The Kashmir Pulse

POONCH — Five soldiers were injured after militants opened fire on two security forces' vehicles in Jammu's Poonch district on Saturday.

Reliable sources quoted by a local news agency said that at least five soldiers were injured after militants opened fire on two of their vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Poonch district.

They said that a unit of the Rashtriya Rifles has begun cordon and search operations in the area.

Meanwhile, the vehicles have been secured inside the air base in the general area near Shahsitar.

SRINAGAR — Ahead of the Republic Day, a drone camera of the Army went missing during a search operation in Malikpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.

Sources told the news agency CNS that the search party of 55 Rashtriya Rifles was carrying out the search operation in the Malikpora area during which the Army had used its drone camera, which mysteriously went missing in the air.

They said that no clue was found regarding the drone camera, which plays a pivotal role in the search operations or usual scrutiny conducted by the forces in the suspected areas.

It is pertinent to mention that the security forces across Kashmir have been intensifying the checkings and using surveillance equipment to prevent any untoward incident from happening on the eve of Republic Day.

JAMMU — In response to the anguish among civilians following the death of three civilians, the army took action on Sunday by relocating a Brigadier-level officer and three other officers from their duties in Surankote, Poonch. This move comes amidst contemplation of disciplinary measures after internal investigations, as reported by Daily Excelsior.

Brigadier Padam Acharya, serving as the Brigade Commander of the Rashtriya Rifles, has been relieved of command, alongside three senior army officers, following the unfortunate demise of three civilians and injuries to approximately 10 others.

The army, while not officially confirming these changes, assured that the condition of the 10 injured civilians admitted to Surankote and Poonch hospitals remains stable. Officials further mentioned that medical professionals are diligently attending to the injured individuals, who are steadily responding to treatment.

Meanwhile, local police have initiated a First Information Report (FIR) to delve deeper into the circumstances leading to the civilian fatalities.

Expressing concern, officials noted the profound distress among a specific community, historically active in supporting anti-militancy efforts by collaborating closely with the army, paramilitary forces, and police. The recent tragic events have deeply affected this community, known for its unwavering support during times of heightened conflict, officials emphasized.

The army has commenced a comprehensive internal inquiry into the deaths of the three civilians, responding to allegations that their demise occurred while in army custody.

These civilians, along with others, were reportedly taken in for questioning following the ambush that claimed the lives of four army jawans by unidentified militants in Poonch on December 21. Their deaths under mysterious circumstances on the same evening have raised critical questions, prompting the standard operating procedure to launch a thorough investigation, sources confirmed.

Simultaneously, the Jammu and Kashmir Police are conducting their investigation into these fatalities.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the army reiterated its commitment to provide complete support and cooperation in the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, the civil administration has announced compensations and assured compassionate appointments for the families of the deceased.

Amidst these developments, Army Chief General Manoj Pande is scheduled to visit Jammu today to evaluate the security scenario, particularly in the aftermath of the Dera Ki Gali encounter in Poonch district.

Gen Pande's itinerary includes a visit to the site of the recent attack at Dera Ki Gali. This area has been under intensive search and cordon operations for the past five days, involving army personnel, para commandos, paramilitary forces, and police, aiming to track down three to four militants involved in the attack.

With nearly 30 militants reportedly hiding in the hills, natural caves, and forests across the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, the army headquarters is closely monitoring the situation. Sources suggest that General Pande will assess the situation at Nagrota Corps Headquarters, along with top army commanders, to strategize heightened operations aimed at eliminating the militans.

The upcoming changes in the Nagrota Corps leadership and the anticipated visit of a Defence Ministry team to Rajouri and Poonch districts signify the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the recent surge in militant activities.

Concurrently, extensive search and cordon operations persist in the upper reaches, forests, and other vulnerable areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts. The joint efforts of the army, para commandos, paramilitary forces, and police, supplemented by the support of local residents, continue in the pursuit of militants.

In solemn tribute, a wreath-laying ceremony was held on Sunday in Rajouri for the four soldiers who fell victim to the militants' ambush in Dera Ki Gali. The suspended mobile internet services in the twin districts persist for the third consecutive day.

At the ceremony led by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, homage was paid to Naik Birender Singh, Naik Karan Kumar, Rifleman Gautam Kumar, and Rifleman Chandan Kumar. Their mortal remains, belonging to Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, were honoured and subsequently transported to their respective hometowns, as reported by Daily Excelsior.

Lt Gen Dwivedi also extended condolences and support to the families of the deceased soldiers during the ceremony. The solemn event witnessed the presence of officials such as General Officer Commanding of Jammu-based White Knight Corps Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Vikas Kundal, Senior Superintendent of Police Rajouri Amritpal Singh, and numerous army personnel, all paying their respects.

SRINAGAR — Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu and Kashmir on Monday expressed serious concern and strongly condemned the incident that took place in Masjid Sharief of Zadoora village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, on the night of June 23 and 24, wherein the personnel of the Army’s 50 Battalion Rashtriya Rifles harassed the local people and beat up some residents, forcing them to raise non-Muslim slogans from the mosque.

In a statement, the MMU said the silence maintained by the authorities in this regard is unacceptable. It asked them to clarify their position in this regard as the religious sentiments of Muslims of J&K have been badly hurt and people are shocked.

The MMU expressed concern over the fact that the government-backed institutions in Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly interfering with the management and working of mosques, shrines, Imambaras and other religious institutions, saying this is causing distress which needs to be addressed.

MMU also called for the immediate and unconditional release of the MMU patron Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq who has been under arbitrary detention for the last four years, and other imprisoned religious leaders and preachers, before the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The Majlis-e-Ulema announced that a state-wide meeting will be convened after Eid-ul-Azha for a comprehensive review of religious and societal challenges facing the Muslims of J&K and how to address them.

JAMMU — In a significant decision to ensure the security of the hinterland, India Army has started to train Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in Jammu region with modern weapons.

As per reports from the news agency KNO, the fresh development came in wake of recent terrorist strikes in Dhangri village of Rajouri district that killed seven people and injured nearly 15.

As per officials, Army Crossed Swords Division, which is headquarters at Akhnoor and looking after the security of Rajouri sector, organized an interaction with VDC members and personnel of Jammu Kashmir Police in Sunderbani to discuss various issues pertaining to hinterland security and improving firing skills of VDCs.

Similar camps were organized at Doda and Kishtwar districts, which were earlier under the effect of militancy.

An Army official said that the villagers are being trained and armed under the banner of Village Defence Guards (VDGs), a new name for what was earlier called Village Defence Committees (VDCs).

“The self-defence camps were conducted across the length and breadth of Jammu region, where VDCs, now VGD, equipped by the government during peak militancy,” an official said, adding, “The districts have seen unprecedented participation by the VDGs in the last two weeks since the commencement of camps.”

He added that the VDGs are being gradually equipped with SLR weapons which will replace the aging 303 rifles, which will further boost their preparedness.

"In Doda, a total of eight camps have been held so far by the local Army unit, Rashtriya Rifles, in conjunction with the Police in Doda which saw an attendance of around 500 VDG members," he said and added that the Indian Army has so far held three special firing practice sessions for the volunteers in Arnora firing range in Doda.

"Over 170 VDGs, drawn from different villages of the district, took part in the firing practice sessions which were held in coordination with local police," he said. He further added that weapon handlers and shooting experts of the Army demonstrated proper use of weapons to VDGs who later practiced firing.

Kishtwar's Sondar Army organized another camp where one-day training sessions included classes on basic handling of weapons, firing position, and lectures on periodic maintenance of weapons.

The aim of the training session for Village Defence Guard members was to impart training so that they can perform mandated tasks eventually. A large number of members attended the same. The Village Defence Guard members lauded the initiative and expressed hope for peace and stability in the region.

The Village Defence Guards comprise local village volunteers and were first active in the 1990s in several districts including Doda, playing a significant role in self defence of the villages, and assisting forces in counter-terrorism operations, and maintaining a vigil in respective villages.

They remained inactive for several years thereafter but were reactivated two years back, in 2020, to render help in a variety of internal security duties in the region, keeping in mind the emerging terror challenges.

SRINAGAR — Three Army soldiers were killed and five others were injured when a vehicle they were travelling in overturned near Kanipora village, en-route to an encounter site at Badigam area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.

“Owing to the wet road conditions, the driver seemingly lost control over the vehicle and it skidded off the road,” a Defence Ministry based spokesman in Srinagar said in a statement to GNS.

He said eight injured soldiers were shifted to District Hospital Shopian where two among them were declared brought dead on arrival.

“One soldier had received minor injuries and was discharged from District Hospital,” he said, adding, “The other five injured soldiers were evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, wherein the third soldier also succumbed to his injuries.”

Four soldiers are presently at the 92 Base Hospital and are being treated, he said.

It has already been clarified by the J-K Police that information shared on social media that the accident was caused by a stone-pelting incident in the area is false. "Rumours may be avoided and peace be maintained,” police said.

Earlier, police said that the accident was due to the driver of the Sumo vehicle losing control over it.

“It has been reported that some unconfirmed and misleading information has been circulated on social media, relating to the stone pelting/injuries to some Army personnel at Kanipora Shopian. It is clarified that the information shared in the social media is wrong and is not based on facts,” a police spokesman said in a statement to GNS.

He added, “Actually a Tata Sumo carrying soldiers from 44 RR Chowgam Camp was on its way to the encounter site at Badigam Shopian. The driver lost control over the vehicle due to some technical fault and it skidded off the road.”

He had said that four soldiers were injured in the mishap and were shifted to District Hospital Shopian where two among them succumbed to wounds. “Remaining two injured soldiers have been evacuated to 92 Base Army hospital Srinagar,” the spokesperson added.

The Army has now stated that three soldiers died and five others were injured.

SRINAGAR — At least two soldiers were killed and five others sustained injuries after a Sumo vehicle turned turtle near Kanipora village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said.

Sources told GNS that a Tata Sumo vehicle, carrying soldiers of 44 RR Chowgam Camp, skidded off the road and turned turtle, resulting in injuries to five of their men.

The injured, they said, were subsequently evacuated to District Hospital Shopian, where two among them identified as Havaldar Ram Avtar and Sepoy Pawan Goutam succumbed shortly after.

The remaining injured have been referred to Army’s 92 Base Hospital Srinagar for specialized treatment, they said.

SRINAGAR — Two civilians were injured when security forces opened fire on protesters in north Kashmir’s Handwara town, 80 km from here, following an altercation between locals and the Army while later was making a video of devotees during afternoon prayers.

Sources told CNS that Army personnel of 21 RR were making videos of devotees while they were entering Masjid for Zuhar prayers at Jamia Jadeed in main chowk Handwara to which some people objected and there was an altercation between the Army and civilians.

During the altercation, 'accidental' firing was reported in which two persons received injuries in their legs.

The injured, identified as Abdul Ahad Mir from Rajwar and Mujeeb Ahmad Sofi from Handwara, have been hospitalized and are said to be stable.

Meanwhile, speaking to CNS, SSP Sandeep Gupta said that there has been an 'accidental' fire and two persons were injured.