The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain on Friday said that to counter the militants holding modern weapons, the police is procuring the latest arms from Israel and Germany to boost the weaponry of the force.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function where nine special police officers (SPOs) were regularised for their brave role in the Kathua encounter that saw the killing of two foreign militants, the DGP Swain, as per the news agency KNO, said that police were procuring weapons from Israel and Germany to boost its weaponry.

“We will have the latest weapon system to counter our enemy,” he said, in response to a query that slain militants in Doda encounter were having United States (US) made M-4 carbines with them.

The DGP said that the new procurement of arms from Israel and Germany will give a boost to the police forces’ weaponry and also help tackle the enemy in a much better way. “Terrorists can give us a leg cut but can’t defeat us,” he said.

It may be recalled that between June 9 and 12, four militancy-related incidents in the Reasi, Doda and Kathua districts of hilly Jammu claimed the lives of 10 people, including seven pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan and left many others injured.

DGP Swain recently stated that police were ready to take on foreign militants in Jammu and will not shy from firing the first bullet. In recent two encounters at Kathua and Doda, five foreign militants were killed and three US-made M-4 carbines were recovered from them besides other weapons.

The DGP, while hailing the courage and valour of Kathua people, said that when he served as the SSP in the district, elderly people would often tell him the tales of how locals of Kathua supported the army in wars against the enemy including the 1965 war. “Patriotism is deeply filled in the hearts of Kathua people. We have decided to strengthen the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) of Kathua district,” he said.

About the regularisation of SPOs, DGP Swain said that police top brass has unanimously decided to move beyond the normal procedure and regularise the SPOs who take militants head-on. “The brave acts of SPOs will be recognised and within 24 hours, the SPOs will be regularised for their brave acts,” he said in his message to all 20,000 SPOs serving the J&K Police.

SRINAGAR — The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association here on Tuesday strongly condemned the remark made by right-wing author and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Anand Ranganathan, advocating for an Israel-like solution (genocide) in Kashmir. The Association said, "It is appalling how easily and casually a particular set of people can propagate hate and bigotry under the guise of nationalism, with no repercussions."

In a statement, the National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, said, "Anand Ranganathan's genocidal call for an Israel-like approach in Kashmir is absolutely pathetic and shameful. Opportunists like Anand won’t fight in any war, and won’t leave their cushy homes, but they advocate for wars, violence, and destruction as solutions. It is horrific that someone can be so hateful and capable of distorting the truth. Such statements make it impossible to find peace; they are divisive and dangerous."

"He calls for the killing and massacre of people and children, similar to what Israel is doing in Gaza, to happen in Kashmir. This is a terrorist mindset. When you are bred and soaked in hate ideology, you lose sight of humanity. Ranganathan has lost his mind, and his words subjectively defend the mass killings by Israel in Gaza. Without even understanding Kashmir, he is making absurd arguments for the same," he said.

Khuehami emphasized, "Spreading hate and calling for violence against any community is deeply reprehensible. It is both dangerous and inhumane. He is advocating for the systematic annihilation of Kashmiris. Doesn't this sort of conduct attract penal provisions for inciting hatred against minorities?"

The Association demanded that an FIR should be lodged against him for his genocidal call. "Under the guise of nationalism, he is spreading hatred and venom. People like him are a blot on society, spreading hate and division. They are the worst enemy within! Asking the Indian state to do an Israel in Kashmir is a call for genocide. He wants us (Kashmiris) to be bullied, bulldozed, malnourished, counted among the most amputated children population, women to be raped, land to be grabbed, and ethnic cleansing. Equating Israel's actions in Gaza with a solution for Kashmir is advocating for violence and displacement, not peace. This rhetoric promotes genocide and suffering."

The Association stated, "Forces that have been romancing and toying with hateful narratives and rhetoric solely for polarizing will sink this country. People like Anand want Kashmir without Kashmiris. His statement is not just inflammatory but poses a real threat to peace and harmony in our society. Advocating for genocide is a criminal act, and it must be treated as such under Indian law."

The Association firmly denounced Anand Ranganathan's statements and demanded immediate legal action against him. Khuehami said, "We hope the sane people of India will come out against this genocidal appeal against Kashmiris on a national news platform. People of India must unite against such toxic and divisive rhetoric and ensure that our society remains peaceful, inclusive, and just for all its members."

"People of the country must reject such dangerous calls and work towards true justice and reconciliation. No one should defend the indefensible. We urge the Government of India, people across party lines, and civil society to take strong note of such individuals and their hateful ideology. Such genocidal rhetoric should be condemned nationwide, and measures should be taken to prevent its spread. Your collective silence in the face of such hatred makes us complicit. We must stand together to protect the values of peace, unity, and diversity that our nation upholds," it added.

GAZA STRIP — Israeli airstrikes on residential houses in the southern Gaza city of Rafah resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, including six women and five children, and numerous injuries, according to the Associated Press reports on Monday. One of the children killed in the strikes overnight into Monday was just five days old.

Health officials confirmed that Israeli planes targeted two houses in Gaza City, located in the northern part of the strip, resulting in additional casualties.

The strikes in Rafah, where over a million people have sought shelter amidst months of ongoing Israeli bombardment, occurred just hours before scheduled ceasefire discussions between leaders of the Islamist group Hamas and Egyptian officials.

The conflict originated from an attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, sparking a prolonged period of violence.

In a related development, a Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Egypt on Monday to engage in discussions regarding Israel's latest proposal for a ceasefire agreement and a potential hostage-release deal in the Gaza Strip.

Reports indicate that Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been actively mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas for several months, amid a rising death toll and mounting pressure to reach a resolution.

Despite persistent efforts to secure a ceasefire and address humanitarian concerns, including the release of hostages and the delivery of aid to the embattled territory, a comprehensive agreement has remained elusive.

Hamas officials stated on Sunday that they have no "major issues" with the content of Israel's most recent ceasefire proposal, signalling a willingness to engage in further dialogue.

WASHINGTON — An active-duty member of the US Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, on February 25 in an act of protest against Israel’s campaign of genocide in Gaza.

“I will no longer be complicit in genocide,” the man, identified as Aaron Bushnell, said during a Twitch livestream. “I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest,” he added before igniting himself. “Free Palestine!” Bushnell yelled until he fell to the ground.

Officers from the US Secret Service extinguished the fire outside the embassy. Bushnell was rushed to the hospital on Sunday with “critical life-threatening injuries,” where he reportedly passed away.

The US Air Force confirmed the incident involved an active duty airman.

Bushnell is the second US citizen since December to self-immolate outside an Israeli diplomatic building in an act of political protest.

Near-daily protests have rocked major US cities for the past several months as an increasing number of people in the West demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

At least 30,000 people have been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza since October 7, most of them women and children. The genocide of Palestinians has been facilitated with military and political support from the White House.

International organizations have warned that famine and disease will send the death toll soaring as Israeli protesters continue to block the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

SRINAGAR — Indian Air Force on Saturday rescued an Israeli national from a high-altitude area in Ladakh as he was suffering from acute mountain sickness and having difficulty in breathing.

In a statement, issued to the news agency KNO, a Srinagar-based spokesperson said that 114 Helicopter Unit received a call on Saturday for Casevac (Casualty Evacuation) from Nimaling Camp near Markha valley.

The statement reads that Noam Gil, an Israeli national, was suffering from acute mountain sickness and was having difficulty breathing in the high-altitude area.

“His oxygen level had dropped to 68%. In view of the severity of his condition, he had to be rescued from this valley which is known for severe turbulent conditions. Led by Wg Cdr Ashish Kapoor, Flt Cdr 114 Helicopter Unit, with Flt Lt Kushagra Singh and Wg Cdr S Badiyaree and Sqn Ldr S Nagpal as No. 2, got airborne within 20 minutes for this time critical mission,” it reads.

It added that braving strong winds and turbulent conditions, the formation reached the spot in about 45 minutes, however, the casualty was in a steady move to lower altitudes.

“After a continuous search of 30 minutes, the casualty was spotted at river gorge at the valley bottom. The valley being very narrow, there was difficulty in manoeuvring the aircraft. The formation leader led in for an approach on an unprepared surface on the valley bottom,” it added.

It further said that with the assistance of number 2 holding overhead and the proficiency of number 1, the landing was carried out in one of the most restricted spaces ever landed in this particular valley.

“The casualty was emplaned at low hover and the formation got airborne immediately. Being on less fuel, the formation routed back via standby route, braving all the difficulties the formation finally landed at Leh,” it added.