Jammu & Kashmir: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2019

A Special Police Officer (SPO), identified as Sameer Ahmad was killed by suspected militants at Hajan in Pulwama District on January 1 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. Sources said that suspected militants fired at Sameer Ahmad. “The injured was immediately taken to a hospital where he was declared as brought dead,” sources said. They said the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness. “Security forces were rushed and a search operation was launched to nab the attackers,” they added Read less...

Altogether 140 terrorists were killed by Security Forces (SFs) in Jammu and Kashmir between June and December 2018 during which 426 stone pelting incidents were also reported in the State, Union Minister Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said on January 2, reports Daily Excelsior. Replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha, he said 140 terrorists were killed from June 25 to December 5, 2018 in the State, where 119 terrorist violence took place during the period. The Minister said 426 stone pelting incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir in the said period in which 34 civilians were injured. As many as 171 SFs personnel were martyred while combating with terrorists in Kashmir and other parts of the country, guarding borders or serving their duty in 2016, 167 troops were martyred in 2017 and 163 personnel in 2018 (till November). Read less...

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by firing unprovoked twice in a day at forward Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District on January 2, reports Daily Excelsior. “Pakistani Army this morning [January 2] and in the evening fired unprovoked and targetted forward posts in Gulpur and Khari Karmada areas of Poonch sector,” official sources said. They said that Pakistani troops fired small arms, adding, “own troops effectively and strongly retaliated to the firing.” “So far no injury or damage has been reported on own side while intermittent firing was still in progress,” they said. Read less...

The presence of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Kashmir is not ‘that big’ but attempts are being made by anti-national elements to radicalise a section of the youth with the global terror group’s ideology, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said on January 2, reports Daily Excelsior. The DGP’s remark came days after a group of youngsters, carrying ISIS flags, forcibly entered the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar and created a ruckus. “A very serious attempt on part of anti-social and anti-national elements is on to radicalise a section of the youth to the extent possible. “The presence (of ISIS) is not that big but the fact that people are being radicalised along those lines cannot be denied,” the Jammu and Kashmir DGP said. Read less...

Over a dozen protesters were injured as stone-pelting clashes broke out in Tral area of Pulwama District after the killing of the three militants, adds Daily Excelsior. The protesters mostly youth took to the streets and pelted stones on the SFs. The SFs deployed near the encounter site used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were pelting stones on them. Read less...

Three militants were killed and a soldier was injured in an encounter in Tral area of Pulwama District on January 3, reports Daily Excelsior. The slain militants were identified as Zubair Ahmad Bhat alias Abu Huraira, Shakoor Ahmad Parray alias Jaffar, and Tawseef Ahmad Thoker alias Abu Talha (all of them local residents). According to Police sources, it was a combined group of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). Zubair was affiliated with JeM while Shakoor and Tawseef were affiliated with HM. Zubair and Tawseef were active since May last year (2018) while Shakoor joined militancy in October 2017. Security Forces (SFs) recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition from the site of encounter. The arms include one AK-47 rifle, one SLR and one pistol. Read less...

Brother of a Sarpanch (village level local self- government institution head) of Khassipora area of Tral in Pulwama District was killed by unidentified gunmen in his native village after they opened firing at him on January 4, reports Daily Excelsior. The deceased, identified as Simranjeet Singh, was critically wounded after he was shot at and was removed to medical facility, where he succumbed to injuries. His brother Rajinder Singh is Sarpanch of Khassipora Tral. He was associated with Congress party but had later contested as an Independent candidate. Read less...

Pakistan army resorted to heavy shelling and firing along Line of Control (LoC) in Mankote sector of Poonch District targeting forward posts of the troops and civilian areas on January 4 night, reports Daily Excelsior. Reports said Pakistani troops started heavy mortar shelling and firing in Mankote sector at around 9.30 p.m. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to exchanges. Several mortar shells exploded in civilian areas. However, there were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side immediately. Read less...

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was injured in a gunfight with the militants in Aripal village of Tral in Pulwama District on January 5 while militants fled away, reports Daily Excelsior. According to sources, a massive search operation was launched by Security Forces (SFs) in Aripal area on January 5. The holed-up militants fired on SFs during searches of the village, triggering an encounter. Sources said that 2-3 militants including Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) ‘commander’, Hammad Khan, were initially believed to be trapped in the area. The house in which they were trapped was raised to rubble and security forces believed that they had killed one of the militants but no body was recovered from the debris of the house. SFs late in the evening again conducted searches of the nearby houses but no militant was found. The operation was later called off. Read less...

Pakistan army fired mortar shells at forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District on January 5, reports Daily Excelsior. The number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 was the highest at over 1,600. Read less...

Police busted a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)module involved in purchase and supply of arms and ammunition to the outfit to carry out terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir by seizing a truck and arresting two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of HM at Lakhanpur in Kathua District on January 5 night, reports Daily Excelsior.A sum of INR 71,000 belonging to the banned terror outfit of HM was recovered, Police said, adding that two OGWs of HM were arrested from the truck.They were identified as Nissar Ahmed and Aaqib (driver), both residents of Chersoo in Awantipora in Pulwama District. Read less...

Alert border troops foiled an infiltration bid in Ramgarh sector of Samba District on January 6 night, reports Daily Excelsior. Border Security Force (BSF) troops on seeing a suspicious movement fired few rounds near Fatwal post in Ramgarh sector of Samba District, sources said.They said that the Pakistani Rangers also fired some rounds to give cover to the ‘infiltrators’, adding, BSF troops effectively fired and pushed intruders back to successfully foil an attempt of infiltration. No injury or damage has been reported on the Indian side in cross border firing. Read less...

Failure to curb infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) and putting a check on local recruitment of youths in terror groups remain a constant source of worry for security agencies in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on January 6.Analyzing the trends of 2018, it has been seen that infiltration figures continue to remain unchanged as around 140 terrorists successfully sneaked into the Kashmir Valley, majority of whom are believed to be of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group, they said.Although around 110 terrorists were killed during infiltration, the successful number of cross overs continues to worry the security agencies. During recent meetings of Army and BSF officials, it has been brought to the notice that the counter infiltration grid needs to be further strengthened as militants may try and sneak in during the peak winters as well.“It is not only the Line of Control, which stretches from Poonch in Jammu to Kupwara in Kashmir, but also international border, which has been exploited by the terror groups,” said a senior security official. Read less...

Border Security Force (BSF) resorted to brief firing following suspicious movement along the International Border (IB) in Jammu in Jammu District on January 7 night, adds Daily Excelsior.Suspicious movement of some persons was observed by the BSF troops in Arnia forward area on Monday [January 7] night and a few rounds were fired, sources said.The personnel have been alerted at the borderline, they officials said, adding searches were conducted in the area on January 7 morning. Read less...

The 22-year old militant Umer Fayaz Lone alias Hamaad Khan who reportedly escaped from an encounter has emerged as the new face of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)in the restive Tral township of Pulwama District, reports Greater Kashmir on January 8.Hailing from Seer hamlet, Khan joined the outfit in 2016. But it was in December 2017 he hit the headlines when his picture brandishing an automatic light machine gun (LMG) went viral on the social media. Post 2016 when HM lost all senior militants in its ranks from Tral including face of the militancy Burhan Wani, Khan, according to a senior Police official ‘kept the outfit intact in the town.’ “That was the time when Hizb was on verge of getting wiped out from the area but he (Khan) maintained a very low profile and kept his small group intact. The emergence of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)outfit in the town also took the focus away from Hizb,” said the Police official. The data about militants who were killed from Tral in recent times is also an indication towards the low-key strategy adopted by HM in Tral, the hometown of slain militant‘commander’ Burhan Wani. In 2017 while number of HM militants killed in Tral was five, in 2018 the outfit did not lose any militant from the area.Superintendent of Police Awantipora, Mohammad Zahid Malik, termed “chain of over ground workers” of HM in Tral as reason for fewer losses to the outfit compared to other militant groups.“Besides, they get good monetary support and shelter in Tral which clearly helps them to hide and reduce their movement,” the SP said.As per sources, Khan was inducted as Over Ground Worker (OGW) by Burhan. Three months before Burhan’s death Khan joined the militant ranks. He is the lone militant in Tral who was recruited directly by Burhan Read less...

A Pakistani militant of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), identified as Nasir Bhai was killed in a brief encounter at Litter area of Pulwama District on January 8, reports Daily Excelsior. The shootout took place after militants on January 8 morning attacked an Army patrolling party of 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Chowduribagh area of Tral. The Army fired back at the militants triggering a gun battle in which one militant was killed. However, his accomplices fled away and Security Forces (SFs) cordoned off the area but they had managed to flee. A Police spokesman said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant. “He was involved in a number of militant attacks and grenade throwing incidents on forces,” a police official said. Following the killing of the militant, protests broke out as youth took to streets and pelted stones on SFs who fired tear smoke shells and pellets triggering clashes in Pulwama District, reports Daily Excelsior.A youth suffered pellet injuries in his eyes during clashes near Bus Stand in Tral. The protesters also torched a Tata Mobile load carrier near the site of a shootout which belonged to the Army. However, no one was present in the vehicle when it was torched. Read less...

Army’s sentry fired several shots in the air after noticing suspicious movement outside an Army camp at Lurgam village in Tral area of Pulwama District on January 8 evening, reports Daily Excelsior.Police said that searches were soon launched in the area but the militants were not found Read less...

In a written reply to Lok Sabha(Lower house of Indian Parliament), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on January 8 said that around 300 terrorists were active in Jammu and Kashmir and were receiving help from locals, reports India Today.The UMHA said there have been 1,213 incidents of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir since 2014 till December 21, 2018. It said 183 civilians lost their lives and 838 terrorists were neutralized during this time.The UMHA said that six terror incidents were reported during this period in other parts of the country in which 11 civilians lost their lives and 7 terrorists were killed. UMHA data shows terror attacks have decreased post demonetisation. UMHA said the number of terror incidents for 2017 and 2018 were 1558 and 1622 respectively as compared to the corresponding figures of 2015 and 2016 which are 1872 and 1855. UMHA said the number of infiltration attempts from across the border into Jammu and Kashmir during 2017 and 2018 were 419 and 302 respectively. Read less...

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on January 9 voiced concern over radicalization of youth in Jammu and Kashmir due to misinformation and falsehood being spread about religion to them through social media and asserted that terrorism has been becoming a new form of warfare and it will keep growing till nations continue to use it as State policy, reports Daily Excelsior. He batted for some control over social media to contain spread of terror funding and radicalization as he identified social media as a platform to spread radicalization and generate financial resources for terrorism. The Army chief said a ‘weaker nation’ has been using terrorists as a proxy to put pressure on other nations to come to terms with them. He was clearly mentioning about Pakistan aiding and abetting terrorism in the form of proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces have killed over 250 militants during the last year. Cautioning against tolerating such a policy of the neighbour, Gen Rawat said: “If this is going to happen, then there will be States that will be funding the terrorists and allowing them to move around in the manner in which they want to move”. “Terrorism is becoming a new form of warfare and it will keep growing like a `multi-headed monster’ till nations continue to use it as a State policy, Gen Rawat said. Read less...

Asian Age on January 9 reports that Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on January 9 supported the talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, but said it should be without any preconditions. He stated that ‘Yes, there should be talks with the Taliban so long as they do not come out with any preconditions and so long as they are looking at a lasting peace in Afghanistan to bring about stability in that country’. Additionally, he also identified the social media as a platform to spread radicalism and generate financial resources for terrorism. The Army Chief said the time has come for some control over it. ‘We see a different kind of radicalisation in Jammu and Kashmir. My take is that terrorism is here to stay so long as there are nations which are going to continue to sponsor terrorism as state policy. We are seeing it happen in Jammu and Kashmir’. He also added that ‘I think we have a lot to do with the media and the social media, which must be controlled. For this, if one particular nation starts controlling a particular media, it will be taken as media rights are being curbed... Therefore, I think the international community must get together in ensuring that the source of the social media is prevented from spreading false information and disinformation because a lot of funds are coming from people who are getting radicalised’. He said radicalisation through social media was also helping in fundraising by terrorist organisations. They are being convinced about the acts of terrorists and the radicalised people are also helping terror outfits generate funds. Read less...

Former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on January 9 wondered why the Government of India was not initiating a dialogue with the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir if Army chief General Bipin Rawat could bat for holding talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan, reports Daily Excelsior. “We bat for talks with Taliban, autonomy for Tibet and Tamil areas of Sri Lanka yet we are unwilling to look at engagement or political initiatives in J&K. Why is our policy all about “do as we say, don’t do as we do”? Engagement for Taliban, Operation All-Out for Kashmir,” Abdullah tweeted. “If the Army Chief can advocate for talks with (the) Taliban then why different standards when it comes to our own people?” Mehbooba asked in a tweet. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president said the Centre should accept the offer of talks by Pakistan and also start a dialogue process with the Hurriyat Conference to end the cycle of violence in the State. “Accept peace offer from Pakistan, initiate dialogue with (the) Hurriyat and other stakeholders put an end to the vicious cycle of violence in J&K,” she added. Read less...

In another ceasefire violation, Pakistan army resorted to firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District on January 9, reports Daily Excelsior. Pakistani troops targeted forward Indian Army posts and villages in Gulpur and Khadi Karmara villages in Poonch sector on January 9 morning. Indian troops retaliated strongly, leading to heavy exchanges that continued for hours. Number of mortar shells landed in the villages of Gulpur and Khadi Karmara but exploded in open fields and there was no casualty on the Indian side. However, casualties and damage, if any, on Pakistan side couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Pakistan has been increasingly violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement with India. It has resorted to firing and shelling along LoC five times in the past seven days. Also, the year 2018 witnessed the highest 2,936 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the past 15 years. Read less...

Pakistani troops had fired on and shelled the Kalal forward area in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District twice on January 9, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

An Army Major, identified as Yadavendra and a Border Security Force (BSF) Head Constable, identified as Mumtaz Ali were injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan army along the Line of Control(LoC) in Manjakote sector of Rajouri District on January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges. Reports said Pakistan side also suffered extensive damages in retaliatory firing by the Indian side. However, exact losses of the Pakistan side couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Read less...

BSF troopers foiled infiltration attempts along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh sector of Samba and Arnia, R S Pura belts of Jammu in Jammu District on January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has found a Kashmir link of Islamic State (IS) inspired Amroha module - Harkat-ul-Harb-e-Islam’, reports Times of India on January 10. The module was led by Mufti Mohammad Suhail alias Hazrath. One of the cadre, identified as Saqib Iftekar claiming that he had travelled to Tral, Rajouri and Bandipora twice in 2018 and had sought arms training by a Pakistani trained “Mujahideen”. Saqib who worked as an Imam at Jama Masjid in Baksar, Uttar Pradesh, and helped module procure weapons for their plan to carry out fidayeen attacks in North India on politicians and government establishments. Saqib, sources say, has disclosed that he along with another person, who has been identified but yet to be arrested, travelled to South Kashmir first in May and then in August last year. They had several meetings there for religious purposes in Rajouri and Bandipora. Later, Saqib and his accomplice met a Maulvi in Tral, asking him to arrange a meeting with a ‘Mujahideen’. According to an official, Saqib told this Kashmiri Mufti about his plans to get training from a Kashmiri Mujahid as they are trained in arms, bombs and attack government officials. The Kashmiri Mufti informed him that he knows such person. Another member of Amroha module – Zubair Malik (20), a resident of Jaffrabad in Delhi and a student of BA third year at Delhi university, has told NIA officials that he was tasked to buy similar mobile phones for the group. “They bought similar smart phones with detachable batteries and everytime they made a call or had a chat, they were asked to remove the batteries so that their phones cannot be tracked,” said the officer. Anas Yunus (24), another member in the group, has disclosed that he used to create a new Telegram group everyday on which they discussed their plans and then he deleted it in the night. Their leader Mufti Suhail is still being questioned by NIA sleuths about his online handler – identified as Abu Malik Peshawari. The agency has arrested 11 persons in the case so far. Indian Express further adds that core group allegedly had four membersSuhail; Mohammed Anas, a civil engineering student from Amity University; Zubair and Zaid, all of them residents of Jaffarabad in Delhi. On instructions from their handler they had decided to form the group to carry out IS activities. Read less...

Pakistani troops also violated ceasefire along LoC in Digwar and Malti sectors of Poonch District on January 10 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked firing and targeted our forward posts along LoC in Gulpur area of Poonch District on January 10 morning, reports Daily Excelsior.Official sources said that Pakistan resorted to small arms and shelling with heavy caliber weapons. “Own troops are effectively retaliated to the firing while no injury or major damage has been reported so far”, they added. Read less...

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) team on January 10 conducted raids in Rajouri and South Kashmir in connection with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) module busted recently by the agency in Uttar Pradesh, reports Daily Excelsior.The module was plotting to carry out blasts in the country.Sources said involvement of two religious persons of Rajouri and South Kashmir has surfaced in the module and the NIA teams have conducted searches for them.However, identity of the persons, who were wanted to the NIA in the State, couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Read less...

An unprovoked ceasefire violation was resorted to by Pakistan troops in Sunderbani Sector in Rajouri District on January 11 in which an army porter, identified as Hemraj, was shot at and later succumbed to his injuries. Read less...

Militants lobbed a grenade on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar District on January 11 evening, reports Daily Excelsior.The grenade exploded with big bang. However, no loss of life or injury was reported in the incident.The grenade attack in the city Centre took place despite tight security in the area. The area is continuously guarded by Security Forces (SFs).The Hindu adds that a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack. "The attack was in revenge for its slain commander Nasir Khan alias Abdul Rehman," said the spokesman. Read less...

Pakistani troops continued ceasefire violations along the LoC in Poonch District on January 11, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

Police arrested two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of militants, identified as Sajjad Bhat of Pulwama and Waheed of Budgam and recovered arms and ammunition and cash from their possession from Shalteng area on Srinagar Baramulla National Highway (NH) in Srinagar District on January 11, reports Daily Excelsior. Police recovered arms and ammunition from their possession including one AK 47, one Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle and one hand grenade. Besides arms, INR five lakh cash were also recovered from their possession. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) busted a narco-terrorism racket and arrested three persons along with Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) in Thanamandi in Rajouri District on January 11, reports Daily Excelsior.Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, Yougal Manhas said that the driver attempted to break the naka but the alert Army and Police men foiled his attempt and overpowered the driver.The car was put to thorough frisking during which fake currency notes worth INR 15,100 with 43 notes of 200 and 13 notes of 500 denomination were recovered from the possession of one Javaid Ahmed.He said soon after the recovery, he was taken into custody while two other persons travelling in the car identified as Abdul Rashid, son of Sana Ullah and Bilal Ahmed Dar, son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar, both residents of Kulgam were also arrested. Read less...

Two army soldiers, including an officer, and an army porter were killed in two separate incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the border in Jammu and Kashmir on January 11, reports The Hindu. An Army spokesman said an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion took place around 3 p.m. near Line of Control (LoC) in Naushera Sector in Rajouri District. "An army officer and a soldier got grievously injured. Immediate resuscitation and medical aid was provided. However, they succumbed to the injuries," said the army spokesman. However,unofficial reports claimed a Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistan Army may have targeted an Indian patrol in the forward area taking advantage of the inclement weather conditions and undulating terrain, adds Daily Pioneer. It was suspected that members of the BAT team may have planted an IED in the forward area before retreating towards Pakistani side of the line of control. Read less...

Following the encounter, clashes broke out in the area as youth came out and pelted stones on the SFs who fired tear smoke to disperse themin Kulgam District, adds Daily Excelsior. Read less...

Two Al Badr militants including its ‘chief commander’were killed in an encounter at Katpora area of Kulgam District on January 12, reports Daily Excelsior.The operation was launched following specific inputs about the presence of the group of militants led by Al Badr ‘chief commander’Zeenat ul Islam Shah alias Dr Usman (29) and including a Pakistani were hiding in the village.As the Security Forces (SFs) were conducting searches of the village, militants fired at them and tried to flee from the cordon but SFs fired back, leading to a gun battle.A senior Army officer said that two militants were killed in the gun battle and Zeent-ul Islam Shah of Chilipora in Shopian was among them. The second militant was identified as Shakeel Ahmad Dar alias Faisal of Chilipora in Shopian. Sources said that so far two bodies were recovered and SFs believed two more including a Pakistani were hiding in the village and their fate is not known.“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter”, Police spokesman said. Zeenat, was earlier affiliated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM)outfit and later he joined AlBadr militant outfit. He was recruited in HM in November 2015, and was considered an expert in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).Zeenat was first arrested in 2008, and was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for being an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of AlBadr. He was also in touch with different outfits and was working as an OGW for their members, arranging them food and supplies.After his release in 2011, he initially worked with his father and got married before joining Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). His father is an Imam in the local Masjid.He was one of the main accused in the Shopian attack which took place on February 23, 2017 when militants ambushed Army patrol in MuluChitragam area of the district which left three soldiers were killed.Zeenat was among the three surviving most wanted militants in South Kashmir after Zakir Rashid Bhatt alias Zakir Musa and Reyaz Ahmad Naikooalias Zubair.The last year (2017), when Al-Badr started gaining ground in Kashmir, Zeenat ul Islam left HM and joined AlBadr as the ‘chief commander’ of the outfit, which is mainly operational in Shopian District of South Kashmir. Read less...

An Army soldier, identified as Gurpreet Singh was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Keri sector of Rajouri District on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. The soldier, manning a forward post, was hit by a bullet apparently from a Pakistani sniper in Keri sector and was hospitalized, sources said, adding the Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued for some time. The year 2018 recorded 2,936 ceasefire violations by Pakistan – the highest in the past 15 years with an average of eight cases daily – in which 61 people were killed and over 250 injured. Read less...

Around a dozen persons were injured allegedly in SFs’ action on protestors during stone-pelting clashes in Shopian District on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. Clashes erupted between groups of youth and SFs in Sugan village of Shopian District amid multiple funeral prayers for AlBadr‘commander’Zeenat-ul-Islam who was killed in an encounter on January 12. Read less...

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper, identified as Mahesh Kumar, who was injured in a gun battle in Aripal village of Tral in Pulwama District on January 5, succumbed to his injuries on January 14, reports Daily Excelsior. Earlier SATP had reported that the CRPF trooper was injured in a gunfight with the militants in Aripal village of Tral in Pulwama District on January 5 while militants fled away. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on January 14 called upon the militants to shun the path of violence and join national mainstream saying the administration will take all steps for their rehabilitation but maintained that if terrorists fired or lobbed explosive devices at security forces, they won’t retaliate with flowers or bouquets, reports Daily Excelsior. Malik said the militants will achieve nothing by indulging in violence and it was better for them to leave this path and come to the mainstream, where the administration will take steps for their rehabilitation. Asserting that there was nothing like ‘Operation All Out’ and some people were using this wrong term, the Governor said the Government wants these children (militants) to come back to national mainstream after surrender and we are ready to do what we can do for them”. Read less...

Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by Pakistan, Union Home Minister (UHM) Rajnath Singh said on January 14, reports Daily Excelsior. “Kashmir is still a challenge due to destabilising activities by neighbouring Pakistan. However, the Army, the CRPF, the J&K Police and Intelligence Bureau men are acting in better coordination,” he said. Read less...

Pakistani troops again violated ceasefire and resorted to firing at Khari Karmara and Gulpur forward areas along Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District on January 14, reports Daily Excelsior. The Indian Army retaliated effectively and exchange of firing at both the places lasted about an hour. There were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side. Casualties, if any, on the other side, couldn’t be ascertained immediately. However, sources said Pakistan army has also suffered heavy losses in retaliation by the Indian side. Read less...

Police arrested a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant, identified as Sarfaraz along with arms and ammunition during the searches in Ajas area of Bandipora village in Bandipora District on January 14, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

A Border Security Force (BSF) officer, identified as Assistant Commandant Vinay Prasad was killed in Pakistan’s ceasefire violation as snipers of Pakistan Rangers opened fire on BSF troops along the International Border (IB) in Pansar area of Hiranagar sector in Kathua District on January 15, Daily Excelsior. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on January 15 reached out to the Kashmiri separatist leaders urging them to apprise him directly of the cases of ‘atrocity and injustice’ to common people that they may come across, reports Greater Kashmir. Malik made the offer with an appeal that the Hurriyat Conference leaders should not treat him as ‘an alien’. “I have a message for Hurriyat that they should not consider me as an alien”, Malik told Press Trust of India in an interview. “As far as Hurriyat is concerned, I have respect for them, even though their ideology is different from mine. They have a different ideology and I have a different one,” the Governor added. Promising to treat Hurriyat leaders’ complaints “with due urgency”, the governor said, “If they (Hurriyat) feel there is any atrocity (by troops or police), they can contact me on phone or send a person to me”. “I will treat them (and their complaints) the way I am treating the rest of the people,” said the governor, maintaining that he has opened up the Raj Bhawan for all. In his first-ever statement aimed at building bridges between Hurriyat leaders and the Raj Bhawan, Malik also expressed hope that “at some level, there will be talks too with them at some time”. Read less...

Nine persons arrested by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police last year (2018) for their Islamic State (ISIS) links were on January 15 handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA), reports Daily Excelsior. Police handed over all the nine persons to NIA who arrived in Srinagar on January 14 from Jammu and filed an application before City Munsiff Srinagar for their custody. All these persons were working as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of militant outfits and on their instances, Police recovered two pistols along with 14 rounds, three grenades, one 12-bore single barrel rifle, one ISIS flag and one cutter. Read less...

Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing in along the LoC in Nowshera and Sunderbani in Rajouri District, Balakote and Mankote in Poonch District on January 15, reports Daily Excelsior. Indian side retaliated at all the places, leading to heavy exchanges, which lasted quite some time. There were reports of Pakistan side suffering heavy losses in retaliatory firing by the Indian side. Unconfirmed reports said that two Pakistan army troopers were killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops. Sources said the Pakistani troops also targeted civilian areas during the ceasefire violations. Read less...

Two army soldiers, identified as Anirban Chatterjee and Akash were injured as Pakistan troops resorted to firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector in Rajouri District on January 15, reports Daily Excelsior. Indian Army troops guarding the borderline retaliated effectively and strongly. The exchange of fire continued for some time. Read less...

At least five Pakistani army personnel were killed and three others injured and their seven posts and bunkers destroyed in heavy retaliatory firing by the Indian troops across Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector in Poonch District on January 16, reports Daily Excelsior. Sources said that massive retaliation by the Indian troops was given the same day when Army Chief General Bipin Rawat announced that the Army won’t hesitate from taking strong action against inimical designs of Pakistan on the LoC. Sources said at least five Pakistan army personnel were killed and three others were seriously injured when the Indian troops undertook major retaliatory action to silence the enemy guns on the LoC, which had been targeting forward posts of Army and civilian areas in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. “Death toll on Pakistan side could rise as all three injured jawans (troopers) were in critical condition,” they said, adding that seven posts and bunkers of Pakistan army have been destroyed in retaliation by the Indian side overnight. Read less...

India on January 16 summoned an official of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest over the death of an ‘innocent civilian in unprovoked ceasefire violation’ by Pakistani forces in Sunderbani area of Rajouri District on January 11, reports Daily Excelsior. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India also protested Pakistan’s continued support to infiltration of terrorists into India, including supporting cover fire provided by Pakistan forces. Read less...

Police on January 16 rescued a youth and prevented him from joining militancy to take revenge from the Revenue authorities for long pending dispute in Ganderbal District, reports Daily Excelsior. Police said one Mohammad Ashraf Sofi son of Ghulam Mohammad Sofi of Nunner in Ganderbal went missing on January 15 from Ganderbal. Police said that the enquiry into the mysterious missing of Sofi revealed that his father had purchased land from a migrant family about 10 years ago but no possession was given to them till date. “His family fought case in Revenue courts and also got latest directions for getting possession from FC Revenue”, said Police. “Meanwhile, his father four days ago died of heart attack, who was a cancer patient. Due to prolonged delay in settlement of land dispute and increased sufferings of his family, the boy left home to join militancy so as take revenge from revenue authorities especially Tehsildar Ganderbal causing unnecessary delay in disposal of revenue matter”, Police said. Police said that they rushed parties along with the family members of missing person to different locations. “His latest location was traced near SICOP complex at Bijbehara and accordingly police party rushed there and convinced him to return home as the land dispute will be got settled through Revenue authorities at an earliest”, Police said. Sofi was brought back to Ganderbal and handed over to his family. Police requested the ADC, Ganderbal to look into the revenue matter of the family. Read less...

A civilian, identified as Riaz Hussain was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and resorted to firing and mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District on January 17, reports Daily Excelsior. Pakistan troops resorted to firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas at Pukharni along the LoC in Nowshera sector, reports said. Read less...

Four Policemen, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector, were injured in a grenade attack by militants near the venue scheduled for the Republic Day parade in Srinagar in Srinagar District on January 17, reports The Tribune. Militants hurled a grenade towards a Police outpost near the Zero Bridge in Rajbagh around 2 pm. The attack site is near the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, the venue for the official Republic Day function. “The grenade explosion injured four policemen, including two from the traffic police and an assistant sub-inspector,” a security official said. Later, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the grenade attack. Read less...

Northern Command Chief Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, on January 17, said the Army was replying befittingly to the Pakistani aggression. Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region of the State for 13 days of this month, the officials said.The year 2018 had witnessed the highest number — 2936 — of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years along the India-Pakistan border. Read less...

Pakistan also violated the ceasefire in Laam and Jhangar areas of Nowshera Sector in Rajouri District on January 17, reports Daily Excelsior. “Heavy exchange of firing is on,” sources further said. Read less...

Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and fired upon the forward posts along the LoC in Poonch District on January 17, reports Daily Excelsior. “The firing started when Pakistan’s Army violated the ceasefire by firing between 0300 hrs to 0430 hrs,” the sources said. “The Pakistani fire was effectively retaliated,” an official said. No loss of life and property has been reported so far, he added. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant, identified as Mubarak Ahmad Dar during an operation in Chahlan village of Kulgam District on January 17, reports Daily Excelsior. Dar, who left home in October, 2018 was reported missing by his family. However, he had joined militancy and was active in the area since then, they added. Read less...

Militants hurled grenade upon Police Station Kakapora in Pulwama District on January 18 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. The grenade exploded inside the Police Station’s compound. However, no loss of life or injury was reported in this incident. The guards on duty fired few rounds in air and militants fled away. Read less...

Militants lobbed a grenade and damaged a vehicle and windowpanes of some shops in Lal Chowk near Ghanta Ghar in Srinagar District on January 18, reports Daily Excelsior. This is the second grenade attack in Srinagar since January 17. Sources said that two local militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) are in Srinagar, who are responsible for these grenade attacks in the city. Read less...

Militants lobbed a grenade in Shopian District on January 18, reports Daily Excelsior. Police said that no loss of life or property was reported in the incident. Read less...

Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire by resorting to firing along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua District on January 18, reports Daily Excelsior. Pakistan Rangers resorted to small arms fire on border outposts (BoPs) in Hiranagar sector at around 11 am, sources said. Border Security Force (BSF) troops, guarding the borderline, retaliated strongly, they said. Read less...

Police arrested a person, identified as Mohammad Aslam Beigh along with one grenade, besides other incriminating materials at a check point in Kupwara town in Kupwara District on January 18, reports Daily Excelsior. Police said that preliminary investigation suggested that the individual was planning to join militants, and along with other militants was plotting an attack in Kupwara area. Read less...

After series of grenade attacks across Kashmir especially in Srinagar city Centre, Security Forces (SFs) on January 19 cordoned off Lal Chowk area of Srinagar District, conducted searches and intensified security across Valley ahead of Republic Day, reports Daily Excelsior. SFs on January 19 cordoned off City Centre Lal Chowk and disallowed vehicular movement towards Amirakadal and diverted it towards Budshah Chowk. They also conducted search operation of hotels and other buildings located in Lal Chowk. Read less...

Militants lobbed a grenade on Police Station Yaripora in Kulgam District on January 19, reports Daily Excelsior. However, there was no report of any damage. Read less...

Pakistan army also opened firing at Pokhra, Kalal and Baba Khori forward villages along Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District during the day on January 20, reports Daily Excelsior. The Indian troops retaliated. Read less...

Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire and fired unprovoked along International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua District on January 20, reports Daily Excelsior. Sources said that Pakistani Rangers at around 11 am opened firing with small arms in Hiranagar sector and the Border Security Force (BSF) troops responded by limited firing. However, no loss or damage on Indian side has been reported so far. Read less...

The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said on January 20 that the United Nations (UN) must play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute, reports Greater Kashmir. In a meeting at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence, the JRL urged the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to implement its report on human rights situation in Kashmir that the UN secretary-general keeps referring to. “It is incumbent upon the secretary-general not only to urgently take steps to mitigate the grave human rights abuses perpetuated by New Delhi in Jammu and Kashmir (which the UN report elaborates), but also ensure that the commitment made by the august body to the people of entire J&K of resolving the Kashmir dispute is upheld by implementing the relevant UN resolutions,” a statement issued by the JRL said. “The (Kashmir) dispute continues to remain hanging for the past more than 70 years and it is long overdue that the UN plays its role in resolving one of world’s oldest disputes,” the statement read. Read less...

Clashes and stone-pelting protests erupted in Pulwama District amid a shutdown following a gunfight between militants and the SFs in Budgam District on January 21, reports Daily Excelsior. The area observed a shutdown while youth clashed with the SFs soon after the rumours of the killing of militants spread in the area. Clashes broke out at Rajpora Chowk, Murran Chowk and Kakapora areas of the Pulwama District. Read less...

Three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants, identified as killed militants as Manzoor Ahmad Kar, Shahid Baba and Hilal Ahmad (all local residents) were killed in an encounter at Hapatnar forests in Charar-e-Sharief area of Budgam District on January 21, reports Daily Excelsior. As the Security Forces (SFs) intensified the combing operation, militants hiding in the area opened fire triggering off a gunfight in which three militants were killed. Later, bodies of the three slain militants were recovered along with arms and ammunition. Read less...

Three militants including brother of an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer were killed and an Army personnel injured in an encounter in Heff village of Shopian District on January 22, reports Daily Excelsior. As the Security Forces (SFs) started searches, militants fired upon them leading to a gun battle in which three militants were killed. The slain militants were identified as Shamsul Haq Mangoo, Amir Ahmad Bhat and Shoib Ahmad Shah (all local residents). Shamsul Haq, whose elder brother Inamul Haq is 2012 batch IPS officer, had left studies at Bachelors of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) at Government College in Zakura campus in Srinagar. At least one dozen protesters and SFs personnel were injured in the clashes and stone-pelting protests that broke out during the encounter in the area, adds Daily Excelsior. The clashes erupted during the encounter after youth took to the streets and pelted stones on the SFs who, in retaliation, fired tear gas and pellets to disperse them. Four photojournalists were also injured in pellet firing when they were covering the clashes at the encounter site. Six SFs personnel were also injured in the clashes and they were discharged after first aid Read less...

Pakistan Army, on January 23, violated ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Sona Gali area of Mendhar sector in Poonch District prompting heavy retaliation from the Indian side, reports Daily Excelsior. Reports said Pakistan Army resorted to firing targeting forward posts of the Army and civilian locations in Sona Gali area of Mendhar sector at 4 pm on January 23. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges which continued for about an hour. However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side, reports said. Read less...

Three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, identified as Shoaib Akhoon, Mosin Mushtaq and Nissar Darzi (all local residents) were killed in an encounter at Binner village of Baramulla District on January 23, reports Daily Excelsior. “Incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter,” a Police Spokesman said. All the three militants were active in Baramulla and Sopore areas and had a long history of militancy. DNA adds that following the killing of three last surviving militants of the Baramulla District on January 23, the Police Spokesman stated that "Baramulla has become the first district of Kashmir with no surviving militant as on date. J&K Police extends its thanks to the local population for all their support in providing a better security environment in the district”. Director General of Police (DGP), Dilbag Singh complimented Police personnel for their successes. He said that he expected further consolidation of peace building efforts together by Police and public. Read less...

An Army porter, identified as Chotu Ram was injured in a sniper shot fired by Pakistan army at forward village of Sair along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District on January 24 afternoon, reports Daily Excelsior. Reports said the porter was reportedly sniped by the Pakistan army close to the LoC, causing him injuries. Read less...

Pakistan army also targeted forward posts and civilian areas with mortars and small arms along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri District on January 24, reports Daily Excelsior. The Indian Army effectively retaliated, leading to exchanges that lasted about an hour. However, there were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side. The shelling and firing have triggered panic among border dwellers. Read less...

Union Home Minister (UHM) Rajnath Singh, on January 24, said that violence in Jammu and Kashmir could not be contained till Pakistan is involved in the cross-border terrorism, but claimed that the NDA regime at the Centre, led by Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi, has seen almost the end of insurgency in North-Eastern (NE) States and breaking of backbone of the Naxalites [Left-Wing Extremists, LWEs], besides declining of terrorism-related incidents, reports Daily Excelsior. “We have got a major achievement in almost ending the insurgency in NE, while the Naxalite activities have also come down by at least 50 per cent,” he said. UHM, Singh said the situation is Kashmir is concerning, but till Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism, it is hard to create peace there. “Though the Government in Pakistan talks about peace and harmony, but everyone knows that ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) has total control over the Government hence, nothing can be achieved,” he added. Singh said that now terrorism too is on decline and their anti-national acts have come down, but still near the Indo-Pakistan border, regular encounters are taking place. Read less...

A petrol bomb was hurled on Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) 14th battalion camp at Mehjoornagar Bund in Srinagar in Srinagar District on January 25 which exploded inside the camp, reports Daily Excelsior. However, there was no loss of life or injury. Read less...

Delhi Police Special Cell and Military Intelligence arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant identified as Abdul Latif Ganai alias Umair alias Dilawar from Rajghat in Delhi, reports Times of India on January 25. He is the ‘district commander’ of JeM in Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Police recovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 26 cartridges and a.32 bore pistol from him.A second militant identified as Hilal Bhat, from Hazratbal was arrested from Bandipora District in J&K. He had conducted reconnaissance of targets in Delhi. JeM was planning to conduct serial blasts in Delhi and Srinagar on January 26. The module had procured around a dozen IEDs, which are being located. JeM had chosen five targets in the city, including the Delhi Secretariat IGL gas pipeline in south Delhi, Haj Manjil building at Turkman Gate, India Gate and Lajpat Nagar market, and taken pictures of spots where IED had to be planted. During the interrogation, the arrested militants revealed that their Pakistan-based handler, Abu Mauz alias Abu Bakar, had provided them the IEDs in November 2018. Read less...

Militants fired few shots upon 180th battalion of CRPF camp at Midoora in Awantipora in Pulwama District on January 25, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

Militants hurled a grenade on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker in Militants hurled a grenade on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bunker in Sopore town of Baramulla District on January 25 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. Militants lobbed the grenade towards the bunker of CPRF’s 179th battalion. However, the grenade missed the target and exploded on the roadside. Read less...

Militants hurled a petrol bomb at CRPF vehicle of 25th battalion near Iqbal Park, Lal Mandi crossing in Srinagar District on January 25, reports Daily Excelsior. However, there was no loss of life in the attack. Read less...

Militants lobbed a grenade towards Tahab camp in Pulwama District on January 25 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. It exploded outside the gate of the camp. Security Forces (SFs) retaliated by firing in the air. Read less...

Two persons were injured when unidentified militants lobbed a grenade which exploded on a Police Post near Bus Stand in Anantnag town in Anantnag District, reports Daily Excelsior. Two injured were identified as Sajad Ahmed (constable in Jammu and Kashmir Police ) and Abid Hussain. Read less...

Governor Satya Pal Malik on January 26 said that Jammu and Kashmir was passing through critical phase and youth of the State wanted success, happiness and satisfaction but some of them including professionally educated youth have taken to the guns, increasing problems of the people of Kashmir, reports Daily Excelsior. In his address on Republic Day Parade at Jammu University Ground, Malik sent out a strong message to the militants and separatists that mindless violence was no solution to any problem and it has already taken lots of lives. “Jammu and Kashmir has been passing through crucial phase. Youth in the State want to have success, happiness and satisfaction but it’s sad that some of them including professionally educated youth have taken to gun, resulting into problems for the people of the Valley,’’ Malik said in an apparent reference to a scholar, engineer and brother of an IPS officer, who was also pursuing medical studies, joining militancy and getting killed during gun battles with security forces. Asserting that many lives have been lost to the mindless violence, he squarely blamed Pakistan, albeit without naming the neighbouring country saying the neighbour was aiding and abetting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir but the armed forces were engaged in giving befitting reply to the enemy, both on the borders as well as hinterland. Read less...

The Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on January 26 said that three-decade long militancy in the State was in its last phase as youth of Kashmir have become aware of the self-centric agenda of the elements hostile to peace, reports Daily Excelsior. “Through his act of supreme sacrifice while fighting against terrorists and defending his colleague soldiers, Nazir Ahmad Wani has given a clear message to all Kashmir is that the time has come to realize it is better to die as a military than a militant,” Jitendra Singh said. Read less...

Two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants were killed and seven Security Forces (SFs) personnel were injured in a fierce gunfight at Khunmoh in outskirts of Srinagar in Srinagar District on January 26, reports The New Indian Express. The militants were neutralised amid tight security measures in place for Republic Day. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Central Kashmir, V K Birdi, said that acting on credible information on the presence of militants, Police, CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and Army men laid a siege around Khunmoh area in the early hours of January 26. After plugging of all possible escape routes, the security men zeroed-in on a residential house in the area where the two militants were hiding. “After finding themselves trapped, the militants opened fire. The forces retaliated, and, in the ensuing gunfight, the two Jaish militants were killed,” the DIG said. Read less...

Militants attacked an Army camp in Ahagam village in Shopian District on January 27, reports Daily Excelsior. Official sources said that militants fired several rounds from a distance at an Army camp in village Ahagam in Shopian late on January 27 evening. “The sentry posted at the gate retaliated and fired few shots in the air,” they said, adding no one was injured in the attack. However, the militants later escaped from the spot under the cover of darkness. Read less...

Pakistani troops opened fire at forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri District on January 27, reports Daily Excelsior. A defence spokesman said that the Pakistani troops lobbed mortars and opened fire from small arms from across the border in Naushera sector at 1:15 pm. He said Indian troops guarding the border retaliated effectively and the exchange of fire between the two sides was continuing when last reports came in. Read less...

A bank guard was shot at and critically injured by some unidentified gunmen at Tral in Pulwama District on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. Official sources said that gunmen fired from a very close range at a bank guard, identified as Tariq Ahmad Wani, at Tral in Pulwama. A police spokesman said gunmen also fired upon a person and injured him at Tral. Read less...

Pakistani Rangers fired two rounds at the JCB machine of Border Security Force (BSF) along International Border (IB) in Samba sector of Samba District on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. “Pakistani Rangers this afternoon [January 28] at around 1240 hours violated ceasefire by firing at Chandawn BoP [border outpost] from opposite Pappu Chak BoP across the border,” official sources said. They said that Pakistani Rangers fired two rounds on JCB machine working on fence in front of the post and further added, “BSF also retaliated to the fire while no injury or major loss was reported.” Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) launched a search operation in border areas in Poonch District following reports about suspicious movement of people on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. The operation in the areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar belt was going on till last reports came in, report said. Read less...

Alleging that Kashmir mainstream political parties have vested interests in continuation of militancy in the State, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on January 29 said that much hyped Surrender Policy in 2010 was failed by none but the then National Conference (NC)-Congress regime, reports Daily Excelsior. “Kashmir based mainstream parties have developed vested interests in continuation of the ongoing militancy, which helped them for surviving and thriving in an atmosphere where no other parties come forward for participation in the democratic process because of ongoing turmoil, ” he said. Dr Jitendra Singh further alleged that the much-hyped Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy for the return of Kashmiri youth from Pakistan, who had gone there for arms training, was derailed by none but the same NC-Congress coalition regime, which had formulated the scheme in 2010. “For the return and rehabilitation of these Kashmiri youth, there were certain terms and conditions laid down in the Surrender Policy, which were violated by then NC-Congress regime for political motives,” he alleged adding that the routes for return from Pakistan were defined but those at the helm of affairs in State Government at that time, illegally intruded these people from Nepal border. Read less...

Contrary to the official narrative that militancy in the Valley is confined to just four south Kashmir Districts, an insurgency is widespread in Kashmir, with nine out of 10 Districts affected by terrorism last year (2018), reports The New Indian Express. South Kashmir, comprising four Districts of Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama, which have emerged as the stronghold of terrorists after the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) ‘commander’ Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016, witnessed 127 militant killings in 2018. Shopian District topped the list with 43 militant killings followed by 39 in Pulwama, 30 in Anantnag and 15 in Kulgam. North Kashmir, comprising three Districts of Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora witnessed 93 insurgent killings in encounters with Security Forces (SFs) in 2018. The Kupwara District topped with 52 militant killings followed by Baramulla with 27 and Bandipora with 14. Among the militants killed in north Kashmir was PhD scholar Mannan Wani, who had joined the HM in January 2018. He was killed in a gunfight with SFs in the border district of Kupwara on October 11, 2018. According to Police data, 16 militants were killed in encounters with SFs in Srinagar District in 2018 while six more militants including Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)’s Kashmir ‘chief’ Naveed Jatt alias Abu Hanzalla, who had escaped from Police captivity in Srinagar hospital in February 2018, were killed in the gunfights with SFs in Budgam District. Another central Kashmir District of Ganderbal did not witness any encounter or militant killings. Although a HM militant of the District, who was PhD scholar and Assistant Professor of University of Kashmir, Rafi Bhat, was killed on May 6, a day after joining HM. Many top ‘commanders’ of the LeT, HM, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind were among those killed in south Kashmir in 2018. All three north Kashmir districts are connected to Line of Control (LoC) with some sectors. Militants, mostly Pakistanis, attempting to infiltrate from these sectors every year. Bandipora was once the stronghold of pro-Government gunmen but now has emerged as a support base for Pakistani militants, the report said. Read less...

At least three persons were injured in a grenade attack by militants on a Police Station at Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam District on January 30, reports Daily Excelsior. A Police official said that the grenade exploded by the roadside, resulting in injuries to three civilians. Read less...

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, on January 30, reviewed the security situation in the Kashmir valley, reports Daily Excelsior. “Lt General Singh arrived in the Valley on January 30 to review the prevailing security situation in the region,” an Army official said. The Army Commander was briefed by Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General A K Bhatt at Badami Bagh Cantonment on the major operational, informational, logistical and administrative aspects pertaining to the Corps and about the current situation, including recent counter terrorist operations. He lauded the exemplary synergy amongst all security forces and complimented the troops for their relentless efforts and selfless service in bringing peace and tranquility in the Valley. Read less...

A woman, identified as Ishrat Muneer Bhat was abducted and later shot dead by the militants at Cherbagh area of Draggad Shopian in Shopian District on January 31, reports Greater Kashmir. She was abducted from her house at Dangerpora village of Pulwama District. The Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered her dead body from Cherbagh area of Shopian District on February 1. The suspected murderers even posted a video showing their brutal act on the social media, Police said. The woman in the short video clip can be seen pleading for mercy with folded hands but a man shoots her twice from point blank range, they said. Read less...

At least several persons were injured in a grenade attack by militants near Police Chowki Shair Bagh in Anantnag District on January 31, reports Daily Excelsior. Militants lobbed the grenade at which exploded by the roadside, resulting in several civilians injured. Read less...

Earlier, intense clashes erupted after the youth took to streets and pelted the Security Forces (SFs) with stones to disrupt the anti-militant operation in Drubgam Rajpora area of Pulwama District on January 31, reports Greater Kashmir. The SFs lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. Read less...

Two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants, identified as Shahid Ahmad Baba and Aniyat Ahmad Ziger were killed in an encounter that erupted in Drubgam Rajpora area of Pulwama District on January 31 midnight, reports Daily Excelsior.Weapons including one SLR (Self-Loading Rifle) and one pistol were also recovered from the slain militants. An official said that “the two militants hiding in the house opened fire after the forces approached them. The forces retaliated, leading to a gunfight that raged for several hours. Two militants were killed in the ensuing gunfight.” Read less...