Jammu and Kashmir: News and Discussion

[I-G]

Manmohan promises justice to Shopian rape victims

On Board Air India One (IANS): Days after the alleged rape of two women in Shopian town of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said the government will take effective action against the perpetrators and offered to hold talks with all groups, including those outside the political mainstream, to bring peace and stability to the state.

"It's a very unfortunate development. If there were human rights violations, then we will take effective ation," Manmohan Singh said in a mid-air press conference while returning from Russia.

"We will be happy to engage in dialogue with any group, even those outside the political mainstream."

"We are ready to talk with whosoever is willing to shun the gun culture and violence," he said.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[F-14]

Woman shot dead by militants in Sopore
17 Jun 2009, 1533 hrs IST, PTI


SRINAGAR: Militants shot dead a 50-year-old widow inside her house in Sopore town of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, a police spokesman on Wednesday.

Reshma Jan, a bank employee, was shot by ultras from point blank range inside her house, 55 kms from here, late last night, the spokesman said.

Jan, who received a bullet each in the head and chest, was rushed to hospital where she succumbed to injuries, he said.

One of her daughters Shameema and her husband are working in police department and the family had shifted to Sopore from Kupwara about six years back, official sources said.

They said after the death of her husband Abdul Majid Khan, a bank employee, she was given a job in the bank on compassionate ground.

The motive behind the ultra's killing her was not known immediately, the sources said adding that, police has registered a case and begun investigations.

This was the third incident in Sopore since Saturday when militants shot dead two persons including a policeman. The incident was followed by an ambush on a private car at Manzbugh on Monday, which left a policeman dead and a civilian injured.

On May 31, militants had killed a special police officer in the town but authorities claimed to have solved the case when they killed two ultras including a commander of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in an encounter on June 10 in the town.

Woman shot dead by militants in Sopore - India - The Times of India

why dont they bloody protest at this (

 

[I-G]

IED recovered from roadside

Srinagar (PTI): An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered from the roadside in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Wednesday, a police spokesman said.

The IED, planted by militants on the roadside at Shotapora village, 85 kms from here, was detected by a security patrol party, the spokesman said.

The area was immediately cordoned off and bomb disposal squad was summoned to defuse it, the spokesman said.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[I-G]

Shopian protests continue

Shujaat Bukhari

SHOPIAN: There is no let-up in the volatile situation in this township as the strike against the alleged rape and murder of two women entered the 19th day on Wednesday, with people demanding punishment to culprits.

Officials say investigations are not making much headway due to the surcharged atmosphere.

With shops, business establishments, offices and educational institutions remaining closed, the town is lifeless. Stone pelting, especially by youth, has become the order of the day. The town — famous for its fruit business — is facing huge losses every day. “We can go for an indefinite strike until the culprits are booked,” says Irshad Ahmad, a college student.

The Hindu : National : Shopian protests continue

 

[Flint]

why dont they bloody protest at this (

Because the separatist leaders who ignite the protests don't want to create public anger against their "freedom fighters", but against the Indian establishment.

So no matter how many civilians are targetted by Pakistani trained and financed militants, there will be no protests.

 

[I-G]

Because the separatist leaders who ignite the protests don't want to create public anger against their "freedom fighters", but against the Indian establishment.

So no matter how many civilians are targetted by Pakistani trained and financed militants, there will be no protests.

This is the real problem from Fake Azadi .. Which is making lifes hell for the ordinary citizens of Kashmir . They are the worst affected by this militancy .

 

[johnee]

Because the separatist leaders who ignite the protests don't want to create public anger against their "freedom fighters", but against the Indian establishment.

So no matter how many civilians are targetted by Pakistani trained and financed militants, there will be no protests.

Why cant Indian proxies 'ignite' protests against 'freedom fighters' when they 'accidentally' murder scores of Kashmiris?

If we dont have Indian proxies in Kashmir already, then we must cultivate some in political circle, media and other such orgs.

 

[I-G]

Why cant Indian proxies 'ignite' protests against 'freedom fighters' when they 'accidentally' murder scores of Kashmiris?

If we dont have Indian proxies in Kashmir already, then we must cultivate some in political circle, media and other such orgs.

There are kashmiris who are Pro India and are interested in normal lifes and these kashmiris are only targetted by the Militants by saying them traitors .. Since the last 2 years .. Hundreds of Kashmiris are murdered by Militants and the recent killing of this 50 years old female by militants clearly proves all this but no one dares to talk about these deaths openly.

 

[peacecracker]

Why cant Indian proxies 'ignite' protests against 'freedom fighters' when they 'accidentally' murder scores of Kashmiris?

If we dont have Indian proxies in Kashmir already, then we must cultivate some in political circle, media and other such orgs.

Such indian sympathizers are branded gaddar. believe it or not ,this is the scenario.India has to take the strong step of sealing the kashmir valley for a year or so to give the desi and videsi terrorists and hardcore fundamentalists the path to jannath by the Bullets .sadly ,No Such Steps are done AFAIK.Our jawans are risking their life to the constant threat.I know of fencing the boundary of India on the western side with pakistan.

but with kashmir ,are they covering those areas too?If yes ,will be a great step.We don't want our Jawans die at the hands of terrorists.

 

[I-G]

IED detected, arms ammunition recovered in Kupwara

News Agency of Kashmir 6/18/2009 8:33:02 PM

Srinagar June 18(NAK): Police claimed to have detected and defused an IED which was planted near bridge in village Shothpora Hayihama area of district Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir, while BSF claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition.

Official sources said that a road opening party detected an IED planted near a bridge and defused it before it could went off.

The IED was later destroyed by Bomb Disposal Squad on spot without any harm to the life and property.

Meanwhile jawans of 33 Battalion of BSFF camp Trehgam reported in police station Trehgam that during intervening night of 16/17.06.2009 the troops of said unit during a search operation of Awoora forest near Pathri Behak.

Two wireless set made in China, two antennas, five UBGL grenades, six AK magazines, 222 rounds of AK ammunition, one pouch, one Chinese grenade (unserviceable), one binocular made in Germany (unserviceable), fifteen rounds of PIKA ammunition, eight rounds of pistol ammunition, one pistol and two accessories of AK-47 cleaning kits were recovered from the site.(NAK)

IED detected, arms ammunition recovered in Kupwara

 

[I-G]

Explosives and ammunition recovered in Rajouri

Jammu (PTI): Security forces have recovered a huge quantity of explosives and ammunition from Pohalgai area, 190 kms from here, a defence spokesman said here on Friday.

On a tip off, a joint column of Territorial Army and State police launched an operation in Rajouri district and recovered the arms cache on Thursday, he said.

The recoveries included eight Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), four IED timer devices, 49 grenades, 3.5 kgs of explosives, ten detonators, one pistol with magazine, 90 rounds of AK ammunition, 35 rounds of pika ammunition and two radio sets, the spokesman said.

The Hindu News Update Service






Major tragedy averted on Indo-Pak border

Jammu (PTI): Army troops on Friday averted a major tragedy as they recovered and defused an anti-tank mine near the Indo-Pak border in Triva border hamlet, 20 kms from here, police officials said.

Soom Raj, a farmer, was ploughing his field near the border in Arnia belt when he found the mine. He later informed the police of the incident, they said.

Police and army troops rushed to the spot and defused the mine, they said.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[Daredevil]

Bomb blast in Srinagar; one killed

Bomb blast in Srinagar; one killed

19 Jun 2009, 2232 hrs IST, PTI


SRINAGAR: One person was killed and four people were injured when militants hurled a grenade in the tourist hub of Dal Gate here on Friday night.

Breaking a long lull in their activities in the city, the militants exploded the hand grenade at Badyari Crossing at Dal Gate at around 9pm injuring four civilians, official sources said.

One of the injured identified as Abdul Salam, a local, succumbed in the hospital. The grenade attack was carried out a day before vice-president Hamid Ansari visit to Kashmir for a convocation ceremony at the Kashmir University on Saturday.

The separatists have called a general strike against Ansari's visit.

 

[I-G]

Pro-separatist protesters clash with security personnel

Srinagar (PTI) At least 20 people, including three scribes were injured, as police fired rubber bullets, teargas shells and used batons to thwart attempts by pro-separatist protesters to take out rallies at several places here after the Friday prayers.

Hundreds of slogan-shouting youths pelted stones and clashed with police and paramilitary personnel outside Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar after they were stopped from taking out a rally.

The clashes spread to adjoining areas including Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal and Gojwara, official sources said.

The injured scribes were taken to a hospital.

Police also fired rubber bullets and teargas shells to disperse protesters at Barzalla and Batmaloo localities of the city, the sources said adding five persons were injured in the fierce clashes.

Hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference had called for "Baramulla Chalo" march to protest the arrest of separatist leaders and the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian on May 30.

However, the march was foiled by police which placed barricades on roads as authorities clamped prohibitory orders.

Over a dozen separatist leaders including chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Democratic Freedom Party president Shabir Ahmad Shah and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Syeda Asiya Indrabi were arrested this month following large scale protests over the Shopian incident.

Four more persons were injured in the day-long clashes in Baramulla district town, 55 km. from here, in North Kashmir, the sources said, adding protesters broke a tight security cordon and were locked in pitched battles with security forces at Old Bridge and Cement Bridge in the town.

Police initially used batons to disperse the protesters but later fired teargas shells to restore order, the sources said.

Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik are also under house arrest for the past fortnight.

In Shopian, people claimed they were not allowed to offer Friday prayers as strict restrictions were imposed by authorities to scuttle any protests.

Life came to a standstill in Shopian town, 52 km. from here, as people agitating over the rape and murder case extended the general strike indefinitely till the culprits are brought to book.

The government has already ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[I-G]

Suspected militant killed in Kashmir blast

Srinagar: A suspected militant was killed and two of his associates were critically injured on Thursday night when a landmine went off near the University of Kashmir, where Vice-President Hamid Ansari is to attend a convocation ceremony on Saturday, police said.

Firdous Ali Dar was blown to pieces, while Riyaz Ahmad Bhat and Ghulam Mohammad Ganai were critically wounded when the landmine exploded inside a house near the university at Lal Bazar here. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

While Dar was a resident of Warfu-Alestang area of Hazratbal, Bhat and Ganai were identified as the residents of the Ontabhavan locality in the city. Preliminary investigations showed both Dar and Ganai were Pakistan-trained militants of the Hizb-ul Mujahideen, the police said. According to official sources, although the target of the landmine was not clear, the identity card recovered from the deceased showed him as an employee of the University of Kashmir, sparking speculation that the militants might have planned to strike during Saturday’s convocation ceremony, in which Mr. Ansari is scheduled to deliver a speech.

An A-K assault rifle, grenades and a land mine were recovered. — PTI

The Hindu : Other States News : Suspected militant killed in Kashmir blast

 

[I-G]

Separatist shutdown affects Valley, VP arrives in Srinagar

Srinagar, June 20: A shutdown called by separatists in the Kashmir Valley affected life in the summer capital and other major cities on Saturday, even as Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived to preside over the convocation of Kashmir University.

Authorities imposed strict restrictions on Friday to foil a march by separatists to Baramulla town. The march has been called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani against the murder and rape of two women in south Kashmir's Shopian town last month.

Contingents of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in strength to maintain law and order in the state capital. Security has been tightened in view of the vice president's visit.

Roads leading to the university have been sealed off and no vehicles except those of the officials and those holding invitations to the function are being allowed.

Public transport, markets, educational institutions and banks are closed in the city and attendance in the government offices also remained thin because of non-availability of transport.

Reports reaching here from other major cities and towns of the Valley indicated the shutdown had adversely affected normal life there as well.

Meanwhile, authorities here denied Geelani had been shifted to the Srinagar central jail after his arrest a fortnight back.

"He has been lodged in Cheshmashahi area of the city and has not been shifted to the central jail," a senior police official said.

IANS

Separatist shutdown affects Valley, VP arrives in Srinagar

 

[I-G]

Probe confirms Shopian rape, murder; blames cops for 'destroying evidence'
22 Jun 2009, 1101 hrs IST, PTI



SRINAGAR: The one-man judicial commission inquiring into the alleged rape and murder of two women in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday submitted an interim report suggesting action against police officials on the charge of "destroying evidence" and also pointed the "needle of suspicion" to their involvement in the crime.

Justice (retd) Muzzafar Jan submitted its report to the state government and alleged that Superintendent of Police Javed Iqbal, Deputy SP and Station House Office had "tried to destroy evidence" in the case, sources said.

The commission, which was set up on June one after massive protests rocked the valley over the May 30 alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian, remained silent over the cause of death of the two but said "...the way police tried to destroy evidence, finger of suspicion falls on them."

The sources said Justice Jan also recommended action against some civil and medical officials of Shopian district for the lapses in the conduct of the probe into the rape and murder of Neelofar Jan and her 18-year-old sister-in-law Asiya Jan on the intervening night of May 29 and 30.

The sources said the Commission was of the view that the conduct of the some of the officials, including doctors who conducted the first post mortem on the victims and an official of the Forensic Science Laboratory had led to loss of crucial evidence.

The Commission, which was appointed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on June 3, submitted the interim report to the state government after examining more than a dozen witnesses, including then Superintendent of Police Javid Iqbal, doctors who conducted the post mortem and an official of the FSL Srinagar.

The commission had grilled the then SP for nearly six hours spread over two days to explain his conduct in the case. He was questioned as to why he did not attend to the case personally when the bodies of the victims were recovered and did not register an FIR in the case.

The FSL official was asked to explain why he did not counter-sign the report of the samples taken from the victims prepared by his laboratory, which was mandatory for processing the reports. The official had reportedly not put his signatures on the report for at least two days, thus delaying the investigations.

The government transferred the Deputy Commissioner Shopian within three days of the incident while a week later the SP was also transferred.

Probe confirms Shopian rape, murder; blames cops for 'destroying evidence' - India - The Times of India

 

[I-G]

Army foils militants' bid to target Amarnath Yatra, IED defused
22 Jun 2009, 1159 hrs IST, PTI


JAMMU: Army on Monday foiled militants bid to target the Amarnath yatra by detecting and defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at Panthal, 155 kms from here.

Militants had planted the high intensity IED in Panthal area to target a convoy of the Amarnath Yatra, they said.

However, IED was detected by the Roap Opening Party (RoP) of Army, which is guarding the highway, they said, adding traffic was stopped at Panthal and cavalcade of 53 vehicles carrying 1,703 pilgrims was halted, they said.

Later, special bomb disposal squad of army defused the IED on the spot, they said.

The yatra and traffic was resumed after one hour-long halt till 1015 hours, they said.

Army foils militants' bid to target Amarnath Yatra, IED defused - India - The Times of India

 

[I-G]

Shopian officials sacked for lapses

Shujaat Bukhari and Praveen Swami

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: Besieged by criticism of his handling of the alleged rape-murder of two women in Shopian last month, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has moved to sack several mid-level officials charged with botching investigation into the deaths.

Based on the findings of an interim report submitted on Sunday by retired Jammu and High Court judge Justice Muzaffar Jan, Chief Minister Abdullah on Monday ordered proceedings against police, administrative and medical personnel for contributing “to the destruction, dissipation and suppression of evidence in the case.”

The then-Shopian Superintendent of Police, Javed Iqbal Matoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of headquarters Rohit Baskotra, Station House Officer Shafiq Ahmad and Sub-Inspector Ghazi Abdul Karim have been suspended, and will be investigated for failing to comply “with the statutory provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code and the mandatory provisions of police rule and other relevant rules related to the investigation of Criminal procedure.”

Forensic Science Laboratory scientific officer Hafiz Javed Iqbal will be prosecuted, the government said, for “the suppression of essential evidence which had obstructed the investigation.” Mr. Iqbal is alleged to have delayed passing on forensic findings which showed that spermatozoa were present in the vaginal tracts of the women for four days, from June 2, 2009.

The State Health Department has been separately instructed to initiate proceedings against Dr. Nighat Shaheen and Dr. Bilal Ahmad, who autopsied the victims.

Justice Jan heads a Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the tragedy and its fallout. His interim report addresses two of the four issues it was set up to investigate: the facts and circumstances leading to the deaths of the two Shopian women and the government’s handling of the violent protests which followed.

The Chief Minister had come under sustained fire from critics who said he had failed to ensure prompt police and administrative action to ensure justice for the victims. In early interactions with the media, Mr. Abdullah said the government was awaiting autopsy results before initiating a criminal investigation — language that some interpreted to mean he supported claims the two women may have died accidentally.

Later, however, the Chief Minister suggested he had been misled by subordinates, and asked the Justice Jan commission to investigate the government’s handling of the issue.

The Hindu : Front Page : Shopian officials sacked for lapses

 

[I-G]

Policeman injured in militant attack in J&K

Srinagar (PTI) A policeman was injured when suspected militants opened fire on the escort vehicle of a senior security official in Shopian district of South Kashmir.

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the escort vehicle of Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir, Rajesh Kumar near Maminder, 50 km. from here, late Tuesday night while he was returning from Shopian after reviewing the law and order situation there, the police said on Wednesday.

Shopian town is on the boil since the rape and murder of two women on May 30.

Constable Mohammad Maqbool was injured in his right arm in the firing and was shifted to hospital, they said.

No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

Shopian observed a complete strike for the 26th day on Wednesday.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[I-G]

Top JeM terrorist held in Jammu and Kashmir
24 Jun 2009, 1833 hrs IST, PTI


SRINAGAR: In a joint operation, the Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and the army on Wednesday arrested a top Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist from Sopore distrcit in North Kashmir.

The security personnel, on a tip-off, arrested Abid alias Assadullah, who has been active in this region for the last two years and is involved in various attacks on security forces, at Wetlab, 65km from here on Sopore-Bandipora Road, official sources said.

Abid is a resident of Peshawar in Pakistan, they said. Police recovered one Chinese pistol, one magazine and four rounds of ammunition Abid, who was the Battalion Commander of the banned terrorist organisation.

The arrest of the top JEM commander came at a time when Sopore town witnessed a series of militant attacks over the past fortnight, resulting in the killing of five persons including two policemen and a woman.

In another successful operation, two over ground workers of Lashker-e-Toiba (LET) outfit were arrested here.

Khalid Khursheed Zargar and Mohammad Ashraf Lone, both residents of Braripora village of Rafiabad, were arrested by police from Dalgate, the tourist hub of the city last night, a police spokesman said.

The arrest of the two LeT men comes barely five days after a powerful grenade explosion rocked Dalgate leaving one person dead and two others injured.

Top JeM terrorist held in Jammu and Kashmir - India - The Times of India