Ministry of Defence - Checking Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan

[Hindustani78]

//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62727506.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Pakistani troops target Mankote sector of Poonch
PTI|
Jan 31, 2018, 07.51 PM IST


JAMMU: Pakistani troops today again violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting retaliation by Indian forces, officials said.

The firing from across the border in Mankote sector began around 5 pm and was continuing intermittently from both sides, a police spokesperson said.

Pakistani troops targeted forward posts and villages in Dabraj, Balnoi and Narh villages of Mankote with small and heavy weapons, he said.

There was no report of any casualty in the Pakistani firing, he added.

The spokesman said Pakistani troops had also resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling for 15 minutes in the Krishna Ghati sector of the Poonch district last evening.

Besides Krishna Ghati sector, Pakistani troops had pounded half a dozen villages in the Naushera sector of nearby Rajouri district yesterday, he said.

Fourteen persons, including eight civilians, were killed and over 70 injured in intense shelling by Pakistan along the international border (IB) in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts and the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts from January 18 to 22.

While there was no ceasefire violations by Pakistan reported along the IB since January 22, intermittent shelling is going on along the LoC, an official said.

Over 300 schools along the LoC and IB remained closed as a precautionary measure in view of the Pakistani firing.

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SRINAGAR: The Army has submitted its version of the January 27 incident, when its convoy was attacked in Shopian distric

 

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Feb 2, 2018, 12:48 AM; last updated: Feb 2, 2018, 12:48 AM (IST)
2 BSF men hurt as Pak shells Rajouri
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/2-bsf-men-hurt-as-pak-shells-rajouri/537175.html

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, February 1

On the second consecutive day today, the Pakistan army resorted to heavy unprovoked mortar shelling and firing in the Nowshera and Keri sectors of Rajouri district.

Sources said two BSF men injured in Pakistani firing at Barat Gala in the Keri sector were admitted to Army Hospital. The shelling started around 8.45 am and stopped around 2 pm. The injured BSF men have been identified as Navranjan Lal and Kamal Rai.

Public Relations Officer (defence) Lt Col Davender Anand said he could not comment on the ceasefire violation because he had not received any information from the higher authorities.

Keeping in view the intensity of the shelling, the district administration has closed 71 government and private schools within a 5-km range of the Line of Control in both sectors.

"Since morning, heavy shelling is being reported in the Lam Kampla, Pukhrani and Anwas Bhandar areas of the Nowshera subdivision and the Rattal, Basali and PB (Veer Bhadhreshwar) areas of the Keri sector (Rajouri). All necessary measures has been taken for the safety of the people and 71 schools have been closed for the safety of the students," said Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri.

Nowshera Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Abdul Sattar said he along with a team of doctors, three ambulances and a bulletproof vehicle rushed to Pukhrani to meet any emergency.

"The district administration has planned to shift the residents of Band Morha, Pukhrani and adjoining villages to a high school at Lam if the Pakistan army continues to target the areas," said the SDM.

He said around 5.45 pm today, the Pakistan army again initiated heavy mortar shelling in Pukhrani and adjoining areas.

Infiltration bid foiled in Tangdhar

Srinagar: The Army claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday. The bid was foiled by soldiers in the Tangdhar sector, over 180 km from Srinagar. “A group of four terrorists attempted to infiltrate into the mountainous terrain in the Kalban area of Tangdhar, but were spotted by alert troops. They were engaged in heavy firing and were seen running into the thick jungle towards the LoC,” an Army spokesman said. A massive search operation was launched to trace the militants. OC


http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ade-fire-on-loc-71-schools-closed/537106.html

Tribune News Service
Jammu, Febuary 1

The Indian and Pakistan Army on Thursday traded heavy fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing the authorities to shut schools in nearby areas.

The authorities have ordered the closure of 71 schools close to the LoC in the area as a safety measure.

"The Pakistani Army again violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector.

Using small arms and automatics they targeted Indian military and civilian facilities," Defence Ministry sources said.

"Our troops retaliated strongly and effectively. No casualty or damage was reported from our side," the sources said. With agencies

 

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Feb 3, 2018, 1:39 PM; last updated: Feb 3, 2018, 1:39 PM (IST)
2 CRPF personnel among 4 injured in grenade attack in Pulwama
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ured-in-grenade-attack-in-pulwama/538148.html

Srinagar, February 3

Four people, including two CRPF personnel, were injured in a grenade attack in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

Militants lobbed a grenade at a CRPF party in Batagund area of Tral, a police official said.

Four people, including two CRPF jawans, were injured in the incident, he said.

The area had been cordoned off and a search operation was under way, the official said. PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/two-pak-trained-let-militants-arrested/538320.html
Srinagar, February 3

Security forces have arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, who had gone to Pakistan on valid visas to obtain arms training, the police said.

They have been identified as Abdul Majeed Bhat of Mughalpora, Saloora Kreeri and Mohammad Ashraf Mir of Nilla Palpora, Pattan.

“The militants were nabbed immediately after returning via the Wagah-Attari border before they could formally join the militant ranks here in Kashmir,” a police spokesperson said.

On questioning, the duo revealed that “they were trained along with large number of Pakistani boys, most of them from Balochistan and as young as 10 years old”.

“The said terrorist training camps are located near Burma Town, Islamabad, and being run by a terrorist commander operating under code names Hanzala, Adanan and Omar.

The arrested militants have been given Pakistani visas by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi,” he said. The spokesperson said for the past couple of years, the police had unearthed several such modules where in youths had gone to Pakistan on valid passports for arms training.

“In the past, several such boys have been arrested and some of them killed in encounters,” he claimed. — TNS

3 injured in Tral grenade attack

Anantnag: A CRPF man and two civilians were injured after militants hurled a grenade at a paramilitary patrol party at Tral in Pulwama district on Saturday. The explosion took place around noon in the Batgund area of Tral town. Police sources said the grenade was aimed at a CRPF patrol party. “It fortunately exploded some distance away. Three persons received minor injuries in the explosion,” a senior police officer said. He said the injured were rushed to a hospital. Following the attack, the area was cordoned off and a search operation was carried out. However, it triggered clashes.

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[Hindustani78]

Security personnel stand guard during a search operation in Srinagar on Tuesday. PTI

Naveed Jhutt, the LeT militant from Pakistan.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...al-free-pak-terrorist-kill-2-cops/539589.html
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, February 6

Pakistan based militants on Tuesday staged a daring attack inside the SMHS hospital complex in a high security area of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital here to free a “hardcore” Pakistani terrorist from custody, killing two policemen, police said.

The daring attack inside the premises of Srinagar’s main hospital ended with the terrorists escaping into the narrow lanes and bylanes of downtown Srinagar, a police official said.

Mohammed Naveed Jhutt, the 22-year-old LeT militant from Pakistan who was caught in Kulgam in south Kashmir in 2014, managed to escape with the assailants, police said.

The ultras opened fire on the police party accompanying Jhutt, alias Abu Hanzala, outside the hospital in Kaka Sarai area of the city, police said.

A carbine rifle of one of the cops is also reported missing, the official said.

Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmad was killed in the attack that took place in the busy pre-lunch hour when the hospital, Srinagar’s main health care facility, is crowded with patients. His colleague, Constable Babar Ahmad, was critically injured and admitted to the hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.

“It’s a very unfortunate incident and the terrorists managed to free one of their hardcore accomplices. We have sounded a red alert to nab all those involved in this crime,” said Director General of Police SP Vaid.

The police team was taking six prisoners, including Jhutt, to the hospital for treatment, added Deputy Inspector General (Central Kashmir) Ghulam Hasan Bhat, who visited the scene of the attack.

According to eyewitness accounts, the militants opened fire as soon as Jhutt, along with five other prisoners and the police team, got off the vehicle outside the Out Patient Department of the 70-year-old hospital.

The pheran-clad militants were lying in wait in the parking lot of the hospital. Two Lashkar militants rained bullets at the police party and fled towards downtown Srinagar.

The hospital, named after Shri Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, is strategically located on the banks of a tributary of the river Jehlum, with uptown Karan Nagar on one side and Nawab Bazaar in downtown Srinagar on the other. Jhutt, a school dropout from Borevella district of Multan in the Pakistan Punjab, is believed to be involved in multiple attacks.

These include an attack on the Army in Hyderpora in the city, an attack on the Silver Star hotel along the national highway outside Srinagar and three attacks on police and CRPF camps in south Kashmir.

He was arrested on August 26, 2014.

The militant had undergone intensive training and was good in handling equipment like compasses, GPS, wireless sets and mobile phones installed with Skype software, an official said.

Jammu and Kashmir Police wanted to shift him along with five other prisoners from Srinagar jail to other high security jails outside the Valley but was disallowed from doing so by the sessions court on December 26, 2017. — With PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...-militancy-in-2017-mehbooba-mufti/539620.html
Jammu, February 6

The number of local youths joining militancy in Kashmir Valley went up to 126 in 2017, a sharp increase from 88 the year before, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti informed the Assembly here on Tuesday.

Data for the number of youths recruited is available from 2010.

“As many as 66 youths joined militancy in 2015, 88 in 2016 and 126 in 2017,” the chief minister said while replying to a written question by National Conference leader Ali Mohammed Sagar.

PTI had reported in December last year that 2017 had seen the highest number of local recruitments to various militant groups in seven years. This was denied by Director General of Police S P Vaid.

According to data placed before Parliament in March last year, there has been a steady increase in the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards, as compared to 2011, 2012 and 2013.

In 2010, 54 youths joined militancy. This dipped to 23 in 2011 and slipped further to 21 in 2012 and 16 in 2013.

In 2014, the number shot up to 53 and went up to 66 in 2015 before touching 88 in 2016, according to the data.

The spurt in locals joining militancy began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terror group’s poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8, 2016.

Security officials feel there is a difference between present day militants and those of the early 1990s. The ideological conviction of the present lot is stronger than that of the terror groups during the early days, they said.

There is concern that the Valley is witnessing a trend of ‘pan-Islamisation’, where young boys are opting for terrorism knowing full well that they are at the risk of being killed, the officials said.

National Conference leader Ali Mohammed Sagar’s question in the Assembly also related to separatists detained in the past three years.

According to Mehbooba, certain separatist leaders, including two women, were detained under provisions of the Public Safety Act to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state or maintenance of the public order.

The chief minister, who also holds the portfolio of the home department, said 2,694 people, including 96 women, are lodged in different jails of the state. The 228 convicted prisoners include eight women. Besides, there are 2,156 undertrials, including 88 women. Of the 213 detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and NDPS Acts, one is a woman, she said.

She said details of prisoners (state subjects) lodged in various jails outside the state are not maintained by the home department. No person affiliated with any recognised political party is under preventive detention as on date, she added. — PTI

Posted at: Feb 6, 2018, 2:24 AM; last updated: Feb 6, 2018, 11:09 AM (IST)
LoC flares up to alarming high
Use of missiles by Pak troops points to serious escalation as govt, Army vow revenge

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/loc-flares-up-to-alarming-high/539550.html

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 5

After heavy shelling and firing by Pakistani troops killed four Indian soldiers, it has been all quiet along the Line of Control (LoC) since last night. But what has alarmed the authorities is the Pakistan army using missiles to target Indian posts, signalling an “undeclared war”.

Sources said these missiles with a flat trajectory could not be fired from behind a peak. “Such missiles are fired when the enemy is 1-2 km away and no obstacle between.

The Pakistani troops deliberately fired missiles to target Indian posts and to kill,” sources said.

In Bhimber Gali sector of Rajouri on Sunday, Capt Kapil Kundu, Rifleman Ramavatar, Rifleman Subham Singh and Havildar Roshan Lal were killed in shelling. The Government and the Army have promised a befitting reply.

A senior Army officer said: “So far, the Pakistani army had been using small arms, automatics and mortars to target Indian posts and civilian areas. Now, with the use of missiles, ceasefire violation has been taken to a new level and matters could escalate.”

Explaining that the Pakistani army had been adopting new techniques to inflict damage, he said: “Earlier, they would fire with small arms and mortars. Then they went for sniping and killed our soldiers. As sniping can kill or injure one soldier at a time, they sent their Border Action Team (BAT) to kill more soldiers. But that poses a danger to the life of their men as well.

“So they have now begun to target Indian posts with small-range missiles which have the potential to destroy bunkers and everything inside.”

Meanwhile, in Jammu, the Indian Army today bid adieu to Capt Kapil Kundu, Havildar Roshan Lal, Rifleman Ramavatar and Rifleman Subham Singh.

At a military sendoff in Rajouri, wreaths were laid by GOC 25 Division on behalf of Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen D Anbu, GOC of White Knight Corps Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh and GOC of Ace of Spades Division Maj Gen MV Suchindra.

 

[Hindustani78]

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   A hospital was attacked in Jammu-Kashmir capital Srinagar on Tuesday, firing on a police party accompanying some militants for a medical checkup there. (Express photo by Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Expressing grief on this incident, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said their sacrifice won’t go in vain. (Express photo by Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Two cops were killed during firing at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital. They have been identified as Constable Babar Ahmad and Constable Mushtaq Ahmad. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Following the escape of the militant, the administration has issued a high alert. There are reports that the militants also managed to decamp with the rifle of the injured policemen. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Soon after the firing, the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) started the search operation in the hospital premises. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   All the exit and entry points towards the hospital have been sealed. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Police officers carry a coffin containing the body of their colleague Mushtaq Ahmad at the police headquarters in Srinagar, who lost his life in the hospital firing in Srinagar today. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Police officer paying last tributes to the slain cop. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   A doctor is seen here giving details of the militant attack to security personnel. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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   Police personnels at Srinagar's Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital on Tuesday where militants opened fire at a police party. Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi
   

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   Family members of slain police personnel Mushtaq Ahmad during his last rites. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi)
   

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As the police party was escorting some prisoners inside the hospital, it was attacked from point-blank range by the militants. Taking advantage, the attackers and the Pakistani militant managed to escape. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/14460-new-bunkers-in-jk/article22670112.ece

Lok Sabha told there were 515 cases of infiltration from across the border in J&K

As many as 515 “cases of infiltration” from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir were reported in 2017 which saw the killing of 75 militants, a jump of almost 130% over the 2015 figures, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

As many as 454 cases were reported in 2016 when 45 militants were killed, while 223 cases were reported in 2015 when 64 militants were gunned down, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said while replying to a written question.

Mr. Rijiju said security forces had taken appropriate measures by strengthening overall security, including operational grid with enhanced human intelligence and use of technical intelligence grid, at the borders as well as in hinterlands to deal with such insurgency activities.

Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir informed the Lok Sabha that the Government had approved the construction of 14,460 bunkers for the protection of people living along the International Border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

“These include 1,431 large community bunkers and 13,029 individual bunkers in the districts of Samba, Jammu, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri. The project is being implemented by the Jammu and Kashmir government,” Mr. Ahir told the Lok Sabha while replying to a written question.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...eed-was-involved-in-many-killings/539722.html
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, February 6

In June 2016 when Naveed Jatt, alias Abu Hanzalla, the deputy of Lashkar’s operational commander Abu Qasim, was arrested from a hideout in Kulgam village of south Kashmir, it was termed as a huge success by the security forces. According to the police, Naveed had infiltrated in 2012 and initially remained active in Kupwara district.

However, soon he shifted his base to south Kashmir and operated under Pakistani commander Abu Qasim, the mastermind behind many deadly attacks in J&K that left dozens of security men dead. “In south Kashmir, Naveed was involved in the killing of security men besides snatching of weapons,” a police officer said.

“He is a top militant and his escape is worrisome.” The LeT had suffered a huge loss in November, when six top Pakistani militants of the group, including Osama Jangvi, the son of Abdul Rehman Makki, second-in-command of Jamat-ud-Dawah, and nephew of alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks Zakir Rehman, were killed in a gunfight in Bandipore.

After his arrest in 2014, the police had said Naveed had confessed to his meeting with Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab at a training camp. Naveed was initially lodged in the Kathua jail and was shifted to Srinagar Central Jail in 2017. He was charged under the attempt to murder and Arms Act.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Government today informed the Lok Sabha, In the written reply, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Hansraj Ahir said 72 civilians and 201 security personnel were killed in terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015-17.

Replying to another question, Ahir said there were 342 incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017, in which 80 security personnel were killed. As many as 213 terrorists were also killed. He said there were 133 encounters in 2017 and 97 terrorists were arrested.

“In 2018, so far, there have been 28 incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir in which four security personnel and eight militants have been killed,” he said.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, another junior minister in the MHA Kiren Rijiju said in all, 515 infiltration cases from across the border into J&K had been reported in 2017, in which 75 militants were killed. In 2016, the number of such cases was 454, in which 45 militants were killed, he added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Zulfikar Majid, DH News Service, Srinagar, Feb 8 2018, 15:14 IST

Naveed Jutt
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658337/jk-police-arrests-ten-suspects.html

Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested ten persons for allegedly helping pakistan based militants commander, Naveed Jatt alias Abu Hanzalla to escape from police custody at a Srinagar hospital on Tuesday.

Sources said the raids were conducted by a special investigation team (SIT), formed by the police to probe the incident, at various places in south Kashmir overnight. "At least ten persons were taken into the custody, who police suspect helped Naveed to escape from SMHS hospital after a shootout in which two policemen were killed," they said.

Police suspect insiders role in the audacious attack and subsequent escape of Naveed. State police chief Shesh Pal Vaid admitted that the attack was not possible without connivance at the Srinagar Central Jail, where Naveed was lodged.

"SIT headed by an SP level officer is looking into this incident. I believe a magisterial probe is also being ordered to ascertain all that led to the attack and the subsequent escape," Vaid said.

Naveed was arrested by security forces from south Kashmir's Kulgam district in June 2014 from a hideout. At the time of his arrest, he was LeT's district commander for Shopian and close associate of outfit's slain chief Abu Qasim.

A police official, in the know-how of the details of the case, told DH that the SIT was probing all the angles of the incident and the CCTV footage generated from one of the cameras-in which some unknown persons are seen fleeing amid heavy patient-attendant rush-is being examined.

The attack was carried outside the out-patient-department (OPD) of premier SHMS hospital in Srinagar when six prisoners including Naveed of Multan Pakistan were brought for a medical check-up at 11:30 am on Tuesday.

"The SIT is also checking how weapon came into Naveed's hand. The CCTV footage shows that it was Naveed who fired at a police party escorting prisoners to the hospital. The weapon is clearly seen in his hand while fleeing from the hospital," the official said.

On Wednesday, a voice message was circulated on social media, purportedly by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo, in which he is heard saying that "two of its men who were sent on a mission to free Naveed, were safely back."

However, police say it is premature to comment on Naikoo's claim.

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658342/superintendent-srinagar-central-jail-suspended.html
Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday suspended superintendent of Srinagar Central Jail two days after Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Naveed Jatt escaped from the police custody during a visit to a hospital.


"Pending enquiry into the incident on February 6, 2018, at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, leading to the death of the two constables and escape of a militant, Hilal Ahmed Rather, Superintendent, Central Jail, Srinagar is hereby placed under suspension, with immediate effect," an order issued by Principal Secretary Home Department, said.


It further said the officer shall remain attached with Director General of Police, Prisons, till further orders.


Earlier, State police chief Shesh Pal Vaid had admitted that the attack was not possible without connivance at the Srinagar Central Jail, where Naveed was lodged.


"Srinagar Central Jail has been a paradise for militants to plan and execute their plans right from 1989. Inside the jail, there is writ of militants going on as jail authorities feel helpless before them due to various reasons," sources told Deccan Herald.


"Several times in the past, police authorities had forwarded the complaints about the system being lax on prisoners at the Central Jail, but in vain. There are loopholes in the system and militants are taking an advantage of that," they revealed.


A police officer said that the decision to send Naveed for a 'medical check-up' to SMHS hospital was taken by a lady doctor posted at the Central Jail over a month ago following a court order. "However, due to the reasons best known to the authorities at the jail, the order was deferred. There is all likelihood that a section of jail staff is involved in Naveed's escape," he claimed.


Besides Naveed, five other prisoners, including, under-trial Seeratul Hassan involved in the lynching of Dy SP Ayub Pandith, were taken from the Central Jail to the hospital for medical check-up on court directions.

 

[Hindustani78]

Pakistan based militants preparing to infiltrate 45 militants into Jammu and Kashmir: Intel inputs
The intelligence input specifically mentions Poonch district, one of the regions where Pakistani shelling has gone up recently.
india Updated: Feb 08, 2018 09:46 IST

Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers on guard during a night patrol near the fence at the India-Pakistan International Border at the outpost of Akhnoor sector, about 40 km from Jammu. (Nitin Kanotra/HT File Photo)

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...ntel-inputs/story-iguWcdDUwzplQd9kP0qJmI.html

At a time of heightened tensions and repeated ceasefire violations between India and Pakistan across the LoC, intelligence agencies in J&K have alerted the state and Central authorities about militants from the Pakistan preparing to launch a massive infiltration bid, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The intelligence input specifically mentions the Nangi Tekri area in Krishna Ghati sector in J&K’s Poonch district, one of the regions where Pakistani shelling has gone up recently. Official documents, seen by HT, reveal the alert was issued by state intelligence units last week, asking authorities to take precautions against IEDs that could be used against Indian security posts.

The documents say the Pakistan based experts are in the process of infiltrating 45 fighters into the Kashmir Valley to “enhance its visibility by carrying out multiple attacks”.

It asks security agencies to take appropriate actions to “track/neutralise Pakistan based operatives”.

“Intelligence input received from sister agencies reveals that Pakistan based militants has been conducting reconnaissance in the vicinity of Nangi Tekri and Krishna Ghat. The input indicates that this reconnaissance is aimed at conducting IED/BAT action on Indian security posts/ambush parties,” says a circular issued by the state intelligence. BAT is an acronym for the Border Action Team of the Pakistani army. Indian security agencies have said in the past that the BAT is often accompanied by militants based in Azad Kashmir.

A senior J&K police official, who asked not to be named, said that the area mentioned in the intelligence note falls under the command of the army’s 10th Indian Infantry Brigade, and that the input has been shared with the army and the BSF.

“We kill one of their intruders and they attack our posts. We retaliate and then again hold our posts waiting for their action. This has become a cycle. Most ceasefire violations previously were done to aid terrorists but this time it seems they also want to inflict maximum damage on our posts as part of their idea of revenge ,” said a senior BSF officer, who asked not to be named.

Ajai Sahni, an expert in anti-insurgency operations and internal security, said the move on part of the Pakistan based militants could be to “establish some sort of dominance” in the Krishna Ghati area near the LoC.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ls-killed-in-834-truce-violations/540234.html

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7

In all, 56 security forces personnel and 41 civilians have been killed in 834 ceasefire violations recorded on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in the past three years.

This was said by minister in charge, Home Department, in the Legislative Council on Monday in a written reply to a question raised by PDP legislator Firdous Ahmed Tak seeking the number of ceasefire violations during 2015-2017 and the casualties during the same period.

Giving details, the minister said in all, 379 ceasefire violations were recorded in 2017 while 16 civilians were killed in 2016 and 31 security forces personnel were killed in 2017, the highest during the three years. Meanwhile, 233 civilians and 150 security forces personnel were injured during the same period.

Regarding the compensation paid to the kin of the deceased, injured or those who suffered the loss of property, the minister in charge said an amount of Rs 1 lakh each had been given to the kin of 38 people who died in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch during the period while Rs 50,000 each had been given to 145 persons injured in these districts. Further, Rs 70.07 lakh has been given for to 155 people for property loss, he added.

An amount of Rs 70 lakh was also released to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, in terms of the scheme titled “Central Scheme for Assistance to civilian victims/family of terrorist/communal/left wing extremism violence and cross border firing and mine/IED blast on Indian territory”. “The amount has been disbursed by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to Poonch and Samba Deputy Commissioners for making payment to eligible beneficiaries/victims at Rs 5 lakh each. However, the cases of other districts are under process,” the minister added.

In Kashmir division, Baramulla DC has paid Rs 1 lakh in favour of the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 53,100 has been sanctioned/paid in respect of the partially damaged properties, he said.

For the safety of border residents, the minister in charge said earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed the sanction for the construction of 14,460 bunkers for an amount of Rs 415.73 crore in the border districts of Jammu division, subject to certain conditions.

The Minister of Home Affairs approved the construction of 60 concrete community type bunkers in the border blocks of Jammu district for an amount of Rs 3 crore as the pilot project and as one-time measure.

Moreover, the Planning Development and Monitoring Department sanctioned an amount of Rs 150 lakh under the capital expenditure Budget 2017-18 for the construction of 100 individual bunkers in convergence mode on pilot basis at the LOC in Nowshera and Rajouri.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658572/3-army-jawans-injured-pak.html

Three Army jawans were injured in intermittent firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said today.

The army officials said intermittent firing was underway when reports last came in.

The Pakistan Army continued firing and shelling overnight along the LoC in the Krishnagati sector of Poonch district, the officials said.

In the firing and shelling, three jawans suffered minor splinter injuries, they said.

On Thursday, a 45-year-old woman was killed in shelling by the Pakistani troops along the LoC in the KG sector of Poonch.

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https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...ce-thursday/story-cZUM7Aa3UZZbuQDQEseP3L.html

Woman killed, 3 soldiers injured in Pakistan firing along LoC in Poonch since Thursday
In the firing and shelling, the three jawans suffered minor splinter injuries.
india Updated: Feb 09, 2018 17:22 IST
Jammu

Smoke billowing out from the hills after shelling from Pakistan side at Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.(PTI File Photo/Representative image)


A woman was killed and three soldiers were injured in Pakistani firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, police said on Friday.

Police said a 47-year-old woman was killed in Pakistani shelling and firing in Mendhar sector on Thursday.

Indian Army officials said intermittent firing was underway when reports last came in.

The Pakistan Army continued firing and shelling overnight along the LoC in the Krishnagati sector of Poonch district, the officials said.

In the firing and shelling, three jawans suffered minor splinter injuries, they said.

“Indian positions retaliated strongly and effectively. The injured soldiers have been identified as Havildars Lakhvinder Singh and Balbir Singh and Lance Naik Charanjeet Singh,” a police officer said.

Two of the soldiers were flown to the Army Hospital in Udhampur.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...kers-on-loc/story-ghPU77RDfqyWQUkcsR9YmN.html

At least 10 Pakistani soldiers and nine Indian ones have died in ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) thus far this year, according to army officers familiar with the matter who expect the violations to continue despite an uneasy quiet along the 740km de-facto border this week.

The officers say that based on intelligence inputs and communication intercepts, Pakistan lost 136 soldiers in 2017 as a result of the action-and-reaction on the LoC.

Captain Kapil Kundu and three other troopers lost their lives to a direct hit by a 120 mm mortar shell in the Bhimber Gali sector.

One unexploded Pakistani missile has been brought down to Army HQ in Delhi to understand and highlight the threat from across the LoC, the army officers said.

Although the Indian Army has decided to respond to latest aggravation at appropriate time, Army HQ’s assessment is that due to a dry winter Pakistan is pushing infiltrators across the LoC, taking advantage of the lack of snow on mountain ridges and pastures below, the army officer mentioned in the first instance said.

According to the officers, who asked not to be identified, Pakistan has been escalating tensions and is using US TOW-2 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and 120 mm heavy mortars to target Indian army bunkers in the Rajouri and Poonch sectors.

Meanwhile, south of the Pir Panjal, it is using ATGMs and heavy mortar to target the civilian population and at the same time push terrorists across the borders under the cover of fire,” said a senior army officer.

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The Baktar Shikan is a variant of the Chinese-made HJ-8 anti-tank weapon system that has been manufactured under license by Pakistan .

The missile has a maximum range of 3,000 m. The missile can penetrate armours of 500 mm with standard warhead, while the tandem warheads are claimed to be able of penetrating armours of over 600 mm.