Pakistan violates ceasefire along International Border in Jammu

[Hindustani78]

Army roping in locals in J&K border areas for intelligence - The Hindu

Army is seeking to rope in locals for boosting intelligence in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir against the backdrop of a number of attacks carried out by terrorists after infiltrating from Pakistan.

This comes weeks after locals in Udhampur caught alive a Pakistani terrorist who was on the run after carrying out a strike, along with an associate, on a BSF bus.

To seek active involvement of the locals, a conference was held on Tuesday with an aim of ensuring coordination between the military and civilians for facilitating timely exchange of information with respect to any suspicious movement in and around the villages along the border villages in Jammu region.

The conference held in Samba, bordering Pakistan, was attended by 47 ex-servicemen and sarpanches of several villages, a Defence Ministry spokesman said here.

“Such initiatives by the Army will go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of people of the area and further bonding between the Army and locals,” he said.

The effort to rope in locals in getting intelligence inputs assumes significance as terrorists from Pakistan, after managing to sneak into India, have carried out a number of attacks, including at security assets.

The latest case was the attack in Udhampur, where two Pakistani terrorists targeted a BSF bus. Significantly, locals there caught one of the terrorists alive while another was shot dead by the BSF personnel. - PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Pak terrorist captured after encounter in Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 27, 2015, (PTI)

A Pakistani terrorist was today captured alive while his four associates were killed in an overnight encounter with army in Kashmir, weeks after Naved from the Pakistan was nabbed in Udhampur.

The arrested terrorist was identified as 22-year-old Sajjad Ahmed from Muzaffargarh in south west Pakistan, army said.
Sajjad was nabbed after an overnight encounter near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rafiabad area of Baramulla district.
One terrorist was killed in the encounter yesterday while three were killed today.
One soldier was also injured yesterday.

The security forces had yesterday launched a massive operation in north Kashmir, ranging from Uri sector near the Line of Control to Panzalla in Rafiabad area, following information about presence of a group of militants in the area.

"Three militants have been killed while one has been arrested alive during the operation in Rafiabad," an army official said today.A police official said the arrested terrorist is being shifted to Srinagar for questioning

 

[Hindustani78]

Pak shelling leaves 3 civilians dead, 17 injured in Jammu | Zee News
Last Updated: Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 00:31
Jammu: Three civilians were killed and 17 injured as Pakistani troops on Friday pounded border areas of Jammu with heavy shelling and firing since the wee hours, in yet another ceasefire violation.

BSF retaliated strongly to the Pakistani firing and shelling in RS Pura and Arnia sectors along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district.

"Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing. Initially small arms were used but later on mortar bombs were shelled on BSF posts and civilian areas in RS Pura and Arnia sectors," BSF spokesman said.

The firing and mortar shelling started around 0145 hours in Kishanpur, Jora Form, Jugnu Chak, Nawapind, Gharna, Sia, Abdullian and Chandu Chak areas in RS Pura sector and at 0430 hours in Arnia sector, a police officer said.

The shelling was so heavy that the shells landed deep inside villages much away from IB, he said.

In the shelling and firing, three civilians were killed, 17 others injured, four of them critically, the officer said adding the injured have been hospitalised.

While two persons died in RS Pura sector, one died in Arnia sector.

Scores of animals were also injured and some buildings suffered damages in the firing, Deputy Commissioner (Jammu) Samreendeep Singh said.

"BSF troops deployed in these forward areas gave a befitting reply and fired on the forward areas of Pakistan along the Line of Control, causing damage to them," officials said.

"No damage or casualty to BSF troops has been reported till last reports came in," they added.

There have been 55 violations of the border ceasefire agreement by Pakistan in August and over 245 ceasefire violations during the year so far.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
29-August, 2015 16:51 IST
Union Home Minister meets the injured J&K Constable

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh met the Constable of Jammu and Kashmir police, Shri Mohd. Salim who was injured during an encounter with terrorists, at AIIMS in New Delhi today. Shri Salim was a part of J&K Police team who participated in the encounter with the Pakistani terrorists in the Panzla forest area in Rafiabad, 85 km from Srinagar on August 27, 2015. The badly injured Constable was admitted to AIIMS for better treatment. Shri Rajnath Singh wished him for a speedy recovery.

Shri Rajnath Singh also met the Border Security Force Jawan, Shri Ashok Kumar who was badly injured in an ambush in LWE affected area of Malkangiri, who is also undergoing treatment in AIIMS, New Delhi. Shri Rajnath Singh wished him also for a speedy recovery.

***

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh interacting with the Constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Shri Mohd. Salim who is injured during an encounter with terrorists, at AIIMS, in New Delhi on August 29, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

A mother of a missing Kashmiri youth cries during a protest organized by the Association of Parents of Disappeared (APDP) in Srinagar, India.

 

[Hindustani78]

Police recovers 400 rounds of ammunition in Jammu | Zee News

Jammu: Police has recovered around 400 rounds of assorted weapons lying amidst bushes in Narwal area of the city.


"A team of our Criminal Investigation department (CID) first recovered 300 rounds of ammunition of assorted weapons lying near some bushes last evening," a police officer said.

She said that after further search of the area around 100 more rounds were recovered from there.

"Few days ago around 1,000 to 1,200 rounds of ammunition were stolen from an ammunition shop, this seems to be part of that consignment," he said.

PTI


First Published: Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - 12:58

 

[Hindustani78]

J&K: Army detains four youths planning to cross LoC for arms training | The Indian Express

• The youths were questioned by the Army patrol that was patrolling the area. Upon questioning, officials said the youths couldn't satisfy the army jawans about their purpose in the area.
  

Written by Mir Ehsan | Srinagar | Published:September 1, 2015 6:41 pm




This is the second time in the recent past when young boys were detained in Kupwara district as they were intending to cross the LoC

Four youths from North Kashmir’s Sopore town were apprehended by the Army in the frontier district of Kupwara while they were planning to cross the Line of Control to seek arms training.

This is the second time in the recent past when young boys were detained in Kupwara district as they were intending to cross the LoC. Officials said that on Monday four young boys were moving suspiciously at village Vilgam in Kupwara district.

The youths were questioned by the Army patrol that was patrolling the area. Upon questioning, officials said the youths couldn’t satisfy the army jawans about their purpose in the area.

Officials said that all the four youths were detained and during questioning they revealed that they are from Krankshavan locality of Sopore town and had traveled to Kupwara with an intention to cross the LoC. Officials said that these youths are 16 to 19 years old and are known to each other. The village where these boys were detained though falls in the frontier district but it is distant from the LoC. Officials said that these young men who tried to cross the LoC didn’t have any kind support from any militant group or organization.

The Army’s local unit later handed over these boys to the police for questioning. A senior police officer told The Indian Express that these young boys after proper counseling would be handed over to their parents.

Earlier in July, police and army had detained four students of Army Goodwill School in Handwara at Yemlar village near the LoC. The boys were also planning to cross the LoC. During questioning the students had revealed that they decided to cross the LoC for a “picnic”. After proper counseling the boys were later handed over to their parents.

- See more at: J&K: Army detains four youths planning to cross LoC for arms training | The Indian Express

 

[Hindustani78]

One Army jawan killed in Baramulla encounter, gunbattle with 2 dreaded terrorists still on | Zee News

Encounter between militants, security forces underway in J&K's Baramulla
Baramulla: One army jawan has been killed in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Ladoora village in Rafiabad in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

The encounter which began around 7:20 am is still underway.

Two terrorists are believed to have been engaged in the gunbattle. The terrorists are said to be associated with terror group - Lashkar-e-Islam - the outfit that recently targeted cellphone operators in the valley. The area has been cordoned off.

An Army officer assured that the situation is under control. He also added that they will be eliminated soon as they are in the village and have not gone inside the forest.

Rafiabad is the same area from where the security personnel had captured second Pakistan terrorist Sajjad Hussain alive on August 28.

Sajjad was captured on August 28 following an overnight encounter near the Line of Control (LoC).

The recent cancellation of NSA-level talks between India and Pakistan has escalated tension across LoC, in which two terrorists were captured alive and several civilians were killed.

 

[Hindustani78]

Gun battle breaks out in north Kashmir's Rafiabad area - The Hindu

Preliminary reports suggest Qayoom Najar, “operational commander” of a Hizbul Mujahideen splinter group, may be trapped in a house at the encounter site.
A soldier and a militant have been killed in an ongoing operation in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Police sources said one militant is killed in the encounter, which followed a search operation launched in the morning in Rafiabad’s Ladoora area, 55 km north of Srinagar.

The dead militant is identified as Riyaz Ahmad, a resident of Brath Kalan, Sopore.

A soldier has also lost his life after he was reportedly hit by bullets at the encounter site. The Army has not revealed the name of the dead soldier so far.

Police sources told The Hindu that one more holed up militant continued to fire at the search party as the operation continues for more than 11 hours.

Resident and eyewitnesses, however, claimed that the security forces were using explosives to blast a few houses to end the operation before sunset.

Preliminary reports suggest operational commander of splinter group of Hizbul Mujahideen Qayoom Najar may be trapped in the house. However, there is no official confirmation about the number of militants and their identity.

The operation was on till last reports came in at around 4.30 p.m.

 

[Hindustani78]

Army personnel move towards the house where militants were holed up at Ladoora village in Rafiabad area of Baramulla district.

Ceasefire violation, infiltration to be raised in BSF-Pak Rangers meet | Zee News
Last Updated: Thursday, September 3, 2015 - 20:40

New Delhi: Repeated violation of ceasefire and frequent infiltration attempts by terrorists will be in top agenda of the meeting between heads of border guards of India and Pakistan to be held here next week.

The meeting between chiefs of Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers will be held from September 9 to 13, a fortnight after the cancellation of NSA talks between India and Pakistan.

"The agenda for the meeting has been exchanged by the two sides. From Indian side, we will raise the issue of repeated ceasefire violation and frequent infiltration attempts by terrorists," a senior official said.

Killings of civilians living along the border due to firing from Pakistan will be forcefully raised by the BSF. The Pakistan Rangers are also expected to raise the same issue as they have been claiming casualties in their side too.

BSF is keen to take up the issue of infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan, with the particular case being the recent one in which the infiltrators struck in Gurdaspur and Udhampur.

The Indian side will also take up the issue of smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes and drugs as also unauthorised construction of defence infrastructure, the official said.

Confirmation by Pakistan for the DG-level talks comes despite it calling off the NSA talks a fortnight ago after India made it clear that Kashmiri separatist leaders would not be allowed to meet Pakistani NSA Sartaj Aziz during his visit here.

The decision on meeting of NSAs and heads of border guards was taken during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Ufa, Russia, on July 10.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Four militants, soldier dead in another Kashmir encounter - The Hindu
Updated: September 3, 2015 11:31 IST

Four militants and an army jawan were killed in an encounter in Handwara area of Kupwara district, more than 60 km away from Srinagar, in an overnight encounter.

Preliminary reports suggest the encounter started on Wednesday night when security forces cordoned off Sochalwari hamlet of Handwara.

According to police sources, four militants are suspected dead so far. A soldier is also reportedly dead in the encounter.

There is no official confirmation though.

The killings have come just a day after local militant and an army man were killed in a gun battle between security forces and militants in Rafiabad area of Baramulla district.

 

[Hindustani78]

Pakistan targets Indian post in Jammu and Kashmir, BSF retaliates | Zee News

Last Updated: Friday, September 4, 2015 - 08:26

Jammu: Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked shelling at a Border Security Force (BSF) post along the international border in the Jammu district on Friday.


"Pakistan Rangers started unprovoked shelling and firing at Tube Well 5 border outpost of the BSF today (Friday) in R.S.Pura sector," a police officer told IANS.

"The shelling and firing started at 2.10 a.m," he added.

"BSF is effectively retaliating. Firing exchanges are still on in the area."

IANS


First Published: Friday, September 4, 2015 - 08:26

 

[Hindustani78]

Army personnel inspecting arms and ammunition recovered in Kupwara district of Kashmir on Thursday.

Updated: September 4, 2015 02:42 IST
Four militants gunned down in Kashmir - The Hindu

Four militants have been killed in an encounter in the Handwara area of Kupwara district, more than 60 km from Srinagar, taking the number of terrorists killed in just one week to eight. The Army lost one solider, the second casualty for the force in 24 hours.

“Based on specific intelligence about the presence of three or four terrorists in the Haphruda forest, a joint operation was launched by the Army and the police on Wednesday evening. A fierce gun battle ensued, which continued intermittently through the night resulting in elimination of four terrorists,” said the Srinagar-based defence spokesman Lt. Col. N. N. Joshi.

Not identified

He said the identity of the slain militants was being ascertained.

“Four AK-47 rifles, one under-barrel grenade launcher, ammunition, grenades and radio sets were recovered from them,” he added.

One soldier was killed and three injured in the overnight encounter that ended on Thursday morning.

The fresh killings came just a day after a local militant and an Army man were killed in an 11-hour gun battle in the Rafiabad area of Baramulla district.

Three militants were killed and one held in north Kashmir’s Rafiabad area on August 27.

The security agencies fear that handlers across the border are trying to push more militants into the Valley ahead of winter as snowfall leads to closure of passes near the Line of Control.

 

[Hindustani78]

Army commander says 'not easy to infiltrate' along Line of Control - The Economic Times
By PTI | 4 Sep, 2015, 08.09PM IST

JAMMU: The security grid on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir is firmly in place and infiltration will not be easy, a top army official said today.

"As far as infiltration is concerned, we are quite vigilant on LoC and the fence. I do not think it will be that easy to infiltrate," General Officer Commanding (GoC), 16 Corps (White Knight Corps), Lt Gen R R Nimbhorkar, told reporters here today

He was replying to a volley of questions about the infiltration, ceasefire violations and security situation and ISIS footprint.

"The security grid is in place and our troops are geared up for any kind of the eventuality. We are strong and well equipped to deal with any situation," the GoC said.

Asked whether the firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan is aimed at aiding infiltration by militants, he said it is the modus operandi which Pakistan undertakes as far as infiltration of militants is concerned.

On the general security situation along the border and internal areas, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said "the (security) situation is alright. There is no criticality".

As far as escalation in ceasefire violations is concerned, he said it is difficult to answer. "As far as military point of view is concerned, I cannot find any reason behind escalation in border skirmishes. We would have do much more analysis to find the reason," he said.

Asked whether the expanding footprint of ISIS in Azad Kashmir and other regions is a concern, the Army officer said it is a concern all over the world. "The international community is aware of danger it poses," he added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Lance Naik MN Goswami: Braveheart commando who laid down his life after eliminating 10 militants | Zee News

Srinagar: Lance Naik Mohan Nath Goswami, a Special Forces Commando of the Army who laid down his life while battling militants in Handwara on Thursday, had eliminated 10 militants in a short span of 11 days before making the supreme sacrifice in Kashmir.

"In the last 11 days, he was actively involved in three counter-terrorism operations in the Kashmir Valley in which 10 terrorists have been eliminated and one captured alive," Udhampur-based Defence Spokesman Colonel S D Goswami said.

The spokesman said Lance Naik Goswami volunteered to join the elite Para Commando outfit of the Army in 2002 and went on to gain the reputation of being one of the toughest soldiers of his unit -- "no small feat in an outfit that boasts of being one among the best in the world".

The Lance Naik volunteered for all operational missions undertaken by his unit and was a part of numerous successful counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The first operation was conducted in Khurmur, Handwara, on August 23. The operation resulted in elimination of three hardcore LeT terrorists of Pakistan origin.

"He volunteered for a second back to back operation in Rafiabad, Kashmir. The operation was conducted over two days on August 26 and 27. It witnessed a fierce gunfight that led to the elimination of three more LeT terrorists," the spokesman said.

He said Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Sajjad Ahmad alias Abu Ubaidullah, resident of Muzzafargarh, Pakistan was captured alive in this operation. "The apprehension of a terrorist has proved to be a shot in the arm to prove Pakistan's complicity in abetting terrorism in J&K," he added.

Lance Naik Goswami once again volunteered to be part of an operation launched in the dense Hafruda forest near Kupwara. "This proved to be his last operation but not before elimination of four terrorists in a heavy gunbattle," the spokesman said.

A true soldier, Lance Naik Goswami breathed his last in action.

"The mortal remains of this brave heart commando have been flown by an IAF aircraft to his home town in Bareilly. They will be taken by Army helicopter to Pant Nagar and onward to his native place where he will be cremated with full military honour," he said.

Lance Naik Goswami was a resident of Village Indira Nagar, Haldwani in Nainital. He is survived by wife and a seven-year-old daughter.

PTI