Pakistan violates ceasefire along International Border in Jammu

[Hindustani78]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...woman-killed-in-handwara-gunfight/511827.html

Tribune News Service

Srinagar/Handwara, dec 11

At least three militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in a gunfight in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district. A 25-year-old woman was also killed in the “crossfire”, triggering protests.

The gunfight erupted around 12.30 am when joint teams of the police, Army and the CRPF launched a cordon and search operation at Unisoo in Handwara, 70 km from Srinagar, after a specific input about the presence of militants. “The militants tried to break the cordon and fired indiscriminately. In the six-hour gunfight, three militants were killed.

Unfortunately a woman, Mysara, was inside the house where the militants were holed up and was wounded in the crossfire. She later succumbed,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police, north Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi.

“The other family members in the house where the militants were hiding were taken out by the forces.” The three slain Lashkar-e-Toiba militants are suspected to be Pakistan nationals.

Three AK rifles along with ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. While the security forces maintain that the three militants were killed during gunfight, sources, however, said one of the foreign militants was arrested in an injured condition during the gunfight. He succumbed to his injuries later.

As the news about the death of the woman spread in the area, a large number of people came out on streets to stage a protest against the killing.

The protesters shouted “pro-freedom” slogans and also blocked the Sopore-Handwara road for some time. The woman is survived by a 5-month-old baby girl and husband. Meanwhile, internet services were suspended in Kupwara district to foil protests.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/pak-terrorist-s-nia-custody-extended/511829.html

New Delhi, December 11 A Delhi court has allowed further custody of the Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist, arrested recently along the Line of Control in Kashmir, to the National Investigation Agency till December 18.

The accused, identified as Mohammed Amir Awan, was arrested by the Army on November 24 from Handwara in north Kashmir during an intensive search launched after an encounter in the area on November 21 that had left three Lashkar militants dead.

One soldier was also killed in the encounter. District judge Poonam A Bamba extended his NIA custody after he was produced before the court on expiry of his earlier custody.

In its application, the probe agency told the court that the accused was needed for further custodial interrogation. The matter was transferred to the NIA, which had registered a case on November 26 and taken custody of the terrorist.

During initial interrogation, he had identified himself as Mohammed Amir Awan, whose code in the Lashkar terror group was Abu Haamaz, the NIA said.

The accused told his interrogators that he hailed from Bardiya town near Karachi and was recruited and trained by the terror group. He was allegedly pushed into Kashmir from Azad Kashmir to carry out attacks on important installations in the Valley, the NIA said. — PTI

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...ips-on-farming-during-10-day-tour/511835.html

Sarpanches with Army personnel during a capacity building tour. Tribune Photo


Tribune News Service


Jammu, December 11

A 10-day capacity building tour for sarpanches of Kishtwar to Delhi and Agra culminated at Batote on Sunday. It was organised by the Army.

The tour which commenced on December 1 was flagged off by the Army and civil officials from Kishtwar.

As part of the tour, the sarpanches visited the Indian Agricultural and Research Institute in Delhi, where they were introduced to latest developments in the field of agriculture and techniques of polyhouse farming and biogas plant implementation by Dr Nafees Ahmed.

They also got an opportunity to get an insight into the rich heritage of the country through visits to India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament, Jamia Masjid, Red Fort as well as Tank Museum in Delhi Cantonment. In Agra, they met District Magistrate, Agra, Gaurav Dayal, who made them aware about the panchayati raj system. They also visited Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the Mughal Fortress of Fatehpur Sikri.

On their return journey, the sarpanches met and interacted with Krishna Raj, Central Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, at Krishi Bhawan, Delhi, where they were introduced to various government initiatives on increasing farmers’ income and creating employment opportunities in the agrarian sector.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/five-arrested-with-narcotics-in-kathua/512210.html

Our Correspondent

Kathua, December 12

The Kathua police have arrested five persons, including a woman, along with 4 kg of charas, 105 gm of heroin and 1,960 bottles of Corex in separate cases. SSP Suleman Choudhary said a police team led by in charge of the Industrial Estate police post, Kathua, spotted a woman in the Sawan Chak area during patrolling. She was trying to escape after seeing the police.

The woman was, however, intercepted and 4 kg of charas was recovered from her. In another incident, a police team intercepted a person near the local radio station. During search, the police recovered 105 gm of heroin from his possession. The accused has been identified as Mohd Ashraf of Achin, Pulwama.

Meanwhile, the Lakhanpur police intercepted a truck at a naka laid at the new Ravi bridge here. On search, the police recovered 1960 bottles (100-ml each) of Max Coff-T.

The driver, Abdul Rashid Mir of Malangpura, Pulwama, along with his two associates, namely Owais Bashir of Pulwama and Amir Ahmed Wani of Pattan in Barmulla, were arrested.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri N.N. Vohra calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on December 16, 2017.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...rity-situation-in-kashmir/article21823498.ece

Srinagar:, December 16, 2017 21:43 IST
Updated: December 16, 2017 21:51 IST

Lt. Gen. Anbu was accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen. J S Sandhu who briefed him about the winter preparedness of the formations and measures taken to meet the challenges posed by weather, he said.

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen. D Anbu on Saturday reviewed the security situation in the Kashmir region during his one-day visit to the valley.

He visited the formations and units in north Kashmir for a review of the prevailing security situation in the region, an Army spokesman said.

During the visit, Lt. Gen. Anbu was accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen. J S Sandhu who briefed him about the winter preparedness of the formations and measures taken to meet the challenges posed by weather, he said.

The northern army commander also interacted with the troops and emphasised on the need for undertaking relentless intelligence-based operations to sustain pressure on terrorist organisations, the spokesman said.

Commending the troops for their dedication and high standards of professionalism, the Lt Gen. asked them to continue strict vigil to thwart any nefarious designs of inimical elements despite the prevalent weather conditions, he said.

He also reinforced the need for coordination with other security agencies to effectively meet any emerging challenges and maintain a safe, secure and peaceful environment for the people, the spokesman said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Srinagar, December 16, 2017 10:35 IST
Updated: December 16, 2017 10:35 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-from-pulwama-says-police/article21820120.ece

Army personnel take position during a gun battle with militants. Photo used for illustration purpose only. | Photo Credit: PTI


Acting on a tip-off, the body was recovered from the Tral area of the district, a police official said.
The body of a terrorist belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was found by the police from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off, the body was recovered from the Tral area of the district, a police official said.

He added that the slain terrorist, apparently a foreign national, was killed in an explosion which took place while explosives were being assembled in a hideout.

The identity of the slain terrorist was being ascertained, the official said.

Director General of Police (DGP) S.P. Vaid said the slain terrorist belonged to the JeM and that he was killed in an explosion while an improvised explosive device (IED) was being fabricated in a hideout.

“While fabricating IED in a hideout near Handura Aripal Tral explosion took place in which one terrorist of reportedly JEM died whose body has been recovered by J&K Police/SF (security forces) (sic),” he wrote on Twitter.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...operation-all-out-to-continue-dgp/514216.html

Jammu, December 16

Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid on Saturday said 2018 would be less troublesome as the situation in the Valley was fast limping back to normal.

He said ‘Operation all-out’, an offensive launched by security forces to flush out militants, would continue till there was complete peace in the state.

The top cop was replying to a query on the possible impact on the state after the killing of over 200 militants under the operation last year.

“The people of Kashmir will feel peace very soon,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

“The credit for the success (in killing over 200 militants this year) goes to the jawans and officers of the security forces who worked hard during the operation, especially those who sacrificed their lives,” the DGP said.

In reply to another question, Vaid said, “I do not think the next year will be challenging like this one. The next year will be better”.

On a proposal to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras for surveillance at Katra town in Reasi district, which serves as a base camp for those visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Vaid said the decision was taken keeping in mind the huge rush of devotees.

“Over one crore pilgrims visit the shrine annually and the decision (to install more CCTVs) was taken keeping in mind the security of devotees. It is imperative as far as security and safety of pilgrims is concerned,” he said.

Expressing concern over drug trafficking in the state, the police chief sought cooperation of people in rooting out the menace.

Earlier addressing a function organised by the Police Hospital, Jammu, the DGP said there cannot be a better welfare activity for police personnel than having a good health facility.

“Our dream is to have an independent building for police hospital. We have a good plan for the new building. We are looking for the financial part,” he added. PTI

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...r-s-kupwara/story-3JDOHgj0rFDYYEnSjNTTvN.html

While the family of Asif Iqbal said he was shot “without warning” when he came out of the house to ferry some patients to a hospital, army sources said he was challenged but did not stop, forcing them to fire.
india Updated: Dec 17, 2017 10:36 IST

A taxi driver was allegedly killed by army soldiers in North Kashmir’s Kupwara area during a cordon operation.

While the family of the slain driver, Asif Iqbal, said he was shot “without warning” when he came out of the house to ferry some patients to a hospital on his registered taxi, army sources said he was challenged but did not stop, forcing them to fire.

He died on the way to hospital.

The incident took place on Saturday night when army soldiers had laid an ambush in Kralpora area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir following information regarding movement of militants.

Army, however, has given no official statement on the incident.

Police officials who did not want to be named confirmed the incident and said there was no report of any subversive activity against the slain driver.

DIG (north), V K Birdi told HT that the army’s 21 RR had cordoned the area.

“As per their version, unusual activity was observed in the area. Army officials said that some people came out of their homes and were trying to come towards the cordon. According to army, they were even fired upon from the other side,” he said.

“Iqbal, according to the army, was running towards the cordon. Even after being challenged, he did not stop. So they fired on him,” Birdi said.

Meanwhile, SSP Kupwara, Shamsheer Hussain was quoted by a local news agency GNS as saying that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Police has initiated an inquiry into the matter.

Reports say internet services have been blocked in the area.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...g-militants/article21852437.ece?homepage=true

December 18, 2017 20:59 IST
Updated: December 18, 2017 20:59 IST

A police officer told The Hindu that Shameem Ahmad Dar, of Hakbara in Bandipora district, was being interrogated for his role in the supply of the bullets meant for the police to militants. Dar, posted at the District Police Line in Pulwama, was arrested by the Special Operations Group, Kulgam, as part of “an ongoing investigation of a militant module.”

Two policemen were arrested in south Kashmir in October on a similar charge.

A militant hideout was unearthed at Chandergair in Hajin. A police officer said Rayees Ahmad Baba, a resident of Bon-Mohalla Asham, was arrested. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the cowshed of Abdul Rehman Parrey. Six militants, including the nephew of Zakiur-Rehman Lakhvi, a top leader of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and a commando of the Indian Air Force GARUD were killed in a gunfight in the same house in November.

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Army personnel carry rocket launchers during an encounter in Kashmir Valley. File | Photo Credit: PTI

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...an-is-killed-in-crossfire/article21827929.ece
December 17, 2017 23:31 IST
Updated: December 17, 2017 23:41 IST

Government orders magisterial probe into the incident

A civilian died in an Army ambush, laid for militants, in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Sunday, triggering violent protests and widespread condemnation. The government ordered a magisterial inquiry.

Asif Iqbal Bhat, a driver from Thindpura in Kupwara, died of bullet injuries after the Army fired at a vehicle in the early hours. The Army spokesman said the ambush party observed the suspicious movement of three persons in Thindpura. “The individuals were challenged and they did not respond. Thereafter, terrorists opened fire. In the crossfire, Bhat was killed. An investigation is in progress,” he said.

‘No provocation’

However, the victim’s brother alleged that the Army opened fire without any provocation when Bhat left home to pick a passenger, who had booked his cab. “My brother was shot in the head. The Army opened indiscriminate fire on our home when I and my father tried to reach the spot,” he said.

‘Mistaken identity’

The police, who filed a First Information Report (FIR), called it “an incident of mistaken identity.” “An inquiry committee has been constituted. Nobody is above the law. We will investigate the circumstances leading to the firing,” said Shamsher Hussain, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara.

Protests and clashes

After violent protests and clashes in the district all through the day, the government ordered a probe, headed by Deputy Commissioner (Kupwara) Khalid Jahangir. The inquiry will be completed in 21 days. “If anyone is found guilty, action will be taken,” Mr. Jahangir said.

Security forces used tear-gas shells to contain the situation in the area, where Internet services remained suspended.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani and JKLF chief Yasin Malik called it a “cold-blooded murder.”

“With unbridled powers and impunity, the trigger-happy forces continue to kill in such a cold-blooded and merciless manner. Not a single soldier or policeman involved has ever been booked,” the Mirwaiz said.

Mr. Malik said the “shameless statements of the government and the ruling party is to cover up this gruesome act.” “Pro-India rulers, led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, justify these killings of Kashmiris by putting the blame on the oppressed,” he said.

“An uninvestigated claim of a young life lost in ‘cross-firing’ shouldn’t be used to brush the incident under the carpet,” National Conference working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.

A Congress spokesman asked the security forces “to ensure the safety of the innocent while dealing with militants.” “The incident must be investigated and justice ensured. The government should provide full compensation to the bereaved family,” he said.

CPI(M) MLA from Kulgam M.Y. Tarigami said such incidents could have been avoided had the security forces exercised maximum restraint. “Such killing is bound to inflame the situation. Unfortunately, no distinction is being made between the civilians and the militants,” he said.

Independent MLA Engineer Rashid staged a protest.

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https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...s-bandipora-district/articleshow/62118226.cms

Security forces today busted a militant hideout in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir and seized a cache of arms and ammunition.

Acting on a tip off, security forces launched a search operation on the property, including a cowshed, of one Abdul Rehman Parray at Chandangeer in Bandipora and seized ammunition, including four grenades and a grenade launcher, a police official said.

He said five AK magazines, 42 AK rounds, one GPS and two wireless sets were also found in the cowshed.

The owners of the property had abandoned it following a gunfight there between militants and security forces.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/9334796_Two-Jaish-operatives-killed--Woman-dies-in-crossfire.html

17:48 HRS IST
Srinagar, Dec 19 (PTI) Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were gunned down by security forces in an overnight encounter in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir while a woman also died after getting hit in the crossfire, police said today.

According to a police spokesperson, the slain militants were involved in several terror incidents including an attack on the vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Bank near Poju in Shopian on December 11 in which two guards were killed.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Wanipora area of Shopian last evening following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

The search operation turned into an encounter as militants opened fire, he added.

"Two militants were killed while a third apparently managed to escape from the spot," the official said.

He said that a lady was injured during the exchange of fire. She was shifted to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

Some miscreants pelted stones at security forces during the operation, prompting the use of crowd control weapons including tear gas to disperse them, he said.

People should refrain from going near the encounter site as the area has not yet been sanitised, the official added.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said two security personnel -- one from the Army and a policeman -- were injured during the operation.

Giving details , the spokesman said during the encounter, at the request of his family, police officials made repeated announcements asking local militant Tanveer Ahmad to surrender but he ignored the offer.

"The terrorists continued firing on the security forces which was retaliated. Two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were killed in this encounter and were identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran, Shopian, and Ali alias Qari, a foreigner.

Two AK rifles and other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site," he said.

The spokesman said that another terrorist fled from the encounter site taking advantage of the darkness.

"During cross-firing, one lady identified as Ruby, wife of Manzoor Ahmad Mir was critically injured. She later succumbed to injuries at district hospital Pulwama," he added.

The official said that nine civilians were injured adding their condition was said to be stable.

Shopian: People inspecting the damaged houses where militants were hiding during an encounter. A woman and two unidentified militants were killed during an overnight encounter with security

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http://www.ptinews.com/news/9333509_Cache-of-arms--ammunition-seized-in-Rajouri.html
13:13 HRS IST
Jammu, Dec 19 (PTI) A large cache of arms and ammunition was seized in Gamir-Mughla area of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri in a joint operation by the Army and the police, an Army official said.

Weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a Rocket propelled Grenade (RPG), were seized last evening during the operation which was launched following an input, the officer said.

Two pistols and a sizeable quantity of AK and Pika ammunition were also seized, he said.

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ral-injured/article21912121.ece?homepage=true

A file photo of the army in Shopian | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad


The clashes occurred after the killing of two militants by the security forces.

One woman was killed and eight people suffered injuries on Tuesday in clashes with security forces in Shopian’s Batmurran area, sparked by the killing of two militants in a night-long gunfight with security forces.

“With today’s killing of a civilian in Shopian, the number of civilians killed in Kashmir in 2017 has reached 60. This after the 100 plus killed in 2016. For all the claims and rhetoric of reconciliation, this is a stark, sad reality,” said NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu.

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...n-2017-govt/article21938321.ece?homepage=true

New Delhi, December 19, 2017 21:08 IST
Updated: December 19, 2017 21:10 IST

The 740-km LoC is under the operational control of the Army and 192 km of IB in Jammu is manned by the Border Security Force. | Photo Credit: PTI


The Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday

There was a 230% increase in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) this year compared to 2016, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

In 2017, Pakistan violated ceasefire 771 times along the LoC while the figure stood at 228 last year. There were 153 violations in 2014. There were 110 violations along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, the lowest in four years.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire a total of 881 times along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir this year, killing 30 people, the Lok Sabha was informed.

The 740-km LoC is under the operational control of the Army and 192 km of IB in Jammu is manned by the Border Security Force.

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

In 2016, there were 449 ceasefire violations in which 13 civilians and 13 security personnel were killed. As many as 83 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured.

Note ban impact
The government also released data on the impact of demonetisation on terror incidents, which showed an increase Jammu and Kashmir in 2017 in comparison to last year. There were 341 terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir from November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 in comparison to 311 in the corresponding period the previous year, the Lok Sabha was informed.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in Lok Sabha that incidents of stone throwing had reduced considerably in Jammu and Kashmir. “..the overall security situation in the country post demonetisation has shown improvement,” he said in reply to a written question.

He said ₹90 lakh had been seized from Maoist cadres and supporters in Naxal-affected areas after the government scrapped ₹1,000 and ₹500 notes on November 8, 2016.

As many as 564 Naxal cadres and sympathisers surrendered during the period from November 8 to November 29, 2016.

The Minister said insurgency in the Northeast was at a low ebb in many States. There were 857 incidents of Naxal violence from November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 in comparison to 1,078 in the same period the previous year.

There were 323 militancy-related incidents in the Northeast between November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 in comparison to 507 in the same period of the previous year, the Minister added.

 

[rohailmalhi]

May their souls rest in peace.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs
19-December, 2017 15:50 IST
Relief for stone pelters

The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir to review the cases registered against the youths/persons and examine the legal aspects of withdrawal/closure of such cases which are not heinous in nature. The Committee has recommended 850 cases involving 4961 (one time offenders) persons/youths subject to certain terms and condition to the State Government.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply to question by Adv. Chintaman Navasha Wanaga in the Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Home Affairs
19-December, 2017 15:49 IST
Use of plastic bullets against protesters

As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) adopted by Jammu and Kashmir Police including law enforcing agencies for dispersal of unlawful assembly, less lethal weapons should be used as per the established use-of-force policy. The use of force should be guided by objectives of restoring peace, dispersal of violent unlawful assembly with use of such force as is required to minimize the casualty but without compromising safety for Law Enforcement Elements and peace loving citizens. The hierarchy of usage of forces inter-alia includes use of rubber bullet/ plastic bullets. Since, the contents of the SOP and the suggested security measures contain classified information, therefore, further details in the matter cannot be disclosed in the interest of the national security.

The Government has appointed Shri Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of Intelligence Bureau, to initiate and carry forward a dialogue with elected representatives, various organizations and concerned individuals in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Considering the positive initial response from different sections of people in Jammu and Kashmir, it is expected that all stakeholders in the state who believe in peace would support the Government initiative and join the dialogue process.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply to question by Dr. P. Venugopal in the Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Home Affairs
20-December, 2017 16:09 IST
Prevention of Torture Bill

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had intimated on 21.05.2014 that the revised Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010, as recommended by a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha, had lapsed on dissolution of the 15thLok Sabha on 18th May, 2014. Presently, there is no proposal in this Ministry to table the Revised Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in written reply to a question by Smt. Vandana Chavan in the Rajya Sabha today.



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[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/649569/batch-three-fm-radio-e.html
Prakash Kumar, DH News Service, New Delhi, Dec 22 2017, 19:59 IST

A total of 97 channels in 56 cities were auctioned in Batch-I while it was 66 channels in 48 cities in Batch-II. DH file photo

The Union Cabinet has approved the rollout of the third batch of e-auctions of private FM radio stations for 683 channels in 236 cities.

"The Cabinet approval has paved the way for undertaking the auction of 683 channels in 236 cities in subsequent batches," a source said.

"These cities include those in the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast where the population is less than 1 lakh. This batch of the auction will also cover cities in districts which are badly affected by Left-wing extremism," the source added.

Batch-I and Batch-II auctions of private FM radio stations under Phase-III of the FM policy guidelines, as approved by the Cabinet in 2011, were held by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

A total of 97 channels in 56 cities were auctioned in Batch-I while it was 66 channels in 48 cities in Batch-II.

"With the complete rollout of FM Phase-III auctions, all the 29 states and 6 out of the 7 UTs (except Dadra & Nagar Haveli) will be covered by private FM radio broadcasting," the source said.

The government hopes that the move would generate "direct and indirect employment to more than 10,000 people on a pan India basis."

"These auctions will yield an estimated revenue of more than Rs 1,100 crore," the source added.

In order to ensure complete transparency, the Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending Process will be adopted for the e-auction.

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...o-jawan-killed-in-gurez-avalanche/517413.html

Two soldiers injured in mine blast in Poonch Rajouri:

Posted at: Dec 23, 2017, 1:02 AM;
last updated: Dec 23, 2017, 1:02 AM (IST)

Two soldiers of Naga unit were injured seriously when one of them reportedy stepped on an abandoned mine in a forward location in Poonch district on Friday. Sources said the soldiers were patrolling a forward location in the Gulpur sector when an abandoned mine blasted off under the foot of one of the soldiers. The injured have been identified as Sepoy W Thung and Sepoy Rakesh. The soldiers, who have splinter injuries in their eyes and on the face, were immediately taken to the Army hospital in Poonch and later airlifted to Command hospital at Udhampur. OC

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...tic-limbs-to-six-border-villagers/517424.html

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 22

The Army today said it had provided prosthetic limbs to six residents of remote Sahora and Hathlanga villages who had lost their legs in landmine explosions or firing by Pakistan.

“In an endeavour to assist the residents of remote villages of the Valley, the Pir Panjal Brigade has helped six locals of Sahora and Hathlanga villages to once again stand on their own feet,” the Army said in a statement.

The Army in collaboration with a Noida-based automobile company, MINDA Foundation, provided the prosthetic limbs to differently abled individuals who had lost their legs in stray landmine explosions or firing by Pakistan, the Army said.

The Army identified the victims and flew them to Delhi earlier this month where they were provided the prosthetic legs.

“Upon returning to Srinagar, the happiness and joy visible on their faces was itself an acknowledgement of the Army’s genuine concern and honest efforts,” the Army said.