News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • Targeted killing of Bihari migrants in Jammu and Kashmir matter of serious concern: Nitish Kumar

    By PTI

    PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday condemned the targeted killing of Bihari migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the incidents have created an “environment of fear”.

    Kumar said he has spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior Bihar officials are in touch with their counterparts in the union territory over the incidents.

    “It’s a matter of serious concern that people who have gone for work are being deliberately targeted in J&K. Authorities concerned must remain alert to check such incidents there,” he told reporters after winding up his public interaction programme ‘Janata Ke Durbar Mein Mukhyamantri’ (Chief Minister in the Court of People).

    Two labourers from Bihar were gunned down by terrorists in Kulgam district on Sunday, taking the number of civilians killed in targeted attacks in J&K this month to 11.

    Another labourer sustained bullet injury.

    Kumar said he has conveyed his concern over the killings to Sinha.

    “Every citizen is free to go to any corner of the country for work. The latest incident in which two labourers from Bihar were killed in J&K is quite serious as militants barged into the accommodation of the victims and fired on them. Their bodies are being brought back to Bihar,” he said.

    Sunday’s was the third attack on non-local labourers in less than 24 hours.

    The deceased have been identified as Raja Rishidev and Joginder Rishidev, while Chunchun Rishidev was injured.

    Arvind Kumar Sah, a golgappa seller, was shot dead a few days ago.

    “I hope that J&K authorities will now be alert and make adequate security arrangements to ensure that no one, especially migrant workers, is attacked there. They should obtain information about migrant workers and the place where they are residing,” Kumar said.

    The Bihar government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, and issued instructions to the department of labour and social welfare to ensure that benefits under relevant schemes reach the bereaved families.

    Meanwhile, former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has also condemned the killings and even targeted the prime minister and the union home minister.

    “I’m deeply upset because our Bihari brothers are being killed in Kashmir. If Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are unable to improve the situation in Kashmir, then they should leave it to us Biharis, we will turn things around in 15 days,” said Manjhi in a tweet.

    The terror attacks have drawn strong condemnation from political parties across the spectrum.

  • Two more non-locals killed in Jammu and Kashmir, L-G Manoj Sinha vows harsh response

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Two more non-Kashmiri workers were shot dead in J&K on Sunday in the latest attack targeting civilians. Terrorists entered the rented residence of the Bihari labourers — Raja Reshi Dev and Joginder Reshi Dev — in Wanpoh, Ganjipora in Kulgam on Sunday and fired indiscriminately, killing them on the spot. This raises the number of civilian fatalities to at least 12 since the month began. 

    J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha condemned the killings and promised a strong response, saying “We’ll hunt down terrorists, their sympathisers and avenge every drop of innocent civilians blood.” After Sunday’s shootings, which also left another non-local labourer injured but in stable condition, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar purportedly issued an advisory calling on police officials to bring all non-local labourers in their respective jurisdictions to nearest police, CRPF and army establishments.

    However, the IGP later denied issuing the order, which went viral on social media, calling it fake. A police official said security in and around the areas where the non-locals are staying has been increased and patrolling intensified. Many non-locals left the Valley since October 5, when the targeted killings by militants started. As per estimates, about 50,000 migrant labourers are living in Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Army is continuing its search for a group of militants hiding in the forests of Poonch district.

  • Non-locals jittery, keep watch on Jammu and Kashmir situation as civilian killings continue

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  The targeted killing of non-locals by militants in Kashmir has caused fear among the skilled and unskilled labourers from other states working in the Valley. They are keeping a close watch and say if more killings take place, they may be forced to leave. 

    Meanwhile, several non-local workers have been leaving Kashmir since last week. Mohammad Shaheen, a native of West Bengal but now living in Delhi, said that for the last three decades, he had been working in Kashmir. “It is the first time that non-local street vendors and labourers are being targeted in J&K,” he said. In the last fortnight, 10 civilians, including three minority community members, three non-locals and four local Muslims have been shot dead by militants.

    “There used to be movement of people on roads till  9 pm but now people prefer to return home by 6 pm,” said Shaheen, adding that if more killings took place, non-locals might  be forced to return to native places. “People won’t risk their lives to earn money,” Shaheen added. Meanwhile, an official of the J&K Road Transport Corporation said a 48-seater bus daily plies from Srinagar to Jammu at 7.30 am and since last week around 40 passengers in the bus each day are non-locals.

    A cab operator in Srinagar said that in the last two weeks, around 30 cabs have been leaving for Jammu daily as the number of passengers leaving the city increased after the civilian killings. “A fortnight back, only 10-15 cabs used to ply from Srinagar to Jammu daily,” he said, adding that many non-locals have left the Valley in the last fortnight.

    After the targetted killings by militants, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar purportedly issued an advisory calling on district police chiefs to bring all non-locals in their jurisdictions to nearest police, CRPF and army units. However, the IGP later denied issuing such an order and termed it fake. J&K L-G Manoj Sinha, while condemning the killings has said, “We’ll hunt down terrorists, their sympathisers and avenge innocent civilian’s blood”.

    Poonch operation continuesFor the seventh consecutive day, army troops on Sunday continued their operation against militants hiding in the dense forests of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. Three persons, including a mother-son duo, were detained by security men for questioning during the operation. An army official said personnel assisted by para commandos continued the search operation in Nar Khas forest area in Poonch. Army helicopters, the official said, were assisting the troops on the ground in locating the group of heavily-armed militants, whose exact number is not known.

  • ‘He was lone breadwinner’: Father of ‘gol-gappa’ seller killed in Srinagar seeks compensation

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: “At this age, when I should have died, my son Arvind has. This is unbearable.” Devendra Sah fainted after saying this. His 31-year-old son Arvind Kumar Sah was shot dead from point-bank range by terrorists in Srinagar on Saturday. He was a gol gappa seller. It was the second such killing in the same locality, 11 days after another gol gappa seller from Bihar, Birendra Paswan, was gunned down by terrorists.

    “My son has left the family of 13 at the mercy of god. He was the lone breadwinner. God, why don’t you take me instead of my son,” the hapless father wailed after gaining consciousness. Arvind was 31.Accompanied by family members who had come over to mourn Arvind’s death, his father sought compensation from the government. 

    “I demand an assistance of Rs 50 lakh and a government job for a member of the family. Our survival will become difficult if we don’t get that.” He also said the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match slated for October 24 should be cancelled, implying that the terrorists are from across the border.

    Devendra’s elder son Vinod died of illness a year ago. The late Arvind has a younger brother Mukesh who does farming. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the family. According to official sources, the J&K government has also announced an assistance of Rs 11.25 lakh to the next kin of deceased.

    Arvind had returned to Srinagar just three months ago, after the Covid-19 second wave subsided. He was plying his trade in Srinagar’s Edgah area for the last six years. A large number of migrated residents of Bihar work in Srinagar as labourers, hawkers, masons and electricians. After the spate of civilian killings, many of them are leaving the Valley.

  • Five soldiers from Uttarakhand martyred in three days

    Express News Service

    DEHRADUN: The family of deceased Indian Army Subedar Ajay Rautela never thought they were seeing him for the last time when the armyman left home this August to perform his duties.  “My father was an embodiment of honesty, integrity and hard work. He always told us how these qualities were of utmost importance in everyone’s life. Cruel fate has snatched him from us. All we want from the government and the army is to eliminate hatred and terrorism so that no more lives are lost,” said 22-year-old Arun Rautela, the soldier’s elder son. 

    The deceased subedar’s father, Awwal Singh Rautela, who passed away five years ago, had also served in the army. Subedar Rautela is survived by three sons — Arun , Sumit and Amit. Arun has completed his engineering while his two younger brothers are still in school. Deepak Rautela, the subedar’s brother and a school teacher, said: “Bhaiya inspired us all to do good things, believe in hard work and uphold the highest standards of living.”

    Five soldiers from Uttarakhand have been killed between October 14 and 16 during clashes with militants in Kashmir. Family of another martyr Naik Harendra Singh is shattered. Residents of Peepalsari village in Pauri district recalled his jolly nature and strong will. Naik Singh’s father Chhavan Singh Rawat, a retired soldier, and mother Sarojini Devi are inconsolable. Rawat said he could not gather courage to tell his wife the news of their son’s demise for hours. Sain Singh, a resident of Peepalsari, said: “Naik Sahab was a real life hero. He was full of life, always donning a pleasant smile on his face.” 

  • Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha condemns ‘despicable terror attack’ in Kulgam

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday condemned the “despicable terror attack” in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the security forces will give a befitting reply.

    Terrorists shot dead two workers from Bihar and injured another after barging into their accommodation in Kulgam in south Kashmir on Sunday, the latest in a series of attacks on non-locals, officials said.

    “I strongly condemn the despicable terror attack on Civilians in Kulgam. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of injured,” Sinha said in a tweet.

    He was reacting to the killing of two nob-local labourers in Kulgam district earlier in the evening.

    “Our security force will give a befitting reply to terrorists. J&K govt stand by the families in this time of grief,” the LG said.

  • Two more non-local labourers shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Terrorists shot dead two non-local labourers and injured another on Sunday in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, the latest in the series of attacks targeting civilians.

    “Terrorists fired indiscriminately upon #NonLocal labourers at Wanpoh area of #Kulgam. In this #terror incident, 02 non-locals were killed and 01 injured,” Kashmir zone Police said on its Twitter handle.

    It said police and security forces have cordoned off the area.

    According to officials, the militants barged into the rented accommodation of the labourers and fired on them indiscriminately.

    This is the third attack on non-local labourers in less than 24 hours.

    A street vendor from Bihar and a carpenter from Uttar Pradesh were shot dead by the ultras on Saturday evening.

    Amid the spate of civilian killings, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had on Sunday vowed to avenge every drop of their blood by hunting down terrorists and their sympathisers.

    Sinha said attempts are being made to disrupt the peace and socio-economic progress of Jammu and Kashmir and the individual growth of people, and reiterated the commitment to the fast-paced development of the Union territory.

    “I pay my heartfelt tributes to the martyr civilians and condolences to the bereaved families. We’ll hunt down terrorists, their sympathisers and avenge every drop of innocent civilians’ blood,” Sinha said in his monthly radio programme ‘Awaam ki Awaaz’.

    BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur while condemning the killings said it was “nothing but pure genocide”.

    “The gruesome murder of non-locals is nothing but inhuman and shows the frustration of militants,” he said.

  • J-K: JCO among two soldiers killed as massive search operation continues in Poonch-Rajouri forests

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Two more soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed as the massive search operation to track down terrorists continued for the sixth day in the forest areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on Saturday, officials said.

    With the latest killings, a total of nine Army personnel, including two JCOs, have laid down their lives in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation that began in Surankote forests of Poonch on Monday and later spread to nearby Thanamandi in Rajouri and Mendhar in Poonch.

    The officials said bodies of the JCO and the soldier were recovered near the scene of Thursday’s gunfight with terrorists in the Nar Khas forest in Mendhar, taking the number of Army personnel killed in the operation to four.

    Riflemen Vikram Singh Negi and Yogambar Singh, both from Uttarakhand, were confirmed dead earlier.

    A defence spokesman identified the JCO as Ajay Singh and another soldier as Naik Harendra Singh and said they were part of search operations launched by the security forces to flush out terrorists hiding in the densely forested area on Thursday.

    “After a fierce firefight with terrorists, the communication with the two soldiers was disrupted.

    Relentless operations continued to neutralise the terrorists and to reestablish communication with them,” the spokesman said.

    Earlier on October 11, five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed when terrorists attacked a search party in Poonch’s Surankote forest.

    There was another exchange of fire between the Army’s search parties and the fleeing terrorists in the adjoining Thanamandi forest in Rajouri the same day but the ultras managed their escape.

    “The presence of terrorists in the forest area connecting Poonch and Rajouri was observed two and a half months ago and accordingly tactical operations were launched to track them down,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rajouri-Poonch range, Vivek Gupta told reporters.

    He said the area is mountainous and the forest is dense, which makes the operation difficult and dangerous.

    “The joint security grid was tracking different groups of terrorists but operations take time, depending on the topography of the area.

    “The contact with the terrorists was established on three occasions this week, based on the intelligence inputs,” the officer said.

    Gupta said the forest area is being sanitised and once the operation is complete, a clear picture will emerge.

    “The terrorists are holed up and the joint forces are on the job to take the operation to the logical conclusion as per the Standard Operating Procedure,” he said.

    However, he did not disclose the number of terrorists hiding in the forest area.

    “We have the number and have formed our strategy accordingly.”

    The officials said gunshots were heard intermittently throughout the day as the joint search parties of the Army and the police resumed the operation in Poonch’s Mendhar area.

    They said the entire forest area from Mendhar to Thanamandi remains under a strict cordon and a massive search operation is on to neutralise the terrorists who are moving from one place to another in an attempt to escape the dragnet.

    The Army has already deployed para-commandos and a helicopter was also seen hovering over the forest area to keep surveillance, the officials said.

    They said the traffic between Mendhar and Thanamandi along the Jammu-Rajouri highway remained suspended for the second day in the wake of the ongoing operation.

    Rajouri and Poonch in the Jammu region have witnessed a rise in infiltration attempts since June this year, resulting in the killing of nine terrorists in separate encounters.

    Earlier in the day, a defence spokesperson said the mortal remains of riflemen Negi and Singh were flown to Uttarakhand in a service aircraft Saturday morning after a wreath-laying ceremony.

    The aircraft will reach the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun by 11.30 am, he said.

    From the airport, the mortal remains of the soldiers will be taken to their hometowns by road and their last rites will be conducted with full military honours, the spokesman said.

  • Jammu & Kashmir encounter: Bodies of two missing soldiers including JCO found in Poonch district

    By Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and a soldier who had gone missing after a gunfight with militants in the Nar Khas forest area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, have been killed and their bodies recovered, the army said on Saturday. 

    Their bodies were found during the operation in the forest area, which continued for the sixth day on Saturday.

    The army had launched a massive search operation in the forest area of Poonch after two soldiers, including Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh, went missing following Thursday’s gunfight in Poonch.

    More reinforcements, including special forces para commandos, joined the operation. The search operation was widened and more areas brought under the cordon. The army also used helicopters in the search. 

    Defence spokesman in Jammu, Lt Col Devender Anand, said thay communication with the two soldiers was disrupted on October 14 evening. An army official said the troops were moving cautiously in the dense forest area and that there have been two major gunfights since October 11.

    In the gunfight at the Nar Khas forest area on Thursday evening, two soldiers, Vikram Singh Negi Yogambar Singh, were killed. On October 11, a JCO and four soldiers were killed in a village close to Dera Ki Gali in Surankote, Poonch. DIG (Poonch-Rajouri range) Vivek Gupta said the dense forest area was providing natural cover. “We believe that we have pinpointed their position in a particular area,” he said.

  • Those seeking ‘azadi’ in Jammu and Kashmir must be integrated with `Bharat’: Mohan Bhagwat

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said the abrogation of Article 370 which had given a special status to Jammu and Kashmir has not solved the problem completely, and there is a section of population there which still speaks of “Azadi” (independence).

    Speaking at a book launch function here, he said society must reach out to this section so as to integrate it with “Bharat”.

    He visited Kashmir recently and saw that abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has paved the way for development in the region, Bhagwat said.

    He also saw Muslim students from Jammu and Kashmir stating during a program in Mumbai last month that they wanted to be part of India and now they could be Indian without any barrier, he said.

    Earlier, Jammu and Ladakh faced “discrimination” and 80 per cent of the resources spent on Kashmir Valley went into local leaders’ pockets without benefiting people, the RSS chief said.

    Now this has changed and people’s lives there are “happier”, he claimed.

    Article 370 also came in the way of taking action against terrorists but now nobody fears terrorists, he added.

    “People who had put stones in the hands of their children instead of books have stopped praising them (terrorists).

    There is an open atmosphere. Tomorrow elections will be held and new government will be formed,” the RSS chief said.

    But sometimes we get complacent and lethargic when “hurdles are removed”, Bhagwat said, adding, “The problem has not gone away.

    Was Article 370 the problem? The reason why Article 370 had been created was the problem.

    “There is one section, which persuaded by Pakistan and with communal feelings in the heart says (demands) Azaadi (freedom/independence). And these sections are still there,” Bhagwat said.

    Many in Kashmir identify with Indian nationalism, he said.

    But there are some others who are happy that “corrupt leaders have gone to jail” and there is development, but “in their hearts they feel even with all this, if we get independence, it will be good,” Bhagwat said.

    “And the problem lies there,” he added.

    “We will need to speed up efforts for assimilation,” the RSS chief said, adding that Indian society should take benefit of the “good atmosphere” prevailing now and “reach out to all of them and establish close relations make them feel that they belong to Bharat.”