Assistance to Families of Martyred Soldiers of Indian Military

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Dec 4, 2017, 12:28 PM;
last updated: Dec 4, 2017, 12:28 PM (IST)
CRPF jawan killed in accident
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/crpf-jawan-killed-in-accident/508026.html

Ghazipur (UP), December 4 A CRPF jawan was killed when his SUV collided with a tractor near Eshopur village in the district, police said on Monday. The jawan Alok Kumar Singh was scheduled to get married on December 9.

The incident took place yesterday when Singh was returning from Varanasi with his family.

Singh was seriously injured in the accident and was rushed to hospital, where he died during treatment. — PTI.

 

[Hindustani78]

An Army contingent of Gorkha Rifles during the 68th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.(Arvind Yadav/HT File )

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...t-rs-10-000/story-dTYDDs53Rg90pTR4LEZWuO.html


The armed forces have written to the defence ministry seeking the reversal of a government order that has capped educational expenses paid to children of martyrs or disabled soldiers at Rs 10,000 per month, South Block sources said.

In a letter to defence secretary Sanjay Mitra, army vice-chief Lieutenant General Sarath Chand has sought the removal of the ceiling on financial aid granted to the children, the sources said on Tuesday.

The cap was imposed earlier this year following the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission report.

Defence ministry officials confirmed that the military wants the cap to be lifted and the ministry was informed of the matter. The scheme to provide financial aid to children of martyrs was announced in December 1971, days after the Indian victory in the war with Pakistan.

“This is the least we can do for children of martyrs and disabled soldiers. This order should be recalled at the earliest,” an army officer said.

Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar also wrote a letter to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, urging that the order be recalled. “The services and sacrifices of our soldiers cannot be repaid ever and it is our moral obligation to ensure their families do not face any hardships and difficulties,” he wrote.

Effective from July 1, 2017, the government order has impacted more than 3,000 students. The department of ex-servicemen welfare wrote to the three chiefs and the coast guard chief on September 13 that the combined amount of tuition fees and hostel charges should not exceed Rs 10,000.

“It will result in a saving of barely a few crores every year. We are confident that the ministry will do away with the cap,” said another officer.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/body-of-crpf-jawan-found-near-nilokheri/508147.html
Posted at: Dec 5, 2017, 12:43 AM;
last updated: Dec 5, 2017, 12:43 AM (IST)

Karnal: The body of a CRPF jawan was found near Nilokheri on NH-44 on Sunday. The deceased, Dilip Singh Munde, was posted in J&K. He was a native of Ranchi (Jharkhand).

The SP, Jashandeep Singh Randhawa, said Munde was absent from duty for three to four months. The police said his face was badly crushed and could not be identified. His seniors identified the body. TNS

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ccidental-fire-at-line-of-control/508553.html

Posted at: Dec 5, 2017, 12:35 PM;
last updated: Dec 5, 2017, 12:35 PM (IST)

Jammu, December 5

A soldier was injured on Tuesday when his service rifle went off accidentally at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The victim was identified as Krishna Kumar of the Kumaon Regiment. The incident took place in the Mendhar sector. IANS

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...lling-in-shopian-one-held/article21282881.ece
Srinagar, December 06, 2017 18:56 IST
Updated: December 06, 2017 18:56 IST

The police have arrested one person and identified the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants behind the abduction and killing of an on-vacation Army jawan in Shopian on November 25.

A police spokesman on Wednesday said one of the “co-conspirators”, identified as Muzamil, has been arrested during the raids.

“Muzamil, along with three Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants, including Commander Saddam Padder, was involved in the abduction and killing of the jawan,” said the police.

The bullet-ridden body of sepoy Irfan Dar, who was working with the Army’s 175 Territorial Army, was recovered from the Wuthmula village, Shopian, on November 25. He was on a vacation when he was kidnapped and shot dead.

The police said Muzamil, a resident of Shirmal, “hatched the criminal conspiracy to kill Dar”.

On November 24, the accused visited the native village of Dar and took him to Wuthmula. The militants were already present in a nearby orchard and fired at Dar that resulted in his instant death, according to the police investigation.

Besides Paddar, the militants — identified as Bilal Mohammad, Touseef and one newly-recruited unidentified militant — were present at the spot.

“On the basis of evidence, the entire chain of conspiracy has been busted. The look-out for other three militants is on and necessary legal proceedings are in progress to complete the investigation,” said the police.

Two Army men, including a Junior Commissioner Officer, and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were killed by militants, when they were off duty, in the Valley this year.

Civilians injured

Meanwhile, at least five civilians were injured as clashes broke out between youths and the Army in Bandipora’s Hajin during an anti-militancy operation. Clashes broke out when the Army’s 13RR and the police were patrolling Syed Mohalla, Parray Mohallah and Bon Mohallah.

 

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Dec 6, 2017, 1:21 AM;
last updated: Dec 6, 2017, 1:21 AM (IST)
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/batala-soldier-dies-in-j-k-encounter/508781.html


Tribune News Service

Batala, December 5

Havildar Palwinder Singh (36), hailing from Rai Chak village, died in an encounter with terrorists at Qazigund (J&K) after his convoy was ambushed and attacked yesterday afternoon. He belonged to the 10th Sikh Regiment.

Police sources said the three militants allegedly responsible for carrying out an attack on Amarnath pilgrims in July were also killed in this encounter, while one militant was arrested.Palwinder’s wife, Palwinder Kaur said she got a call from an Army officer around 5 pm yesterday informing about her husband’s demise.

She claimed that the cross-firing was going on when she received the call. Palwinder was recruited in the Army 17 years ago.Palwinder came to his native village on October 16 and after spending a month with his family, he left for duty on November 15.

The deceased is survived by his wife, eight-year-old daughter Simarjeet Kaur and five-year-old son Sehajdeep Singh. He will be cremated tomorrow.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...colleague-in-chhattisgarh/article21381703.ece

Doctors at a hospital in Bastar treat a CRPF jawan who was injured in a firing at the force’s Basaguda camp in Chhattisgarh on December 9, 2017. Photo: Special Arrangement


Another was injured in the incident at Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
Four Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed when their colleague opened fire at them at a camp in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on December 9. The incident took place at the Basaguda camp of the CRPF’s 168th battalion.

Chhattisgarh sector CPRF DIG Ajay Singh and Additional IGP, Chhattisgarh Anti-Naxal Operations unit Devnath confirmed the incident.

“It is true. It happened in Basaguda CRPF camp in Bijapur. Four CPRF men have died and one has suffered injuries. The accused constable has been arrested,” the DIG told The Hindu.

According to some CRPF officials, the incident took place at around 5 p.m. on December 9 when CRPF constable Santh Kumar had a quarrel with CPRF Assistant Sub-Inspector Gajanand.

Google Maps image locates Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh.


After the quarrel, constable Kumar reportedly opened fire at his colleagues from his INSAS rifle in which five CRPF men got hit.

Four of them — Senior Inspector Vikey Sharma, Inspector Megh Singh, ASI Rajveer Singh and constable Sankara Rao — were killed on the spot and ASI Gajanand suffered bullet injuries.

ASI Gajanand was evacuated to Jagdalpur by a chopper and constable Kumar was apprehended, informed a CRPF official posted in Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh condemned the incident and expressed grief over the death of four CRPF men.



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Arab News

http://zeenews.india.com/india/woma...e-army-jawan-who-died-in-kashmir-2064589.html

A 22-year-old woman, engaged to an Army jawan who died in Kashmir earlier this week, allegedly committed suicide at Barkheda village in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.

By Zee Media Bureau | Updated: Dec 09, 2017, 18:12 PM IST

Dewas: Days after her fiance, an Army jawan, was killed during firing in Kashmir, 22-year-old woman also allegedly committed suicide at Barkheda village in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday.

Jyoti Dhakad was to marry 26-year-old Army jawan Neelesh Dhakad in April, 2017.

However, as luck would have it, Neelesh died of a bullet wound in Kashmir on December 5. According to official sources, it was a case of accidental firing.

Since his funeral on Thursday, Jyoti was in a state of shock. On Saturday, her body was found hanging from a ceiling at her house. Further probe into the case is on, police said.

Neelesh was commissioned into the Army five years back and was currently posted in Srinagar. When his body reached his home town, several stages were made on the way to honour the martyr.

Throughout the route when his body was being carried, people stood in lines to create a path of flowers.

His family was accompanied by nearly 10,000 people to pay last respects. He was given a guard of honour by Army personnel.

He joined the Army after completing his 12th. His first posting was in Punjab. He had last visited his hometown six months back.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ad-in-jammu/story-jDEJmiMVkoXnrJTezYW82J.html
Updated: Dec 14, 2017 15:03 IST

The jawan, of the 118 Medium Regiment with his INSAS rifle around 06:45am while on duty near Chhalla village in the RS Pura police station area. (File)

Two bullets pierced his head and the helmet he was wearing.
Updated: Dec 14, 2017 15:03 IST

Lance Naik Parvesh Kumar Mishra (34) of the 118 Medium Regiment dead with his INSAS rifle around 06:45am. He was on duty near Chhalla village in the RS Pura police station area, a police official told PTI.

Two bullets pierced his head and the helmet he was wearing, the official said.

Mishra, who was living with his family in the Kunjwani Army quarters, hailed from Odisha, he added.

Senior police officers, including Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Surinder Choudhary, rushed to the spot and an investigation is underway.

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/648340/no-term-like-martyr-shaheed.html
Press Trust of India, New Delhi, Dec 15 2017, 19:34 IST

The issue surfaced after an RTI applicant approached the Union home ministry seeking to know the meaning and detailed definition of word "shaheed" (martyr) according to the law and the Constitution. Representational Image

There is no term as "martyr" or "shaheed" in the Army or the police and instead a soldier or a policeman killed in action is called a "battle casualty" or "operations casualty" respectively, the ministries of defence and home have submitted before the Central Information Commission.

The issue surfaced after an RTI applicant approached the Union home ministry seeking to know the meaning and detailed definition of word "shaheed" (martyr) according to the law and the Constitution.

He also asked about the legal provisions to ensure restriction on its misuse and punishment for violation.

The application was transferred to different officials of the home and defence ministries but when the applicant could not get a satisfactory response, he approached the CIC, the highest appellate body in matters relating to the Right to Information Act.

The respondents from the ministries of defence and the home affairs were present and heard, Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad said.

"The respondent from the Ministry of Defence stated that word 'shaheed' or 'martyr' is not used by the MoD. Instead the one used is 'battle casualty'. The respondent from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that in the MHA the word used is 'operations casualty'," Azad said.

Quoting the submissions, he noted that the decision to declare cases of 'battle casualty' and 'ops' were taken after a report of a court of inquiry in both the matters.

"After hearing the respondents and the perusal of the record, the commission finds that the averments made by both the respondents have duly explained the correct usage of the terms and directs the respondents to send a revised reply to the appellant accordingly," he said.

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Photo for representation only.
Srinagar, December 14
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/hope-fades-for-5-soldiers/513543.html

Even as efforts to trace the five missing soldiers continue more than 48 hours after they were buried under snow in north Kashmir, there is little hope of their being found alive.

In two separate incidents on Tuesday when the Valley’s upper reaches witnessed heavy snowfall, two soldiers slipped down a slope in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district while three went missing from a forward post in Kanzalwan Gurez along the Line of Control in Bandipora.

The Army has deployed avalanche rescue and High-Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) teams. “The search is on but they have not been traced,” a defence official said. — TNS

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Chuni Singh shows the picture of his missing son in Samba.
Vishal Jasrotia
Samba, December 15
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ing-samba-jawan-hope-against-hope/513903.html

Koushal Singh, a 21-year-old Army jawan of Badla Deoni village in Samba district, who was posted with the Army’s 20 Dogra Regiment in Nowgam sector of Kashmir, is reportedly missing since December 10.

Uneasy calm has prevailed in his native village and the family members are worried as no clue has been found even after five days. Chuni Singh, Koushal’s father, an ex-serviceman whose left part of the body has been paralysed, said on December 11, they were informed by the Army that his son, along with another jawan, had went missing after an avalanche hit a patrol party which was on its way to a post in Nowgam sector on Sunday night.

The Army said operations are underway to find the missing soldiers, he said. Chuni Singh is in constant touch with the regiment officials but no trace of his son has been found even after five days. The women of the family are in a state of shock and have not eaten anything since the news of Koushal’s missing.

“We want our missing son to be traced as soon as possible,” Chuni Singh said. Koushal Singh was the second youngest child of the three siblings in the family.

He joined the Army 2016 and was deployed with the 20 Dogra Regiment since September 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ha...nancial-assistance-on-vijay-diwas/514285.html

Our Correspondent
Kaithal, December 16

The District Sainik Board organised a function on ‘Vijay Diwas’ here today. Deputy Commissioner Sunita Verma said the day reminds us of the supreme sacrifices made by soldiers.

Such events not only provide information about historical events to the present generation but also keep the country united. She handed over cheques of financial assistance to war widows, including Savitri Devi, a resident of Rajound; Lakhvinder Kaur, a resident of Kakkar Majra; Shanti Devi, a resident of Deoban; Vidyawati, a resident of Jakholi; Leelawati, a resident of Siwan; Saroj Bala, a resident of Tara Garh; Guddi Devi, a resident of Kolekhan; and Chander Pati, a resident of Kithana.

SDM Kamalpreet Kaur promised ex-servicemen that they would get full respect in government offices. City Magistrate Sushil Kumar, Subedar Ram Singh and other ex-servicemen were also present on the occasion.
Kharga Corps pay tributes

Ambala: Kharga Corps celebrated 46th ‘Vijay Diwas’ in a solemn ceremony at the Vijay Smarak in Ambala Cantonment on Saturday. The General Officer Commanding, Lt Gen Jaiveer Singh Negi, laid a wreath at the war memorial to pay homage to the brave martyrs.

‘Vijay Diwas’ commemorates the victory of India in the 1971 war with Pakistan, which led to creation of Bangladesh. The war was fought for 13 days from December 3 to December 16, 1971.

In one of the fastest and shortest campaigns in the military history, a new nation was born and 93,000 prisoners of war surrendered to the Indian Army at the end of the operation. — TNS

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/missing-soldier-found-dead/514882.html

Posted at: Dec 18, 2017, 12:43 AM; last updated: Dec 18, 2017, 12:43 AM (IST)AVALANCHE TRAGEDY
Missing soldier found dead



The body of Sepoy Koushal Singh brought to his village in Samba.

Srinagar/Samba, December 17

The Army today said it has retrieved the body of one of the five soldiers, who had gone missing last week in two snow-linked incidents in north Kashmir.
The body of Sepoy Koushal Singh, who was part of an operational team and was serving at a forward post near the Line of Control, was found on Saturday, six days after he had gone missing, the Army said. Five soldiers, including the sepoy, had gone missing last week in two snow-linked incidents near the Line of Control in Kupwara and Bandipora districts. The search and rescue operations, launched immediately after the soldiers had gone missing, continue in adverse climatic and topography.

In a statement, the Army said concerted efforts of the specially equipped Avalanche Rescue Teams, which continued despite the inhospitable terrain and weather conditions, led to the recovery of mortal remains of the soldier.

The 19-year-old sepoy hailed from Badla Deoni village of state’s Samba district. He was posted in the Nowgam sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district when he was swept away during heavy snowfall along with another soldier.

The Army today paid homage to the soldier. In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantt, Lt Gen JS Sandhu, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps, and all ranks paid him homage. “In a show of solidarity, officials and representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyr,” the Army said. In the evening, the body of Koushal Singh was airlifted to his native Badla Deoni village in Samba district.

Army personnel of the 20 Dogra Battalion, who accompanied the body, said rescue teams found the mortal remains of Sepoy Koushal Singh from under snow, around five kilometres from his post. However, his fellow soldier from Himachal Pradesh is still missing.

Mohan Singh, a relative of the deceased, said they had received a call from his unit on December 11, informing the family that Koushal Singh had gone missing along with one other jawan after an avalanche had hit the patrol party. The cremation ceremony will take place with full military honours on Monday. — TNS

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/648797/soldier-killed-north-kashmir-avalanche.html


Press Trust of India, Jammu, Dec 18 2017, 16:02 IST

Koushal Singh's corpse was recovered from the Naugam sector of Kupwara. ANI/twitter photo.

Army jawan Koushal Singh, 19, who died in an avalanche along the LoC in north Kashmir, was cremated with full military honours at his native village in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Hundreds of people poured in from different villages of the district to give a tearful adieu to the slain soldier, who belonged to the 33 Rashtriya Rifles.

Singh was one of the five soldiers who had gone missing during the two avalanches on December 13.

Two soldiers slipped down a mountain slope in Naugam sector of Kupwara district while three others went missing from a forward post in Kanzalwan sub-sector of Gurez in Bandipora district during heavy snowfall on December 13.


While Singh's body was traced, rescue operations are underway to find the remaining jawans.

At least 22 Army soldiers died due to snow furry in Gurez and Sonmarg areas of north Kashmir in January alone.

Singh's coffin draped in tricolour was brought to his hometown in the presence of senior Army officials, who paid floral tributes to him.

A gun salute was also given to the soldier by a contingent of Army.

Army personnel paying tributes to the mortal remains of Sepoy Koushal Singh during his last rites at his native Badla Deoni village in Samba district on Monday. The body of Singh, who went missing after an avalanche hit a patrol party in Nowgam sector on 11 December, was recovered on Sunday.

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http://www.ptinews.com/news/9333686_Truck-Tempo-collision--One-Jawan-dies--several-injured.html
14:30 HRS IST
Badaun (UP), Dec 19 (PTI) A jawan of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) was killed when the tempo he was travelling in collided with a truck here in Karkala area of the district, police said today.

According to the police, nearly half-a-dozen people sustained serious injuries in the accident.

The deceased, identified as Amit Kumar, was sitting on the front row of the ill-fated tempo when the accident took place yesterday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chandraprakash said today.

"The injured PAC jawan was taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead," the SSP said, adding the injured too have been hospitalised.

Amit, who hailed from Gautam Buddh Nagar district of the state, was posted in the 27th battalion of PAC, he informed.

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Dec 19, 2017, 12:35 AM; last updated: Dec 19, 2017, 12:35 AM (IST)
Bodies of 2 more soldiers found
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/bodies-of-2-more-soldiers-found/515457.html

Srinagar, December 18

Search and rescue teams today recovered the bodies of two of the five soldiers who went missing along the Line of Control in the Gurez sector of Kashmir, following heavy snowfall in the Valley last week, defence sources said.

Bodies of the two soldiers were recovered in the Gurez sector today while the body of a jawan was recovered in the Nowgam sector by the search and rescue teams on Saturday, the sources said.

Two soldiers had slipped down a slope in the Nowgam sector of Kupwara district while three others went missing from a forward post in Kanzalwan sub-sector of Gurez of Bandipora district after heavy snowfall on December 12.

The search for the two missing soldiers — one each in the Gurez and Nowgam sectors — is still going on, the sources said. — PTI

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...-north-kashmir-avalanche-cremated/515243.html
Jammu, December 18

Army jawan Koushal Singh, 19, who died in an avalanche along the LoC in north Kashmir, was cremated with full military honours at his native village in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

Hundreds of people poured in from different villages of the district to give a tearful adieu to the soldier, who belonged to the 33 Rashtriya Rifles.

Singh was one of the five soldiers who had gone missing during the two avalanches on December 13.

Two soldiers slipped down a mountain slope in Naugam sector of Kupwara district, while three others went missing from a forward post in Kanzalwan sub-sector of Gurez in Bandipora district during heavy snowfall on December 13.

While Singh’s body was traced, rescue operations are underway to find the remaining jawans.

At least 22 Army soldiers died due to snow furry in Gurez and Sonmarg areas of north Kashmir in January alone.

Singh’s coffin draped in tricolour was brought to his hometown in the presence of senior Army officials, who paid floral tributes to him.

A gun salute was also given to the soldier by a contingent of the Army. PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/avalanche-jawan-s-body-to-arrive-today/516712.html
Posted at: Dec 21, 2017, 1:54 AM; last updated: Dec 21, 2017, 1:54 AM (IST)

Kolkata: The body of Lance Naik Marigendra Nath Pramanik is expected to reach his village Kumarchak in Purba Medinipur district, Bengal, on Thursday. He died in an avalanche at Gurez sector in Bandipora district of Kashmir. He was part of a group which got swept away during a snow slide on December 11. Rescue teams recovered his mortal remains on December 18. Pramanik (32), who belonged to the 36 Rastriya Rifles, has left behind his wife and two young children, besides his parents. Pramanik had joined the Army in 2003.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/soldier-s-body-to-arrive-at-nalagarh---today/516331.html

Tribune News Service
Solan, December 20

The body of Shiv Singh, rifleman of the 36 Rashtriya Rifles, who was buried in an avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gurej sector on December 10, will be brought to his native village at Nalagarh tomorrow. Shiv Singh, who hails from Gullerwala village, is survived by his mother and two sisters. He had lost his father some years ago. The 25-year-old soldier was the only earning member of his family. Nalagarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ashutosh Garg said Shiv’s body was expected to reach Nalagarh tomorrow though no official information had been received as yet.

Soldiers carry the coffins of Lance Naik Marigendra Nath Pramanik and Sepoy Shiv Singh at a ceremonial farewell held at Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar on Wednesday.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...anche-body-of-third-soldier-found/516506.html
Tribune News Service


Srinagar, December 20

The Army on Wednesday said it had retrieved the bodies of all three soldiers who had gone missing last week from a forward post during heavy snowfall in north Kashmir’s remote Gurez sector. The bodies of Lance Naik Marigendra Nath Pramanik, Sepoy Shiv Singh and Sepoy Moorthy N were found after more than a weeklong search operation in the rugged and inhospitable terrain bordering the Line of Control.

Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the bodies of Lance Naik Pramanik and Sepoy Shiv Singh were located on Monday and the third missing soldier was found dead today. The Army also held a ceremonial farewell for the two soldiers, whose bodies were transported from the Gurez sector to 15 Corps Headquarters at Badamibagh cantonment in the city here and later flown for the last rites to their native places. Lance Naik Pramanik, 32, hailed from Kumar Chak village of West Bengal’s Purva Midnapur district and Sepoy Shiv Singh hailed from Gullarwala Karsouli village of Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district.

“In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families of the martyrs and remains committed to their dignity and well-being,” the Army said in a statement. The Gurez sector, located in Bandipora district, is one of the remote parts of the valley and remains inaccessible during winter after snow shuts the only road which links it with the district headquarters.

The sector is heavily militarised and soldiers are stationed on mountaintop posts to guard the Line of Control and prevent infiltration of militants.

The three soldiers were reported missing from the Gurez sector on December 11 when the mountainous northern region of the Kashmir valley received heavy snowfall. Two other soldiers, one of whom was found dead earlier this week, had gone missing during the same snow spell from the nearby Nowgam sector.

The Army had launched concerted efforts and pressed the specially equipped Avalanche Rescue Teams into service to search for the missing soldiers in the two sectors along the Line of Control.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...o-jawan-killed-in-gurez-avalanche/517413.html

15 Corps GOC Lt Gen JS Sandhu pays tribute to Sepoy Moorthy N at Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar on Friday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 22

The Army on Friday paid tributes to a soldier who had gone missing from a forward post in remote Gurez sector last month and was later found dead.

The body of Sepoy Moorthy N, 33, was found on December 19 and transported to Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar from where it was airlifted to his home.

He had gone missing on December 11 during heavy snowfall along with two other soldiers Lance Naik Marigendra Nath Pramanik and Sepoy Shiv Singh, whose bodies were sent home on Wednesday this week. At the ceremonial farewell held at Badamibagh Cantonment, which houses the headquarters of 15 Corps, senior army officers led by Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu paid tributes to the soldier.

The sepoy, who was part of an Operational Team which was serving in the formidable heights along the Line of Control in the Gurez sector, had got swept away in a snow slide.

The Army said concerted efforts of the specially equipped Avalanche Rescue Teams led to the recovery of his body on Tuesday this week. The soldier was had donned the uniform in 2004 and hailed from Nathipatti village in Tamil Nadu’s Karur district. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Two soldiers injured in mine blast in Poonch Rajouri:

Two soldiers of Naga unit were injured seriously when one of them reportedy stepped on an abandoned mine in a forward location in Poonch district on Friday. Sources said the soldiers were patrolling a forward location in the Gulpur sector when an abandoned mine blasted off under the foot of one of the soldiers. The injured have been identified as Sepoy W Thung and Sepoy Rakesh. The soldiers, who have splinter injuries in their eyes and on the face, were immediately taken to the Army hospital in Poonch and later airlifted to Command hospital at Udhampur. OC

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...y-men-killed-in-valley-since-2015/530019.html

Vikram Sharma
Tribune News service
Jammu, January 17

As many as 185 security men and police personnel have been killed in terrorism-related incidents in the Kashmir valley since 2015.

In a written reply to a question put by BJP MLC Ramesh Arora in the Legislative Council today, the government said the number of security personnel killed was 129 while 56 police personnel, including special police officers (SPOs), had lost their lives during the period in terrorism-related incidents. The government said there was no provision to give state compensation to Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel martyred in the Valley during the insurgency except providing the kin an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh. However, next of kin of member of armed forces, not above the rank of Junior Commissioned Officer, or a member of paramilitary forces of the equivalent rank, who is a permanent resident of state and is killed while discharging duties within the territorial jurisdiction of the state is provided a government job under the SRO-43 of 1994. The state compensation to the kin of a police man killed in the Valley amounts to Rs 52 lakh through the special welfare relief, ex gratia and Janata Insurance Scheme. A government job is also provided to next of kin, besides scholarship and free schooling is given to the wards of the martyred police personnel. In case of SPOs, Rs 17.50 lakh is given to the family through the contributory welfare fund, state government and Oriental Insurance. Regarding the plan to pay compensation for land acquired by the Army for fencing in the Jammu region, the government said of the total award amount of Rs 29.84 crore received for three districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua, Rs 4.31 crore had been disbursed. It further said the process of land acquisition for setting up border outposts along the Indo-Pak border was going on. The compensation received for the three districts amounted to Rs 39.66 crore. Of this, Rs 2.12 had been disbursed. The government said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had recently conveyed its sanction for the construction of 14,460 bunkers in the border districts of the Jammu division. For the construction of bunkers, Central agencies, such as the Central Public Works Department and National Building Constructions Corporation are to be engaged, the government said.

Varying compensation

• No provision to give state relief to CAPF men martyred during the insurgency except providing the kin an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh
• The state compensation to the kin of a policeman killed in the Valley amounts to Rs 52 lakh through the special welfare relief, ex gratia and Janata Insurance Scheme

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Posted at: Jan 17, 2018, 12:26 PM; last updated: Jan 17, 2018, 12:26 PM (IST)
195 security personnel killed in terror incidents in 3 yrs: Govt
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...in-terror-incidents-in-3-yrs-govt/529919.html

The Jammu Kashmir government on Wednesday said 195 security personnel lost their lives in the last three years in terror incidents in the Kashmir Valley.

In a written reply to a question of BJP’s Ramesh Arora, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti told the Legislative Council that 195 security personnel were killed in “terrorist-related violence” in the last three years in the Valley.

Of these, 78 were killed in 2017, 74 in 2016 and 43 in 2015, she said. PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Jan 19, 2018, 1:52 AM; last updated: Jan 19, 2018, 2:07 AM (IST)
BSF jawan killed in Pak shelling
Girl dies, five hurt in Jammu frontier

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/bsf-jawan-killed-in-pak-shelling/530830.html

Amir Karim Tantray
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 18

In an almost “war-like” situation on the International Border (IB), a Border Security Force jawan was killed today as Pakistani Rangers violated the ceasefire in RS Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors of the Jammu frontier. Also, five civilians were injured in intermittent shelling throughout the day. In retaliation, the BSF inflicted huge damage on Pakistani Rangers.

“They have suffered huge losses, both in terms of life and property,” KK Sharma, Director General, BSF, said. “They targeted over a dozen border out-posts (BoPs) in three sectors through the night.” A police officer said Pakistani troops targeted over 20 hamlets along the IB.

Constable A Suresh from Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu was hit by a bullet in the head at 10.30 pm last night. “He was evacuated to the GMCH, Jammu, where he was declared dead,” said a BSF spokesperson.

Sweety, a teenaged girl of Dyala Chak in Kathua district, was killed while she was at her maternal uncle’s home in Arnia when a shell landed on the house. Three more civilians were injured in Arnia sector, whereas two were injured in Ramgarh sector of Samba district. The DG termed it as a ‘war-like’ situation and blamed Pakistan for it.

“We could say the situation is tense. We have had incidents of ceasefire violation at the Line of Control, and now on the International Border as well. We are a peace-loving country and don’t want a war-like situation,” he said, adding that the directions to the commanders on the ground were clear — to retaliate with full force.

Jammu Additional Deputy Commissioner Arun Manhas said officers had been told to remain in a state of highest preparedness in view of the ceasefire violations. He, however, said villagers had not been evacuated so far. The issue was raised in the Assembly by BJP MLA and state president Sat Sharma and Mian Altaf of the National Conference. (Inputs by Vishal Jasrotia in Samba)

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The mortal remains of the martyr reach his village in Panipat district. Tribune photo
Tribune News Service

Panipat, January 18
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ha...r-reach-native-village-in-panipat/530450.html

The mortal remains of martyr Sachin Sharma reached his native village Goela Khurd in this district on Thursday morning.

Hundreds of villagers, politicians and administrative officials gathered in the village to bid adieu to the martyr.

Sachin (20) of Rajputana Rifles, was martyred in Arunachal Pradesh near the India-China border on Tuesday.

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Army personnel salute Sepoy Sachin Sharma at the government school of Goela Khurd in Panipat on Thursday. Tribune photo

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ha...h-full-honours-in-panipat-village/530647.html
Tribune News Service
Goela Khurd (Panipat), January 18

Hundreds of people, Army officials and politicians bid a tearful adieu to Sepoy Sachin Sharma at his native village Goela Khurd of the district today.

Sachin was laid to rest with full military and police honour. Sachin’s brother Sahil lit the pyre.

Army personnel of Jat Regiment reached the village with Sachin’s mortal remains at 9 am and hundreds of villagers, school students were also present to salute their hero.

The Army officials handed over the body of the martyr to his father and bid adieu at a government school of the village.

Surender Sharma, father of the Martyr, Sachin, said, his son wanted to join the Indian Army since his childhood and after passing class XII he joined the Army on December 12, 2016. After completing his training at Fatehpur he joined his duty at Arunachal Pradesh.

“Sachin always said that he would join The Army to save his country and would die for his country,” said his father with eyes filled with tears. His mother Sumitra Devi and sisters fainted after seeing Sachin’s body.

His last rites were performed at a temple adjoining a government school. The Army personnel and police gave him a gun salute. People raised slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Sachin Bhai Amar Rahe’.

Subedar Ramesh Kumar, Rajputana Rifle, said, he was a good sepoy and a very good player also. He had joined his duty around two months back and was posted at Arunachal Tak Singh post in Upeer Subhan Singh district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Besides, a team of 24 Army personnel led by Subedar Kamal Singh of Jat regiment reached to bid adieu to Sepoy Sachin Sharma.

“Due to sudden illness, Sachin lost his life. Reports will further clear the reason behind his death,” said the Subedar.

Mohit and Sonu, friends of Sachin said, he was a hard worker since his childhood. He practiced running barefoot on the Yamuna sand to enhance his stamina.

Krishan Lal Panwar, Transport Minister, said, benefits would be provided to the bereaved family as per the government’s norms and policy.

Ashok Tanwar, state president, Congress; Ravinder Machroli, MLA Samalkha; Sanajay Bhatia, BJP’s state general secretary; Bijender Kadyan, former minister; DC Chander Shekhar Khare; SP Rahul Sharma along with administrative officials and leaders of various political parties were present during the cremation.

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http://indianexpress.com/article/in...lled-in-pak-firing-along-ib-in-jammu-5031444/
Updated: January 19, 2018 4:45 pm

Head Constable Jagpal Singh of 173 Battalion BSF

A BSF jawan and two civilians were killed in unprovoked firing by Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir’s Samba sector along international border on Friday. According to officials, the BSF head constable was injured in the incident in noon and later succumbed to his injuries.

Two civilians were killed and three others were also injured as Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and border posts for the second consecutive day along the IB in Jammu and Samba districts.

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, Head Constable A Suresh, was killed in similar firing on the border last night, following which the force had mounted heavy retaliation.

Meanwhile, in continued retaliation to mortar shelling from across the international border in R S Pura and Arnia sectors in Jammu district on Friday, the BSF damaged four more Pakistani mortar positions, apparently resulting in heavy casualties on the opposite side.

“We have seen ambulances moving at many places across the border opposite both these sectors,” said sources. They identified some of these areas as Kundanpur, Gadyal, Haria and Jagwal.

A senior BSF official said that by the intensity of their retaliation and the number of ambulances moving on the Pakistani side, the “casualty across the border appears to be very high…somewhere between 20-25”.

 

[Hindustani78]

Mandeep Singh

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...led-in-ceasefire-violation-by-pak/531528.html

A defence spokesman identified the slain soldier as sepoy Mandeep Singh (23), a resident of Alampur village of Sangroor in Punjab.

He said the Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms and automatics form 0820 hours in Krishna Ghati sector, resulting in grievous injuries to Singh who later succumbed.

The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, the spokesman said.

The officials said two civilians, Gaura Ram (17) of Kapur R S Pura and Gour Singh (45) of Abdullian, were killed and five others injured in firing by Pakistani rangers along the IB in Jammu district.

A BSF spokesman said cross-border firing was underway in the area from Octroi to Chenab (Akhnoor) in Suchetgarh sector of R S Pura from this morning.

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Lance Naik Sam Abraham

It was a black Friday in Jammu frontier areas as three persons, including a Border Security Force Head Constable, died and 26 got injured when Pakistan Rangers pounded villages from Paharpur in Kathua to Ranbir Singh Pura sector.

An Army jawan was also killed in ceasefire violation on the Line of Control in the Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district. Lance Naik Sam Abraham, 34, from Kerala is survived by his wife and infant daughter.

In the Jammu frontier, there was huge damage reported to property and 17 cattleheads were injured in the shelling which started in the wee hours.

BSF Head Constable Jagpal Singh of 173 Battalion, a resident of Rajasthan, succumed to injuries sustained in Chilyari post of Samba sector. The civilians who lost their lives were identified as Bachno Devi (52), wife of Jeet Raj of Sai Khurd area of Arnia, and Sahil (25), son of Krishan Lal of Kotrana, RS Pura.

Out of the 26 injured, 13 persons were injured in Arnia and RS Pura sectors, while nine got injured in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. Four, including two BSF jawans, were injured in the Samba sector.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
20-January, 2018 19:20 IST
Union Home Minister attends ceremony to raise funds for “Bharat ke Veer”

Shri Rajnath Singh’s appeal raises donations worth nearly Rs 13 crores in one day

A ceremony was organized here today to raise funds for the “Bharat ke Veer” fund to assist the families of martyrs of the Central Armed Police Forces. Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Shri Kiren Rijju, National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba and DGs of CAPFs- BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, NSG and NDRF attended the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the contributions being made by CAPFs in safeguarding the national security on various fronts. He said how much more one may say in praise of the martyrs is not enough to fully recognize their sacrifices and appealed for monetary contributions from corporates and the general public to support families of the martyrs.

On the appeal of the Union Home Minister donations worth nearly Rs 13 crores were received on a single day for the Bharat ke Veer fund.

On the occasion, a graphic novel series on the martyrs’ sacrifices, produced by Amar Chitra Katha Publications, was released by Shri Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries. Some families of martyrs were felicitated and a short film made in their tribute was also released. The theme video song made and sung by well known Bollywood singer Shri Kailash Kher was also released on the occasion

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The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh at a function to raise funds for the “Bharat ke Veer” fund, in New Delhi on January 20, 2018. The Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Shri Kiren Rijiju, The National Security Advisor, Shri Ajit Doval, the Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba and other dignitaries are also seen.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh greeting a family member of a martyr, at a function to raise funds for the “Bharat ke Veer” fund, in New Delhi on January 20, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh greeting a family member of a martyr, at a function to raise funds for the “Bharat ke Veer” fund, in New Delhi on January 20, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh greeting noted singer Kailash Kher, who has composed the theme song of “Bharat ke Veer”, at a function, in New Delhi on January 20, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Army said Signalman Chandan Kumar Rai was grievously injured in Mendhar sector along the Line of Control on Saturday, and he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday. It said Pakistani Army initiated “unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of mortars, small arms and automatics” from 4.20 p.m. on Saturday.

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-and-kashmir-climbs-to-11/article22485059.ece
An Army jawan injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan succumbed to injuries last night, taking the death toll in the border firing in Jammu and Kashmir to 11 since Thursday, police said.

Sepoy C.K. Roy, posted in a forward post in Mankote sector of Poonch district, was injured in Pakistani firing on Saturday and succumbed to injuries at the military hospital last night, a police official said.

His death raised the number of persons killed in the Pakistani firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in five districts of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch and Rajouri since Thursday to 11.

The dead included six civilians, three armymen and two BSF personnel.

***************
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-to-capital-funeral-today/article22486647.ece

Sam Abraham killed in cross-border firing in J&K

The mortal remains of Lance Naik Sam Abraham, the Army jawan who was killed in cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir, was received with official honours at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on Sunday evening.

A member of the Sixth Madras Regiment, 34-year-old Sam was killed in firing by the Pakistan Army in the Sunderbani sector along the Line of Control on Friday.

The body, which was brought around 8 p.m., was received by Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, Kodukunnil Suresh, MP, R. Rajesh, MLA, District Collector K. Vasuki, and Pangode Military Station Commander Brigadier C.G. Arun.

To Pangode

The body was later taken to the military hospital at Pangode.

Sam’s mortal remains will be taken to his native place at Ponakam, near Mavelikara, in Alappuzha on Monday.

The body will be kept at the Bishop Hodges Higher Secondary School in Mavelikara for the public to pay homage.

The body will be taken to his house before the funeral service to be held at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church in Punnamoodu, near Mavelikara.

Sam, who was set to retire later this year, is survived by his wife, daughter, and parents.

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/655134/bsf-jawan-martyred-pak-shelling.html

Sanjay Pandey, DH News Service, Lucknow, Jan 21 2018, 21:35 IST

Chandan Kumar Rai, image courtesy ADG PI- Indian Army/Twitter

The family members of Chandan Kumar Rai, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, were preparing for his marriage when they received the news about his martyrdom at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir by Pak shelling on Saturday.

Rai, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district, about 300 km from here, was to tie the nuptial knot on February 28, according to his family members.

''He had applied for leave and was expected to arrive home sometime next month,'' a family member said in Chandauli on Sunday.

A pall of gloom descended on the village when the news of his martyrdom came. People in large numbers, not only from the village but also from the nearby areas flocked Rai's home to express their condolences.

Rai was injured in Pak shelling in Rajauri sector in Jammu & Kashmir and was rushed to hospital. He later succumbed to his injuries.