Ministry of Defence - Checking Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
29-November, 2016 15:33 IST
Checking Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan


Details of ceasefire violations during last one year are as under:-

Ceasefire Violations along Line of Control (LC) and International Border (IB) under operational control of Army (from 25.11.2015 to 26.11.2016) 216

Ceasefire Violations along IB under operational control of BSF (from 1.11. 2015 to 1.11. 2016) 214



During these cease fire violations 8 Army soldiers got martyred and 74 were injured. Further, in 2016 (till 7.11.2016) 111 houses / structures got damaged. There is no permanent dislocation of the people residing close to IB/LoC. However, in 2016, 27,449 persons were evacuated from their villages in Jammu division after the surgical strike in Azad Kashmir.


Appropriate retaliation to these ceasefire violations has been carried out wherever necessary. All violations of ceasefire are taken up with Pakistan military authority at appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meetings as well as weekly talks between DGMOs of India & Pakistan.


Diplomatically, India has repeatedly emphasised, including at the highest level, the need for Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control (LC) and the International Border in Jammu & Kashmir as its obligations emanating from the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.


Mechanism has been instituted at Border Out Post (BOPs) and border areas to expeditiously inform the villagers on occurrence of cross-border firing. Bullet Proof bunkers and ambulances are kept in readiness at convenient locations for evacuation of persons in case of emergency.


This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Kumari Selja and others in Rajya Sabha today.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...al-border-data-jawan-deaths-civilians-killed/

Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and “official sources” in Pakistan continue to support cross border firing, sabotage and infiltration into India, government said in Lok Sabha on Monday. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said immediate and effective retaliation by the Indian Army and BSF personnel is carried out during instances of “unprovoked” firing and ceasefire violations.

In a written reply, he said that there were 228 incidents of ceasefire violation along LoC and 221 incidents of ceasefire violation along the International border in 2016. In these incidents, 13 civilians were killed and 83 others were injured while eight army personnel were killed and 74 others were injured. Five BSF personnel were killed and 25 others also injured in these incidents.

In 2017 till February, there were 22 incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC and six incidents on the International Border, he said. “Diplomatically, India has repeatedly emphasised, including at the highest level, the need for Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control and abide by the ceasefire commitments along the International Border and Line of Control,” he said.

Asked whether Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and “official sources in Pakistan continue to support cross border firing, sabotage and infiltration”, the Minister replied in the affirmative.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
11-April, 2017 16:46 IST
Ceasefire Violations by Pakistan

The number of ceasefire violations (CFV) by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LC) in Jammu & Kashmir during the last twelve months are as under:-

Month
No. of CFV
Fatal Casualties

April, 2016
01
0

May, 2016
02
0

June, 2016
10
0

July, 2016
16
01

August, 2016
08
0

September, 2016
13
0

October, 2016
78
02

November, 2016
88
05

December, 2016
11
0

January, 2017
08
0

February, 2017
11
0

March, 2017
22
01

Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required, is carried out by Indian Army. In addition, all violations of ceasefire are taken up with Pakistan authorities at the appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotlines, flag meetings as well as weekly talks between the Directorate Generals of Military Operations of the two countries.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Ritabrata Banerjee and Shri Kiranmay Nanda in Rajya Sabha today.

 

[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.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/india/ceas...loc-areas-indian-army-retaliates-2004947.html

Jammu: The Pakistan Army on Sunday initiated indiscriminate firing along the Line of Control in Chiti Bakri area of Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Army is strongly retaliating to the unprovoked firing from the Pakistan side, an official told media.

Speaking to IANS, Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said, "Pakistan Army initiated indiscriminate firing and shelling on our positions on the LoC in the Rajouri sector. They are using small arms, automatics, and mortars."

"Our forces are effectively retaliating. The firing is presently ongoing," Mehta added.

Islamabad violated ceasefire post 6:45 am today and has targeted more than seven villages along the border.

At least two civilians including a minor girl were killed and nine people including four soldiers were injured as Pakistan pounded 35 villages and Indian posts with mortars along the LoC in Rajouri district yesterday.

Two hundred houses have been damaged, mostly partially, in shelling from across the LoC, said Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nowshera, Harbans Lal Sharma. Livestock in large numbers is also reportedly killed and injured in the shelling.

Nearly 1,100 people including women and children were rescued and brought to relief camps set up by the administration at Nowshera last night.

In an another development, as many as 51 schools of the Nowshera region and 36 of Manjakote and Doongi zones have been closed for an indefinite period.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ushera-sector-indian-army-retaliates-4658779/
By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Published:May 16, 2017 9:12 pm

Pakistan violated ceasefire yet again in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, even as the Indian Army retaliated in response to the unprovoked shelling, reported news agency ANI. The violation comes days after the Pakistani Army resorted to firing and shelling close to the Line of Control (LoC), in Nowshera and Manjakote sectors of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Centre and Home Minister are monitoring the situation closely, we are dealing with it. The situation will get better,” Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh told ANI. Ever since unprovoked shelling from Pakistan began last week, at least six people have lost their lives and nearly 1,700 civilians have been evacuated from hamlets in the area.

“Inter-departmental teams deputed by the district administration for damage assessment reported small arms firing from 4 pm yesterday (Monday) in Sarya village followed by firing in Khamba, Anwas and Bhandar villages,” Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told PTI.

Owing to the tense situation, over 51 schools of the Nowshera region and 36 of Manjakote and Doongi zones have been closed for an indefinite period. Besides, families of those killed during the firing will be given compensation as per the norms.

The Centre has assured Rs. five lakh, while the state government will be giving the kin Rs. one lakh.

The displaced people, who are currently lodged in relief camps have access to food, electricity, bedding, first aid, medical care, drinking water and sanitary facilities Choudhary told PTI. “Six ambulances have been pressed into action for shifting of the injured. One mobile medical unit was stationed at Nowshera and another deputed to forward areas,” Choudhary is quoted as saying by PTI.

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http://indianexpress.com/article/india/pakistan-shelling-dislocates-1700-from-loc-areas-4658838/
Around 1700 people have been dislocated from the areas close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district because of shelling by the Pakistani Army which continued through the last night, a senior official said on Tuesday. The Pakistani Army pounded hamlets besides the Indian Army posts in Nowshera and Manjakote sectors of Rajouri last night, Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said. “Shelling (by the Pakistani Army) started in Ans Bhandhaar areas of Nowshera in Rajouri at 22.55 pm yesterday. Lam and Kalsian areas were also affected,” he said. The guns fell silent since this morning, they said.

Earlier during daytime on Monday, the Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling in the Nowshera sector since 4 pm, the Deputy Commissioner said.

Choudhary said that four villages in Nowshera have borne the brunt of small arms fire from across the LOC.

Nearly 1700 people have already been evacuated from LoC hamlets hit by shelling by Pakistan and shifted to relief camps, he said.

Around 120 officers from various departments have been deployed to organise facilities at relief camps.

“Inter-departmental teams deputed by the district administration for damage assessment reported small arms firing from 4 pm yesterday in Sarya village followed by firing in Khamba, Anwas and Bhandar villages,” he added.

The DC said the damage assessment teams were withdrawn at 5.30 pm in view of the intermittent firing by Pakistan.

On May 14, the Pakistani Army had fired indiscriminately using small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars in Nowshera and Manjakote sectors of Rajouri.

On May 13, authorities ordered closure of fifty-one schools in Nowshera sector and also Manjakote and Doongi zones.

The district administration has provided immediate relief of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of the six people who have died in the Pakistani shelling and given financial assistance to the injured, Choudhary said.

Overall, of the 64 villages along the LoC in Rajouri, 23 are located in Nowshera sub-division where 8 villages are badly affected and remaining 15 villages sustained minor losses, while five villages in Doongi and nine villages in Manjakote have been affected, he said.

“Eight villages of Nowshera have been badly affected by heavy shelling which include Khamba, Sarya, Bhawani, Kalsian, Manpur, Danaka, Khori and Ganya. Nearly 1700 people have been shifted to camps,” he added.

“Fourteen buses, seven mini-buses, 14 other vehicles were pressed into service to evacuate the people from the forward areas,” he said.

Cooked food, lighting, bedding, first aid, medical care, drinking water and sanitary facilities have been provided to the displaced people in the relief camps where Anganwadi centres and playways for children have also been opened, he said.

The DC said the administration is preparing to make more relief camps functional. Over 25 buildings have been earmarked for this purpose.

He added that class work of migrant students and local students will be resumed this week to ensure that education doesn’t suffer.

Six teams of veterinary surgeons and para vets visited the forward areas where more than 50 injured animals were treated, Choudhary said, adding 12 animals were reported dead.

“Six ambulances have been pressed into action for shifting of the injured. One mobile medical unit was stationed at Nowshera and another deputed to forward areas,” he added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Quest for survival: Villagers move with their belongings to safer places after heavy shelling from the Pakistani side in Rajouri district of Jammu. | Photo Credit: PTI
http://www.thehindu.com/profile/photographers/PTI/
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ians-displaced-in-rajouri/article18475803.ece
435 evacuated to relief camps after Pakistan Rangers fire shells across the Line of Control
At least 435 civilians living in the border areas were displaced as fresh shelling by Pakistan Rangers on the Line of Control (LoC) disrupted life in Rajouri district in the Pir Panchal Valley.

“A total of 2,180 civilians are living in relief camps now. The fresh ceasefire violation on Tuesday night forced evacuation of 435 more people to the camps,” Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said .

On the crossfire

The official said bullet-proof bunkers and ambulances were used to shift the civilians following heavy shelling in the Balakote sector.

A defence spokesman said the violation of the ceasefire started at 12.50 p.m. and continued till 1.30 p.m.

Small arms, automatic weapons and 82 mm and 120 mm mortars were also used earlier in the evening in Nowshera sector, said the spokesman.

“A fitting reply was given to Pakistan’s violation,” he added.

The areas affected by the shelling included Ans Bhandhaar, Lam and Kalsian.

Three civilians were killed and around seven injured in the past one week due to shelling by the Pakistan Rangers in Rajouri district.

National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana has cautioned against the tendency to make the LoC “a political theatre.”

Collective strategy

He called for a collective strategy towards minimising the suffering of the border dwellers.

“We urge all the political parties to rise above politics and work towards seeking a safe, secure and better life for our people, who remain at the receiving end whenever border skirmishes take place,” Mr. Rana said, during his visit to Nowshehra sector of Rajouri. He said successive governments at the Centre promised construction of shelters, community bunkers, allotment of plots and jobs to the border youth.

“On the ground, there has been no forward movement,” he alleged.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/616205/38-militants-killed-22-infiltration.html

Thirty-eight armed militants have been killed as the Army foiled a total of 22 infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir this year.

According to the Army, infiltration attempts have been foiled at Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors in the last 48 hours, in which seven armed intruders have been eliminated.

"In the current year, 22 infiltration attempts have been foiled and 34 armed intruders eliminated on the LoC," a senior Army officer said today.

"The relentless operations by the security forces have defeated the desperate attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan," he said.

As compared to this, 28 infiltration attempts took place in 2015 and 88 such attempts in 2016.

Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre had said in the Parliament that 116 cross-border infiltration attempts were made in the Valley in 2015 and 2016, including 88 last year.

A total of 59 Army personnel have been killed in counter-terror operations in the state since 2016.

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/616203/pak-army-giving-artillery-cover.html

The Army today accused their Pakistani counterpart of engineering infiltration of armed militant into Kashmir, saying these groups were being provided active support, including covering fire, during their infiltration bids at the Line of Control.

"Indian Army units deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir have foiled multiple attempts made by Pakistan army to push armed infiltrators across the LoC", Defence spokesperson of Northern Command said here today.

He said that in the last 48 hours, infiltration attempts have been foiled at Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri Sectors.

"Seven armed intruders have been eliminated so far," he said.

He further said that a large quantity of arms, ammunition and war like stores have been recovered and operations are in progress at Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors.

The Army blamed Pakistan army for providing heavy artillery support by giving cover firing to infiltration terror groups along the LoC.

"These armed intruder groups were being provided active support including covering fire (heavy calibre artillery) by Pakistan army posts on the LoC to assist them in infiltration into the Kashmir valley," the spokesperson said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...-in-rajouri/story-ibO5eqIZr04FJBk0VsFI7N.html


The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun the construction of 100 bunkers in border villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district where there have been repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces.

“The district administration has started the construction of 100 bunkers in villages along the LoC in Nowshera sector,” deputy commissioner, Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said on Wednesday.

These bunkers will accommodate around 1200-1500 people in case of ceasefire violations, especially shelling from across the border, he said.

Choudhary visited the forward areas along the LoC in Nowshera and inspected the construction of these bunkers.

An inter-departmental team headed by deputy commissioner is supervising the construction of these bunkers.

Choudhary visited the under construction bunkers and also met with locals at village Gania which was badly affected in recent shelling.

The villagers were informed that apart from 100 bunkers started by the district administration as a pilot project a requirement of 6121 individual bunkers has also been projected to the state government.

A similar exercise is also being carried out for the vulnerable areas of Manjakote, DC said.

Earlier, in a meeting of officers, the DC reviewed the status of essential services, supplies and facilities at 6 relief camps where 3800 migrants have been accommodated, an official spokesman said.

Provision of ration, power supply, potable drinking water, firewood, first-aid, status of education and ‘anganwadi’ centres and other facilities were also reviewed, he said.

The camps established on 10-12 May, 2017 have been provided all basic facilities by district administration including gensets, fans and other basic requisites, officials said.

 

[Hindustani78]

A July 17 file picture of BSF officers and Pakistan Rangers at Commandant-Wing Cdr level flag meeting held at India Pakistan International Border at Samba, in Jammu. | Photo Credit: PTI

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-pak-hold-flag-meeting/article19546903.ece


Armies of India and Pakistan held a battalion-level flag meeting in Poonch sector on Wednesday in the backdrop of numerous ceasefire violations and civilian casualties along the Line of Control (LoC).

“Indian and Pakistan armies held a battalion commander-level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch Sector at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, in the backdrop of numerous ceasefire violations and casualties to civilian population in the past several months,” the Army said in a statement.

The Army said that the Indian team highlighted abetment and support of Pakistan Army to cross-border terrorism, sniping actions along the LoC and deliberate targeting of civilians during ceasefire violations. “The resumption of trade and transit through Chakan-Da-Bagh was also discussed,” it stated.

 

[Hindustani78]

The spokesman said both sides agreed mutually about the importance of exercising restraint along the LoC and keeping the channels of communication open between local commanders.
india Updated: Aug 23, 2017 19:32 IST

Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Jammu, Hindustan Times

Indian and Pakistan Army officials during a battalion commander-level flag meeting at Chakan-da-Bagh on LoC in Poonch district on Wednesday.(HT)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...since-may-1/story-AmyEkr0lngxC8ZT2E5w5kO.html


Indian and Pakistani commanders held a meeting on Wednesday along the Line of Control, the de facto border between the two nations, and agreed exercising restraint and keeping channels of communication open for peace.

The 50-minute meeting between the area’s battalion commanders of both armies was convened in the backdrop of heightened bilateral tension as the two countries have been engaged in border skirmishes since May.

Mortar shelling and gunfire have caused military and civilian deaths south of the Pir Panjal range in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Indian and Pakistan Army held a battalion-commander-level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch sector in the backdrop of numerous ceasefire violations and casualties in the past several months,” a military spokesman said.

The Indian delegation is understood to have highlighted the Pakistani army’s ceasefire violations, cross-border terrorism, and snipers targeting villagers across the LoC.

Resumption of trans-LoC trade and travel via Chakan-Da-Bagh was also discussed.

The spokesman said both sides agreed mutually about the importance of exercising restraint along the LoC and keeping the channels of communication open between local commanders.

They agreed that mechanisms should be set up to ensure peace in the region.

Peace has been at a premium in the area since Pakistan’s rogue “border action team” ambushed and beheaded two Indian soldiers in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch on May 1.

Again on June 22, the Pakistani army’s Border Action Team ambushed an Indian patrol and killed two soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district amid heavy artillery and machine gun fire on the frontier. Indian troops retaliated and killed two Pakistani gunmen.

Other than these fatal assaults, the Pakistanis have been firing machine guns, mortars and heavy artillery regularly. People on the other side have suffered too because of Indian retaliatory action.

The conflict forced authorities to suspend a bus service and trade between India and Azad Kashmir since July.

Wednesday’s meeting between the two armies raises hope for resumption of trade and travel, said Pawan Anand, president of the Chakan-da-Bagh cross-LoC traders association.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...c-in-poonch/story-qE4ntJGKXkud0WrPSUjXHJ.html
Army officer injured in Pak firing along LoC in Poonch

After Pakistan violated the ceasefire with heavy firing on Indian positions, the Indian troops retaliated, resulting in firing exchanges those continued till 6pm.

india Updated: Jan 16, 2018 23:51 IST
Indo Asian News Service, Jammu

Soldiers take position near the LoC in Poonch after cross-border shelling from Pakistan.(PTI Photo)


An army officer was injured on Tuesday in Pakistan firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, defence officials said.

“Captain Bangoria of Maratha Light Infantry was injured in Pakistan firing in Chakan Da Bagh area of the LoC. He was airlifted for treatment to Jammu city where attending doctors have described his condition as stable,” defence sources said in Jammu.

The sources said after Pakistan violated the ceasefire with heavy firing on Indian positions, the Indian troops retaliated, resulting in firing exchanges those continued till 6pm.

Authorities had on Monday suspended the cross-LoC bus service between Chakan Da Bagh and Rawalakot following heightened tension on the LoC.

Seven Pakistan soldiers were killed on Monday across the LoC when Indian troops in Poonch fired mortars at their positions.

 

[Hindustani78]

Jammu, January 17, 2018 09:56 IST
Updated: January 17, 2018 09:59 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...iring-along-loc-in-poonch/article22454650.ece

The Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of fire continued till late night.

Pakistani troops opened fire on Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, injuring an Army Captain, officials said.

There was a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army.

They resorted to firing along the LoC in Chakan Da Bagh area in Poonch on Tuesday evening, a security force official said.

The injured Army Captain has been hospitalised, they said.

The Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of fire continued till late night, they said.

The latest violation of the ceasefire came a day after seven Pakistani Army men, including a Major, were killed and four others injured in retaliatory action by the Indian Army in Poonch.

Authorities had on Monday suspended the cross-LoC bus service between Chakan Da Bagh and Rawalakot, following heightened tension on the LoC.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ndmine-blasts-in-rajouri-poonch-belt-5029032/

J-K: Fire in forest along LoC triggers landmine blasts in Rajouri-Poonch belt

The Army was suspecting a deliberate attempt of the Pakistani troops to neutralise mines and make way for armed terrorists from that side, the officials said.

By: PTI | Jammu | Published: January 17, 2018 9:53 pm

Panic gripped the border population when a forest fire triggered landmine blasts along LoC in Rajouri-Poonch belt of Jammu and Kashmir, Army officials said today. The Army is suspecting that the fire was an attempt by Pakistani troops to neutralise mines, they said.


The incident took place in Balakote belt of Rajouri-Poonch belt last evening. The fire broke out in forests in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (Azad Kashmir) along the LoC and then it spread to the forests in the Indian side. After which the explosion of land mines started, army officials said.


Several mines exploded as result of the forest fire along the LoC, they said. It triggered panic among residents of border belts and caused damage to forests and wild life species before it was controlled today, the army officials said.


The Army was suspecting a deliberate attempt of the Pakistani troops to neutralise mines and make way for armed terrorists from that side, the officials said.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/10-kg-ied-defused-in-doda-district/530721.html
Doda, January 18

An old 10-kg improvised explosive device (IED) was defused in Doda district today.

Security forces claimed that the IED was planted by militants around 15 years ago in the Ponda area, around 11 km from Doda, when militancy was at its peak in the area.

Now, Doda has been declared a militancy-free zone. “Labourers who were digging the earth for installing a cable wire on the Bharat-Doda road, detected the IED around noon today.

Later, they informed the police,” SSP Mohammed Shabir Choudhary said. “The area was cordoned off by joint operation teams of the police and Army. No traffic was allowed on the road for three hours to avert any tragedy,” he said. — OC

 

[Hindustani78]

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel patrol near the International Border in Jammu. File | Photo Credit: PTI

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-areas-bops/article22470236.ece?homepage=true

They targeted around 40 border outposts in three sectors using 82 mm and 52 mortar bombs, automatic and small weapons, he said.

Two civilians were killed and three injured as Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and border outposts for the second consecutive day on Friday along the International Border in Jammu and Samba districts.

BSF troops effectively retaliated.

“Pakistan Rangers resorted to heavy firing and shelling along the IB in several areas in R S Pura, Arnia and Ramgarh sectors since 0640 hours”, a BSF officer said.

They targeted around 40 outposts in three sectors using 82 mm and 52 mortar bombs, automatic and small weapons, he said.

“The exchange of fire is going on when the reports last came in”, he said adding they have targeted outposts and villages in over 35 kms of International Border.

A police officer said Pakistani troops have targeted over 40 civilian villages in Arnia, R.S. Pura and Ramgarh sectors along the IB till now.

Two civilians, including a woman, were killed and three civilians were injured in the shelling, they said.

While the woman died in Sai Khurda, the man died in Korotona in R.S. Pura-Arnia belt. A civilian was injured in Sai Khurd village while two others were injured in Ramgarh.

In view of the heavy shelling, over 1,000 border dwellers have migrated from the area and schools along the borderline have been closed.

Yesterday, a 17-years old girl and a BSF jawan were killed and six persons injured when Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire and heavily-shelled border outposts and villages along IB in three sectors of Jammu and Samba districts.

BSF Director General K K Sharma visited Jammu to pay homage to Suresh yesterday and directed his field commanders to retaliate with full force and teach Pakistan Rangers a lesson.

He said the situation along the IB and LoC was tense.

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J-K: Militants once again using Uri sector for infiltration despite heavy security

A senior officer told The Indian Express that the militants who were neutralised Monday were heavily armed and could have either entered any nearby camp or moved close to Uri brigade headquarters.

Written by Mir Ehsan | Srinagar | Updated: January 19, 2018 11:26 am

Army personnel picked up the movement when the militants were moving along the banks and tracked them as they crossed the river in a boat towards our side. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi/File photo)

The infiltration bid by Pakistan based five fidayeen militants on the Line of Control in Uri on Monday did not take the security establishment by surprise, as there had been several similar infiltration attempts from the other side of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir through Uri sector in the past six months. Army’s Brigade commander, Brigadier Y S Ahlawat, said the heavily armed militants were neutralised soon after they crossed Jhelum river.

“A major tragedy was averted on the Army Day and in the run-up to the Republic Day celebrations. The infiltration bid was made along the Jhelum on the night of January 14-15. Army personnel picked up the movement when the militants were moving along the banks and tracked them as they crossed the river in a boat towards our side,” he said.

A senior officer told The Indian Express that the militants who were neutralised Monday were heavily armed and could have either entered any nearby camp or moved close to Uri brigade headquarters.

“The militants could have either again crossed the river to reach Salamabad or Sultan Daki village,” he said adding that it was the second time since September last year when fidayeen militants were killed before they could target a camp. “Four militants were killed in the same sector soon after they crossed the LoC, the militants were fidayeen and had plans to target strategic 76 artillery unit at Kalgai village.”

Security along the LoC, especially in the Uri sector and around its main security installation, has been revamped following the militant attack on the administrative complex of Army’s brigade headquarters in September 2016 that left 18 soldiers dead. Four militants were killed in the attack.

Breaches on the fences around the camps have not only been repaired but a fresh layer of high-tech mesh wire has been put around the camps. Bulletproof bunker vehicles are placed around security installations by the Army as well as the Border Security Forces along the LoC in Uri sector even during daytime.

Soon after militancy started in the late 80s close to Azad Kashmir, militants would infiltrate or ex-filtrate through the villages of Uri, however, due to high security, especially after the LoC fencing, militants began sneaking in either through Kupwara or Gurez sectors.

Officials, however, told The Indian Express that militants have once again started taking the routes through Uri sector. “We captured some GPS from militants in which their destination showed as Kalapahar in Uri and then Hajibal in Baramulla,” said a senior police officer.

In September last year, a top militant Qayoom Najjar was killed while he was trying to sneak into Valley through Uri sector. Najjar was one of the oldest surviving militant active in Kashmir.

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...-in-pulwama/story-5e35UdoRtyNGr4AZZUGTqM.html

The area has been cordoned off and a hunt has been launched to nab the attackers.(ANI Photo

Four policemen and two civilians were injured when suspected militants lobbed a grenade at an administrative building in south Kashmir’s Pulwama town on Friday evening, officials said.

A senior police officer said that all injured are stable and the area near the tehsil office is under a cordon.A search is on to nab the alleged attackers.

Earlier this week, five militants of pakistan based militant group were gunned down as they were trying to infiltrate through the LoC at Uri in north Kashmir.