The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Since militant activities are on the rise and many foreign militants are active in several districts of Jammu region, security forces have increased surveillance by raising checkpoints in different pockets of militancy-hit areas.

The Kathua and Doda districts are the most affected due to recent militant activities and all major points from where militants can enter into these districts or move around have been sealed and every vehicle is being checked.

According to the news agency KNO, security forces are not letting any opportunity to go waste to get any lead about the militants active in these areas.

Sources said that besides raising checkpoints, security forces have started meeting heads of villages and other people who have stayed in their areas so that militants are not able to get any public support.

“Recently several meetings were held with former public representatives and religious leaders where they were told to help security forces in maintaining peace in the region and not allowing militants to intrude in any way into the society and get any kind of support,” said a source.

The security forces believe that with the support of the public, they will be able to eliminate the militants who are active in the region. “Like in the past, we will be able to defeat the nefarious design of the enemy and these terrorists will meet fate like the past,” RR Swain, DGP J&K had said in the past after recent militant activities.

Moving ahead with this formula, security forces have already started reconnecting with the public, which for the past some time was missing since the militancy-related incidents had gone down drastically.

A highly placed source said that people have been told to inform the nearest security forces establishment if any militant visits their homes for food or any other thing. “Security forces understand that the general public can’t deny terrorists anything but once terrorists leave, people can inform security forces so that they are able to get close to eliminating terrorists," he said.

He added, "But if anyone hides the information, then he or she is not doing any good to him and the society and at that point in time, the person will be considered helping the terrorists, which invites action against him.”

KATHUA — In a major breakthrough in counter-militancy efforts, Kathua Police at Police Station Malhar have arrested two over-ground workers (OGWs) for allegedly supporting militancy-related activities.

As per a police spokesman, "These individuals, identified as Layaqat Ali alias Pawu and Mool Raj alias Jenju, deliberately withheld crucial information from the police, obstructing efforts to prevent terrorist actions."

It said, "Over 100 individuals have been questioned in connection with this case. Preventive measures have been taken against more than 40 individuals to mitigate further risks and disrupt any potential support systems for terrorist activities."

Police urged the public to report any suspicious activities to their nearest police station or by dialling 100 or 9858034100.

JAMMU — Four army personnel were killed and six injured on Monday when militants ambushed their vehicle in the remote Machhedi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials said.

The militants hurled a grenade and opened fire targeting Army vehicles which were on a routine patrol on the Machhedi-Kindli-Malhar road at around 3:30 pm near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 km from Kathua town.

Security forces retaliated but the militants fled into the nearby forest, the officials said, adding an intermittent exchange of firing was going on between the militants and security forces when the last reports were received.

SRINAGAR — An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Machhedi area of Kathua district on Monday.

Official sources quoted by the local news agency GNS said that a joint team of police and security forces came under fire during searches in Machhedi area, which the forces retaliated, triggering a gunfight.

After the gunfight broke out, more reinforcement was sent to the encounter spot, according to the sources.

It is in place to mention here that security forces killed six militants in two separate gunfights in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, ending operations on Sunday more than 24 hours after they began, even as the Indian Army laid to rest two of its soldiers who were killed in the gunfights on Saturday.

KATHUA — Two militants and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed during an encounter in the Kootah area of Kathua district.

The police and paramilitary forces had launched a search operation in the Kootah area to track the militants who had escaped after the death of their accomplice. During the combing operation, the militants, who were hiding in the forest area, opened fire at the search party, killing a CRPF personnel, police sources said.

The slain trooper has been identified as Constable Kabir Dass, affiliated with 121 Battalion.

On Tuesday night, a militant was killed shortly after the militant action. On Wednesday, another militant was neutralized by joint forces, taking the toll to three.

Meanwhile, combing operations are underway to track down the militants in Kathua.

ADGP Jammu Anand Jain called the Kathua attack a "fresh infiltration" and said, "It is our hostile neighbour (Pakistan) who always tries to damage the peaceful environment in our country. This (Hiranagar incident) appears to be a fresh infiltration," he said.

Security forces recover large cache of arms, ammunition

Security forces on Wednesday recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site in Kathua area of Jammu.

The arms and ammunition recovered include three magazines containing 30 rounds, a magazine containing 24 rounds, 75 rounds in a separate polythene bag, and three live grenades.

The recovery also includes currency notes of Rs 500 denomination worth 1 lakh, eatables including Pakistan-made chocolates, dry Channa and stale chapatis, Pakistan-made medicines and pain killer injections, two packs of A4 battery cells, one handset having antenna and two wires hanging from the handset, an official was quoted by the news agency KNS as having said.

DIG, SSP escape unhurt in militant attack on their cavalcade

The DIG Jammu and Kashmir Police and Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua on Wednesday escaped unhurt after a militant fired a barrage of bullets on their vehicles amid the ongoing anti-militant operation in Hiranagar, officials said.

Officials quoted by the news agency KNS said that the cavalcade of these two high-ranking police officers came under attack after a hiding militant fired over two dozen rounds.

The official added that some of the bullets hit the vehicles, however, no harm was caused to any of the officers or any of the escort personnel.

SRINAGAR — Following a tragic accident in Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has suspended six officials, including a Motor Vehicle Inspector from the Regional Transport Office in Kathua.

As per an order issued by the Transport department, an in-depth enquiry has also been initiated with officials directed to submit a report within a week.

Suspended officials, as per the order, include Ranjeev Bhasin, Motor Vehicle Inspector; Sumit Magotra, Junior Assistant; and four MTS staff: Ashwani Kumar, Aman Kumar, Keshav Singh, and Rakesh Kumar.

Parmvir Singh, Additional Secretary (Technical), Road Safety Council, J&K, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer.

Notably, the accident, which occurred on Thursday, claimed the lives of 22 pilgrims and injured 69 others.

The deceased included six children and eight women, while the injured comprised 17 children and 29 women. The pilgrims, mostly from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, were en route to the Shivkhori Shrine in Reasi district.

SRINAGAR — Tightening the noose around the CSCs for overcharging, the inspection teams of the Information Technology Department have recommended the cancellation of six licenses in both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir during a surprise check of the same.

The inspection teams, under the supervision of Commissioner Secretary, Prerna Puri, conducted the surprise check of various CSCs in the twin districts of Samba and Jammu of Jammu division and Budgam in Kashmir division.

The inspection was done to cross-check and verify CSC’s adherence to government-notified rates. The teams were supervised by Aijaz Qaiser, Additional Secretary, IT Department.

During the surprise checks, 45 CSCs of Samba and Kathua districts (22 CSCs of District Samba and 23 CSCs of District Kathua) were inspected in Jammu division while 28 CSCs of Budgam district were inspected in Kashmir division. The inspection teams have recommended the cancellation of the licenses of six CSCs, three in the Jammu division and three CSCs in the Kashmir division.

Pertinently, the IT Department has notified rates to avail various online services which envisage Rs. 50 per service for government-to-citizen services and Rs. 75 for government-to-business services. Based on complaints of overcharging, 664 CSC licenses have been cancelled in the last year.

Meanwhile, the Vice President CSC-SPV J&K has been directed to ensure that the notified rates are prominently displayed at a conspicuous place in each CSC, sensitizing all Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) regarding notified rates.

JAMMU — After 14 days of hectic efforts to trace militants involved in the exchange of firing at Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested one suspect, who has allegedly provided logistic support to the militants.

The suspect has been identified as Javed, son of Muhammad Hussain of Loha Nathi area of Kathua.

Police have also released sketches of five militants involved in the militant activity.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, Police said that the force has gained some credible information on the movement of suspects and has zeroed in on some unscrupulous elements that have marked proclivities towards the act of crime.

"The police, in consequence, arrested Javed who has evidence stacked against him for providing logistic support to the terrorists," police claimed.

Since the encounter on April 27, the police of three districts including Udhampur, Kathua and Doda have laid cordon and search operations to track down militants and the operation is still going on.

During the encounter in Panara village, a VDG member Muhammad Shafi was killed.

KATHUA — The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sprung into action following a written complaint received from a resident of Machhedi, District Kathua. The complaint alleges that Gulshan Singh, Patwari of Halqa Machhedi, Kathua, demanded a bribe of ₹5000 for the issuance of Virsati Intqal mutations and legal heir certificates.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the complainant utilized the online portal of the Revenue Department for application submission and subsequently met the Patwari for document issuance. It was reported that Patwari initially received ₹2000 as an advance payment and then demanded the remaining ₹3000 from the complainant.

Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the ACB took swift action, registering case FIR No. 02/2023 at Police Station ACB Central and initiating an investigation.

The official disclosed that a trap team was formed as part of the investigation process, which successfully caught the accused Patwari red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹3000 in the presence of independent witnesses. Following the completion of legal formalities, the Patwari was promptly arrested at the scene.

Subsequent to the arrest, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused located at Ward No. 21, Ram Nagar Colony, Kathua.

The investigation into the case remains ongoing, as confirmed by the official.

KATHUA — A late-night confrontation between law enforcement and alleged gangsters at Government Medical College (GMC) Kathua ended tragically, with the demise of a police sub-inspector and the death of one gangster.

The incident, which occurred around 10:35 PM, saw chaos erupting within the premises of GMC Kathua as gunfire reverberated through the air during a shootout between police and unidentified assailants, according to local media reports.

During the exchange of fire, Police Sub-Inspector Deepak Sharma sustained injuries, while one gangster was fatally wounded. Authorities, however, have yet to disclose the identity of the deceased gangster, pending further investigation.

The motives behind the clash and the identities of those involved remain undisclosed as the investigation progresses.

The injured police officer, PSI Deepak Sharma, was rushed to Amandeep Hospital in Pathankot for medical treatment but tragically succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by a senior police official.

SRINAGAR — Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Thursday filed his nomination papers.

The nomination ceremony, held at the District Deputy Commissioner's office in Kathua, witnessed the presence of prominent BJP leaders, including the State President, Ravinder Raina, and the renowned wrestler, “The Great Khali" alias Dalip Singh.

Dr Jitendra Singh, contesting for the third time from the Udhampur seat, received overwhelming support from party members and supporters as he embarked on a roadshow through Kalibari, Kathua, leading up to the nomination venue. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as BJP enthusiasts danced to the rhythmic beats of drums.

As per the news agency KNO, after completing the formalities of filing his nomination, Dr Jitendra Singh proceeded to address a spirited rally at Ramlila Maidan in Kathua city.

Dr Singh, who previously served as the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, has previously secured victory in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the same constituency. Prior to filing his nomination, Dr Singh commenced the day with a morning puja, seeking divine blessings for a successful campaign ahead.

As the deadline for nominations approaches on March 27, political fervour intensifies in the region. The scrutiny of nomination papers is slated for March 28, followed by the withdrawal of candidature by March 30. The Lok Sabha elections for the Udhampur seat are scheduled for April 19.

Meanwhile, in a significant development, former BJP-PDP government minister Chaudhary Lal Singh, a two-time MP, has returned to the Congress fold after nearly a decade. Lal Singh has expressed his intent to contest from the Udhampur seat.

KATHUA — Security forces in Kathua district made a significant recovery on Thursday as they recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a border area.

According to official sources quoted by a local news agency, alert troops from the Border Security Forces (BSF) in Jammu noticed drone activity in the depth area of village Manihari, located under the jurisdiction of Rajbagh Police Station in Tehsil Marheen of Hiranagar area Kathua, during the night. Responding swiftly, the troops engaged the drone with fire, prompting further investigation.

Following the drone encounter, thorough searches were conducted in the area, leading to the recovery of the IED believed to have been dropped by the drone.

An investigation into the incident has been initiated, with authorities working to ascertain the origin and intentions behind the placement of the IED.

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.

KATHUA — A girl student was killed and many others injured after being hit by a speeding car on the Jammu-Pathankot highway near Barwal area of Kathua district on Monday.

An unnamed official, quoted by the news agency KNO, said that a speeding car hit a group of students in Balwal area on Saturday.

“A girl died on the spot, while 10 others suffered injuries,” he said, adding the driver of the car was arrested.

JAMMU — Raking up a fresh debate over Article 370 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir state, the Congress party’s chief spokesperson Jairam Ramesh on Friday said the bill passed on August 5, 2019 (Jammu Kashmir Reorganization Bill 2019) in the Parliament was not followed in a democratic way and it was ‘forcefully’ imposed.

Replying to a question during a presser in Jammu’s Kathua, Ramesh, as per the news agency KNO, said, “Revocation of Article 370 was done in an unconstitutional and undemocratic way because they (BJP) have the majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.”

Ramesh was speaking to media persons at a press conference at Chadwal village of Kathua district where the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is staying for a night.

The Congress leader said that there was no discussion, no cross-examination of the bill and it was forcefully passed, as the ruling government misused its power of the absolute majority. “Jammu and Kashmir was a full-fledged state, which was degraded to union territory, and Congress party is totally against this. We demand resumption of the democratic process in J&K and the statehood status with dignity,” he said.

Ramesh further added that BJP revoked Article 370, “but in our country, our Constitution has the provision of Article 371 in many states including Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, some areas of states like Assam and Karnataka, with special provisions.”

He said that “our country’s Constitution is so diverse that it provides special provisions within the state but in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, it was abruptly revoked undemocratically.”

On the restoration of Article 370, he said, “You are talking about Article 370 and I am talking about Article 371. Under Article 371, many states of our country and many areas of our country are given special provisions.” He said this in reply to a question about Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti’s demand for the restoration of Article 370.

Furthermore, he said in states like Nagaland, Article 371 states that no act of Parliament would apply to the state of Nagaland in matters relating to religious or social practices of Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure, and ownership and transfer of land and its resources.

He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra is against economic inequality, social polarisation, and political dictatorship.

On Indo-Pak talks, Ramesh said, “Everybody wants to have a peaceful dialogue with Pakistan but only on the condition that they should stop terrorism. Talks and terrorism cannot go together.”

On participation of a large number of people in the Yatra despite rains, he called it a “healthy sign” in Jammu.

Ramesh also said the Congress party has invited 23 heads of national political parties to join Rahul Gandhi at the National Flag hoisting ceremony in Srinagar when the Yatra culminates at Lal Chowk on January 29-30. He said Bharat Jodo Yatra is launched with a motive to highlight increasing economic inequality, social polarisation and political dictatorship in India due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies.

On Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Azad Party, Ramesh said, “Azad is 100 percent B team of BJP. His party is almost finished before taking off. The ‘ranneeti’ of Modi-Shah has failed in Jammu and Kashmir.”

On the difference between the ideologies of BJP and Congress, he termed it as ‘clash of ideologies’, stating, “Congress is not only a voting machine but gave Constitution and modern India while contrary to that, BJP took the nation completely on a different path.”

He further revealed that from January 26 to March 26, Congress is launching a two-month-long ‘Haath Se Haath Jodo Abhiyan’. “During this campaign, Congress will aggressively visit door-to-door all over the country to inform people on documents ready in the shape of ‘chargesheet on Modi govt’s failure’ that will be released tomorrow at Delhi,” Ramesh.

Meanwhile, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma also thanked Dogra Swabhiman Sanghathan Party Chief, Choudhary Lal Singh for extending support to Bharat Jodo Yatra. He criticized the present government on recent target killings in the valley.

JKPCC President, Vikar Rasool Wani said, “We are thankful to people for giving a grand reception to our leader at Lakhanpur. The Yatra will reach Jammu on January 23 and the next day will start March from Nagrota.”

Thereafter, a 12-km ‘Padyatra’ will begin from Udhampur followed by a night stay at Ramban and after covering a few kilometers at Banihal, the Yatra will enter Srinagar. “Many deputations will be meeting Rahul Gandhi in both the regions and highlighting the issues of Jammu and Kashmir on which the BJP government has failed on all fronts,” Wani said.

Congress MP and incharge J&K Affairs Rajni Patil, senior leader Digvijay Singh and others too were present at the press conference. A theme song on ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was also released in the regional Dogri language on the occasion.

Bharat Jodo Yatra started on September 7 from Kanyakumari and is expected to culminate on January 29-30 at Srinagar.

Earlier in the morning, Rahul Gandhi resumed the Yatra from Hatli Morh in Kathua district that halted at Chadwal village. Tight security arrangements are made for the Yatra while the traffic department has also issued an advisory for the vehicular movement on the highway.

SRINAGAR — The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against six accused persons in a case related to drone recovery and other ammunition in Kathua district.

According to the news agency KNO, NIA filed the chargesheet in NIA Special Court, Jammu in the case pertaining to the interception of a drone (Hexacopter), recovery of drone (Hexacopter) and rounds of UBGL and Magnetic Bombs from near Dhalli area under of Kathua.

The official statement reads the case was initially registered as FIR No. 114/2022 dated 29.05.2022 at PS Rajbagh, Kathua and re-registered by NIA on 30.07.2022.

"Investigations revealed that on directions of accused, Sajjad Gul, the Pakistani handler, the accused used to collect, receive and transport the weapons, dropped over drones, to the militants active in Kashmir valley for the commission of terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir," it reads.

It reads the accused were charge-sheeted under u/s 120B, 121A and 122 of IPC, sections 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 23, 38, 39 and 40 of UA (P) Act, 1967, sections 25(1)(a) and 25(1AA) of the Arms Act and sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act.

As per the statement, the accused include Faisal Muneer, Habib, Mian Sohail, Muni Mohd (deceased), Rashid and Sajjad Gul. It further said that investigations in the case were in progress.

KATHUA — Police have recovered seven sticky bombs referred to as magnetic-based IEDs and seven UBL grenades that were attached in the payload tied with a drone that was shot down by a patrolling team near the International border in Kathua district on Sunday morning.

Officials told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that after the drone was shot down, a Bomb Disposal Squad of Jammu and Kashmir Police was called on the spot and the payload attached with the drone was de-assembled and found to have sticky bombs.

"Seven number of sticky bombs have been recovered from the payload which have been taken into possession by police," officials said.

They added that the recovery of these bombs is being taken as a major success by the forces as sticky bombs have become a major security challenge.

JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday arrested a former minister Jatinder Singh alias Babu Singh in a case pertaining to Hawala money in the Union Territory.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the name of the former minister from Kathua surfaced in this case when police arrested a man from Kashmir along with some Hawala money. However, the former minister was on run since then.

"Multiple attempts were made to intercept and arrest the former minister but he kept on evading arrest,” said a senior officer of Jammu Police.

He added that a team of Jammu Police along with Kathua Police managed to arrest him now. "He has been arrested with the help of Kathua Police and now the further investigation is going on,” he added.