Ministry of Defence - Checking Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
09-February, 2018 19:49 IST
Union Home Minister Reviews Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today chaired a meeting during which the measures being undertaken for Countering Terrorism were reviewed and certain action areas including capacity building of various security agencies and the State police through specialized training programmes were identified. The strategy to curb terror financing and Fake Indian Currency Notes was also reviewed.

Emphasizing zero tolerance for terrorism, Shri Rajnath Singh underlined that Counter Terrorism is a priority area and all efforts must be coordinated and synergized to root out terrorism. The Home Minister stressed on professional investigation of incidents related to terrorism. Since the state police are the first responder in any terror-related incident, he directed that an assessment of the capabilities of state special forces may be conducted. He emphasized on the need for cooperation with friendly countries for countering terrorism.

The Minister of State Shri Hansaraj Gangaram Ahir and senior officials of the Home Ministry were present in the meeting.



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The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chairing a review meeting on Countering Terrorism, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018. The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir is also seen.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh chairing a review meeting on Countering Terrorism, in New Delhi on February 09, 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

Photo for representational purpose.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...u-2-injured/article22711392.ece?homepage=true

Four persons, including a girl, were injured in the attack and an operation is on to engage four to five fidayeen militants holed up inside the camp.

Two Army men, including a Junior Commissioner Officer (JCO), were killed in a fidayeen (suicide) attack on the Army's 36 Brigade camp at Sunjwan, near Jammu city, in the early hours of Saturday.

Four persons, including a girl, were injured in the attack and an operation is on to engage four to five fidayeen militants holed up inside the camp.

“Two soldiers were killed in the Sunjwan attack. At 4.55 a.m., the terrorists managed to enter into the premises of JCOs family quarters of Army's 36 Brigade and started indiscriminate firing,” Minister for Parliamentary Affairs A R Veeri told the State Legislative Assembly.

The Army men killed were identified as JCO Madan Lal Choudhary and non-commissioned officer Mohammad Ashraf

Mir. Lal’s daughter Neha, who was injured in the attack, was shifted to Jammu’s Government Medical College hospital. The other three injured are Colonel Rohit Solanki, Havaldar Abdul Hamid and Lance Naik Bahadur Singh.

'Terrorists cornered in a building'
The militants engaged the security forces for over seven hours. Police sources said they have been “cornered in a building and efforts are on to neutralise them”.

Special commandos have been airlifted from the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur to the Army camp, which is less than 10 km away from Jammu city. A chopper has been put into service.

“The whole area has been cordoned off by the Army and security forces. An operation is under way. The militants have taken refuge in the JCO quarters,” said Mr Veeri.

The exact number of fidayeen is still not known “but as per the initial call received at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Jammu, four to five militants are involved in the attack,” he said.

The attack comes just a day after the fifth death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. He was hanged inside Delhi's Tihar Jail.

Uproar in Assembly
The attack sparked an uproar in the Assembly with the ruling parties and the Opposition hitting out at each other over the ''deteriorating'' situation in the State.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658728/schools-closed-around-sunjawan-camp.html

Authorities today ordered the closure of schools in Sunjawan belt of Jammu city in the wake of the terror attack on an Army camp.

Three to four militants stormed the Army camp at Sunjawan, leaving four persons injured.

"We have ordered the closure of schools in Sunjawan area as a precautionary measure in the wake of the terror attack," a senior official said

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http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658730/home-minister-rajnath-singh-speaks.html

Home Minister Rajnath Singh today spoke to the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and took stock of the situation arising out of the terror attack on an Army camp in Jammu.

During the telephonic conversation, the home minister sought details from Director General of Police S P Vaid on the terrorist attack on the Army camp in Jammu, according to a tweet by the Home Minister's Office.

"The DGP has apprised him of the situation.The MHA is closely monitoring the situation," the tweet said.

 

[My-Analogous]

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.

Looks like what game India started is become uncontrollable for them. You guys will not be at ease when you trying to make us suffer. We are Pakistan. Let me remind you that we still didn't use our option of surgical strikes and not even UN can stop us because of your fake claim.

 

[Hindustani78]

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   Two jawans, including a junior commissioner officer, were killed and four persons were injured after suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists attacked the Sunjwan army camp in Jammu and Kashmir. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   The attack happened on Saturday morning. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   The Army has cordoned off the area. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   JCO Madan Lal Choudhary and his daughter were injured as terrorists stormed into the camp and opened fire. Choudhary later succumbed to injuries. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   Officials said the terrorists have been cornered in one of the family quarters and the operation is underway. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   Authorities have ordered closure of schools in Sunjwan belt, PTI reported. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   The Indian Air Force has sprung into action, para commandoes were airlifted from Udhampur to Jammu this morning, sources said. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   High alert has been sounded across the state with the Central Reserve Police and state police sealing off roads around the area. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   Sources said the terrorists appeared to have entered the camp, in two groups, from a nullah behind the camp. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   According to PTI, intelligence inputs had warned an attack on the army or security establishment by JeM in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru who was hanged on February 9, 2013 (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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   According to sources, at around 5 am, three to four terrorists entered the JCO family quarters located at the rear side of the army camp. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

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A team of security personnel at the Sunjwan Army camp inside an Army vehicle (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

Looks like what game India started is become uncontrollable for them. You guys will not be at ease when you trying to make us suffer. We are Pakistan. Let me remind you that we still didn't use our option of surgical strikes and not even UN can stop us because of your fake claim.

The timing of this attack by the Pakistan military is clearly more linked to the regional peace process which is mainly for peace and stability in the region by Republic of India.

Indian Establishment is with the traditional Arab nations where as Pakistan Establishment are showing who are their real friends.

Sunjuwan army camp attack: 7 times Indian security forces were targeted
Jammu attack: One Indian Army officer was killed and six others, including the daughter of an officer, were injured on Saturday when armed militants stormed the Sunjwan army camp in Jammu.
india Updated: Feb 10, 2018 14:50 IST

HT Correspondent
Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Army soldiers arrive to take position at the Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu, India, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018. (AP)
https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...re-targeted/story-kPhMqknaDJkRxSfe7wlFKK.html


This is one of the several attacks on the army over the past several months.





On April 27, three soldiers including an army captain were killed when agroup of militants stormed a garrison in south Kashmir’s Kupwara. Two militants were also killed in the attack. The militants were believed to have crossed over from Pakistan.

On May 4, suspected militants attacked an army convoy returning after conducting a massive search operation that involved 4,000 troopers in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. A civilian was killed and three security personnel were injured in the encounter. The militants had laid an ambush and fired indiscriminately when the troops approached the village looking for militants, sources said. The troops returned the fire besides alerting other teams who laid a cordon around the spot. No arrests were made during the search operation.

On June 3, militants ambushed a military convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, killing two soldiers and wounding four.

On October 10, suspected militants attacked a Company Operating Base (COB) of the Army at Niausa in Arunachal Pradesh in the morning. No casualty or damage to property was reported in the attack, which police sources said was likely to have been carried out by NSCN(K) insurgents. A group of men fired 5-10 rounds from “ineffective” small firearms and lobbed a Lathode grenade at the COB at Niausa in Longding district at around 1.15 am, Kohima-based defence spokesman Col Chiranjeet Konwer said. The sentries retaliated and the attackers fled.

On December 4, militants opened fire on an army convoy, on its way to Srinagar, at Qazigund on Jammu-Srinagar national highway. One soldier was killed while another sustained injuries. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a hunt for the militants. The search operation turned into an encounter with the militants. Three Pakistan based militants, including two Pakistanis, allegedly responsible for carrying out an attack on Amarnath pilgrims in July 2017, were killed in the encounter. One militant, who had managed to flee from the encounter site, was arrested by the police from a maternity hospital in Anantnag.

Last year, in a pre-dawn strike on December 31, five CRPF men were killed when heavily armed terrorists carried out a suicide attack on a camp of the paramilitary force in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. This was reportedly the first time local terrorists had carried out a suicide attack, which was claimed by Pakistan-based militants . One of the soldiers died of heart attack during the gun-battle while the other four succumbed to bullet injuries.


On January 15, the Army foiled a major infiltration attempt by Pakistan based militants along the Line of Control in Uri sector in Kashmir, killing five members of the group’s suicide squad. A cache of arms, including four AK-47 rifles, three Underbarrel Grenade Launchers, 38 UBGL grenades, 23 hand grenades, nine IEDs and “other war-like items”, were recovered from the dead militants.


Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018. A junior commissioned officer (JCOs) of the Indian army was killed and six others injured as a group of militants stormed the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu early on Saturday. Officials said pakistan based militants were behind the terror strike.

Intelligence inputs had warned of an attack on army or security establishment by the Pakistan based Militants in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru who was hanged on February 9, 2013.

 

[Hindustani78]

Google Maps image locates Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ri-district/article22718389.ece?homepage=true

A woman was killed on February 10 when Pakistan troops resorted to unprovoked firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police official said.

Parveen Akhter was killed when she was hit by a bullet fired by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Pkukherni and Lairan villages of Noushera around 10.35 p.m. IST, he said.

The official said Akhter was hit inside her home at Lairan village.

Indian troops guarding the border retaliated to silence the Pakistani guns, he said, adding intermittent firings and shellings were going on when the last reports were received.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani troops launched mortars shells at civilian areas along the LoC in nearby Poonch district but there was no loss of life or injury to any one.

“The Pakistan Army launched mortar shells in Khadi Karmara forward areas in Poonch around 1100 hours today,” the police official said.

The shells fell deep inside Indian territory along the LoC triggering panic and fear among the residents.

The Pakistan troops also launched shells along the LoC in Chakan Da Bagh forward area in Poonch, the official said.

On February 9, three Army jawans were injured in intermittent firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Poonch district.

On February 8, a 45-year-old woman was killed in shelling by the Pakistani troops along the LoC in the KG sector.

A total of 19 people, including 10 security personnel and nine civilians, were killed and over 75 injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the International Border in Jammu region in 2018.

 

[Hindustani78]

By: PTI | Jammu | Published: February 11, 2018 2:38 pm

On Saturday, Parveen Akhter was killed in firing by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control. (Representational)
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ng-loc-in-rajouri-district-officials-5059556/

Pakistani troops on Sunday launched heavy mortar shells at civilian areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials said. Deputy Commissioner (Rajouri) Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the Pakistan Army have been launching heavy mortar shells in Naika, Panjgrain, Khorinar, Rajdhani forward areas besides the villages in Rajouri since morning.

The shells fell deep inside the Indian territory, triggering panic and fear among the residents.

Last night, Parveen Akhter was killed in firing by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control. They had fired in Khadi Karmara and Chakan Da Bagh forward areas in Poonch district.

On February 8, a 45-year-old woman was killed in shelling by the Pakistani troops along the LoC in the KG sector of Poonch.

Ten security personnel and nine civilians were killed and over 75 injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the International Border in Jammu region this year.


The shells fell deep inside the Indian territory, triggering panic and fear among residents. Tribune file

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...d-in-budgam/story-BuGG0zSz385rLk6crq922M.html

Two persons, including a militant, died on Monday in a road accident in north Kashmir’s Sopore town while a man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in central Kashmir, police said.

Police said that Owais Ahmad, a local militant of Sopore, and another unidentified person who were riding a bike died after hitting a tree in the interiors of Warpora in Sopore.

“Probably they had been travelling early morning before snowfall when their bike slipped. One had died on the spot while another succumbed later,” said Harmeet Singh, superintendent of police, Sopore.

He said that the identity of the second person was being ascertained although some local newspapers said both men were militants.

In another incident, a man was shot dead in central Kashmir’s Budgam district around 4 pm. Local reports identified the man as Yousuf Rather also known as Yousuf Nadeem, a Hurriyat activist.

In a tweet, Jammu and Kashmir police said that the shooting took place in a passenger vehicle in Sandipora Budgam.

“One person was injured who later on succumbed. Culprits are on the run. Police has started investigation,” the twitter handle informed.

 

[Hindustani78]

2,555 cases of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 44 months of NDA against 543 during the UPA government

In last 44 months of the Modi government, 286 jawans and 138 civilians have died against 115 and 72 respectively who died during the same period of UPA.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/659592/army-foils-infiltration-bid-along.html
The army has foiled an infiltration attempt by a group of militants along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior army officer said on Thursday.

"Suspicious movements by a group of four to five militants were noticed along LoC in Mendhar sector of Poonch during the night," the officer said.

Alert troops engaged the suspected militants and fired on them, he said adding that the troops foiled their attempt to cross over the LoC.

A search operation is under way in the area. Further details were awaited, he said.

The incident happened as the security forces battle increased attempts by terrorist groups to target them in Jammu and Kashmir.

Last week, terrorists targeted an army camp in Sunjuwan in Jammu in which six soldiers and a civilian were killed.

On Monday, two terrorists attacked a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Karan Nagar area in Srinagar.

After a 32-hour gunbattle, security forces killed the attackers.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/659641/5-accused-behind-terrorists-escape.html

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday took the custody of five accused arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the escape of terrorist Mohammed Naveed Jhatt from the SMHS hospital, an official spokesman said here.

The NIA spokesman said the court of chief judicial magistrate here granted a two-day transit remand of the five accused who had been nabbed by the police on February 8, two days after the escape of 22-year-old Jhatt alias Abu Hanzalla from the busy hospital in the city.

The five accused - Shakeel Ahmed Bhat, Tika Khan, Syed Tajamul Islam, Mohammed Shafi Wani and Jan Mohammed Ganai - were arrested by the police for reportedly conspiring in the escape of Jhatt. All the five accused are residents of Pulwama.

The NIA re-registered the case pertaining to the escape from custody of Jhatt from the SMHS hospital where he was brought in for treatment on February 6.

The accused will be produced before the NIA special court at Jammu on Friday for seeking police custody, the spokesman said.

The designated court for the NIA is in Jammu, the winter capital of the state.

Two policemen - head constable Mushtaq Ahmed and constable Babar Ahmed - of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed by Jhatt and his accomplice on the fateful day.

Bhat is believed to be one of the masterminds of the escape of Jhatt and his motorcycle had been used in the escape of the terrorist, police said.

Khan, a resident of Pulwama, is claimed to have provided his car for further transportation of Jhatt out of the city, police said.

Jhatt is at present believed to be in the Pulwama area of South Kashmir, they said.

Shafi, who is from Narbal on the outskirts of Srinagar city, had posed as a patient to provide cover for the terrorists escape.

Jhatt had managed to escape on February 6 after at least two other militants attacked the police escort team at the SMHS Hospital here, killing two cops.

 

[Hindustani78]

Security personnel take position during an encounter in Baramulla district. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...d-militants/article22769752.ece?homepage=true

The number of militants hiding in the area could not be ascertained immediately.
Militants opened fire on a search party of the security forces in Palhalan area of north Kashmir's Baramulla on Friday morning, triggering a gunfight. Two militants reportedly escaped from the site.


"The search party came under fire from the militants and an exchange of fire is on," said a police official.

The number of militants hiding in the area could not be ascertained immediately.

The search operation is carried out jointly by a team of the Army's 29 Rashtriya Rifles, the police's Special Operation Group and 53 Battalion of the CRPF.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...army-forces-and-militants/article22769752.ece

One civilian injured; joint operation of the Army, police and CRPF fails to nab the militants.

Two militants escaped from an encounter site in Baramulla’s Palhalan area in north Kashmir on Friday morning, while a civilian was injured in clashes near the encounter site.

A police spokesman said the trapped militants “fired indiscriminately” and managed to escape “taking advantage of the darkness early in the morning”.

“A cordon was being thrown and civilians were being evacuated when the militants escaped,” the spokesman added.

The joint operation of the Army, police and CRPF was launched around 5 a.m. and two local militants were believed to be trapped in Palhalan’s Tantaray Pora.

Police sources said soon after the exchange of fire between the security forces and the militants, scores of locals resorted to stone throwing.

At least two civilians were hit in the clashes. Tear-smoke canisters were used to disperse the protesters.

In Jammu, the Army carried out a search operation after the local residents in Samba’s Katli area observed “some suspicious movement”.

“Two unidentified persons carrying weapons and dressed in black were seen by the locals. They fled when they were accosted by the locals,” said the Army’s Jammu-based spokesman.

NIA gets custody of five
The special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Jammu, on Friday granted seven days’ NIA remand for the five accused in the escape of Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Naveed Jutt from Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital on February 6.

The five accused arrested by the police earlier, Shakeel Ahmed Bhat, Tika Khan, Syed Tajamul Islam, Muhammad Shafi Wani and Jan Muhammad Ganai, were all residents of south Kashmir’s Pulwama.

LeT’s foreign militant commander escaped from the hospital when the police was taking him along with six other detainees for a medical check up.

Of the five arrested, two were active militants and three work as over ground workers for the militants. The overground workers were accused of providing a car and a bike to help the LeT escape. The LeT militant was also given a weapon.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/crpf-foils-kidnapping-bid-in-jammu/545558.html

Jammu: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Friday night foiled an alleged kidnapping bid of a youth. Neeraj Kumar Pandey, Commandant, 76 Battalion of the CRPF, said an alert sentry of the battalion observed that two youths were forcefully dragging a youth inside a Maruti Suzukui Swift Dzire car outside the battalion headquarters in the Channi Himmat area. “He immediately informed us and a Quick Reaction Team started chasing the car. Sensing trouble, kidnappers threw the youth out of the moving car and fled,” said Pandey. The youth was identified as 22-year-old Becham of Uttar Pradesh. He said two youths tried to loot him after bundling him into the car. “Without hurting him, they threw him out of the car when the CRPF started chasing them,” added Pandey. tns

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...-takes-over-as-adgp-of-home-guard/545543.html

Jammu, February 17

Muneer Ahmad Khan today assumed charge of the office of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Home Guard, Civil Defence and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), J&K.

He inspected all sections of the Directorate of the Home Guard, Civil Defence and the SDRF. He also visited the office of the DIG, Home Guard, Civil Defence and the SDRF, Jammu, office of the Director, Home Guard, Jammu, and held a meeting with the officers.

Officers briefed the ADGP about the functioning of their offices. He was also apprised of the pending proposals and requirements. During the meeting, powerpoint presentations on the functioning of the Home Guard, Civil Defence and the SDRF were also given.

The ADGP assured the officers that all genuine issues of the subordinate formations would be addressed. — TNS

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Ministry of Home Affairs18-February, 2018 17:43 IST
Union Home Minister meets J&K youth under Youth Exchange Programme ‘Watan ko Jano’

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh met the youth of Jammu and Kashmir under the Youth Exchange Programme “Watan Ko Jano” 2017-18, here today. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been organising programme “Watan Ko Jano” to give exposure to the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir about the cultural and socio-economic development taking place in other parts of the country. Youth and children hit by militancy and from weaker sections of the society have been identified for the purpose. Around 200 youth from the state are on a visit to different places of the country as part of the programme from 11th Feb-20th Feb, 2018.

Addressing the youth, Shri Rajnath Singh expressed happiness that these youth have visited various parts of the country and witnessed the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country. The children have visited Ajmer, Jaipur and Agra and will now visit the historical places in Delhi. The Home Minister said that these youth are an inseparable part of the country. He also expressed happiness over the fact that one more group of 500 students will also visit various parts of country after this group. He said that unity in diversity is the unique value of the country and these children are also a reflection of it. We have to take it forward, he asked youth present there. With this tour, the youth will be able to see the development of modern India, he added. He added that these youth will also see the role of unity in the process of development. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the children might have read about and seen these places in their text books, now they have the opportunity to see these places.

The Union Home Minister said that they have certain responsibilities towards nation when they grow up. The youth should take interest in education, respect elders and do something that will make their parents and country proud. He said that every citizen has equal opportunities of development irrespective of caste, language and religion. India sets an example in world that needs to be followed, he further said. He urged the youth to share their experiences with their friends and relatives when they are back and they should spread the message of unity. The Home Minister wished the youth a prosperous future.

The MoS (PP) Dr Jitendra Singh and MoS (Home) Shri Kiren Rijiju also interacted with the children. They conveyed that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is facing problem due to militancy, they urged the youth to take the message of peace and spread goodwill when they return to the state.

Senior officers of the MHA were also present on the occasion.

***
The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing the youth of Jammu and Kashmir under the Youth Exchange Programme “Watan Ko Jano” 2017-18, in New Delhi on February 18, 2018. The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju are also seen.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh interacting with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir under the Youth Exchange Programme “Watan Ko Jano” 2017-18, in New Delhi on February 18, 2018.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh in a group photograph with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir under the Youth Exchange Programme “Watan Ko Jano” 2017-18, in New Delhi on February 18, 2018. The Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...ch-district/story-lscyEkTTna2HaBe479sZeI.html
Pakistani troops on Sunday violated ceasefire by targeting forward villages and posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, police said.

The firing from small and heavy weapons from across the border in the Khari Karmara sector started around 5.25pm and continued for 15 minutes, a police official said. However, there was no report of casualty in the cross-border firing, the official said, adding that Indian troops also fired in retaliation.

Twenty people -- 11 security personnel and nine civilians -- were killed and over 75 others injured in Pakistani shelling along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu division since the beginning of this year.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/660382/two-soldiers-injured-intruder-killed.html

In a first such attack this year, Pakistani soldiers on Monday carried out Border Action Team (BAT) attack along the Line of Control (LoC) in Khari Karmara sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir injuring two Indian soldiers.

"A BAT of Pakistani army launched an attack on a patrol operating in between the two posts inside the Indian territory. The Indian troopers bravely repulsed the attack, but two soldiers were critically injured in the attack," sources said and added that one intruder was also killed in the retaliatory action by the army.

"The BAT team was seen retreating to the Pakistani post on the LoC while the body of the intruder was recovered. He was wearing combat fatigues," the source said.

The critically injured soldiers were airlifted to a hospital in Udhampur for treatment.

"The ambush, carried out by the BAT of the Pakistan army, could have inflicted more damages if Indian troops weren't alert. The Army is on high alert and is ready to thwart BAT attacks. However, as Pakistani army gave covering fire, the BAT wearing black combat uniform could cross over the LoC. They assaulted Indian Army's Area Domination Patrol but had to retreat after retaliation," they said.

A senior army officer said that Pakistani Army has deployed several battalions of the 'Mujahid Force Regiment', which is part of its dreaded BAT, along the LoC and the international border (IB) to help terrorists infiltrate and target Indian troops.

Recently, Northern Command chief Lt Gen Devraj Anbu had stated that over 300 militants were waiting across LoC to infiltrate into the Indian territory.

Sources said the infiltration attempt could rise in the coming days as the weather has started opening-up in some of the areas.

"With infiltration attempts, BAT attacks too would increase in coming months. However, the Army has devised its strategy accordingly and they are maintaining high alert along LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri not only to tackle the ceasefire violations but also to foil BAT attacks," they added.

Defence experts say that Pakistan's Special Services Group (SSG) forms the core of the BAT, besides, dreaded terrorists from Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad outfits, for trans-LoC action up to a depth of one to three kilometre.

"As Indian posts are closer to Pakistan in Poonch sector, the rugged terrain and thicker forests give BATs an advantage to escape. The BAT usually mutilates the bodies of Indian soldiers to wage psychological warfare," they said.

The BAT camps, unlike the largely make-shift terror-training camps and launch pads across the LoC, consist of around 40-50 Pakistan Army regulars and commandos being specially trained for cross-border raids and ambushes, experts said.