The Kashmir Pulse

KATHUA — The Director General of Police (DGP) for Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh, on Wednesday said that there is a notable shortfall of approximately 4,000 constables within the police force in Jammu and Kashmir.

This shortage comes in the wake of the administration's decision to delegate police recruitment to an external agency.

In the past, the police department conducted its recruitment drives internally, but the recent shift to an external agency has resulted in a significant number of unfilled positions within the constabulary. This was stated by the DGP during a security review meeting held in Kathua district, as per the news agency KNS.

Despite the staffing challenges, DGP Singh commended the residents of Kathua and its remote villages for maintaining communal harmony. He acknowledged the hard work of the local populace, many of whom toil in fields and shops to support their livelihoods. He also emphasized that a peaceful atmosphere prevails in the district.

Furthermore, DGP Singh noted the high demand for police recruitment drives in the region, attributing it to the issue of youth unemployment. Historically, the police department has prioritized recruitment efforts in border areas to address security needs.

Responding to inquiries regarding the situation following a recent encounter in Kokernag, where two army officers and a police officer lost their lives, DGP Singh stated that the overall situation remains peaceful, with no significant disruptions.

He also underscored the constant vigilance of the police and security forces in thwarting attempts by neighbouring countries to destabilize peace in the region.

SRINAGAR — A 53-year-old woman Yatri was killed while two members of Mountain Rescue Team of J&K Police were grievously injured in a shooting stone incident between Sangam Top and Lower Cave in south Kashmir late last evening, officials said on Sunday.

They told the news agency GNS that while the woman Urmilaben daughter of Laxmi Narayan was seriously injured after being hit by the shooting stone, two members of Mountain Rescue Team of J&K Police, Mohammed Saleem and Mohammed Yaseen, suffered grievous wounds while they were trying to rescue her.

The woman succumbed to her injuries before being shifted to the hospital while the injured police personnel were evacuated by army and private helicopter on Yatra duty, they said.

DGP J&K Dilbag Singh has condoled the “unfortunate” death of the Yatri and has also expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. The DGP appreciated the commitment of two policemen and expressed his thanks to everyone involved in the quick evacuation. He wished early recovery to the injured.

Meanwhile, eight CRPF personnel, on their way to perform Yatra, sustained injuries, five of them mild, when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a ditch near one kilometer from Nilgrath area in Baltal in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.

One among three seriously injured, Patil Bhattu, has been referred to SKIMS Soura, they said and added that the condition of the rest of the injured is stated to be stable.

"The personnel had taken casual leave to perform Yatra," they added.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police chief, Dilbagh Singh on Tuesday said that there are no threat inputs to the upcoming Bharat Jodo Yatra and that all security measures have been taken to facilitate it when it reaches the UT.

“I chaired a security review and BJY was also discussed. There is no threat to the Yatra. All security measures will be taken to facilitate it at district and range level,” DGP told reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of a function as per the news agency KNO.

Replying to a query, the DGP said police have got some vital clues with regard to the Rajouri attacks and that success will be achieved soon. The DGP said that police have got some vital clues during the investigation. “The area is close to the forest and after frequent militant sightings, four-five unsuccessful operations have been launched. As far as the investigation is concerned, we have got some solid clues and the arrests will be made soon. I hope that success will be achieved soon,” he said.

DGP also said that “the main character behind terrorism in J&K and other parts of the country from across the border is being exposed at the international level. Measures are being taken to tighten up the process against the involved people and notify them as terrorists. The profile of these persons is also being sent to the different organizations working against terrorism.”

Meanwhile, DGP chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar in which senior officers of Kashmir Zone participated. A police spokesman said that the meeting reviewed the crime and security scenario of the Valley. He said that arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day were also discussed.

Addressing the officers, the DGP said that action against the terror ecosystem must be carried forward meticulously and in a coordinated manner. "Although J&K Police along with other forces has got successes across Jammu and Kashmir against the terrorists, stringent actions against the terror support system, narcotics and narco-terror modules should be continued with an aim to bring an end to it," the spokesman said, adding that the DGP stressed upon the jurisdictional officers to ensure direct supervision of UAPA, NDPS and other special reported heinous cases so that the investigation and disposal of all pending cases as well as of new cases are brought to a logical conclusion on priority.

Reviewing the arrangements for the upcoming Republic Day functions, the DGP directed for ensuring all required and necessary security arrangements are in place. “He directed for coordination and synergy among all the stakeholders. He directed the officers that while dealing with any situation, they should ensure that law-abiding people are not put to any inconvenience during their day-to-day activities. He also directed for stringent action against OGWs or anyone supporting terrorism, or narco-terror modules in the UT,” the spokesman said.

Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra plan in J&K

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is set to enter Jammu and Kashmir for its culmination after covering around 4000 kilometers distance, the foot march by the Parliamentarian has certainly become a talking point among the people.

As per the news agency KNO, Rahul Gandhi will spend around 11 days in Jammu and Kashmir and participate in various public meets, interactions besides visiting famous temples, shrines and iconic spots.

Member Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Incharge Jammu Kashmir Congress Committee, Rajni Patil informed that Rahul-led Bharat Jodo Yatra will be entering into Jammu and Kashmir on January 19, after a grand flag handover ceremony in Punjab’s Pathankot.

“After Haryana leg and Punjab leg, the Yatra will march into Jammu and Kashmir via Lakhanpur. And will be in the state for almost 11-12 days, followed by a grand function in Srinagar for its successful culmination, where all Congress chief ministers and senior leaders of Opposition are likely to participate,” MP Patil said.

She further said that, after entering J&K, Yatra will be welcomed at Maharaja Gulab Singh’s status at Lakhanpur and then march forward.

“The BJY is staying in containers and its first halt will be at Hatli Morh, Kathua. On January 20, it will resume at 7:00 in the morning from Hatli Morch and break at Channi, while the stay will be in Chadwal," she said, adding, “January 21 is a break day, while on January 22, it will further resume from Hiranagar and make a night halt at Duggar Havali, Samba.”

Patil further said that a grand rally is planned on January 23 at Satwari Jammu and a night halt will be at Shidra in the outskirts while on January 24, the Yatra will break for two times and a night halt is planned at Udhampur.

“Similarly, it will resume on January 15 and make its night halt in Ramban while itinerary in Kashmir hasn’t been announced fully and still updating,” she said and added that a grand culminating ceremony is planned at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium Srinagar where a large number of people, chief minister of Congress-led states, likeminded Opposition leaders are likely to participate.

A Congress leader informed that the march is planned in such a way that it passes through iconic places and places of religious faiths, where Rahul is likely to visit. However, the party sources added that Rahul is unlikely to visit outer peripheries and border areas during his visit due to security issues.

As per sources, security concerns for the Yatra also mounted as it is set to enter Jammu and Kashmir, where encounters between 'terrorists' and security forces have often taken place, in the third week of this month.

According to party sources, Rahul is unlikely to visit the border belt and Vaishno Devi shrine. However, he will be visiting Raghunath Ji temple, Bawe Wali Mata Temple during his stay in Jammu.

The Congress has exhorted “like-minded” groups and individuals to join the march to keep the BJP at bay. Jammu and Kashmir is a crucial state for Congress as it reaches a very crucial time, with Assembly elections approaching in near future.

The J&K Legislative Assembly was suspended after the BJP fell out with Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in June 2018. But between 2014 – when the BJP-PDP alliance was struck – and 2018 – when they split – much of the political and demographic landscape in the Valley has shifted.

The Gupkar alliance of Kashmiri parties has developed cracks, with the National Conference announcing to go it alone, and the UT has undergone a delimitation exercise.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra’s stated goal is to “unite the country” but the Congress is seen to use this massive mass-contact programme to address its existential crisis triggered by the exits of top leaders (the latest being Ghulam Nabi Azad), dissent, infighting (Rajasthan is a case in point) and a string of poll defeats.

Launched on September 7, 2022, from Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the peninsula, to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, spanning 3,570 kilometers, which will come to its end on January 30.

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Saturday said that year 2022 was the most peaceful year on the security front compared to the last four years that saw the killing of 56 foreigners among 186 militants.

He also said that 100 youths joined militancy in the year 2022 of which 17 were arrested and the rest were killed in various encounters while only 18 are left.

Addressing the year-ender press conference at Jammu, DGP Singh, as per the news agency KNO, said that compared to the past four years, the year 2022 was the most peaceful on the security front.

“We conducted large-scale anti-militancy operations in which 56 foreigners among 186 militants were killed. The majority of the slain militants were affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad outfits,” the DGP said.

He added, “Almost 100 youth joined militant ranks of which 17 were arrested, remaining were eliminated while just 18 are left who will also be killed soon. We haven’t seen such a lowest local militant recruitment in the past four years.”

He said a huge number of youths who had tread the wrong path were brought back. “Their number can’t be shared,” the DGP said.

'Mission Zero Terror' for 2023

The DGP said that the new year resolution of police for the year 2023 will be 'Mission Zero Terror' and the prime focus will be on wiping out the “terror eco-system wherever it exists in J&K.”

J&K Police chief said that 146 militant modules were busted in the year bidding goodbye. “Each module comprised 4 to 5 youth,” he said.

Weapons Seized: DGP Singh said in the year 2022, 188 weapons including AK-47 rifles, 275 pistols, 354 grenades, 61 grenades, 61 IEDs including some ready-to-use that were drone dropped. I congratulate police and other forces for successfully foiling the drone dropping bids of weapons in Jammu region and seizing a huge quantity of weapons,” he said. “There were some unfortunate incidents of blasts in Udhampur but the majority of bids were foiled.”

Security Forces’/Civilian Causalities: DGP Singh said that compared to previous years, forces faced fewer causalities in the year 2022. “14 policemen and 17 security forces personnel were killed in the year 2022, which is the lowest ever. Civilian causalities were also less. There were just 24 law and order incidents (all very mild in nature),” he said.

Seizure of Vehicles/Houses Used to Support Militancy: The J&K Police chief said that 55 vehicles and 28 houses were seized for being used to support militancy. Similarly, 649 people were booked under PSA for supporting militancy.

On Drugs: “1693 cases were registered and many modules were busted. 212 kgs of heroin, 383 kgs of charas, 12 kgs of brown sugar and a huge quantity of other drugs were seized in the year 2022,” the DGP said.

Crime Cases: The DGP said that 29834 cases of crime were registered in 2023. “Fast track case disposal system was followed. The year 2022 saw 2285 cases of crime against women,” he said.

UPA Cases: DGP Singh said 1350 cases are under investigation. “We have set up SIU in every district for fast-track case disposal,” he said. “SIUs are working under SIA and are doing a great job.”

About TRF/Kashmir Fight Blog: “Both of these are the mouthpieces of ISI. We have investigated almost all the threat cases and won’t spare anyone issuing threats to the minority community and other sections of the society,” he said.

PULWAMA — Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said infiltration to a large extent has been stopped and almost all cases of target killings have been solved.

The DGP visited District Police Lines Pulwama and inaugurated multiple facilities including a Gym Centre, Conference Hall, Equipment Centre, and a Women's Police Station.

Among key officers who were also present on the occasion include ADGP Vijay Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary and SSP Pulwama, Ghulam Jeelani among others.

After inaugurating these projects, the DGP said that the Women's Police Station would prove better for society as most of the domestic cases against women go unreported.

Talking to reporters, the DGP said security arrangements are in place on the border so as to foil any attempt of infiltration very effectively, and to a large extent, infiltration has been checked and some attempts were made but infiltrators were killed.

He also said that almost all cases of target killings have been solved and just one or two cases are pending in which involved persons have been identified and very soon the pending cases will be closed too.

The DGP also said a large number of cases have been registered against drug peddlers and more than 2000 persons have been arrested. He said among them, many were slapped with PSA, and strict action is being taken so as to curb this menace.

He said earlier people were killed with bullets but now people are being killed with drugs here as whosoever uses it once, searches for it again and again. “Attempts are being made to drop drugs through drones, especially in Jammu region, however, every effort is being made to curb this menace,” the DGP said.

Earlier, while talking to reporters in Tral area, he said that he would like to congratulate the people and youth in particular for not opting for the path of 'terror' and choosing peace and prosperity.

He said that Tral is almost militancy free now and has become an abode of peace. “Youth must continue this path as those who chose the wrong path never came back,” he said.

SRINAGAR — Jammu & Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Sunday said that an accused involved in the twin Udhampur bus blasts has been arrested.

Addressing a press conference here at Jammu, he said that the police had formed multiple teams including the personnel of other agencies and were investigating the matter through various angles and it came to fore that one accused Mohammad Amin Bhat is involved in these blasts.

"Bhat is involved in these blasts. He is settled in Pakistan. He contacted a militant named Aslam Sheikh through social media apps and provided him three sticky bombs and four new IEDs through a drone," ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh said.

"On September 27, Mohammad Amin Bhat ordered him to plant bombs at suitable locations before a high-profile ministerial visit," the ADGP said, adding that he activated two IEDs and placed them in two buses.

"In one bus, he set a timer of 7 hours and in the other, he set a timer of 14 hours," he said and added, "Five IEDs including three sticky bombs have been recovered. With this module, a Jaish module was also linked and a person Zakir Hussian has been arrested and one sticky bomb has been recovered."

He also said that former militants are being recycled into militancy by their mentors from Pakistan to carry out sticky bomb attacks.

Recently, two back-to-back mysterious blasts took place in a bus that was parked at the bus stand in Udhampur. The first blast took place in an empty bus on Wednesday night and after eight hours, another blast occurred on Thursday morning. Two people have been injured in the incident and vehicles parked nearby have also suffered damage.

KUPWARA — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Friday said that the number of active militants is one-third of what the figure was three years ago and that the security forces will wipe out the remaining militants soon.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a security review meeting in the northern district of Kupwara, the DGP Singh, who was flanked by ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar and other officers, said that militancy was on a decline in Kashmir.

“There is only one-third of the militants active in Kashmir of what the figure was three years ago,” he said as per the news agency KNO. As per the official figures, the number of active militants in Kashmir in 2019 was between 200 to 250.

He said that remaining active militants will be wiped-out soon as security forces are continuing intelligence-based anti-militancy operations. About Kupwara, the DGP said that the district has largely contributed towards peace and today, it is the militancy-free district of Kashmir.

Replying to a query about the infiltration of narcotics into J&K, the DGP said that the neighbouring country has been making continuous efforts to push in narcotics and pistol consignments through drones and other means. “We have seized a large amount of narcotics as the amount earned out of drugs is being pumped to fuel militancy. As far as pistol consignments, this is a tactical shift in militancy as carrying a pistol becomes easy compared to AK-47,” he said.

About attacks on non-local labourers in south Kashmir, he said that these attacks are nothing but frustration. “If J&K youth can work and earn their livelihood in any part of India, what is wrong if a non-local labourer comes here, works for a day and earns his living? Attacking these labourers is nothing but madness,” said DGP Singh as per the KNO.

In reply to a query about infiltration, the J&K Police chief said that the infiltration along the borders remained negligible so far.

He, however, said that some infiltration attempts were made by Pakistani militants who have been severely suppressed by the alert security grid. "A few infiltrators have been successful in crossing the LoC which we have discussed today in meeting with Army officials and other security agencies," he said.

The DGP said that the security grid on borders is very strong and needs to be strengthened. He said that there are conspiracies from Pakistan to mislead the youth here. "We have suffered a massive loss of life and property for a long time. Now it's the time that we will make up for this loss by standing with peace," he said while appealing the youth to follow the path of peace.

GANDERBAL — Jammu and Kashmir’s Police chief Dilbagh Singh on Sunday said that “narco-terrorism” was the biggest challenge for the police force as the neighbouring country wants to destroy the new generation on one hand and pump the money earned out of narco-sale to fuel militancy.

Addressing the passing-out-cum attestation parade of new recruits at Police Training Centre (PTC) Manigam in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district here, the DGP, as per news agency KNO, said that narco-terrorism of late is the biggest challenge for the police.

“Even though the police is facing it effectively by busting all modules involved in narco-trade but a lot more needs to be done on this front,” the DGP Singh said, adding, “Our neighbour (Pakistan) is not happy with the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in J&K and wants to promote narco-terrorism by luring the youth towards drugs and use the money earned out of narco-sale to fuel militancy.”

The DGP said that drones are being sent from across to air-drop narcotics and weapons. “Police and other security agencies have succeeded in curbing this menace. A lot more needs to be done to stop the narco-terrorism in J&K as it remains a big challenge,” he said.

He said that J&K Police are committed to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere in J&K but “our neighbour continuously hatches conspiracies to disrupt peace.”

“We will continue to work to make peace a permanent feature in J&K,” DGP Singh said and paid rich tributes to 1601 police personnel including 514 Special Police Officers (SPOs) who laid lives in the line of duty during the past over 30 years.

About 'Har Ghar Tiranga', the DGP said that the move is aimed to show people’s commitment towards their country but “neighbouring country wants 'Har Ghar Matam'.”

“We thank people for supporting our initiative of creating a peaceful atmosphere in J&K and defeating the forces working for disrupting the peace,” he said.

Many areas in J-K cleared off militancy: LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that many areas in the UT have been cleared off the militancy and its eco-system stands fully damaged while efforts are on to root-out militancy from the entire region. He, however, said narco-terrorism, if not handled in time, will emerge as cancer.

Addressing the passing-out-cum-attestation parade of 538 new recruits at Police Training Centre (PTC) Manigam, Ganderbal, the LG, as per news agency KNO, said that police along with other security forces through its human and technical intelligence have been able to clear off many areas in J&K from the menace of militancy and its ecosystem.

“But more needs to be done to root out the terrorism completely from J&K. Narco-terrorism is fast emerging as the biggest challenge and if it is not dealt with in time, it can take the shape of cancer. For eradicating militancy, you need to destroy all its off-shoots and tools supporting it,” the LG said.

He said that police in J&K was facing multiple challenges on many fronts. “In other states, challenges for police are less compared to J&K. Here, police have to maintain law and order, deal with social crimes, criminals, also with militancy and subversive elements,” the LG said and hailed the police force for facing all challenges bravely and in a professional manner.

He said that the police force is fast learning the art of countering technical and social media propaganda through the same means. “We have countered the social media propaganda by using online means and the police force is working hard on that front,” Sinha said.

He said that the administration has been providing full support to police over the years and no stone will be left unturned to make the police force more efficient in the times to come. He said that new recruits who completed their course are not trained to do just normal policing, but to handle law and order, deal with militancy and are also trained to use computers to stay connected through CCTNS.

ANANTNAG — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Friday said that “hybrid militancy” is a strategic move by Pakistan to get the crime committed and shield the criminal but so far the neighbouring country has failed to provide cover to the militants involved in innocent killings.

Talking to reporters at Anantnag after inaugurating the Women’s Police Station, the DGP Singh, as per news agency KNO, said that hybrid militancy is a well-planned strategic move of Pakistan to promote a new sort of militancy where they want crime to be committed and criminal to go scot-free.

“In this type of faceless militancy, hybrid militants kill people including innocents and policemen, then go underground in a bid to give the impression that they have done nothing. But police have busted and exposed all such underground modules who were involved in innocent killings,” the DGP said. He said hybrid militancy is destined to fail as the police network was very strong to counter it.

He said that the impression about police working on the anti-militancy front was wrong and the fact remains that “social crimes” are also being dealt with. “Since militancy has affected one and all in Kashmir, it looks like that police was focussing on handling militancy only,” the DGP said.

He said that setting up of women’s police station was a move to bridge the gap between police and women. “We will upgrade the women police stations across Kashmir to provide a breathing space to women. Such stations will also help deal with crimes against women to a large extent,” the DGP said.

JAMMU — Two militants and a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer were killed during a fierce gun battle near Sunjwan military station in Jammu on Friday, two days ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the region.

Talking to reporters, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu region, Mukesh Singh said that two militants have been killed while a security officer has lost his life and four others were injured in the encounter.

He added that search and sanitization of the area are going on. "Given the nature of arms and ammunition recovered from the slain which includes satellite phones and crucial documents, it seems the slain were planning a Fidayeen strike," Singh said.

The encounter started after security forces launched an operation near Jalalabad area of Sunjwan near the cantonment in Jammu city at around 3:30 AM.

The CISF, in a statement, said that a bus carrying 15 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel were attacked by militants near Chaddha Camp in Jammu.

According to a senior CISF officer, the attack happened around 4:25 AM, while the bus was en-route for the morning shift duties. “CISF averted the attack, retaliated effectively, and made the militants run away,” the senior CISF officer said.

“In the line of action, one Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of CISF lost his life and two others are injured,” he added.

Meanwhile, the police said they had information that militants were planning an attack in the city. However, it said militants targeted a bus carrying its personnel and an Assistant Sub Inspector was killed.

The attack comes ahead of PM Modi's arrival in Jammu on Sunday. The presence of militants near a vital military installation in the city is a major security concern ahead of his first political visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the former State's special status was revoked in August 2019.

PM Modi will address a major rally which will be attended by thousands of Panchayat members at Palli village.

Ahead of the visit, security has been put on high alert and round-the-clock patrolling is being carried out by security forces to prevent any militant attack across Jammu and Kashmir.

Two slain JeM militants in Jammu encounter were wearing Fidayeen vests: DGP Dilbagh Singh

Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Frdiay said that two militants killed in Sunjwan, Jammu encounter were wearing Fidayeen vests and were tasked to carry out a major suicide strike to sabotage the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said both the slain belong to the Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit and were part of a fresh infiltration bid.

Talking to reporters at the site of the encounter, the DGP Singh, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that late last night, acting on information about the presence of militants in Sunjwan area of Jammu, a cordon was laid by the police and CISF personnel. “The militants fired indiscriminately at the security forces in which one ASI of CISF succumbed while four others sustained injuries. The slain ASI of CISF has been identified as S P Patil,” he said.

The DGP Singh said that both the slain Fidayeen are foreigners and they were wearing “Fidayeen vests”. “Both were tasked to either target a security camp or to engage a large number of security forces to inflict maximum causalities,” he said.

The DGP said that it seems that the major aim of the two slain Fidayeen was to sabotage the PM’s upcoming rally at Samba on April 24. “But timely action by our alert forces have foiled the bid,” he said.

He said that from the possession of the slain duo, three AK-47 rifles, grenades, magazines, eatables, medicines, energy drinks etc were recovered, which are normally found with Fidayeen. He said as of now, there are no inputs to suggest that the slain were planning to attack the PM’s upcoming rally at Samba on April 24.

Asked whether there was a possibility of any other militant in the area, the DGP said that as of now, it seems that only two militants were present in the area. “Since they had no old history, it seems they had infiltrated recently just to carry out a big strike,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP J&K chief Ravinder Raina while speaking to reporters praised the J&K Police and CISF for killing the two Fidayeen. “The PM’s rally will be held and there will be more participation of people than expected,” he said.

Schools shut, mobile internet snapped in parts of Jammu

Mobile Internet services are partially suspended in parts of Jammu while schools within a 5-km radius of Sunjwan encounter site remain closed today as a precautionary measure in view of the encounter in the city outskirts.

Officials sources told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that mobile internet was snapped around 5:00 AM in the morning in south of Jammu including the area of Sunjwan, Bathandi, Narwal, Bahu Fort, Malik Market of Bahu Tehsil as a precautionary measure in view of encounter.

They added that some miscreants might misguide or exploit the local population of these areas during Friday prayers because earlier too, these areas witnessed such situations where locals tried to take law in hand.

Officials added that to avoid any mishap or disturbance to forces on the encounter site, telecom operators were asked to suspend the internet services till further order.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer, Jammu ordered the closure of schools that come within a five-kilometre radius of the encounter site.

Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jodhamal School and Heritage School including Govt HSS Sunjwan, Govt HS Bhatindi, International Delhi Public School Sunjwan, RM Public school Chowadi, Govt HS Chowadi, Doon School, DS Heritage, Birla Open Mind School, British International School, GPS Chowadi remained closed due to the encounter.

Moreover, the civilian movement in Sunjwan and Bathandi area has been restricted with barriers put on the National Highway to halt any type of movement.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Thursday said that the number of militants is fast decreasing but the militancy is alive in Kashmir.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a J&K Police Marty’s Football Tournament final match here, DGP said that the number of militants and militancy-related activities has started falling over the past couple of years. “But that doesn’t mean militancy is over. Militancy is still alive but the situation has indeed changed,” the DGP said as per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that as long as guns and grenades are available to the youth, innocent lives will continue to fall. “I urge youth to shun the path of violence. The youth who are carrying pistols, guns and grenades must give peace a chance,” the DGP said.

He added, “This place has seen enough of bloodshed. Elderly, women, children, youth and a large number of security forces personnel including policemen have died in the past 30 years. The violence leads to destruction only.”

He said that police are taking preventive measures to dislodge the militancy infrastructure and also to act against militant supporters. He said that Srinagar youth played a great role in getting stones replaced with the balls, be that football or cricket ball. “This indeed is a good achievement,” he said.

He said that in the tournament, 16 teams participated and today J&K Bank Football team clinched the title and won the trophy. He said police will also organise the tournaments for female players including young girls.

JAMMU — In a first, the premiere of a Bollywood movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ was held in Jammu, just a week before its theatrical release.

‘The Kashmir Files’, a film based on the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s, was held in Jammu on Friday evening. The movie will hit the silver screen on March 11.

As per the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), interacting with media after the special screening, Producer, Director Vivek Agnihotri claimed that there is nothing political about the story, adding, ‘The Kashmir Files’ will reveal an untold story of 1990s exodus that forced hundreds of Kashmir Hindus to migrate from the Kashmir valley.

The special screening of The filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri flanked by wife and actress Pallavi Joshi claimed that the film will bring truth and an untold story of the Kashmir Hindus of 1990s exodus to the public.

Addressing a presser here this morning, he said, “The movie will bring out the truth about exodus and displacement of Kashmiri Pandits.”

Agnihotri further claimed that linking the Kashmir solution through the ‘The Kashmir Files’ with politics or political set-up will be wrong because, in a democracy, politics is run by vote banks. “There is no vote bank of Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir, so perhaps it could not be resolved,” he said.

On the film landing into the controversy before its release as some people have knocked the doors of the judiciary objecting to certain scenes, Agnihotri took a dig at these sections of people and said, “Whatever is shown in the film is based on truth.”

He said the slogans raised in Kashmir or whatever was written on the walls in 1990, everything is shown as it is in the film, which actually is bothering many people.

“The project of ‘The Kashmir Files’ started in 2018 and it took four years of hard research,” he said, stating that it is a film, which to date no one has tried to bring to the silver screen. He claimed that the 'genocide' that took place in Kashmir in 1990 is true.

“We have interviewed the people who have been victim to the massacre, spoken to the government officials, police officers, subject experts and also interviewed many sections to script this untold story,” he added.

The Director said after the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, a campaign for Free Kashmir in America was launched, but after ‘The Kashmir Files’ was screened in the US, for the first time in the Capital Hills, a reception was organised for the entire crew wherein it was “accepted” and “admitted” that it was the biggest tragedy and genocide in the world.

Earlier, the special screening of the movie was organized on Friday evening for exiled Kashmiri Pandits community, who had faced mass migration from Kashmir valley in the early 90’s due to the upspring of militancy.

The makers of ‘The Kashmir Files’ including National award-winning filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and cast – Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar and Bhasha Sumbli hosted a special screening of the exodus drama.

Politicians, Army officers and known Kashmiri Pandits are specially invited for screening of ‘The Kashmir Files’.

Among the invitees, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said that the Hindi film ‘The Kashmir Files’ brought back memories of the difficult times in Kashmir.

Talking to reporters after the screening, the Jammu and Kashmir Police chief said, “Some scenes are close to reality. In totality, it is a good film.”

Written and directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, the exodus drama features a stellar cast of actors including Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumaar, Pallavi Joshi and Chinmay Mandlekar.

Produced by Zee Studios and Tej Narayan Agarwal, Abhishek Agarwal, Pallavi Joshi and Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, ‘The Kashmir Files’, written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri, is scheduled to release in theatres on March 11, 2022.

JAMMU — Director-General of J-K Police Dilbagh Singh said that the recently recovered semi-solid material recovered on February 24 was seemingly meant for carrying out the big strike in Jammu. He quickly added that it wasn’t clear whether the material was a chemical weapon as the reports of samples sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) are still awaited.

As per officials, on February 24, a drone movement was reported on International Border in Jammu after which the Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched an operation in an area near International Border and seized consignment believed to have been dropped there by the drone.

Officials told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the material recovered from this consignment included three detonators, three remote-controlled improvised explosive devices, one bundle of cordtex wire, two timer-improvised explosive devices, one pistol, two magazines, six grenades and 70 rounds.

“The consignment also had three bottles filled with some semi-solid like material which on the primary investigation is suspected to be some explosive and possibly of a new variant,” they said.

DGP Singh, while replying to a query about the new recovery, said that are some serious security concerns on which forces are keeping a close vigil and all surveillance measures are kept on alert.

"We recently recovered some material that included some readymade IEDs and other material including some chemical which has been sent to FSL for examination and details of nature of this chemical will be shared once we get reports," he said.

“Chemical recovered seems some explosive material which has been sent in liquid form and it seems that there was some planning to use it on some specific target," he said and expressed satisfaction that this design has also been averted.