Jammu & Kashmir: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2018

Soon after thousands joined the funeral of slain JeM militant Fardeen Ahmad Khanday in Tral in Pulwama District, his hometown, on January 1, the Pakistan-based JeM released a video of 17-year-old Khanday, the son of a Police Constable, in which he asks Kashmiris to join the "jihad" against India to establish Islamic rule, reports Daily Excelsior. "The rise in jihad has nothing to do with unemployment, as claimed by India; it is a reaction to Kashmir's occupation by India," the slain JeM militant is seen and heard saying in Urdu in the video. "The kaffirs have occupied our land, the modesty of our women is at stake, so jihad becomes our duty ... therefore, it becomes your duty to fight for azadi," he is heard saying. A resident of Nazeen Pora in Tral, Fardeen Khanday had joined the terrorist outfit in September 2017. His father is a serving Police Constable, Ghulam Mohammad Khanday.In the video, which went viral on January 1, Fardeen is shown with an automatic rifle, surrounded by several hand grenades and other ammunition, asking Kashmiri Muslims to join the "jihad" as, according to him, India has taken away "our resources and is using them for their betterment". "Besides, our women are not safe and, equally, men are tortured by Indian soldiers," Khanday says in the video. Read less...

Two boys from Kangan area of Pulwama District in South Kashmir, who had gone missing and later updated their pictures carrying a hand grenade over social media, surrendered before Army in Pulwama on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. The boys Suhail Ahmad Dar, a class 10th student and Arif Ahmad Dar, a 9th class student had gone missing after offering Friday prayers at the local mosque in Kangan. The duo then uploaded their pictures on Facebook, carrying a hand grenade. However, on January 1, the boys returned home and joined their families, who presented them before the Army at the 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) camp. The Army has assured the boys every help in their endeavor to return to the mainstream and promised that no cases will be pursued against them. The boys have handed over the hand grenade to the Army. The officials at the 55 RR camp reiterated that anyone who wants to shun violence and come back will be provided a dignified exit into the mainstream from violence. Read less...

A group of militants fired at the Police Station Pulwama in Pulwama District with automatic rifles and the Police guards fired back on January 2 night, reports Daily Excelsior. The firing continued for about 10 minutes. Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Army immediately launched an operation in the area and searches are being conducted against the militants, who fired at the Police Station.  However, sources said that the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police chief S P Vaid on January 2 said three more Kashmiri youth, who had taken up guns, have surrendered before the Security Forces (SFs), taking the number of militants who have surrendered in recent past to 10, reports The Indian Express. “Three more Kashmiri youth, who had joined militancy, have given up violence and returned back,” Vaid said. He said the youth have returned back in response to the call of their families. He said seven more youth had already given up militancy and returned back in the recent past. “With three more youth returning to mainstream, 10 youth, who had taken up guns, have given up path of violence and militancy so far,” he said. The process of surrenders started on November 17 after the footballer-turned-militant Majid Khan nicknamed Ben Stokes surrendered before the SFs following passionate video appeal from his mother. After Majid Khan’s surrender, mothers of many youth, who had taken up guns and joined militancy, also appealed their militant sons to give up militancy and return. Director General of Police (DGP) Vaid said 10 militants, who have surrendered so far, hailed from south and north Kashmir. Barring Majid, the identity of nine other militants, who surrendered before the security agencies, has not been revealed. The DGP once again appealed the local militants to surrender and join the mainstream.  Read less...

The Government has no plans to give general amnesty to the militants in Jammu and Kashmir and Maoists who give up violence and arms struggle, the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) was informed on January 2, reports Daily Excelsior. “There is no proposal for general amnesty to the militants,” Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in a reply to a written question in Lok Sabha. The reply came in response to a question on whether the Government has any proposal for extending general amnesty, along with a lucrative rehabilitation package, to the Maoists and militants who give up violence and arms struggle.The Minister said the Central Government was following a multi-pronged strategy to deal with Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeastern States. The multi-pronged strategy comprises security-related measures and development-related initiatives. “In Jammu and Kashmir and NE States, the Central Government is also following a policy of talks with those groups who abjure the path of violence and seek resolution of their demands peacefully within the framework of the Constitution of India,” he said. Read less...

A Border Security Force (BSF) Head Constable, identified as RP Hazra was killed in firing by Pakistani Rangers along the International Border (IB) in Samba sector in Samba District on January 3, reports Daily Excelsior. According to report, RP Hazra, whose 51st birthday falls on January 3, sustained a gun shot in his abdomen while manning forward border post at Chak Dulma in Samba sector at 4.20 pm January 3. Immediately after ceasefire violation by Pakistani Rangers, the BSF jawans (troopers) from this side retaliated very effectively to silence the Pakistani guns. Pakistani Rangers also opened firing at Manyari and Pansar in Samba and Londi and Bobiya areas in Hiranagar sector for a brief period, leading to exchanges. The firing stopped after sometime. Read less...

Pakistan army also violated ceasefire for a brief period along Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Poonch District on January 3 evening, reported Daily Excelsior. However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side. Indian troops retaliated effectively. Read less...

Police arrested three persons including an OGW (over ground worker) from Pattan area of Baramulla District on January 3, adds Daily Excelsior. Security Forces (SFs) identified the trio as Miyser Majid Bhat, OGW, Muzafar Ahmad Hurra and Bashir Bhat. The official said that arms and ammunition including a Chinese pistol, one magazine, four rounds, one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and 60 rounds were recovered from them. Read less...

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) on January 3 opposed before a Delhi court the bail application of an alleged stone pelter, arrested from Kashmir Valley in a terror case, citing his "anti-national" activities, reports The New Indian Express. The NIA, probing funding of terror and separatist activities in the valley, told District Judge Poonam A Bamba that 24-year-old Javed Ahmed Bhat was involved in anti-national activities and took active participation in stone pelting on Security Forces (SFs). The agency said there were serious apprehension about Bhat fleeing from justice as well as the country and that he could tamper with evidences if released on bail. It further added that the investigation into the case was still on and the accused remained non-cooperative during the probe. The NIA arrested Bhat on September 5, 2017 for his alleged involvement in stone pelting and organising groups of youths who would throw stones at the security personnel involved in counter-insurgency operations. Bhat had moved the bail application through advocate M S Khan, claiming that he was wrongly implicated in the case. Read less...

Unidentified militants shot dead a 25-year old man, identified as Arif Ahmad Sofi  in Sopore area of Baramulla District on January 3 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. Police said that Arif Ahmad Sofi son of Mohammad Maqbool Sofi of Wahipora Unisoo, Handwara in Kupwara District (at present Herwan Bomia, Sopore with maternal home) was shot at around 7:25 pm by militants at point blank range. Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off the area soon after the incident and launched searches against the militants responsible for the killing. Read less...

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir, on January 3, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament) said that as per government reports, there was no presence of ISIS [Islamic State or Daesh], but that the Ansar Gazwat ul-Hind which was formed and led by Zakir Musa has been active on social media, reports News 18. “As per report, nothing has been established on the ground that ISIS is operating in any part of Kashmir valley. However, Ansar Gazwat ul-Hind formed and led by Zakir Musa has posted adverse materials on social media. There are reports that at present, Zakir Musa has support of no less than 10 militants,” said Ahir. The Minister also said that “no militant Tanzeem called Taliban is presently operating in any part of Kashmir valley.”Earlier this year, a group of unidentified militants addressed a rally in Pulwama where they warned people against supporting ‘un-Islamic Pakistan while seeking support for Taliban. Barely hours after Ahir made the statement in Parliament, Ansar Gazwat ul-Hind, on January 3, posted a video (similar to the one they had put out sometime ago) talking about Babri Masjid demolition on a messaging group, detailing the history, background and calling out Muslims in India to embrace jihad. On December 26, the group also posted an interview with Ustad Usama Mehmood, the spokesman of Al Qaeda of the sub-continent. In October this year, the outfit had released an audio clip on a conversation between the outfit’s leader Zakir Musa and slain militant Abu Dujana. Read less...

A Pakistani intruder was killed as BSF personnel foiled a major infiltration attempt from across the IB in Arnia sector in Jammu District during wee hours of January 4 (today), reports The Indian Express. Sources said that BSF personnel noticed movement of a group of 4-5 terrorists near the barbed wire fence under the cover of thick fog in the area. The BSF personnel opened fire killing one of them, while others managed to flee back to Pakistan side. The area has been cordoned off. More details is awaited.  Read less...

Acting on a tip-off from a military intelligence (MI) unit, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army personnel arrested six persons involved in preparation and sale of fake stamps and identity documents of Indian Army in Baramulla District, reports The Hindu on January 5. Security Forces (SFs) are jointly investigating a major security breach after nearly 10 SIM cards procured in the name of Army units using fake documents were seized in Baramulla District. At least six SIM cards had “ended up with the militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)”, sources said.Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain said that six persons had been arrested. They have been identified as Sajad Ahmad Baba, Gowhar Ahmad Geelani, Abid Bilal Qadri, Mushtaq Shah aliasMastan, Azmatullah Bhat and Kanwol Jeet Singh, who runs a printing press. “Two more have been detained for questioning,” Hussain said. The racket came to light after tracking LeT militants for two months. “We have seized nearly 10 fake SIM cards so far. They were used for criminal activities,” he said. Initial investigation suggested that 30 SIM cards were issued on fake documents of Army units in north Kashmir. The modus operandi of the module, apparently operating at the behest of militants, was to create fake stamps of Army units and print forms. Read less...

After New Year eve (December 31) fidayeen (suicide) attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in south Kashmir, the security agencies in Kashmir Valley are apprehending more fidayeen attacks by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants and have increased the security around the security installations, reports The New Indian Express on January 5. “Yes, there is apprehension of Fidayeen attack on security force camps in the Valley,” Inspector General (IG) CRPF Ravideep Singh Sahi said. He said there are also chances of militants carrying out grenade lobbing and hit-and-run attacks on Security Forces (SFs). “With Republic Day approaching, there are chances that militants may resort to attacks,” IG CRPF said.He said the security of camps has been reviewed after the New Year eve fidayeen attack on CRPF camp by three JeM militants, two of whom were locals. He said the security apparatus would be beefed up to foil any militant attacks. Sources said three militants who launched fidayeen attack on CRPF camp at Lethpora in Pulwama District on December 31 belonged to Afzal Guru Squad of Jaish.“The Afzal Guru Squad was written in one of the AK-47 rifle of the militants killed in the 36-hour encounter in CRPF camp,” they said. According to sources, the militants who had participated in District Police Lines Pulwama and Airport fidayeen attacks last year (2017) had also written Afzal Guru squad on the wall and warned of taking revenge of Afzal Guru’s killing. A Senior Police official said a group of Jaish militants is on run and they may be planning another fidayeen attack on security installations in the Valley. Read less...

The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 4 inflicted heavy casualties and damages on Pakistan by killing and injuring a number of Rangers, most likely around a dozen, smashing their two mortar posts and thwarting an infiltration attempt along the International Border (IB) in RS Pura sector in Jammu District, reports Daily Excelsior. Though there was no official word from the BSF on ‘exact number of casualties’, both fatal and non-fatal, suffered by the Rangers, reliable reports said the number could be ‘around a dozen’. “Many Rangers have been killed or injured in retaliatory firing by the BSF after the BSF Head Constable RP Hazra was martyred yesterday [January 3] afternoon in Pakistan firing at Chak Dulma in Samba sector,” reports said, adding that there was panic among the Rangers, which was quite visible with ambulances taking repeated rounds of forward areas of Sialkot sector of Pakistan.Three civilians were also injured on Pakistan side as they were caught in the retaliatory firing even though the BSF directly targeted the posts of Rangers and not the civilian areas to avenge the killing of Hazra. “Two mortar posts of the Rangers were located, targeted and destroyed in retaliatory action by the BSF opposite Samba sector post-martyrdom of Hazra,” reports said, adding these Pakistani posts were planning to target civilian population in Samba sector by firing mortar shells in the forward villages along the IB. However, the BSF undertook pre-emptive action and razed to ground both the Pakistani mortar posts across Samba sector. The Rangers manning these two posts were either killed or injured, reports said. Also, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by firing and shelling posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri District on January 3 night, reports Daily Excelsior. “The unprovoked fire from Pakistan started first from small arms which later coupled with mortar shelling throughout the night”, sources said.Meanwhile, the BSF has launched ‘Operation Alert’ along over 200 kilometer long IB in Jammu to curb the increasing movement of infiltrating militants from across the border, adds Daily Excelsior. “There are inputs that there is movement of militants and accordingly, we have declared ‘Ops Alert’ on the border,” Inspector General (IG) of BSF Jammu Frontier, Ram Awatar said. Read less...

The Pakistani army on January 5 resorted to shelling and also fired from small arms and automatic weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur sector of Poonch District, reports Daily Excelsior. “Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing of small arms and automatic weapons and also shelling from late this afternoon in Shahpur sector of Poonch district along the LoC,” sources said. Indian troops replied back, leading to heavy exchanges for some time, they added. There were no reports of any casualties or damage on the Indian side. Read less...

Four policemen were killed and two others were seriously injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast set off by suspected militants in Sopore town in Baramulla District on January 6, reports The Times of India. Three of the four Policemen were identified as Irshad of Doda, M Amin of Kupwara and Ghulam Nabi of Sopore, Police said. The fourth Policeman succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital.Daily Excelsior adds that according to official sources, militants triggered an IED at Sopore, where a general strike was observed on Saturday [January 6] as on this day 57 persons were killed in alleged security force firing in 1993. Four Police personnel were killed; they said adding that the IED was planted beneath a shop. Several shops were also damaged in the blast, sound of which was heard in the entire town. Security Force (SF) and Police personnel were deployed in the town to maintain law and order, report said.  Read less...

A research scholar from Kupwara in Kupwara District has appeared in a photograph posted on social media holding an UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher), with a message claiming that he has joined the militancy, reports The Indian Express on January 8.  Mannan Wani, son of Bashir Ahmad Wani, joined the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) on January 5, states the message along with the photograph that appeared on Facebook and WhatsApp. According to Wani’s family, he was pursuing his PhD in applied geology at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh. Wani’s brother, Mubashir Ahmad, a junior engineer, said: “We have also seen the picture on social networking sites. But we have no idea (whether he has joined militants or not). We lost contact with him on January 4 as his phone was switched off. We thought he had switched it off for some reason or lost it. As we couldn’t contact him, we lodged a missing report with police on Saturday.”Officials at AMU could not be contacted for comment but the university’s official website states that Wani (26), was pursuing a PhD on ‘Structural and Geo-Morphological Study of Lolab Valley, Kashmir’. According to the website, he received an award for the best paper presented at an international conference on ‘Water, Environment, Ecology and Society’ in 2016. It states that he enrolled in AMU after doing his Bachelor’s in Geology and Earth Sciences from the University of Kashmir. He completed his Master’s and M Phil in Geology from AMU, it says.Wani’s brother said his brother left home for Aligarh a month ago. “All this time, we thought he was in Aligarh. He would talk to us regularly. We don’t have any idea where he is,” he said. Sources said Wani was active during the recent student elections at the university. He had also apparently penned several articles on student politics on an online portal, thecompanion.com. Wani’s biographical sketch on the portal describes him as a research scholar at AMU who is a “student activist having interest in geopolitics and Islamic revivalist movements”. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police along with Marine Commando Force (MARCOS) arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), identified as Idress Ahmad Baba and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession in Hajin area of Bandipora District in the intervening night of January 6 – 7, reports Daily Excelsior. “Acting on specific information, a police party of Sub Division Sumbal along with MARCOS launched a cordon and search operation during the intervening night of 6/7th of January in the fringes of Wular lake at Banyari in the jurisdiction of Police Station Hajin under the supervision of SSP Bandipora,” said Police spokesman.“During the wee hours, a suspicious person was noticed and was challenged to stop. When he found himself encircled by the forces, he surrendered by raising his hands.” He said that a pistol, pistol magazine, four pistol rounds, one AK 47 magazine, 30 AK rounds, 2 UBGL (Under Barrel Grenade Launcher) grenades and a Chinese hand grenade were recovered from his possession. The accused, he said, was working with LeT. “ Read less...

A live mortar shell allegedly fired by Pakistan Rangers earlier this month was found in a field in a village in the border belt of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua District, leading to panic in the area, Police said on January 8, reports The Times of India. Security Forces (SFs) recovered the live shell on January 7 from Bobiyan village, an official said. The shell allegedly fired by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar and Samba sectors led to the killing of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan on January 3. Read less...

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) ‘operational commander’ Riyaz Naikoo, in an audio clip, threatened to use acid against those contesting in panchayat (village level local self government institution) polls in Jammu and Kashmir that are to be held next month, reports The Indian Express on January 9. In an audio clip, Riyaz Naikoo, who is based in south Kashmir, is seen telling another of the outfit’s south Kashmir commanders, Sameer Tiger that a few drops of acid should be poured into the eyes of those who contest panchayat elections. Naikoo says the contestants will become a burden for their families. The Hizbul commander also says that in 2016 because of the pellets many youths lost their eyesight and young boys lost their lives and that now the militants were planning similar fate for those wanting to contest elections. In the clip, Naikoo also says that this time they will neither kill people nor will they issue threats to those who contest elections. ”We will go to their homes and pour acid in their eyes so that they will become a burden for their families,” he is heard saying. The Hizbul commander further says that in villages many people are unaware about the repercussion of these polls and are being used by some political agents for their personal benefits. “This time we will force them to reveal the names of those people who force them to contest elections.” Though separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has already asked people to stay away from the panchayat elections, this is the first time since the government’s announcement of polls that HM has threatened possible election contestants. Read less...

In a bid to convince Kashmiri youth, who have recently joined Valley-based militant groups, to give up arms, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police said they need not come to police stations to surrender but can ‘simply join their families’ under the ‘no case no apprehension policy’, reports Hindustan Times on January 9. Police maintain the exercise of surrender will take place in front of the families. The policy, which for now sounds more likes an appeal, is for militants who have not participated in any attacks or active militant operations against Security Forces (SFs) in Kashmir.  But the lines have only been drawn for those who don’t have any criminal cases registered against them and ‘are not involved in any heinous acts’. The surrender policy is just for local youth. The move comes in the backdrop of a research scholar of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Uttar Pradesh joining the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). “Police have appealed to local youth to give up arms and in return neither will they be apprehended nor will any cases be lodged against them,” a senior J&K police official said. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police has detained four youths for allegedly playing the Pakistani national anthem before the start of a cricket match in Bandipora District, the Police said on January 8, reports The Times of India. The players, participating in a local cricket match, were detained for questioning from Arin area on January 7, they said, adding Police is on a lookout for the other participants of the game. Read less...

Militants on January 8 fired at a SFs party in Tahab area of Pulwama District without causing any damage, adds Daily Excelsior. SFs immediately cordoned off the area. Read less...

One Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, identified as Firdous Ahmad Mir was killed in an encounter with the Security Forces (SFs) in Chadoora area of Budgam District on January 8, reports Daily Excelsior. A senior Police officer said that they had information about presence of three militants including two Pakistanis at village Kaneera, Patalgam in Chadoora area of Budgam. A joint team of Army, Special Operations Group (SOG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) cordoned of Kaneera Patalgam village in Chadoora area in the morning of January 8. During the searches SFs were fired upon by the hiding militants. SFs retaliated leading to a fierce gun battle in which one militant was killed. The house in which the militants were hiding was razed by the SFs and during the searches of the debris one body was recovered. Two AK-47 rifles, two shoes and two Army uniforms were also recovered. Sources said that the two Pakistani militants managed to escape from the encounter site. SFs have launched searches against them. Soon after the news about the encounter spread, the people mostly youth took to streets at Chadoora and its adjoining areas and pelted stones on SFs. SFs resorted to teargas shelling and used some aerial shots to disperse the protesting people. Two protesters were injured during clashes Read less...

Pakistan army twice violated ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Hamirpur and Nowshera sectors of Poonch and Rajouri Districts on January 8 in which an Army jawan (trooper) was injured, reports Daily Excelsior. Reports said Pakistani troops opened firing in Hamirpur sector of Poonch in the wee hours of January 8 morning causing injuries to an Army jawan, who was evacuated from the site and shifted to hospital. Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to exchanges that continued for some time.In the evening (January 8), Pakistan again violated ceasefire at Bhawani, Numb and surrounding villages in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District by resorting to firing, targeting forward posts and civilian areas. However, no losses were reported in Pakistan firing in Nowshera sector. Indian Army gave effective reply to the Pakistani firing, reports said. Read less...

The family of a PhD Scholar whose picture went viral on social media holding an AK-47 has appealed him to shun violence and return home, reports Daily Excelsior on January 9. Manan Bashir Wani of Tekkipora Lolab of Kupwara District joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) on January 5. The family members are in shock as they were not expecting their son who was pursuing PhD in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), to join militancy. “Manan always used to discuss every next step with me. He was like a friend to me. I had   never expected that he would make any decision without discussing with me”, said his father Bashir Ahmad. His mother appealed him to come back home. “I urge him to shun the path of violence and come back home.However, the research scholar was on January 8 expelled by Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) authorities in the wake of reports alleging that he may have joined a terror group after his photo appeared in the social media showing him with an AK-47 rifle, said the report. Read less...

A Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant was killed in an encounter in Kokernag area of Anantnag District on January 9, while a protester was killed as Security Forces (SFs) fired at them in Khudwani in Kulgam District, reports Daily Excelsior. SFs cordoned off Pehlipora village of Larnoo in Kokernag area on January 9 after reports of presence of two militants hiding there. Militants fired at the SFs during the searches and they retaliated leading to an encounter. One militant, identified as Farhan Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Mohammad Wani, resident of Redwani Khudwani in Kulgam District was killed in the encounter. “One INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifle, two INSAS magazines and 42 rounds were recovered from the encounter site,” Police said, adding that the slain militant was a hardcore stone pelter.As soon as the news about the killing of the militant spread, the clashes reported in his native village Khudwani in Kulgam District. The protesters took to streets and pelted stones on the SFs who tried to quell the protesters. Two protesters were hit by bullets during the clashes. One of them, identified as Khalid Ahmad Dar (20), a resident of Khudwani in Kulgam district was later succumbed to his injuries. A Police spokesman said, “Two civilians sustained bullet injuries when a mob pelted stones on the Army camp located at Khudwani. Reportedly some unidentified militants from the mob also fired some shots towards the Army camp.” Read less...

Police arrested two militants and busted an Over Ground Worker (OGW) module by arresting its nine members who were trying to recruit youth into militancy in Sopore in Baramulla District, reports Daily Excelsioron January 9. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Harmeet Singh, on January 9 said that acting on specific information regarding the presence of militants in general area of Watlab, a cordon and search operation was launched by Sopore Police along with MARCOS (Marine Commando Force) of Navy and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) two days ago. “During search operation, two terrorists who were hiding near a school tried to open fire on the joint party but were overpowered and arrested. These terrorists were identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Chopan alias Haroon son of Ghulam Mohammad Chopan, resident of Wagad in Tral [Pulwama District] and Shija-ud-din Sheikh son of  Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Sheikh, resident of Dadsara in Tral affiliated with banned outfit HM [Hizb-ul-Mujahideen]”, he said. The SSP said that one AK47 rifle, one AK magazine, 15  AK rounds, one pistol, one pistol magazine, three pistol rounds and a hand grenade was recovered from their possession.The SSP said that during the course of investigation, the names of nine persons surfaced who are working as conduits of these militants and they have been motivated to join the terrorist ranks. “These conduits are in contact with the terrorists of South Kashmir namely Reyaz Naikoo and Hamaad of HM and Ali and Qasim of JeM [Jaish-e-Mohammed]”, he said. He said that Sopore Police along with MARCOS, 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF arrested these nine OGW’s working with HM and JeM. They were identified as Tajam-ul-Islam Shah, Syed Tamiz-ud-Din, Ghulam Nabi Mir, Mudasir Ahmad Mir, Saleem Ahmad Beigh, Muzamil Ahmad Ganie, Showket Ahmad Kaboo, Irshad Ahmad Lone and Humaiz. The SSP said that mobile phones, letter pads, posters, recruitment forms, and other incriminating documents were recovered from these OGWs. Read less...

The Kashmiri youth and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) scholar, Manaan Wani has joined the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), the terror group's Pakistan-based ‘chief’ Syed Salahuddin said in a statement to local media, reports The Times of India. "Joining of Manaan Wani exposes the Indian propaganda that the youths of Kashmir are joining militant ranks due to unemployment and economic distress," Salahuddin said in the statement to a Srinagar-based news gathering agency on January 8. "From years on, educated and qualified youths of Kashmir have been joining Hizbul Mujahideen to take this ongoing freedom movement to logical conclusion. This spirit of youths is laudable," Salahuddin said, confirming that Wani had joined Hizbul Mujahideen, in the statement in Urdu. Wani, who belongs to Tikipora in Lolab area of Kupwara District, went missing last week. He was scheduled to return home from Delhi on January 6. The 26-year-old scholar was on Monday expelled by AMU following reports that he may have joined the terror group after his photograph, showing him with an AK-47 rifle, appeared in social media. Read less...

A soldier of 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), identified as Kuldeep Sharma was injured in a landmine blast during patrolling in Kamalkote in Uri in Baramulla District two days before, reports Daily Excelsior on January 12. He was rushed to Uri hospital where from he was referred to Army hospital Srinagar for specialised treatment, report said. Read less...

At least seven persons including a Police constable and an engineer of PDC (Power Development Corporation) were injured during clash between Police and villagers which led to ‘stone pelting’ at Parnai under Surankote Police Jurisdiction in Poonch District on January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on January 10 vowed to break the ‘vicious cycle’ of youth taking up arms on the death of a militant and said efforts were on to ensure that those joining militant ranks return home, reports First Post. She said that her Government would continue its efforts to bring back local youth who had joined militancy to end the "vicious cycle" besides strengthening panchayats (village level local self government institution) after successfully conducting the elections next month. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s "Afzal Guru Squad" that has claimed responsibility for major terror attacks in the Valley recently "is a challenge for not only the government but for all of us", she said in her reply to the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address in the State Assembly in Jammu. Read less...

The Indian Army killed 138 Pakistan Army personnel in 2017 in tactical operations and retaliatory cross-border firings along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, Government intelligence sources said on January 10, reports The Times of India. The Indian Army lost 28 soldiers during the same period along the LoC, the sources said. The sources said the Pakistan Army usually does not acknowledge the deaths of its personnel and shows them as civilian casualties in certain cases. The Indian Army has been adopting a ‘tough’ approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year. The Pakistan Army has suffered 138 fatal and 155 non- fatal casualties in tactical operations and retaliatory cross-border firings along the LoC in 2017, the intelligence sources said. A total of 70 Indian Army personnel were injured during cross border firings and other incidents. According to official figures, 860 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops were reported in 2017 as against 221 in 2016. Read less...

A surrendered militant, who was wanted in cases of murder and attempt to murder etc, was arrested by Police in Reasi District, reports Daily Excelsior on January 12. The accused, identified as Manzoor Ahmed (40), son of Haji Fareed of Kothian in Pouni tehsil, at present Nawabad in Reasi District, was evading arrest in case First Information Report (FIR) number 55/2012, under Section 302, 307.458, 366, 382, 147, 148, 323, 376 and 120B Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). Read less...

General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kilo Force, Major General AK Singh, on January 11 said that the majority of youth in Jammu and Kashmir want peace and those who join militancy are just a few, reports Daily Excelsior. “I think, we only talk about those few hundreds who have joined terrorism. But we don’t talk about those 22 lakh Kashmiri youths who have shunned away the path of terrorism and want peace and stability in the Valley”, he said while speaking to reporters in Baramulla in Baramulla District during a function. Singh said that recently joined militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) Manan Wani was tricked into militancy. “I think, Manan Wani is only an exception and he has been probably tricked into this otherwise no militant gives his photograph like this. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has used him so that he will not join mainstream back”, he said. The Major General said that policy of the security forces is to accept those youth into mainstream who shun the path of violence. “But our policy is that any militant who wants to join back mainstream, we always accept them”, he said. “We will continue to fight back these incidents. Army and all the security forces in Kashmir are ready and we will do our best to stop those people who are involved in these incidents”, he said. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) on January 11 recovered two weapons and over 400 rounds of ammunition hidden by militants in Rajouri District, reports Daily Excelsior. Acting on a specific input, a joint team of Police and the Army launched a search operation in Jatta Malian forest in Kalakote belt of Rajouri District and recovered the arms and ammunition, reports said. The haul included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 400 rounds of AK rifle, one pistol with magazine, one hand grenade and two IED (improvised explosive device) circuits, reports said, adding that a case was registered in this connection. Read less...

SFs on January 11 launched a cordon and search Operation (CASO) against militants in Kupwara District, reports Daily Excelsior. They said that on a tip off about the presence of militants, SFs and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation at Hampora, Lagate Handwara in Kupwara District. All the exit points were sealed and a massive search operation has been launched. However, no one was arrested and no contact was established with the militants. Read less...

Army on January 12 recovered three 28 kilograms of weight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a large quantity of other explosive material besides Pakistan made medicines from Kandi in the Kotranka area of Rajouri District. The IEDs had been fully fabricated and were ready to use, which indicated that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants, to whom the consignment belonged, were planning to use them at some sensitive installations on or before Republic Day (January 26) celebrations. Other recoveries made included six Under Barrel Grenade Launcher grenades, five Chinese hand grenades, five Rocket Propelled Grenade shells, 79 AK rounds, 26 pistol rounds and a large quantity of Pakistan made medicines including pain killers, injections, capsules, bandages and a rucksack. Recovery of Pakistan made medicines indicated presence of some Pakistani militants of HM outfit at Pichnar area of Kandi. Read less...

In a significant statement on anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, Army chief General Bipin Rawat said on January 12 that this year (2018) Army will shift its focus to North Kashmir from South Kashmir in 2017 to prevent the infiltration attempts and declared that troops would destroy all Pakistani posts from where terrorists are launched into the Indian soil, reports Daily Excelsior. He said seeds of thought of some kind of ‘separate identity’ are being sown in Government schools among the children, which have separate map of the State besides that of India and called for major revamp of education system in Jammu and Kashmir to deal with the problem.General Rawat said: “our focus of operations in 2017 was South Kashmir. This year it will shift to North Kashmir’s Baramulla, Pattan, Handwara, Kupwara, Sopore, Lolab and some Northern areas of Bandipora so that the infiltration can be thwarted there’’. Asserting that the people, who rush to site of encounters between militants and Security Forces (SFs), were risking their lives, the Army chief described it as ‘worrisome phenomenon’. “This is becoming a worrisome phenomenon that people are just rushing to operations to get successful and at time taking risks well beyond their capacities. Why are they taking risks? They are more concerned about tasks at hand to get success, that is why sometimes it is leading to higher casualty rate,’’ the Chief of Army Staff said.The Army chief’s statement on focusing North Kashmir this year assumed great significance as it had been targeting South Kashmir, which had once become hub of the militancy especially after the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) ‘divisional commander’ Burhan Wani in July 2016. However, last year, SFs killed nearly 200 militants in the Valley including South Kashmir. He declared that the Indian Army will destroy all those military posts of Pakistan from where they launched militants and terror strikes into Kashmir. “We target all those Pakistani posts from where they launch terrorists for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists are a disposable commodity in Pakistan and Indian Army’s approach is to ensure that Pakistan feels the pain,’’ Gen Rawat said.Referring to increased number of ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, he said India will retaliate against any threat and will continue the similar approach till it sees reduction in ceasefire violations. “The casualties which Pakistan has suffered are three to four times more than what we did. Pakistan is sending messages regularly to return to the ceasefire. We are ready but we will continue our approach till we see a decrease in ceasefire violations,’’ the Army chief said. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Government on January 12 said 51 persons were killed and over 9,000 injured, including over 6,000 due to pellets, during the eight months- long unrest in Kashmir after the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant Burhan Wani in 2016, reports Daily Excelsior. In a written reply to the question of a National Conference MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) Mubarakh Gul in the State Assembly, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on January 12 said 51 people were killed in Kashmir division from July 8, 2016 to February 27, 2017 in the unrest.She said 9,042 people were injured in firing of bullets, pellets, PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide)-shells and others during the period. Of these, 6,221 were injured due to pellets, 368 due to bullets, four due to PAVA shells and 2,449 suffered other injuries, she said. As many as 782 suffered eye injuries of which 510 were hospitalized, she said, adding that 5,197 cases of pellet injuries were treated at district hospitals and the rest were referred to Super Speciality Hospitals. The highest number of deaths - 16 - took place in Anantnag District followed by 13 in Kulgam District, seven in Pulwama and five in Kupwara, Mufti added. Read less...

Militants attacked a Police Post in Keegam Police post maintained by Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Shopian District on January 12, reports Daily Excelsior. However, there was no damage but the Police and CRPF retaliated and militants fled away. Security Forces (SFs) immediately cordoned off the area and established check posts at several places in the area to trace out the militants responsible for the attack. However, no one was arrested. Read less...

Security has been put on maximum alert in Handwara area of Kupwara District after inputs about possible Fidayeen (suicide) attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Sources said that a group of four JeM fidayeensare trying to carry out an attack in Handwara and in order to prevent the attack, security has been put on alert and Security Forces (SFs) have established checks points and have intensified security around SFs camps and other installations.  Read less...

The Indian Army and Pakistani Army exchanged fire and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kamalkote sector of Uri in Baramulla District on January 12 in which several Pakistani bunkers were destroyed, reports Daily Excelsior. An official said that Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by targeting Indian Army posts in Kamalkote sector of Uri in the night.  He said that they used heavy machine guns and mortars to target the posts but there was no damage on Indian side. The Army troops of 12 Dogra, 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Baaz battalions gave a befitting reply and also fired mortars and used heavy machine guns to target the Pakistani posts. Sources said that several Pakistani army bunkers were destroyed in the shelling in which Pakistani troops suffered casualties. However, the number of casualties was not immediately known and Army deployed in the forward posts was trying to ascertain how many and what kind of casualties did Pakistani troops suffer. The official said that the firing started at around 11.30 p.m (January 11) and continued till 3.30 a.m (January 12) during which it was war like situations in the area. However, in the morning the firing stopped but tension prevailed in the sector. Read less...

Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Prime Minister Office, Dr Jitendra Singh on January 12 said in Jammu that certain vested interests do not want the militancy to end in Jammu and Kashmir, reports Daily Excelsior. Over the last 25 years, he said, militancy has developed as an industry and the beneficiaries of it thrive in its continuation, but what is more worrisome is that some of the so – called mainstream political activists and political groups have also learnt to sustain their political relevance in an atmosphere of instability and disturbance resulting from continued militancy.Dr Jitendra Singh said, those who oppose the Panchayat (village level local self government institution) elections are, in fact, scared of grass-root democracy flourishing in the State because that will mark an end of the game for the self-styled and un-elected leaders from the so called separatist lobby, as well as some of the so – called mainstream leaders who have mastered the art of getting themselves elected with a meager vote percentage in the shadow of militancy. Read less...

A 12-year-old boy, identified as Mohammad Iqbal (12) was critically injured when an unexploded bomb went off near the Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur sector of Poonch District this on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. According to reports, the boy found the bomb in an open field near Qasba village around 11:45 am and started fiddling with it, causing the explosion. “The boy suffered critical injuries with both his hands blown up. He was rushed to hospital and his condition is stated to be ‘critical’,” sources said, adding the mortar shell had been fired by Pakistani troops during ceasefire violation. Read less...

A soldier was killed as Indian Army and Pakistan Army exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri District on January 13, reports Greater Kashmir. An Army spokesman said that Pakistan Army initiated ‘unprovoked’ firing on Indian Army posts in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri District. “Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively,” he said. “However, in the exchange of fire, Lance Naik Yogesh Muralidhar Bhadane (28), was grievously injured and succumbed to his injuries,” said the official. Read less...

An Army jawan (trooper), identified as Pushkar Singh was injured in forward village of Malti in Poonch District on January 13, adds Daily Excelsior. Sources said fresh tensions on the LoC have spread wave of fear and panic among the people living in villages located within shelling and firing range in twin border Districts of Poonch and Rajouri. The panic-stricken people were taking extreme precautions while venturing out of their houses as they feel that frustrated Pakistan army, which has suffered heavy losses at the hands of Indian troops, could target the civilians to inflict casualties and damages on them, said the report. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) averted a major tragedy when they detected a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants in the city outskirts on Srinagar-Baramulla road in Srinagar on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. Traffic on the Srinagar to north Kashmir has been suspended and entire area has been sealed. Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) summoned to defuse the IED. Official sources said that a Road Opening Party (ROP) of SFs noticed an IED planted by militants on main road in the city outskirts. The area was immediately sealed and traffic suspended as a precautionary measure. The separatists had called for a general strike against the killing of civilians in the Valley. Read less...

The state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has witnessed a sudden rise in cybercrime incidents with 51 cases registered during 2017, reports Mumbai Mirror on January 14. According to the data released by the J&K Police, 38 cyber incidents were reported in 2015, whereas 25 incidents were in 2016. The J&K Government claimed that all Police Stations have been provided latest IT equipments to deal in cybercrime incidents efficiently. To tackle cybercrimes in the state, three cybercrime cells— each in Jammu, Srinagar and Crime Headquarters in J&K has been established with sufficient numbers of IT trained officers and staff to contain cyber offences, said the J&K Government. Read less...

Advocating a ‘politico-military’ approach in dealing with the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Army chief General Bipin Rawat on January 14 called for political initiative to go hand-in-hand with military operations in the State, reports Daily Excelsior. General Rawat, who has followed a hard-line approach in tackling terrorism, said the armed forces operating in the State cannot be ‘status quoist’ and must evolve new strategies and tactics to deal with the situation. The Army chief said, “The political initiative and all the other initiatives must go simultaneously hand-in-hand and only if all of us function in synergy, we can bring lasting peace in Kashmir. It has to be a politico-military approach that we have to adopt.” Rawat also asserted that there was room for ramping up heat on Pakistan to cut the flow of cross border terror activities, clearly indicating that the Army will continue its policy of hot pursuit in dealing with militancy. Read less...

An Army Captain, identified as Bangoria was injured in Pakistan firing along the Line of Control (LoC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch District on January 15 night, reports Daily Excelsior. Sources said Captain Bangoria was injured in Pakistan firing on January 15 night and has been airlifted to Military Hospital in Udhampur. Read less...

Indian Army on January 15 undertook major offensive against Pakistan to silence their guns, which were targeting forward Indian posts on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Poonch District, killing seven Pakistani soldiers including an officer and critically wounding five others, reports Daily Excelsior. According to reports, five posts and four bunkers of the Pakistani army were destroyed in massive retaliatory action of the Indian troops. Sources said that Indian action against Pakistani troops, which came on the occasion of ‘Army Day’ was necessitated as the Pakistani posts continued to engage in heavy shelling in Mendhar sector targeting forward posts of the Indian Army and were also planning to strike at civilian areas, which was anticipated as the enemy was dumping large quantity of mortar shells on their side. Also, according to sources, there was hectic activity on Pakistan side of the LoC and some militants could be seen moving across with a view to infiltrate into the Indian territory with the help of Pakistani troops. Read less...

Police on January 15 busted a network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who were actively involved in radicalizing and motivating the youth to join militant ranks and to send them across Line of Control (LoC) and South Kashmir for obtaining arms training, reports Daily Excelsior. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain, said that on a tip off, Police arrested four OGWs identified as Rashid Bashir Pir, Zakir Amin Pir, Saif-ud-din Khatana and Manzoor Ahmad Najar. He said that two youth have also been rescued who were radicalized and motivated to join the militant ranks. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) foiled an infiltration bid near the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in the Baramulla District, killing five Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants on January 15 (today) morning, reports Daily Excelsior. A defence spokesman said that five militants were killed. Earlier, Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said four JeM militants were killed at Dulanja in Uri sector in a joint operation by the Army, Police and other SFs. Read less...

A 43-year-old man, identified as Mohammad Ayoub Mir on January 16 succumbed to injuries, 28 days after he was injured in Shopian District, reports Daily Excelsior. On December 19, 2017, Mohammad Ayoub Mir, received three bullets in his abdomen during the clashes amid an encounter between the militants and Security Forces (SFs) at Batmuran Kellar area of the Shopian District. Two militants were killed, while a woman died and over dozens of protesters were injured during the gun battle and clashes. Mir had undergone treatment for more than 15 days at SMHS hospital and was later discharged. He passed away at his home in Chatergam on January 16. Read less...

Meanwhile, the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Police detained four persons in separate raids in Pulwama (Pulwama District) and Handwara (Kupwara District) areas on January 16, reports Daily Excelsior. Three persons identified as Mudasir Kumar, Ajaz Kumar and Sanju Ganie all residents of Chatapora Pulwama were picked up by SOG after they raided their residences on January 16 morning. They were detained for questioning in a militancy related case. One Fayaz Ahmad, a tipper driver was held by the SOG two days back. He was detained for questioning over his alleged links with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM). Read less...

Two labourers, identified as Bilal Ganie and Jehangir Wagay were injured in a blast at Khandroo area of Anantnag District on January 16, reports Daily Excelsior. The blast occurred inside an Army camp at Khandroo after the labourers stepped over the mine. Two labourers were injured. They were shifted to nearby hospital where from they have been referred to Srinagar Hospital for specialized treatment. Read less...

Pakistani Rangers on January 17 night resorted to shelling and firing on forward Indian positions along the International Border (IB) in RS Pura sector of Jammu District in which a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan (trooper) was reportedly killed while a civilian was injured, reports Daily Excelsior. Reports said Pakistani Rangers targeted forward posts of BSF and some civilian areas in RS Pura, Suchetgarh and parts of Arnia sectors at about 10.30 pm. Reports also said that the  BSF jawan who was injured in Pakistan shelling and firing in RS Pura sector succumbed to injuries later. Read less...

Police detected and defused a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by the militants on roadside in Bharat area of the Doda Districton January 18, reports Daily Excelsior.Sources said Police received information from a civilian that the IED had been planted at village Pounda on the main Bharat Road, about 12 kilometers from District headquarters.The IED, weighing 10 kilograms, was successfully defused. Read less...

Another Army jawan Lance Naik Sam Abraham (34) was killed in Pakistan shelling and firing in Sunderbani sector, bordering Pallanwalla in Akhnoor, of Rajouri District. Read less...

Eight Police personnel were injured in a grenade blast at Pulwama area in Pulwama District on January 19, reports Daily Excelsior. Militants lobbed a grenade towards Police Station Pulwama resulting in injuries to eight Police personnel. “Soon after the attack, cops opened some fire shots”, sources said. All the injured have been hospitalized and have been identified as Mohammad Ishaq Shah of Hari Parigam, Jagdish Raj of Kathua, Mushtaq Ahmad Mir of Tral, Mohammad Shafi Mir of Rajouri, Ghulam Nabi of Khaigam Pakherpora, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat of Ganderbal, Bilal Ahmad Lone of Khansahab Budgam and Farooq Ahmad Lone of Tral. Security Forces (SFs) have launched searches in the area against the militants for the attack. Read less...

Three BSF jawans were injured when mortar shells fell around their posts in Ramgarh sector of Samba District. One of them identified as Jagpal Singh died while being treated in the hospital and two others including Adarsh SS and Sat Paul Singh were under treatment. The injured were responding to the treatment. Read less...

Two civilians were killed when mortar shells exploded inside their houses at Arnia and RS Pura sectors, close to the IB in Jammu District. They have been identified as Bachno Devi (45) and Sahil Kumar (25). Twelve persons were injured in Arnia sector, eight in RS Pura, five in Samba, nine in Kathua and one in Mendhar. With four deaths on January 19, total number of killings in ceasefire violations by Pakistan during last two days has gone up to six. On January 18, a BSF jawan and a young girl were killed in shelling and firing in RS Pura and Arnia sectors. Read less...

Two civilians, including a woman, were killed when Pakistani troops opened fire along the International Border (IB) in Jammu District early on January 19 (today), reports The Times of India. Three civilians were also injured in the heavy shelling.The ceasefire violation took place at RS Pura sector in Jammu District.According to sources, the deceased have been identified as Bachno Devi of SaiKhurd and Sunil Kumar aliasJohny of Korotana in R S Pura sector. Read less...

Four people including a BSF jawan, were injured after Pakistan violated ceasefire for the third consecutive day on January 20, reports Daily Excelsior. The BSF trooper was wounded in Pargwal sector in Jammu District. According to officials, Between 8,000 to 9,000 people living along the IB migrated to safer places. Read less...

The main reason behind ceasefire violations and Pakistan shelling is to help infiltrate militants from across the border, Inspector General (IG), Jammu Zone, SD Singh Jamwal said. After the inputs from intelligence agencies, Police have beefed up the security in border belts and increased round-the-clock vigilance, he said. The Jammu and Kashmir Police on January 20 had sounded a ‘red alert’ and asked border dwellers to move out of their areas as the situation was ‘sensitive’ in the wake of continuous shelling by Pakistani troops. Read less...

Two civilians and an Army trooper were killed in cross border firing along International Border (IB) and the Line of Control across Jammu region on January 20, reports Daily Excelsior. The slain Army trooper has been identified as Mandeep Singh. Four people, including an Army personnel, a Border Security Force (BSF) Head Constable have been martyred, two civilians killed and 50 others including two BSF troopers and civilians, injured, some of them seriously while over 100 livestock has also been killed as a result of cross border firing. India Today further adds that 32 BSF posts along IB have been retaliating to cross border firing from Pakistan. Cross border firing has been reported from Jammu Districts of Arnia, Suchetgarh, RS Pura, Pargwal, Kana Chak village, Gharkhal in Akhnoor. Read less...

Security along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was beefed up following an alert by intelligence agencies about possible infiltration attempts by Pakistan backed militants ahead of the Republic Day (January 26), Police said on January 21, reports First Post. A group of three to four terrorists were seen camping across the border at a village in Pakistan, near a border out post (BoP), intelligence agencies are learnt to have warned the Police and Security Forces (SFs). The agencies claimed that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was trying to infiltrate this group of terrorists to create disturbance and target SFs' camps, according to official sources. Read less...

Two civilians and an Army soldier were killed while two civilians injured as Pakistan on January 21 night heavily shelled on the International Border (IB) in Kanachak and Pargwal sectors in Jammu District and resumed intermittent shelling in RS Pura and Arnia sectors while nearly a dozen Pakistanis, majority of them Rangers, were reputedly killed in retaliatory shelling by the Indian side, reports Daily Excelsior. Pakistan Rangers resorted heavy shelling and firing in civilian areas of Gajansoo, Gole Pattan, New Kanachak, Old Kanachak and Pargwal, killing one civilian and injuring two others. They also started shelling border villages in RS Pura and Arnia sectors but intensity there was low as compared to Kanachak and Pargwal sectors. Two brothers Gopal Dass Bawa and Ram Dass Bawa sons of Bansi Dass Bawa, who were returning to their house, were hit by a mortar shell at Kanachak town around 8.30 pm and were seriously injured. They were rushed to the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, where Gopal Dass was declared as dead while Ram Dass was admitted in critical condition. A woman Kanta Devi wife of Rattan Dass was also injured in Pakistan shelling in Kanachak. Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of mortar, small arms and automatics in Mendhar sector on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District last evening in which an Army soldier Signalman Chandan Kumar Rai (25) was grievously injured. He was evacuated from the spot and airlifted to Military Hospital, where he died this morning (January 21). With these killings, 12 persons including seven civilians, three Army personnel and two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans (troopers) were killed during last four days of ceasefire violations by Pakistan on LoC and IB. Nowshera and Shahpur sectors on the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch Districts were alos rocked by fresh intense shelling and firing by the Pakistani troops on January 21 evening, adds Daily Excelsior.Meanwhile, sources said that Pakistan has suffered more than dozen fatal casualties, majority of them Rangers, while large number of others were injured in Phookaliyaan-Bajwat, Chaprar, Harpal, Bajra Garhi, Charwah and Zafarwal-Shakargarh sectors of Sialkot District in very heavy retaliation given by the BSF to shelling and firing by the Rangers, adds Daily Excelsior. More than 20 posts and bunkers of the Rangers have been completely destroyed in retaliation by the BSF, which, according to sources, was necessitated to teach Pakistan a lesson for directly targeting the civilian population. Sources said Pakistan suffered heavy casualties and infrastructural damage in Sialkot.Sialk ot Deputy Commissioner Dr Farrukh Naveed is reported to have confirmed to local media about more than dozen killings of Pakistani Rangers and others in heavy shelling and firing by the BSF. More than one lakh population of Sialkot in Pakistan opposite Jammu sector, has deserted their homes for safer areas, sources said Read less...

Union Home Minister (UHM) Rajnath Singh on January 21 said India has shown it can attack its enemies not only on its soil, but also in a foreign territory, if need be, reports Daily Excelsior. “A few months ago, Pakistan, in an act of cowardice, attacked and martyred 17 of our jawans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi consulted all of us on this serious issue, and the Indian Army entered the Pakistani area and killed the militants,” Singh said at a public meeting in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. “India’s image in the world has become that of a strong nation and we have given a strong message to the world that we can attack our enemies not only on our soil, but also in their territory. India has developed this power,” he said. Singh said India wants to maintain a friendly relationship with Pakistan. “But Pakistan is not mending its ways,” Singh said. “I want to assure you that our Government will not let India to bow its head,” he said. Singh’s remarks come almost a month after a group of five Army commandos crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir and killed three Pakistani soldiers and smashed a post, in a swift and daring operation. Read less...

After eliminating more than dozen Pakistani Rangers during ongoing skirmishes on the International Border (IB), the Border Security Force (BSF) on January 22 carried out pinpointed retaliatory actions against Pakistani Forces and destroyed their firing positions, ammunition and fuel dumps, in which the enemy suffered huge losses, which couldn’t be estimated from this side immediately, reports Daily Excelsior. Heavy shelling and firing from Pakistan side on the IB in Kanachak, Pargwal, RS Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors in Jammu and Samba Districts continued throughout last night (January 21) and stopped at 5.45 am on January 22. Official sources said the BSF gave suitable and pin pointed retaliation to unprovoked firing by Pakistani forces across IB in Jammu sector. “At several locations, the enemy’s firing positions, ammunition and fuel dumps have been destroyed by precision firing of the border guards,’’ they added. The BSF also released two videos in support of destruction of Pakistan’s firing posts, fuel and ammunition dumps, which clearly showed enemy’s posts and dumps going up in flames after the BSF action.According to sources, the Pakistan side has suffered huge devastation in destruction of their ammunition and fuel dumps, apart from firing positions and there were reports of heavy casualties and infrastructural losses of the enemy troops in major offensive undertaken by the BSF. Sources said retaliation to the Rangers was necessitated as Pakistani forward posts were targeting Indian civilian areas in many locations on the IB. Already more than a dozen Pakistani Rangers have been killed during ongoing five-day long cross-border shelling and firing on the IB. Sources said number of casualties on Pakistan side could further go up following BSF’s fresh retaliatory action. Sources said the BSF has fired over 9,000 rounds of mortar shells across the IB in the past four days as part of “pinpointed” retaliatory action against Pakistan’s unprovoked firing to destroy firing positions and fuel dumps of the Pakistan Rangers at multiple places. Sources said the situation along the 190-km IB in the Jammu area was “very tense” as Pakistan had “opened” heavy fire in the entire stretch since last evening (January 21). Read less...

In the meantime, SFs have intensified their vigil in Srinagar and its outskirts after inputs about militant movement, adds Daily Excelsior. Read less...

militants hurled a grenade on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party near Khrew Chowk in Pampore area of Pulwama District which exploded on the road side in which a civilian identified as Mohammad Shafi Bhat (50) was injured on January 22, reportsDaily Excelsior. Soon after the attacks, Police, CRPF and Army launched searches to nab the attackers. Read less...

Militants on January 22 attacked the Police Station near Azad Jung area of the old town Baramulla in Baramulla District with a grenade at around 6.40 pm resulting in injuries to a policeman who was performing his duty as sentry of the Police Station, reports Daily Excelsior. The injured sentry identified as Mohammad Rafiq has been hospitalized. In retaliation, Police fired several rounds. However, there was no immediate report of any casualty. A Police spokesman said that militants hurled a grenade on Police Station Baramulla this evening, resulting in minor injuries to a police constable. “Immediately after the attack, Police along with Security Forces (SFs) cordoned off the area and search to nab the terrorists is going on”, the spokesman said. Read less...

Pakistani Rangers continued heavy unprovoked shelling and firing on civilian areas in Pargwal, Kanachak, RS Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors in Jammu and Samba Districts overnight, adds Daily Excelsior. Shelling stopped at 5.45 am (January 22) and thereafter there was no report of any ceasefire violations on the IB as well as Line of Control (LoC). A BSF jawan (trooper), identified as Arun Verma was injured in Pakistan shelling in Ramgarh sector on January 21 night. He has been hospitalized. A total of 12 persons including seven civilians, three Army soldiers and two BSF jawans have been killed and nearly 60 others, majority of them civilians, left injured during last five days in Pakistan shelling and firing. Read less...

The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) on January 22 issued a diktat to Kashmiri women threatening them to be prepared for ‘consequences’ if they did not observe the ‘Islamic dress code’, reports The Times of India. The terror outfit circulated handwritten posters, asking women to follow the Taliban-type dress code and wear loose robes, which only leave the eyes exposed. "The Kashmiri women, particularly from Shopian district, are resorting to waywardness. So, they need to observe Islamic dress. Even the hands of the women should not be exposed," read the posters with LeT stamps. The poster threatens that if women do not observe complete 'purdah', they will be "responsible for the consequences." The Police have taken the surfacing of posters lightly, but we will keep an eye on any kind of mischief against the girls in south Kashmir, a senior Police officer said.Since the rise of militancy in the 1990s, women have had to bear the brunt of Islamist militant groups that threatened them with violence if they refused to observe 'purdah'. In the early 2000s, Dukhtaraan-e-Millat (DeM) ‘chief’ Asiya Anderabi tried to impose burqa on Kashmiri women and the group attacked some non-veiled women with acid. The DeM even tried to prevent Kashmiri Muslim girls from visiting restaurants but had to abandon it due to the valley-wide resentment against the move. Read less...

From just eight in January 2017, ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir in January this year (2018) are already up to 134 according to data with the Ministry of Defence, reports Indian Express on January 23. With 860 ceasefire violation recorded in 2017, January is likely to record the highest number of ceasefire violations along the LoC in 14 years. Of the 860 ceasefire violations in 2017, December accounted for 147, the highest ever so far. Pakistan has claimed there were more than 1,900 ceasefire violations last year and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has alleged there were over 75 ceasefire violations by India in January 2018, so far.ources in the Indian Army’s Northern Command headquartered in Udhampur (Udhampur District of J&K) said that they expect the number in January to go past the ceasefire violations in December, which will make it the month with the highest number of ceasefire violations since October 2003. India and Pakistan agreed to a formal ceasefire in 2003 along the LoC which, which lasted, with certain exceptions, till late 2016. There were 271 ceasefire violations on the LoC in 2016, a climb-down from 387 violations in 2015. Historically, Infiltration during the snow-bound winter months has been low and even the International Border (IB) in Jammu have witnessed increased ceasefire violations over the last few days.Sources said that the increase in ceasefire violations is primarily due to two reasons: Pakistani violates the ceasefire to provide cover to help militants infiltrate across the LoC, which draws an Indian response and as part of India’s proactive counter-terror strategy to target Pakistan army posts on the LoC acting as terror launch-pads. Read less...

here is likely to be an increase in militant attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfits, intelligence agencies have said in their briefing to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) and the Jammu and Kashmir Government, reports Hindustan Times. Union Home Minister (UHM) Rajnath Singh was informed by these agencies that the two militant outfits, especially the JeM, could take the lead in fomenting trouble in Kashmir, giving Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) ‘time to regroup’, a senior UMHA functionary said. While JeM and LeT comprise foreign and Kashmiri militants, HM is mostly a Kashmiri outfit.Quoting intelligence inputs, the official added that Pakistan-based militant outfits made the decision after the killings of senior commanders of HM in the last two years. This includes 21-year-old Burhan Wani, who was killed by Security Forces (SFs) in July 2016, sparking off a five-month violent agitation in the Valley. “The home minister is personally monitoring the situation and has directed security agencies to take all necessary steps to fight off foreign militants coming from Pakistan,” said the official. Intelligence documents suggest that the LeT is ‘all set to campaign for growth in recruitment of militants’ inside Kashmir. Read less...

Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ruled out any mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue unless all parties agree to it and asked India and Pakistan to address their outstanding issues through talks amidst heightened tensions along the border, reports Daily Excelsior. The UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that in principle good offices of the UN chief are always available for mediation, but everyone needs to agree on involving the world body. Asked about escalating tensions between India and Pakistan due to ongoing skirmishes and firing along the border, Dujarric said, “We’re obviously aware. We’re following this… what’s been going on, really for the last 10 days.”Asked why the Secretary-General is not so keen to involve himself in this crisis, Dujarric said, “In principle good offices of Guterres are always available for mediation, but everyone needs to agree on involving the UN.” “As a matter of principle I’m not talking specifically about this issue, but about any issue where there is conflict between parties, the Secretary-General’s good offices are always available,” he said. “As in any issue…If there are multiple parties, everyone needs to agree on involving the UN. That is true of any mediation effort,” Dujarric said. “The Secretary-General would encourage both sides to address any outstanding issues through dialogue,” he said. Read less...

Acting upon specific Intelligence inputs on a Pune-based woman who entered Kashmir Valley to carry-out a suicide attack, the Security agencies in Kashmir Valley are elevated on alert, reports Daily News and Analysis on January 25. The woman is identified as Sadia Anwar Shaikh—a resident of Yerwada of Pune District in Maharashtra, was stopped by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from joining the Islamic State (IS) in 2015 and efforts were placed to de-radicalise her. In 2015, Sadia was a minor and could not be charged or arrested. Therefore, she was counselled for de-radicalisation. Now, she is an adult and it seems that she is still under the influence of radical forces, hence she might have moved to Kashmir to plan some attack," said an unnamed official requesting anonymity. Read less...

An Army jawan (trooper), identified as Naik Jagadish who was injured in unprovoked Pakistani firing on January 20 along Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District, succumbed to his injuries on January 24, reports Daily Excelsior. “Pakistan had resorted to unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Krishna Ghati sector on January 20. During the exchange of fire, Naik Jagadish sustained grievous splinter injuries. He was immediately evacuated and provided intensive medical care in Military Hospital,” a Defence spokesman said. However, despite all efforts the gallant soldier succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on January 24. With this, death toll during past about one week of Pakistan shelling and firing on LoC and International Border (IB) has gone up to 13 including seven civilians and six security personnel (2 BSF and 4 Army jawans) while over 65 others have been injured. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on January 24 said that as many as 25 civilians were killed and 152 injured in the past two years (2016 and 2017) in cross border firing in different parts of the State, reports Daily Excelsior. “In the past two years, 25 people have been killed and 152 got injured due to cross border firing,” Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply to the questions raised by the members Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Pradeep Sharma and Yashpal Sharma jointly in the Legislative Council. She said that in 2016, two people were killed in Jammu, six in Samba, two in Rajouri and three in Poonch while in 2017, one civilian was killed in Jammu, three in Rajouri, seven in Poonch and one in Baramulla.Giving details on injured civilians, she replied that in 2016, 40 were injured in Jammu, nine in Samba, four in Kathua, six in Rajouri, 20 in Poonch and four in Kupwara. In 2017, she said that 18 got injured in Jammu, 10 in Rajouri, 47 in Poonch and four in Baramulla.On property damaged during this period due to shelling she said that in Jammu 80 houses were damaged, in Samba 28, Kathua 13, Rajouri 13 and Poonch 31. However, in Bandipora, 15 houses were damaged, two mosques and a school while in Baramulla and Kupwara, one and 40 houses were damaged due to firing, replied Ms Mufti, who is also in-charge Home.On policy with the Government for rehabilitation of victims and compensation paid to the victims, she said, “as precautionary measures, people residing in the border districts are shifted to safer places temporarily in Government and private accommodations, where they are provided basic amenities like health care, drinking water, power, temporary toilet, sanitation, security. “Further security has been augmented in border areas in border area and anti-infiltration grid strengthened,” replied the Chief Minister adding that Police deployment was increased and adequate security provided in the border villages to ensure protection of property. “A committee has also been constituted by Government of India to monitor the problems being faced by the people residing near Line of Control,” said Mehbooba Mufti. Read less...

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, on January 24 appealed to the people to observe January 26 (Republic Day), as ‘black day’ and boycott all the functions, reports Greater Kashmir. “India has no right to celebrate its Republican Day as they have taken the control of state with its military might. We appeal to the people to observe 26th January as a black day and boycott all celebrations,” the resistance leaders, in a statement today, said. “We have no animosity with India or its people and they have every right to celebrate republican day within its states but despite their being rhetoric about democracy they have no ethical or constitutional right to celebrate this in Jammu and Kashmir as our democratic rights have been smashed and trampled,” they said. Read less...

Meanwhile, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by militants near Pampore Railway Station in Kandizal-Tangpora village in Pulwama District was defused by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on January 24, reports Daily Excelsior. The IED fitted inside a pressure cooker was recovered at new bypass near Kandizal-Tangpora village, opposite Pampore railway station, in the morning. A Bomb Disposal Squad of the CRPF defused the IED, without causing any damage. The IED was planted at a time when security has been heightened and patrols intensified to prevent any militant attacks around January 26 (Republic Day). Read less...

Separately, after a brief lull, Pakistan on January 24 yet again violated the ceasefire agreement by firing on forward Indian posts on the LoC in Rajouri District, adds Daily Excelsior. “Pakistani Army started unprovoked firing on Wednesday (January 24) evening along the Line of Control in Nowshera sector of Rajouri,” report said. “Ceasefire violation in Babakhori area of Nowshera in Rajouri was reported tonight. No loss reported yet,” reports added. Read less...

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Aligarh District of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) has awarded a ‘brilliant student’ certificate to its research scholar—Mannan Wani, who alleged to have joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), reports The Times of India on January 24. Although the University promptly expelled Mannan when his photo with AK-47 appeared on social media sites and the terror outfits ‘welcomed’ him to join its ranks. The inquiry report submitted by the AMU to the state Police described Mannan Wani as ‘brilliant student’ who had nothing ‘objectionable’ against him as the university is concerned. The ‘chief’ of HM—Syed Salahuddin had praised Mannan Wani and presented him as the new poster boy of the outfit. The joining of Wani exposed the Indian propaganda the youth of Kashmir is joining militant ranks due to unemployment and economic distress, said a statement by Salahuddin. Read less...

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on January 24 said 6,221 people suffered pellet-gun injuries during the unrest in Kashmir after the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant Burhan Wani in 2016, reports The Times of India. Replying to a question in the Legislative Council, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said 1,084 pellet-gun injuries were reported in Baramulla District, followed by 1,041 in Pulwama, 1,031 in Kulgam, 888 in Kupwara, 873 in Anantnag, 808 in Shopian, 183 in Bandipora, 167 in Budgam, 110 in Srinagar and 36 in Ganderbal District. As many 51 people were killed in Kashmir division from July 8, 2016 to February 27, 2017 in the unrest, she said.The Chief Minister said 9,042 people were injured in firing of bullets, pellets, PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide)-shells and others during the period. Of these, 6,221 were injured due to pellets, 368 due to bullets, four due to PAVA shells and 2,449 suffered other injuries, she said. As many as 782 suffered injuries in the eyes, of which 510 were hospitalized, Mufti said, adding, 5,197 cases of pellet injuries were treated at district hospitals and the rest were referred to super specialty hospitals. Violent protests had rocked the Valley after the killing of HM ‘commander’ Burhan Wani on July 8 in 2016. Read less...

Two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants, identified as Sameer Ahmad Wani alias Maviya and Firdous Ahmad alias Umar Bhai and a 17-year-old youth, identified as Shakir Ahmad Mir were killed and two girls critically injured during an encounter between militants and Security Forces (SFs) in Chaigund village of Shopian District on January 24, reports Daily Excelsior. A joint team of Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid a siege to Chaigund in Keegam area of Shopian District following specific inputs about the presence of militants in the village. As the SFs intensified the searches, the militants hiding in the house of one Ghulam Hassan Bhat opened fire triggering an encounter. Shakir Ahmad Mir, a resident of Qalampora village of Pulwama district, was killed and two teenage girls, identified as Sumi Jan and Sabreena were wounded during the initial gun fight. The encounter continued till evening and two militants of HM were killed. During the searches of the debris of the house one AK-47 and two magazines and one INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifle and two magazines were recovered.Clashes broke out in the village during the operation as protesters pelted stones at the SFs to disrupt the operation. The SFs fired teargas to disperse them. Meanwhile, Internet services were snapped in the twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama to prevent the spreading of rumours and violence.A Police spokesman said that on a specific information, the SFs laid a cordon at Chaigund area of Shopian in South Kashmir. “The hiding militants under the clad of Burka tried to break cordon and fired indiscriminately on the search party. The security forces retaliated during which Burka-clad militants were forced to go back into hiding. During indiscriminate firing by the militants and the retaliatory fire one civilian Shakir Ahmad Mir resident of Kalampora Pulwama got killed and two ladies Sabreena Jan and Sumi Jan, both the residents of Keegam, Shopian received bullet injuries. The injured ladies were taken to SMHS hospital where from they were shifted to SKIMS Soura for specialised treatment”, the spokesman said. The spokesman said that Sumi Jan was a resident of the house in which the encounter took place and Sabreena Jan is a sister of HM militant Sameer Wani who was also hiding in the house and was later killed. “So far one AK 47, one INSAS and two dead bodies of militants have been recovered from the encounter site”, he said.  Read less...

Two live mortar shells fired by Pakistani troops exploded in the premises of a Government school in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri District on January 24, reports Daily Excelsior. No loss of life or damage to property has been reported in explosion of the shells. Read less...

Two masked gunmen on January 24 barged into the house of the principal of a high school in Pulwama and thrashed him for letting girls participate in the upcoming Republic Day (January 26) parade, reports The Times of India. In a video that went viral, the militants are seen entering the house of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh at Pinglena village and asking him to apologise for ‘pressurizing the girl students’ to attend the January 26 parade in the District. "We have our agents in the police department who are keeping a close vigil on every movement. We will also identify the lady teacher who teaches dance to girls," the men are heard saying in the video. The ‘warning’ comes just two days after Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) issued a diktat to Kashmiri women, threatening them to be prepared for ‘consequences’ if they did not observe the ‘Islamic dress code’. Pulwama Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Aslam Choudary said, "Militants are involved in issuing the threat and we have launched an inquiry to identify them." Read less...

A minor boy identified as Musharraf Ahmad was injured when an unexploded shell went off at Chaigund village in Shopian District on January 25, reports Daily Excelsior. South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) had earlier reported that it was at Chaigund village where two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed during an encounter between militants and Security Forces (SFs) on January 24. Read less...

A radicalised Pune-based teenage girl was detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on January 25 night following an intelligence input that she wanted to join banned Islamic State (ISIS) terror group, reports The Times of India. The girl identified as Sadiya Anwar Shaikh (18), had come from Pune (Maharashtra) and was staying in Bijbehara in Anantnag District as a paying guest and planning to join the ISIS, the Police have claimed. However, during her extensive questioning, the school dropout turned out to be having radical thoughts who had fallen prey to false propaganda on social networking site about alleged suffering of the Kashmiri people at the hands of Security Forces (SFs), the officials said. The State Police has got in touch with her mother and aunt and she will be handed over to them as there is no case pending against the detained girl either in the Valley or Maharashtra, they said. According to reports, it was a case of misinterpreting an intelligence input by the Jammu and Kashmir Police who were informed by central security agencies that a Pune-based girl, who was detained on various occasions by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Pune, had shifted her base to the Valley and that surveillance needs to be mounted. However, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Munir Khan, who is functioning as Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, issued an alert to all districts naming her and claiming she was a suicide bomber planning to disrupt the Republic Day (January 26) function. The note signed by Khan said that ‘there is a strong input’ that an 18-year-old non-Kashmiri woman might ‘cause a suicide bomb explosion’ near or inside the Republic Day parade in Kashmir. "All are directed to please ensure that frisking of ladies at the (venues) is done meticulously and with utmost caution so as to thwart the designs of ANEs (anti-national elements)," the note, circulated on January 23, read. On January 26, after understanding the gravity of the faux pas, Khan refused to give any details and said, "We will be talking to her and we will be talking to our sister agencies. We will be covering every other lead to know what the facts are. After doing proper investigation, we will come to any conclusion." Shaikh had been questioned by the Pune ATS in 2015, when it came to notice that she had been radicalised after coming in contact with ISIS supporters abroad. She was planning to travel to Syria, the ATS had then claimed. The woman, a Class 11 student at a Pune college, was subsequently sent for a de-radicalisation programme by the ATS. Read less...

After suffering heavy casualties and infrastructural damages on the International Border (IB), Pakistan on January 25 called for Sector Commander-level flag meeting with the Border Security Force (BSF), which was held in the afternoon in which the BSF conveyed stern message to the Pakistan Rangers that provocative acts by them were unacceptable and will not be tolerated, reports Daily Excelsior. The meeting lasted half an hour in Suchetgarh sector in Jammu District and was attended by five officers of the BSF and 10 from the Pakistan Rangers.Thirteen persons-seven civilians and six security personnel-were killed and 65 others injured in Pakistani shelling along IB and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region during the last 10 days. However, losses on Pakistan side were very heavy, both in terms of casualties and infrastructure. Pakistan’s ammunition and fuel dumps and firing posts were destroyed by the BSF in retaliatory action. The meeting was the first between the two sides since “heavy shelling and firing was experienced on the IB during the last week”, sources said. Read less...

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants hurled a grenade towards Police station Pulwama in Pulwama District on January 26, reports Kashmir Observer. Official sources said that militants threw the grenade which hit the roof of the building and exploded with a bang. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pulwama Mohammad Aslam choudary said that a blast like sound was heard near Police station and the investigations have been launched to ascertain nature of the blast. The SSP, however, said that no one suffered injury in the incident. Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched searches in the whole area to trace those behind the incident. However, no one has been arrested when this report was filed. Later, JeM claimed responsibility for the grenade attack. Read less...

Pakistan army shelled forward posts and villages on January 26 and January 27 evenings on LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, adds Daily Excelsior. According to reports, Pakistan army rained mortars and bullets in forward areas on the LoC in three sectors including Nowshera, Krishna Ghati and Mankote in Rajouri and Poonch Districts during last two days (January 26-27), causing injuries to an ex-serviceman while there were reports that Pakistan has suffered heavy damages during retaliatory shelling by the Indian troops. Read less...

Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) declared India as its number one enemy, reports ANI News on January 26. This declaration was made by Maulana Talha Siaf, the brother of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar at a rally in Larkana, Sindh in Pakistan, recently. "India is the number one enemy of the JeM. Modi (Indian Prime Minister) is the number one enemy of Maulana Masood Azhar. Al Qalam is being regularly read by Indian Muslims. Al Qalam has been published online on Tuesday/Wednesday, and while you may not be able to receive a copy of this paper, your relatives in India read Al Qalam of Maulana Masood Azhar regularly. Indian media has launched a campaign against Al Qalam, and by this way, our enemy is performing our duties in India," Maulana Talha Siaf said. He also incited Muslims to follow the path of `Jihad' to achieve something great in life."India is a mini super power of the region that has created problems for Pakistan for the past sixty years, but India's six lakh forces are facing a tough time in the Kashmir Valley and are unable to announce their victory in Kashmir, said Siaf provocatively. Maulana Saif also said, "Mothers and daughters of Kashmir are calling us and we slaves are unable to cross the borders of infidels, but today, free Mujahideen can cross borders." He also raised the issue of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya city, saying, "The Indian government is using its machinery to attempt to build the Ram Mandir in place of the Babri Mosque. Maulana Masood Azhar had announced that the Ram Mandir would not be allowed to be constructed at the place of the Babri Mosque. Now, every year, the government announces that on such and such date the Ram Mandir will be built, and again from this side, there is an announcement that they will not allow the construction of the Ram Mandir in place of the Babri Mosque, and still the Ram Mandir is not built." Read less...

Meanwhile, Security Forces (SFs) on January 27 launched a cordon and search operation in Watnard village in Anantnag District official sources said, reports Daily Excelsior. They said following specific information about presence of militants, a joint search operation was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of State Police, 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 164 battalion of CRPF at village Watnard in Anantnag. Read less...

militants fired two grenades at Police Post Warpora in Sopore area of Baramulla District on January 27 evening, reports Daily Excelsior. Two Police men were injured in the attack. Security Forces (SFs) immediately cordoned off the area and conducted searches Read less...

Two civilians were killed and one injured when Army fired on a group of violent protestors in Shopian District of South Kashmir on January 27, reports Daily Excelsior. The protestors pelted stones on an Army Force convoy passing through Ganovpora village in Shopian District. Army fired few rounds to chase away the protestors in which several persons were injured. Two of the injured persons, identified as Javaid Ahmad Bhat and Suhail Javid Lone, succumbed to injuries. Another youth was rushed to a hospital in Srinagar in a critical condition for specialised treatment. A Police spokesman said that a convoy of 10 Gadwal of Army on its way from 12 Sector headquarters Balpora Shopian to Maspora, came under heavy stone pelting at village Ganowpora. “Pertinently, Ganowpora is the village of militant Firdous Ahmad, who was recently killed in an encounter on January 24, 2018 at Cheegund, Shopian”, said the spokesman. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed directed the district administration to conduct a probe into the incident and come up with findings at the earliest.The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) condemned the killing of two youth and called for shutdown on January 28 against the killings. Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik appealed for a complete shutdown on January 28 against the killings of two youth. Read less...

A 35-year-old woman, critically injured in Pakistani firing along the International Border (IB) in Kanachak in Jammu District recently, succumbed to her injuries on January 28, raising to 14, the number of deaths due to cross-border shelling since January 18, reports Daily Excelsior. Bimla Devi of Kana Chak was critically injured in Pakistani shelling on January 22 and was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital in Jammu. With the killing of Bimla Devi, death toll in Pakistan shelling and firing during past about 10 days, has gone up to 14 including eight civilians and six security personnel. Besides nearly 70 persons, mostly civilians, were injured. Read less...

Pakistan army again violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District on January 28 night, adds Daily Excelsior. Reports said an Army jawan (trooper) was injured in the firing. The Indian side retaliated effectively. Security Forces (SFs) remained on high alert all along the Line of Control (LoC) and IB to give befitting reply to any provocation by Pakistani troops. Read less...

Police on January 29 filed a charge sheet against Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and 11 people for conspiring and carrying out the attack on a bus in which Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were travelling that left eight pilgrims dead on July 10, 2017, reports Daily Excelsior. The 1,600-page charge sheet was filed under various Sections of Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) and the anti-terror Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act (UAPA) before a sessions court at Anantnag. The probe into the incident was completed in a record six months by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) S P Pani after the first arrest was made in the case.The 11 people in the charge sheet include a juvenile. The charge sheet against the juvenile was filed before Chief Judicial Magistrate (Juvenile Court) at Anantnag in South Kashmir and he is on bail. The SIT during the course of investigation has established that LeT was involved in the attack. It on the basis of evidences collected during the course of investigation established involvement of 11 people, of which four persons including a juvenile were arrested while three are still at large. The main accused Abu Ismail alias Haroon, a Pakistani National, was killed in an encounter in Arigam, Nowgam in Srinagar on September 14, 2017 and Yawar Bashir alias Ayaan Bashir Ahmad Wani of Habilsh Devsar and Maaviya and Furqaan of Pakistan were killed in an encounter at Qazigund. Three accused Khalid Muzafar Dar of Rehpora Khudwani, Tanveer Ahmad Dar of Rehpora Khudwani and Sarjeel Ahmad Shiekh of Khudwani are absconding. Three arrested persons including a juvenile are Aijaz Ahmad Wagay son of Ghulam Qadir Wagay of Poshkreri Srigufwara, Bilal Ahmad Reshi son of Mushtaq Ahmad Reshi of Iqbal Market Bijbehara and Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh son of Mohammad Maqbool Sheikh of Sheikh Mohalla Khudwani, Kulgam. Police said that the SIT during the investigation has found incontrovertible evidences and brought it on record establishing complicity of accused persons in the case.  Read less...

Time has not come for any rethink on Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act [AFSPA] or making some of its provisions milder, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said, asserting that the Army has been taking adequate precautions in protecting human rights while operating in disturb areas like Jammu and Kashmir, reports Daily Excelsior on January 28. Rawat’s remarks assume significance as they come against the backdrop of reports that several rounds of high-level discussions have taken place between the defence and home ministries on the ‘need to remove or dilute at least some provisions’ of the AFSPA. The act gives the Security Forces special rights and immunity in carrying out various operations in disturbed areas. There has been a long-standing demand from various quarters in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast to withdraw it. “I do not think time has come to even rethink on AFSPA at the moment,” General Rawat said in a recent interview when asked about reports that Government was re-examining the demand for a milder version of AFSPA in these states.The Army chief said though AFSPA has certain strong provisions, the Army is concerned about collateral damages and ensuring that its operations under the law do not inconvenience the local people. “We have never been strong in applying the force the way it could be applied (under AFSPA). We are very concerned about human rights. We are absolutely concerned about collateral damage. So do not get too much concerned because we are taking adequate measures and precautions,” he said. General Rawat said the Army has rules of engagements for various operations at every level to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the people while it is operating under AFSPA. “The AFSPA is an enabling provision which allows the Army in particular to operate in such difficult areas and let me assure you that the Army has got quite a good human rights record,” he said. Asked whether time has come to adopt a combined approach involving all three services to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army Chief did not give a direct reply but added that the armed forces have ‘options available’ to conduct various kinds of operations. Read less...

Earlier in the day on January 29, Indian Army noticed some suspicious movement along the LoC in Uri sector and challenged the intruders. The alert jawans opened speculative firing, forcing the intruders to retreat, an army official said. Read less...

Meanwhile, Army destroyed unexploded mortar shells at village Bhour Jagir in Akhnoor tehsil of Jammu District, reports Daily Excelsior on January 29. As per defence spokesman Colonel NN Joshi, two bombs of 82mm mortar fired by Pakistan Rangers were found by villagers in village Bhour Jagir. These unexploded bombs were found inside the village in proximity of houses and local population, he added. He informed that the information was conveyed by the villagers to the Indian Army. On receipt of information, Army’s expert bomb disposal team from the local formation was dispatched to the village. Colonel Joshi further stated that the team under great risk, dug out these unexploded live bombs from the village and destroyed them at a safe place. Read less...

Pakistani troops on January 29 violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in the Baramulla District by opening fire at Indian posts, defence sources said, reports Daily Excelsior. The sources said the Pakistani troops fired towards Indian positions first in the afternoon, which was retaliated by the Indian Army. After a gap of nearly six hours, the Pakistani troops began fresh firing that lasted nearly 30 minutes, the sources said. There was no damage reported in the firing so far, the sources said.  Read less...

The Border Security Force (BSF) would deploy the speedboats to fill the security gaps, commonly termed in security establishments as “Achilles’ Heel”, on rivers in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Punjab that borders with Pakistan, reports India Today on January 29. Earlier in January 2018, the Indian Army encountered and killed five terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) when they were intercepted at the banks of the Jhelum River in Kashmir’s Uri sector. The BSF’s water wing has acquired 43 speedboats from Cleghorn Manufacturing Company Private Limited out of which 25 boats will be deployed in J&K and Punjab Rivers bordering Pakistan, whereas remaining will be used at the India-Bangladesh border. Read less...

Pakistan resumed heavy shelling along Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri District, prompting the district administration to make five relief camps again operational in the town in which 700 to 800 border dwellers were camping while the State Government on January 30 deputed a high-level team to the border town for on-spot assessment of the ‘tense situation’ after the issue echoed in the Assembly, reports Daily Excelsior. Pakistan army suddenly started raining mortars and bullets with automatic and semi-automatic weapons targeting half a dozen villages and forward posts of the Army in Nowshera sector, forcing the Indian troops to retaliate effectively to silence the Pakistani guns. Heavy exchange of shelling continued for two hours.Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing along LoC at Dharati, Sohala and Panjani areas of Balakote in Poonch District. The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to heavy exchanges. Read less...

Union Home Minister (UHM) Rajnath Singh on January 30 slammed Pakistan for continuously violating the ceasefire agreement with India despite giving assurance not to do so, saying Islamabad should not misinterpret ‘powerful’ India’s ‘decency’, reports Daily Excelsior. Pakistani shelling along the border in Jammu and Kashmir has increased over the past two weeks. Fourteen people, including eight civilians, have been killed in the shelling since January 18, according to the State Police. “Three-four days ago, Pakistan Rangers held a flag meeting with our BSF DG. (The Rangers) assured that the ceasefire violation would not take place. But despite this, Pakistan has been violating ceasefire,” Singh said. “Not saying much, I just want to say our politeness and decency has a limit and we want to maintain good relations with all and also with our neighbours. But our decency should not be wrongly interpreted,” he said. “India is no more a weak country. India has now become a powerful country.” Singh said Pakistan, being a neighbour, should have a friendly attitude towards India, but added that the fencing of the Indo-Pak border was underway at a rapid pace. Read less...

The Army has submitted its version of the January 27 incident, when its convoy was attacked in Shopian District, to the Jammu and Kashmir Police and explained its reasons for opening fire at the stone pelting mob, officials said on January 31, adds Daily Excelsior. According to the Army’s narrative, submitted on January 30, the force’s convoy was attacked by a group of stone pelters and its personnel resorted to firing to save themselves, the officials said. The Army’s version comes after the State Police registered an FIR (First Information Report) about the incident in Ganovpora area of Shopian in south Kashmir in which two youths were killed. One more person succumbed to his injuries on January 31, raising the toll to three. It has claimed it opened firing in self defence after seven of its personnel were injured. The Army has also submitted photographs of the vehicles damaged in the stone pelting. The State Government has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. Read less...

Thousands of people from Narpora and its adjoining villages took part in the funeral of the youth amid protests. A spontaneous strike was observed in Shopian District on 7th consecutive day on January 31 while as the neighbouring Pulwama returned to normal on January 31 after remaining shut for five days  but the District, however, observed shutdown again on January 31 after Rayees’s death. Shops and commercial establishments were closed in the twin districts while as transport was off the roads. Soon after the funeral of Ganie was over, clashes erupted between youths and security forces at Shopian, Pulwama, Muran Chowk and Rajpora Chowk. Police fired teargas to disperse the protesters. Read less...

Pakistani troops on January 31 again violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri Districts, prompting retaliation by Indian Army, reports Daily Excelsior. The firing from across the border in Mankote sector of Poonch District began around 5 pm and was continuing intermittently from both sides, reports said. They added that Pakistani troops targeted forward posts and villages in Dabraj, Balnoi and Narh of Mankote with small and heavy weapons. There was no report of any casualty in the Pakistani firing. Pakistan again violated ceasefire in Nowshera in Rajauri District forward by resorting to small arms firing and mortar shelling.Reports said Pakistani troops had also resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling for 15 minutes in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district last evening (January 30). Besides Krishna Ghati sector, Pakistani troops had pounded half a dozen villages in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Read less...

A youth, identified as Rayees Ahmad Ganie (19) who was injured in Army firing in Shopian District on January 27, succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar on January 31 morning, reports Daily Excelsior. As SATP reported earlier, two civilians were killed and several persons injured when Army fired on a group of violent protestors in Shopian District of South Kashmir on January 27. The protestors pelted stones on an Army Force convoy passing through Ganovpora village in Shopian District. Read less...