‘Killings, violations all time low, only 664 CFVs reported this year’

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: Following the recent ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, the figures of violations and killings at the border areas this year was all-time low compared to previous years.

Year 2020 had seen the highest number of ceasefire violations after more than 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir.

India shares a total of 3,323 kilometers of border with Pakistan of which 221 kms is the international border and 740 kilometers of Line of Control (LoC) which falls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Notably, border shelling has killed hundreds of people in Kashmir and Jammu region since 1990 and left scores handicapped. Besides, houses and livestock worth billions of rupees have also been damaged as well due to the cross LoC shelling in J&K in the past 30 years.

According to the figures, Jammu and Kashmir in the ensuing year witnessed 664 incidents of ceasefire violations upto mid-year, with 28 infiltration attempts during which a total of 15 infiltrators and four soldiers lost their lives.

However, as per the details not a single civilian was killed in cross border gunfire, which is lowest of all time compared to previous years.

Apart from the huge recoveries of arms and ammunition, narcotics worth crores of rupees have been confiscated by the security forces.

“On April 14 a total of 10 kilogram of narcotics with a market value of Rs 50 crore was recovered when an infiltration bid was foiled. On June 25 heroin worth Rs 30 crore were recovered along with a warlike store in Kashmir valley in two operations close to LoC,” reveal the figures.

Year 2020 saw 5,100 incidents of ceasefire violations, which are the all-time highest in the last 17 years during which 36 lives were claimed and 130 received injuries.

The year 2019 saw a total of 3,289 incidents of ceasefire violations of which 1,565 were reported after August.

On 26 November 2003, then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee entered into a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan but that was not followed in letter and spirit.

A recent ceasefire agreement was agreed by both India and Pakistan in February this year and stated that all the agreements of ceasefire will be followed by both sides.

The February ceasefire pact ignited hopes among the border residents of long-lasting peace with special occasions and festival celebrations returning to the LoC areas besides the flow of tourists also increased in remote places.

The Army in September had said that ceasefire violations had dropped to zero in Kashmir valley and there were few attempts of infiltrations in which one militant was eliminated in an operation.

Figures reveal that J&K witnessed 664 incidents of ceasefire violations upto mid of this year.

The figures reveal that a total of 15 infiltrators were killed in different operations by security forces in Poonch, Uri, Nowshera sector besides four  soldiers lost their lives while foiling infiltrations which include three in January and one in February this year while there has been no major infiltration attempt apart from Uri operation.

“Uri operation which lasted for 9 days was called off after the killing of 7 infiltrators in two different operations during which 1 militant was apprehended by security forces,” reveal the figures.

In this year unexplored border destinations were also visited by a large number of visitors after the government assured that they will imitate every step to promote and encourage border tourism.

Locals informed that even during the ceasefire there is no greater progress on the underground bunkers, “be it individual or community bunkers in border areas.”

It may be recalled that Army women soldiers were deployed amid the rising narcotic and ammunition supply in selected forward areas to keep a watch on suspects and to plug the entry of narcotics and ammunition into this side close to the forward areas.

Officials informed that there was no major infiltration or ceasefire violation in border sectors of the three districts including Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla barring one in the Uri sector.

Compared to previous figures, the situation in all three districts remained calm.

Baramulla last year reported 28 instances of ceasefire violations and saw casualties of four security forces and five civilians. Similarly, Kupwara had witnessed 16 in which five civilians and 12 forces personnel were killed and Bandipora had reported nine ceasefire violation instances in which two security forces personnel guarding the forward areas lost their lives.

The recent February ceasefire violation is believed to have melted the ice in border areas with guns falling silent on both sides of the fence. (KNO)

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it has filed a charge sheet against three persons in connection with the recovery of live Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Bhatindi area of Jammu.

The charge sheet was filed under sections 120B, 121A and 122 of IPC, sections 18, 18B, 19, 20 and 23 of UA(P) Act 1967 read with sections 4 and 5 of Explosive Substances Act before NIA Special Court Jammu, against Ul Haq, Nadeem Ayoub Rather and Talib Ur Rehman all the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

In June, Nadeem Ul Haq was held by Jammu and Kashmir Police with live IED near Madarsa Markaz. He was placed under arrest and a case was lodged against him at Bahu Fort Police Station, Jammu.

A month after the incident, the investigation of the matter was transferred to the NIA on July 19.

During investigation the NIA found that the three accused persons were receiving instructions from Pakistan based The Resistance Front (TRF) handlers via WhatsApp.

The NIA investigation unearthed a larger conspiracy of recruitment and plans to activate a significant number of radicalised youth of the entire valley to target security personnel and public places to wage war against the Centre.

Further investigation in the case is on.

On June 27, the Jammu and Kashmir police recovered IED from Nadeem Ul Haq near Madarsa Markaz Ul Haroof at Bhatindi. (IANS)

Srinagar: To bid adieu to the out-going senior Law Officers of J&K Advocate General’s Organisation, a farewell party was on Thursday organized to give warm send-off to Bashir Ahmad Dar, Ex-Senior Additional Advocate General; Mir Suhail and Shah Aamir Additional Advocate Generals in the Office Complex, here.

Ld. Advocate General, J&K, D.C. Raina, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The gathering was attended by all the Addl. Advocate Generals, Deputy Advocate Generals, Government Advocates, ADO with Ld. Advocate General etc.

The participants highlighted and praised the contribution of the outgoing Law Officers in a very cordial atmosphere and stated that these Officers always lend a helping hand to their colleagues/ juniors as and when need arise.

The outgoing Law Officers praised the Ld. Advocate General for his keen and timely guidance in discharging their duties during their tenure.

The Ld. Advocate General, J&K, in his speech stated that for a good and healthy organisational behaviour, such parties prove really a memorable relationship among the Law Officers and continuation of such events is need of the hour in honour of memorable time; the team has in a joint coordinated effort achieved. The new comers, who were also present, were also given warm welcome to become part of the team and to work in a coordinated and positive approach.

The meeting ended in a cordial atmosphere with thanks from and to the chair.

Srinagar: A major tragedy was averted after a joint team of the police, CRPF and the army detected and defused a 5kg IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday, officials said.

Officials said that they acted on a specific input about the IED planted on the Neva Srinagar road and started an operation. The IED was defused by the bomb disposal squad on the spot, added the officials.

“Pulwama Police averted major tragedy. Acting on specific information Pulwama Police along with 50 RR & 183 BN CRPF found an IED of approx. 5kg assembled in a container planted on Newa Srinagar road. However, BD squad of Police & Army destroyed it on spot,” police said in a tweet.

A case has been registered and police have started the investigation. (IANS)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police Thursday claimed to have arrested two ‘militant associates’ linked with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in a joint operation with Army’s 2 Rashtriya Rifles and 79 Battalion CRPF in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

“Acting upon specific information, police along with security forces arrested two militant associates linked with militant outfit LeT from Magam area of district Budgam. They have been identified as Mohammad shafi Ganai S/o Abdul Rahman ganai R/o Kawoosa Khalisa and Zahoor Ahmad Chopan S/o Ali Mohammad Chopan R/o Mamoosa Pattan”, said a police spokesperson.

“During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that both the arrested militant associates were in touch with LeT commanders and were involved in providing logistics, shelter as well as transportation to the militants of LeT operating in areas of Kawoosa, Razwen, Rathsun, Mazhama, Pinjoora, Kunzar, Mamoosa etc.”, the statement reads.

“A case FIR number 95/2021 under relevant sections of law stands already registered at Police Station Khag and further investigation is under process”, it further read.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir three deaths due to covid-19 while 132 fresh cases were reported in the last 24 hours, officials said on Thursday.

27 of the fresh cases were reported from Jammu Division and 105 from Kashmir, taking the overall tally to 340293.

There were three deaths reported from Kashmir division due to the virus during the last 24 hours, they said. So far 4518 persons—2196 in Jammu and 2322 in Kashmir—have died due to the virus, they said.

Giving district wise details of the fresh cases, the officials said that Srinagar reported 40 cases, Baramulla 34, Budgam 4, Pulwama 7, Kupwara 5, Anantnag 2, Bandipora 2, Ganderbal 5, Kulgam 0, Shopian 0, Jammu 23, Udhampur 0, Rajouri 0, Doda 1, Kathua 0, Samba 0, Kishtwar 1, Poonch 2, Ramban 0 and Reasi 0.

A number of these cases were confirmed at CD hospital’s diagnostic labouratory and include female (38) (NA) from Anantnag, male (32) (NA) from Sgr, male (70) (NA) from Sgr, female (30) (NA) from Dardpora lolab, female (25) (NA) from Lalpora lolab, male (36) (NA) from Dardpora lolab, male (13) (NA) from Lalpora lolab, male (18) (NA) from Kaltura langate, male (17) (NA) from Langate, female (58) (NA) from Rawalpora, female (28) (NA) from Reshigund, male (40) (NA) from Rawatpora, male (15) (NA) from Jangalnad pulwama, female (70) (NA) from Newa pulwama, female (40) (NA) from Ratnipora pulwama, female (39) (NA) from Pahoo pulwama, male (40) (NA) from Sgr, male (73) (NA) from Rajbagh and male (85) (NA) from Hazratbal, female (37) (NA) from Harwan.

Moreover, 118 Covid-19 patients recovered during the time, 21 from Jammu Division and 97 from Kashmir, they said.

So far 334456 patients have recovered, leaving active case tally at 1319—344 in Jammu and 975 in Kashmir.

They said there was no new confirmed case of mucormycosis (black fungus) reported today. So far 50 black fungus cases have been confirmed in J&K, the officials said. They also informed that 72005 doses of covid-19 vaccine were administered during the time in J&K. (GNS)