Jammu and Kashmir: News and Discussion

[Known_Unknown]

Instead of withdrawal of AFSPA, the government should consider a temporary suspension with a simplified process of immediate re-imposition if conditions in the state deteriorate. See how the situation works out during the suspension, but don't cut off the hands of security forces by permanently scrapping the act.

 

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CRPF pulled out of Baramulla

Srinagar (PTI): With tension gripping curfew-bound Baramulla town in the wake of security forces opening fire on protesters, the Jammu and Kashmir government today pulled out CRPF from the area even as the death toll in the violence climbed to four.

A government spokesman said a case of murder has been registered against the CRPF personnel, who had allegedly opened fire at Khanpora-Baramulla last evening leaving a youth identified as Fayaz Ahmad Gojri dead.

He said the paramilitary force authorities have been asked to handover the CRPF personnel to Baramulla police.

The spokesman said it has also been decided to replace CRPF deployments in Baramulla with Jammu and Kashmir Police immediately.

Meanwhile, curfew continued without relaxation in Baramulla and Sopore towns for the third successive day today.

Two youths were killed and two others were injured in police firing on protesters demanding action against policemen involved in the alleged incident leading authorities to impose curfew in the area.

District Magistrate Baramulla, Lateef-e-Zeman Deva has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the allegations of the woman and subsequent firing on the protesters.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Give Army honourable exit from Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti

Praveen Swami

‘There’s a very negative mindset in New Delhi on this issue’

NEW DELHI: People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti has called for the withdrawal of the Indian Army from Jammu and Kashmir, saying its presence was no longer needed to fight terrorists. Pointing to several recent cases involving alleged human rights violations by Army personnel, Ms Mufti said there was a “general climate of resentment against the Army and Central Reserve Police Force” and “it is time to give them an honourable exit.”

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu, Ms Mufti contended that “these forces were needed at a particular time and in a particular context. But now, even officials say there are only 500 militants. There are hardly any encounters.”

The PDP leader’s renewed calls for the demilitarisation of the State come as New Delhi deliberates Jammu and Kashmir proposals for slashing troop strength and lifting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from parts of the State. Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has been holding discussions with defence and intelligence experts on the prospects of withdrawing troops from the central Kashmir districts of Srinagar and Badgam, as well as the districts of Jammu and Kathua.

During a recent visit to Srinagar, Mr. Chidambaram announced that the government was in the process of “redrawing the lines of responsibility” between the Army, central police organisations, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. He said that a final decision would be made on these issues after consultations with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A.K. Antony. Subsequently, Army chief Deepak Kapoor suggested that some relocation of troops might be possible after the end of the ongoing pilgrimage to the Amarnath Shrine in southern Kashmir.

Ms Mufti, however, is sceptical about New Delhi’s resolve on demilitarisation. “I think the Prime Minister is sincere,” she observed, “but I am sorry to say there is a very negative mindset in New Delhi on this issue.”

The Hindu : Front Page : Give Army honourable exit from Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti

 

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Tension in J&K: Army ambulance set ablaze
1 Jul 2009, 1615 hrs IST, PTI


SRINAGAR: An army ambulance was set ablaze by protesters on Srinagar-Baramulla highway on Wednesday, official sources said

The agitators, protesting the killing of four persons in Baramulla, intercepted the vehicle at Palhalan, 30 km from the state capital, and set it on fire, the sources said.

The ambulance was on its way to Baramulla, they said, adding that the occupants of the vehicle, however, managed to escape unhurt.

With tension gripping curfew-bound Baramulla town in the wake of security forces opening fire on protestors, Jammu and Kashmir government pulled out CRPF from the area even as the death toll in the violence climbed to four on Wednesday.

A government spokesman said a case of murder has been registered against the CRPF personnel, who had allegedly opened fire at Khanpora-Baramulla last evening leaving a youth identified as Fayaz Ahmad Gojri dead.

He said the paramilitary force authorities have been asked to handover the CRPF personnel to Baramulla police.

The spokesman said it has also been decided to replace CRPF deployments in Baramulla with Jammu and Kashmir Police immediately.

Meanwhile, curfew continued without relaxation in Baramulla and Sopore towns for the third successive day even as the death toll in the firing on agitators protesting against alleged police misbehaviour with a woman climbed to four with on of the two injured youths identified as Amir Rashid succumbing to injuries.

Two youths were killed and two others were injured in police firing on protesters demanding action against policemen involved in the alleged incident leading authorities to impose curfew in the area.

District Magistrate Baramulla, Lateef-e-Zeman Deva has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the allegations of the woman and subsequent firing on the protestors.

Tension in J&K: Army ambulance set ablaze - India - The Times of India

 

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10 Hurriyat activists detained

Srinagar, July 01: At least 10 activists of moderate Hurriyat faction headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq were detained here today when they defied prohibitory orders to stage a rally to the office of United Nations Military Observers Group.

The Hurriyat activists were detained at Rajbagh shortly after they took to streets against alleged human rights violations in the Kashmir Valley and were marching to UNMOG office at Sonawar, official sources said.

Prominent among those who were taken into preventive custody were chief of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Forum Javid Ahmad Mir, chairperson of Muslim Khawateen Markaz Yasmeen Raja and senior leaders Shahid-ul-Islam and Mohammad Yousuf Naqash.

A spokesman of the Hurriyat said they were planning to submit a memorandum to the local representative of the UNMOG in connection with the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian and the police firing in Baramulla.

"We strongly condemn the highhandedness of police and the arrest of our leaders," the spokesman said.

10 Hurriyat activists detained

 

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Army deserter among 3 LeT men gunned down in J&K
Zeenews Bureau

Jammu, July 02: Three militants belonging to the militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba were gunned down in Bharat area of Kulhand village of Jammu’s Doda district, media reports claimed on Thursday.

Among the dead was an absconder of Indian Army, who later joined the LeT.

The militants were shot down, yesterday evening, during a search operation launched by the Army, CRPF and the state police in the area.

The security forces launched a search operation after being alerted about the suspicious movement of the militants in the area. The area was cordoned off and the militants were asked to surrender but they started firing at the Army and were shot down in the cross-firing.

Later police identified the slain militants as identified as Mushtaq Ahmed, Bilal Ahmed and Zafarullah. Large quantities of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site.

The security forces are terming the operation a big success as it will considerably weaken the organisation’s network in the area.

Army deserter among 3 LeT men gunned down in J&K

 

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Police injure two in south Kashmir, north stays peaceful
Srinagar, July 02: Two protesting youth were critically injured after being run over by a police vehicle in Pulwama district of south Kashmir even as the situation in north Kashmir's troubled Baramulla town showed signs of improvement on Thursday.

"Two youth were injured as the driver of a police vehicle panicked when faced with a stone pelting mob," a police officer here said.

Another mob, some distance away from where the youth were injured, stopped the vehicle and torched it.

"The driver was severely beaten and has been hospitalised," the officer said.

Both the injured youth have been admitted to the Soura Medical Institute in Srinagar, where attending doctors described their condition as serious.

Protesters also pelted stones at the police in south Kashmir's Pampore town this morning.

In curfew bound Baramulla town, where four people were killed in clashes between security forces and agitated mobs since Monday, the situation showed marked signs of improvement.

"Except for a stray incident of stone pelting by some youth in the old town area, the situation is fast returning to normal," a police officer said.

The government had Wednesday withdrawn the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Baramulla town and handed over complete responsibility of law and order to the local police following protests over the Tuesday evening killing of a youth by a paramilitary trooper.

The unrest in Baramulla had begun following allegations by a local woman that she had been abused by a police officer inside a police station.

In a Unified Headquarter meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here Wednesday, it was decided that a contingency plan would be worked out within 10 days for phased replacement of the CRPF by the local police from cities and towns of the valley.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in New Delhi Wednesday that the decision of phased replacement of the CRPF by state police needed to be encouraged in Jammu and Kashmir.

IANS

http://www.zeenews.com/news543856.html

 

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Police among seven injured in J&K clashes

Srinagar (PTI): At least seven persons including a policeman were injured as fresh clashes rocked different parts of strike-hit Kashmir valley including the curfew-bound Baramulla and Sopore towns for the fourth day on Thursday.

A police vehicle was set ablaze by a mob at Pulwama town, 32 km from here in South Kashmir, when the driver of the vehicle lost control after being pelted with stones near a petrol pump at village Prechoo, official sources said.

Two protesters, identified as Nazir Ahmad Bhat and Pervaiz Ahmad, were critically injured when they were hit by the vehicle as the policeman tried to drive away, they said, adding that the protesters forced him to stop and later set the vehicle ablaze.

The driver, identified as SPO Mohammad Amin, was caught and severely thrashed by the mob before he could be rescued by the reinforcements and shifted to hospital, the sources said.

Police also used batons and fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters, resulting in injuries to two persons - Javid Ahmad Dar and his mother, the sources said.

People hit the streets to protest against policemen allegedly involved in the killing of four persons in Baramulla .They also demanded that those involved in the rape and murder of two women in Shopian on May 30 be punished.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Omar sets deadline for CRPF withdrawal plan

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here on Wednesday that he had given 10 days time to officers for making a plan for the first phase of withdrawal of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from the Kashmir Valley. His government would not give licence for unwarranted use of force, he asserted.

His remarks came even as a youth died on Wednesday of the injuries he suffered in police firing on Tuesday.

With this, the death toll in the police firings on protesters in Baramulla on Monday and Tuesday has gone up to four.

Mr. Abdullah, who chaired a meeting of the Unified Headquarters here, said he discussed the prevailing situation with top officers of the Army, police and paramilitary, besides the civil administration.

He told journalists that the issue of CRPF withdrawal was discussed threadbare. The force would be replaced by the police.

But he pointed out that it was an ongoing process and the State had not enough police force to replace the CRPF in one go.

In Baramulla, thousands of people defied curfew on Wednesday and took to the streets to protest against the killings, even as the authorities replaced the CRPF with contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police in the town.

As soon as the body of Aamir Rashid reached his house, people turned violent. Seven persons were injured when the police fired tear-gas shells and rubber pellets to disperse the mob.

Protests erupted in the town on Monday after a woman complained that policemen passed indecent remarks at her when she approached them to get her husband released.

The Hindu : Front Page : Omar sets deadline for CRPF withdrawal plan

 

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Militants kill their surrendered associate in Kishtwar

Kishtwar (J&K) (PTI): Militants on Friday killed one of their surrendered associate and injured a villager in Tunder-Dachhan area, 290 kms from Jammu, here, official sources said.

Some armed militants came to the house of a surrendered Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Abdul Majid Ganoo, in Tunder-Dachhan early this morning, official sources said adding after a brief exchange of arguments, militants opened fire killing him on the spot.

Ganoo had surrendered before the authorities in February 2008, they said.

Another villager, Tariq Hussain who was present there, was also injured in the firing, sources said and added that militants later fled away.

The injured villager was shifted to nearby Public Health Centre for treatment.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Two militant hideouts busted by army in J&K

Jammu (PTI): Army troops have busted two militant hideouts in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson on Friday said.

The army on Friday busted a hideout in Fagwada area of Thanamandi belt in Rajouri district and recovered one pistol, two magazines and a huge cache of ammunition of Pika and AK rifles, he said.

While, another hideout was busted in Kushal area of Sawjian border belt in Poonch district by the army last night.

The recoveries from the hideout included ten Chinese grenades, 18 UBGL grenades, 15 rounds of ammunition and other items, he said.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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Police vehicle torched

Srinagar: A police vehicle was torched by agitated people in Pulwama town of south Kashmir after it injured two boys 32 kms from here on Thursday morning.

The boys were injured when the vehicle, after filling fuel, made a hasty retreat from the petrol pump, sources said.

They said the people came out in large numbers on hearing the screams of the injured boys and torched the vehicle.

However, the driver managed to escape. Both the boys were rushed to the hospital.

The Hindu : Other States / Jammu & Kashmir News : Police vehicle torched

 

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Militant killed in gunbattle; operation continues

Srinagar, July 03: A suspected militant of a group of ultras was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Kupwara district of North Kashmir on Friday and the operation is continuing, a senior police officer said.

The encounter took place at Wadderbala forest in Zachaldara, 90 kms from here, in the wee hours when a joint search party of Police and Rashtriya Rifles confronted hiding militants, Superintendent of Police, Handwara, Rafiq Ahmad Vakil told reporters.

The operation was launched around 11 am yesterday following information about presence of militants. The hiding militants opened fire on the search party in the wee hours and in the ensuing gunbattle an unidentified militant was killed.

An AK assault rifle, two magazines, a hand grenade and 40 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the ultra, believed to be a foreign national, Vakil said.

The operation was continuing when last reports came in. The body of the militant was removed from the site and efforts were on to establish his identity and group affiliation, the officer said.

Militant killed in gunbattle; operation continues

 

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Exhume bodies of Shopian rape victims: HC
4 Jul 2009, 1145 hrs IST, PTI


SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Saturday directed exhumation of the bodies of two women allegedly raped and murdered in Shopian last month to collect their DNA samples subject to the consent of their family. ( Watch )

Noting that the DNA report is missing and post-mortem was done in a proper way, a division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Barin Gosh and Justice Mohammad Yaqub Mir ordered exhumation of the bodies of Asiya and Nelofar.

Justice Gosh directed the principal of medical college Srinagar to set up a team of doctors to perform the tests.

"This is a sensational matter. Every man on the street, irrespective of caste or creed, is praying for the culprits to be caught," he observed. The case has sparked massive protests in the Kashmir Valley.

The court appointed inspector general of police (CID) Farooq Ahmad as special officer inquiry and DIG Rouf-ul-Hassan as his deputy to monitor the proceedings of the special investigation team (SIT) inquiring into the case.

Ahmad is at present carrying out an internal departmental probe into alleged negligence of duty by four suspended police officials including the former SP, Shopian.

The court also directed the SIT headed by SP Shah Din Malik to interrogate and carry out narco-analysis test of four suspended police officials and two witnesses. It asked the SIT to submit its progress report every week to the Court.

The orders were passed by the court after hearing the arguments of Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHCBA) which had filed a PIL on the Shopian incident.

Exhume bodies of Shopian rape victims: HC - India - The Times of India

 

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Two militants, soldier killed in Kupwara encounter
4 Jul 2009, 1250 hrs IST, PTI


SRINAGAR: Two militants and a soldier were killed in a gunbattle in Kupwara district of North Kashmir, police said on Saturday.


The gunbattle broke out at Wadderbala forest in Zachaldara, 90 km from here, around 11 am on Friday when a joint search party of police and Rashtriya Rifles confronted hiding militants.

The hiding militants fired upon the search party and in the ensuing gunbattle which lasted nearly 24 hours, two militants and a soldier were killed.

While one militant was killed yesterday, another ultra and the army jawan were killed early today.

Two An ak assault rifles, two magazines and some rounds of ammunition were recovered from the possession of the slain militants, believed to be foreign nationals.

The search party also recovered a hand grenade which was destroyed on the spot

Two militants, soldier killed in Kupwara encounter - India - The Times of India

 

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36 injured in Kashmir clashes
4 Jul 2009, 0554 hrs IST, TNN



At least 36 people were injured following clas-hes between protesters and cops over Shopian and Baramulla incidents in Srinagar and Anantnag in south Kashmir on Friday. Trouble began as people took to streets after Friday prayers in Jama Masjid in Srinagar and Anantnag. They were protesting against the rape and murder of two women in Shopian and killing of four youth by security forces in Baramulla.

36 injured in Kashmir clashes - India - The Times of India

 

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J&K police arrest two Hizbul militants

Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday arrested two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, police said.

According to police, the first arrest was made by a joint search party of police and troops of 50 Rashtriya Rifles at village Wuyan-Pampore, 15 km from here.

The arrested militant has been identified as Zahoor Ahmad Bhat alias Junaid, a resident of Wuyan.

One Chinese pistol, its one magazine, six rounds and three hand grenades were recovered from his possession, police said.

Another Hizbul Mujahideen militant identified as Abdul Rehman Bhat alias Javid Kashmiri was arrested by police in Budgam district on Saturday.

A resident of Lassipora-waterhal in Pulwama district, Abdul was nabbed from Mirgund-Budgam, 25 km from here alongwith a pistol, its one magazine and six rounds, police said.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

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PM to decide over AFSPA: Hamid Ansari
Jhangar (J&K), July 04: Vice-President Hamid Ansari, who had served as Chairman of a committee which favoured withdrawal of AFSPA, on Saturday said the Prime Minister would take a decision on the matter.

s Ansari, during his stint as Chairman of a working group on Confidence Building Measures, had recommended in 2007 that the act giving special powers to the armed forces should be revoked.

"The Prime Minister and the central government will decide this issue. You leave it to them," Ansari said, when asked about the action taken by the government on the recommendations for repelling the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Disturbed Area Act (DAA).

However, he refused to further comment on the issue.

"I am here to honour a national hero. This event is dedicated to him so our focus should be the event," he said, while unveiling the bust of Mahavir Chakra awardee Brigadier Mohammad Usman at Jhangar, barely a kilometre from the Line Of Control (LOC) in Rajouri district.

The Vice President also dedicated to the nation Brigadier Usman Memorial Hospital.

Late Brigadier Usman had valiantly fought against Pakistani troops in the 1948 war and died while trying to recapture Jhangar and Nowshers areas from the enemy.
PM to decide over AFSPA: Hamid Ansari

 

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Six injured in clashes between security personnel, protesters

Srinagar, July 04: At least six persons, including three security personnel, were injured on Saturday in clashes between paramilitary forces and protesters, demanding whereabouts of a 16-year-old youth in Larkipora town of Anantnag district.

The clashes took place when police and paramilitary forces stopped agitators from taking out a procession demanding whereabouts of Basharat Ahmad, who went missing after being summoned by an army unit in the town on last Sunday.

Violent clashes broke out as the protesters resorted to stone-pelting and the security forces in retaliation lobbed teargas shells and lathi-charged them, officials said, adding three each securitymen and agitators were injured in the incident.

The markets, shops and educational institutions remained closed for the sixth consecutive day in the district town in solidarity with the people of Larkipora, 90 kms from here.

Police also detained the leader of Umat-e-Islamia, Qazi Yasir, who had given a call for the observance of strike in the town today.

Basharat was summoned by troops of 36 Rashtriya Rifles to its camp on Sunday morning and since then he was missing.

Six injured in clashes between security personnel, protesters

 

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J&K: 6 terrorists’ bodies found buried under avalanche
Gulrez (J&K), July 04: The Army has recovered bodies of six terrorists found buried in the snow in the Gurez sector of the state.

According to Army sources, the terrorists had attempted to enter Indian territory in March this year, but heavy snow and an avalanche claimed the lives of six to eight of them.

They said that it had taken them almost three months to recover the bodies because of inclement weather and heavy snow.

A search is on to locate the remaining bodies, they said, adding that the dead terrorists were well equipped and clothed to infiltrate through the snow laden ridge lines of North Kashmir.

Six AK- 47 rifles have also been recovered, they said.
J&K: 6 terrorists? bodies found buried under avalanche