Express satisfaction over the progress of anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said that 23 militants have been killed in 10 operations while 40 Over Ground Workers (OGWs) have been arrested since January this year in the newly created Union Territory.

Meanwhile, reiterating appeal to militants to shun the path of violence and join mainstream, he said eight youth, who had joined militant ranks, have been brought back and reunited with their respective families in less than two months in the valley.

He further said that recruitment of youth in militant ranks has also come down drastically.

“In less than two month, 20 anti-militancy operations were conducted in J&K. Of this, 10 operations, including eight in Kashmir and two in Jammu, were successful. During the successful operations, 19 militants were killed in Kashmir and four were killed in Jammu,” Mr Singh informed reporters during a press conference.

He said another good thing about these operations was that there was no collateral damage to civilian population. “We are happy that no collateral damage happened and we are hopeful that we maintain this record in the future operations as well,” he said.

The DGP said normalizing of situation in the valley is also a good sign as shops and business establishments are open and traffic is plying on all roads. “It is our priority that the people enjoy normalcy. I would also like to thank people for cooperating with us in maintaining peace and normalcy in the valley,” he said, adding security forces are conducting themselves responsibly.

Giving details about security force action in the last about two months, he said various terror modules were also busted, including three youth, who had carried out grenade attack in Pratab Park. “Another group involved in grenade attacks was busted in Shergadi area in Srinagar,” he said.

“Before that five associates of Jash-e-Mohammad were also arrested along with arms and ammunition. A explosive jacket was also recovered from them following which a major suicide attack was averted around January 26 (Republic Day),” he said.

“So far since January, security forces have arrested 40 Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who were providing logistic and other support to the militants,” he added.

The SGP said eight youth who had joined militancy were also brought back to the mainstream and reunited with their families. “We were successful in bringing back eight youth who had joined militancy.  The number of youth joining militancy has also decreased significantly, which is a good sign,” he added.

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today reviewed the implementation of Road Safety Initiatives across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting with the top functionaries of Transport Department and Traffic Police here at the Civil Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by Sh. Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor; Sh. Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education; Sh. Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department; Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Principal Secretary, Transport Department; Sh. Owais Ahmed, MD, RTC; Sh. Pradeep Kumar, Transport Commissioner, J&K; IGP Traffic, T Namgyal; Sh. Talat Parvez Rohella, Secretary, Higher Education; Prof. Veena Pandita, Chairperson, JKBOSE; representatives of Road Safety Council, NHAI, NHIDCL, IIT Jammu and other officials of the concerned departments.

During the meeting, the Lt Governor emphasized on the strict enforcement of traffic regulations and awareness regarding road safety which is essential for preventing road accidents. Taking a brief review of the factors responsible for road accidents, the Lt Governor asked the officers to identify the causes of accidents and take effective corrective measures with regard to the black spots.

The Lt Governor directed the officers to prepare DPRs for establishing Trauma Centres on Highways and also in border areas with frequent ceasefire violations. He directed the officers to roll out an effective action plan for successful implementation of all road safety measures including interceptors, installation of GPS in patrol vehicles and equipping the Traffic Police with speed guns and other such advanced devices for proper traffic management. He further directed them to increase highway patrolling, install CCTVs in the areas witnessing increased violations of traffic norms and prepare a database of places requiring underpasses, service roads etc.He also directed for installation of traffic signages on all roads across J&K, especially the roads vulnerable to accidents.

The Lt Governor reviewed the steps being taken in conducting the health check-ups of all the drivers and sought a report on the unfit drivers. He further directed the officers to furnish a report of the driving institutes and put a third party audit check on the certifications by such institutes.

Stressing on removing encroachments and fixing responsibilities, the Lt Governor asked the Municipal Corporations and Development Authorities to intensity anti-encroachment drives and asked the officers to mobilize Mohalla committees and locals for removing encroachments, besides designating spaces for hawkers. He also laid special focus on removing encroachments from bus-stands and railway stations.

Regarding parking spaces, the Lt Governor asked the concerned officers to identify and notify parking spaces and prepare DPRs for multilevel parkings to address the problem.

The Lt Governor further stressed on sensitizing the general public through print and electronic media regarding the road safety measures and regulations, with active involvement of all stakeholders especially the youth and students, which can help in improving the traffic management system of J&K. He also called for inclusion of a chapter on Road Safety and Traffic Sense in the School academic curriculum and utilization of trained NCC and NSS cadets in traffic management.

The Lt Governor asked the officers to plug all unauthorized cuts along the road dividers on the National Highways. He asked the Civil Administration and National Highway Authority in re-iteration that no such unauthorized cuts would be allowed, and further asked them to aware the general public about punitive action against those found responsible for any such act.

The Lt Governor also reviewed the compliance of directions passed in the previous meeting regarding road safety.

Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo informed the chair that during the last two years, around 10,000 people were trained as first responders in accident cases and more than 6000 health workers were being trained to supplement the support system.

The chair was also briefed  on recent road safety initiatives; awareness programmes; action taken against violators; various initiatives by Health Department ,Transport Department, Housing and Urban Development Department towards Road Safety; Road Accident Victim Fund; Intelligent Transport System etc.

Sanctions Rs 183.59 Lakh As Medical

Assistance For Chronic Disease Patients; Victims Of Road Accidents & Natural Incidents

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today sanctioned an amount of Rs 183.59 lakh as Medical/Financial Assistance under various schemes in favour of patients suffering from different chronic ailments, victims of road accidents and other natural incidents. Under the Cancer Treatment Management Fund for Poor (CTMFFP), an amount of Rs 123.38 lakh has been sanctioned in favour of 286 patients who are suffering from Cancer. An amount of Rs 22.63 lakh has been sanctioned under J&K Medical Aid Trust Scheme (MAT) in favour of 83 patients suffering from Heart, Kidney and other life threatening diseases.

The Lt Governor also sanctioned an amount of Rs 37.58 lakh under J&K Relief Fund (J&KRF) for victims of road accidents and other natural incidents. Out of which, an amount of Rs 2.95 lakh was sanctioned in favour of physically challenged persons and other persons suffering from different diseases.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh on Wednesday said that they are hopeful that US President Donald Trump’s visit to India will pass off peacefully.

“Two foreign delegations have visited Kashmir and they witnessed normalcy in the Valley,” Singh said at a press conference in Srinagar.

“There are some apprehensions, like always, militants are still present in good numbers, we hope visit passes off peacefully, we have security arrangements in place.”

On the use of Internet VPN, he said they are aware that people are taking advantage of the loopholes. “We know it is being used despite instructions. But there is a line between use and misuse,” he said adding, “Government is keeping surveillance on the misuse of the Internet.”

He said the home department has issued an order banning social media in Kashmir. “Some are using social media and instigating militants. We have proof of that,” he said.

Singh said if the situation improves further, relaxation in the use of the Internet can be considered.

He said their main priority is that those instigating militants are checked.

On the deferment of the Panchayat elections, the top J&K cop said it is the government’s decision and there must be solid grounds for doing that.

On ceasefire violations, he said there are a large number of terrorists at the launch pads waiting for infiltration.

“All those launch pads remained active this year despite snow to infiltrate whenever there is an opportunity,” he said.

“On Tuesday, a drone from Pakistan crossed into India in Kathua and returned after the BSF opened fire,” he said.

Singh said 23 militants, 19 in Kashmir, and four in Jammu, have been killed in various anti-terror operations this year so far.

He said a total of 10 anti-terror operations have been carried out this year across J&K during which there was no collateral damage.

“Several terror modules have been busted in 2020 and 40 overground workers of militants were arrested,” he said.

He added that eight youths who joined militancy in 2020 have shunned violence and returned to the mainstream. “They have been reunited with their families.”

Singh said the three militants killed in the encounter on Wednesday morning belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen. They have been identified as Jehangir Wani, Raja Maqbool and Uzair Bhat. Jehangir was the dreaded militant who was involved in the killing of two civilians.

“Jehangir was involved in eight acts of terror including attacks on police and army,” he said. “After the abrogation of Article 370 he set on fire a chemist shop, burnt a truck and put up inflammatory posters.”

He had also set fire to a mosque at Tral, Singh said.

‘Pak Using Drones For Surveillance’

Asserting that there was no letup in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said launching pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) remained loaded with militants even during winter.

The DGP said a Pakistani drone on Tuesday entered Indian Territory at Kathua in Jammu and hovered over a BSF post for about 10 to 11 minutes before action by soldiers forced it to go back.

Mr Singh said a huge number of militants are waiting on launching pads in POK to infiltrate into this side. However, he said troops are alert and prepared to foil any attempts by militants to sneak into this side to create disturbance.

“We have noticed another important thing this winter. The launching pads which militants used to desert during winters following snowfall remained active in Keran and Karnah sector in north Kashmir district of Kupwara. These launching pads during this winter remained active. The activities on the other side of LoC, which used to come down during winter, also remained high as compared to previous years,” he said.

He said the intention of keeping these launching pads active even during winters was to sneak in militants into this side whenever it was possible.

“Even yesterday, a Pakistani drone entered the Indian Territory at Kathua in Jammu. The drone hovered over a BSF post for about 10 to 11 minutes. It was only after our troops fired at it that the drone was pulled back by Pakistan into its own territory. Such activities are going on along LoC on regular basis,” the DGP said.

He said asserted that ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) has continued from some time now as Pakistan wants to keep the militancy going in J&K. “The ceasefire violation has increased many folds and there is no letup in the situation. Few days back a civilian and a soldier were killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Rajori district of Jammu,” he added.

He said it is an attempt by Pakistan to keep the LoC active and volatile. “Pakistan is also violating ceasefire to help militants to infiltrate into this side,” he said.

The DGP said some of infiltration attempts by militants succeeded. “Three militants killed in Nagrota in Jammu had infiltrated from Pakistan. The driver and conductor who were ferrying the militants were caught alive. The duo has been handed over to NIA for questioning,” he said.

Islamabad: Just a week ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to New Delhi, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres during his four-day trip to Islamabad applauded Pakistan for its peace efforts and expressed concern for the Muslims in India.

Before concluding his Pakistan visit on Wednesday, the UN chief in an interview to Pakistani newspaper Dawn commented on India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which fast-tracks citizenship of persecuted religious minorities of its three neighbouring Islamic theocracies.

The Dawn quoted Guterres as saying that there was a “risk of statelessness for two million Muslims excluded by the divisive Citizenship (Amendment) Act passed by the Indian Parliament.”

Guterres also told Dawn that he was personally concerned about the rising discrimination against the minorities in India. The newspaper claimed that the UN chief said: “All the reports, including two by the UN High Commissioner, in the international media, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and recent fact-finding reports on Kashmir released in New Delhi, regarding torture, sexual abuse and incarceration of children as young as seven by the Indian military”, played an important role in “clarifying exactly what is happening” in Kashmir and “it is essential that these reports are taken seriously”.

The UN chief made no mention of Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism in Kashmir for the last three decades. Instead, while visiting Pakistan’s Kartarpur Corridor constructed to facilitate the visit by Sikh pilgrims from India, Guterres praised Pakistan for opening “a symbol of interfaith harmony.”

During his four-day trip, the UN chief showed huge admiration for Pakistan and patted the Imran Khan government on its back for its peace efforts. “For 40 years, Pakistan has sheltered Afghan refugees. I urge the world to support host countries and show similar leadership in standing with the refugees. The country has stood in solidarity with the refugees from Afghanistan for 40 years, showing how generosity is not always proportional to wealth,” he said.

The UN Secretary General said that Pakistan is one of the most consistent and reliable contributors to the UN peacekeeping efforts around the world. “I am closely following vital peace efforts in Afghanistan to reduce violence, especially against civilians. By building regional consensus, Pakistan’s role in this process remains crucial,” he tweeted. (KNT)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Wednesday said that Umar Fayaz who was hit a bullet during an encounter in Lawaypora area of Srinagar outskirts recently, has not been given a clean chit yet.

While addressing a press conference, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar said that Umar, who hails from Chattabal area of Srinagar and is presently living at Lawapora on city outskirts and was injured during the gunfight has not been given clean chit yet, but the investigation will be started once his health condition improves.

Kumar, who was present besides Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh, during the presser, said that Umar has been discharged from the hospital and is undergoing treatment at home.

“Once his health condition improves, Umar will be taken into the custody where he will be questioned and investigation will be started accordingly,” he said, adding that he has not been given clean chit yet.

Asked whether the scooty on which militants as per police travelled on the particular days has been recovered, the IGP said he will have to check the issue with concerned SSP.