Jammu & Kashmir: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2003

According to official sources, an unidentified terrorist, on January 1, 2003, killed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel by firing at him from a pistol in Khanyar Babademb area, in the State capital city Srinagar. Meanwhile, approximately 15 minutes before this killing, an unidentified terrorist injured a CRPF personnel in Nawakadal Chowk area, also in Srinagar. An unnamed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) spokesperson reportedly claimed that terrorists of his group had carried out both the attacks. Read less...

In an encounter that ensued after a raid on a terrorist hideout in Dedikalipora, Zainapora area of Shopian, two Pakistani terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed. Two AK-56 rifles were recovered from their possession. Read less...

Official sources said, on specific information, security forces raided and destroyed a terrorist hideout in Shallagund, Kupwara district, and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. Seizures included four AK-56 rifles, a Sniper rifle, twelve grenades, a rocket-launcher and two rockets. Read less...

Reports from south Kashmir said unidentified terrorists intruded into the residence of a civilian in Gahend, Shopian area of Pulwama district, and attempted to abduct his daughter. Facing resistance from the family, the terrorists opened indiscriminate firing during which the woman was killed. In a separate incident in Hapatnar, Aeshmuqam area of Anantnag district, terrorists injured a civilian. Read less...

Official sources said the bullet-riddled body of a civilian was recovered in Pulwama, south Kashmir. Separately, unidentified terrorists abducted and later killed a civilian in Ashmuqam, Anantnag district. Read less...

Security forces (SFs) killed two foreign mercenaries in an encounter in Deraw village, Pulwama district, on January 2. The encounter ensued after the terrorists hiding there attacked a search party. Two AK rifles and an unspecified quantity of ammunition were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

SFs destroyed a hideout of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group in Pathushabi, Kupwara district. Three AK rifles, two pistols, three UBGL, two rocket launchers, 41 tracer rounds, seven anti-personnel mines and 10 rifle grenades were recovered from this hideout. Further, in another raid in the forests of Rukh Brangan in the same district, another JeM hideout was destroyed and 27 kg RDX, an AK rifle, a pistol, four rockets, a solar rocket, 72 grenades and two magazines were recovered. Read less...

SFs forces destroyed three terrorist hideouts and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition––including RDX, mines, rockets, grenades and assault rifles––in north Kashmir. A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) hideout was destroyed during search operations in Goom Ahmedpora area of Budgam district. He said arms and ammunition, including six kg of RDX, two kg black explosive, five detonators, 13 grenades, two remote control devices, two anti-tank rockets with boosters, a UBGL, three one 303 rifle and 10 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Read less...

SFs forces destroyed three terrorist hideouts and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition––including RDX, mines, rockets, grenades and assault rifles––in north Kashmir. A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) hideout was destroyed during search operations in Goom Ahmedpora area of Budgam district. He said arms and ammunition, including six kg of RDX, two kg black explosive, five detonators, 13 grenades, two remote control devices, two anti-tank rockets with boosters, a UBGL, three one 303 rifle and 10 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the hideout. Separately, SFs destroyed a hideout of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group in Pathushabi, Kupwara district. Three AK rifles, two pistols, three UBGL, two rocket launchers, 41 tracer rounds, seven anti-personnel mines and 10 rifle grenades were recovered from this hideout. Further, in another raid in the forests of Rukh Brangan in the same district, another JeM hideout was destroyed and 27 kg RDX, an AK rifle, a pistol, four rockets, a solar rocket, 72 grenades and two magazines were recovered. Read less...

Terrorists attacked a police post at Keller in Pulwama district with automatic weapons. However, no loss of life or injuries was reported. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists killed an SF personnel in Khanyar, while another SF personnel was shot at and injured in Nawakadal, near the State capital Srinagar. Read less...

A Pakistani terrorist was killed in an ambush in the Kalaroos area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir, on the same day. An AK-56 rifle, a UBGL, nine UBGL rounds and three hand grenades were recovered from the incident-site. Read less...

According to a report in The News, a Pakistani daily, the Al Badr Mujahideen claimed it has formed a suicide squad to target the police chief of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). "The director-general of police will be the main target of our group… The group has already formed a five-member suicide squad to target Suri [Ashok Kumar Suri is the J&K Director General of Police]," Ahmed Yar Gaznavi, spokesperson of the group, was quoted as saying. Read less...

In another incident, unidentified terrorists fired at a police post in Achhabal, Anantnag district. However, there was no loss of life or injuries reported. Read less...

Police recovered seven Kgs of RDX from Zaffar Boot House in the main market of Bandipore. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the seizure. Read less...

Two foreign mercenaries of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed, while three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were injured in an encounter preceded by an explosion at Laani village, Gool area of Udhampur district, on January 3. The encounter was continuing, when reports last came in, and three to five more terrorists were fighting security force (SF) personnel, official sources said. These sources said a powerful blast rocked a road used by passenger and SF vehicles at Laani and subsequently SFs manning the area sealed the village. In the ensuing encounter, two JeM terrorists were killed and three BSF personnel injured. Recoveries made from the encounter-site, thus far, included two AK-56 rifles, three magazines, 37 ammunition rounds, a wireless set and a JeM letterhead. Read less...

According to media reports, security forces and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police killed at least 11 terrorists in five different operations on January 4. Reports indicated that the SFs have launched a co-ordinated campaign ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 to deny any opportunity of strike to terrorists in the Kashmir valley. Security forces and intelligence agencies, according to official sources, have been receiving continued inputs that terrorist groups could strike on January 25th and 26th in a major way. Read less...

Based on specific information, SFs and SOG personnel launched a cordon-and-search operation at Kandikoot in the Kokernag locality of Anantnag district. In the ensuing encounter, three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists, including a ‘district commander’ were killed. In the same district, a terrorist belonging to the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen group was killed during an encounter. Read less...

In a separate encounter that ensued after SF personnel raided a terrorist hideout at Salkoot in the Kupwara district, two unidentified terrorists were killed. Read less...

Reports from Jammu have indicated that the Gandhi Nagar police on January 4 arrested two suspects, including a woman, from the Jammu University Campus. A car and a letterhead of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group were recovered from their possession. While confirming the arrests, police, however, declined to disclose the identity of the arrested couple and their links with the LeT. However, unconfirmed reports said that the youth belonged to Rajouri while the woman hailed from Bhatindi. Separately, local people overpowered two suspected terrorists from a house at Mangnar village in the Poonch district and later handed them over to the police. Read less...

Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation at Karmula village in the Tral area of Pulwama district. In the subsequent encounter, while two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, including a ‘commander’ were killed, another managed to escape. Read less...

Three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists were killed after their hideout Kalsipora in the Khansaheb area of Budgam district was destroyed by SFs. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists killed an Inspector of the SOG in the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s Bijbehera locality. The slain SOG personnel, according to official sources, was the head of the SOG camp at Sirigufwara in Bijbehera. Meanwhile, an unidentified spokesperson of the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing. Read less...

At least 40 persons, including four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, were injured in a hand grenade attack by an unidentified terrorist at Qazigund bus stand, in Kulgam town. Read less...

At least six suspected terrorists were arrested in the State capital Srinagar as part of the authorities’ efforts to pre-empt possible terrorist attacks on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, January 26. An AK-56 rifle, two wireless sets, three grenades, two Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs) and four UBGL shells were also recovered during these arrests. Read less...

During another encounter in Daram village, Gool area of the Udhampur district, while a group of three terrorists managed to escape, a woman trapped in the exchange of firing was killed. Read less...

Inaugurating the Confederation of Indian Industries’ (CII) partnership summit 2003 in Hyderabad, on January 5, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said the Punjab experience in successfully rooting out terrorism would be repeated to curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, "People ask me if it is possible for Jammu and Kashmir to return to normalcy. We shall see that terrorism will end in Kashmir." Advani recalled expressing similar sentiments during the 1980s when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab and doubts were expressed if normalcy would ever return to the State. Read less...

Security forces destroyed a hideout of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) in Banihal area, Doda district. Recoveries made from the hideout included an AK bayonet, 14 AK rounds, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol, a hand grenade and a radio set with antenna. However, no arrests could be made, as terrorists were away from the hideout at the time of the raid. Separately, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel seized four grenades, four detonators, two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), a wireless set and some explosive material from a terrorist hideout in Haigam, Sopore area of noth Kashmir. Read less...

SFs seized and defused an IED planted by terrorists in Sogam, Kupwara district. Read less...

Three terrorists, including a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) ‘commander’ and a woman, were killed in two separate encounters in Mahore and Gool areas, Udhampur district, on January 5. Official sources said an encounter ensued in Devla village, Mahore area, when the terrorists laid an ambush and fired upon a security forces (SFs) patrol party. While three JeM terrorists, including Kamran Khan alias Khijjar, a ‘commander’, were killed, two others managed to escape into the forests. Recoveries made from the encounter site included three AK rifles, 12 AK magazines, 155 rounds of ammunition and six hand grenades. Read less...

According to a media report, the Al Badr has pasted posters asking women to quit jobs with the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police by January 15. The posters also warn women against venturing out of their homes without burqas (veils) and threaten of "dire consequences" if their words were not followed. These posters have been put up in Darhal and Thanna Mandi areas of Rajouri district. Reportedly, the Al Badr has demanded that girls above the age of 14 should not go to educational institutions, as these were "un-Islamic". Read less...

According to media reports, a prominent liquor dealer, Abdul Hameed Sheikh of Aloochibagh, Srinagar, was killed by unidentified terrorists at a petrol pump on the main Lalchowk-Airport road on January 6. Official sources said the killing might have been carried out by either the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM) or the Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front. Read less...

According to media reports, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s external intelligence agency, has doubled the money for terrorist organisations as an inducement to continue strikes in India even as every terrorist group has been directed to maintain launching detachment units along the Line of Control (LoC) under the strict supervision of ISI officials. The ISI has reportedly set up a Refugee Maintenance Cell (RMC), which provides daily allowances to terrorists of every group. Quoting interrogation reports of several Pakistani terrorists arrested by security forces, reports a retired Pakistani Colonel identified as Abdul Rehman headed the RMC. Rehman, who had earlier served in Bangladesh, is also in-charge of providing additional allowances to terrorists staying in refugee camps. Reports said, as per the new funding formula, smaller terrorist groups like the Al Barq were getting Rs seven lakhs per month for operational expenses while larger groups like the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) were getting approximately Rs 50 lakh per month. The money is reportedly handed over to the group’s branch in Pakistan and they had to find ways and means to send it across the border to their cadres. Further, in order to maintain an easy flow of money into the Valley, the ISI has also enlisted several Dubai-based businessmen who provide monetary assistance to terrorist groups. A Brigadier positioned at a camp––"Hamza", in Rawalpindi, reports added, was paying the operational money to the various groups. Read less...

Official sources said an unidentified terrorist hurled a hand grenade at a security forces’ patrol party in Magam, Srinagar-Gulmarg road. However, it missed the intended target and exploded on the road injuring four civilians. Read less...

The United States on January 6 said Pakistan was continuing infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) and it was a matter of concern. State Department Policy Planning Staff Director Richard Haass, who is on a visit to New Delhi, stated this. According to him, "The activity [infiltration] is continuing and it is a matter of concern… We are doing everything to bring this about so that it comes to an end. I’m sure it will... I hope the Pakistan government will come to the conclusion itself." Read less...

A civilian was killed and two others injured in another encounter in Mahore area, in the same district. Read less...

According to media reports, the Union Home Ministry, on January 7, questioned the second opinion of Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) Lt Gen O S Lochab giving a "clean chit" to Ifthikar Geelani. On December 23, 2002, Lochab, appeared before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in New Delhi and submitted a report furnished by his office on December 12 that documents recovered from Ifthikar did not contain any classified information. Ifthikar, Kashmir Times New Delhi bureau chief and son-in-law of All Party Huriyat Conference (APHC) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was arrested by police, on June 9, 2002, under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing documents compromising national security. Read less...

According to media reports, unidentified terrorists killed three civilians, including two members of a family, on January 7, in Anantnag district. Reports indicated that unidentified terrorists dropped three butchered bodies at two different locations in Aeshmuqam area. All the three slain civilians were residents of Gogaldara Hapatnaar and had been abducted from their respective residences. This type of killing, in Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s home district, has been witnessed for the first time since the present People’s Democratic Party-led coalition government took office in November 2002. Although no terrorist group has claimed responsibility, official ources suspect that the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) might have carried it out. Read less...

Besides, security forces destroyed a terrorist hideout in Balna Khari village, Banihal area, Doda district. Recoveries made from the hideout included an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), two UBGL grenades, 245 AK rounds, four hand grenades, 20 kg RDX, five detonators, two blankets and a radio set. However, no arrests were made in connection with this seizure. Separately, police recovered 40kg of RDX from a passenger bus, which had arrived at the General Bus Stand in Batmaloo, Srinagar, from Anantnag. One person has been arrested in connection with this seizure. Official sources claimed the explosive material had been dispatched to Srinagar to organise acts of sabotage on January 26th, India’s Republic Day. Read less...

Security forces (SFs) killed two foreign mercenaries in Lancha village, Gool area of Udhampur district, on January 7. Recoveries made from the incident-site included an AK-47 rifle, an AK-56 rifle, 208 AK rounds, seven AK magazines in damaged condition, three hand grenades and two detonators. Sources added that a civilian trapped in the exchange of fire was also killed. Read less...

The Union Home Ministry, on January 7, questioned the opinion of Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) Lt Gen O S Lochab Iftikar who said documents seized from Ifthikar contained no classified information. Read less...

A media report said SFs in Rajouri district identified two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen ‘commanders’, Tahir Billa and Zanat Gul, as being involved in the campaign to impose a dress code for female students and teachers in educational institutions. A massive hunt has been launched to eliminate or arrest the two, both of whom were reportedly local cadres and were currently operating in Darhal area in the district. The report also said the ‘burqa (veil) drive’ was launched by the terrorists to get the Army vacated from the sensitive Darhal Higher Secondary School. Presence of SFs was reportedly hampering terrorists’ movement in the area, besides blocking supplies of arms and ration to them. Meanwhile, in view of growing resentment against the ‘burqa and anti-education drive’, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) said it had withdrawn the directive. A number of posters, issued by JeM’s ‘Central Jehad Council’ were reportedly seen pasted in Khablan, Darhal and Thanna Mandi areas. The posters said, though the veil found mention in Koranic law, no force should be used by any group to make female students observe the dress code. "The girls are free to take their own decision on burqa. No one will stop them from visiting schools", the posters said. The call for a dress code was initially given by the Al-Badr and HM. Read less...

During another cordon-and-search operation in Gondipora village, on the Budgam-Beerwah road in central Kashmir, a terrorist was killed. The slain terrorist was identified as Abu Talha, a Pakistani ‘district commander’ of the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen outfit for Budgam and Baramulla districts. Residents of the village said at least five more terrorists of the group escaped. Read less...

In another incident, a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist was killed by SF personnel in Walkul forests, near Gund-e-Manchhar village, Kupwara district. Read less...

Media reports said a Delhi court on January 8 postponed to January 17 the hearing on the bail application of Iftikhar Geelani, pending completion of proceedings in the lower court. The court said, since the government has rejected the opinion of the Military Intelligence on the sensitivity of documents seized from Iftikar, the hearing was adjourned to await the outcome of the lower court. The lower court has summoned Director-General Military Intelligence (DGMI) Lt. Gen O. S. Lochab and Joint Commissioner of Police Neeraj Kumar. On December 23, 2002, Lochab appeared before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate and said documents recovered from Iftikar did not contain any classified information. Iftikar Geelani, a journalist and son-in-law of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader S A S Geelaniu, was arrested on June 9, 2002 under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing documents compromising national security. Read less...

Reports from north Kashmir indicated that, on specific information, security forces (SFs) launched a cordon-and-search operation at Wagoora in the Pattan locality, Baramulla district, on January 8. During the operation, even as the terrorists took shelter in the house of a civilian, three of them were killed. While some reports said the slain terrorists were Pakistani cadres of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group, an unnamed official claimed they were affiliated to the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). Three AK-56 rifles and an unspecified quantity of assorted ammunition were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

Separately, SFs destroyed a terrorist hideout at Kaingur Naar, Kupwara district, and recovered 40kg of explosive material. Read less...

The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), on January 8, confirmed that security forces in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) killed 334 of its cadres during the year 2002. In a statement, its spokesperson said the slain terrorists included 49 ‘district commanders’, six ‘battalion commanders’, five ‘company commanders’ and 11 ‘section commanders’. The spokesperson also claimed the Hizb carried out 567 attacks, including 78 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts, 129 grenade/rocket attacks, 182 ambushes and three suicide attacks. He further claimed that 1894 security force personnel were killed by his organisation during the period. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists targeted a SF vehicle and caused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Kulgam. However, it failed to cause any damage. In a separate incident, terrorists lobbed a hand grenade towards a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol near the Higher Secondary School in Tral, Pulwama district. It failed to explode and did not cause any damage. Further, an IED explosion in Mendhar area, Poonch district, caused damage to a SFs vehicle. No casualties were reported in the blast, official sources said. Read less...

A Border Security Force (BSF) patrol party was ambushed by a group of 12 unidentified terrorists at Daleri village, Dharamshal police station’s jurisdiction, Rajouri district, on the same day. The terrorists, who had taken positions atop a hill, attacked the patrol party with automatic weapons and launched grenade attacks. In the subsequent operation, a BSF personnel was killed another injured. The terrorists managed to escape from the incident-site towards a surrounding forest area. Although search and cordon operations were launched in Daleri and surrounding villages to eliminate the terrorists, they remained untraced, when reports last came in. Read less...

A day before he was scheduled to go to Dubai, the passport of separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) former chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was suspended, on January 9, by the Union government, on the ground that his travel abroad was not in the interest of the country. Invoking the Passports Act, 1967, the government suspended his passport for four weeks giving him eight weeks’ time to appeal against the decision to the passport office in Srinagar. Media reports indicated this action follows a Union government decision to reverse its policy of being liberal in enabling separatist leaders to travel abroad and participate in conferences and other meetings. The decision was reportedly taken after a dossier was submitted to the Union Home Ministry which named Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Yaseen Malik and Sheikh Abdul Aziz among separatist leaders against whom action was proposed. Read less...

According to official sources, security forces intercepted a group of foreign mercenaries when they were crossing a ridge at Aakhran near Tainka, approximately eight kms from Banihal, on January 9. In the ensuing encounter, five of them were killed. The encounter was continuing, when reports last came in, as SFs anticipated the movement of some more terrorists in the area. Recoveries made from the encounter-site included five AK-56 rifles, seven magazines, 183 rounds of ammunition, a wireless set, three hand grenades and some explosive material. Read less...

In Pulwama district, terrorists targeted a SF vehicle near Naina Batpora with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Two SF personnel sustained injuries during this blast. Separately, terrorists lobbed a hand grenade on the camp of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Kulgam. It exploded inside the targeted premises, causing injuries to five SOG personnel. Read less...

Reports from north Kashmir, meanwhile, indicated that unidentified terrorists abducted an SF personnel from his residence in Bandipore area and later killed him. His bullet-riddled body was recovered from an adjacent forest area. Separately, in the same area, police recovered the tortured body of a forest guard from Aham Sharif forests. Unidentified terrorists reportedly abducted him on December 21, 2002. A media report said he was abducted and later tortured to death by terrorists who suspected him he was an informer for the security forces. Read less...

A civilian was killed when unidentified terrorists fired several gunshots at a suspected informer of security forces at the General Bus Stand in Baramulla. Read less...

According to media reports, the government, on January 10, decided to withdraw the case against Iftikar Geelani, Kashmir Times Delhi bureau chief and son-in-law of the All Party Huriyat Conference (APHC) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, arrested under the Official Secrets Act. Read less...

Geelani's counsel said the government has filed an application before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sangita Dhingra Sehgal for withdrawal of the case, which would be taken up for hearing on January 13. Read less...

Iftikar was arrested on June 9, 2002 by Delhi police’s special cell under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing documents compromising national security. Read less...

In another incident, two unidentified terrorists were killed in an encounter in Surankote in Poonch district. Five AK rifles, nine magazines, 223 rounds of ammunition, six hand grenades, two RPGs, a radio set and Rs 1565 in Pakistani currency were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

In Tral area of Pulwama district, terrorists set-off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast that failed to injure the targeted security forces patrol. Read less...

In yet another incident, three unidentified terrorists attacked the house of a local resident at Hari Budha village, in Surankote tehsil (administrative unit), Poonch district, on January 10-night. His wife and son were killed in indiscriminate firing by the terrorists. The terrorists reportedly managed to escape after the incident. Police were investigating the incident when reports last came in. Read less...

Official sources said a group of terrorists forced their entry into the residence of Ghulam Qadir, a member of Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, in Gujjar Basti village, Bharat area of Doda district, and abducted him. He was later shot dead. Read less...

Other reports said a grenade was thrown at temple by an unidentified terrorist at Kheora, in Rajouri, on January 10-night. However, the grenade fell near the outer wall of the temple and exploded, damaging it partially. No one was present near the temple at the time the blast. The terrorist managed to escape after throwing the grenade. Police were investigating this case too. Read less...

Reports from south Kashmir indicated terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at a security forces patrol party at Nihama village, Damhal-Hanjipora locality of Anantnag district. However, it missed the intended target and exploded on the road injuring seven civilians. Read less...

Security forces (SFs) thwarted an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) at Barwa post, Keri sector of Rajouri district, killing three infiltrators. However, two other terrorists of the group managed to escape. Two of the slain terrorists were reportedly affiliated to the Al Badr group. Read less...

Security forces recovered 10 hand grenades and a wireless set from Choornar forests, Handwara. In a separate operation, SFs recovered eight hand grenades, two wireless sets, a UBGL and a telescope from a terrorist hideout in Nowbug, Chadoura. Read less...

According to official sources, three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists and a security force (SF) personnel were killed and one more SF personnel was injured in an encounter at Khanetar, under Poonch police station-limits, on January 11. A joint team of Army and police personnel searching the area, on specific information about terrorist presence, came under heavy firing. The three terrorists were killed in retaliatory firing by SFs. However, an Army personnel was also killed and one more was injured during the encounter, while the terrorists’ hideout was destroyed during the encounter. The search team recovered, among other things, two AK-47 rifles, five magazines, two wireless sets, a compass and five Rocket Propelled Gun (RPG) rockets from the hideout. Read less...

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said, on the BBC, on January 11, "The visible result" after deploying troops along the Line of Control and International Border with Pakistan was that, President Pervez Musharraf "himself said on more than one occasion that he was committed to (the) fight against terrorism..." Sinha also acknowledged that there has been a decline in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) because of the deployment of the Army on the borders. Sinha added, ‘All powerful nations or groupings in the world... have on many occasions, during the last year and a half, accepted publicly that cross-border terrorism and infiltration were continuing and Pakistan should stop these. However, Pakistan did not do so, Sinha said. Read less...

Separately, SFs, on January 11, recovered six Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)—each weighing 10kg, 10 grenades and 135 battery cells from a terrorists-hideout in Saroji village, Banihal tehsil, Doda district. Also, unidentified terrorists torched two houses in Sargali village in the same area, on the same day. Read less...

SFs recovered an AK-56 rifle, 80 Kgs of RDX, a wireless set, a UBGL and 18 rifle grenades from two houses in Garoora and Argam villages, in Bandipore, during a search operation. Read less...

Two Pakistani Al Badr terrorists and one more unidentified terrorist were killed in another encounter that occurred at Kala Dafli village, Bafliaz area of Surankote tehsil (administrative unit), on the same day, in Poonch district. The group affiliation of the third terrorist could not be ascertained immediately. Sources said the slain terrorists had laid an ambush on an SF team, and were killed in SF retaliatory firing. Two AK rifles, three magazines and a radio set were seized from the incident-site. Read less...

Unnamed sources said a group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists engaged troops of the 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in an encounter in Nayidgam in Shopian, Pulwama district, on the same day. A local HM terrorist identified as Mohammad Abbas Tantray was killed in the encounter. Read less...

Police arrested two suspected terrorists in Kupwara and Rajouri districts. An unspecified quantity of arms and ammunition was also recovered from their possession. Read less...

Terrorists exploded an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Arhama Shopian, on the same day. However, no loss of life or injuries has been reported. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists abducted and later killed a civilian in area, Pulwama district, on January 12. Read less...

During another raid on a terrorist hideout in Dabipora, Khansaheb, Budgam district, SFs killed two Pakistani cadres of the LeT. Separately, SF personnel killed another Lashkar terrorist at Panzla in the Sopore-Rafiabad belt of Baramulla district. Read less...

In another incident, two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists, including ‘divisional commander’ Abu Hamza, were killed in an encounter in Bungam Qadarana village, Marwah area of Doda district. The other terrorist killed in the operation was identified as Mohammed Asadullah, a fidayee n (suicide cadre), hailing from Islamabad, Pakistan. Two AK rifles and some ammunition were recovered from them. Read less...

In Bandipore area, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel raided a terrorist hideout in Arin village. According to a tip-off, some Pakistani and Kashmiri cadres of the LeT were present at the residence of a civilian. However, during the subsequent encounter, three terrorists managed to escape, while a fourth was arrested. Official sources said a civilian was killed during the exchange of gunfire. Read less...

In Ganderbal area, security forces killed a Pakistani terrorist of the HM in an encounter in Yangoora village. At least one more terrorist is believed to have escaped from the cordoned area. Read less...

In Srinagar, terrorists killed a BSF personnel and injured another at the Batmaloo General Bus Stand. The Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has reportedly claimed responsibility for this killing. Read less...

In the capital city of Srinagar, terrorists fired several shots at the residence of Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Satnam Singh, and commercial premises, opposite Maisuma Police Station. However, no casualties were reported in this incident. Read less...

Official sources said two terrorists and a SF personnel were killed in Hill Tak area, Rajouri district, on January 13, in an operation launched to apprehend Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) local terrorist Tahir Billa. He had reportedly assaulted a number of female students in Darhal area and torched their uniforms and books while issuing threats to them to stop education and wear burqas (veil). SFs, on specific information that Billa and his associates had taken shelter at a residence in Hill Tak, commenced a search operation. Even as they were surrounding the house, they were fired upon by the terrorists. In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists and a SF personnel were killed. Two AK rifles with some ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the encounter-site. The operation was continuing, when reports last came in. Meanwhile, official sources confirmed the presence of Tahir Billa in the encounter. Read less...

Reports from north Kashmir said unidentified terrorists abducted two sons of a civilian from their residence, in Panar village, Bandipore area. Later, their bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from a nearby forest. Both were reportedly tortured and later shot dead. No terrorist outfit has claimed responsibility for the incident. Residents of the area were quoted as saying that the duo had been killed on the suspicion that they had furnished information about terrorists’ movement to security forces. Read less...

SFs foiled an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Keri sector, Rajouri district, and killed three terrorists. Three AK-56 rifles, five magazines, 190 rounds of ammunition, a wireless set and Rs. 15,000 in Indian currency were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists barged into the residence of a civilian in Dodipora, Handwara district, and shot him dead, while another civilian, resident of the same village, sustained injuries. Read less...

According to a media report, the Lashkar-e-Jabbar (LJ) has asked all non-Muslim doctors working in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir to leave the State within 10 days. A poster bearing the signature of the group was found at an unnamed hospital in State capital Srinagar, on January 14. Read less...

According to media reports, a group of unidentified terrorists abducted two civilians from their residences i the Seeldhar area, Udhampur district, on January 14. While the dead body of one of them was recovered from a forest area the whereabouts of the other remain uncertain, thus far. Read less...

An unidentified terrorist killed a former spokesperson of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bemina, on the outskirts of the capital city Srinagar. Official sources said Ghulam Hassan Chopan, who functioned as Jaish spokesperson with the code name Abu Gazali, was living with his teacher-wife in the government quarters in Bemina. Before joining the JeM, Chopan had functioned as a ‘district commander’ with the Hizbullah outfit and operated under the code name Colonel Hyder. Read less...

Another foreign mercenary was killed in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district. The slain terrorist was identified as Sajjad Afghani, a ‘commander’ of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). From his possession, the SFs recovered an AK-56 rifle, three magazines, 60 ammunition rounds and a radio set. Separately, a Pakistani terrorist was killed in an encounter in Lolab area, Kupwara district. Read less...

In another incident, a woman was injured in an exchange of fire between terrorists and SFs in Jawalapura Bounjwa, Kishtwar area of Doda district. The terrorists escaped after the firing. Read less...

Reports from south Kashmir said unidentified terrorists abducted and later shot dead a forest guard near Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam area. He was reportedly killed on the allegation that he was an informer of SFs. Read less...

Security forces (SFs) killed a suspected foreign mercenary in an encounter with a group of four terrorists in Mahore area, in the same district. An AK rifle, three magazines, 44 AK rounds, two radio sets and a hand grenade were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

Two unidentified terrorists intercepted a civilian truck that was carrying ration in Kotli Kalaban, Manjakote area, Rajouri district, and set it ablaze. Read less...

A Sub Inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) was killed and two more personnel injured in an IED attack on their convoy by terrorists in Amar Garh, near Sopore. Read less...

According to official sources, two unidentified terrorists killed a Special Task Force (STF) constable and injured three other persons, including two women, at their residence in Patta Dhar village of Doda district, on January 15. Both the terrorists escaped after the killing. Sources added that the slain STF personnel had been instrumental in conducting a series of successful operations against terrorists in Doda. Consequently, he was on the hit list of terrorists and was being followed by them. Read less...

In a significant seizure, SFs recovered 61 IEDs, meant for disrupting the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, from four Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists arrested in Baramulla district. Approximately 400 rounds of ammunition, 100 electric detonators, 33 under-barrel grenade launchers, 10 hand grenades and some incriminating documents were also recovered from the terrorists arrested during operations in Limber, Binjer and Shahkote villages of the district, said official sources. Read less...

SFs killed a suspected foreign mercenaryin Chatyari village of Rajouri district. An AK rifle with an unspecified quantity of ammunition was recovered from him. Another terrorist was killed in an encounter in Bernali village, Mahore area of Udhampur district. An AK-47 rifle, three AK magazines, 70 rounds of ammunition, a radio set, a hand grenade, a binocular and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

Speaking to media personnel after addressing the Army Day parade in New Delhi, on January 15, Army chief General N C Vij said there has been no decrease in infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). He said the Army has increased surveillance along the LoC to foil Pakistan's attempts to push terrorists into J&K. There would be no reduction in the number of troops in the Kashmir Valley, he said, and added, "We need to consolidate our presence [in the Valley]". Read less...

Two civilians were killed in an exchange of fire between a group of terrorists and security force (SF) personnel in Bhala Gharat village, Surankote. Even as SF personnel tried to save the civilians, the terrorists, numbering between five to six, managed to escape. Separately, another civilian, a resident of Mahore area, Udhampur district, who was abducted by terrorists on January 13 along with another civilian, was found dead in a forest area, on January 15. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists set ablaze the residence of a Special Police Officer (SPO) in Byatyali, Basantgarh area of Udhampur. Read less...

A woman was killed during an encounter in Warnau village, Lolab valley of Kupwara district. Read less...

Also, a foreign mercenary was killed while he was attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Bhimber Gali sector, Poonch district. However, two other infiltrators of the group managed to escape back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Recoveries made from the incident-site included an AK rifle, two magazines, 43 rounds of ammunition, two RPGs, 16 RPG grenades, a sniper rifle, a claymore mine and Rs 5500 in Indian currency. In a separate incident, another terrorist affiliated to the LeT was killed by SFs in Chachal village, Banihal area of Doda district. An AK rifle, three magazines and 90 rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. Read less...

In another raid in Nagri, Magam forest area of Kupwara-Handwara, a Pakistani cadre of the LeT was killed. Read less...

Media reports on January 16 said British High Commissioner to India Sir Rob Young, during an interaction with people in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), said cross border terrorism from Pakistan was hindering the initiation of a dialogue process between India and Pakistan. He also asked Pakistan to implement its promise made to the international community on completely stopping cross-border terrorism in J&K. He said Britain was interested in the return of peace and development in J&K, and has always advocated dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir problem. Read less...

Official sources in north Kashmir said, on specific information, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police raided a terrorist hideout at Potshai in Lolab valley of Kupwara district, on January 16. In the ensuing encounter, a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist was killed and five SOG personnel, including unit leader and prominent counter-insurgent in the district Javed Kawa, sustained injuries. Other members of the terrorist group, however, managed to escape. Read less...

Reports from north Kashmir indicated, meanwhile, that security forces (SFs) conducted a search operation in Dangiwacha forest area of Rafiabad belt, Baramulla district. Unconfirmed reports said two terrorists were killed during this operation. The encounter was continuing when reports last came in. Read less...

Security forces destroyed a terrorist hideout in Banihal area of Doda district and recovered two IEDs, weighing 30 kgs and filled with RDX, six detonators and two radio sets fitted with antennas. Separately, two more terrorist hideouts were destroyed by SFs in Thara and Bhatikas villages, the Mendhar area, Poonch district. Read less...

Security forces recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Patli Mohalla, Sumbal-Hajan road, in Hajan. Along with a cluster of 11 hand grenades, the IED had reportedly been planted on the road by unidentified terrorists who had planned an attack on State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, who was scheduled to move in the area. Read less...

Separately, unidentified terrorist set ablaze the residence of a village headman in Nambal village, Kalakote area of Rajouri district. However, no casualties were reported in this incident. Read less...

A terrorist was killed during an encounter in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district. Five more terrorists were reportedly trapped in the operation, which was continuing, when reports last came in. Read less...

In another incident, a civilian, resident of Chakras in Mahore area of Udhampur district, was killed by two unidentified terrorists at his residence. Read less...

In the state capital Srinagar, unidentified terrorists fired upon and injured a civilian in Solina area. According to residents of the area, terrorists had been suspecting him to be an informer of the security forces. In a separate incident in Srinagar, terrorists lobbed a hand grenade at a picket of the Border Security Force (BSF) in the Soura area. However, no loss of life or injuries was reported as the grenade missed the intended target and exploded at a distance. Read less...

Official sources in north Kashmir said, on the basis of specific information, security forces raided a terrorist hideout in Kachhama forests, Kupwara district, and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. However, the terrorists, who had dumped the explosive material in the hideout, were not present in the cordoned area. The seizure included 72 hand grenades, 34 rifle grenades, two under barrel grenade launchers, seven anti-tank mines, a disposable rocket launcher, 22 mortar bombs, 50 detonators and 1,600 rounds of AK-56 ammunition. Read less...

The Special Operations Group of Jammu & Kashmir Police launched a cordon-and-search operation at Chak Sari village in Pattan area of Baramulla district. According to a tip-off, a group of heavily armed terrorists affiliated to the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) was present in the village. Unconfirmed reports said at least two terrorists were killed in the subsequent encounter, which was continuing, when reports last came in. Separately, officials confirmed the death of two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists in the encounter that had begun in the Rafiabad belt of Baramulla district, on January 16. Read less...

In another incident, four terrorists looted over Rupees eight lakh cash from three employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Panjhai nullah near Shahdara Sharief in the Rajouri district and escaped. They also snatched the weapon and cartridges of the bank guard but did not cause any harm to the guard and two other bank employees. According to a media report, the cash was donation offered at the holy shrine of Shahdara Sharief and was being taken for depositing in the bank’s Gujjar Mandi branch. Meanwhile, a message, intercepted by police later in evening, indicated the involvement of the Al-Mansooran group in this incident. Read less...

Separately, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) in a statement faxed to a local news agency has threatened to attack office bearers of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It accused the PDP-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir of not fulfilling its electoral promise of disbanding the Special Operations Group of the State Police. Saiful Islam, ‘operational commander’ of the group was quoted as saying, "If Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed does not mend his ways, we are capable of targeting his party’s office bearers." Read less...

SF personnel killed an unidentified terrorist in the Mansabal forest area of Baramulla district. Read less...

Three persons, including an Army Major and a terrorist, were killed during an in the Chroni village in the Kishtwar area of Doda district on January 18. Official sources said security forces (SFs) launched a search operation in Chroni after securing specific information regarding the presence of a large group of terrorists at a hideout, located on a mountain. They said the approaching SFs were subjected to heavy firing and grenade attacks by the terrorists. In the ensuing encounter, two SF personnel, including an Army Major, and a terrorist were killed. However, the other terrorists managed to escape towards a surrounding forest area and were being pursued by the SF personnel. Recoveries made from the incident site included two AK-56 rifles, three magazines, 100 rounds of ammunition, a wireless set, four hand grenade, 2000 kg ration and 40 blankets. Sources added that there were five to six terrorists present in the hideout. Read less...

Three SF personnel were injured as unidentified terrorists threw a grenade at the Anantnag Bus Stand targeting a picket of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Read less...

Also, a patrol party of the Special Task Force (STF) destroyed a terrorist hideout in Kishtwar area of Doda district. Recoveries made from the hideout included three large shells, three RPG boosters, 18 battery cells and 600 Pika rounds. The terrorists were not present in the hideout at the time of raid, said official sources. Read less...

In another incident, unidentified terrorists attacked a Special Police Officers (SPO) post, in Vernal village, Banihal area of Doda district. Even as the SPOs retaliated, the terrorists managed to escape. While fleeing, they reportedly set ablaze the residence of a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member. Read less...

In Sherabad area of Tral Pulwama district, terrorists set-off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast targeting a vehicle of the Border Security Force (BSF). However, it missed the intended target and failed to cause any damage. Read less...

Official sources in north Kashmir said two unidentified terrorists killed a police personnel, his son and nephew at their residence in Gund-e-Qaisar, in Bandipore. The slain personnel was working for the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The terrorists escaped after the killings. Although no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the killings official sources said the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen group carried them out. Read less...

Official sources said an SF patrol party, covering a forward area in Bhimber Gali sector on the Line of Control (LoC), in Rajouri district, observed movement of a group of infiltrators. In the encounter that followed, while three infiltrators were killed the others managed to escape into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). An unspecified quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter-site. Sources added that the recovery indicated that infiltrators had planned to disrupt Republic Day celebrations on January 26 in Rajouri district. The terrorists are believed to be Pakistani cadres affiliated to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group. Read less...

Security forces (SFs), on January 19, killed six terrorists, including three infiltrators, in two separate encounters in Rajouri and Udhampur districts, while terrorists killed a police personnel and two of his family in Bandipore. Read less...

Separately, reports from south Kashmir indicated that an unidentified terrorist lobbed a hand grenade at a police bus at Kulgam bus stand. However, it missed the intended target and hit a passenger bus, causing injuries to 21 civilians. The Hizb-e-Islami outfit has reportedly claimed responsibility for this blast. Read less...

Three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists were killed in an encounter at their hideout in Mahore area of Udhampur district. Two AK rifles and a radio set were recovered from them. Read less...

Two front ranking HM terrorists laid down arms in Baramulla district, said a defence spokesperson. HM ‘battalion commander’ Manzoor Ahmad Haqla and ‘sector commander’ Nazir Ahmad surrendered to the SFs in Chati-Bandi village, Bandipora area. They handed over two AK assault rifles, eight magazines, 283 rounds of ammunition, an under-barrel grenade launcher and nine hand grenades to the authorities, the spokesperson added. This is the first surrender of two senior commanders of any terrorist group since the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government assumed power in the State. Read less...

According to a media report, the Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HuJI) asked Muslim women to quit jobs in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police and has set January 25 as the deadline, failing which they would "face serious consequences". The threat was reportedly issued through a poster the group pasted at a mosque in Shahdra Sharief, Rajouri district. It also said all Muslim girls should get married after they reach the age of 15 and should desist from taking bath in the open in rivulets. The poster, issued by the 313 HuJI brigade, based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), "directed" Imams (priests) to make an announcement to "implement the order effectively". As reported earlier, a similar threat was issued earlier this month (January) by the lesser-known Lashkar-e-Jabbar (LeJ) terrorist outfit0. Read less...

Another report said terrorists detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the entrance of the Government Degree College, in Baramulla, on the Srinagar-Baramulla road. Official sources said the IED was planted in a three-wheeler parked outside the college. An SF personnel was killed and two others injured as their convoy passing by. Separately, another IED, weighing approximately 40kg was defused by SFs in Awantipora Township, Jammu-Srinagar national highway. One more IED planted by terrorists under a bridge in Sopore was also detected and defused. Read less...

Besides, unidentified terrorists fired two rockets at Kandi Koteranka police station, Rajouri district, killing a civilian and injuring four of his family members. After the rocket attacks, the terrorists also opened fire at the police station. However, after a brief exchange of firing, the terrorists escaped. No damage occurred to the police station. Read less...

Maulana Mohammed Sirajul Hassen, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind National president, said the Islamic concept of Jihad is being misinterpreted in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and abroad by elements that did not want a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. He was speaking in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, on January 20, Read less...

Official sources said a group of three terrorists killed a former Special Police Officer (SPO) at his residence in Fazlabad village, Surankote area of Poonch district. Sources added that the family members snatched an AK-47 rifle, five magazines and 17 rounds of ammunition from one of the fleeing terrorists. Read less...

Other reports said the bullet riddled body of a civilian, an employee of Jammu and Kashmir Irrigation Department, was recovered from Nambal area in Mattan. Official sources said he was abducted by terrorists and later shot dead. Read less...

Reports from south Kashmir indicated security forces killed two terrorists in Tserpora Uttarsu, Shangus area, Anantnag district. Read less...

Security forces foiled an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector, Poonch district, and killed two terrorists while two others escaped back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Two AK rifles, seven magazines, 150 rounds of ammunition, Rs 10,000 in Indian currency and four hand grenades were recovered from the slain infiltrators, who were believed to be Pakistanis. Read less...

Two terrorists, including a ‘deputy district commander’ of the Al Badr group, were killed in an encounter at their hideout in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district, on January 20. The encounter was continuing, when reports last came in. Three more terrorists are still locked in a gun-battle with security forces (SFs). Two AK rifles and an unspecified quantity of ammunition were recovered from the incident-site. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists attacked a picket of the Special Task Force (STF) in Qayar, Dachchan area of Doda district. However, no casualties or injuries were reported from the incident-site. Read less...

US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill, on January 18, said there is no such term as a freedom fighter, at least not to describe those who terrorise and kill indiscriminately as they are doing in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Addressing a gathering of Indians at San Jose in the US, he said, "The US will continue to urge President Musharraf (of Pakistan) to do everything in his power to end permanently terrorist infiltration into J & K." The Line of Control between India and Pakistan "cannot be changed by violence, " he added. Read less...

Yet another report said security forces destroyed a hideout of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) in Chingaon, Chatru area of Doda district, and recovered a 9mm pistol, a hand grenade, 30 UBGL grenades, a wireless set, a binocular, three rockets, three boosters and 500 AK rounds. However, no arrests were made from the hideout. Read less...

A terrorist affiliated to the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) surrendered to SFs in Doda district. He handed over a pistol, two ammunition rounds and a grenade while surrendering. Read less...

According to a media report, with the aim of disrupting Republic Day functions in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on January 26, Pakistan's Special Services Group (SSG) has readied suicide squads of terrorists at various places along the International Border. Official sources were quoted as saying in the report that eight to nine suicide squads, besides other terrorists, have been brought from interior areas of Pakistan and kept ready at three different launching pads in Shakergarh sector of Pakistan for infiltration into J&K to disrupt Republic Day functions. These include suicide squads of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Al Badr. The terrorists have been reportedly instructed to carry out suicide attacks at Republic Day venues, attack Ministers and target religious places on or before January 26. These terrorists are reportedly being directly commanded by the SSG, also known as the ‘Sabotage Force’. Read less...

According to a report in the Daily Excelsior, during attempts to block the strategy of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s external intelligence agency, from gaining control over Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), serious differences have emerged between the faction led by Abdul Majid Dar and Pakistan-based Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin. Amidst reports that severe clashes had occurred between supporters of Salahuddin and Dar at the Haripur Camp in Pakistan, the Majid Dar faction is now contemplating retaliating in the Kashmir Valley by expelling Salahuddin from the Hizb. According a Hizb cadre, who was reportedly arrested at the border recently in north Kashmir, a clash between the two factions turned serious after Salahuddin brought in foreign mercenaries into the camp to assault Dar ‘loyalists’. The terrorist also revealed that a clash had taken place on January 15 forcing the ISI to shift Dar loyalists back to the Tarbela camp in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The PoK-based Hizb Central Command Council expelled Dar along with Assad Yazdani and Zaffar Abdul Fateh on May 4, 2002, which was followed by the expulsion of two more leaders. Differences had emerged between the Valley-based command and Pakistan-based leadership soon after the announcement of the July 2000-cease-fire by the Hizb. Read less...

Also, a woman was abducted by unidentified terrorists and later killed at her brother's residence in Sadgi Bhatta, Kishtwar. In another incident, terrorists set-off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) targeting an SF vehicle in Nawa village, Qazigund-Kulgam belt of south Kashmir, injuring six SF personnel. According to a local news agency, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) has claimed responsibility for the blast. Read less...

Official sources said a group of approximately six terrorists entered Bajmasta village, Ramban area of Doda district, and abducted two Village Defence Committee (VDC) members from their residence on January 21. The terrorists later shot dead both of them at an isolated area. The terrorists also set ablaze the residence of one of the slain VDC members. The same group of terrorists later reportedly attacked the adjacent Nali in village, in Sumbar area, and killed another civilian, sources added. The terrorists, later, managed to escape. Read less...

Quoting unnamed Indian officials media reports said Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, presently on an official visit to Qatar, had a meeting with Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir Al Thani, in Doha, on January 21. At the meeting, both the leaders agreed that pending issues like extradition treaty, mutual legal assistance treaty and joint working group on counter-terrorism would be addressed soon and officials of the two countries would hold discussions if necessary. The two sides also discussed the global threat of terrorism and the need for international cooperation. Advani briefed the Qatari Minister regarding Pakistan's continuing support to cross-border terrorism in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), reports added. Read less...

Security force (SF) personnel killed two hardcore terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit, including an ‘area commander’, during an encounter in Ranot village, Gundana area of Doda district. Two AK-56 rifles, three magazines, 17 rounds of ammunition, a wireless set, three hand grenades and some explosive material was recovered from the possession of the slain terrorists. However, official sources said at least two terrorists of the group managed to escape during the encounter. Read less...

Security forces killed two unidentified terrorists in an encounter in Aragam, Bandipore area of north Kashmir. The operation, official sources said, had been launched on specific information provided by the villagers. Read less...

Terrorists lobbed a hand grenade into the Pamposh Hotel premises, housing two battalion headquarters of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), in the Civil Lines area of Srinagar, the State capital. Two CRPF personnel and a civilian were injured in this explosion. Two terrorist groups, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, have simultaneously claimed that cadres of their groups carried out the attack. Read less...

The successful conduct of State Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has led to the resurgence of "hope and expectations" among the people, making it easier for the Army to check infiltration, Chief of Army Staff Gen. N C Vij said in New Delhi, on January 21. "Things are looking up in Kashmir. After the successful Assembly elections, there is rise in hope and expectations among the people, who are now supporting us in our efforts at checking infiltration," said Gen. Vij. While indicating that Pakistan still continues to send in foreign mercenaries, he added, "… but now we are better prepared to thwart all designs of the neighbour aimed at increasing infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir." Read less...

In a separate encounter, another terrorist affiliated to the Harkat-e-Jehad-e-Islami (HuJI) was killed in Hingipora, Dooru-Kapran locality of Anantnag district. Read less...

In another incident, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) ‘platoon commander’ Habibullah alias Saifullah was killed in an encounter in Kudara, about 20km from Bandipore. Read less...

Reports from Rajouri district, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), indicated that unidentified terrorists abducted and later beheaded a civilian in Dhok village, Thanna Mandi area, on January 22. Read less...

The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), on January 22, threatened to carry out more suicide attacks in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). "We will carry out Fidayeen (suicide) attacks on security forces' bases across the valley to force the withdrawal of troops from held Kashmir," spokesman Abu Esa said in a statement sent to newspapers in Srinagar, capital city of J&K. Read less...

The separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has called for a shutdown on January 26, India’s Republic Day. It has reportedly asked the people of Kashmir to observe a ‘black day’ and ensure a complete shutdown. Read less...

A group of five unidentified terrorists attacked the residence of a Congress (I) leader in Batoli Kahara, Gandoh area of Doda district, and injured four members of his family. Official sources said retaliatory firing by the leader’s Personal Security Officer forced the terrorists to escape. Read less...

In Kudpora, Anantnag district, SF personnel recovered a five-kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted inside a galvanised iron pipe near a graveyard. Separately, in Pir Taki, Anantnag district, unidentified terrorists set off an IED blast targeting a security forces vehicle. However, there was no damage due caused. Read less...

Official sources in north Kashmir said two unidentified terrorists forced a passenger bus to halt near Shrai village in Tangmarg area and later killed two commuters. The terrorists escaped after the killing. Unconfirmed reports said one of the slain civilians was an activist of the National Conference. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for this killing, thus far. Read less...

Security forces (SFs) killed a foreign mercenary in an encounter in Janu forests, Gambhir area of Rajouri district. He was identified as Abdul Khalik Qari alias Qari Bhat, a Pakistani affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). However, two of his associates escaped from the incident-site. Recoveries made from the site included an AK rifle, four magazines, 123 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, a wireless set and Rs 200 in Indian currency. Read less...

Separately, SF personnel killed a terrorist affiliated to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Khudari village, Bandipora area of Baramulla district. Read less...

SFs, on securing specific information, raided a terrorist hideout in Kani Bahak, Lolab valley of Kupwara district. In the ensuing encounter, a Pakistani terrorist was killed while others of the group escaped. An AK-56 rifle and a damaged wireless set were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

Terrorists set ablaze two residences of civilians in Bajmasta village, in Sumbar area, Doda district. However, no casualties were reported in this incident. Read less...

A civilian was killed by unidentified terrorists in Goo-Narh Bathole village, Mahore area of Udhampur district. Read less...

According to a media report, secessionist All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) senior leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid was released on bail by a court, in Srinagar, on January 24, after over a year’s detention in various jails in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Rashid, who was functioning as information secretary of the secessionist amalgam, was arrested on January 12, 2002, under the Public Safety Act, which was revoked on technical grounds in June 2002. Rashid was released on bail from the Kotbalwal Jail in Jammu on November 13 after the People’s Democratic Party came to power in the State, but was taken into custody again. Read less...

In another incident, a Road Opening Party of the Army detected an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by unidentified terrorists at Rattanbas, near Banihal, Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Separately, security forces recovered 20kg of liquefied RDX and an electronic detonator from a passenger bus near Sumbal. The vehicle was on its way to Srinagar from Bandipore. Read less...

Security forces (SFs), on January 24, killed two foreign mercenaries of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in an encounter in Mendhar area, Poonch district. According to media reports, a cordon and search operation was launched by SFs in the Kasblari forests near the Line of Control (LoC), in Mendhar sector. In the ensuing encounter, while two terrorists were killed, two others of the group escaped. Two AK-56 rifles, six magazines, a wireless set, 30 AK rounds and some xplosive material were recovered from the encounter-site. Read less...

The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) in a faxed statement said the PDP-led coalition government’s ‘healing touch’ policy was killing the "freedom movement" in Jammu and Kashmir. The outfit’s "Central Field Command Council" observed that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in the name of applying healing touch to the wounds of the people, was killing a "freedom movement." The Hizb alleged that the Sayeed government had employed the policy of making Kashmiris fight one another and thus perpetuate its "puppet" rule in the State. It also accused the State government of backtracking on its promises of disbanding the Special Operations Group (SOG). The group also claimed that deploying members of the SOG, Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and the yet-to-be-introduced Jammu and Kashmir Voluntary Force (JKVF) at Police Stations was a game plan to involve State Police in counter-insurgency operations. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists killed Congress (I) activist Mohammad Nasir Banday, in Nagshirin village, Shopian area of Pulwama district. A media report indicated that, while his father had been shot dead by terrorists in 1991, his brother Mohammad Shafi Banday was the losing Congress (I) candidate from Shopian in the 2002-Legislative Assembly elections. Read less...

In another incident, one police personnel was killed and six others sustained injuries as terrorists targeted a police vehicle and caused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast near Ganeshpora Bridge in the Aeshmuqam area of Anantnag district. According to a local news agency, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attack. Read less...

In Rajouri, the dead body of a civilian who was abducted on January 20 by unidentified terrorists was recovered from Kandi Gala in Koteranka. Read less...

In the Sopore area, unidentified terrorists fired two rockets towards a newly established SF formation at Bumai. However, no loss of life or injuries was reported. Further, SF personnel destroyed a hideout of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) outfit at Khanetar Top and recovered 315 AK rounds, two hand grenades, four magazines and some eatables. Read less...

Official sources in north Kashmir have indicated that SF personnel killed two Pakistani terrorists affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) group at Nathipora on the Sopore-Kupwara road. An unspecified quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from their possession. Sources added that the slain terrorists were heading for Handwara to carry out attacks on the occasion of Republic Day on January 26, today. Read less...

Security forces (SFs) thwarted an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Khari Karmara sector of Poonch district on January 25 killing two Pakistani terrorists of the Al Badr outfit. Two other terrorists of the group, however, managed to escape back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Recoveries made from the encounter site included one AK rifle with two magazines, a pistol with four magazines and 20 rounds of ammunition, four hand grenades and a wireless set. Read less...

A spokesperson of the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen in a faxed message to a local news agency in Kashmir has claimed that the Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami’s current visit to India and his participation in the Republic Day ceremony in New Delhi on January 26 had destroyed Iran’s dignity and self-respect. He alleged that by his participation in the New Delhi ceremony, Khatami had condoned the atrocities of Indian security forces in Kashmir. The spokesperson added that Khatami had hurt the sentiments of the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir. Read less...

According to official sources, a group of four unidentified terrorists shot dead a retired Army personnel in his residence, in Larkot village, Chingus area of Rajouri district, on January 26. The terrorists escaped after the killing. Read less...

In another incident, a security force (SF) personnel was killed when terrorists ambushed an Army patrol party in Chakras village, Mahore area of Udhampur district. Read less...

Official sources in north Kashmir said, based on specific information, SFs raided a terrorist hideout in Wagoora village of Kreeri belt, Baramulla district. A tip-off said a group of heavily armed Pakistani terrorists was present in the village. In the subsequent encounter, three Pakistani cadres of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and an SF personnel were killed. Read less...

Security forces defused a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Kishtwar. The IED had reportedly been planted by the terrorists to blast a civilian vehicle. Read less...

The Union government has decided to re-deploy the Border Security Force (BSF) at the borders and avail the services of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for internal security duties in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), BSF Inspector General G S Gill said in Srinagar, on January 26. "Government of India has taken a policy decision whereby CRPF has been selected as the main force to fight insurgency and BSF to guard the borders to further strengthen the frontiers of the country", said Gill. He also said the process would be set in motion this year although it had not yet been decided in which sector the BSF will be re-inducted first. Meanwhile, a media report quoting official sources said initially eight battalions of the CRPF would take over counter-insurgency duties from the BSF in J&K. Read less...

Also, official sources said a police personnel, who had sustained injuries in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast on January 25 near Ganeshpora, Mattan area, succumbed to his injuries on January 27. Read less...

In the Lolab valley of Kupwara district, security forces killed a ‘battalion commander’ of the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JuM), Assadullah alias Abdul Haq, in an encounter on January 27. Read less...

Security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in Bragthore forests of Trehgam, Kupwara district. The seizures included 28 UBGL grenades, 23 Chinese grenades, 11 RPG rounds, three IEDs, three Kgs of RDX and a rocket. Read less...

Unidentified terrorists abducted a civilian from the Dangiwacha area, in Baramulla district, and later killed him. Separately, terrorists shot dead another civilian in Mawar, Kupwara district. Further, terrorists abducted a civilian from his residence in Dangarpora, in Sopore and later left him in an injured condition. Read less...

An encounter occurred between a group of unidentified terrorists and security forces in Dachchan village, Doda district. Although the exchange of firing continued for about an hour and a half the terrorists managed to escape. There was no report of casualties on either side. Read less...

National Conference (NC) leader and prominent businessman Farooq Ahmed Kuchchay and his Personal Security Officer were killed by a group of four suspected Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists in Udhir village, Chatru area of Doda district, on January 28. The terrorists also reportedly took away a rifle of the slain PSO, said official sources. Sources added Kuchchay was reportedly asked by the terrorists to pay Rs one lakh to the outfit every month. Read less...

A Congress (I) leader had a narrow escape in a grenade attack in Shopian town, Pulwama district. Further, an Ikhwani (counter insurgent), Ajaz Ahmad, was injured when two unidentified terrorists fired indiscriminately towards the Ikhwan camp at Kulgam. Read less...

In another incident, an unidentified terrorist was killed in a clash between two terrorist groups at Nowgam, in Kokernag, said official sources. Read less...

Security force personnel killed a foreign mercenary of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Bagla Top, Rajouri district, on January 29. However, two associates of the slain terrorist managed to escape. An AK rifle and some ammunition were recovered from his possession. Read less...

Security forces arrested a cadre of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) at Kangan. A pistol, two magazines and five rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. Read less...