Pakistan violates ceasefire along International Border in Jammu

[Hindustani78]

Ghulam Nabi Azad condemns civilian killings by Pak, calls it un-Islamic | Zee News

Last Updated: Sunday, August 16, 2015 - 16:29
Jammu: Strongly condemning the killing of innocent people in shelling by Pakistan along the Line of Control, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said the neighbouring country is indulging in "un-Islamic" actions.

"It is a sign of cowardice. Pakistan should feel ashamed of their cowardly acts be its terror attacks or firing and shelling targeting civilians," he said.

"I strongly condemn Pakistan's action of killing innocent people. Firing is going on in Balakote where a woman has lost her life today," the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha told reporters here.

Azad, who visited the GMC hospital here to meet civilians injured in Pakistan shelling, hit out at Pakistan, saying it did not spare the people even on Eid.

"Pakistan is claiming to be an Islamic country and does all activities which are un-Islamic.

"I do not know what type of Islam Pakistan is preaching? Their ISI, Army and other security forces are deeply involved. Even on Eid day, which is a day of happiness after conclusion of fasting month of Ramadan, they fired on Sujiyan, Gagrian areas in Poonch and Eid turned into a day of gloom," he said.

Azad said, "In the same way, on Independence day, when people were celebrating and Pakistani Prime Minister and President greeted Indian PM and our President, they apart from sending greeting to the them, also sent (mortar) shells.

"In these blast of mortar shells, five people lost their lives and dozen were injured. Today one woman lost her life in the shelling by Pakistan in Balakote."

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, "Pakistan will never change. Pakistan cannot control its own internal turmoil and failed to restore its democracy in the country...Could not move forward on the path of development and progress, but continues to attack our country, whether it is terror attack in Gurdaspur or in Udhampur".

He said the repeated attacks show "their cowardly nature".

"Last year, we saw such firing and shelling in Jammu and Kathua sectors," he said.

PTI

Basit will be summoned even as the two countries get ready for the first-ever NSA-level talks here on terrorism related issues next week.
India on Sunday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and lodged a strong protest over ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in which six people, including a woman, have been killed.

Mr. Basit was summoned to the External Affairs Ministry by Secretary-East Anil Wadhwa who conveyed India’s strong protest over the issue.

After the meeting, Mr. Basit said an effective mechanism was required to determine who is engaged in ceasefire violations.

Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit arrives at Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Sunday. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

 

[Hindustani78]

'Pakistan Army targeting civilian population in Poonch' | Zee News


Jammu: PRO, Defence, Lt Col Manish Mehta on Sunday said that the Pakistan Army was using 120 mm heavy mortars, 82 mm mortars targeting army posts and civilians population in Poonch and that the Indian Army was giving a befitting reply.

"Indian Army is giving a befitting reply. An adequate response is being given to all the forward posts of the Pakistan Army," Mehta told ANI here.

"In Saujia and Mandi area, the Pakistan army has resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations, targeting depth area where civilians are staying," he added.Speaking of providing aid to the civilians who were in the line of fire, Mehta said, that the Army is reaching out to all civilians who need help.

"Indian army is providing medical aid, assisting them in other kinds of help which they require. We have requested the civilian population to stay indoors and they should not come out until the ceasefire continues," the defence PRO said.

Three civilians were injured today after Pakistan opened unprovoked fire in Poonch. Six civilians were killed on Saturday after a shelling by Pakistan in Balakot.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lodged a strong protest with Islamabad and conveyed India`s anger over the unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops.


India giving befitting reply to Pakistan on ceasefire violations: Manohar Parrikar | Zee News

Bilaspur: India is giving a "befitting" reply to Pakistan, which is engaged in continuous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri of Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said here on Sunday.

"Hum unhe muhtod jawab de rahen hai. Hamara response dugna-tiguna hai... (We are giving them (Pakistan) a befitting reply. Our response is double-triple (in intensity)," the Defence minister said.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here organised by the 'Vanvasi Vikas Samiti'- a Sangh Pariwar-backed organisation.

There were ceasefire violations by Pakistan in various sectors along the LoC in Poonch district for the eighth consecutive day. The intensified shelling on border posts and civilian area in Poonch and Rajouri have claimed six lives in last two days, drawing strong protest from India.

Responding to a query on rising infiltration bids by insurgents along the International Border with Pakistan, Parrikar said the government was putting up all measures to thwart such incidents.

"Owing to security reasons, I cannot furnish details on the issue but would surely like to tell that we are taking all the measures to foil infiltration bids," he said.

On the last month's terrorist attack in Punjab, wherein suspected Pakistani militants had entered India by crossing Ravi river, the minister said, "It's a bit difficult to do fencing along Ravi river. But keeping in view the security there, several electronic measures are being adopted (to guard the international border)."

Eight persons, including an SP, were killed, in the strike launched by three terrorists before they were gunned down.

Asserting that the NDA government was committed towards implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme as being demanded by ex-servicemen, Parrikar said the OROP-related anomalies will be sorted out soon.

"It is not needed for me to say anything on the issue (implementation of OROP) after Prime Minister Narendra Modi''s speech on Independence day during which he spoken about OROP. However, difficulties related to OROP scheme will soon be sorted out and efforts are on in this direction," he said.

In his speech yesterday, Modi had assured that the government has "in-principle" accepted the demand for OROP and is working out the modalities.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Ceasefire violations: Pakistani troops shell villages, Army posts along LoC in Poonch | Zee News
Last Updated: Monday, August 17, 2015 - 22:10


Jammu: Notwithstanding India's protest, Pakistani troops continued to pound villages and Army posts along the LoC in Poonch district with 120 mm and 82 mm mortar bombs on Monday, making it the third ceasefire violation in the past 24 hours.


Yesterday India had summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and lodged a strong protest over the unabated ceasefire violations by the neighbouring country's troops along LoC, in which six Indian civilians have lost their lives.

"Pakistan army breached ceasefire in Balakot sector using mortars at around 7 PM onwards, the firing is still going on," defense spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

"No causality is reported till the last reports came in," he said.

This is the ninth consecutive day that Pakistan violated the ceasefire. There have been 41 violations of the 2003 ceasefire accord in August this year so far. There has been over 230 ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border this year.

Mehta said today, "Pakistan troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations in Saujiyan and Mandi sectors of Poonch district and shelled forward posts and civilian areas with 120 mm and 82 mm mortar bombs and heavy machine guns (HMGs) along LoC from 2200 hours last night to 0100 hours."

Army gave effective reply resulting in exchange of fire, he said.

A woman was killed and five persons were injured yesterday after Pakistani troops fired 120 mm and 82 mm mortars bombs, HMGs and RPGs on border posts and civilian areas in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

The repeated ceasefire violations have claimed six lives in two days, drawing strong protests from India.

There have been repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the over 110 kms long borderline in Poonch, Sujiyan Balakote, Hamirpur, Mandi sectors of Poonch district and Manjakote sector in Rajouri district between August 15-17.

On Independence Day, five civilians, including a sarpanch were killed and five others injured in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling by Pakistani troops at several Indian posts and civilian areas.

The dead were identified as 52-year-old Karamat Hussain, who was sarpanch of Basoni, 42-year-old Abdul Rahman, a teacher, and 17-year-old Mohd Sheraj Khan Amin.


A 10-year-old child had died in shelling in Basoni along with 18-year-old Mohmmad Amin, who died at GMC Hospital here.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mendhar, Sher Singh said people in the border areas have been asked to stay indoors.

"Heavy shelling right from Mankote up to Balakote sector resumed this morning and the shells fell in interior areas of Mendhar. People are requested to stay indoors and avoid travelling on BG-Balakote road even from Dharana side," he said.

Last month, there were 19 ceasefire violations in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured.

PTI

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Former Territorial Army jawan held for suspectedly helping Pak shelling in J&K | Zee News


Jammu: A former jawan of Territorial Army, suspected to be guiding Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir, has been arrested by the Army.

He was identified as Liyaqat Hussain of 156 Territorial Army (TA), an Army officer said. Hussain was disembodied from Army in year 2011, the officer added.

"A company of Rashtriya Rifles deployed in Hamirpur apprehended an overground worker yesterday and handed him over to Hamirpur Police Station," a defence spokesman said.

From him, Army claimed to have recovered a wireless transmitter set.

Army, which questioned him before handing him over to police, suspects that he had been guiding firing and shelling from across the border.

He is being subjected to thorough interrogation.

Jammu region has been witnessing heavy firing and shelling from the Pakistani side over the last several weeks, resulting in a number of casualties and fear among the locals living in the border areas.

External Affairs Ministry yesterday summoned Pakistan's High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over continuous firing and shelling.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Militants attack Sopore police post - The Hindu
Updated: August 18, 2015 14:05 IST

One policeman was killed in a militant attack on a police post in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Kashmir, police said. The police post was guarding a shrine and an adjacent mosque in Sopore. “Militants have attacked a police post guarding the shrine and a mosque in Tujjar Sharief area of Sopore (52 kms from here) by opening firing,” a police officer said.

He said additional forces have been rushed to the spot and further details of the incident are awaited.

 

[Hindustani78]

Pakistan ceasefire violation continues - The Hindu
Updated: August 19, 2015 16:24 IST

The Pakistan Army violated ceasefire along the LoC in Balakote and Poonch sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said on Wednesday.

The Pakistan Army violated ceasefire overnight at two places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

“Pakistan Army violated ceasefire in Balakote sector yesterday (Tuesday),” defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta told IANS in Jammu.

“After our troops retaliated, Pakistan firing stopped at 10 p.m.”

“But firing from Pakistan resumed in Poonch sector and continued from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m,” Lt. Col. Mehta added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Pakistan protests ceasefire violations, summons Indian diplomat | Zee News
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 23:42


Islamabad: Pakistan summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner on Wednesday for the second time in a week to lodge a strong protest against the continuous "unprovoked ceasefire violations" by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.


“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was called in by the Director General (South Asia and SAARC) at the Foreign Office to lodge a strong protest against the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian troops at the Line of Control (LoC) in Harpal and other sectors,” said Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah.

"The Indian firing resulted in the killing of a civilian, Muhammad Shareef,” he said.

The spokesman also added that Indian forces resorted to unprovoked firing at Jandrot, Nakyal and Karela sectors, as a result of which another civilian was killed and four others were injured.

On its part, India on Sunday summoned Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest and convey anger over un-provoked firing.

Anil Wadhwa, secretary (East) in the ministry, "lodged a protest, and conveyed our (India's) anger, at the unprovoked firing by Pakistani troops since August 8, particularly with regard to the incidents of yesterday (Saturday) and today (Sunday) in Poonch that saw the systematic targeting of our civilian population and the use of high calibre weapons including artillery", said an Indian external affairs ministry statement.

Pakistan and India declared ceasefire in 2003 and guns had been relatively silent along the LoC. However, both sides occasionally exchange fire. An escalation has been seen in recent weeks.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, met in Russian city of Ufa last month and agreed on a meeting of the national security advisors which is set for August 22.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan by the UN-monitored de facto border of LoC but is claimed in full by both the countries.

Ceasefire violations along the LoC and working boundary between Pakistan and India continue intermittently, with casualties reported on both sides.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

Army jawans keeps vigil at an LoC post in Uri of Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday. Photo: NIssar Ahmad

 

[Hindustani78]

Army busts militant hideout in Ramban, recovers huge munitions | Zee News
Last Updated: Friday, August 21, 2015 - 16:48


Jammu: Army troops on Friday busted a militant hideout and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition including a sniper rifle, one universal machine gun and 13-kg explosive in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.


Based on specific information about the presence of a militant hideout in Laskarwan forest, a team of Army and police launched a joint search operation in the forested belt of Laskarwan and busted the hideout, an Army officer said.

The troops recovered arms, ammunition and explosive material including one 7.62-mm sniper rifle, universal machine gun, one under-barrel grenade launcher, hand grenade, three sniper magazines, 42 rounds of sniper ammunition, three bombs, one radio set, 13-kg explosive, one blanket, three leather shoes and a rucksack, the officer said.

Laskarwan forest lies in the foothills of Riliyar Ridge, and continuous domination of the area was being undertaken by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles.

Despite dense undergrowth and harsh terrain, the joint team carried out a thorough search of the area on receipt of information and recovered the cache of arms and ammunition, he said, adding the General-Officer-Commanding of Delta Force complimented the troops who took part in the operation.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Kupwara district, militants holed up | Zee News

Srinagar: Even as Indo-Pak National Security Agency (NSA) level talks seems to be in jeopardy, reports of fresh ceasefire violations on Saturday night are coming in from Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

“An encounter between security forces and militants are underway in Handwara here,” news agency ANI quoted security forces as saying.

The officials further said, “2-4 militants believed to be holed up inside a house.”

The development comes hours after Externat Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave a strong message to Pakistan, saying if the Hurriyat leaders are kept away and issues other than terror are not raised by Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz, he was welcome to come for the talks.

Further details are awaited.

Army personnel defuse an IED set-up by militants at Moihpora in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.

 

[Hindustani78]

Three militants killed in encounter in Kashmir - The Hindu
Updated: August 23, 2015 09:55 IST

Soldier guarding a road near the LoC which links Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir with Rawalakot area of Azad Kashmir. File photo.

Three militants were killed on Sunday in an encounter with the army in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

The encounter began last night after troops launched a search operation in Khumhair forests of Handwara tehsil, 100 kms from Srinagar, following information about the presence of the militants, an army official said.

“Three terrorists have been killed while one soldier has sustained injuries during the operation,” the official said.

He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained.

 

[Donatello]

Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Kupwara district, militants holed up | Zee News

Srinagar: Even as Indo-Pak National Security Agency (NSA) level talks seems to be in jeopardy, reports of fresh ceasefire violations on Saturday night are coming in from Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

“An encounter between security forces and militants are underway in Handwara here,” news agency ANI quoted security forces as saying.

The officials further said, “2-4 militants believed to be holed up inside a house.”

The development comes hours after Externat Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave a strong message to Pakistan, saying if the Hurriyat leaders are kept away and issues other than terror are not raised by Pakistan NSA Sartaj Aziz, he was welcome to come for the talks.

Further details are awaited.

Army personnel defuse an IED set-up by militants at Moihpora in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.

Is that Shah Rukh Khan?

 

[Hindustani78]

82-mm mortar shell defused in Samba | Zee News

Jammu: A tragedy was averted in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir as police recovered an unexploded mortar shell from a field.

The 82-mm shell was found lying in the field today and was later defused by the bomb disposal squad of police, an officer said, adding that a case has been registered and investigation started to find from where the mortar shell originated.

PTI

After a lull, Pakistan violates ceasefire again in Poonch - The Hindu

Updated: August 24, 2015 14:12 IST
After a brief lull, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire again by resorting to firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

There have been 52 violations of the border ceasefire agreement of 2003 by Pakistan in August and over 245 ceasefire violations this year so far. Pakistan on Sunday resorted to firing of automatic weapons and shelling of 60 mm mortar bombs on the forward posts and civilian areas from 19:00 hours to 19:20 hours in Balakote area, a defence spokesman said.

Army troops guarding the border, effectively and appropriately fired back, the spokesman said. The fresh ceasefire violation has occurred after a few days of lull along LoC in Poonch district.

On August 19, Pakistan Rangers resorted to three rounds of firing on a BoP along IB in Samba sector around 22:30 hours without any casualty or injury to anyone.

 

[Hindustani78]

Army JCO killed in Pak sniper firing along LoC | Zee News

Srinagar: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of Army was killed today in cross-LoC firing by Pakistani troops in Kupwara district of Kashmir.

The JCO was hit by a Pakistani sniper near the LoC in Nowgam sector and later succumbed to injuries, an army spokesman said here.

He said Pakistan troops resorted to firing on forward positions in the sector around 1300 hours, violating the ceasefire once again.

The spokesman said the identity of the slain JCO, and other details of the incident will follow in due course.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Explosives seized from militant hideout in Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir - The Hindu
Updated: August 25, 2015 11:06 IST

Security forces unearthed a huge cache of ammunition and explosives from a militant hideout in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Acting on a specific inputs, a joint team of army and police launched a search operation at Thatharka village in Gool area of Ramban district on Monday and busted a militant hideout, a defence spokesman said in Jammu on Tuesday.

They seized two Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs), one RPG round, six UBGL grenades, six Chinese hand grenades, 262 AK ammunition, two US AK magazines, three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), three wax type explosives, five kilograms loose explosive, 30 meters cortex wire, three cube explosives, 13 detonators, one kenwood radio set and one radio repeater, he said.

Army and police conducted searches in the area but there was no trace of militants, he said, adding a case has been registered by police in connection with the seizure.



An Army Jawan moves take position in cross-LoC...An Army Jawan moves take position after a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in cross-LoC firing by Pakistani troops, at Nowgam Sector near LoC in Kupwara district on Tuesday. PTI Photo.

Army Personnel prepare to take on hiding militants during an encounter at Khumhair forests of Handwara District of north kashmir on Sunday. PTI Photo
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[Hindustani78]

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi with JKPCC President Ghulam Ahmad Mir meeting with the people affected by Pakistani firing in areas along the Line of Control at Balakot sector in Poonch.

Army personnel take positions during an encounter with the militants near the Line of Control in Uri.