Eleven abduction mostly relatives of Indian policemen in the four south Kashmir districts

[Hindustani78]

A woman grieves during the wreath laying ceremony for the policemen kidnapped and killed by militants, at a base camp at Shopian, about 55 kilometers south of Srinagar, on September 21, 2018.(Waseem Andrabi/ HT Photo)

An unidentified relative of a slain policeman cries during a wreath laying ceremony at a base camp in Shopian. (AP Photo)


In one video, the person identifies himself as Shabir Ahmad Thokar of Samnoo in south Kashmir. Thokar says on camera that he has been working as a special police officer for the last eight years, but has now decided to disassociate himself from the force.

A report by news agency PTI referred to a video by another SPO who had resigned on Monday and claimed to putting out the video to put to rest any doubts that anyone may have.

According to reports, nearly two dozen militants had stormed homes of the policemen in two southern Kashmir villages and took them away. The three were shot dead and the former officer was released unharmed.

Militant group commander Riyaz Naikoo has several times warned local policemen, especially SPOs, to resign from the force, saying that the government was using them.

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...booba-mufti/story-j3id5BeLMTxdH0COH18gCN.html
“Three more policemen have lost their lives to militant bullets. Outrage, shock and condemnation will be expressed by all of us on expected lines. Unfortunately, it brings no solace to the families of the victims,” the former CM and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief tweeted.

“Clearly, with the rise in kidnapping of police personnel and their families, muscular policy is not working at all. Dialogue, the only way forward seems to be a distant dream for now,” Mufti added.

Of the three killed, two were special police officers and one was a constable. A policemen’s brother was also among the four abducted by the militants. However, he was released later.

Jammu and Kashmir police have regularly been on the target list of militants for the past couple of months. Last week, suspected militants killed a 45-year-old army man, who was home to mourn the death of his teenage son in Kulgam.

Last month, 11 relatives of state police personnel were abducted in apparent retaliation to police detention of the families of three militants. However, they were later released unharmed.

 

[Hindustani78]

Relatives of a policeman Firdous Kuchay during his funeral procession in Srinagar on Friday.

Srinagar , September 22, 2018 00:15 IST
Updated: September 22, 2018 01:08 IST
https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...-in-shopian/article25010667.ece?homepage=true

Militants barged into the homes of policemen and took them away

When suspected militants barged into the homes of three special police officers in Shopian in south Kashmir early on Friday morning, the unarmed men were caught unawares — one was having a bath, another had just returned from offering morning prayers and the third was waiting for his mother to give him rotis for breakfast.

A steady stream of mourners gathers at the modest house in Batagund of one of the victims, Kulwant Singh. His mother, Pushpa Devi, is inconsolable.

“I was making rotis when a number of gunmen barged in, looking for my son, who was inside the bedroom. He was waiting for me to cook breakfast,” she recalled.

Kulwant’s wife and father Dhoop Singh were away in Jammu when the incident took place. The SPO leaves behind a daughter and a son.

“They [gunmen] promised to release him soon. Why did they kill? What was his sin,” Ms. Pushpa Devi asked.

Nisar Ahmad Dhobi, also a father of two from Kapren in Shopian, had just finished his morning prayers when the militants entered his house.

“As soon as he returned to his bedroom, the gunmen barged in. They asked him to accompany him. They swore by their guns to release him soon. They said he would quit the police force on camera and return home,” said Dhobi’s nephew, who last saw him at the gates of his house when the militants warned him not to step out.

“What sin had he committed? Like other policemen, he was ready to quit the police force. Yet, they killed them,” said a relative.

The gunmen came knocking at the bathroom for policeman Firdous Kuchay, son of Abdul Gani, also from Batagund.

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Police officers pay respects to colleagues during a wreath laying ceremony at a base camp at Shopian, about 63 kilometers south of Srinagar on Friday. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad

https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...t-militants/article25014947.ece?homepage=true
Srinagar, September 22, 2018 14:25 IST
Updated: September 22, 2018 15:14 IST

A day after three policemen were abducted and killed by militants, security forces on Saturday launched a massive cordon and search operation in Shopian and Pulwama districts of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched in at least eight villages in Pulwama and Shopian districts in south Kashmir early this morning, a police official said.

He said a joint team of police, Army and paramilitary CRPF launched the CASO to flush out militants from the area. The official said the operation was going on when last reports came in.

Three cops were Friday abducted and later killed by militants in Shopian district.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out between groups of youth and security forces during the CASO at Shermal in Shopian, the official said.

He said youth pelted stones on the security forces carrying out searches in the area.

The forces fired tear gas shells to quell the protests, the official said, adding, clashes were going on.

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Responding to the reported spate of resignations by Jammu and Kashmir police personnel and the killing of three of their colleagues, on Friday said the government was playing with the “crown of India” and treating the people like “guinea pigs” while using the State for its “laboratory politics.”

Addressing a press conference, spokesperson alleged that there had been a marked increase in ceasefire violations, deaths of security personnel, civilian killings and terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir ever since the BJP came to power at the Centre and an “opportunistic alliance took shape in the State”.

He said the while the UPA had brought the State and the people in the mainstream, the NDA government left them “midstream”. “There is a quantitative and qualitative change. The quantitative change is reflected in any of the four parameters — ceasefire violations, death of security personnel, civilian deaths, terror incidents,” spokesperson said and claimed that 414 security personnel and 256 civilians have lost their lives since May 2014.

Ceasefire violations
“In the case of ceasefire violations, there is a 500% increase,” he added.

Commenting on the government’s Pakistan policy as a 'No Pak policy,' the spokesperson, “It is knee-jerk, it is episodic, it is momentary, it is transient, it depends on the mood of the moment. This government has no moral right to continue. The government is playing with crown, with the pride of India.”

 

[Maarkhoor]

Traitors of nation deserves this.....Freedom struggle of Kashmir zinda baad....

 

[Hindustani78]

On the job: Army men entering a house during a cordon-and-search operation in Pulwama district on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad

https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...ts-to-flush-out-militants/article25014947.ece

A day after three policemen were abducted and killed by militants, security forces on Saturday launched a massive cordon-and-search operation in Shopian and Pulwama districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the police said.

The operation was conducted in at least eight villages from early in the morning, a State police official said.

Flushing out militants
He said a joint team of the police, the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force launched the operation to flush out militants from the area.

The operation was going on when last reports came in.

Security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse groups of youth who threw stones at personnel carrying out the searches at Shermal in Shopian.

Three special police officers were abducted and later killed by militants in Shopian district on Friday morning.

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah visited the police headquarters here on Saturday to offer his condolences on the killing of three police personnel. Dr. Abdullah, Srinagar MP, met senior officers, including Director-General of Police Dilbag Singh.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...ed-labourer/story-xM665fPHzpd7I5YhzCrUpI.html

Police have launched a manhunt to trace a 45-year-old man who was abducted by a group of militants late Saturday night in north Kashmir’s Sopore town.

Police said the militants barged into the house of a labourer in and abducted him. It is not known why he was targeted.

A police spokesman said they have started a manhunt to trace the labourer.

“Police has registered a case. Further investigation into the matter is going on,” he said.

The abduction came just a day after bodies of three policemen were found on Friday morning hours after suspected militants kidnapped them in south Kashmir’s Shopian, considered the hotbed of militancy.

A fourth person, the brother of a policeman, who had also been abducted was released on Friday morning. The four had been kidnapped from Shopian’s Kapran village.

The three policemen were found dead near an orchard in Wangam village, four kilometres from the spot from where they had been taken away.

Militant shot dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama
Major search operations were launched by security forces in villages of Pulwama and Shopian districts on Saturday, after the recovery of the bodies of three policemen on Friday.
Updated: Sep 23, 2018 20:02 IST


A militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday, police said.

Security forces had cordoned Dar Ganie Gund at Aribal in Tral town in the morning to search for militants suspected to be in the area when the encounter broke out.

Police later tweeted that the body of a militant has been recovered and searches are on in the area.

Major search operations were launched by security forces in villages of Pulwama and Shopian districts on Saturday, after the recovery of the bodies of three policemen on Friday, hours after they were abducted and killed by suspected militants in Shopian.

An official manning police control room of Awantipora said that Aribal was also part of search operation on Saturday while militants were trapped on Sunday operation.

Locals said that soon after the encounter started, some youth came out towards the security forces while gun fire clashes near the encounter site. A police official however said the clashes “were minor in nature,” and the search operation has not concluded as yet.

On Friday when the bodies of three policemen were recovered in South Kashmir, five militants were killed in an encounter in Bandipora district. The police suspected that the slain militants were part of a freshly infiltrated group.

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The J&K police have identified 24 local militants involved in the abduction and killing of three policemen in south Kashmir’s Shopian two days ago.

According to the police report, part of the first information report (FIR) lodged in the case, the 24 armed men entered the houses of the policemen at Batagund and Kaprin in Shopian “at the behest of militant commander Riyaz Naikoo.”

“The intent was to kill. It was done to intimidate the police personnel and their family members, so as to keep them away from their duties,” according to the FIR.

Policeman-turned-militant from Shopian was also named in the FIR.

The militants on September 21 kidnapped the three policemen and a brother of another. In an hour, they shot the three dead but freed the civilian.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...tions-in-jk/article25022880.ece?homepage=true
September 24, 2018 01:02 IST
Updated: September 24, 2018 01:05 IST

No government formation will take place through underhand means, there will be elections; whoever wins will be sworn to power, says Governor

Ahead of the local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Satya Pal Malik says

What is the crux of the Kashmir problem?
The problem in Kashmir is not that of the political parties... Hurriyat is also not a problem as the Pakistan based militants have lost credibility among the people; because of Pakistan they don’t want to participate in dialogue. The youth in the 13-20 age group are being targeted by the terrorists, who operate on foreign money, are the ones who mislead them.

What is the State’s policy towards the youth?
I independently engaged some NGOs to analyse the reasons for the frustration and alienation among the youth. I got the feedback that the reason for the frustration in 46% of youth who are in the 13-20 age group is that they do not have anything to do after 6 p.m. There are no cinema halls, no coffee shops... I met IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla and suggested that J&K should also have a separate team... you cannot win them over by arguments, you cannot argue with them on Islam, it increases the fanaticism... Nowhere in the world now can a new country be born, look at LTTE, even they couldn’t seize power in Sri Lanka... [The youth should] get into IAS, get into IPS, rule India!

How can the political alienation among the youth be addressed?
This problem erupted after the Congress rigged two elections.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I can assure that there will be no such thing... No government formation will take place through underhand means. There will be elections; whoever wins will be sworn to power. The real trouble began in Kashmir when they dislodged elected governments… that will not be repeated.

What about the possibility of government formation in J&K since the Assembly has not been dissolved?
I want to promise that we will not form a government by underhand means. Proper elections will be held.

Those born in the Kashmir Valley post-1990 have mostly lived under the shadow of the gun? How do you address their grievances?
I told my DGP on the very first day that no innocent should be harassed and called to the police station, until and unless there is something substantial against him. You [police] will not extort money from them, and if I get a complaint, then action will be taken against the SHO as well as the DSP. They [youth] are threatened that they will be framed in stone-throwing incidents, this kind of harassment is there. This should stop. They should be given cricket balls instead of stones.

Several policemen have been killed this year…
We have increased the compensation amount from ₹40 lakh to ₹70 lakh. [I am] trying to increase it to ₹1 crore. The children of policemen will get free education. We are developing a separate colony for policemen in safe areas, where the families can stay. The policemen who go home are killed... [Hence] we are making guest houses in police lines so that families can come and visit them there. So they [policemen] don’t have to go to the mohalla (locality); if they go, they will go with security. Hardship allowance will also be increased.

Don’t you think you are segregating them?
Even now, we have separate colonies where officers live, so why not for policemen? Everywhere there are separate police colonies. It will not hamper the work of intelligence gathering.

What about the special police officers (SPO)?
We are increasing the salary of SPOs from ₹6,000 to ₹16,000. The compensation to SPOs who are killed on duty has been doubled. Of the total SPOs, around 5% were inducted in the regular police force — this has been doubled. People are queuing up to join as SPOs.

But many videos have surfaced with SPOs saying they were quitting after the threat by Hizbul Mujahideen warning policemen to resign?
The videos are of SPOs who had surpassed the age to be recruited in the police. No policeman or SPO has resigned.

There has been a series of abductions of kin of policemen. Militant commander Riyaz Naikoo’s father was also detained by the police.
It has been blown out of proportion. Policemen had gone on their own, some came back. There was no dealing in this. Riyaz Naikoo’s father was detained, it was unfortunate. He was released subsequently. But terrorists should know that if they target the families of policemen, then their family members are also here, so this dignity should be maintained. The fight is between you and me, not the relatives.

What is the compulsion to hold the panchayat polls right now?
You must be aware of the Prime Minister’s August 15 speech from Red Fort… he got a feedback that the wheels of democracy should be set in [motion]. If you cannot hold panchayat elections, then how will parliamentary elections be possible? Then we took a calculated risk to hold the elections. I met the leaders of all political parties — they say something in person and their public posturing is different.

Farooq Abdullah said twice that these elections are not for Delhi or the Governor. Then he changed his stance. We are sure that candidates of all parties will participate in elections without the party symbol. All this is posturing for MLA elections. It is not that they are scared — they move around in bulletproof vehicles.

How do you ensure that people come out and vote in wake of the killings of policemen? That elections are held in free and fair manner?
Of course people will come out and vote. Farooq Abdullah was elected on 7% vote percentage, we would get much higher votes… The problem of J&K arose from rigging of polls. We will never do this.

What about security for the candidates?
We are giving ₹10 lakh insurance cover to every candidate in panchayats. We will provide them personal security and if they don’t want to live at their house we will give them a safe place to stay during elections.

Former DGP S.P. Vaid said the condition is not conducive to hold elections?
It’s a rumour. He was part of the decision-making and joint assessment.

Why was he removed? You shunted him to an obscure position?
He was not removed for any particular reason, it was on the cards for long. I can ask — why was he appointed? One who is appointed is also removed. We want to give him a good posting but the post that he wanted, the procedure for it was a lengthy one.

What is your stand on Article 35A that has been challenged in the Supreme Court?
We are not elected representatives. We don’t disrespect the mandate of the State government. When an elected government is in place, it can take a stand in court and till then no hearing should take place.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j...companies-for-security-chief-secy/659008.html

Srinagar, September 25

In the backdrop of the recent killings of policemen and the overall security scenario in south Kashmir, the state administration has said adequate security arrangements were in place for the smooth conduct of the municipal and panchayat elections.

Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam said adequate security arrangements were made for the staff, candidates and the overall election process. “We have made adequate, good security arrangements on an unprecedented scale,” the Chief Secretary told reporters here on Tuesday.

“For this purpose, 400 additional companies of the Central forces are being deployed, apart from the security forces operating in the state,” Subrahmanyam said.

The Chief Secretary said the security problem was mainly in some areas of south Kashmir comprising four districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. He said the situation in other parts of the Valley was normal even as “militancy is there” and there was a good response from the candidates for participation in the municipal elections.

At least, 700 nomination forms have been issued for the first phase of the municipal elections. The security arrangements have been made available for the candidates on demand, the Chief Secretary said.

He said 300 hotel rooms had been made available for the accommodation of candidates in Srinagar and other major towns of the Kashmir valley.

In an unprecedented move, “despite a lot of pressures”, the government employees engaged on election duty would be getting one month’s extra salary, the Chief Secretary announced.

He said all arrangements had been made for the safety, security and accommodation of the employees engaged on poll duty during the municipal and panchayat elections.

Subrahmanyam pointed out that each panchayat, when constituted, would be getting at least Rs 22 lakh annually for the developmental works in their areas. He said with no municipal and panchayat bodies in place, the state had suffered heavy financial losses.

“The elections are all about ‘sadak’, ‘pani’ and ‘bijli’ at the local levels and the representatives will be going back to their people to redress their problems and the issues of development in the areas,” the Chief Secretary said. He said the block panchayat elections would be conducted for constituting the block development councils in January next year after the panchayat elections are completed in November-December.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
28-September, 2018 12:19 IST
New Initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir Government has taken a number of decisions pursuant to the review meeting on 4-5 July 2018 during Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh’s visit to the state. Most significant of these is the conduct of Local Body Elections that are currently underway. Central Government is providing all possible support to the State Government for smooth conduct of these elections including deployment of Central forces in sufficient numbers.

Elections to Local Bodies

The local body elections will have a historic significance in many aspects. The local body elections will re-establish the long overdue grassroots level democracy in J&K. The urban local body elections are being held after 2005 and Panchayat elections after 2011. Provision of direct elections for Sarpanches of the Panchayats has also been restored to ensure accountability. These elections will also pave the way for making available nearly Rs. 4,335 Crores of 14th Finance Commission Central grants to the duly constituted local bodies. But for these elections, people of J&K would have been deprived of these funds meant for their welfare. Local bodies are also being vested with significantly enhanced devolution of powers in line with best practices in the country. This will enable them to address most of the local issues in their jurisdictions.

The functions and functionaries of all the 29 subjects transferred to Panchayats under the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India will also be transferred to the Panchayats of J&K including institutions like Primary Health Centers, Primary Schools, Aganwadi Centers to name a few. Financial powers of Panchayats are being enhanced 10 times from Rs 10 thousand to Rs 1 lakh for Panchayats. And, from Rs 25 thousand to Rs 2.5 lakhs for Block Councils. Powers for “Own fund generation” are also being given to Panchayats. These will include building permission fee, taxes on entertainment, advertisement, hoardings, various kinds of businesses & profession. Central and State government funds will further supplement “Own funds” of the Panchayats under various schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act ( MGNERGA) , Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Integrated Child Development Services ( ICDS) and Mid-Day meal etc.

In addition to selection of eligible beneficiaries for various schemes, Panchayats will also be involved in the implementations of key national achemes such as National Health Mission, Samagraha Siksha, Mission for development of Horticulture, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY). On an average every Panchayat will now get around Rs. 50-80 lakhs per year at its disposal for implementation of such schemes. To further strengthen the Panchayats, additional posts are being sanctioned for Accountant, Data Entry operator, Block Panchayat Inspector etc.

Strengthening of the Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC and KAHDC)

The Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC and KAHDC) have been strengthened and empowered to become the most autonomous councils in the country to address various issues being faced by people living in the remote areas of Ladakh region. The LAHDC & KAHDC have been given more powers to levy and collect local taxes. Control has been given over functioning of various departments as well as the Government employees working for the subjects that are transferred to them.

All such properties like public buildings, public roads constructed by LAHDC & KAHDC shall now belong to the council. Funds allocated to these councils from the State Budget can now be carried forward for the next year. The Panchayats in Kargil and Leh will also follow directions of these councils. Chief Executive Councillor will also be the Chairman of all Tourism Development Authorities. These Councils will also have a Deputy Chairman for better functioning.

Special Police Officers

Considering the crucial role being played by the Special Police Officers in anti-militancy operations, MHA has enhanced their honorarium from existing Rs 6,000 per month to 9,000 on completion of 5 years and Rs 12,000 on completion of 15 years.

Financial Assistance to West Pakistan Refugees settled in J&K

MHA has approved a scheme of Rs 5.5 Lakh financial assistance to nearly 5,764 West Pakistan Refugees settled in J&K. Amounts due to the eligible beneficiaries will be transferred in their bank accounts. The State Government has designated Divisional Commissioner Jammu as the nodal officer for effective and speedy disbursement of the amount to all eligible beneficiaries.



*****

 

[Hindustani78]

Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel search a car during high alert sounded in Srinagar on September 29, 2018. | Photo Credit: The Hindu


When are the elections?

The situation is volatile ahead of the four-phase elections for urban local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, from October 8 to 16. The main regional parties, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are boycotting the process. Though the two parties welcomed announcement, they made a U-turn in a month.

Who are boycotting the polls?

Separatists and militant outfits have already started a boycott campaign and asked people to stay away from contesting the urban local body elections followed by panchayat polls in November. The Pakistan based militant outfit has warned people of dire consequences if they file nominations. This has pushed the State to a rare phase where both separatists and mainstream parties are on the same page, though on different sides. The clock has been reversed to a 1996-like situation, when New Delhi grappled to find any mainstream party to contest the Assembly elections in the throes of widespread militancy.

Why the anger?
However, this time, the call for a boycott by mainstream parties( Congress and BJP ) came from Dr. Abdullah, a three-time Chief Minister who heads the State’s oldest regional party. Back from New Delhi after showering praise on the late Prime Minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a commemoration ceremony, Dr. Abdullah had to firefight to save his political stock in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite seeking elections for urban local bodies and panchayats repeatedly at meetings with the then Governor, N.N. Vohra, and newly appointed Governor Satya Pal Malik, the former Chief Minister on September 5 decided to boycott the polls. He blamed the Centre’s stand and the State government’s approach to the sensitive issue of Article 35A, a case pending in the Supreme Court. “The NC will not participate in these elections unless the Government of India and the State government clarify their position and take effective steps for protection of Article 35A in and outside courts,” said Dr. Abdullah. The PDP, too, decided to boycott the polls. Its president Mehbooba Mufti pointed the finger at the Centre, saying it had linked the elections and the issue of Article 35A before the Supreme Court by seeking a deferment on the grounds that a judgment would disturb the law and order situation. “People see this as an assault on the special constitutional status of the State,” she said. Article 35A allows the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature to decide who all are ‘permanent residents’ of the State and confer on them special rights and privileges. The Supreme Court has deferred to January 2019 the hearing of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A.


Who is contesting?
The CPI(M), the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN), the Awami National Conference and other smaller parties are staying away from the polls. However, the Congress decided to contest in a bid “not to provide a free field to BJP candidates to win these elections.” The BJP, for the first time ever, will be contesting from all wards.

What is the Governor’s stand?
The Governor described the elections as an attempt to “strengthen grass-roots institutions and a well-calculated move.” In 2008, 2010 and 2011, the elections, whether for the Lok Sabha, the Assembly or panchayats, did help New Delhi restore its position in the State. Internally, participation of people put both separatists and militants on the back foot and globally, the elections reflected a sign of normalcy in the State.

What is the fear?
However, holding elections in the absence of mainstream parties has put credibility of the polls at stake. The administration is apprehensive. For the first time, it is luring employees for poll duty with an additional one month’s salary. Despite a week left for the polls, there is no visible campaigning on the streets of the Valley. The last civic elections were held in 2005.

 

[Hindustani78]

Policeman killed in militant attack in Shopian
PTI
Srinagar, September 30, 2018 10:27 IST
Updated: September 30, 2018 10:29 IST
https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...-in-shopian/article25087082.ece?homepage=true

A policeman was killed in a militant attack on a police station in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday, police said.

“Terrorists in District Shopian fired indiscriminately on Police Station Shopian. The attack was repulsed by alert jawans,” a police spokesman said.

Constable Saqib Mir sustained injuries and was evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, he said. However, the injured jawan succumbed to injuries.

Police have registered a case and investigation has been initiated in the matter, he added.

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Sifting through: The police search a car during a high alert in Srinagar.


SPO who allegedly stole the weapons from colleagues had been in touch with militants

As the police on Saturday questioned seven policemen whose service rifles were stolen by a special police officer (SPO) in the high-security Jawahar Nagar, which houses politicians, here, it turned out that the suspect was in touch with a militant outfit across the Line of Control.

“The policeman was already connected with militants across the border,” Director-General of Police Dilbagh Singh said.

He said “a fast-track investigation” had been started into the biggest-ever weapons heist in Srinagar this year. “Action will be taken against the policemen for dereliction of duty,” said Mr. Singh as he hinted at major leads in the case.

A sum of ₹2 lakh was announced as reward for information leading to the capture of the SPO and the local MLA and even looking in the role of MLA's from other states.

According to the police, the personal security officer of Ajaz Ahmad Mir, the Peoples Democratic Party MLA from the Wachi constituency, approached the Rajbagh police station in Srinagar on Friday and said the weapons of seven personal security officers were missing from the residence of the MLA at Jawahar Nagar.

“One pistol, the licensed personal weapon of Mr. Mir, was also missing,” said the police.

The police zeroed in on SPO Adil Bashir Sheikh, 24, from Shopian’s Zainpora area for his role in the heist, forcing security agencies to beef up security in Srinagar and south Kashmir.

He belonged to the MLA’s village and had gained entry to the residential quarters on the pretext of cleaning the rooms. The policeman was engaged as an SPO on March 11, 2017.

The MLA was in Jammu at the time of the incident. His statement in the case has been recorded. The police also questioned the SPOs and the driver of the MLA.

Initial reports suggest the SPO was working as a cook and worked alone. “The incident has happened many days ago. A PSO had resumed duties recently and found the weapons missing,” said an official. The residential quarter of the legislator has been sealed for collecting the clues.

Worrying trend
In a worrying trend, over 20 automatic service rifles were stolen by militants this year, an increase from 2017 when fewer than 10 service rifles were stolen or snatched in the Valley.

The police this year issued new standard operating procedures for the guards to avoid weapons snatching, including avoiding use of mobile phones on the duty.

In the past, a policeman guarding PDP leader Altaf Bukhari stole two rifles and joined militant ranks in 2015. In 2016, another policeman decamped with four rifles from the residence of a police officer in south Kashmir.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...r-s-shopian/story-xCxnG2V0z1gPm9LPMUew4L.html

Militants shot dead on Sunday a constable guarding a police station in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, continuing attacks weeks before the state holds local body and panchayat elections.

Saqib Ahmad Mir, 23, was injured when militants fired indiscriminately at the Shopian police station and died in a hospital.

Pakistan based Militants kidnapped and killed three policemen, two of them special police officers (SPO), two weeks ago. On Thursday, six persons, including a civilian and an unidentified man, were killed in four separate incidents of violence across Kashmir.

SPO who was deployed with a People’s Democratic Party MLA's with seven /eight/nine/ten/fifteen rifles of the lawmakers residences in Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir State, police said on Friday.

The escalation in violence comes ahead of the scheduled urban local body and panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir which will be held from October to December. While militants have asked people to boycott, the polls are being seen as part of the Centre’s efforts to turn the tide in the state, where local militant recruits and violence have escalated since Pakistan based/trained militant commander killing in July 2016.

**********

Presently, a total of 193 Police Stations (including two Women Police Stations one each at Srinagar and Jammu) and 158 Police Posts/Divisions in the State of J&K manned by Police personnel of the rank of Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Asstt. Sub-Inspectors, Head Constables, Selection Grade Constables and Constables.

The command and control of the J&K Police vests with the Director General of Police, J&K, (DGP) who is in-charge of the entire gamut of Police Administration viz recruitment, discipline, internal economy and administration in the State of J&K. Besides being the head of the Police Department, the DGP, J&K, is responsible for advising the Government on all matters connected with it.

The J&K State has been divided into two(02) Zones, Jammu Zone and Kashmir Zone, each headed by a Zonal Inspector General of Police (IGP) who is overall In-charge of law and order situation in the respective zone.

The two zones are further sub-divided into Ranges, each headed by an officer of the rank of a Dy. Inspector General of Police (DIG).

Presently, there are six (07) Ranges, four(04) in Jammu Zone (Jammu-Kathua, Rajouri-Poonch, Udhampur-Reasi and Doda-Kishtwar Ranges)

The Range DIsG supervise the police administration in the Districts, each of which is headed by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP)/ Sr. Superintendent of Police (SSP).

The Jammu Region has nine (10) Police Districts (Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban Districts)

The District SsP/SSsP are assisted by one or more Additional Superintendents of Police/Asstt./Dy. Superintendents of Police in the discharge of their duties. To bring the police administration nearer to the people, Districts have further been divided into Sub divisions, Police Stations and Police Posts/ Divisions. The sub-Divisions are headed by officers of the rank of Assistant / Deputy Superintendent of Police.

and three(03) in Kashmir Zone (Central Kashmir, North Kashmir and South Kashmir Ranges).

The Range DIsG supervise the police administration in the Districts, each of which is headed by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP)/ Sr. Superintendent of Police (SSP)

The Kashmir Region has twelve (15) Police Districts (Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama, Anantang, Kulgam, Shopian, Awantipora, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Kupwara, Handwara, Leh and Kargil Districts).

The District SsP/SSsP are assisted by one or more Additional Superintendents of Police/Asstt./Dy. Superintendents of Police in the discharge of their duties. To bring the police administration nearer to the people, Districts have further been divided into Sub divisions, Police Stations and Police Posts/ Divisions. The sub-Divisions are headed by officers of the rank of Assistant / Deputy Superintendent of Police.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.thehindu.com/news/natio...urban-local-body-election/article25105594.ece
BJP bags 60 wards unopposed in J&K urban local body election

Srinagar, October 02, 2018 22:37 IST
Updated: October 02, 2018 22:37 IST
NC, PDP have boycotted the polls accusing Centre of not defending Article 35A in apex court
The Bharatiya Janata Party has made a headway in the urban local body election in the Kashmir Valley by winning 60 municipal wards unopposed, mainly in the volatile south Kashmir, while the Congress has won only 26 wards.

Of the 624 wards scheduled to go for the four-phase polls from October 8 to 16, the BJP claimed to have won at least 60 unopposed in the three phases and expects the tally to cross 70 when the fourth phase details are made public by the Chief Electoral Officer in Srinagar.

‘Heartening result’
“It is heartening that for the first time we have started winning wards in the urban local bodies in Kashmir. The edge is that we have started winning them in the hotbed of militancy in south Kashmir such as Kulgam, Pulwama and Anantnag,” BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur told The Hindu.

The initial tally suggests that the BJP has won 60 seats, which include eight of Devsar’s 13 wards, four of Qazigund’s 11 wards, nine of Pahalgam’s 13 wards, eight of Ashmuqam’s 13 wards and four of Tral, all falling in militancy-dominated districts in south Kashmir. In north Kashmir, the BJP claimed to have won eight wards in Sopore, the hometown of Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani.

Pandit candidates
Six Kashmiri migrant Pandit candidates, of the total 30 fielded in south Kashmir, have been declared winners unopposed, Mr. Thakur said. The BJP has fielded 325 candidates in the Valley, the highest ever in the electoral history of the State. “We hope to continue the winning streak,” said Mr. Altaf.

Most regional parties, including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, have boycotted the polls, accusing the Centre of not clarifying its stand and defending the Article 35A and Article 370 in the Supreme Court. However, Sajad Lone’s Peoples Conference, an ally of the BJP, has decided to contest the polls.

 

[t_for_talli]

Kashmiris should not serve in the terrorist and occupation forces of Gangadesh.

Let Kashmiris decide what they want

Traitors must be targeted however possible.

There are few hundreds terrorists in valley and tens of thousands of Kashmiris in Indian forces/ police
Your definition of traitors is wrong

 

[war&peace]

Let Kashmiris decide what they want

Please tell this to yourself.

 

[PakSword]

Let Kashmiris decide what they want

Majority wants freedom....