News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • 14-year-old boy injured in Pakistani shelling along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch

    By PTI
    JAMMU: A 14-year-old boy was seriously injured on Monday in Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

    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.

    The injured boy is being shifted to hospital, the officials said.

    The Shahpur sector witnessed heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan side twice during the day, prompting strong retaliation by the Indian Army, the officials said.

    Pakistan Army first targeted the forward posts and villages in the sector at 11.30 am and the exchange of firing between the two sides lasted till 12.50 pm, the officials said.

    Pakistani troops again resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling at around 4 pm and the cross-border firing was going on when last reports were received.

  • Two JeM terrorists arrested by security forces in J&K’s Awantipora

    By ANI
    PULWAMA: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday along with other security forces arrested two terrorist associates of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) from Awantipora in Pulwama district.

    Security personnel from 42 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 130 Batallion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) carried out the arrests of the two JeM terrorists.

    “Awantipora Police along with 42 RR & 130 Bn CRPF arrested two terrorist associates of proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad from Awantipora area who are involved in providing shelter, support, logistics, as well as in transporting of arms/ ammunition of the terrorists in Awantipora & Tral area and passing sensitive information to the terrorists of proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad,” J-K Police stated in a press release.

    The arrested terror associates have been identified as Shezaan Gulzar Beigh from Gadhikhal Chersoo and Waseem-ul-Rehman Sheikh from Midoora Awantipora. Incriminating material including explosive material and ammunition has been recovered from both the arrested persons.

    The J-K Police further stated that the arrested terror associates have been in touch with Pakistan-based terror commanders through various social media platforms. One of the arrested terror associates had also gone to Pakistan and met some terrorist commanders there, Police further said.

    The J-K Police said that many false narratives have been uploaded on the Facebook page being operated by one of the arrested terror associates to influence and misguide the gullible youth towards the path of violence.

    A case has been registered against the said arrested terror associates in Awantipora police station under relevant sections of law.

    Further investigation is going on.

    Earlier on December 24, 2020, two terrorists, including the one who was affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM, were killed in an encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists at Wanigam Payeen Kreeri area of Baramulla.

  • Heavy snowfall declared as state-specific natural calamity under SDRF in Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI
    JAMMU: Extending much needed relief to the people of snowbound areas, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday declared ‘heavy snowfall’ as state specific natural calamity under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.

    The Lt Governor was chairing a meeting to take stock of the winter management, particularly, snow clearance efforts of the administration, with all deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police of Kashmir Division through virtual mode, at the Raj Bhavan here, an official spokesperson said.

    ‘Heavy Snowfall’ did not figure in the list of ‘natural calamities’ under SDRF norms, due to which disbursement of relief and ex-gratia for the damages due to heavy snowfall was not possible for the Districts’ Disaster Management Authorities.

    Now, processing of ex-gratia relief under SDRF will become faster, thereby giving huge relief to the affected people living in snowbound areas, the spokesperson said.

    He said the Lt Governor sought a detailed report on issues and problems faced by the people due to heavy snowfall and future course of action of the administration at all levels to overcome the challenges thereof.

    On being apprised about the shortage of small rescue vehicles for the movement of people requiring medical assistance, particularly, in remote areas and areas having narrow lanes, Sinha directed that 4×4 rescue vehicles and ambulances be provided to snow affected districts with immediate effect for helping the people in distress.

    The Lt Governor asked the officers to be more sensitive and responsive to the issues of the public and take requisite measures to minimise the difficulties of common people.

    “Be visible and take early measures. Need more feet on the ground. Quickly reach out to the people to address their needs and requirements,” the Lt Governor asked the officers.

    Sinha lauded the efforts of employees working 24×7 on ground in challenging climatic conditions.

    He directed rationalising deployment of machinery and equipment for snow clearance from the roads, besides making necessary emergency facilities available to render critical help in contingent situations.

    Taking cognizance of media reports, social media posts and grievances received from the public, the Lt Governor asked the administration to identify gaps and take immediate corrective measures to fill the same to redress the concerning issues of the people.

    He also directed the officers to continuously monitor the situation and work in synergy with various departments to avoid any inconvenience to people.

    During the meeting, the Lt Governor took a detailed district wise review of the overall status of the power scenario, snow clearance, road connectivity, water supply, essential supplies, disaster management, food supplies, availability of power buffer stock and other issues, the spokesperson said.

  • Army Captain staged Amshipura encounter for Rs 20 lakh: Police charge sheet

    By PTI
    SHOPIAN: The Army Captain, who was involved in the alleged fake encounter in Shopian in July last year in which three youths were killed, had hatched a conspiracy along with two civilians with the motive for “grabbing” a reward money of Rs 20 lakh and also fired at the victims even before his men could lay a cordon of the area, according to a police charge sheet.

    Captain Bhoopinder Singh is currently in the custody of the Army, with informed sources saying he may face Court Martial proceedings.

    The case relates to the July 18, 2020 encounter at Amshipura here in which three youths of Rajouri district — Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammed Ibrar — were killed and branded as terrorists.

    The charge sheet submitted before the chief judicial magistrate of this district also details the role of the two civilians — Tabish Nazir and Bilal Ahmed Lone — in the case.

    Lone has since turned an approver and recorded his confession statement before a magistrate.

    After reports emerged on social media that the three youths were not associated with terrorism, the Army had ordered a Court of Inquiry which completed its probe earlier in September.

    It had found “prima facie” evidence that the troops had “exceeded” the powers granted under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

    Following this, the Army had initiated disciplinary proceedings.

    The identities of the three youths killed in Amshipura were confirmed through a DNA test and the bodies were handed over to their families in Baramulla in October.

    General officer in Command of the strategically-located XV Corps, Lt Gen B S Raju had said earlier the Summary of Evidence had been completed and the Army will take the next course of action as per law.

    Officials in know of the development said the Captain may face a Court Martial proceeding for violating the powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 and for not following the dos and don’ts of the Chief of Army Staff as approved by the Supreme Court.

    The charge sheet submitted by the Special Investigation Team of Jammu and Kashmir Police has listed 75 witnesses in support of its findings and has also provided technical evidence including call data records of the accused persons involved in the case.

    The charge sheet also has the statements of four army personnel — Subedar Garu Ram, Lance Naik Ravi Kumar, Sepoys Ashwini Kumar and Yougesh — who were part of Capt Singh’s team at the time of the incident.

    They said that all of them along with the two civilians had left the Army camp together as there were reliable inputs that a contact with terrorists was possible, according to the charge sheet.

    On reaching the spot, all the four were asked to cordon off from different directions.

    “As they were approaching the spot on foot after disembarking from the vehicle they heard a few bursts of live ammunition even before they had laid the cordon,” said the charge sheet, quoting the statements of the four.

    Later Capt. Singh told them that he had to fire as the hiding militants were trying to escape.

    “By staging the encounter,” the charge sheet said, Capt. Singh and two other civilians also “purposefully destroyed evidence of real crime that they have committed and also have been purposefully projecting false information as part of a criminal conspiracy hatched between them with motive to grab prize money of Rs 20 lakh”.

    It said the accused captain of 62 Rashtriya Rifles “furnished false information to mislead the senior officer and for getting” an FIR lodged to “tailor fit his motive for grabbing prize money in furtherance of criminal conspiracy”.

  • Pakistan violates ceasefire in different sectors along LoC, IB in Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI
    JAMMU: Pakistani troops violated ceasefire 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, officials said on Sunday.

    However, there was no immediate report of any damage on the Indian side, they said.

    “At about 3 pm, 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 retaliates befittingly,” a defence spokesman said.

    The officials said the shelling between the two sides was continuing when last reports were received.

    The officials said Pakistan Army also resorted to mortar shelling in Balakote, Digwar and Kirni sectors along the LoC in Poonch district.

    The shelling in Balakote sector started around 3.35 pm followed by Digwar and Kirni sectors at 4 pm, the officials said, adding Indian troops also fired back and the cross-border shelling was going in all the three sectors when last reports were received.

    Pakistani Rangers also resorted to unprovoked firing in Gurnam Border Outpost area along the IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

    The firing from across the border started around 11.10 pm Saturday, prompting strong retaliation by the BSF, the officials said, adding the firing between the two sides continued till 1.20 am on Sunday.

  • Major tragedy averted as IED-fitted motorcycle detected in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch

    By PTI
    JAMMU: A major tragedy was averted with the timely detection of a 2.4 kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fitted on a motorcycle in Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, a police officer said on Sunday.

    The IED was found planted on the roadside along Gohlad Reelan-Mendhar Road by a police party around 10 pm on Saturday and was destroyed in a controlled explosion by the bomb disposal squad around 1 pm on Sunday, Poonch Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Angral said.

    Quoting preliminary investigation, the officer said the IED along with a motorcycle was left behind by a suspected terrorist who is believed to have moved into the nearby forest area.

    A joint search operation by police and Rashtriya Rifles of the Army is underway after the whole area was cordoned off to nab him, the SSP said.

    The SSP said the bomb disposal squad destroyed the IED in a controlled explosion, without causing any damage.

    A case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation is on to bring the culprits to book, he said.

  • Centre brings in ordinance to end Jammu and Kashmir cadre

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The centre on Thursday ended the Jammu and Kashmir Cadre for All India Service officers, merging IAS, IPS & Indian Forest Services officers of J&K cadre with AGMUT cadre.

    The officers of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir cadre can be posted to Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and any union territory.

    Jammu and Kashmir Cadre officers will report directly to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs just like other officers of AGMUT, and MHA will be the final authority of all services matters such as inter segment transfers of officers, promotions, foreign deputations etc.

    “The members of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service and Indian Forest Service for the existing cadre of Jammu and Kashmir, shall be borne and become part of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union territories cadre, and all future allocations of All India Services Officers for the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union territory of Ladakh shall be made to Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union territories Cadre for which necessary modifications may be made in corresponding cadre allocation rules by the Central Government,” stated issued by the Union Ministry of Law and signed by President Ram Nath Kovind.

    The notification added that necessary modifications may be made in the corresponding cadre allocation rules by the central government.

    Earlier the J&K reorganization act passed by Parliament on August 6, 2019 said that officers in J&K cadre of the erstwhile State, now bifurcated into UT of J&K and Ladakh) will continue to serve in the cadre.

    The officers so borne or allocated on AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and UT cadre) shall function in accordance with the rules framed by the Central government, read the notification, amending Section 88 of Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

    The amendment in J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 was made via an Ordinance and the move comes weeks before the start of budget session of Parliament.

    The move comes over a year after the Centre abrogated Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state into union territories in August 2019.

  • NIA conducts searches in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab in narco-terror case

    By PTI
    JAMMU: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted searches at six places in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab in connection with its probe into a narco-terror case.

    The case was registered after the busting of a narco-terror module and seizure of 61-kg heroin and a cache of arms and ammunition along the International Border (IB) here last year.

    The raids were conducted at five locations in Jammu district and one in Tarn Taran in Punjab, leading to the seizure of digital devices and other incriminating documents having financial details and bank account numbers for further scrutiny and analysis, a spokesperson of the NIA said.

    He said the searches were conducted at the residences of six accused — the module’s kingpin Gurpartap Singh of Tarn Taran and his Jammu-based associates Jasraj Singh, Sham Lal, Bishan Dass, Ajeet Kumar and Gurbaksh Singh.

    “All the six accused 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),” the spokesperson said.

    He said a case under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was registered at Arnia police station in Jammu district near the International Border on September 20 last year, following the seizure of a huge cache of narcotic substance along with arms and ammunition amid unprovoked firing by Pakistan on a police patrolling team to provide cover for the smuggling activity.

    The NIA re-registered the case on November 26, 2020 and took up the investigation, the spokesperson said.

    In the second week of September, he said, Gurpratap Singh had received 10 kg of heroin from Pakistan-based handlers through his associates.

    The consignment in the instant case was also intended to be received by him to fund the activities of BKI in Punjab, the spokesperson said.

  • Eight people rescued from mudslide in Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI
    BANIHAL/JAMMU: Eight people were rescued after their vehicles got trapped in a mudslide near Panthiyal along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, officials said on Wednesday.

    The 270-km highway was closed for traffic on Sunday following heavy snowfall and incessant rains which triggered multiple landslides and shooting of stones from the hillocks.

    The eight people hailing from Rajasthan were going towards Jammu in two cars when they were caught in a mudslide near Panthiyal in Ramban district on Tuesday evening amid heavy rains, the officials said.

    Both the vehicles were damaged in the incident, they said, adding the eight were returning to Jammu after being stranded en route to Kashmir for the last several days.

    Meanwhile, with the improvement in the weather, agencies have pressed their men and machines to clear the highway of over a dozen landslides between Nashri to Ramsu.

    Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to Kashmir, recorded over five feet of snow since Saturday and the Border Roads Organsiation (BRO), which is maintaining this stretch of the highway, has intensified its snow clearance operation, the officials said.

    Over 6000 vehicles, mostly trucks including those carrying essential commodities to the valley, have been stranded at various locations along the highway.

    “The road clearance operation is going on at a war footing to ensure early restoration of traffic on the highway which is blocked at over a dozen places including Samroli, Nashri, Dalwas, Peera, Chanderkote, Cafeteria Morh, Marog, Monkey Morh, Moompassi, Seeri, Kela Morh, Panthiyal, Sherbibi, Rattanbass and Ramsu,”  a traffic department official said.

    He said it is premature to say whether the road would be cleared by this evening.

    “Once the road is cleared, the preference would be given to stranded vehicles,” he said, adding the traffic on the highway will remain restricted to one-way as per the already announced schedule in view of ongoing work on the four-laning project.

     

  • Flights remain grounded in Kashmir valley, over dozen flights cancelled due to heavy snowfall

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Air traffic to and fro Srinagar remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday as poor visibility due to heavy snowfall hampered operations, leading to cancellation of over dozen flights to the valley, officials said.

    They said while the snow clearance operations were in full swing, the runway was not available for flight operations due to continuous heavy snow and low visibility.

    Over a dozen flights have already been cancelled for the day.

    Flight operations will resume only after the weather improves and the runway is totally cleared of the snow, they added.

    Flights operations have been cancelled from the past three days due to heavy snowfall across the valley.

    The MET Office here has said the weather is likely to improve later in the day.