News Analysis India

Tag: militant attack

  • Army suffers more casualties in Poonch-Rajouri districts than in Kashmir valley

    Express News Service

    SRI NAGAR: The twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed more killing of army men in militant attacks in the last one and a half years as compared to militancy-hit Kashmir. Only six army men were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir since October 2021 as against 21 in Poonch and Rajouri districts during the same period.

    On April 20, a group of heavily armed militants ambushed an army vehicle in the Bhatta Durian area of Mendhar in Poonch district. The militants fired from automatic weapons and lobbed grenades towards the army vehicle. In the militant attack, the army vehicle caught fire and five soldiers were killed and another critically injured, who is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

    It was the sixth militant attack in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu province since October 11, 2021. On October 11, 2021, five soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) were killed in a gunfight with militants at Surankote in Poonch.

    Three days later, two army men were killed and two army men including a JCO went missing during an encounter with militants during combing and search operation in Dera Ki Gali forest area of Poonch.

    On October 15, the two missing soldiers including JCO were killed by militants in the Poonch forest area. On October 30, two army men including an officer were killed in an explosion in Kalal, Nowshera area of Rajouri district. Nearly 10 months later (August 11, 2022), militants carried out a fidayeen (suicide) attack on an army camp in Rajouri in which five soldiers were killed. Two attackers were also killed in the fidayeen attack. While there has been no trace about the militants involved in this months’ attack on an army vehicle in Poonch, there was also no trace of the militants involved in other attacks on the army in Poonch and Rajouri in the last one and a half year.

    A security official said either the militants involved in the attack might have returned back to Pakistan after carrying out the attack or are hiding in the caves in the dense forest area. In contrast, the army has suffered only six casualties in Kashmir since October 2021. Of the six soldiers killed, one was an off-duty jawan

    SRI NAGAR: The twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed more killing of army men in militant attacks in the last one and a half years as compared to militancy-hit Kashmir. Only six army men were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir since October 2021 as against 21 in Poonch and Rajouri districts during the same period.

    On April 20, a group of heavily armed militants ambushed an army vehicle in the Bhatta Durian area of Mendhar in Poonch district. The militants fired from automatic weapons and lobbed grenades towards the army vehicle. In the militant attack, the army vehicle caught fire and five soldiers were killed and another critically injured, who is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

    It was the sixth militant attack in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu province since October 11, 2021. On October 11, 2021, five soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) were killed in a gunfight with militants at Surankote in Poonch.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Three days later, two army men were killed and two army men including a JCO went missing during an encounter with militants during combing and search operation in Dera Ki Gali forest area of Poonch.

    On October 15, the two missing soldiers including JCO were killed by militants in the Poonch forest area. On October 30, two army men including an officer were killed in an explosion in Kalal, Nowshera area of Rajouri district. Nearly 10 months later (August 11, 2022), militants carried out a fidayeen (suicide) attack on an army camp in Rajouri in which five soldiers were killed. Two attackers were also killed in the fidayeen attack. While there has been no trace about the militants involved in this months’ attack on an army vehicle in Poonch, there was also no trace of the militants involved in other attacks on the army in Poonch and Rajouri in the last one and a half year.

    A security official said either the militants involved in the attack might have returned back to Pakistan after carrying out the attack or are hiding in the caves in the dense forest area. In contrast, the army has suffered only six casualties in Kashmir since October 2021. Of the six soldiers killed, one was an off-duty jawan

  • Kashmiri Pandit ATM guard shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Terrorists on Sunday shot dead a 40-year-old Kashmiri Pandit man in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district while he was on his way to a local market, police said.

    Sanjay Sharma (40), who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district around 11 am, they added.

    “Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market,” the Kashmir Zone police wrote on Twitter.

    They said Sharma was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to the injuries. “There was armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off. Details shall follow,” police said.

    ALSO READ | Nine Kashmiri Pandits killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 3 years: Govt

    Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the victim’s village.

    The deceased worked as an ATM guard in a bank but had not been reporting to duty of late following an earlier spate of terror attacks on his community members, his colleagues said.

    Political parties condemned the killing, terming it “senseless”. “Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard and was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his loved ones,” National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.

    Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard & was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack & send my condolences to his loved ones.
    — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2023
    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti blamed the BJP-led Centre for failing to protect Kashmiri Pandits. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also hit out at the perpetrators of the attack. Talking to reporters here, she said, “A few days ago, right-wing terrorists killed two Muslims in Rajasthan. Today, you have killed a Hindu. What is the difference between you and them?” Mufti accused the BJP government of endangering the lives of minorities in Kashmir while projecting a picture of normalcy in the valley.

    NC’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the killing, saying it was an unfortunate incident. “As the majority community, we should ensure the protection of the minorities,” he said, adding that the government has failed to do so.

    ALSO READ | Radio Sharda connects displaced Kashmiri Pandits in India, 108 countries with their roots

    SRINAGAR: Terrorists on Sunday shot dead a 40-year-old Kashmiri Pandit man in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district while he was on his way to a local market, police said.

    Sanjay Sharma (40), who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district around 11 am, they added.

    “Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma S/O Kashinath Sharma R/O Achan Pulwama while on way to local market,” the Kashmir Zone police wrote on Twitter.

    They said Sharma was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to the injuries. “There was armed guard in his village. Area cordoned off. Details shall follow,” police said.

    ALSO READ | Nine Kashmiri Pandits killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 3 years: Govt

    Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the victim’s village.

    The deceased worked as an ATM guard in a bank but had not been reporting to duty of late following an earlier spate of terror attacks on his community members, his colleagues said.

    Political parties condemned the killing, terming it “senseless”. “Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard and was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his loved ones,” National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.

    Deeply saddened to hear of the demise of Sanjay Pandith of Achan in Pulwama district of South Kashmir. Sanjay was working as a bank security guard & was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack & send my condolences to his loved ones.
    — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 26, 2023
    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti blamed the BJP-led Centre for failing to protect Kashmiri Pandits. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also hit out at the perpetrators of the attack. Talking to reporters here, she said, “A few days ago, right-wing terrorists killed two Muslims in Rajasthan. Today, you have killed a Hindu. What is the difference between you and them?” Mufti accused the BJP government of endangering the lives of minorities in Kashmir while projecting a picture of normalcy in the valley.

    NC’s chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq condemned the killing, saying it was an unfortunate incident. “As the majority community, we should ensure the protection of the minorities,” he said, adding that the government has failed to do so.

    ALSO READ | Radio Sharda connects displaced Kashmiri Pandits in India, 108 countries with their roots

  • Cop killed, CRPF personnel injured in militant attack in J&K’s Pulwama

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: A policeman was killed and a CRPF personnel injured when militants attacked a security forces team in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

    The attack took place in Pinglana area of the south Kashmir district.

    “Terrorists fired upon a joint Naka party of CRPF & Police at Pinglana, Pulwama. In this terror attack, 01 Police personnel got martyred & 01 CRPF personnel got injured,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

    The police said reinforcements were rushed to the area and a search operation was launched.

    A police spokesman identified the slain policeman as Javid Ahmad Dar.

    He said the injured CRPF personnel was evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

    Senior police officers along with reinforcement reached the terror crime spot, the spokesman added.

    “We pay our rich tributes to the martyr for his supreme sacrifices made in the line of duty. We standby the family of the martyr at this crucial juncture and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel,” the spokesperson said.

    Police has registered a case, the investigation is in progress and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime, he said.

    The area has been cordoned off and a search is going on there, he added.

    Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah condemned the attack.

    “While condemning this attack I send my condolences to the family of the J&K police personnel who laid down his life in the line of duty today. I also send my best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured CRPF personnel,” Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

    The Peoples Conference too condemned the attack.

    “We strongly condemn the militant attack upon the joint naka party of Police & CRPF at Pinglana (Pulwama) in which 1 Police personnel lost his life & 1 CRPF personnel got injured. Heartfelt condolences & sympathies with the family of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” it said in a tweet.

    SRINAGAR: A policeman was killed and a CRPF personnel injured when militants attacked a security forces team in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

    The attack took place in Pinglana area of the south Kashmir district.

    “Terrorists fired upon a joint Naka party of CRPF & Police at Pinglana, Pulwama. In this terror attack, 01 Police personnel got martyred & 01 CRPF personnel got injured,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

    The police said reinforcements were rushed to the area and a search operation was launched.

    A police spokesman identified the slain policeman as Javid Ahmad Dar.

    He said the injured CRPF personnel was evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

    Senior police officers along with reinforcement reached the terror crime spot, the spokesman added.

    “We pay our rich tributes to the martyr for his supreme sacrifices made in the line of duty. We standby the family of the martyr at this crucial juncture and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel,” the spokesperson said.

    Police has registered a case, the investigation is in progress and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime, he said.

    The area has been cordoned off and a search is going on there, he added.

    Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah condemned the attack.

    “While condemning this attack I send my condolences to the family of the J&K police personnel who laid down his life in the line of duty today. I also send my best wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured CRPF personnel,” Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

    The Peoples Conference too condemned the attack.

    “We strongly condemn the militant attack upon the joint naka party of Police & CRPF at Pinglana (Pulwama) in which 1 Police personnel lost his life & 1 CRPF personnel got injured. Heartfelt condolences & sympathies with the family of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” it said in a tweet.

  • Two cops injured in militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Two police personnel were injured in a militant attack on a police party in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday, officials said.

    The incident took place in Manzgam this evening, the officials said.

    They said two police personnel sustained injuries in the attack.

    Further details of the incident are awaited, they added.

  • ‘Militant-free’ Srinagar sees seven encounters, 14 grenade attacks in 2021

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Srinagar, which was declared ‘militant-free’ by the police in August 2020, has witnessed six hit-and-run attacks on security personnel, seven encounters and at least 14 grenade attacks in this year. The first hit-and-run attack in Srinagar this year took place on February 19 when militants shot dead two policemen at Baghat Chowk. Since then, the militants have carried out five more such attacks in the city.

    In total, six policemen and three paramilitary CRPF personnel were killed. The slain policemen include a CID inspector and Sub Inspector Arshid Mir who was shot dead by militants in Khanyar on September 12.

    Seven encounters between militants and forces have also taken place in Srinagar this year. In these gunfights, which took place both in the Civil Lines and downtown areas, 14 militants of different outfits were killed. 

    Three civilians were also shot dead by militants in  Srinagar. Another civilian lost his life in a grenade attack on security forces. There have been at least 14 grenade attacks by militants targeting secuirty forces in the city. Over two dozen civilians and security men were injured in these attacks.

    The police had declared Srinagar ‘militant-free’ in August last year. “In August last year, there was zero presence of militants in Srinagar. However, in the first week of September last year, militant Abbas Sheikh shifted his base from Kulgam in south Kashmir to Srinagar and seven more militants also joined him in Srinagar,”  Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said.

    Abbas Sheikh and his deputy were killed in an encounter with security forces in Aloochi Bagh area of uptown Srinagar on August 23. The IGP said of the eight militants active in Srinagar, five have been killed in encounters. “Besides, there are 10-15 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of militants in Srinagar,” he said adding, “We will either be killing the remaining militants in Srinagar or arresting them.”

  • Cop injured in militant attack in J&K’s Baramulla

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: A police constable was injured on Monday in a militant attack on the residence of a protected person in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

    “Terrorists fired upon the residence of Fazal Ahmad at Chandoosa in Baramulla in the early hours of Monday,” the officials said.

    One personal security guard of the politician identified as constable Altaf was injured in the firing, the officials said.

    He was taken to a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.

    Ahmad, brother of former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Baig, and his family were safe, they said.

  • Jammu and Kashmir political parties condemn killing of cop, his family

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday condemned the killing of a special police officer (SPO), his wife and daughter in Pulwama district, calling it “dastardly and cowardly” and a “form of terrorism”.

    “I unreservedly condemn the dastardly and cowardly militant attack on the J&K police SPO Fayaz Ahmed, his wife and his young daughter at their home last night. I pray they receive their place in Jannat and their loved ones find strength during this terrible time,” National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

    PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said no words were strong enough to condemn the cowardly attack.

    “No words are strong enough to condemn the cowardly attack in Awantipora that claimed the lives of a JKP officer Fayaz Ahmad, his wife and daughter. May Allah Ta’aala grant them maghfirat and their loved ones the fortitude to bear this loss (sic),” Mufti tweeted.

    Peoples Conference (PC) chairman Sajad Lone said the news of the killing was “extremely distressing” and called the perpetrators “thugs of violence”.

    “Woke up to extremely distressing news of violence. An entire family fell to bullets. No respite from these thugs of violence. May they rest in peace. May the family muster courage to bear this loss,” Lone said in a tweet.

    BJP’s J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur also condemned the attack as cowardly and barbaric, saying that barging into the house of a cop and killing him and his family members is nothing but a pure form of terrorism.

    “The act deserves the strongest condemnation and that those behind the act will meet the same fate.

    What was the fault of the innocent wife and daughter of policeman? Killing women is (in) no way bravery, but a pure cowardly attack which deserves the highest form of condemnation,” Thakur said.

    He expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and urged the police to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice as soon as possible.

  • Three attacks in 20 days, no end of violence in Srinagar

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:  Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar continues to be on the radar of militants. Two policemen and a non-Kashmiri have been killed in three militant attacks in the last 20 days. A security official said Srinagar always remains a target because any attack here gets wide publicity.

    On February 17, militants shot at and injured Akash Mehra, son of dhaba owner Ramesh Kumar Mehra. The 22-year-old died in hospital 11 days later. Two days after the attack, militants in broad daylight shot dead two policemen in Baghat area of Srinagar.

    The victims were unarmed when militants attacked them. In a third attack, militants lobbed a grenade towards a police post at Fateh Kadal downtown Srinagar on March 5. It, however, missed the intended target and exploded on the road without causing injuries. After these attacks, police and paramilitary forces have increased patrolling in Srinagar, especially in sensitive areas.

    “Armoured police and CRPF vehicles and security men remain deployed at sensitive and vulnerable areas to prevent any attack. Besides, close watch is kept through CCTV cameras,” said a security official. “Since Srinagar is in the limelight, militants plan strikes here to remain in the news.” Last year, Srinagar witnessed many encounters and militant attacks. Hizb chief Dr Saifullah was killed in the outskirts on November 1.