The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — Four soldiers were injured after a gunfight erupted between militants and security forces in Chenab Valley of Kishtwar district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally on Saturday.

According to the reports from the news agency KNO, four soldiers received bullet injuries and were evacuated to a medical facility after an encounter broke out at Chhatroo area of Kishtwar.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally in neighbouring Doda tomorrow.

“Based on the intelligence inputs, a joint operation with J&K Police was launched in Chatroo area at Kishtwar. A contact has been established with the terrorists at 3.30 pm. In the ensuing firefight, four army personnel were injured. The operation is in progress,” the Army's White Knight Corps said in a statement.

Moreover, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain said, “Exchange of fire has taken place between search teams of security forces and hiding terrorists at Pingnal Dugadda forest area, upper reaches of Naidgham village under the jurisdiction of Chhatroo Police Station, Kishtwar district."

According to sources, the encounter began when the Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, launched an anti-militancy operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Militants, who were hiding in the area, opened fire on the search party, prompting retaliation from security forces.

Reports suggest that at least four Jaish-e-Muhammad militants are trapped in Chatroo area of Kishtwar where the encounter is currently going on and search operations have been intensified to nearby areas of the encounter area. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, surrounded the area to neutralise the militants.

PULWAMA — In a major breakthrough, Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a militant associate during a Naka checking at Karimabad crossing, where the suspect was intercepted, in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The arrested individual has been identified as Arsalan Ahmad Sheikh son of Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Karimabad village.

During the search, a hand grenade was recovered from the possession of the suspect, as per the police statement.

Investigations, police said, revealed that the accused had planned to lob the grenade at the Naka party, posing a serious threat to security forces and public safety. The timely action by the Pulwama Police thwarted the attack, preventing any potential loss of life or injury.

Accordingly, a case has been registered under FIR No. 182/2024, under Sections 4/5 Explosives Act and Sections 18, 23 of UAPA Act in Police Station Pulwama.

The investigation has been set into motion to uncover further details and possible links to other militant activities in the area.

SRINAGAR — Amid a surge in militant attacks, the Central government has ordered the relocation of over 2,000 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from Odisha to Jammu and Kashmir.

The move aims to beef up security along the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and counter escalating threats.

Two battalions of the BSF will initially be sent to Reasi, Kishtwar and Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and after a few days, two more battalions of over 2,000 soldiers will be deployed in Jammu.

It may be noted that the decision has been taken amid surging militant incidents in Jammu and Kashmir over the past few months.

Just a few days ago, a soldier died while four others were injured in an encounter in northern Kashmir’s Kupwara district. An infiltrator was also killed in the action.

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.”

KARGIL — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu commemorated the 25th anniversary of India's victory in the Kargil War by paying tribute to the martyrs at the Drass War Memorial. Both leaders spoke of the significance of "Kargil Vijay Diwas", which marks the successful conclusion of 'Operation Vijay' and honours the bravery of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

Prime Minister Modi, while laying a floral wreath at the memorial, reaffirmed India's commitment to peace and the resolve to crush militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that the security forces will continue to thwart any attempts to destabilize the region. "Our forces will crush terrorism with full might and give a befitting reply to enemy designs," Modi stated, addressing the nation from Drass.

The Prime Minister also launched the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel, which will provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh. He pointed out that despite Pakistan's continuous efforts to promote 'terrorism', India remains steadfast in its development goals for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

"Five years post Article 370 abrogation, Ladakh and J&K are prospering," he said, citing infrastructure projects, a rise in tourism, and the re-opening of cinemas in Kashmir as signs of progress.

President Murmu echoed similar sentiments, lauding the soldiers' bravery and urging citizens to draw inspiration from their courage. "Kargil Vijay Diwas is a day to honour the exceptional valour of India's armed forces," she stated.

Modi also criticized the opposition, particularly the Congress party, for ignoring the demands of the armed forces in the past and politicizing defence reforms like the Agnipath scheme. He asserted that the BJP government has prioritized military welfare, implementing one rank-one pension and boosting domestic defence production.

The Prime Minister concluded with a strong message to Pakistan, warning that their attempts to incite proxy wars would fail. "Pakistan has not learned from its past mistakes. Today, I want to tell the patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed," he declared.

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.

SRINAGAR — Twenty-five casualties have been reported in the ongoing month of July in eight gunfights and five militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Eleven soldiers and a civilian also sustained injuries in militancy-related incidents this month.

The data available with the news agency KNT reveals that this month, 12 militants including 6 infiltrators and 13 soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. 10 soldiers were killed in the Jammu region while 3 soldiers died in three encounters in Kashmir Valley.

Joint teams of security forces neutralized six infiltrators this month while six local militants were killed in twin encounters in Chinnibal and Modergam villages of southern Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Out of eight gunfights, five raged in Kashmir Valley. Two encounters raged in Kulgam and three in the frontier district of Kupwara. Two encounters broke out in Doda and one in Poonch district of Jammu region.

Militants carried out five attacks in the Jammu region including Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, and Kathua.

This month witnessed the maximum number of militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR — A soldier and a militant were killed in a gunbattle that erupted on Tuesday evening in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, officials said.

The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps said troops launched a search operation in the Kowut area based on intelligence about the presence of militants.

An encounter ensued when troops challenged suspicious movement, resulting in the death of a militant and injuries to a soldier. The soldier later succumbed to his wounds.

The gunfight resumed in the morning on Wednesday after a brief pause and a militant was killed, police said. The identity of the slain militant was not immediately known.

The operation was still ongoing Wednesday afternoon when this report was filed.

JAMMU — A soldier was killed in the line of duty as the army thwarted an infiltration bid by militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu's Poonch district early Tuesday, the latest in a string of militant attacks in the region.

Lance Naik Subash Kumar was injured in the intense gunfight and later succumbed, said officials, adding militants too suffered "loss".

“All Ranks of White Knight Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart L/Nk Subhash Chander who laid down his life in the line of duty. White Knight Corps offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” army in a post on X confirmed, as per the news agency KNO.

Officials said that a post-mortem has been conducted and the soldier's body handed over to the army. A search operation has been launched in the area, the officials said.

Earlier, the army in a post on X said, “Alert troops foiled an infiltration bid by effectively engaging infiltrating terrorists … in the Battal sector of Krishna Ghati at 0300 hours. During the exchange of heavy fire, one braveheart was injured, who later succumbed.”

There has been a spurt in militant activities in Jammu in recent months, raising fears about the revival of militancy in the region.

Yesterday, alert soldiers thwarted a major militant attack on a home of gallantry soldier’s in Budhal -Khawas area of Rajouri, an official said. "As per details, militants opened fire at one of temporary army posts, which was operational near the house of a VDG member Parshotam Kumar, a Village Defence Guard (VDG) member in Gundha - a remote village of Rajouri district at around 0310 hours and the fire was promptly retaliated by security personnel," official said.

He added, “The attack was given appropriate retaliation by alert security personnel.” Sources said that an army trooper was injured in a brief exchange of fire between militants and hospitalized, but there has been no official confirmation on the same.

This attack follows two high-level meetings chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Jammu on Saturday, where they reviewed the security situation in response to the recent surge in militant attacks in the region.

According to sources, security forces initiated a cordon and search operation in a village in the Budhal area of Rajouri district after suspected militants opened fire at a security picket early in the morning.

This incident follows another attempted militant attack on a Territorial Army (TA) battalion post in Galuti Patrara village of Manjakote, Rajouri district, on July 7. An Army sentry deployed at the post sustained injuries during the initial exchange of gunfire, which lasted for half an hour on Sunday morning.

POONCH — Indian army troops foiled an infiltration attempt by suspected militants in the Battal sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district early Tuesday, officials said.

A soldier was injured during the exchange of fire, the army said in a statement posted on social media.

Taking on to the micro-blogging platform X, the army spokesperson wrote, "Alert troops foiled an infiltration bid by effectively engaging infiltrating terrorists with effective fire in the Battal Sector at 0300h. During the exchange of heavy fire, one braveheart has been injured."

The operation, according to the statement, is going on.

It is in place to mention here that repeated militant attacks in the Jammu region have created a challenging situation for both the LG-led UT administration as well as the Union government.

RAJOURI — In a nocturnal attack by militants on a post, an army soldier suffered injuries in the Rajouri district of Jammu region.

Official sources said that militants attacked a post (Naka) set up near the house of a Shaurya Chakra awardee Parshotam Kumar at the Gunda Khawas village in Rajouri at around 3 am on Monday.

One soldier sustained bullet injuries in the attack while a cow also died, they said, adding that this Naka had been set up after receiving inputs about the movement of militants.

Pertinently, Purshotam Kumar was recently awarded Shaurya Chakra by the President for helping to kill a militant in the Kalakote area.

Official sources added that shortly after the attack, a massive search operation was launched which was under progress till the filing of this report.

SRINAGAR — Given the militant attacks happening in the Jammu region, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that there is an urgent need to fix the responsibility.

“Hardly any area in Jammu is free from militancy. Attacks are taking place in Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal, Rajouri, Doda and Kathua. Every time the government says militancy is at its lowest ebb, attacks take place. The unfortunate part is that the government has not taken any measures to tackle militancy in Jammu,” Omar Abdullah said while talking to reporters in Kashmir's capital Srinagar.

In response to a question, he said DG Police lectured on politics which is not his domain. “Let him (DGP) tackle the militancy and establish the peace and leave the job of politics on politicians,” he said.

Omar Abdullah, as per the news agency KNT, said that in every UT people are being deprived of power and representation. “UT model has miserably failed in Jammu and Kashmir. It has failed in tackling militancy. It has failed in Jammu and it has failed in development. It will be better to restore statehood and conduct elections so that people can have their own elected government,” he said.

In response to a question, Omar Abdullah lamented the random arrests of mourners during processions. “It should not have happened. I don’t know why they (the government) find it easy to target Muslims and arrest them,” he said.

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 — DGP R R Swain on Monday said a successful war against militancy is not possible without the support of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"Whether it is in hills of Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch or even in Kashmir, J&K Police is taking the lead in information generation or operations."

He added that the Government of India is aware of the important role of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

He also said that for the preparation for the Amarnath Yatra, extensive and meticulous security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety and security of all.

SRINAGAR — Three persons were detained as security forces busted a 'narco-terror' module in northern Kashmir's Kupwara district on Saturday.

An official quoted by the news agency Kashmir Scroll said that after receiving input that a person was trying to find purchasers for heroin, a trap was laid by Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army in Karnah.

He said that two persons were later apprehended with approximately 500 grams of heroin. They have been identified as Shafeeq Ahmad Sheikh son of Late Mohammad Shafi Sheikh, a resident of Khawarparab Karnah and Tariq Ahmad Malik son of Ghulam Ahmad Malik, a resident of Baghballa.

"Further investigation revealed the presence of three pistols with a person identified as Parvez Ahmed Pathan, a resident of Sadhpura," he said.

Immediately, Parvez was apprehended in a joint raid by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army. "Three pistols, 76 pistol rounds, six pistol magazines and approximately, five kilograms of suspected explosives were recovered from his possession," the official said.

In this regard, the official added, an FIR was registered and further interrogations and investigations are going on.

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 — Two militants were seen at the Reasi militant attack scene by eyewitnesses on Sunday while a search operation is underway in the area.

As per the local news agency Kashmir Scroll, SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said that the militants fired upon the bus yesterday. Nine people reportedly died and 33 were injured and are being treated in different hospitals.

As per eyewitnesses, two (militants) were there who carried out the attack while a combing operation was underway in the area and five teams have been formed to search the area, officials said.

They said that the eyewitness disclosed, “Terrorists fired on the bus and shot the driver first, while firing lasted for approximately 20 minutes." They saw a militant in front of the bus.

Officials said that a cordon and search operation by the Army with Police is going on while NIA is likely to take over the investigation of the Reasi attack.

SRINAGAR — Militants opened fire at a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Sunday evening, killing nine people and injuring 33, police said.

The 53-seater bus, en route from Shiv Khori temple to Katra, veered off the road following the gunfire and fell into a deep gorge. The incident took place around 6:15 pm near Teryath village in Poni area.

SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma said, "Initial reports suggest that terrorists fired upon the passenger bus going from Shiv Khori to Katra. Due to the firing, the bus driver lost the balance of the bus and it fell into the gorge. 33 people were injured in the incident."

"Rescue operation has been completed. The identities of the passengers have not been confirmed yet, they are not locals. Shiv Khori shrine was secured and area domination was done," she said.

The attack marks a significant escalation in violence in the region as Reasi district has been relatively untouched by militant activities compared to neighbouring areas such as Rajouri and Poonch.

PULWAMA — Jammu and Kashmir Police chief RR Swain on Saturday said that police were fully focussed and steps are afoot to keep the ongoing peaceful and fearless atmosphere intact in the UT for the upcoming Assembly polls slated by September this year.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Public Grievance Redressal Programme at Pulwama, the DGP, as per the news agency KNO, said that the police was fully aware and focussed on keeping the peaceful and fearless atmosphere intact in J&K for the upcoming Assembly polls.

“We know the value of peace and a fearless atmosphere. When there is no fear, people will definitely come out to vote. So we are focussed and steps are afoot to keep the peaceful and fearless atmosphere prevailing in the UT intact for the upcoming Assembly polls,” the DGP Swain said, adding, “We would love to see the high voter turnout in Lok Sabha polls become a trigger of a virtuous security cycle in J&K.”

Replying to a query, the DGP reiterated that there is a shift in militancy—from resident to foreign militancy. “Our endeavour to keep the youth away from guns has borne fruit. This has saved many women from becoming widows, many families from getting ruined and many lives from going to waste,” the J&K Police chief said.

“But foreign terrorism is there. Some 70 to 80 foreign terrorists have come here with arms and ammunition. Recently, they tried to blow up the electricity tower that provides power supply to people,” he added.

Earlier, addressing the Public Darbar, the DGP said police were acting tough against a few culprits to provide relief to the majority while efforts are on to ensure the policing is based on “truth and justice.”

The DGP Swain said that police have to be for the people and “our endeavour is to work with the people.” “At times, we have to act against few culprits or accused just to provide relief to the majority,” the DGP said.

He said no stone is being left unturned and discussions take place regularly among the officers to ensure policing is conducted on the basis of truth and justice. “Sometimes, some loopholes may remain or some mistakes may take place. Mistakes committed by the police have to be corrected by the police itself,” he said, without referring to any incident.

The DGP said that the administration or government keeps on changing but police remains a force that is seen everywhere in the country. “So, police is a force that always remains connected to the people,” he said.

NEW DELHI — Sending a tough message, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that no family member of any militant nor close relatives of stone pelters will get government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah also said that the Narendra Modi government has not only targeted militants but also eliminated their ecosystem, resulting in a drastic fall in militancy incidents in the country.

“In Kashmir, we have taken a decision that if someone joins a terrorist organisation, their family members will not get any government job,” he told PTI in an interview over the weekend.

Similarly, Shah said, if someone indulges in stone pelting, his family members will also not get a government job.

He said some human rights activists went to the Supreme Court against the decision but, at the end, the government prevailed.

The home minister, however, said the government will make an exception in case someone from a family comes forward and informs the authorities that his or her close relative has joined a militant outfit. Such families will be given relief, he said.

Earlier, funeral processions used to be taken out in Kashmir after a militant was killed, Shah said. “We have stopped this trend. We have ensured that the terrorist is buried with all religious formalities but in an isolated place,” he said.

The home minister said when a militant is surrounded by the security forces, he is first given a chance to surrender. “We call family members like his mother or wife and ask them to make an appeal to the terrorist to surrender. If he (the terrorist) does not listen, he dies,” Shah said.

The home minister said militancy incidents have gone down significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as the government has not only targeted the militants but also eliminated their ecosystem. “Through the NIA (National Investigation Agency), we have taken strong action against terror funding and ended it. We have taken a very tough stand on terror funding,” he said.

In the case of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), Shah said the government has imposed a ban on the publication and spread of the militant ideology by it.

Muslim radical group PFI, founded in Kerala, was banned under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Centre in September 2022 over its alleged links with terror activities.

In the case of Amritpal Singh, an alleged pro-Khalistani separatist, “we have put him in jail under the NSA (National Security Act),” he said.

Singh, the chief of the radical Sikh separatist group ‘Waris Punjab De’, was arrested in April 2023 in Punjab under the stringent NSA and subsequently shifted to Assam where he is lodged in Dibrugarh jail. He recently filed nomination papers from the jail to contest the Lok Sabha election from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat.

According to Union home ministry data, there were 228 militancy-initiated incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 and the number came down to around 50 in 2023.

There were 189 encounters between security forces and militants in 2018 and it came down to around 40 in 2023. As many as 55 civilians were killed due to various terror incidents in 2018. The number came down to around five in 2023.

In 2018, a total of 91 security personnel were killed in militant violence in Jammu and Kashmir, with the figure declining to around 15 in 2023.