News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • NIA conducts searches in Jammu and Kashmir in TRF terror recruitment case

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency conducted searches at nearly a dozen places linked to The Resistance Front (TRF) terror group in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, days after its announced cash rewards of Rs 10 lakh each on information leading to the arrest of its four cadres.

    The searches were carried out at multiple locations in Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama, Budgam and Kulgam districts in connection with a case related to radicalising, recruiting and motivating the youth to effect violent activities by TRF commander Sajad Gul and others, a spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said.

    The spokesperson said the locations searched included the house of active terrorist Basit Ahmad Dar, against whom the NIA had recently announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh.

    Besides Dar of Redwani Payeen in Kulgam, the reward was declared against Gul of Srinagar and two Pakistani nationals — Saleem Rehmani alias ‘Abu Saad’ of Nawab Shah in Sindh and Saifullah Sajid Jatt of Shangamanga in Kasur.

    The four terrorists are wanted by the NIA in connection with the case registered last year under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

    The NIA said the searches were carried out at six locations in Srinagar, two in Baramulla, one each in Awantipora (Pulwama), Budgam and Kulgam districts.

    The spokesperson said Gul, along with his associate commanders of LeT based in Pakistan, has been recruiting individuals (Over Ground Workers) to do reconnaissance of pre-determined targets, coordinating and transporting weapons to support LeT and TRF.

    During the searches, the spokesperson said, various incriminating materials such as digital devices, SIM cards, digital storage devices and documents were seized.

    The NIA said investigation into the case was underway.

  • Encounter breaks out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: A gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday, police said.

    Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Shopian’s Heripora village following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

    The search operation turned into an encounter which was going on till reports last came in, the official added.

    There were no reports of any casualties so far.

  • Teacher booked for thrashing Class 4 students in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, suspended

    By PTI

    JAMMU: A teacher has been booked and suspended for severely beating a class 4 student of a government school in Rajouri district, officials said.

    The teacher, Nisar Ahmed, allegedly thrashed two girls in the school’s classroom.

    The incident drew attention of the administration and police after it was highlighted on social media.

    The people in the area also expressed anger over the incident.

    “Today an information through reliable source was received at Police Station Budhal that a girl of Draman, studying in 4th class in government middle school, was severely beaten by a teacher in the class room,” a police officer said.

    Following the information, an FIR was lodged under section 342 (wrongful confinement), 352 (assault), 323 (causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act, he said.

    Taking strict view of the matter, Rajouri Additional Deputy Commissioner Sachin Dev Singh ordered suspension of the teacher.

    The matter is under probe.

  • One terrorist killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Awantipora, operation underway

    By ANI

    AWANTIPORA (Jammu and Kashmir): One terrorist has been killed in an encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Tral area of Awantipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, said police.

    “Awantipora Encounter Update: 01 terrorist killed. Operation in progress. Further details shall follow,” the Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.

    The encounter began earlier today between security forces and terrorists in the Tral area of Awantipora district. Further details are awaited.

    Earlier on Monday, the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir police in a joint operation apprehended a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist in the Ladoora area of Rafiabad, Sopore. 

  • Terrorist hideout busted near LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch, huge cache of arms seized 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Security forces busted a terrorist hideout in a village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district and seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition, officials said on Monday.

    The hideout was unearthed during a joint search operation by the army and police in Noorkote village, the officials said.

    They said the arms and ammunition seized from the hideout included two AK-47 assault rifles with two magazines and 63 rounds, one 223 bore AK shape gun with handgrip, its two magazines and 20 rounds and one Chinese pistol with a magazine and four rounds.

    However, no one was arrested during the operation which was carried out late Sunday evening based on a specific information, the officials said.

  • AAP eyes vacuum created by Cong in Jammu region

    By Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  Buoyed by party’s victory in Assembly polls in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Arvind Kejriwal is now eyeing Jammu and Kashmir and strengthening its base in the region with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly polls in the Union Territory.

    The AAP is focusing on the Jammu region, which is spread over 10 districts and would have 43 Assembly seats in the 90-member J&K Assembly after the delimitation exercise is completed. The AAP is increasingly focusing on three districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban in Chenab Valley and border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Pir Panjal region, where the influence of BJP is less as compared to five other districts of Jammu region – Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Reasi.

    According to political commentators, since the influence of Congress is on decline in Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal region and mainland Jammu, the AAP is eyeing to occupy the space created by weakening of Congress. The AAP intends to emerge as a major challenger to the saffron party in Jammu region.

    The AAP recently held an impressive road show in Doda district. It was led by AAP leader Mehraj Malik, who won Doda District Development Council (DDC) poll as an independent candidate in 2020. Farooq Ahmad Banday, AAP’s co-convener, J&K, told this newspaper that the popularity of the AAP is increasing in J&K with each passing day

    “We are witnessing the daily joining of thousands of people in the Jammu region. We have got thousands of active members in every constituency. Many panchayat and DDC members have joined the party,” he said.

    Steering clear of BJPAAP is increasingly focusing on three districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban in Chenab Valley and border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Pir Panjal region where the influence of BJP is less

  • SPO killed, his brother injured in militant firing in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Militants on Saturday shot dead a special police officer (SPO) and injured his brother in Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

    “Around 8:35 pm, terrorists fired at and critically injured SPO Ishfaq Ahmad near his residence at Chadbugh in Budgam,” an official said.

    In the firing, Ahmad’s brother Umar Jan was also injured, the officials said, adding both of them were taken to the SKIMS Hospital in Bemina where Ahmad died.

    Jan is undergoing treatment. The area has been cordoned off and a hunt launched to nab the attackers, they said.

    Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and leaders of several political parties condemned the killing of the SPO.

    “I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on SPO Ishfaq Ahmad and his brother Umar Jan. Tribute to Ishfaq, who attained martyrdom and prayers for a speedy recovery of Umar.”

    “Deepest condolences to the family in this hour of grief. Those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,” he tweeted. National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah expressed sorrow over the incident.

    “Very sorry to hear about the death of SPO Ishfaq Ahmed who was killed in a militant attack. His brother Umar was injured in the same attack. I unequivocally condemn this attack and pray that Ishfaq finds a place in Jannat and Umar makes a full recovery swiftly,” he said on Twitter.

    The Peoples Democratic Party described the killing as barbaric.

    “This day too ended with the killing of an SPO in Budgam. How barbaric and inhumanely the terror is wiping our younger generation. “Condemning this drastic killing that orphaned a family. Rest in Peace brave heart & prayers with the bereaved family,” the party tweeted.

    Condemning the incident, Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said such acts of violence have no place in society. The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit also condemned the killing, terming it barbaric and cowardly.

    “This is the frustration of terrorists and now they understand that their number is getting depleted day by day. Nothing is going to be achieved by shedding the blood of innocents. This is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism,” the party’s general secretary (organization) Ashok Koul said.

    He said the Narendra Modi government is very strict about terrorism and “we promise that we will make Jammu and Kashmir terrorism-free and give a befitting reply to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism”.

  • Twin blasts cause panic in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, none injured

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Two explosions in quick succession sparked panic among the people in a busy market in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening, officials said.

    No one was injured, they said. The first blast was heard around 8.15 pm near a garbage dump in Kotranka market, the officials said.

    Police and other security personnel rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to investigate the cause of the blast.

    As the investigation was underway, another blast occurred 10 minutes later, the officials said, adding the whole area has been cordoned off. The officials did not rule out terror angle in the incident.

  • BJP leaders slam Kejriwal for attack on party for support to ‘The Kashmir Files’

    By PTI

    TNEW DELHI: he BJP accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday of mocking at those who lost their lives to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are “shameless anarchists.”

    Posting a picture showing Kejriwal and other AAP MLAs laughing in the Delhi Assembly, BJP general secretary B L Santhosh tweeted: “Never forget. They are laughing (at) people who lost their lives in J&K due to terrorism, laughing at mothers who lost their children, children who lost their parents, security forces who were killed, women who were butchered, children who were shot at….Shameless anarchists.”

    Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala tweeted: “Face of Hindu hatred looks like this.”

    “During his speech in the Assembly on Thursday, Kejriwal had said the BJP MLAs demanding that “The Kashmir Files”, a film showcasing the plight of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, be made tax-free in Delhi should upload it on YouTube and make it free for all.

    During his address in the Assembly, the Delhi chief minister also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the movie for political gains.

    He mocked BJP leaders for their support to the film, which highlights the plight of Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to flee the valley following the onset of terrorism. Some critics have accused the makers of “The Kashmir Files” of painting Kashmiri Muslims in a bad light.

  • Number of terrorists decreasing, but violence won’t end till there are guns and grenades: Jammu and Kashmir DGP

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s DGP Dilbagh Singh on Thursday said while the number of terrorists is decreasing in the Union Territory, violence will not end till youngsters possess guns and grenades.

    He appealed to the youngsters who have joined terror ranks to shun the path of violence and join the country’s mainstream.

    “The number of terrorists is decreasing but till the time there are guns or grenades, violence will continue. A person carrying guns or grenades has the capacity to injure and kill people. Their number is decreasing every year, terror-related events are also decreasing, but killings still take place,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

    He said the killings by terrorists are condemnable and such acts need to be stopped.

    “That is why preventive action is taken by us. Wherever there are OGWs (overground workers of terror outfits) or their support system, which helps them keep terrorism alive, we are taking action and such actions will continue,” the director general of police (DGP) said.

    He said Jammu and Kashmir has seen violence and destruction for the last 30 years and thousands of lives have been lost.

    “Youngsters, children, older people, women, security forces and police personnel have sacrificed their lives. There is a need to shun the path of violence and destruction and tread the path of peace,” Singh said.

    He appealed to the youngsters who have joined terror ranks to shun the path of violence. “I want to tell those who are still on the wrong path, who are being instigated by our neighbour and are carrying guns and pistols to kill innocent people, that this path is not right in any way, but will lead to destruction. Shun this path. There is a need to follow the path of development and prosperity,” the DGP said.

    Asked about the steps being taken for the security of panchayat members, he said security measures have been initiated wherever there is a threat assessment by security forces. “Whenever the need arises, the measures will be strengthened,” Singh said.