Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • Militants killing aftermath

    Lalpora erupts, Bunkers torched, scores of vehicles damaged

    Kupwara: Violent protests erupted in frontier district Kupwara’s Lalpora area after thousands of protestors stormed into police station Lalpora to get the bodies of seven slain militants who were killed during a gun fight in Dardpora forests on Monday evening.

    Eyewitnesses told CNS that thousands of people from Lalpora, Dardpora, Darpora, Redinag assembled outside police station Lalpora where post mortem of seven slain militants was being performed. The protestors staged a massive protest and amid pro-freedom slogans stormed into police station, however, the police and CRPF personnel restored to intense aerial firing and fired scores of tear-smoke shells which created panic in the area.
    Eyewitnesses said that police station was completely damaged by protestors while some of the policemen ran for cover.
    Reports said that, the angry protestors resorted to stone pelting and torched two bunkers outside police station. They stormed into police station and attacked it from all the sides forcing some policemen to ran for cover. The room of Station House Officer was completely damaged by protesters.  Protestors alleged that the slain militants were locals and foreigners. They demanded the dead bodies of militants for burial.
    During the clashes at least 16 persons including 4 policemen, 7 photo and video journalists and five civilians were injured. One of the civilian Muhammad Mustafa Shah was referred to Kupwara District Hospital for treatment. Reports said that additional reinforcement of police and CRPF were rushed to spot to take stock of the situation.
    Sources told CNS that in order to diffuse the situation; local police contacted Auqaf Committee and handed over the bodies of militants to them. Agitated protestors who were thousands in number participated in the funeral procession and ultimately they were buried in local grave yard.
    Authorities imposed severe restriction in and around Lalpora to thwart possible protests. Deputy Inspector General Police North Kashmir J.P.Singh said that all measures have been taken to maintain peace and order in the area. “We are monitoring the situation minutely while police and Para-military troopers have been deployed in the area to maintain law order,” he said.

    Pertinently, Army Monday claimed that it gunned down top seven foreign militants in Dardpora Forest of Lolab region in North Kashmir’s frontier district of Kupwara. Army said that the operation was launched after intelligence inputs were received about the presence of militants in the area.  (CNS)

  • Slain Militants all Foreigners: Army

    Pakistani documents recovered from their possession
    Kupwara: Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police Tuesday claimed that all the 7 persons killed in Dardpor forest during an operation were Lashkar Toiba militants as Pakistani documents were recovered from their possession soon after their death.
    In a joint press conference at Sector 8 Headquarters in Lalpora Lolab, General Officer Commanding Kilo Force S.K.Sunny and Deputy Inspector General Police North Kashmir Range, J.P.Singh told reporters that all the persons who were killed in the operation were Lashkar militants who were active in Dardpora forestes for a long time.
    GOC, Kilo Force said that the joint operation carried out by Army and Police was a lengthy one and it had not been started abruptly. “Due to high altitude and heavy snow, our men faced difficulties to track and crack these militants, however we finally managed to neutralize seven of them,” he said.
    He refuted the news reports that slain militants had infiltrated recently from across the border. He said that it was not a new group but these militants were active for a long time in these forests. “It is obviously a big achievement for us and a major setback to Lashkar outfit,” he said.
    General Officer Commanding Kilo Force S.K.Sunny claimed that all the slain militants were carrying Pakistani documents which amply proves that these militants were not locals but foreigners. “Operation against militants in the area is still in progress and we want to make it sure no militant breeches our cordon,” he said.

    According to CNS, Deputy Inspector General North Kashmir Range J.P.Singh told reporters that it has been confirmed that all the slain militants were Pakistani whose bodies were handed over to local Auqaf Committee. (CNS)

  • Marking on weapons and documents prove that slain militants were foreigners: Defense spokesperson

    Kupwara:  Soon after the reports erupted in Lalpora, Kupwara over the killing of seven militants, Srinagar based Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel, N.N. Joshi told Srinagar based news gathering agency CNS that it has been confirmed after proper verification that all the slain militants were Pakistani and not a single of them was a local militant.
    He said that the Army and Police recovered some documents from them which indicates that they were from Pakistan. “The marking that were found on their weapons also indicated that all the slain militants were foreigners.

    Responding to a query, the spokesperson said that no identity card was recovered from their possession but, ‘initial investigation has revealed that all the slain militants were either associated with Lashkar Toiba or its associated groups.” (CNS)

  • Voting not be influenced by slogans but performance: Mufti

    “Polls this time a unique opportunity for JK people”
    Jammu: Seeking a clear mandate for his party, former Chief Minister and Patron Peoples Democratic Party Mr. Mufti Muhammad Sayeed Tuesday asserted that Lok Sabha and Assembly polls this year would be a unique opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who in past were constantly under the burden of single party dominance.
    Addressing a well attended public meeting at Patoli Brahmna, here this afternoon, Mr. Sayeed said that emergence of Peoples Democratic Party as a credible alternate provides a unique opportunity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to invest in the vision of development, prosperity and peace. “Earlier it used to be single dominant party, which had developed monopoly and exploited people for its own political and vested interest but today the people have a choice to accept and reject a political party on the basis of performance and vision”, he said.
    People, he said, have a clear choice this time as they have report card of each political party before them. “The voting this time will not be influenced by slogans but by hard evident performance by different parties”.
    The PDP patron said that people have before them the clear vision and performance of PDP in both government and in opposition. “PDP had not a long stint in the power but even than the people have before them the non-compromising conduct of the party on corruption, the capacity to govern and implement a vision before them in comparison to the years of mis-governance, corruption, negotism and scams”, he said adding that it will be now the people to chose between the parties, which have the capability and vision.
    He said that the state could be poised for a big change on all fronts, if the people give a decisive mandate to PDP. The problems, he said, are common to all the regions and people are suffering equally and time has come when a point of conversion has to be found. Unemployed, power deficit, development deficit, ailing health, dilapidated roads and poverty are the common problems of all the areas, particularly of far-flung and backward areas.
    “It is the time when we have to built a new discourse and strive hard together in order to built a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir”, Mr. Sayeed said adding that the state had never any dearth of resources, which could have been utilized to economic and social upliftment.
    “During the short period of three years, PDP has set an example of transparent and accountable government. Multilateral agencies like Asian Development Bank contributed by investing in core development sectors including roads, sewerage and power in Jammu and Kashmir”, he said adding, “The UPA, NDA governments equally contributed in the development needs of Jammu and Kashmir as everyone was convinced by the capacity of state government to deliver on ground”.
    S Rangil Singh, Trilok Singh Bajwa, Yashpalk Sharma, Shnati Devi, Nizam-ud-din Khatana, Choudhary Hamid, Fallail Singh, Ashok Jogi, Rajender Manhas, Maj Gen(Retd) R S Jamwal, Th Suram Singh, Abhijeet Jasrotia, J  P Kapooer, Vikram Singh, Lal Chand, Chaman Lal Manyal, Badrinath, Parabhakar Singh, Shamsher Singh, Manmohan Singh, Kewal Singh, Rehmat Khan, Mulk Raj, Bhutto Khan, KK Sharma, Bodh Raj, Tara Chand, Dalbber Singh, Satpal Charak and others were also present.
    Referring to the repeated cuts in Annual Plan allocations, increasing deficit and lapse of funds, Mr. Sayeed said that today the scenario seems to be back on square one. “It was the same administration and same setup which brought in the change, people have been talking about and it is the same administration which has now been blamed for the chaos, the state has been plunged into”, he said adding, “Not much changed in the administration but what has changed is the capacity to deliver”.
    He said that Peoples Democratic Party has the vision to rebuilt that capacity in order to provide much needed solace to the people. 

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  • Thousands Attend Funeral of 7 Unidentified Militants

    Geelani calls for Strike on 28th Feb to mourn the death of 7 alleged militants killed in Dardpora

    Kupwara: Thousands of Kashmiri villagers attended the funeral on Tuesday of seven militants killed by security forces, the highest number of guerrillas killed in a single firefight in the Himalayan region in recent months, witnesses said. Soldiers shot seven militants in a gun battle on Monday in Lolab area of Kupwara district, north of Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital, police said. Thousands of people joined the funeral procession, a witness said. “Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest),” the angry mourners shouted. Security forces do not normally release the bodies of killed unidentified militants to Local people, but, wary of trouble, they decided to make an exception after thousands of villagers clashed with police to demand the bodies be handed over. The identity of the slain militants has not been established yet.

  • Aftermath killing of 7 militants; violent clashes erupts in Lolab

    Police post attacked, 2 pickets set ablaze, 10 injured
    Srinagar:  Two police posts were set ablaze at Lalpora by angry protesters demanding the bodies of seven alleged militants who were killed in Lolab forests of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district Monday evening. Reports reaching GNS said that thousands of people gathered outside police post Lalpora and staged strong protests against the killing of 7 militants. 
    Angry protesters demanding the bodies of the militants stormed the police post and set ablaze two pickets. The forces lobbed teargas canisters and fired aerial shots to disperse the protesters resulting in injuries to 10 persons including  two cops and 3 Photo Journalists. Violent clashes are on, reports said (GNS)

  • Lalpora: 1 person critically injured

    Situation tense, say witnesses
    Srinagar: One person was critically injured after police opened fire and burst tear smoke shells to disperse hundreds of protestors in Lalpora, where seven unidentified militants were killed Monday evening.
    Reports said hundreds of people have assembled outside police station Lalpora and were demanding the bodies of slain militants. Reports added that the people attacked the police station with stones while cops opened fire in air.
    Additional reinforcement of police and CRPF have been rushed to spot and senior police have also moved to area to take the stock of situation.

  • Pro-freedom leaders ask UJC supremo to identify ‘black sheep’

    Srinagar: A day after United Jihad Council (UJC) chairman, Syed Salahuddin, asked ‘sincere’ Hurriyat leadership of Kashmir to get united and show door to the black sheep within their ranks, two senior leaders of the parallel factions Monday asked the militant leader to come clear on the issue.
    Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat, while speaking to GNS said: “It is a huge question that who is black sheep within Hurriyat. Salahuddin should have named them,”
    Bhat, who is known for his controversial statements, said he that he is not averse to the unification of the pro-freedom camp. He said he will be delighted to see a united leadership “It would be better if the leaders unite,” he added.
    Chairman of newly formed Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK), Shabir Ahmad Shah, said it was not for the first time that Salahuddin has made such an appeal. However, he also asked the Hizb chief to name the black sheep among the pro-freedom ranks.
    “It’s his long time wish that the sincere leadership of Kashmir should get united. He has been requesting for unification time and again,” he said
    Shah said HCJK is negotiating with ‘pro-movement’ doctors, intellectuals, lawyers so that the amalgam would be given a new direction. He said that HCJK has no differences with the Hurriyat headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
    Shah, who was formerly associated with Hurriyat headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, left the amalgam and formed new Hurriyat along with few top leaders of Miwaiz’s amalgam.
    Syed Salahuddin, a pioneer of armed insurgency in Kashmir; had said on Sunday that Hurriyat leadership was aware of the black sheep within its ranks and even the people know about them.

    “We must realize; that Kashmiri youth are offering their blood day in and day out. And in honor of the precious lives of our youth, the Hurriyat leadership must unite. The sincere Hurriyat leadership that is sincere to its constitution should recognize each other and show door to the black sheep,” he had said. (GNS)

  • Cross-LoC trade likely to resume in 2 days: Custodian Trade

    Srinagar: The cross-LoC trade via Salamabad-Chakoti route is likely to resume tomorrow following fresh meeting between officials from both parts of Kashmir on Monday.
    Official sources told GNS that Liaison Officer and Custodian of the trade, Showkat Ahmad from this part of the Kashmir held talks with Trade Facilitation Officer Basharat Ahmad from Pakistan Administered Kashmir wherein it was decided to resume the trade smoothly. The meeting continued for over an hour. “The meeting was held at Zero Point. It was decided that the trade will commence from Tuesday or Wednesday,” Liaison Officer, Showkat Ahmad told GNS. He said the matter regarding the full body scanners at the TFC for better scrutiny has already been taken up with the higher ups. Pertinently, on Feb 20, the cross LoC trade had failed to resume as the drivers in the Pakistan administered Kashmir (Pak) reiterated their demand for the release of the detained driver. On January 17, the trade between the two sides was suspended after Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a Pak driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan on charges of smuggling drugs into the Valley. To demand the driver’s release, the Pak officials detained 27 Kashmiri drivers for over 26 days. However, on February 12, the officials of both the sides agreed to allow the stranded drivers to return to their respective destinations ending the standoff. (GNS)

  • Tourist Police busts fake tour operators’ racket

    Srinagar: Tourist police busted a fake tour operators racket who used to cheat many tourists in Srinagar. Three persons running the fake agencies have been arrested.
    In a police statement issued to KNS, tourist police Srinagar registered a case on 26.10.2013 after it came to surface that some unknown persons have established fake tour and travel agencies in Kashmir under the name of Junaid Holidays and Trip to Kashmir etc and are duping gullible tourists on their visit to Kashmir. Some complaints were also received by e-mail from various persons who have been cheated by these false companies.
    During the investigation it was revealed that these persons have launched these fake agencies on internet and using websites. They cheated the people who intend to visit Kashmir by offering them cheaper packages. They used different cell numbers and bank accounts numbers to cheat the tourists.
    Further investigations by Tourist police led to the arrest of three persons running the fake agencies. Umer Shah son of Ghulam Mohammad Shah and Zahoor Ahmed Shah son of Abdul Rahim Shah residents of Kakawthal, Baramulla were arrested from their rented rooms at Jawahar Nagar Srinagar.

    Tourist police recovered 1 lap top, receipt book of fake Tour & Travels, Fake Election Cards, cash worth Rs. 3,40,000/- Three lacs forty thousand, 6 Mobile phones, 02 cars (One I-10 and a Santro) from their instances, besides froze a Bank account in HDFC Bank Raj Bagh with Rs. 4,07.079/-. The accused confessed to their crime and led to another person Tahir Ahmed Sheikh who used to prepare fake Election Cards at Mustafa Abad HMT Srinagar for them.  Further investigations are in progress. (KNS)