Indo-Pak border to be completely sealed by December 2018: Rajnath Singh

[Hindustani78]

Army personnel during an anti-militancy operation in south Kashmirs Shopian district.

 

[The_Showstopper]

https://twitter.com/x/status/859294824712867840

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ation-in-valley-with-modi/article18389566.ece

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ation-in-valley-with-modi/article18389566.ece


The violence level reached a new high this week both in south Kashmir and along the Line of Control.
In the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in Kashmir, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N.N. Vohra met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

The situation was discussed at a 45-minute meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office in at South Block.

Mr. Vohra met Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.

The violence level reached a new high this week both in south Kashmir and along the Line of Control. Several bank robberies were reported early this week that caused the deaths of policemen in South Kashmir. Following this, security personnel numbering over 3000 launched an eight-hour combing operation in Shopian on Thursday.


Later in the day militants attacked the Army, injuring three personnel.

Meanwhile, India and Pakistan continued trading charges over the mutilation of Indian soldiers by a Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistan Army.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat warned on Thursday that the Army took “retaliatory measures” after such incidents like they had always done in the past.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...y-police-security-net-around-shopian-4641176/

In Delhi, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat told reporters that the combing operation was being carried out to bring the situation in the Valley under control. “The combing operation is going on as some banks were looted and some policemen have been killed. It has been launched to ensure that the situation is brought under control. These operations are carried out regularly,” he said.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior Army official said, “A cordon operation of this magnitude has not been undertaken in Kashmir in the last 15 years… The purpose of the operation is to exert pressure on militants and force them to move out of their comfort zone. The ravines and orchards around the Rambi Ara river (in Shopian) provide ideal hideouts for militants… they will not be able to congregate and move in large groups now.”

Sources said the operation involved nearly 4,000 personnel, which included four battalions of Rashtriya Rifles, eight companies of CRPF, and five platoons of J&K police, including 30 women constables, and the Indian Reserve Police.

Officials said the operation started in the early hours of Wednesday when soldiers and security personnel, using Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) and Bullet Proof Rakshaks, moved into 20 villages in Shopian district and laid a cordon around an area of 10kmx10km.

Local residents said house-to-house searches were conducted in the villages of Sugan, Turkwangam, Heff and Shirmal, from where many youngsters are suspected to have joined militant ranks. Some residents reported seeing helicopters and drones over the area.

Sources said these villages fall at the centre of Yaripura, Pulwama and Kulgam from where instances of rifle-snatching from police were reported last week.

Local residents said that while the operation was underway, protesters clashed with police at Sugan, Drazpora, Malduor and Turkwangam, with four persons said to have been injured, including one with a pellet injury on his forehead. They also alleged that four persons were arrested during the security operation.

Sources said that police and Army had received information about the presence of militants in the area, including some involved in the attack on the J&K Bank cash van in which five policemen and two private guards were killed on Monday.

They said that the militant Umar Majeed, said to have been involved in the attack, and his associates were using hideouts in the villages where the operation was conducted.

Residents said the forces also conducted search operations in apple orchards — Shopian is south Kashmir’s apple belt — following reports that militants had shot several videos in there and shared them on social media.

”Soldiers came to our village around midnight. In the morning, dozens of soldiers and policemen entered my house and searched every room. They conducted similar searches in other houses of our village,’’ said Gulzar Ahmad, from Sugan.

Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, from Heff, said, “The Army and policemen took us out of our houses and conducted searches. They inquired about the presence of militants and left the village late in the afternoon.’’

Mohammad Akram Khan, a resident of Shirmal, said they had not seen such an operation in the last two decades. “This is first time that such big crackdown was launched in our area,’’ he said.

J&K Police DIG (South Kashmir) S P Pani said the operation began in the morning and ended in the afternoon. “We had information about the presence of militants in the area so the villages were searched thoroughly. Apart from protests at two places, the operation ended successfully.’’

The return of “area domination and sweep” operations — including the cordoning of a number of villages — by such a large body of troops is throwback to the 1990s, when such actions by the Army were common. Following reports that these operations were causing discomfort to the local population, the Army switched to specific intelligence-based operations undertaken by small teams.

There was no confirmation from the Army if Thursday’s operation reflected a shift in its operational philosophy in Kashmir. But sources said that the Army is focused on asserting its physical control over the area.

The senior Army official said the operation had been planned over a month ago, but police and CRPF were not available due to the Anantnag Lok Sabha bypoll scheduled for May 25. “Once the bypoll was cancelled, police and the CRPF have moved from ‘law and order mode’ to ‘CT (counter-terrorist) mode’. It has little to do with any immediate provocation,” said the official.

According to Army estimates, there are 100 active militants in south Kashmir, including around 80 local residents who have joined militancy in the last two years.

A senior officer, who was part of Thursday’s operation, said, “This is a signal to militants that they will be taken to task.’’

 

[Hindustani78]

By: PTI | Jammu | Published:May 2, 2017 6:29 pm

According to the driver’s version as the vehicle reached close to the Mukandpur camp near the border belt of Kathua, the duo pushed him out and fled with the vehicle. (Source: Google maps)
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...cle-in-jammu-leads-to-security-scare-4637430/

A Tavera vehicle was allegedly hijacked in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district triggering panic and after an intense search operation it was found parked in the university road area late last night. Sadiq, the driver of the vehicle, told police that the vehicle had been booked by two youth, who told him they wanted to go from Jammu to Kathua to attend a marriage party.

According to the driver’s version as the vehicle reached close to the Mukandpur camp near the border belt of Kathua, the duo pushed him out and fled with the vehicle. The driver then informed the policemen at Harya Chack police station after which a case was registered and an operation launched to trace the vehicle and the two hijackers.

The vehicle was finally found parked on university road in Jammu city. Police has quizzed the driver and are investigating the case as Harya Chak area in Kathua where the vehicle was hijacked is known for the infiltration of the militants. The militancy angle in the case has not been ruled out by the police.

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...took-him-away-says-slain-drivers-kin-4642774/

Security forces launched a major crackdown in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)


The relatives of the driver killed in a militant ambush in Kashmir on Thursday have alleged that the Army forcibly took him and his Tata Sumo away to ferry troops when he was driving on his designated route.

Nazir Ahmad died in the ambush at Kiloo Imamsahab in south Kashmir’s Shopian.

Nazir’s relatives said he was driving on his usual Shopian-Kapran route on Thursday when he was forcibly taken away.

“Around 3 pm, Nazir’s vehicle was stopped and taken to a nearby camp. The passengers in the cab were directed by the soldiers to get off. Then he (Nazir) was taken inside the camp and the papers of his vehicle were seized,’’ Bilal Ahmad Lone, the deceased driver’s nephew said.

Nazir was buried on Friday amid slogans against the Army and government.

Defence spokesperson Rajesh Kalia said: “I will provide you details after collecting information.’’

Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri said if the family lodged a complaint, the government will seek an inquiry.

On Thursday, a search operation was launched in 20 villages of Shopian.

Local taxi operators blamed the Army for forcibly taking away passenger cabs. “I left my home at 6.10 am. There were five passengers in my vehicle. I was stopped by soldiers of Chowdharygund camp when I was heading from Chattepora to Shopian,” said Mehraj Ahmad Najar, who alleged that his vehicle was taken away by the Army.


He said he was forced by the soldiers to drop the passengers halfway. “I was asked to bring my vehicle inside the camp. Inside the camp, I saw another driver, Waseem Ahmad along with his vehicle. We remained in the camp for 10 minutes and then the soldiers got into our vehicles and left towards a neighbouring camp,” Mehraj said, adding that the drivers were made to sit there the whole day.

Nazir’s car was carrying 10 jawans of the 62 Rashtriya Rifles. Officials said the Hizbul Mujahideen had claimed responsibility for the attack.

The president of the taxi stand in Shopian, Mohammad Shafi Mir, said that for the past three years, the army troops had been “forcibly’’ taking cabs and drivers away.

 

[Hindustani78]

Army soldiers carrying out a search operation in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Thursday. (PTI FILE PHOTO)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...f-militants/story-cwVNJzvrf4HsZwsAnVP84K.html

Police have recovered a diary and a mobile phone belonging to militants who attacked soldiers returning from a combing operation in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

The phone and diary yielded reference to three local militants and a number of overground workers who had helped militants in reaching the spot and carry out the attack, Shopian superintendent of police, Tahir Khan told Hindustan Times on Friday.

“Abbas, Ishfaq Ahmed Thokar and Giyas-ul-Islam are the names we have found. We have also found some other links which establish that these three are behind the attack,” Khan said.

The ambush by the militants had killed a civilian driver and injured three soldiers. The hunt for the militants is on, police said.

Meanwhile, the local media said hundreds of people attended the funeral prayers of the civilian driver Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, who was driving the private vehicle hired by the Army. Sheikh was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Kachdoora, Shopian.

Following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants, the cordon and search operation was started in Shopian early Thursday morning.


Reports said that as troops were returning after a 12-hour search operation in Shopian and carrying out a “reverse sweep” of Chowdari Gund and Kellar area of Shopian, militants attacked them.

‘Reverse sweep’ is a term used by the Army in which they carry out a surprise check of a location after having combed it earlier in the day.

The operation, for many Kashmiris, brought back memories of the 1990s when such massive door-to-door searches were common in the Valley. Some locals had alleged vandalism by forces during the search, but police denied it.

 

[Hindustani78]

Tight vigil: Jawans patrolling the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. File photo | Photo Credit: PTI
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-in-kashmir-terror-attack/article18401919.ece
The militant killed has been identified as Fayaz Ahmed alias Setha who was wanted by the NIA in Udhampur terror case.
Two civilians and a policeman were killed in a militant attack in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Saturday night, while one militant was killed in retaliatory action, police said.

One of the militants was killed, while another was injured in retaliatory firing by police, Director General of Police S.P. Vaid informed.

The militant killed has been identified as Fayaz Ahmed alias Setha who was wanted by the NIA in Udhampur terror case.

The militants, travelling in a car, opened fire at a police team which had gone to Mir Bazaar area to investigate a road accident, the DGP said.

He said the police also retaliated and even managed to snatch a pistol from one of the militants.

“Four bodies were found at the spot. Two of the deceased are civilians and one policeman has been martyred,” Vaid said.

He said the fourth deceased was a militant who was carrying a grenade and some ammunition.

“While one militant has managed to escape, we are following the blood trail of another who was injured in the police action,” the DGP added.

**

Google Maps image locates Mir Bazaar on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...n-jk-militant-attack-dies/article18404046.ece

A wanted LeT militant was killed in Saturday’s attack.

The death toll in an attack in the Kashmir Valley by militants rose to five after an injured civilian succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, a police official said.

The Saturday attack had also left a policeman, two other civilians and a wanted LeT militant dead in Mir Bazaar area on National Highway 44 between Jammu and Srinagar in Kulgam district.

Earlier, reports said two policemen and two civilians were killed in the attack.

“A police party had gone to investigate a road accident when militants travelling in a car opened fire at them,” a police official said.

“The police retaliated in which LeT militant Fayaz Ahmad was killed and another was injured.”

According to the official, Ahmad was involved in the Udhampur highway attack on a Border Security Forces convoy in August 2015 that left two BSF troopers and a militant dead.

He said the injured militant managed to escape and searches were on to trace him.

Ahmad was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and a reward of Rs. 2 lakh had been announced for his capture.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/610450/firing-stf-post-doda-two.html

Two Special Police Officers were seriously injured in a firing incident at a Special Task Force (STF) post in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir early today, a senior police officer said.

The incident took place in the mountainous Tanta area of the district at 2 AM. Additional police and army personnel have been rushed to the area to deal with the situation.

"10-12 gun shots were heard from the STF Post, Tanta at 2 AM, injuring both the on duty SPOs. One SPO received bullet injuries in his neck and the other in his abdomen," the police officer.

"We are investigating the matter, as it could be a result of rivalry or external attack as well. As of now, we have also started a search operation in the adjoining forest area as a precautionary measure," the officer said.

The army has ruled out a militant attack, but as a precaution initiated search operations in Tanta forest. The injured SPOs are undergoing treatment at District Hospital Doda, from where they will be soon airlifted to Jammu for specialised treatment. The injured SPOs have been identified as Kikar Singh and Mohd Younis.

 

[Hindustani78]

One of the injured special police officers undergoing treatment at Doda district hospital. (HT Photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ert-sounded/story-dOZO05NXqtKNxWTkS0F9FJ.html

Unknown gunmen on Tuesday snatched a car from a civilian in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, triggering an alarm.

Security forces were put on an alert after the gunmen took away the white-coloured car of a man at Samboora in Pulwama district, about 32 km from Srinagar, a police official said.

The owner of the car told the police that he had purchased the vehicle recently and it did not have a permanent registration number yet, the official said.

He said the security forces had been asked to keep a vigil for any suspicious car matching the description of the stolen vehicle as it can be used by the gunmen for subversive activities.

 

[Hindustani78]

Umar Fayaz
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...illed-in-shopian-district/article18418457.ece

Body of Lt. Ummer Fayyaz, who went to attend a wedding at Batapura area, was found with bullet wounds in Hermain area of Shopian district.

Militants killed an unarmed Army officer on leave after kidnapping him in south Kashmir's volatile Shopian district, the Army said on Wednesday.

"In a dastardly act, some terrorists on Tuesday abducted and killed a young unarmed officer who had come on leave to his native place in Kulgam district," said a Srinagar based Army spokesman.

He identified the deceased officer as Lt. Ummer Fayyaz and was currently posted at Akhnoor in Jammu region. The officer had gone to attend the wedding of the daughter of his maternal uncle at Batapura area.

Preliminary reports suggest the officer was abducted around 10 p.m on Tuesday near Behibagh, Shopian. "The bullet ridden body was spotted in Harmein area in the morning," said Army sources.

Born in 1994, the deceased joined the Army on December 10, 2016 and belonged to 2 Rajput Rifles. An ex-National Defence Academy member, Lt. Ummer Fayyaz was known for skills in hockey and basketball. Son of a farmer, who owns an orchard in south Kashmir, the deceased was likely to attend the Young Officers Training course in September this year.

"The Army commits to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice," said the Army spokesman.

Role model

Stating that the young officer was a “role model,” Defence Minister Arun Jaitley called his abduction and killing a “dastardly act of cowardice.”

“Lt. Ummer Fayaz of 2 RAJRIF was an exceptional sportsman, his sacrifice reiterates nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley,” he said in a tweet.

Watershed moment

Lt. Gen Abhay Krishna, Army Commander South Western Command and Colonel Commandant of Rajputana Rifles in a condolence letter condemned the “cowardice and barbaric act of terrorism.”

Stating that the complete Army fraternity stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved family at this tragic hour, Lt Gen Krishna said, “I also assure the family that perpetrators of this heinous crime and dastardly act will not be spared.

“This marks a watershed moment in the Kashmir valley and people of Kashmir will decisively turn the tide against terrorism,” he said in the letter.

Army personnel paying tribute to the slain army officer Lt. Ummer Fayyaz during his funeral at his native village Sudsona in Kulgam district on Wednesday. Fayyaz was kidnapped and killed by suspected militants in Shopian district where he was attending a marriage ceremony of some relative. PTI Photo

Inconsolable mother of the slain army officer Lt. Ummer Fayaz during his funeral at his native village Sudsona in Kulgam district on Wednesday. Fayyaz was kidnapped and killed by suspected militants in Shopian district where he was attending a marriage ceremony of some relative. PTI Photo

*********

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/610790/infiltration-bid-foiled-along-line.html
The Army has foiled an infiltration bid by militants along the Line of Control in Baramulla district of Kashmir, an official said today.

There were no casualties in the incident and the militants were forced to retreat to Azad Kashmir.

"Army troops opened fire on a group of terrorists attempting to sneak into our territory yesterday night and forced them back across the Line of Control in Rampur sector of Baramulla district," the official said.

The Army has launched a combing operation in the area to ensure that none of the militants managed to get in.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-identified/article18427680.ece?homepage=true

Ummer Fayaz, who was posted at Akhnoor in Jammu region, was kidnapped and murdered on Tuesday.

Six militants involved in the abduction and killing of young Army officer Ummer Fayaz in Shopian district of Kashmir have been identified, defence sources said on Thursday.

They said the militants are from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen.

A massive manhunt has been launched to catch the militants involved in killing of Fayaz, who was abducted and shot dead by the militants.


Militants kidnapped the unarmed Army officer and murdered him on Tuesday evening, signalling fresh escalation in the spiralling unrest and violence in the Valley.

The deceased officer was posted at Akhnoor in Jammu region.

The officer had gone to attend the wedding of the daughter of his maternal uncle in Batapura area.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/woman-killed-in-pak-shelling-in-rajouri/article18423585.ece

“The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on,” says defence spokesman.
A 35-year-old woman was on Thursday killed and her husband injured in mortar shelling by Pakistani troops in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

A shell hit a village in the Laam belt, killing Akhtar Bi and injuring her husband Mohmmad Hanief (40).

“The Pakistani Army fired from small arms and automatic weapons from 10:40 last night on the Indian Army posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district,” a defence spokesman said.

They also shelled forward posts and civilian areas, using 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, he said.

“The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively. The firing is presently on,” he added.

There have been six ceasefire violations in April.


The latest incident of ceasefire violation comes after the beheading of two Indian soldiers by a Border Action Team of Pakistan on May 1.

Under the cover of heavy mortar fire, the Pakistani special forces team sneaked 250 metres across the LoC into the KG sector of Poonch and beheaded the soldiers.

The Home Ministry has said that at least one incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan took place daily along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 and 2016 in which 23 security personnel lost their lives.

As many as 1,142 terror incidents were reported in the State between 2012 and 2016 in which 236 security personnel and 90 civilians were killed, it said.

Pakistan breached the truce along the LoCl 449 times in 2016, compared to 405 violations in 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ured-in-pakistan-shelling/article18428528.ece

Schools near border closed; Home Secretary rushes to Srinagar and meets CM

As Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi arrived here on Thursday to assess the situation, Pakistan violated ceasefire, leaving a woman dead near the Line of Control (LoC) and students protested again in parts of the Kashmir Valley.

Mr. Mehrishi met Governor N.N. Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Sources said the meetings focussed on the “fragile” situation. An official spokesman said Mr. Vohra and Mr. Mehrishi held “extensive discussions” on law and order. “They also discussed the security situation along the International Border (IB) and the LoC, more infiltration attempts and terrorism in the Valley,” he said.

The meetings assume significance as unrest, growing militancy and the student agitation swept across Kashmir.

A woman was killed and another civilian was injured near the LoC as Pakistani forces opened fire in Rajouri district in the Pir Panchal Valley on Wednesday. A police officer said the woman was identified as Akhtar Bibi. All schools close to the LoC in Rajouri district were closed on Thursday.

Several schools were designated as makeshift camps for villagers to take shelter, an official said.

Clashes continue

Despite Mr. Vohra’s and Education Minister Altaf Bukhari’s appeals to students to return to classes, students on Thursday clashed at five colleges and schools in the Valley. Security forces used tear-gas shells to break them up.

In Dooru, students staged a protest against the Army, which they said had assaulted several students after an incident of stone-throwing.

Classes at S.P. Higher Secondary School and Women’s College, M.A. Road, remained suspended. The Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, said they would be suspended on May 12, too, as a precautionary measure. The Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, also ordered suspension of classes in Government Degree College and Government Higher Secondary School, Magam, on May 12. The students started a protest on April 15 after the security forces entered the premises of Government Degree College, Pulwama. Over 50 students were injured in a clash there.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/611117/bsf-jawan-injured-pakistan-again.html

Pakistani troops today violated the ceasefire by firing mortars along the International Border in Jammu district, leaving a BSF jawan injured.BSF troops posted along the border retaliated.

This is second ceasefire violation along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir in as many days.

"Pakistani Rangers fired few bullets warning troops working ahead of the fence in Arnia area in Jammu. Our troops retaliated with few rounds of fire this morning", a senior BSF officer said.

"They also fired mortar shells. Some exchange of mortar shells also took place", he said. A BSF jawan suffered minor injuries, he said.

Pakistani troops had yesterday shelled civilian areas near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, killing a woman and injuring her husband and provoking retaliation by the Indian army in which two Pakistani soldiers were injured.

In the wake of the Pakistani action in Naushera tehsil of Rajouri district, the schools in the area were closed down and an evacuation plan was activated under which over 1200 people from various border hamlets are being shifted to safer places.

After the Pakistani shelling, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Nowshera tehsil had issued an order, directing closure of all schools in the area as a precautionary measure.

"All schools close to the LoC were shut in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district as a precautionary measure today following the death of a woman and injuries to her husband in shelling by the Pakistan Army," a senior police officer had said.

An evacuation plan has been put in place in view of the intermittent shelling and firing along LoC, the officer had said.

 

[Fledgingwings]

Isnt it already?

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-succession/article18445620.ece?homepage=true

This is third ceasefire violation along Indo-Pak border in J&K in past three days.
Two persons were killed and three injured when Pakistani army fired mortar bombs and automatic weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district on Saturday.

It is the third ceasefire violation by Pakistan in as many days. A woman had died while three persons were injured in firing and shelling by Pakistani troops earlier.

The Indian Army is retaliating “strongly and effectively”, PRO Ministry of Defence (MoD), Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta said, adding that the firing was continuing when reports last came in.

“Two persons have been killed and three others injured in the firing and shelling by Pakistani Army along LoC in Nowshera belt,” Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rajouri Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told PTI.

“Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic weapons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 0715 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Nowshera sector,” Mr. Mehta said.

Over 100 more people have migrated to safer places from five hamlets near the LoC which have been targeted, the DC said.

Pakistani troops are targeting Jangarh, Bhawani, Laam belts, officials said.

A BSF man had suffered minor injury when Pakistani Rangers yesterday violated the ceasefire along International Border. On May 10th and 11th, Pakistani troops fired mortar shells on civilian areas near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, killing a woman and injuring two people.

In the wake of the Pakistani action in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district, schools in the area were closed down on May 11 and 12th .

An evacuation plan was activated for shifting over 1,500 people from various border hamlets to safer places.

The government had last month said that Pakistani security forces had violated the ceasefire 268 times in the last one year. Nine perons were killed in these incidents.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre had said that between April 2016 and March 2017, the maximum of 88 violations were witnessed in November 2016 followed by 78 in October 2016 and 22 in March this year.

The ceasefire between India and Pakistan came into force in November 2003.