Jammu & Kashmir: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2021

Police,on January 1, said that they arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of militants who was tasked to kill a recently elected Councillor in Baramulla town in BaramullaDistrict of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India, reports Daily Excelsior. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Abdul Qayoom said that the arrested OGW was tasked to recruit youth and to kill a newly elected Councillor. The SSP said that they arrested a militant associate, Asif Gull, early this week who was under the Police radar for the past eight months for his involvement in a grenade attack in Baramulla in August last year (2020) that claimed the lives of security personnel besides having over two dozen cases registered against him. It was also found during the investigation that he was in touch with the most wanted and longest surviving militant Hyder and associates who were killed in an encounter last year.“Hyder and another associate were in touch with Asif Gull and it repeatedly surfaced he was involved in a grenade attack but had gone into hiding since then to undertake some tasks,” he said. Read less...

A soldier was killed in firing by Pakistan army in violation of Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. Defence Ministry Spokesman, Jammu, Lt Col Devinder Anand, said, at about 1530 hours [IST], Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along LoC in Nowshera sector, to which Indian Army retaliated befittingly.In the evening at about 1730 hours [IST], Pakistan again initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation in Nowshera sector, and in the incident, Naib Subedar Ravinder was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) claimed to have busted yet another terror module with the arrest of a suspected militant in Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. With the arrest of the militant, a total of five different modules of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot The Resistance Force (TRF) have been unearthed in the past two weeks, the JKP said.Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mukesh Singh, said, “On the basis of reliable information a person identified as Mohammad Yousaf, 20, son of Ghulam Haider of Deval in Mahore Tehsil[revenue unit] of Reasi district was apprehended [arrested] by a team of police station Mahore”.During sustained questioning he divulged that he had hidden some cache of arms and ammunition in a hideout at village lower Angrala of in Mahore, the officer added.“A joint search operation of Jammu Kashmir Police and army was launched in the area and five live grenades and a 9 mm pistol along with ammunition were recovered from the hideout,” IGP, Singh, said. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) claimed to have arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) Over Ground Worker (OGW) in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. According to a Police spokesman, on a tip-off, they have arrested an OGW of LeT and recovered incriminating material and explosive in Awantipora in Pulwama. Read less...

Suspected militants attacked Security Forces (SFs) with a grenade in Chanapora area in Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 1, reports Daily Excelsior. A senior Police officer said, militants hurled grenade on Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Chanapora,however,inthe attack no loss of life or injury was reported, and soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to arrest the attackers. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) recovered a cache of arms and ammunition near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar tehsil(revenue unit) in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 3, reports Daily Excelsior. This was the third round of recovery of arms and ammunition in the District following the busting of a three-member module of Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF).Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Poonch, Ramesh Angral said, the fresh recovery has been made during a search and cordon operation from Dabbi village along the LoC in Balakote sector of Mendhar.The recovery includes one pistol, three magazines, 35 bullets and five hand grenades, he said.Three militant associates were arrested in Balakote area on December 27 and six hand grenades were recovered from them. Earlier, SATP had reported, Poonch Police and Army foiled a major plot by the militants to trigger communal tension in Poonch District of J&K in India on December 27, with arrest of three militants of newly floated JK Ghaznavi Force in Mendhar area who were planning to target religious places of minorities starting with famous temple of Ari. Read less...

The Pakistan Army violated CeaseFire Agreement (CFA) by resorting to unprovoked firing and intense mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 3, reports Daily Excelsior. A defence spokesman said, the firing and shelling from across the border in Mendhar sector started at 4.15 pm [IST], prompting a befitting retaliation by the Indian army. However, there was no report of any damage on the Indian side. Read less...

Four militants of Al Badr outfit were killed and three others injured as troops foiled an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Tarkundi village in Manjakote sector in Rajouri District in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India, Daily Excelsior on January 5. Delayed reports said the intrusion bid was foiled on December 30 but details about killing of militants and Pakistan army personnel were received last night (January 4) after bodies were detected lying on the LoC as weather cleared after few days of rains and light snowfall.Intercepts revealed that a Pakistan army trooper was also killed in the exchange of firing while two militants managed to escape back in injured condition. Read less...

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 7, conducted searches at six locations – five in Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and one in Tarn Taran District of Punjab in connection with the investigation of a narco-terror module case (RC 05/2020/ NIA/JMU) related to seizure of about 61 kilograms of heroin along with arms and ammunitions on September 20, 2020 at International Border (IB) at Arnia in Jammu District, says NIA. The officials recovered digital devices and other incriminating documents having financial details and accounts numbers during these searches. Originally registered at Arnia Police Station (Jammu), the case was re-registered by NIA on November 26, 2020 and taken up for investigation.The searches were conducted at the residences of six accused persons namely – Jasraj Singh, Sham Lal, Bishan Dass, Ajeet Kumar, Gurbaksh Singh and Gurpartap Singh. These accused persons were arrested for hatching a criminal conspiracy for carrying out anti-national and unlawful activities, and to help the terrorist organisations by collecting funds and channelizing the proceeds of drugs for furthering the activities of such terrorist organisations like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Gurpratap Singh, r/o Tarn Taran District is the kingpin of this module. In the second week of September 2020, Gurpratap Singh had received 10 kilograms of heroin from Pakistan based handlers through his associates. The consignment in the case was also intended to be received by Gurpratap Singh to fund the activities of BKI in Punjab. Read less...

An Army porter was injured in a landmine blast near Line of Control (LoC) in Tanghdar area in Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 8, reports Daily Excelsior.Official sources said, the porter identified Showkat Ahmad Chack (35) son of late Ghulam Rasool Chack of Tanghdar Nard suffered serious injuries in foot in the blast which took place near Sid Post along the LoC. Read less...

Pakistani troops violated Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) by resorting to unprovoked mortar shelling and firing on forward posts and villages in different sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua Districts of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. a Defence spokesman said, “At about 3 pm [IST], Pakistan (army) initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling mortars along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. Indian Army retaliated befittingly.” However, there was no immediate report of any damage on the Indian side. Pakistan army resorted to mortar shelling in Balakote, Digwar and Kirni sectors along the LoC in Poonch District.Pakistani Rangers also resorted to unprovoked firing in Gurnam Border Outpost area along the IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua District. Read less...

Awantipora Police busted a hideout of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit and arrested one Over Ground Worker (OGW) of militants at Chandhara area in Pampore town in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. The arrested OGW has been identified as Adil Ahmad Shah son of Mohammad Azad Shah, a resident of Chandhara Pampore. During search, one large hideout was found in the cowshed of the house with small opening covered by a lid and a tunnel of about 6ft leading to the hideout. Incriminating material of proscribed outfit LeT and 26 rounds of AK-47 were recovered from the hideout, a Police statement said. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Budgam District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 10, reports Daily Excelsior. Official sources said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Bon Makhama village in Beerwah in Budgam. SFs said searches were also being conducting in nearby fields, adding all the exit points have been sealed to foil any attempts by militants to escape. Read less...

A 14-year-old boy was injured in Pakistani shelling in violation of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Shahpur sector in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 11, reports Daily Excelsior. Mohammad Jehangir was hit by splinters when a mortar shell exploded near his house in Shahpur sector during intense shelling by Pakistan army, the officials said. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit accused of providing logistic support to militants from Awantipora area in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 11, reports Daily Excelsior. The arrested OGWs of JeM, identified as Shezaan Gulzar Beigh from Gadhikhal Chersoo and Waseem-ul-Rehman Sheikh from Midoora Awantipora, were involved in providing shelter, support, logistics, as well as in transporting of arms and ammunition of the militants in Awantipora and Tral areas and passing sensitive information to the militants of the outfit. Police said that they have been in touch with ‘commander’s in Pakistan through various social media platforms, and one of the arrested OGWs has also gone to Pakistan and met some militant ‘commander’s there. Read less...

More than 270 terrorists (militants) are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), which is less than the 2019 and 2020 figures, official sources said, reports Daily Excelsior on January 14.The Union Territory (UT) has seen a decrease in terrorist incidents, infiltration and civilian killings in 2020, while Security Forces (SFs) carried out more than 100 “successful” counter-terrorism operations killing 225 terrorists, the official sources said, adding, there are over 270 terrorists active in J&K currently, of whom 205 are in Kashmir Valley.There were 421 active terrorists in J&K in 2019 and over 300 in 2020. While a total of 225 terrorists were killed in 2020, as many as 160 terrorists were killed in 2019 and 257 in 2018.In 2020, terrorists’ activities were also witnessed in so-far peaceful areas south of the Pir Panjal range in Jammu region, including Kishtwar-Doda and Poonch, the official sources said.Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) chief Dilbag Singh had earlier said, “As many as 635 OGWs (Over Ground Workers) were arrested (in 2020) and 56 out of them were booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).” Singh had said that all the terror organisations are leaderless now and those militants who are recruited as leaders of any group by Pakistan-based handlers are caught or killed. Read less...

Militants lobbed a grenade on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)party of 21 battalion outside Chhatti Padhsahi Gurudwara at Rainawari chowk in Srinagar city in Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. The militants lobbed the grenade at a mobile security checkpoint set up by the CRPF at Rainawari in the old city, however, there was no damage done due to the explosion, officials said. Read less...

Police arrested two OverGround Workers (OGWs) of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit from the Bulbul Bagh area in Srinagar city in Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. A Police spokesman said,“Based on reliable information, Srinagar Police have arrested two terrorist associates of proscribed terrorist outfit LeT from Bulbul Bagh Barzulla area of district Srinagar.” The arrested OGWs have been identified as Muzaffar Jan, a resident of Old Barzulla and Abass Shafi Najar, a resident of Natipora locality in Srinagar.Arms and ammunition including two Chinese pistols, two magazines and 13 live pistol cartridges were recovered from their possession. Read less...

The Border Security Force (BSF) detected a tunnel in Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 13, reports Daily Excelsior. Officials said, “Border Security Force detects a tunnel along the international border in Hiranagar sector of Kathua. More details awaited”.The cross-border tunnel originating from Shakargarh forward village of Pakistan and opening in Bobiya village along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua District amid indications that the tunnel might have been dug as early as in 2016-17. Read less...

Around 300-400 terrorists trained in camps across the Line of Control (LoC) are ready to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Army chief General M M Naravane said on January 15, reports Daily Excelsior.In his speech during the Army Day Parade, General Naravane also said that there has been 44 per cent increase in ceasefire violations that reflects Pakistan’s sinister design. Pakistan often provides cover fire to help terrorists sneak into J&K.General Naravane said India’s active operations and strong counter-infiltration grid not only inflicted heavy losses on the enemy but they contained infiltration attempts as well.He said the Army killed over 200 terrorists in counter-terror operations and on the LoC last year, adding these measures have provided people of Jammu and Kashmir relief from terrorism.“Strong response is being given to the enemy on the other border. Pakistan continues to provide safe haven to terrorists. In the training camps, across the LoC around 300-400 terrorists are ready to infiltrate,” he said.“There was an increase of 44 per cent in the ceasefire violations last year which is proof of Pakistan’s sinister plans. There were also attempts to smuggle weapons using drones,” he added. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) claimed to have busted a fake Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) module of extortionists in Sopore in Baramulla District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 17, reports Daily Excelsior. The Police received a complaint from a person that he had received a letter on the letter pad of LeT, demanding INR 50,000 for the outfit since it was in a dire need of funds for carrying out various activities.During the course of investigation, it came to fore that three persons identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Reshi, a driver, Mumtaz Ahmad War, an Imam of a mosque, and Abdul Qayoom Ganie, a mason, all residents of Warpora mastered a plan to collect money from the complainant. The Police said that all three accused were arrested and upon interrogation, the three revealed how they were blackmailing the general public and prominent businessmen of the area by sending letters on the fake letter pad of LeT.During their further questioning they confessed that their area of operation was not confined to Warpora and they have extorted money from residents of main town Sopore also. Read less...

Two militants affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were arrested along with weaponry by a joint team of Police and Special Operations Group (SOG) Jammu, between Batote and Ramban stretch of the National Highway in Ramban Districtof Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 18, reports Daily Excelsior. The arrested militants were identified as Umar Ahmed Malik son of Abdul Ahmed Malik and Suhail Ahmed Malik son of Mohammad Yaseen Malik, both residents of village Semthan in Bijbehara area of Anantnag District. Police said that a consignment of the weaponry had been dropped by the Pakistani Rangers using a drone at the International Border (IB) somewhere in Vijaypur sector of Samba District, and JeM handler Aqib alias Alfa operating in Budgam had asked the two arrested operatives of the outfit to pick up the consignment from the IB in Vijaypur sector.The recoveries included two AK-74, one Pistol, 16 Grenades, nine Ak-Magazines, 269 Live Bullets and two Magazines. Read less...

Acting upon another information that militants were planning to lob grenade in Anantnag town, Security Forces (SFs) laid surprise nakas(Police check post) at multiple places, and arrested one militant associate of JeM militant outfit, identified as Rayees Ahmad Mir, a resident of Chandhara Pampore, at Mehendi Kadal in Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 19, reports Daily Excelsior. One hand grenade was recovered from Rayees’s possession. Read less...

Police arrested one recently recruited militant of proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit identified as Ayaaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Shirpora Bala, in Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 19, reports Daily Excelsior. One Chinese pistol, one magazine and 7 live rounds was recovered from his possession. Read less...

Three infiltrators were killed while four India Army personnel sustained injuries, as troops thwarted infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in forward Jogma village in Khour sector in Akhnoor tehsil (revenue unit) of Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in Indiaon January 19, reports Daily Excelsior.Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling at forward village of Jogma in Khour sector of Akhnoor last night with a view to push trained militants into the Indian territory. The Indian Army retaliated and in retaliatory actionat least three militants who were being pushed into the Indian territory under the cover of firing were killed, and four Indian Army jawans(troopers) were also injured in the shelling.“At least three armed infiltrators have been killed in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops,’’ sources said, adding their bodies were lying on the LoC but haven’t been picked up by the Pakistani troops so far.The possibility of one or two infiltrators retreating to Pakistan under the cover of Pakistani firing is not ruled out.The infiltrators, according to sources, were well-trained cadre of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit and were trying to intrude with a view to either reach South Kashmir using Pir Panjal mountains from area near Sunderbani or they might have intentions to disturb Republic Day celebrations in Jammu. However, the alert Army personnel have successfully foiled the infiltration plot. Read less...

An Army Havaldar was killed as Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing in violation of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) on the Line of Control (LoC) at a forward post in Mankore area in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 21, reports Daily Excelsior. Havaldar Nirmal Singh of 10 JAK Rifles was critically injured in Pakistan shelling and firing in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch District and later succumbed to his injuries. Pakistani troops also resorted to firing and shelling in civilian areas of Kirni, Kasba, Digwar, Malti and Khari Karmara areas in Poonch District. On the other hand, the Pakistani troops also suffered heavy losses in the Indian retaliatory action, but exact details couldn’t be ascertained, however, said that at least two posts of Pakistan army were hit in the Indian retaliation causing casualties of the troops across the LoC. Pakistan army has been shelling the Indian civilian areas on the LoC in utter frustration after suffering heavy damages and casualties at the hands of Indian troops. Read less...

Unidentified militants lobbed a grenade targeting Gypsy of Special Operations Group (SOG) at Dadpeth under Chatroo Police Station in Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 22, reports Daily Excelsior. Police said the militants, whose exact number couldn’t be ascertained, lobbed grenade on the SOG Gypsy in which an Inspector was travelling from behind the bushes at Dadpeth. The grenade missed the target and exploded harmlessly. The militant (s) managed to escape from the spot by the time the SOG personnel could take positions. There have been reports that militants were trying to further revive militancy in Kishtwar District. Read less...

Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) attached immovable property of a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) associate in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 25, reports Daily Excelsior. A Police spokesman said the Police attached the house of a JeM associate, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, a resident of Zantrang village in Khrew in Awantipora in Pulwama District. The property was attached in a case related to a militant attack on Security Forces (SFs) on January 21, 2020, in which an army soldier and a Policeman were killed. Two militants were also killed in the encounter, the spokesman said. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) averted a major tragedy when they detected and defused a live grenade in Baramulla District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 26, reports Daily Excelsior. During the patrolling by SFs at village Sherpora in Chandoosa in Baramulla, a live grenade was detected, and later, the grenade was defused without causing any damage. Read less...

At least three soldiers of a Road Opening Party (ROP) were injured, one of them seriously, when militants detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Kulgam District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 27 (today), reports Daily Excelsior. Official sources said, militants triggered an IED at Shamshipora, Kulgam, when a ROP was passing the area on main road. The entire area has been cordoned off and a massive search operation has been launched to arrest the militants responsible for the attack. Read less...

Nearly two months after being shot at by militants, a 24-year-old youth from Bilal Colony area of Soura succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS hospital in Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 27, reports Daily Excelsior. The youth, Nadif Hanie Khan son of Muhammad Hanief, succumbed to his injuries late on January 27 at SKIMS Soura where he was admitted since December 1, 2020, when the militants fired upon him near his residence. Read less...

One of the four soldiers succumbed to his injuries in Kulgam District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 27 (today), reports Daily Excelsior. Four soldiers sustained injuries, one of them seriously, in Shamshipora area along the Srinagar-Jammu National highway in Kulgam District, when militants detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The soldier who succumbed to his injuries has been identified as Deepak Kumar of Kosli in Rewari in Haryana. Those who are injured have been identified as Havaldar Sameeka of Raghunathpur in Sundargarh in Odisha, Naik Methil Barl of Garvana in Sundargarh in Odisha and Kan Singh of Suganarh in Nagore in Rajasthan. Earlier, SATP had reported that at least three soldiers of a Road Opening Party (ROP) were injured, one of them seriously, when militants detonated an IED in Kulgam District on January 27. Read less...

A teenage boy identified as Ikhlaq, son of Farooq Hussain of Shahpur village, was injured in cross-border shelling and firing by Pakistani soldier on the villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. Officials said that the boy received multiple splinter injuries when Pakistan violated the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) by shelling in the evening hours on January 28. Read less...

Security Forces (SFs) arrested a militant of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit in Bandipora District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 28, reports Daily Excelsior. The militant, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan from Panzigam area in Bandipora, was arrested at a special checkpoint established by SFs following a tip-off, a Police spokesman said. Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, was recovered from Khan’s possession, the spokesman added. Read less...

A gun battle broke out between militants and Security Forces (SFs) in Batpora Lelhara village in Kakapora area in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 29, reports Daily Excelsior. A joint team of Police, Army’s 50 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. As the joint team of SFs approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated triggering an encounter. An official said that two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area. Read less...

Pakistani troops violated the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) as they opened heavy fire and lobbed mortars at forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 29, reports Daily Excelsior. A defence spokesperson said, “At 1800 hours today (Friday), the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri.” The Indian Army retaliated befittingly, he added. Read less...

Police arrested three youth with pistols and grenades in Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 29, reports Daily Excelsior. The three youth were arrested in Pazalpora area in Bijbehara. Two pistols and three grenades were recovered from their possession. They have been identified as Irfan Ahmed Ahanger of Khanabal, Imran Nabi Hajam of Nathpora, Khanabal and Bilal Ahmed Kumar, a resident of Heff Shirmal Shopian. Read less...

Three militants were killed in an encounter in Tral area in Pulwama District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 29, reports Daily Excelsior. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said, Awantipora Police received information that militants were hiding in Mandoora area of Tral. Acting on information, an operation was launched in which the three militants who belonged to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), and identified as Arif Bashir of Mandoora, who had joined the militancy last year, Waris Hassan who had joined in August last year, and another as Syed Asiful Haq of Noopora, were killed. The IGP said that an AK-47 and four grenades besides a pistol was recovered from the slain militants. Read less...

Unidentified militants triggered an explosion near compound wall of a temple at Kot Dhara in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 29, reports Daily Excelsior. “The incident took place around 1 am. However, there were no splinter of explosives device around,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, Chandan Kohli said, and didn’t rule out the incident as “an act of militancy”. SSP, Kohli said entire area was immediately cordoned off after the blast and a search operation was launched to arrest for those responsible for the act. Read less...

A joint operation by Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition from dense forest area in Gadyog in Khawas area in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India on January 31, reports Daily Excelsior. During the search operations, one AK 47 rifle, three magazines of AK 47, 94 rounds of AK 47 ammunition, two Chinese pistols, two pistol magazines, eight rounds of pistol ammunition, five UBGL grenades, one Kenwood radio set and three radio set antennae were recovered. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, Chandan Kohli said, the desperate plan of militant organisations to revive terrorism in Rajouri and Reasi Districts suffered a major setback when Army and JKP jointly carried out search operations in the forest area of Khawas tehsil (revenue unit) in Rajouri District. The timely recovery of huge cache of arms and ammunition has thwarted any possible untoward incident in otherwise peaceful region and has scuttled the nefarious plans of militant outfits to try derail peace and harmony in South of Pir Panjal Ranges, Kohli said. Read less...

Police foiled an attempt to target the newly elected District Development Council (DDC) members and revive militancy in Budgam District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in India, with the arrest of three militant associates of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Budgam District on January 31, reports Daily Excelsior. Acting on a specific input, Budgam Police, 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arrested three militants from Budgam during searches. Those arrested have been identified as two former militants Mohammad Yousuf Dar alias Janbaz Kashmiri, Abdul Majeed Mir alias Majid, both residents of Chewdara Beerwah and Reyaz Ahmad Basmati, resident of Safa Kadal in Srinagar. Police said that these militant associates were affiliated with LeT and were also working for other militant outfits like Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM). Police said, two hand grenades, 25 AK-47 rounds, 4 detonators, mobile phones used to contact Pakistani handlers, threat posters and other incriminating material have also been recovered from their possession. Police said that these militant associates were operating in Budgam and Srinagar Districts with the aim to target newly elected DDC members and disrupt elections. They were in touch with handlers in Pakistan including Sheikh, Usman, Tariq, Haftullah and others. These militant associates in garb of securing admissions in Pakistani educational institutions and were managing contacts with Pakistan based militant handlers in order to recruit militants and revive militancy in Budgam. Read less...