News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • Onus on continuation of ceasefire, removal of mistrust lies with Pakistan: Indian Army chief

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Army Chief General MM Naravane on Thursday said responsibility and onus on continuity of border ceasefire and removal of mistrust with India lie solely with Pakistan.

    “The border ceasefire is holding. The onus to ensure that ceasefire lies with Pakistan. We are willing to observe the ceasefire as long as they do so,” General Naravane told media persons during his second-day visit to the Valley.

    Asked whether Army has lowered guard along the LoC, he said while a ceasefire is on, militant infrastructure, militant camps and militants continue to be on the other side of LoC. “Therefore there can be no slackening in our preparedness and alertness.”

    Asked whether the ceasefire has reduced mistrust between India and Pakistan, Army chief said, “Trust is a very difficult thing to come by. It takes a very long time to develop. There have been decades of mistrust in India and Pakistan and obviously, the situation on that score cannot change overnight”.

    “However, if the ceasefire continues and they (Pakistan) continues to observe ceasefire in letter and spirit and stop and desist from pushing militants across and foment trouble in India, then all small steps will definitely go incrementally in building trust between two countries. The onus is entirely on Pakistan to build upon whatever has been achieved so far”.

    On the thinning of troops, he said, “We cannot reduce alertness and preparedness. We have a counter-infiltration grid to prevent any movement from across LoC. We also have a counter militancy grid in the hinterland. All these deployments are dynamic and they depend on situation and threat perception”.

    “However, we keep reviewing deployments and if situation permits, then we pull out some troops from active deployment to the rare areas so that they get time for rest and relief”.

    General Naravane said Army’s role in J&K is to bring the level of violence to an extent, where civil administration and local security forces can then play their role in the development of the region.

    “Army’s role is to work with local administration and other forces. Our ultimate aim is to bring level of violence so that peace and development can take place in J&K,” he said.

    Asked how he sees the security situation in J&K, Army chief said, “All security parameters have seen great improvement. There have been very few militants initiated incidents, hardly any cases of stone pelting and no IED attacks in the recent past. All these are indicators or return of sense of normalcy”.

    In response to a question on Amarnath yatra, he said, “We are prepared and taken all necessary steps for smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra. The decision to conduct the yatra lies with the civil administration. But we are ready from our side.”

    The 56-day Amarnath yatra is scheduled to start from 28 June. However, due to the outbreak of the second Covid-19 wave, it is not known whether J&K government would allow the yatra or not.

    Asking youth to shun the path of violence, General Naravane said, “Violence does not get you anywhere. The youth should embrace the future and world over the future lies in shunning violence. And if you do that, it will only hasten the process of ushering in a new era of development and prosperity in J&K.”

    Earlier, the Army chief visited the formations and units along the LoC and was briefed by the local commanders about the existing security situation and measures taken to foil infiltration by militants from across the LoC.

    While interacting with troops, he cautioned all commanders and troops to not let their guard down and remain prepared to meet any emerging security challenges effectively.

  • BJP leader shot dead by militants in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pulwama

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Militants on Wednesday evening shot dead a BJP leader in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir. A woman was also injured in the militant firing

    A police official said militants fired from point-blank range at BJP leader Rakesh Pandita at Tral Payeen area of Pulwama district in the evening.

    Pandit, who is a Kashmiri Pandit and a councillor of Tral Municipal Committee, sustained multiple bullet injuries in the militant attack and was shifted to nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

    The injured woman, who is said to be the daughter of Pandita’s friend, has been hospitalized.

    Immediately after the militant attack, police and CRPF men rushed to the area and launched a search operation to track down the militants responsible for the attack. The search operation was going on when reports last came in.

    A police official said preliminary investigation revealed that three militants were involved in the attack and their identity is being ascertained.

    The BJP leader, according to a police spokesman, was provided two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) and secured hotel accommodation in Srinagar. He said the BJP leader went to Tral without taking PSOs along with him.

    BJP spokesman Manzoor Bhat said Pandita had visited Tral as one of his relatives residing there had died a week back.

    “We strongly condemn the militant attack,” he said and urged police to identify and punish the militants involved in the attack.

    Bhat said the attack reflects the frustration level of militants and BJP won’t be cowed down by repeated attacks on its workers and leaders by militants in the Valley.

    Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing of BJP leader.

    “Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandit has been shot dead by militants. These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K. My condolences to the family & may his soul rest in peace,” Mehbooba tweeted.

  • Jammu and Kashmir records 39.37% of Covid cases, 41.56% deaths in May

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir last month recorded 39.37 per cent of the total Covid cases and 41.56 per cent of deaths due to the virus. This apart, only 28.86 per cent Covid vaccines have been administered till May end. 

    According to the data provided by the administration, the UT recorded 114382 covid cases in May, thus taking the tally to 290465 since the outbreak of Covid-19. 

    The UT also registered 1624 deaths due to the viral infection last month. The deaths due to Covid, that stood at 2283 on April 30, increased to 3907 a month later accounting for 41.56 percent of the deaths.

    In Kashmir, the Covid cases rose by 40.38 per cent (7219) in May and the deaths went up by 30.26% (605). In Jammu region, the cases increased by 37.77 percent (42203) but the deaths increased by 53.40% (1019).

    In Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, the cases increased by 21725 last month. On April 30, Srinagar had a total of 43438 cases and the tally rose to 65163 in May-end leading to the city recording 33.33 percent of total cases in May. The death toll in Srinagar, which stood at 536 on April 30, increased by 235 taking the tally to 771 on May 31, accounting for 30.47 of total deaths in May.

    Jammu, the winter capital, witnessed 55.20% of the total deaths in the district in May. On April 30, its death toll was 478 and it surged to 1067 on May 31. The number of Covid cases here increased by 16056 which is 31.68% of the total cases. Its covid tally on May 31 stood at 50675. 

    Covid vaccine

    The UT has inoculated 3290420 persons till May -end. Of these, 949668 persons received their vaccination in May. In Jammu region, 557332 persons have been given the vaccine while in Srinagar, the figure stood at 392316, 

    In Jammu district, 620526 people have been administered the covid vaccine and in Srinagar, 253738 people have been given their vaccines. 

    In Jammu district, 100 percent population above 45 age group have been vaccinated while in Srinagar only 44.49 per cent population above 45 age group have got Covid vaccine jabs so far.

  • Pakistani troops violate ceasefire, open fire at BSF men in Arnia sector of J&K

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Pakistani troops on Wednesday morning violated the border ceasefire agreement and fired at BSF men in the Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir, a spokesperson said further adding that the incident took place when the security forces personnel were conducting area maintenance. 

    The BSF men also retaliated and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued for a few minutes. 

    This is the second instance of border ceasefire violation since the February 25 agreement of India and Pakistan militaries to strictly adhere to Nov 2003 border ceasefire pact. 

    The International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir have been calm and quiet since February 25 in a relief to the residents of these regions. They have resumed their daily chores and farming close to the IB in Jammu region.

  • No pay in Jammu and Kashmir district for not achieving 100 per cent Covid vaccine target

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: In a controversial order, the administration in J&K’s Rajouri district has said that the salary of employees deployed for Covid duty should not be released unless they furnish a certificate of achieving 100 per cent vaccination target.

    District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Shavan, who is also DDMA chairman, said in an order that to ensure 100 per cent vaccination of target groups, Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) have been directed not to draw the salary of employees deployed on Covid duty/active field offices unless a certificate is furnished regarding vaccination.

    The order has made it mandatory for the employees engaged in Covid duty to achieve 100 per cent vaccination of target groups in their areas. 

    “The concerned district treasury officer/treasury officers shall not entertain the salary bills unless a vaccination certificate is attached with the bill,” added the order.

    On April 5, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department officials in north Kashmir’s Bandipora had made it mandatory for persons above 45 to get themselves vaccinated in order to be eligible for government ration.

    “Please remember that without producing Covid-19 vaccination certificate, the ration will not be issued in any case,” read the order issued by the assistant director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Bandipora. 

    However, the controversial order was withdrawn by the department after public outcry.The J&K government has so far vaccinated 32,95,236 people. Of them, 27,49,200 have got one dose and 5,46,036 both.

  • NC leader Omar Abdullah calls out J&K govt’s ‘dim-witted policies’ over youth’s suicide

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah on Monday expressed shock and grief over the suicide of a 24-year-old youth from Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir who ended his life as his father was not paid salary for two years.

    Abdullah called the incident “a visible manifestation of the misplaced policies” of the administration and demanded a time-bound inquiry.

    The former chief minister’s remarks came after the youth from Avil area of Noorabad in the south Kashmir district recorded a video message to invite government attention towards the miseries of his family before taking his life.

    In the video, the youth said he was taking the extreme step as his father – a government teacher – was not paid salary for over two years.

    Expressing shock, the NC vice-president said the incident has brought forth the mounting financial pressure on the people of Jammu and Kashmir propelled by the “dim-witted policies” of the J&K government.

    “The unfortunate incident ditches the claims of the government on the so-called dividends that August 05 (2019) measures were said would bring.

    People are suffering,” he said, referring to the revocation of the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

    The suicide committed by a promising youth should act as an eye opener for the government to assess the plight of the people including the employees of J&K, Abdullah said.

    “It’s quite evident that by targeting employees, the government has put the livelihood of their families at stake. This incident should be enough to remind the government about the extent of its anti-employee measures.

    This very incident also betrays an appalling picture of the level of anxiety and mental trauma, the families whose sole breadwinners are without salaries for months altogether,” he said.

    Abdullah expressed hope that the incident would be moving enough for the incumbent government to make urgent amendments to its policies with regards to employees.

    He demanded a time-bound inquiry and fixing of responsibility leading to the incident.

    “The drastic step taken by the youth is a direct fallout of the government policies and actions.

    The concerns of the government employees have become insurmountable and if the grievances are not redressed, the situation can snowball.

    “Post August 5, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has already earned a reputation of being one of the highest unemployed regions.

    The youngster’s suicide is yet another macabre reflection of the implication of the policies the Centre and the incumbent J&K government is pursuing vis-à-vis J&K,” he said.

    The former J&K chief minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for fortitude to them in their hour of loss.

    He also prayed for peace to the departed.

  • IED found in J-K’s Awantipora defused by joint team of police, Army and CRPF

    By ANI
    AWANTIPORA: A joint team of police, Army and the Central Police Reserve Force (CRPF) on Monday defused an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was detected in a container approximately 10 litres in capacity, at Panzgam village in Awantipora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday, informed the police.

    According to the police, based on a specific input regarding presence of IED like material at road side of link road leading from Railway Road Dogri Pora towards village Panzgam, a joint team of Awantipora Police, 55 RR and 185 BN CRPF cordon the area

    During the cordon operation they detected a container approximately 10 litres in capacity containing Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and defused it on the spot, said the police.

    In this regard, a case under relevant provisions of law have been registerd in the Awantipora police station and investigation is underway, the police added. 

  • Major tragedy averted as security forces destroy IED in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pulwama

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: A major tragedy was averted on Monday as security forces detected and destroyed an improvised explosive device (IED) in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. A joint team of security forces detected an IED planted near Railway link road at Panzgam under Awantipora police station area, a police official said.

    He said the IED was destroyed by a bomb disposal squad without causing any damage.

  • Two civilians killed as militants open fire in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Two civilians were killed in firing by militants on Saturday in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

    A police official said the two sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital.

    The militants opened fire at the two civilians at Jablipora in Bijbehara area of the district, he said.

    The injured were identified as Sanjeed Ah Parray (19) and Shan Bhat (35), the official said, adding that they succumbed to injuries later.

  • India hits out at UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir for comments on Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India on Friday hit out at President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir for his comments on Jammu and Kashmir, saying his “misleading and prejudiced” remarks does “great disservice to the office he occupies”.

    Bozkir, at a press conference in Islamabad along with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday, said it was “Pakistan’s duty” to bring the issue of the Jammu and Kashmir more strongly to the UN.

    In a strong reaction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said his remarks are “unacceptable” and his reference to the Indian union territory is “unwarranted”.

    “When an incumbent President of the UN General Assembly makes misleading and prejudiced remarks, he does great disservice to the office he occupies. The President of the UN General Assembly’s behaviour is truly regrettable and surely diminishes his standing on the global platform,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to a media query on the issue.

    Expressing “strong opposition to the unwarranted references made with respect to the Indian Union Territory of J-K” by Bozkir during his recent visit to Pakistan, Bagchi said his remarks that “Pakistan is ‘duty bound’ to raise this issue in the UN more strongly are unacceptable. Nor indeed is there any basis for comparison to other global situations.”

    Bozkir arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a three-day official visit at the invitation of Qureshi.

    Pakistan has been making concerted efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue and stepped up anti-India campaign on the issue following New Delhi’s decision to withdraw special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate the state into two union territories in August 2019.

    India has told Pakistan that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Islamabad in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence.

    India has said the onus is on Pakistan to create an environment free of terror and hostility.