 at around 6:30 am.
West Bengal security agencies
have launched raids in four districts bordering Bangladesh to
arrest more than 70 touts involved in making Indian passports
from fake voter IDs and Aadhaar cards for alleged Bangladeshi
criminals and terror operatives sneaking into India. According
to sources, interrogation of four Bangladeshi nationals arrested
recently at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
(NSCBIA) at Kolkata revealed that over 70 touts in North 24 Parganas,
Nadia, Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal are involved
in making passports for Bangladeshis with the help of fake Aadhaar
and voter ID cards. Police sources revealed that most of the Bangladeshi
applicants for Indian passports have criminal records at Bangladesh
Police Stations and want to seek refuge in India to flee prosecution
in their nation. The investigation has found that while many of
these criminals have terror links, several others are on the radar
of Islamic terror organisations who want to recruit them like
LeT recruited petty criminal Ajmal Kasab for the 26/11 Mumbai
attack. “The four Bangladeshis revealed that the touts lend their
addresses in the fake documents and charged Rs 30,000 for making
the passports. We have identified the 70 touts involved in this
racket and have found their links with Bangladesh-based terror
organisations such as JMB and HuJI. We have launched raids at
several locations in the four districts. We hope to arrest the
accused soon,” a senior Police Official told.
A militant of NDFB-IKS was killed
in an encounter at west zone in Dumbazaar in Kokrajhar. The militant
have been identified as ‘sergeant major’ Soheton Narzary. One
AK 56, 219 rounds of ammunition, one detonator, one pistol and
a hand grenade were recovered from the dead militant.
KMSSa peasants' rights body which
has been leading a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment)
Bill 2016, warned that the fresh move would trigger an Assam Agitation
(1979-1985)-like situation if its demand for a rollback of the
bill is not fulfilled.
SAJPPSP an organisation representing
the family members of Assam Agitation martyrs, on December 14
threatened an agitation if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016
is passed in the Parliament.
A PREPAK militant was arrested
by SFs from Dalpati area in Moreh town of Tengnoupal District.
Son in law of a Nokma (Garo village
elder) who was abducted on December 10 was rescued b Police from
Gare Newak road in South Garo Hills District.
Dead body of former NLFT militant
was recovered from Tuikrama Lake in Sepahijala District. According
to Police he was killed he was killed following a dispute over
sharing of money from the sale of several sophisticated arms to
a drug smuggling gang in Nagaland they had stolen from the 'armory'
of ATTF.
|
December 15
|
One CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
and three DRG personnel were injured in an encounter between SFs
and Maoists at Gognuda-Mudopara forest under Phulbagdi Police
Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. SDGP, anti-Naxal operations,
DM Awasthi, said that as DRG team was approaching the Maoists,
the rebels triggered a landmine blast and indefinitely opened
fire at the operation team. He added, three personnel were injured
in the IED blast and a Maoist cadre was killed in the encounter
that ensued soon after the explosion.
A woman Maoist cadre was killed
by STF of Chhattisgarh Police in an encounter at Jarampalli forest
in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The killed Maoist cadre has
been identified as Kosi Sodhi, an ‘area committee member’ of Pamed
area committee of CPI-Maoist and believed to a close aide of 'wanted'
Maoist ‘commander’ Papa Rao, who managed to escape. Sori's body
was recovered by the SFs along with a rifle and Maoist literature.
Papa Rao, who allegedly several deadly attacks on SFs including
the 2010 Tadmetla massacre (Dantewada) that claimed the lives
of 74 CRPF personnel, is active in south Bastar region and his
name figured as mastermind in major incidents of Maoist violence
in Dantewada region.
Two imposters of CPI-Maoist were
arrested from Ghatshila sub division in East Singhbhum District
of Jharkhand. The arrested Maoist imposters were identified
as Laxman Marandi (35) and Chetan Soren (32), both residents under
Tirin Police Station area in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha. The
Maoist imposters were trying to extort INR 2 million from the
son of a senior JMM leader and former Minister Champai Soren at
Ghatshila.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in a joint raid conducted by Police and BSF personnel in Luchapani
Bandhuguda reserve forest under Paparmetla Police limits in the
Chitrakonda cut-off area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. On
the basis of a tip-off that a group of Maoists were present in
the area, a joint team of Police and BSF personnel had launched
a combing operation on December 14 night, Malkangiri, SP, Jagmohan
Meena said. After the encounter, during search, the body of the
slain Maoist was recovered by the SFs along with a loaded SLR
rifle and two magazines having 54 live rounds of 7.62 mm bullets.
On further scouting the area, the SFs also recovered an IED planted
by Maoists in the nearby forests, BSF, DIG, Intelligence, Jaya
Chandra Nayak, said and added that the SFs defused the IED before
returning to their camp in Badapada area. The slain Maoist was
identified as Sudhakar alias Suka of Chhattisgarh who was
working under range divisional committee member Rakesh Sodhi.
Telangana Police found the dead
body of a former CPI-Maoist cadre, Komalla Sheshagiri Rao alias Gopanna
(45), near the railway tracks in Unikicherla area of Warangal
District of Telangana. The Police recovered a suicide
note which quoted Rao as saying that some friends have deceived
him in financial matters. Gopanna is from Velikatte village under
Thorrur Mandal in Mahabubabad District, and had gone
underground and worked in different capacities for CPI-Maoist
before surrendering to Police in 2009.
Kura Rajanna, the leader of the
CPI-ML-Janashakti-Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata, is now secretly making
rare public appearances. The SIB and the Police of Bhadradri Kothagudem
District have identified Rajanna as the leader of the newly-floated
Naxal outfit, CPI-ML-Janashakti-Chandra Pulla Reddy Bata.
According to the Police, Rajanna organised a plenary in Chevella
Mandal in Ranga Reddy District in June this year with 60
Naxal sympathisers, mostly former CPI-ML-Janashakti cadres.
After the meet, he started working on the new group. Police further
said, around 20 Naxals of the group are on the prowl and
eight of them died in exchange of fire in Bodu forest of Bhadradri
Kothagudem on December 14. Bhadradri Kothagudem, SP, Ambar Kishore
Jha, said, "Kura Rajanna is the man behind this new group.
Rajanna was involved in 11 cases in Karimnagar and was acquitted
in nine. There are more cases against him. The group acquired
weapons like SLR and rifles from Madhya Pradesh. We will prepare
a dossier and write to MHA seeking ban of this outlawed organization
CPI (ML) too." Rajanna is believed to be the ‘state secretary’
of the group and is on the run.
French investigative agencies
probing the Paris terror attack of 2015 have sought the NIA permission
to question an IS operative, Subahani Haja Moideen arrested in
Kerala on terrorism charges. A communication to this effect was
sent after the French agencies had a joint training session with
the NIA and other security agencies on terrorist funding at New
Delhi in November, 2017. Subahani, who had been residing in Thodupuzha
in Idukki District had allegedly fought for the IS at Mosul in
Iraq and returned to India in 2015.
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.
An NSCN-IM militant identified
as major’ Yangle Kongkang was arrested by SFs from Khonsa in Tirap
District. A pistol, ammunition and INR 10, 200 of extortion money
were recovered from him.
DGP Mukesh Sahay stated that ULFA-I
down but not out. He stated that ‘I don’t have a fair idea about
its current strength, but then, strength does not lie in numbers
but in lethality. I can say, however, that something which was
pervasive all over the state at one point of time is today confined
to pockets bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland’. DGP also
added that ULFA rebels were using corridors in Nagaland and Arunachal
to sneak in and out of Myanmar and create mischief in Assam. He
further stated that Chinese weapons including grenades are available
with ULFA-I militants.
Talks with ULFA-PTF may come to
a conclusion by 2018. Giving this indication, senior Assam police
official Pallab Bhattacharya said that the much hyped peace talk
is moving towards the right direction. An eight-member delegation
of ULFA-PTF led by Anup Chetia and Arabinda Rajkhowa held a meeting
with senior officials from GoI and state Government. Naga peace
accord was also discussed in the meeting.
Dibrugarh District committee of
ATASU staged a three-hour sit-in. 15 in Pepoltol Tiniali Duliajan
in Dibrugarh District, demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the
Ahom community in Assam and opening of the Industrial Training
Institute (ITI) by completing its construction as it has been
lying in an abandoned condition at Kacharipathar in Duliajan.
December 11 killing of father
son duo in Tinsukia District was sharply criticized by various
social organizations of Sivasagar. The killing was criticized
by Manab Adhikar Sangram Sammittee a regional nonprofit human
right organization as well as another NGO identified as Indian
Patriotic Federation (Socialist).
BSF arrested six infiltrators
at Panda in South Garo Hills. . BSF statement said that a Bangladeshi
national and five Indians were apprehended by the troops after
noticing suspicious movement. The arrested individuals revealed
that two Bangladesh smugglers came to meet Indian smugglers for
carrying out smuggling.
ULFA-I militants abducted Arunav
Phukan, son of an Assamese BJP leader from Tinsukia District.
Militants have apparently asked for a ransom of INR 20 million
and have also stated that the abducted person is currently in
ULFA-I's Myanmar camp.
|
December 16
|
As India and Bangladesh celebrated
the ‘Vijay Divas’ and ‘Victory Day’ respectively on December 16,
the chief of JuD and founder of LeT Hafiz Saeed remarked a ‘fresh’
warning to ‘liberate’ Kashmir in a vengeance of Pakistan’s defeat
and creation of Bangladesh in the India-Pakistan war in 1971.
“We will avenge creation of Bangladesh by liberating Kashmir,”
said Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, while addressing
a gathering in Lahore (Pakistan).
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.
Two NDFB-S militants were killed
in an encounter in a coal mine under Umrangso Police Station in
Dima Hasao District. A .9 mm pistol was recovered from the encounter
site. The Police also rescued the manager of a coal quarry, Mahendra
Rai who was abducted by the militants on December 4 from an area
under Muriap Police Outpost area of Meghalaya.
CPI-Maoist 'Politburo member',
Kobad Ghandy, was reportedly re-arrested by the Jharkhand SIB
Police from Achampet town in Nagarkurnool District of Telangana,
where he had gone to attend court case. Ghandy, who had been released
on bail from Visakhapatnam Central Prison in Andhra Pradesh on
December 12, was arrested again with regard to cases pending trials
in Jharkhand, sources informed. Jharkhand Police took the help
of the Telangana SIB Police in making the arrest, while he was
to be produced before Nampally Criminal Court, advocate K. Savitri
said. However, citing paucity of time, the Jharkhand Police flew
him to Ranchi without producing him at the court.
SFs exchanged fire with cadres
of the JJMP, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, near Marabad
village under Latehar Police limits in Latehar District of Jharkhand.
JJMP cadres led by Pappu Lohra, managed to escape and the Police
seized more than 200 rounds of live SLR ammunition, pithus and
other belongings from the encounter site, said SP, Prashant Anand.
|
December 17
|
A group of CPI-Maoist cadres attacked
a road construction camp and set ablaze at least 10 vehicles at
Andrahal village under Bondaghati area in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. At least 60-70 heavily armed Maoists barged into the
camp located near Kharaput-Andrahal road construction site late
in the night. After initial verbal abuse to the workers present
at the camp the Maoists ransacked the camp and set afire 10 vehicles
including two JCBs, five Tractors, one Roller, one Pick-Up van,
and one mixer machine kept their. Later on the Maoists left the
camp issuing warning to the construction company to immediately
stop the road construction work.
Two Maoists working in Sundargarh-Deogarh-Sambalpur
(SDS) Division of the CPI-Maoist and active in Satkosia sanctuary
area surrendered before the Angul, SP, Brijesh Kumar Rai, at his
office in the city in Angul District of Odisha. The surrendered
Maoists carrying cash award of INR 200,000 on each of their heads,
are identified as Sukuram Purty (18) and Khusbu Jarai (17) of
West Singhbhum District in Jharkhand. Informing on the surrender
Angul SP, said the rebel duo were working under SDS Division head
Anmol and were active in the areas like Khandapa, Purunakote and
Thakurgarh of the District.
The NIA has registered a case
against five men from Kannur in Kerala for allegedly being members
of the IS. The men had gone missing from Kannur between 2015 and
2017 and are suspected to be in Syria. In October 2017, Kerala
Police had booked the five — Midhilaj (26), Abdul Rasak (34),
M V Rashid (24), Manaf Rahman (42) and U K Hamsa (57). The central
probe agency said it has taken over the case from the Kerala Police.
The NIA case against the five was registered under the UAPA for
“being members of the proscribed terrorist organisation, ISIS/Daesh,
and for supporting the organisation by travelling out of India
to join the terrorist organisation in Syria and fight on its behalf”.
Some of the accused, NIA sources said, had been activists of PFI.
According to them, one of the suspects used fake passport to move
out of India while one of them is suspected to have died fighting.
Abdul Manaf Rahman, from Valapattanam in Kannur, allegedly went
to Syria on a fake passport. Manaf allegedly had close links with
Valluva Kandy Shajahan, who was arrested by Delhi Police in July
after his deportation from Turkey. U K Hamsa is suspected to be
behind prompting the youths from Kannur to move to Syria. Hamsa,
who lived in Bahrain for two decades, had close links with IS
ideologue Abu Thurki, according to Police.
Acting upon the Indian intelligence
inputs, the security agencies in Delhi have elevated the security
alert to contain a likely terrorist attack on the US and Israel
nationals living in Delhi. The alert advises the local police
to review the security measures and provide additional security
around the US and Israel embassies, synagogues (a Jewish house
of prayer) that is visited by large number of nationals of both
countries—the US and Israel. “In the backdrop of the threat from
radicalised elements, besides threats from Pakistan-based terrorist
outfits like LeT and JeM, terrorists may take advantage of this
development to perpetrate acts of terrorism against US and Israeli
interests in India,” said an official communication.
The NIA will soon file charges
against seven J&K separatists and a businessman — who are
suspected to receive huge money over the years from LeT, HuM and
their mentor agency, Pakistan’s ISI. Reportedly, the pro-Pakistani
separatists in India had used the money that they have received
to finance local militants engaged in combat with Indian SFs,
spearheading the stone pelting and recruiting youngsters from
Kashmir for anti-Indian activities, said NIA sources. "The
investigation is almost finished. We will approach the UMHA very
soon seeking prosecution sanction and then a Chargesheet will
be filed in January 2018. Four officers from the UMF worked round-the-clock
for this case," said an NIA officer requesting anonymity.
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.
Two NDFB-S militants arrested
from Sisubari forest inside Manas National Park in Chirag District.
One rifle, a magazine and grenade were recovered from the arrested
militants. The police said the duo were trained in the NDFB's
camp in Taka in Myanmar and sent to Chirang recently.
Recent arrest of 10 NDFB militants
has revealed that group of ‘mentors’ sent from the outfit's Myanmar
camps is carrying out a ‘fresh recruitment drive’ in Assam.
Sources said the recruitment drive
was launched to bridge the loss the outfit suffered because of
the killing and arrest of several of its cadres since an operation
was launched in December 2014. The group is targeting school dropouts
and unemployed youths in Sonitpur, Biswanath, Udalguri, Baksa
and Kokrajhar Districts.
Kuki militant groups which are
currently under SoO pact with GoI and the State Government said
that situation would be very ugly if any solution to the protracted
political dialogue between GoI and NSCN-IM infringes upon the
interest of Kukis. They added that Kukis are also determined to
fight back in case any solution reached between New Delhi and
NSCN-IM takes care of Naga interest only Nagas while ignoring
the interests of all other communities including the Kukis, Meiteis,
and Meitei Pangals.
The training camps and hideouts
of Indian insurgent groups in Bangladesh have been reduced to
"almost zero". "Whenever we have information about
(infiltration by) insurgents from the north-eastern states into
Bangladesh, we share the information and immediate raids are undertaken
(by Border Guard Bangladesh)," BSF Director-General K.K.
Sharma said. "As a result, the number of training places
and hideouts of these insurgents has been reduced to almost zero.
I congratulate our counterparts."
If some Indian militant camps
still exist in Bangladesh, they are of a floating nature, Sharma
said, indicating that all permanent camps have been destroyed.
The two border forces have since 2015 been conducting simultaneous
and coordinated patrols of the frontier to check crime and insurgency.
"The numbers of these (militants) used to be 150-200 every
time a list was handed over. That situation has now changed and
the (insurgents) are now on the run, without being able to stay
put at a place on the other side for long," the officer said.
SFs arrested an arms dealer in
Tuli area Mokokchung District. A Chinese grenade, 40 cases of
illicit liquor and INR 120,000 were recovered from him.
AR recovered a .22 pistol with
magazine and 2 rounds of ammunition from Tankong in Mon District.
According to an official, more
than 1,000 Naga rebels have been arrested since June 2015 Manipur
ambush. As many as 531 underground cadres of NSCN-K and 542 OGW
were arrested in Manipur and Nagaland following intensive operations.
During the last two years, the security forces also killed 34
NSCN-K militants and recovered 571 sophisticated arms from the
arrestees. 37 NSCN-IM militants, 26 NSCN-KN militants and four
NSNC-R militants were also arrested during this period.
Six IEDs were recovered from residence
of a state Government employee at Baikhora area in South Tripura
District.
Jharkhand Police arrested two
cadres of PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, identified
as Mata Bahanda and Ilisiya Hassa Purty during a search operation
in Murhu Police Station area of Khunti District of Jharkhand.
Police recovered three double-barrel guns, a country-made pistol,
cartridges, a walkie-talkie, PLFI pamphlets and letter heads,
combat uniforms, backpacks, blankets, mats and other items of
daily use, said SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha.
IED recovered from a spot near
Konthoujam and Lainam village in Imphal West District.
Manipur Police launched cordon
and search operation at Tangnuam in Kangpokpi District and recovered
four single barrel firearms, reports The Sangai Express. The cordon
and search operation was carried out after a confrontation took
place between two villages on December 16 during which one person
suffered bullet injury.
|
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 |
The Calcutta High Court rejected
the bail plea of Musa alias Mohammad Mosiuddin-an IS operative,
who planned to attack 'Mother House' in Kolkata and other locations
in West Bengal. Opposing the bail plea, the NIA's counsel Sanjay
Bardhan submitted the charges before the division bench, with
a request that charges against Musa are of serious nature as he
had attacked the jail warden of Alipore Central Correctional Home
on December 4, 2017. Musa allegedly planned to attack the 'Mother
House' and the headquarters of 'Missionaries of Charity' in Kolkata,
said Bardhan. Musa was arrested in July 2016, along with firearms
and sharp-edged weapons, by the West Bengal's CID squad while
he was travelling to Birbhum district in West Bengal. Later, the
investigation was taken-over by the NIA, which filed a chargesheet
in December 2016, against Musa. Musa filed a bail application
before the NIA's special court in May 2017 but it was rejected
in the following month.
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.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified
as Gemmali Kishore aka Chittibabu aka Balarevula Kishore (22)
and Sindri Shobhan (37), natives of Koyyuru area in Vizag Agency,
have surrendered before the Police in Visakhapatnam District of
Andhra Pradesh. Kishore is the former gunman of CPI-Maoist Ramachandra
Reddy aka Chalapathi for eight months, and participated in the
plenary of the CPI-Maoist as an active member from 2012 to 2015
of CPI-Maoist in Abujhmaad region of Chhattisgarh. Sobhan was
also a member of Annavaram Dalam from 2013 to 2017. Kishore, an
'Area Committee Member (ACM)' rank of CPI-Maoist in Galikonda
Area Committee, carried a reward of INR 4,00,000 on his head,
was involved in over eleven offences including killing of three
BSF personnel in Palagarevu area near the Odisha Border in 2014
and exchange of fire in 2015. Shobhan was involved in over five
offences in the past few years and carried a reward of INR 100,000
announced by the Government, said Rahuldev Sharma, SP, Visakhapatnam.
Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres abducted
and hacked to death two security guards of a private construction
company in Jamui District of Bihar. Police said the bodies of
the two guards, with their throats slit, were recovered from Dudhania
village of the District, 166 kilometres southeast of Patna. According
to reports, two dozen Maoists surrounded the construction company
site at Jainsthan Kundghat of Sikandra village in the District
and abducted the two guards at gunpoint. Police sources said the
construction firm, engaged by the water resources department for
its INR 5586.52-lakh irrigation project, could have been targeted
for not paying the 'levy' demanded by Maoists. The victims had
been identified as Siddhram Koda and Ganguli Koda, both residents
of Dhawatand in Mathurapur Panchayat of the District, Jamui SP,
Jayant Kant said. They were deputed as security guards at the
site of the firm engaged in the construction of a dam over Bahuar
River under Kundghat reservoir scheme, the SP added.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified
as Madkam Hidma (22) and Madkam Deva (21) were arrested by a joint
team of CRPF and DF, near Sameli village under Aranpur Police
Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The patrolling
team spotted some suspects hiding in the forests near Sameli following
which they started encircling them. While some of them managed
to escape, Hidma and Deva, active as 'Jan militia' members, were
arrested, the Police said. The two, during interrogation, revealed
that they had planted a pipe bomb on the side of the road and
were waiting for the SFs to target them; the official said adding
"a major tragedy was averted with their arrest." According to
the arrested Maoists, local Maoist commander Somdu and his associates
Linga and Gundadhur were also present there but their managed
to flee inside forest when forces arrived there, he added. One
claymore mine, two pipe bombs, one bundle wire and three kilograms
of iron splinter were also recovered from their possession, the
Police added.
Tribal youth identified as Muya
Kawasi (22) was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres by slitting his throat
at Mahupadar village under Maithili Police Station area in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. CPI-Maoist cadres had abducted Kawasi from
Jandhraguda village of Temurupalli Panchayat on December 16, suspecting
him to be a 'Police informer'. The body of Kawasi was found on
the main road of Galiaguda village under Mahupadar Panchayat
within Maithili Police limits. The handwritten posters of CPI-Maoist
cadres recovered near Kawasi's body claimed responsibility for
the killing and stated that Kawasi had been passing information
to Police about the movements of CPI-Maoist from 2015 to 2017.The
BSF and the Police have started combing operation in the area,
said SP, Jagmohan Meena.
|
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 |
The US has expressed its grave
concern over JuD 'chief' and LeT 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 Milli Muslim League (MML),
which is yet to be registered with the Election Commission.
India and the US concluded their
'first dialogue' meets over designations of terrorists and terror
groups through domestic and international mechanisms. The 'India-US
designations dialogue' reflected the shared commitments of both
sides to strengthen the cooperation level to tackle the terrorist
threat. In June 2017, a joint statement issued post-meeting of
Indian PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump stated that
both nations are committed to strengthen cooperation against terrorist
threats from groups including AQ, IS, JeM, LeT, D-Company and
their manifestations. The US will hold the 'second-round' of this
dialogue in 2018.
The CIA-1 staff of Kaithal District
(Haryana) Police arrested three members of a reported gang of
cheats who used FICN to trick people. The Police recovered 80
packets of paper, which had original INR 500 notes on top and
blank papers below resembling bundles of INR 500. The accused
wanted INR 20,00,000 of original currency in lieu INR 40,00,000
of fake currency notes.
A youth from Kannur in Kannur
District of Kerala, who is allegedly an activist of the PFI and
now working in a Gulf country, is under the Police scanner for
his suspected links with the IS operatives from Kerala. DSP of
Kannur P.P. Sadanandan, who is probing the IS-related cases, said
investigation was under way into the suspected links of K.O.P.
Thasleem, PFI activist from Pappinissery (Kannur District), with
two youths who had gone to Syria or tried to reach there to join
the IS. He said the youths were provided financial assistance
by Thasleem, who had also collected funds from various sources
in the Gulf. The Police had registered a case against him. The
DSP said the Police had already collected evidence that established
the money trail linked to the recruitment of youths to the IS
in Syria.
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.
A group of CPI-Maoist cadres attacked
the Masudan Railway Station in Monghyr District of Bihar and set
ablaze the station property. Reports also said that Maoists abducted
the Assistant Station master and one other railway staff from
the incident site. However, no casualties were reported. DRM,
Malda, West Bengal, received a call from the abducted Assistant
Station master, saying that the Maoists have threatened to kill
the two abducted persons if trains continue plying on the Masudan
track. CPRO, Eastern Railway, Rajesh Kumar said, "Eastern Railway
detains 3 trains in Kiul-Jamalpur-Bhagalpur section of Malda Division
in the light of Naxal attack at Masudan Railway Station, services
have once again been stopped at Kiul point". The CPI-Maoist had
called for a bandh from December 18 to 20 to protest against 'Operation
Green Hunt' which is continuing in Bihar and Jharkhand against
Maoists.
A joint team of Paramilitary forces
and the Jharkhand Police destroyed several CPI-Maoist hideouts
at remote locations on Bihar-Jharkhand border and recovered huge
cache of landmines, during a special anti-insurgency drive. The
SFs raided CPI-Maoist hideouts at Banke Bazar and Amas Police
Station areas in Gaya District of Bihar, following leads obtained
from a senior CPI-Maoist leader arrested recently (Date not specified).
The offensive started on December 14 and ended on December 19.
The SFs have recovered 27 landmines planted in steel cans from
a CPI-Maoist dump from the bordering areas of Jharkhand and Bihar,
said Indrajit Mahatha, SP, Palamu. The Police also seized other
items, including raw material for fabricating land mines, personal
belongings of the Maoists and uniforms during the operation, added
Mahatha.
Jharkhand Police sealed property
worth over INR 10 million owned by Dinesh Gope, chief of PLFI
in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. "We have sealed an independent
house located in Idalhatu and an apartment at Hehal today in Ranchi.
Besides, a Santro and a Scorpio were also seized," said Khunti
SP, Ashwini Kumar Sinha. The sealed property, he said, was worth
over INR.10 million. The flat in Hehal was registered in the name
of one Phooleshwar Nag, while the Idalhatu house was owned by
one Dinesh Kumar Nag, Police said. "Gope's money, earned through
levy and extortion, was used in construction of the two properties,"
said Sinha. Phooleshwar and Dinesh, he said, were a part of Gope's
extended family. Gope's family members and relatives often stayed
at the two accommodations here, Sinha said.
Seven hour railway blockade by
tribals under ANC demanding their six-point charter of demands
disrupted train services as parts of Northeast remained cut off
for at least five hours. The supporters of ANC blocked trains
at Kokrajhar, Mazbat (in Udalguri District), Rangapara (in Sonitpur
District) and Lakhipathar (in Tinsukia).
The demands of the ANC are inclusion
of all Adivasi groups or sub clans into the ST, providing land
and land ownership documents to the tea tribe community of Assam,
solution of problems of Adivasi armed groups currently under ceasefire
through discussion in the political level, rehabilitation and
land allotment to the tribals who were displaced due to eviction
and clashes in Assam, renaming of tea tribe and ex-tea tribes
as 'Adivasis' of Assam and to stop divisive politics over considering
tea tribes as separate community. The protesters also demanded
proper rehabilitation of more than 1,200 cadres of Adivasi militant
groups who laid down their arms in 2012 and agreed for leave talks.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
during a meeting with Assamese MP's stated that boundary of Assam
will not be compromised for 'Nagalim'.
A remote controlled IED exploded
near the residential gate of Imphal Post Office Postal Assistant,
located in Kaikhu Muslim Makha Leikai in Imphal East District.
Earlier in October an IED was found at the residence of the post
office Assistant.
Meghalaya DGP stated although
India-friendly regime has cracked down on north east militant
groups based there, the top militant leaders from Meghalaya are
still managing to remain holed up in Bangladesh.
Those confirmed hiding in Bangladesh
include HNLC commander-in chief' Bobby Reagan Marwein and 'general
secretary' Cheritserfield Thangkhiew. The HNLC leaders along with
another old functionary identified by his alias Hep Metal, is
in Maulvi Bazaar, Bangladesh. The DGP also added that Dristi Rajkhowa
of ULFA-I and Sohan D Shira of GNLA have re-entered Meghalaya
to avoid the Bangladeshi crackdown. DGP further added that wanted
militant leaders are shuffling between the inhospitable terrains
of West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya.
He also stated that HNLC was a
spent force while ULFA-I and GNLA still pose some threat. He stated
that 'while the HNLC is more of a paper tiger but the depleted
GNLA is still a matter of concern.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal
and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
AR in a search operation at Erali
village in Dimapur District recovered one AK 56 rifle with a magazine
from a house.
|
December 20 |
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.
India and Kyrgyzstan discussed
issues of mutual interest, including the common concerns over
terrorism, extremism and drug-trafficking. "They discussed issues
of mutual interest, including common concerns on terrorism, extremism
and drug-trafficking," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Secretary West in the Ministry Ruchi Ghanshyam led the Indian
delegation while Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyz
Republic Nurlan Abdrahmanov headed his team during the meeting.
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.
Cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed
Virendra Koda (32), Up-Mukhiya of Sangrampur, at Kacchawa
village in Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Koda who was earlier
associated with CPI-Maoist, was dragged out of his house and killed.
CPI-Maoist cadres have set ablaze
one saw mill under Dumariya Police Station area in Gaya District
of Bihar. The mill was set ablaze after the refusal by its owner
to pay 'levy' to the Maoists. A hand written note of CPI-Maoist
cadres threatening more damage in case their demand was not met
was recovered, said Garima Malik, SSP, Gaya District.
CPI-Maoist cadres freed two abducted
railway staffs, Mahesh Kumar, Assistant Station Manager, and the
porter, Narendra Mandal, near Dharhara forest area in Monghyr
District of Bihar. They were abducted from Masudan Railway Station
in Monghyr District on December 19, by CPI-Maoist cadres.
CPI-Maoist cadres blasted and
set ablaze a mobile tower of a private company at Mirzadih village
of Giridih District of Jharkhand.
The SFs seized five IED's - each
weighing 10 kilograms - suspected to be planted by the Maoists,
from a forest in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand.
Police recovered CPI-Maoist posters
at several areas under Madhubani Police Station area in Burha
Pahar hills of Latehar District of Jharkhand, criticizing the
Police operations.
The Maoists had called for 24
hour Bandh in Jharkhand and Bihar. Shops were closed in Khunti,
Latehar, Simdega and other Districts of Jharkhand. The Bandh called
by CPI-Maoist paralyzed passenger bus services between Ranchi,
Gumla and Simdega Districts. Coal transportation was affected
in Ramgarh District, said Ranchi, SP, rural, Ajit Peter Dungdung.
CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager,
identified as Chhannulal Tekam, suspecting him to be a 'Police
Informer' at Dabri village under Lanji area in Balaghat District
of Madhya Pradesh. There was an attempt to kill him by CPI-Maoist
cadres in 2016 also, but in vein. CPI-Maoist cadres are 'surveying
and recruiting' in the region, the report said. Balaghat, Rajnandgaon,
Gondia and Gadchiroli come under a division of Maharashtra State
Committee (MSC) of CPI-Maoist. The new Gadchiroli-Rajnandgaon-Balaghat
(GRB) division is headed by Surendra, Dama and Santosh, said IG,
Balaghat range, G Janardhan.
CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal
villager, identified as Sadhu Khemudu, by slitting his throat,
at Pipalapadar village of Nakamamudi Panchayat within Chitrakonda
Police limits of Malkangiri District of Odisha. Maoists barged
into house of Khemudu, suspecting him as a 'Police Informer',
and took him to nearby forest for a trial before the 'Praja Court'.
The body of Khemudu was recovered in the village outskirts.
CPI-Maoist cadres raided a camp
of a construction company at Nilapadri village in Malkangiri District
of Odisha and set ablaze one JCV machine and three tractors protesting
road construction.
Police recovered posters of 'Kalimela
Anchalika Committee (KAC)' of CPI-Maoist at MPV-35 and MV-70 villages
of Kalimela in Malkangiri District of Odisha.
AR arrested three NSCN-U militants
identified as 'private' Jaichok, 'lance corporal' Panyam Wangjen
and Wangpan Wangsa. They also admitted that they were involved
in extortion activities for last six months.
An NSCN-K militant identified
as Kammo Kanglom was arrested by AR from Khonsa in Tirap District.
A pistol, live ammunition, opium and extortion note were recovered
from his possession.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border, reports Indian Express. He also added that SSB
plan for entire Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan border. At present
there are 635 BOPs.
ADGP stated that intelligence
inputs suggest that the ULFA-I is planning to step up extortion
drive as their camps in Myanmar are facing a financial crisis.
ULFA-I militants target tea gardens for extortion in Tinsukia
district in Upper Assam, bordering Arunachal Pradesh which is
used as a transit route to their camps in Myanmar.
AJYCP staged protest in all district
and sub-divisional headquarters in Assam protesting against the
government move to get the passage of the Citizenship Amendment
Bill.
One individual arrested for extorting
from a business man at Bamunimaidan area of Guwahati in Kamrup
(metro) District. T he arrested individual was extorting in the
name of a newly formed militant outfit, Lion Liberation Front
of Assam. However, Police added that the existence of the outfit
was not yet confirmed and interrogation of the accused was ongoing.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal
and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
In view of latest incidents of
militant activity by ULFA-I i n Tinsukia, several ethnic organizations
of Moran community convened an emergency meeting. n a statement
issued to the press, the Moran ethnic bodies expressed their concern
at the victimization of people belonging to Moran community in
recent times. The ethnic organizations also demanded that the
militants stop the killing, extortion and abduction of Moran ethnic
group.
A non-local was shot and critically
wounded by unidentified assailants near Nityainanda temple in
RIMS road in Imphal West District.
A fire fight occurred between
AR and militants of NSCN-IM near Siblilong village in Noney. Two
militants were reportedly wounded in the encounter.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal
and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal
and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal
and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
SSB Director General stated that
'We are raising a battalion at Yuksum in Sikkim, which will be
deployed on the border. More BOPs are coming up on the eastern
Sikkim border. He also added that SSB plan for entire Indo-Nepal
and Indo-Bhutan border. At present there are 635 BOPs.
The cadres of the CPI-Maoist
exchanged of fire with SFs at Gompad forest under Kanta Police
Station in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. According
to the report, the Maoists fled after the Police retaliation.
SFs witnessed blood stains of CPI-Maoist cadres and claimed injuries
for two cadres of CPI-Maoist.
The posters of Adivasi
Ekata Manch (AEM) have appeared in Kalimela and Bondaghati areas
appealing to local residents to come forward for a mass movement
against the Naxal in Malkangiri District
of Odisha. The posters condemned Naxal activities
which are against the interest of Bondaghati tribals and
stated that CPI-Maoist cadres are killing innocent tribals
wrongly accusing them of being ‘Police Informers’ and setting
vehicles on fire and equipment engaged in road construction projects,
said SP, Jagmohan Meena.
CPI-Maoist posters were recovered
by the Police at Tikarpara in the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary
in Angul District of Odisha. The CPI-Maoist posters
in Odia and Hindi opposed shifting of Raigoda village to new location
at Nuakheta and implementation of the tiger project. They asked
the local people to launch movements against the elephant killings.
More than 50 CPI-Maoist posters meant for the local population,
containing advisories and warning to the people and the government
on various issues were recovered. Police have intensified combing
operation and community policing activities have also been taken
up, said Angul, SP, Brijesh Ray.
|
December 21 |
Expressing its concern over the
collapse of security situation in Afghanistan, India has told
the UNSC that all 'safe-havens' and support to terror groups must
end. "The support for terrorist organisations like the Taliban,
the Haqqani Network, Daesh or ISIS, AQ and its designated affiliates
such as LeT and JeM from outside Afghanistan, must be forced to
stop. The UNSC shares an essential responsibility in this regard
in our collective interest," said Deputy Permanent-Representative
of India to the UN Tanmaya Lal during an open debate of the UNSC
on Afghanistan.
The UMHA informed the Parliament
that the NIA along with other State agencies has arrested 103
people associated-cadres or sympathisers with IS and maximum arrests
were from the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), followed by Maharashtra.
According to the data put-forth, the NIA and State Security Agencies,
shows the IS arrest counts state-wise: Uttar Pradesh-17, Maharashtra-16,
Telengana-16, Kerala-14, Karnataka-08, Madhya Pradesh-06, Tamil
Nadu-05, West Bengal-05, Uttrakhand-04, Rajasthan-04, Gujarat-04,
Bihar-02, Delhi-01, J&K-01.
The UMHA informed the Parliament
that the NIA along with other State agencies has arrested 103
people associated-cadres or sympathisers with IS and maximum arrests
were from the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), followed by Maharashtra.
According to the data put-forth, the NIA and State Security Agencies,
shows the IS arrest counts state-wise: Uttar Pradesh-17, Maharashtra-16,
Telengana-16, Kerala-14, Karnataka-08, Madhya Pradesh-06, Tamil
Nadu-05, West Bengal-05, Uttrakhand-04, Rajasthan-04, Gujarat-04,
Bihar-02, Delhi-01, J&K-01.
"We, of course, like any good
neighbour, desire good relations with countries who are next to
us… in fact, all neighbours. It is important for Pakistan to understand
the core concerns of terrorism. We have time and again emphasized
on it. We have time and again asked them to take action against
terrorists and terrorist groups which are operating from their
soil," said MEA's spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. "This is something
they (Pakistan) will have to handle if they are serious in cultivating
this friendship," Kumar added.
The MEA spokesperson, however,
dismissed Bajwa's support to JuD 'chief' Hafiz Saeed. On December
20, Bajwa had said that Saeed can speak about the Kashmir issue
like any other Pakistani citizen. Kumar stated that Saeed's reality
was not hidden from anyone; he wasn't just an international terrorist,
he was also the mastermind of the Mumbai (26/11) terror attack.
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''.
One CPI-Maoist cadre was killed
in an encounter with the SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
The SFs had launched an operation in Bhejji Police Station area
in the District, where an exchange of fire took place in Dabbakonta
village forest. The body of CPI-Maoist cadre indentified as Madvi
Bandi, a member of the Konta Local Guerrilla Squad (KLGS) in uniform
with a bore gun and some other material was recovered from the
encounter spot.
DRG team killed a CPI-Maoist cadre
during a gun-battle in Sawnar-Korcholio forest of Gangaloor in
Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. A muzzle-loading gun, a bore
gun and some live cartridges were recovered. The identity of the
dead CPI-Maoist cadre was yet to be ascertained.
CPI-Maoist cadres have torched
vehicles engaged in road construction at Konta region of Kistaram
jurisdiction of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. 'It was the first
time that armed cadres from battalion had indulged into torching
of vehicles, which indicates their level of frustration', said
Jitendra Shukla, ASP, Sukma. Maoists led by their leader, Hidima
torched 18 tractors, 3 Hyva cranes, a road roller and other vehicles
in Sukma District.
Cadres of CPI-Maoist killed Madhukar
Chinna Atram, suspecting him to be a 'Police informer' at Hindbhati
village under Etapalli Tehsil in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra.
Maoists have called for a Tehsil
Bandh in Aheri and Sironcha Tehsil of south Gadchiroli
of Maharashtra. CPI-Maoist Pamphlets and letters with a message
by cadres were circulated calling for a Bandh on December 20,
to protest against encounter on December 6 and reported abduction
of CPI-Maoist cadres by Gadchiroli Police.
Chief Minister N.Biren Singh stated
in the Legislative Assembly that five suspects have been arrested
in connection with the shooting of a non-local on December 20.
Manipur Assembly passed a resolution
demanding disclosure of the contents of a pact signed between
GoI and NSCN-IM 2015 which some states fear will affect their
territorial integrity. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stated that
'Since the formation of a BJP-led State Government on March 15,
there have been seven assembly sessions during which discussions
were held and resolutions taken on the issue. This time a clause
ought to be added demanding disclosure of the contents of the
agreement'.
State Government has decided to
extend rehabilitation package to 28 surrendered ANVC-B and 10
UALA militants. The rehabilitation package was earlier extended
to 363 ANVC cadres, 135 ANVC-B cadres and 50 UALA cadres. In a
statement Police Department also stated that in addition to the
disbanded outfits, the government had also paid rehabilitation
packages to the militants of GNLA, HNLC and other smaller outfits
which were covered as per the rehabilitation scheme.
ENPO has revived its demand for
a separate State. At a meeting with its federating units in Tuensang.
ENPO unanimously resolved to urge the GoI to respond to its demand
for a separate State before declaration of election to Nagaland
Assembly due early next year.
The meeting was called upon after
two of the constituents of ENPO – Konyak Union (KU) and PPC –
had asked for convening of the meeting to deliberate on boycotting
the forthcoming Assembly poll. ENPO also resolved to ask its members
to resign if their demand for a separate state of ‘Frontier Nagaland’
was not fulfilled by GoI before the state general election slated
for March 2018.
ENPO also declared its support
for an early declaration of an honourable Naga solution which
should be acceptable and beneficial to all as desired by Naga
public in general.
|
December 22 |
The SIT of Hyderabad Police filed
Charge sheet against four alleged IS operatives including Indian
recruiter Shafi Armar for 'waging war against the nation'. Among
these four IS accused, three youth-- Abdul Basith (22), Syed Omer
Farooq Hussaini (24) and Maaz Hasan Farooq (24), residents of
Hyderabad tried to flee to Syria in December 2015 but were arrested
by the Maharashtra's ATS at Nagpur airport before boarding flight
to Srinagar. All four IS accused are tried under Section 121 (waging
war against nation), 121A (conspiracy to wage war) and other sections
of the UAP Act, 1967. Earlier, the trio (except Shafi Armar) were
counselled for de-radicalisation in 2014 and kept under surveillance
but despite of counselling, they tried to join IS with intentions
to reach Syria in 2015.
"We have filed the Chargesheet
against four accused in 12th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate
(CMM) court at Nampally (Hyderabad). The charge sheet will be
forwarded to the 7th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge for
trial. While the three accused youth are out on a conditional
bail, fourth accused Shafi Armar is absconding and was earlier
believed to be in Syria", said SIT's ACP D. Hari Kumar.
The court extended the judicial
custody of Syed Shahid (42), son of 'Chief' of HM Syed Salahuddin,
till January 19, 2018, who is arrested under the six years-old
terror funding case. Syed Shahid, a J&K Government employee was
arrested on October 24, 2017 after interrogation conducted by
the NIA in New Delhi. In 2011, the NIA had filed two Charge sheets
against six accused, four of them- Ghulam Mohammed Bhat, Mohammed
Sidiq Ganai, Ghulam Jeelani Liloo and Farooq Ahmad Dagga are lodged
in Delhi`s Tihar Central Jail. The 2011 terror funding case pertains
to money sent through 'hawala' channels by militants based in
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to J&K. Conducting the in-camera proceedings
on December 22, the District Judge Poonam Bamba extended Shahid's
judicial custody.
A Pakistani intruder was shot
dead by the BSF personnel along the Indo- Pak border, while he
was crossing over to the Indian Territory at Ajnala in Amritsar
District on December 22. The 70th Battalion of the BSF shot dead
the Pakistani intruder, aged around 65 years, when he ignored
the warnings of the personnel and kept proceeding, the BSF official
said.
The BSF had foiled an infiltration
bid from across the border in September, when it shot dead two
armed Pakistani intruders along the Indo-Pak border at Ajnala.
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.
Seven CPI-Maoist cadres identified
as Madvi Deva (25), Sodhi Kuma (20), Kuram Kosa (30), Kuram Hidma
(20), Muchaki Ayta (21), Kawasi Joga (22) and Beko Ganga (35),
were arrested by SFs at forests falling under Kistaram Police
Station limits of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Three CPI-Maoist
cadres indentified as Sudor Vatti (30), Somaru Kavde (22) and
Balmati Korram (40), carrying a reward of INR 2,000 on her head,
have surrendered before Narayanpur, SP, Santosh Singh in Narayanpur
District of Chhattisgarh.
Top CPI-Maoist leader identified
as Jinugu Narasimha Reddy aka Jampanna (57), along with
his wife, Hinge Anitha aka Rajitha (37), another senior CPI-Maoist
leader surrendered before the Telangana Police in Hyderabad, the
State Capital of Telangana. Jampanna was number 7 in hierarchy
of the Maoist command and was also part of the Central Regional
Bureau (CRB) of the CPI-Maoist. According to the report, Jampanna,
'central committee (CC) member' of CPI-Maoist, carrying a reward
of INR 2.4 million on his head and his wife Rajitha, with INR
2 million reward approached the Police through a top TRS leader
in Warangal (rural) District of Telangana. The TRS leader arranged
the surrender after getting the approval from Telangana CM, K
Chandrasekhar Rao. He hails from Cherlapalem village in Thorrur
Block of Mahabubabad District and worked as a 'secretary' of the
NTSZC of CPI-Maoist, before being elevated as 'CC member'. He
is known as an expert in military operations. He led the Maoists
in the 2008 Nayagarh armory loot (Odisha) and 2004 Koraput District
armory attack (Odisha) that provided ammunition to the CPI-Maoist.
He was appointed 'secretary' of AOBSZC and active in KKBN Divisional
Committee of the CPI-Maoist in Odisha. Rajitha carried a reward
of INR 500,000 on her head and was the 'Divisional Committee Member.
DCM' of KKBN Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist in Odisha.
An individual identified as Motiur
Seikh was arrested at Laharighat of Morigaon District by a joint
team of Assam Police and CRPF. A 9mm pistol, 4 rounds of ammunition
and four mobile handsets were recovered from him.
CM Biren Singh stated that Police
at Jiribam District has arrested one Rohingya Muslim during a
routine check. He also added that checking has been intensified
in the border Districts and the police have rounded up some 560
persons of doubtful nationality. Of them, 105 undocumented ones
have been forced back. A total of 178 undocumented persons were
rounded up at Jiribam and unauthorized bamboo bridges used by
the migrants were dismantled.
A VDB secretary of Khelma village
of Peren District identified as Lalneineiw was abducted by unknown
assailants. The abductors have also demanded a ransom of INR 1.5
million.
A team of armed CPI-Maoist cadres
set ablaze an earthmover in an attempt to stall construction of
a three-km-long road, from Kumkumpudi to Teemulabanda, near Kumkumpudi
village in GK Veedhi Mandal of the Agency area
in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The contractor reportedly
had asked workers to keep their vehicles near the GK Veedhi Police
Station and park the earth mover at Kumkumpudi after noticing
a mechanical fault in the vehicle. The Maoists have been opposing
the laying of the road and threatening the contractor, notwithstanding
the demand for road connectivity by local people. The Maoists
also tried to abduct the brother of a local politician in GK Veedhi
mandal in the Agency area. Following these incidents, Police intensified
combing operations in the AOB region.
Unidentified militants threw a
hand grenade at Viewland Bazar in Ukhrul District. However, the
grenade did not go off. The grenade fell near a shop owned by
a non-local hailing from Bihar.
A KCP-PWG militant was arrested
by Police from Pishum Bridge in Imphal West District.
|
December 23 |
Security agencies were put on
high alert in the border areas of Punjab on December 23 after
intelligence inputs of infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan.
Apart from Punjab Police, BSF personnel are also on alert after
the intelligence inputs. Security was tightened in Pathankot and
Gurdaspur Districts, particularly at the IAF base in Pathankot
that bore the brunt of the terror attack on January 2, 2016, and
the nearby Mamoon cantonment of the army. India's IB with Pakistan
falls in both districts adjoining J&K.
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.
Assam CM called upon on Paresh
Baruah of ULFA-I to come back to the mainstream to help in the
efforts for overall development of the state of Assam. Two KCP
militants identified as Heisnam Nanao Meitei alias Nungshiba and
Heisnam Rakesh Singh alias Sana were arrested from Imphal West
District. The arrested militants were involved in serving demand
letters and extortion of huge amount of money from government
officials and the general public. Based on disclosure from the
arrested militants two accomplices identified as Huidrom Khamba
Singh alias Bobo and Yengkokpam Anuradha Devi alias Ranibala were
arrested from Babupara in Imphal West District.
A KYKL sympathiser KYKL was arrested
from Nambol Chingmang area in Bishnupur District. Two demand letters
along with incriminating articles were seized from his possession.
SFs are ready for anti-Naxal operation
in border areas of Jamui District of Bihar. The possibility of
SFs operation against CPI-Maoist cadres increased after the visit
of CRPF camp located in Chakai of Jamui District by Vijay Kumar,
Internal Security Advisor of UMHA and held a meeting with CRPF
officials on December 22. The activities of CPI-Maoist are reported
to be increased in Jamui District, impacting Government schemes,
said SP, Jamui District. New camp of SFs will be set
up in this region to counter Maoists, said IGP of Bhagalpur District,
who is on a visit to Jamui District.
Chhattisgarh Police arrested three CPI-Maoist
cadres in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Nanda Sori
(30) and Raju Madkam (22) were arrested from an area under Kuakonda
Police Station and Dhaniram Kashyap (40), carrying a reward of
INR 100,000 on his head, chief of Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangathan
(AKMS) of the Indravati Area Committee (IAC) of CPI-Maoist, was
arrested under Barsur Police Station of Dantewada District, said
Police. Sori and Madkam are accused of helping the Maoists and
involvement in beating up villagers, killing a local man and destruction
of roads. Kashyap is accused of providing food to the CPI-Maoist
cadres as well as propagating the Naxal ideology,
added Police.
Nine trucks and dumpers of a road
contractor were set ablaze by three CPI-Maoist cadres at Senha
Police Station area of Lohardaga District of Jharkhand. The Police
recovered a handwritten poster signed by Sandipji claiming membership
to Koel-Sankh Area Committee (KSAC) of CPI-Maoist, asking the
contractor to talk to CPI-Maoist before resuming construction
of Lohardaga-Peshrar Road via Senha.
Three CPI-Maoist cadres identified
as Satish alias Hilma Kosa Holi, Manoj alias Dasrath
Sakharam Gawde and Pakli alias Pagni Poyami,
each carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on their head, surrendered
before the Police in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The three
surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres are involved in ambush attacks,
murder and encounters, said Police.
|
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.
One CPI-Maoist was killed in an
encounter by a party of C-60 Commandos of Gadchiroli Police during
a joint operation of the Police from Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
in the forest surrounding Sandra and Jaragudam villages along
the border of the two States, at Sandra Village under Bhopal Patnam
Tehsil in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Police have recovered
a 12 bore rifle from the encounter site. The Maoist is yet to
be identified.
Resumption of peace talks between
Mizoram state Government and HPC-D proposed to be held before
Christmas has been deferred. A committee, headed by CM Lal Thanhawla
has been formed to look into the political aspects of political
settlement.
|
December 24 |
Criminals, released from jails
and local active criminals are inducted by CPI-Maoist, says Bihar
Police. Police forces from Banka, Jamui and Munger Districts with
CRPF have conducted search operations in Bhimbandh, Chhaki Pachisi,
Birma, Baghshwa and Malhatar forests, after receiving information
on visibility of three groups each comprising of 20-25 CPI-Maoist
cadres in the border areas of Banka District. According to the
report, two groups of CPI-Maoist cadres are frequently visible
in forests adjacent to Birma, Baghshwa and Jhopa villages.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze many
passenger vehicles in Kanta, Chikhalaguda, Dornapal, Errabor and
Fandiguda of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, impacting transportation
in the region. Several motor cycles of villagers, buses providing
transport services between Hyderabad and Bastar and other vehicles
like jeeps and vans were torched in last two days. CPI-Maoist
cadres were carrying out these acts after the surrender of their
leader, Narasimha Reddy’s in Telangana, said Police.
District Police recovered substantial
detonators, battery cells, electric wires and other materials
following an encounter with the CPI-Maoist cadres at the forest
adjoining Lahan (small) Jheliya hamlet near Katezhari in Dhanora tehsil in
Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra. The Maoists were in the process
of preparing IEDs and planting them to target SFs when they were
cornered.
Eight cadres of the PLFI, a splinter
group of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by Police in Bisra of Sundargarh
District of Odisha. The Police have seized two pistols
and two bikes from the eight PLFI cadres, including ‘area commander’
Sudam Singh and his close aide Chandrabhanu Singh. A total of
10 murder and seven petrol pump loot cases are pending against
the duo in Jharkhand and Odisha.
SFs arrested three militants of
NSCN-K from Sonari town in Charaideo District. The militants
have been identified as Zakhook Wangchow, Kangkopa Wangchow and
Painam Wangnam. Two pistols and six rounds of ammunition were
recovered from the arrested militants.
IB has found that some radical
organisations, including Kerala-based PFI are making efforts to
send messages to countries in West Asia about the ongoing updating
of NRC. Sources said the agency had intercepted a few messages
sent to West Asian countries linked to a campaign launched by
some radical organisations against the ongoing updating of NRC.
Two KCP-poirei militants were
arrested during a frisking and checking operation at Thoubal Bazar
in Thoubal. One of the arrested militant was identified as Laishram
Nongdamba alias Kangleicha.
|
December 25 |
Following a tip-off Amritsar Police
arrested two persons, identified as Gurmeet Singh and Sandeep
Kumar for allegedly printing FICN. The Police confiscated INR
6400 of FICN, a computer and a scanner from their possession.
ACP Prabhjot Virk, said that the Police found fake currency in
the denomination of INR 100, INR 500 and INR 2000. He said a case
under Sections 489-A, 489-B, 489-C and 489-D of the IPC have been
registered in this regard. The accused were produced in the court
and taken into Police remand.
The AQIS has issued an ‘warning’
statement to harm and attack the US and Israeli embassies, companies,
financial institutions, following the declaration of Jerusalem
as the capital city of Israel. “Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind urges the
honourable Muslims across the world to attack and harm US and
Israeli embassies, companies and financial and commercial interests.
The honour of Bait al-Maqdisis (Jerusalem) will
be restored by shedding the blood of Americans, Israelis and it
is now the duty of every Muslim, no matter where to restore the
honour of Bait-al-Maqdis. The Holy Land must be made
a graveyard for Jews, for oppression to end and word of Allah
to prevail,” reads the statement issued by AQIS under the banner
of Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind. Following the US’ decision declaring
Jerusalem as the Israeli capital earlier in December 2017, the
security of the US and Israeli establishments in India have already
been elevated but the tourists from these two countries could
also be targeted, especially those visiting J&K and Delhi.
So far, the AQIS has registered its influence among the Indian
youth in South Kashmir, Delhi and Kolkata, said an unnamed intelligence
official.
Burhan Wani—a ‘militant’ poster
boy of HM– who was killed in July 2016 has been adopted by the
Sikh radical groups and posed as a ‘Hero of Freedom of Kashmir’
on the cover-page of the August 2016 issue of magazine—Vangaar,
which went on sale at the Shaheedi Jor Mela in Fatehgarh Sahib
District in Punjab. Reportedly, the magazine was being sold
at a big-stall managed by supporters of Siromani Akali Dal of
Amritsar, near the Rauza Sharif, along with other radical material
including books, car-stickers, and badges of Khalistani militants
including Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The magazine issue was sold
18 months after Burhan Wani was killed during an encounter with
Indian SFs in July 2016.
A pro-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.
The BCAS has sent an alert to all airports and respective airline
authorities to keep the security checks elevated in wake of terror
attack threat. "New Year celebration functions are being
held throughout the country. This is a ‘vulnerable’ period. Number
of events has occurred in the past, also when this period has
been chosen by terrorists and anti-national elements to perpetrate
act of terrorism,” reads the alert sent by the BCAS. The alert
has advised the Security officials by following certain steps
for strengthening the Security measures in existence. Reportedly,
during 2017, the IS inspired attacks have been carried-out in
other countries, targeting the innocent civilians and Police officials—using
various tactics such as suicide bombing, IEDs-laden vehicles,
stabbing or ramming vehicle into the crowd and indiscriminate
firing in crowded areas, reads the note approved by the BCAS Chief
Rajesh Kumar Chandra.
The BSF arrested a smuggler, identified
as Bishnupada Biswas, resident of Par Devanpur village, Baishnabnagar,
Malda District (West Bengal) and recovered FICNs of worth INR
200,000 in Malda District. Acting upon the intelligence input
regarding FICN smuggling in the area of Dhulian Ghat (ferry point).
The search revealed a pack of 100 FICN in INR 2,000 denomination
hid in his undergarments. The quality and security features of
the FICN was similar to the earlier FICNs recovered by the BSF’s
South Bengal Frontier, said an unnamed BSF official. Reportedly,
in 2017, the BSF’s SBF has recovered FICNs worth INR 55,88,000
from nine smugglers.
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a
tractor and assaulted the workers at a brick kiln in Dongila Bathan
village under Banke Bazar Police Station area in Gaya District
of Bihar. The attack is being seen as part of Maoist
strategy to put pressure on contractors and other businessmen
to pay them ‘levy’ (extortion money), said J Jalareddy, SP of
Gaya City.
CPI-Maoist Sirivancha dalam member,
Pendram Padma alias Mugla (21), resident of Morriguda
hamlet of Kishanraopeta of Mamda Mandal in Nirmal
District, surrendered herself before Adilabad SP, Vishnu S. Warrier,
who also holds additional charge of Nirmal District, in Nirmal
District of Telangana. Pendram Padma, who joined the underground
outfit in May 2014, after coming under influence of one Sidam
Seetha of Yapalguda village in Neredigonda Mandal,
reportedly had participated in the December 6, 2017 exchange of
fire between her dalam and Maharashtra Police
at Sironcha, which left eight extremists dead.
Son of local BJP leader in Tinsukia
District , identified as Arunab Phukan who was abducted on December
15 by ULFA-I was release at at Tengmu village bordering Myanmar
in Changlang District.
India will move the UK under MLAT
or prosecution of ULFA-I ‘chairman’ Mukul Hazarika alias
Abhizeet Azom a doctor based at Billingham in UK. According to
UMHA the UMHA would route the request through the MEA to execute
a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Mukul Hazarika. Hazarika
along with ULFA-I ‘chairman’ Paresh Barua, were charge sheeted
by NIA o n July 15 on charges of waging war against the State.
According to the NIA, Hazarika is
ULFA-I
‘chairman’ Abhizeet Asom, who hails from Kaxori gaon in Puranigudam
under Samaguri Police Station of Nagaon District.
AR arrested an NSCN-K militant
from Krimitomi village in Zunheboto District. The militant has
been identified as ‘assistance section officer’ Mulato Asumi.
|
December 26 |
On the basis of intelligence inputs,
the Tihar Jail officials in New Delhi has elevated the security
of gangster Chhota Rajan on the suspicion of Dawood’s plan to
kill him. According to the reports, Dawood Ibrahim may seek helping
hand of Delhi’s gangster Neeraj Bawana for the same task. The
inputs were based on the conversations of Bawana’s aides praising
the plan to kill Chhota Rajan. The conversation was overheard
by certain agencies who later alerted the concerned officials.
Neeraj Bawana is also lodged in Tihar Jail but has been shifted
to a cell far away from Chhota Rajan. “At a time when fugitives
like Vijay Mallya are complaining about the lack of security in
Tihar Jail, we cannot afford to take any intelligence lightly
on Jail inmates such as Chhota Rajan." said an unnamed Senior
Official.
The NIA released the sketches
of 21 Indians who reportedly went ‘missing’ from Kerala in June
2016 and some of them converted to Islam to join IS. According
to press release, the NIA has been investigating the disappearance
from last one year and marked those with a ‘red mark’ who had
been issued notices. The group travelled via different air-routes
in division of 6-7 batches. Out of 21 individuals, six are female.
At least 19 people had travelled to Tehran (Iran) with further
intentions to cross-over the border to Syria or Iraq, said an
unnamed NIA source.
The UMHA has advised the NIA to
probe the ‘blackmailing’ case of a woman who is designated on
a rank of ‘Colonel’ in Indian Army. In September 2017, Delhi Police
had arrested one Mohammad Parvez from Old Delhi area of Central
District in Delhi, whose mobile number was in use to ‘blackmail’
the woman Officer under the orders of Pakistan’s ISI operative
to fetch some confidential information from her. The complaint
was lodged by the woman officer in August 2017 under the charge
of Section 123 (concealing with intent to facilitate design to
wage war) of the IPC, charges of molestation, criminal conspiracy
and criminal intimidation. Investigation revealed Parvez’s frequent
visits to Pakistan. As claimed by Parvez’s family, he had visited
Pakistan thrice this year to visit his sisters who were married
two decades ago and settled there. “It was therefore decided that
the investigations should be carried out by a counter-terror agency
like NIA. This will not only help expedite the probe but clear
the suspicion on the role of Parvez, as his family claimed he
is innocent,” said an unnamed senior Government official.
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.
The State Police Headquarters'
STF personnel, unearthed a gang of arms dealers that used to provide
sophisticated weapons to CPI-Maoist cadres and some terrorist
outfits in Munger District of Bihar. Acting on a tip-off, personnel
of the STF's SOG raided the house of an alleged arms supplier,
identified as Sanjiv Sah, at Tikarampur, under the jurisdiction
of Mufassil Police Station in the District, and seized some finished
and unfinished weapons. The SOG later arrested Sanjiv's associate
Sanoj Yadav from Shankarpur village. Sanoj named two other arms
dealers - Raman Sharma and Teni Sharma - residents of Puraniganj
and Mania Choraha villages in the District, respectively. During
search, the Police seized an AK-47 rifle, a semi-automatic rifle
of US make, five country-made pistols, four revolvers and over
700 live cartridges, including, some prohibited bores supplied
only to the Indian Army and Police organisations.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified
as Dodi Somlu (24) and Oyam Manglu (29) were arrested by SFs at
Tarrem Police Station limits during a search operation from Basaguda
Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Dodi, who
was active as ‘secretary’ of Rural Party Committee (RPC) of CPI-Maoist
in Korsaguda and involved in attacks on Police Party in Kerlapal
and Raigundam at Sukma District in 2016. Manglu, who worked as
a close associate of CPI- Maoist leader Paparao, said Police.
One Maoist cadre, identified as
Devsingh Padda alias Banderam (26), carrying
a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, surrendered before the Senior
Police and BSF in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Padda, who
was head of Aaldand ‘Janatana Sarkar’ under North Bastar
division of CPI-Maoist, was tasked with arranging meeting of senior
cadres, putting up Maoist posters, banner and pamphlets and gathering
information, added Police.
SFs arrested a CPI-Maoist ‘sub
zonal commander’, identified as Rajendra Singh Munda (30) alias Gudru
Munda alias Raju alias Chandan,
during a search operation in Aamda under MGM Police Station area
in East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Munda is
one of the accused in the murder of Sunil Mahto, Lok Sabha MP
from Jamshedpur at Baguria near Ghatshila in 2007 and wanted in
the landmine blast near Burudih dam in Ghatshila that killed 14 CRPF personnel
in 2009. He was involved in over six CPI-Maoist related cases
in Galudih and Bodam Police Station areas in the District. The
SFs recovered one country-made loaded pistol of 7.65 bore, five
live cartridges of 0.5 bore, four bundles of codex wires, 25 piece
detonators and 36 pieces of power gel from Munda, said SSP, Anoop
T Mathew.
JJMP cadre, identified as Bijoy
Karmali was arrested by SFs from an unspecified location during
a search operation launched in Ranchi District of Jharkhand.
A self-styled CPI-Maoist ‘commander’
identified as Bhim Soren alias Kartick, surrendered
before the SP, Bharti Ghosh, in Jhargram District of West Bengal.
Kartick, active in Jharkhand and West Bengal bordering areas,
was allegedly involved in over 11 major Maoist incidents in Gurabandha
and other bordering areas of both the States. Kartick was associated
with Kanhu Munda, ‘secretary’ of the Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha Border
Regional Committee (BJOBRC), who had surrendered before the East
Singhbhum Police of Jharkhand along with six other hardcore Maoists
on February 15, 2017. Kartick is resident of West Midnapore in
West Bengal and was active as ‘area commander’ of the dreaded
Gurabandha committee. Kartick was inducted into the insurgency
through Santras Birodhi Jansadharaner Committee or the PCPA, a
CPI-Maoist frontal organisation, in 2009. He rose in the organisation
and become ‘area commander’ under top Maoist Akash.
ATCO an organization formed for
welfare of Nyishi, Adi, Tagin, Apatani and Galo tribes has declared
a 12-hour capital shutdown on December 29 to be followed by 24-hour
and 36-hour shutdown on January 10 and 17 across Abotani-inhabited
Districts. ATCO president stated that the shutdown was against
State Government’s indifferent approach towards ATCO’s demand
for creation of the Department of Abo Tani Tradition and Cultural
Affairs.
An OGW of ULFA-I Pradeep Borah
and two others were arrested from Changmai gaon in Lahowal in
Dibrugarh District. SFs also recovered. Demonetized denominations
of INR 1,000 and INR 500. Police suspected that the recovered
amount was a part of a cash stash of ULFA-I which could not be
converted into legal money.
In recent times, several arrested
ULFA-I militants have confessed before the Police that the outfit
has been facing a severe funds crisis after demonetization. Faced
with financial crunch, militant outfit has been trying to recover
from their losses by indulging in mass extortion, targeting the
business community and tea planters, especially in Upper Assam
districts, taking advantage of their close proximity with Arunachal
Pradesh and Nagaland.
Assam was the State with second
highest abduction rate in India after Delhi, with almost 17 people
being kidnapped daily in the state as of 2016. According to NCRB
statistics, Assam Police have registered some 6,126 cases of abduction
and kidnapping. There were at least 4,824 kidnapping cases which
jumped up to 5,831 in 2015.
Over 90% of the victims were women.
Out of the total 6,126 cases, in about 5,342 cases the victims
were women or minor girls. Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister
Chandra Mohan Patowary had informed the state secretariat that
between 2001 and May 2016, some 46,461 cases of kidnapping were
registered in the state. Though abductions by militant groups
have declined, a constant increase has been witnessed in abductions
for ransom by criminal gangs, including former militants.
Sources said the actual number
might be even higher as not all abductions were reported to the
police because of a lack of confidence in the administration.
Though the State has registered high numbers of abduction cases,
the recovery rate was found to be very low. Last year, the recovery
rate of victims of kidnapping cases in the State was recorded
at as low as 1.3% only. Records states that a total of 13,413
persons abducted in 2015 were yet to be traced. By the end of
last year, the State Police had received reports of 19,541 persons
going missing, out of which only 249 people were rescued during
2016.
AR arrested a suspected Chinese
spy identified as Qin Min Xiv Xiang from a place near Moreh along
the Myanmar border in Tengnoupal. The arrestee hails from Fuzian
province of China. Various Chinese, Vietnamese and Myanmarese
documents, foreign currencies, a pen drive and a compass were
found in his possession. AR arrested the suspect after receiving
information on the movement of a suspected Chinese agent attempting
to infiltrate into India from Myanmar near T Minao village.
Two members of a group Ki Khlur
U Hynniewtrep for extorting money from shop keepers in Police
Bazar in Shillong in East Khasi Hills District. The arrestees
have been identified as Bashembok Maring and Bandaplang Nongrum.
Maring is the ‘finance secretary’ and Nongrum the ‘general secretary’
of the group.
RSZ and RSU have begun an indefinite
peaceful dharna (sit in) at ADC office Tseminyu in Kohima District
in support of the Rengmas’ demand for Tseminyu district. The two
organisations also appealed to all sections of the society to
support the cause of the Rengmas.
|
December 27 |
Acting upon the specific Intelligence
inputs from the MI Unit of J&K, the team of Andhra Pradesh
Police arrested seven unidentified persons from Vijaywada region
in Andhra Pradesh, over three illegal VOIP exchanges involved
with Pakistan’s ISI. In recovery, three ‘SIM boxes’
with more than 230 SIM cards, laptops, desktop computers, and
other gadgets were seized. The facilities were used by the alleged
operatives posed as Senior Indian Army Officials, making ‘fake’
calls to the Security Personnel deployed in J&K to acquire
confidential information, said an unnamed Senior Andhra Pradesh
Police official.
The UMHA informed the
Rajya
Sabha
(the upper house of Indian Parliament) as in 2016—
2,154 Afghanistan nationals and 486 Rohingyas from Myanmar acquired
long-term visa for their stay in India. As per an
estimate, around 40,000 Rohingyas are residing illegally in India
and spread-out in Jammu in J&K, Hyderabad (Telangana), Western
UP, Mewat region of Haryana and Rajasthan, Delhi and Jaipur (Rajasthan),
said Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State Home Affairs.
Earlier in 2016, the UMHA had advised all States and UTs to identify
the illegal Rohingya migrants for the process of their deportation.
India was not a signatory nation under the 1951 UN Convention
relating to the status of refugees and the 1967 Protocol.
The Indian Government informed
the Rajya Sabha about the involvement of Pakistan’s
ISI in revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab, through moral
and financial support to the pro-Khalistan entities. Responding
to the situation, the Government has implemented an integrated
approach to counter such anti-India attempts via strengthening
the vigilance along the borders and mechanisms of gathering and
sharing of intelligence inputs, said Union Minister of State for
Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.
The Minister of State for Electronics
and Information Technology Alphons Kannanthanam informed
Lok
Sabha
that there have been intrusion attempts on information
systems or devices operating in the Government’s Cyber networks
and these attacks have been originating from various countries
including Pakistan and China. According to the data provided by
CERT-In, the cyber attacks includes phishing, probing, website
intrusions & defacements, viruses, ransomware and DoS attacks.
The figures depict 40,054 cyber security incidents observed till
November 2017, whereas 50,362 incidents were reported in 2016.
So far, CERT-In has conducted five workshops, which assess the
‘Cyber-Security’ preparedness of organisations. Around 148 organisations
from different States and sectors participated in these workshops,
said Kannanthanam.
India’s Defence Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman informed Lok Sabha that Indian Armed Forces
are facing the shortage of 60,000 personnel including over 27,000
vacant posts in the Indian Army. Out of the total
shortage of 27,864, on July 1, 2017, 12.37 lakh personnel are
employed against the authorised strength of 12.64 lakh in Army.
The Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are facing shortage of 16,255
and 15,503 personnel, respectively. As the recruitment in Armed
Forces is a continuous process, the Government has taken measures
to counter the shortages, said Sitharaman.
The Union Minister of State for
Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju informed Rajya Sabha about
the fewer cases of infiltration at India-Bangladesh border. Reportedly,
there has been a sharp decline in the infiltration via Bangladesh
border. So far in 2017, 543 intrusions has been reported by the
BSF whereas the infiltration case reported in 2016 were 832, in
2015 reported intrusions were 1,047 and 1,017 cases of infiltration
were reported in 2014, said Kiren Rijiju. Regarding the intrusion
related arrests, this year 1,085 people were arrested for infiltration
whereas the counts were 2,075 in 2016, said Rijiju.
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.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified
as Moti Ram Korram (27) and Baliram Kashyap (25), who were allegedly
involved in an attack on a Police camp in Kondagaon District of
Chhattisgarh, earlier this month, were arrested by a joint team
of SFs from the forest of Nedwal village within the Mardapal Police
Station limits in the District. The arrested duo admitted to their
involvement in the firing incident at the Police camp in Hadeli
village (Mardapal) on December 6, wherein Head Constable Komal
Khalko, attached with the DRG, sustained injuries Kondagaon, ASP,
Maheshwar Nag said.
SFs arrested a cadre of the SPM
-- a splinter group of CPI-Maoist, identified as Manoj
Bhokta (22), a resident of Jodi Meshal of Chatra District,
during a search operation launched in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. SFs
recovered a country made pistol with six live rounds and a motor
cycle, said Police.
State Police arrested 12 CPI-Maoist
cadres during a combing operation in Malkangiri
District of Odisha. Seven CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from
Kalimela Police limits, three CPI-Maoist cadres from Mahupadar
area under Maithili Police limits and two CPI-Maoist cadres from
Nakamamudi area under Chitrakonda Police limits of Malkangiri
District, said SP, Jagmohan Meena. The District Police intensified
combing after the Maoists killed several tribal villagers branding
them as ‘Police Informer’ while setting many vehicles on fire.
The identity of the arrested is not disclosed ahead of the Test
Identification Parade (TIP) as it may influence the ongoing investigation,
added Meena.
State Government declared that
ATCO general strike as illegal. A TCO called the shutdown to protest
the delay in creation of the Department of Abo Tani Tradition
and Cultural Affairs. The Government’s decision was taken during
a high-level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein
at his official residence.
SFs arrested NDFB-S female militant
identified as Mainao Basumatary alias B Mijing. T he militant
had undergone training in Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2013 for the
40th batch of NDFB-S and was reportedly over ground for fresh
recruitment.
Three people were arrested from
Dibrugarh District on charges of extortion and for assaulting
a small tea grower. The arrested extortionists have been identified
as Jumuruddin Ali, Rajib Urang and Sanjib Urang. Jumuruddin Ali
is the president of VDP in Tinsukia District. According to Police,
the group was demanding INR 2 million in the name of an insurgent
group from the brother of the victim.
The 12 hour statewide strike called
by ATASU brought life to a complete standstill in Upper Assam's
Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli, Dhemaji
and Lakhimpur Districts. However, no untoward incident was reported.
ATASU had called the strike to press for its demand for ST status
for Moran, Muttock, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Sootea and the
tea tribes.
KMSS adviser’ Akhil Gogoi walked
out of a district jail and vowed to launch a massive movement
against the GoI to grant citizenship to the “Hindu Bangladeshis”
by passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Manipur civil society groups have
not ruled out violent protest if the Framework Agreement with
NSCN-IM tinkered with state boundary.
Repatriation process of around
1,500 people who had taken shelter in southern Mizoram’s Lawngtlai
District to Myanmar has started. AR in an official statement
said ‘Assam Rifles has contacted all the stakeholders in repatriation
including Myanmar Army, local Indian villagers, refugees as well
as District administration so as to commence repatriation of refugees
at the earliest’.
The Myanmarese nationals, began
to cross the Mizoram-Myanmar border on November 25 and took shelter
in four villages – Zochachhuah, Hmawngbuchhuah, Laitlang and Dumzautlang
and the number of refugees crossed 1,600 at one time. The refugees
were mainly from the border villages of Varang, Paletwa, Pakangwa
and Mulaw in Myanmar’s Chin State after the Myanmar Army launched
offensive against the Arakan rebels.
AR arrested one individual with
arms from Kigwema village in Kohima District. Kilonser of NSCN-IM
was arrested by AR from Khusiabull village in Dimapur District.
Two weapons and live ammunition were recovered from him. NSCN-IM
condemned the incident.
|
December 28
|
The NIA has approached the French
anti-terrorism agency to provide access to people arrested in
the Paris attack (November 2015) to receive information about
Indians who fought for IS in Iraq and Syria. Earlier (date
not specified), the French agency had communicated with NIA to
provide an opportunity for interrogating IS operative Subahani
Haja Moideen, who had fought for IS in Mosul, Iraq; later jailed
in Raqqa, Syria; travelled back to India; and subsequently arrested
by the NIA in October 2016.
The Indian security establishment
is taking the threat issued by the AQIS in a recent video seriously,
as it specifically asks 'jihadi' fighters to target the
Indian Army outside its "small, secure area of Kashmir"
by striking in cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru. "The
specific call by AQIS spokesperson Usama Mahmoud, a Pakistani,
asking Kashmiri 'fighters' and Muslims across the subcontinent
to target the Army in Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru so that it
'comes to its senses' is reminiscent of IM's modus operandi of
sending out warning letters and e-mails just before terror blasts
in various Indian cities. So all necessary precautions are being
taken," an unnamed intelligence official said.
The NIA has again approached the
Interpol to seek a RCN against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik who
has been charged to propagate communal hatred via his speeches.
Earlier in October 2017, the Interpol had rejected NIA’s request
for RCN due to the absence of official Chargesheet but a fresh
plea with formal Chargesheet has been sent to the Interpol through
its Indian nodal agency, the CBI. It will be difficult for Zakir
Naik to move freely post an RCN issued as Malaysian authorities
and other member countries of the Interpol may arrest him and
deport him back to India with formal communication, said an unnamed
official of the UMHA.
The Indian Army and the Maldives
National Defence Forces (MNDF) conducted a two-week long joint
military exercise in Belgaum in Karnataka. The exercise, focused
on counter-terrorism operations conducted by small teams in a
semi-urban setting. The eighth edition of the exercise is named
‘Ekuverin’, which means ‘friends’ in Maldivian language.
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.
CPI-Maoist cadres attacked
the base camp of a private road construction company and set ablaze
several vehicles at Sahyara village under Madanpur Police Station
area in Aurangabad District of Bihar. The cashier
and other employees of the construction company were chased away
by CPI-Maoist cadres after the management refused to pay extortion
money and set ablaze one JCB machine and road roller each and
seven tractors standing inside the base camp premises, said SP,
Satya Prakash.
The CPI-Maoist in a press release,
has termed former Maoist ‘central committee (CC) member’ Jinugu
Narasimha Reddy aka Jampanna, as a as "scoundrel"
and a "diehard betrayer" to the ideology. In a four-page
statement issued to the media, the party accused Jampanna of choosing
the path of the most selfish, heinous and cowardly path of desertion
and shamelessly kneeling down before the enemy. “He tried to cover
up his weaknesses by taking shelter under the garb of ideological
differences with the party line. Our central committee strongly
condemns his betrayal and resolves to carry forward the red banner
of class struggle,” Maoist party spokesman Abhay said in the statement.
It said Jampanna, who surrendered last week (December 22) before
Telangana Police along with wife Rajitha, was suspended for two
years long before the surrender. The letter also contained that
Jampanna was dismissed about two years ago for his ideological
differences, but he didn’t change the attitude. “Though he participated
in the revolutionary movement for a relatively long period of
three decades and developed as one among the highest ranked leaders,
he had several weaknesses, limitations and non-proletarian trends
like individualism, bureaucracy and false prestige that continued
throughout his political life as a comrade. He refused to attend
several meetings held by the central committee and was panicky,”
the release by central committee read.
With only days to go for the publication
of the draft NRC bill, Assam s scheduled to publish one part of
the draft NRC after midnight of December 31 which will be made
available for the people of the state from January 1, 2018. The
state has already received 30 companies of CAPF and another 50
companies are being sent to the state for deployment in the run
up to publication of the NRC.
NIA raided the residences of two
militants of KCP-PWG The raids were carried out in the residences
of Khumanthem Jack in Yurembam Awang Leikai in Imphal West District
and Laishram Ranjit alias Tamnganba of Kwakeithel Moirangpurel
Leikai, also of Imphal West District. Both the individuals were
arrested from Delhi on August 14.
AR arrested three NDFB-S militants
from Tuensang market in Tuensang District.
|
December 29 |
Regarding the army recruitment,
Brigadier Govind Kalvad, the Commandant of the Maratha Light Infantry
Regimental Centre said that “while the basic tenets of military
training for the recruits remain the same, the training has now
evolved to meet the challenges of sub-conventional warfare, including
counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and if necessary anti-naxalite
operations”. Officials said that the army’s role has undergone
a major shift in recent times and one of the key tasks across
the boards is tackling acts of terror against India, particularly
insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East and the threat
of Left-wing extremism, if needed. Brigadier Govind Kalvad said
“The training module for the recruits has been thoughtfully evolved
to meet the challenges of sub-conventional warfare, which is basically
Low Intensity Conflict Operations, comprising anti-terrorist,
anti-insurgency operations and if necessary anti-naxalite operations.
We have not diverted from the basic tenets of military training,
even though there have been modernisations in these over time.
But after the basics are covered, a trained soldier undergoes
extensive training in facing sub-conventional situations. So after
the conventional training gets over, a soldier goes on leave and
immediately after he comes back, he is attached to a camp for
training on situations of sub-conventional warfare. So when he
leaves, he is fully prepared to face any situations in Jammu and
Kashmir, North East or in fighting Naxalites if told to.” He said
that some modern facilities are being introduced in the firing
drills for the recruits, which are considered one of the key elements
in the making of a soldier. Officials of the MLIRC said that these
days the recruits, who are increasingly using cell phones to stay
connected, are being made aware of the threat of cyber crimes.
After few hours of a terror attack
in Cairo city of Egypt, the Indian Intelligence agencies has advised
the Police and other security establishments to remain vigil and
elevate the security measurements in existence as the New York
celebration approaches in Delhi. Special Security arrangements
are in order at religious places. Police’s ‘Prakram’ vans with
Armed Security personnel are within the reach in case of any emergency
or threat perceptions in Delhi, said a Senior Police officer.
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.
As many as seven vehicles engaged
in road construction work were set ablaze by the CPI-Maoist cadres
near Toylanka village under Katekalyan Police Station limits in
Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. However, no casualties or
injuries were reported in the incident. Under the PMGSY scheme,
a road is being constructed between Gadapal and Badelakhapal villages,
located around 450 kilometres away from the State capital, Raipur,
Dantewada, ASP, Gorakhnath Baghel said. A group of armed Maoists
reached the construction site near Toylanka and set on fire two
tractors, two water tankers, one poclain machine, one road roller
and one JCB machine parked there. The Maoists also allegedly threatened
the workers to stay away from the construction works before fleeing
from the spot, ASP, Baghel added.
A CPI-Maoist cadre, indentified
as Sahdev Singh Kherwar alias Sahdev Bhokta alias Vinayji,
surrendered before the Police in Palamu District of Jharkhand.
Sahdev joined the CPI-Maoist as ‘Baal Dasta’ member in 1991 and
was promoted to the armed squad in 2002. He was also involved
in the 2002 murder of then Rohtas, DFO, Sanjay Kumar Singh, which
was carried by self-proclaimed ‘area commander’ Nirala Yadav,
convicted and awarded life term for the murder by a Rohtas court
on July 5, 2017.
Assam DGP stated that operations
against militants in the northeast region have hit ULFA-I adversely.
He also urged Paresh Barua, the ‘chairman’ of ULFA-I and its cadres
to return to mainstream. He also stated that ULFA-I recruitment
was still continuing and stated that Police had information regarding
newly recruited militants. He also stated magnitude of recruitment
has reduced.
BPCA Assam-Nagaland held a peace
and goodwill meeting at Darikial village in Nakachari under Jorhat
District. The main aim of the meeting was to deliberate on the
news about GoI’s proposal of inking a final Naga peace accord
and the confusion and fear in the minds of the people.
Suspected Kuki militants abducted
a Naga truck driver identified as A. Adakho from Motbung, a Kuki-majority
town in Senapati. Surface Hills Area Drivers’ Welfare Union blocked
National Highway 2 (NH2), where the incident had occurred. The
blockade was lifted on the same day after the driver was rescued
by Police.
|
December 30 |
Madurai Police arrested seven
members of a gang for attacking N. Abubacker—an accused of serial
blasts cases in the court complexes in various parts of South
India. These seven persons were hiding in a lodge in Triplicane
city in Chennai in Chennai District and were arrested with the
assistance of Chennai Police. The arrested persons are identified
as Mohammad Harun, Thoufiq Ali, Kiasuddin, Seeni Allah Pichai,
Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Ali, and Abubacker Siddique. All seven
persons were present in the court of Judicial Magistrate and later
lodged in prison.
The ATS of the state of Maharashtra
arrested a former member of SIMI, identified as Sarjeel Sheikh
(34) from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Sarjeel
Sheikh was registered absconding at Kurla Police station in a
case of an assault on a ‘public servant’ and unlawfully assembly.
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.
The two IEDs were recovered by
SFs which were suspected to be hidden beneath the earth by the
Maoists to target SFs, around two kilometres from a Paramilitary
force’s camp stationed in new Tarrem village in Bijapur District
of Chhattisgarh. The explosives, weighing 10 kilograms and 15
kilograms, were unearthed by a joint team of the CRPF’s 168th
battalion and local Police from the forests of Basaguda Police
Station limits, Bijapur, ASP, Mohit Garg said. Later, another
IED was found nearby during a search, the ASP said. The BDS immediately
destroyed the explosives, ASP, Garg said.
Three lower-rung CPI-Maoist cadres
were arrested from different places in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
While two Maoists identified as Madvi Deva (30) and Hemla Joga
(25) were arrested from Chintalnar Police Station limits, Muchaki
Munna (28) was arrested from Chintagufa Police Station area, Sukma,
ASP, Jitendra Shukla said. The arrested cadres were active as
Maoist militia members, ASP, Shukla said. Deva and Joga were allegedly
involved in firing on a Police party in the forest in Chinnabodkel
villages last month. Similarly, Munna was wanted in connection
with a blast to harm a Police team on Burkapal road in October,
ASP, Shukla added. The three were produced in a local court in
Dantewada, which remanded them in judicial custody.
A CPI-Maoist cadre was gunned
down in an exchange of fire with SF personnel in the forest near
Karigundam and Itapara villages in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.
Various teams of CoBRA, a CRPF’s specialised unit, DRG and STF
were out on a counter-insurgency operation in the forest of Chintagufa,
around 500 kilometres south from the State capital, Raipur, since
the past couple of days, ASP, Jitendra Shukla said. A team of
DRG, while returning, confronted Maoists in the forest near the
two villages following which a gun-battle broke out between the
two sides. However, after a brief exchange of fire, the ultras
escaped into the core forest area. “During a search in the area,
the body of a Naxal clad in uniform, a 12 bore gun, a 315 bore
gun and a muzzle-loading gun were recovered,” ASP, Shukla said.
The identity of the killed ultra was yet to be ascertained.
Jharkhand Police recovered explosives
during an anti-CPI-Maoist operation in Kumari village of Gumla
District in Jharkhand. Six bombs, CPI-Maoist uniforms,
pamphlets, a printer, a blood pressure monitoring device and some
other articles were seized. The search operation was launched
based on information of CPI-Maoist cadres’ movement, said Police.
Three militants of newly formed
CLA who had abducted naga truck driver in Senapati District was
arrested from Lamlai Mayai Lekai in Imphal West District. The
militants have been identified as Redeemsion Muivah alias
Bruce Lee, Moirangthem Bungcha alias Ishorjit Meitei and
Lamgoulun Misao alias Paulneo.
BSF has been told to keep a close
vigil on the 856-kilometres-long India-Bangladesh border in Lankamura,
on the outskirts of Agartala in Tripura to prevent entry of unwanted
elements into the State, where Assembly elections are due early
2018. Central Paramilitary Forces would start arriving in the
State soon and the central Government has agreed to send SFs as
required by the Election Commission.
|
December 31
|
The BSF arrested two unidentified
persons with 325 FICNs of INR 2,000 denominations with worth INR
6.50 lakh from Happy More (turn-around) in Malda
District of West Bengal. The seized FICNs and arrested
persons were later handed-over to Kaliachak Police Station of
Malda District. Reportedly in 2017, BSF South Bengal Frontier
(SBF) arrested 11 persons and seized FICNs of worth INR 62 lakh.
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.
Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested
during special drive launched in Aurangabad District of Bihar.
SP, Satya Prakash said that during the special drive launched
to flush out Maoists from Naxalite affected Aurangabad
District, two Maoists identified as Mahesh Bhuiyan and Jairama
Bhuiyan were arrested. Both the rebels were wanted in connection
with attack on base camp of a construction company engaged in
road construction on December 28 near Saimar village under Madanpur
Police Station, the SP added.
A CPI-Maoist cadre wanted for
several offences was arrested by the Police in Gadchiroli District
of Maharashtra. A statement from the SP, Gadchiroli said that
the arrested Maoist identified as Chandrika Jethuram Raut (42)
was a member of the Chamorshi dalam and carried a reward
of INR 200,000 on his head. Police officials added that Raut was
earlier arrested in 2014 but had managed to escape at that time.
The Police recovered two banners,
suspected to be put up by the CPI-Maoist, in Nagzira wildlife
sanctuary in Gondia District of Maharashtra.
“Nagzira Bandh,
Lal Salam. Dum hain toh Nagzira aao
(If you dare, come to
Nagzira),” the banners said. 'Lal Salam' (Red Salute) is
a greeting often found on Naxal pamphlets and banners.
The CPI-Maoist cadres went on
the rampage and ransacked the Kurub Panchayat office under
the Kalimela Police Station limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha.
Sources said that as many as 25 armed rebels barged into the Panchayat
office and smashed the TV set and furniture provided to villagers
by Police. The incident was suspected to be a fallout of the surrender
of villagers before the District Police and arrest of 12 militia
members in the District on December 27. The Police had carried
out the operation after the rebels indulged in various violent
activities like setting road construction equipments on fire and
killing villagers after dubbing them as ‘Police informers’.
NRC was published featuring names
of 1.9 crore Indian citizens living in Assam. The remaining 1.39
crore cases continue to remain under examination, scrutiny and
verification. The part draft NRC was published in the presence
of RGI who stated that the final draft in all probabilities would
be published within 2018 itself.
Assam CM urged the people not
to panic if some of them find their names missing from the first
draft. He said no genuine citizens would be excluded from the
NRC and there were provisions to submit claims and objections.
"The government will extend all support.
DGP said 85 additional companies
of paramilitary forces and state police personnel have been deployed.
He stated that All district SPs have been asked to monitor the
situation. Sensitive NRC seva kendras have been identified and
security deployed accordingly."
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