The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Several persons, part of two separate gangs, have been arrested after police found them engaged in a fight over an internal dispute with regard to online scammed money in Poonch, an official said.

The official told the news agency GNS that two gangs from Dogria and Buffliaz areas in Surankote in Poonch district were fighting each other over online money scammed through 'Telegram' (an instant messaging service).

The two groups, the official said, are actively involved in scamming and drug peddling activities.

"After receiving information about the fight between the rival groups, a police team reached the spot and arrested members of both gangs for necessary action," the official said.

Confirming it, a police officer said that an FIR has been registered in this regard under relevant sections for further proceedings.

POONCH — Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation in the Surankote area of Poonch district on Friday afternoon.

According to reliable sources, a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Surankote and the Indian Army's 16 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) conducted the operation in the Sangla Khoni Nahalla area, falling under the jurisdiction of the Surankote Police Station.

The recovered items included a Motor (type unspecified), three Motor shells, a Pistol and five Pistol rounds.

The seized arms and ammunition were brought to the Surankote Police Station for further investigation and analysis. Authorities haven't yet commented on the potential origin or intended use of the seized materials.

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.

POONCH — A tense situation unfolded as five soldiers lost their lives and two sustained injuries during an ongoing encounter in Surankote, Poonch, officials confirmed today. The clash occurred during an anti-militancy operation in the Dera Ki Gali area on Thursday, with the soldiers coming under attack, as per initial reports from army officials.

The deceased soldiers were identified as Birendra Singh, Karan Kumar, Chandan Kumar, and Gautam Kumar. Meanwhile, Sundeep Kumar, Shyam Sundar Das, and Todmal Dnyaneshwar Bhaskarrav are currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, revealed top officials.

The entire region remains under a cordon as security forces continue a meticulous search operation in the area. "The encounter site is cordoned off, and efforts are ongoing to neutralize the terrorists," officials stated.

Simultaneously, in an adjacent district of Kishtwar, security forces are intensively searching multiple residences. A senior police officer mentioned that this operation is being conducted in conjunction with the ongoing encounter in Surankote, Poonch. The officer emphasized that numerous houses are being thoroughly searched as part of these efforts.

The confluence of these two operations, one marred by casualties and injuries and the other involving meticulous house-to-house searches, signifies a heightened state of tension in the region. Authorities remain vigilant as they endeavour to maintain security and quell any potential threats amidst these operations.

The situation remains fluid as security forces aim to stabilize the area and ensure the safety of civilians while dealing with these parallel operations across Poonch and Kishtwar districts.

POONCH — A gunfight erupted between militants and a joint team of army and police erupted in Surankote area of Poonch on Monday, officials said.

They told the news agency GNS that based on specific intelligence input, a joint cordon and search operation was launched in Sindarah and Maidana area in Surankote Poonch by troops of Indian Army and SOG of Police.

“Contact established. Intense firefight ongoing, area cordoned, operations in progress,” an army spokesman confirmed in a tweet.

JAMMU — Police on Saturday launched investigations amid reports of damage to a streetlight and splinter marks on the wall of a house of a former MLA at Lassana in Surankote area of Poonch district.

Official sources, as per the news agency GNS, said that the house belongs to ex-MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohammad Akram and falls close to a jungle area.

They said the preliminary investigations suggest that splinter marks on the wall were caused by pellets from a 12-bore rifle. "Further investigations are underway," they said.

While no one was injured in the incident, it has led to panic among locals.

A police officer said that investigators are inquiring about all possible angles. "Since the house is in close vicinity of a jungle, it could be a case of hunter shots hitting the house or there could be other possibilities. We are investigating all angles," he said.

RAJOURI — The security forces in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir busted a militant hideout and recovered arms and ammunition including three AK rifles and 10 hand grenades on Sunday.

Officials, according to the news agency KNO, said that a joint team of Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a Cordon and Search Operation in Bachian Wali village of Surankote in Poonch district during which a militant hideout was unearthed under some rocks.

They said that arms and ammunition have been recovered from the hideout that includes three AK rifles, three AK rifle magazines, 28 bullets, 10 hand grenades and one UBGL.

Officials further said that the grenades have been taken into possession by the forces and will be destroyed through a controlled explosion.

JAMMU — A 9-year-old boy, who was injured in mysterious firing in Surankote area of Poonch district yesterday, died at Government Medical College Jammu on Thursday.

Sources, as per the news agency GNS, said that the boy identified as Afran Ahmed son of Mohammad Sharief of Sangla Tehsil was shifted to GMC Jammu from GMC Rajouri for advanced treatment. However, he succumbed to the grievous wounds.

SHO Surankote Rajveer Singh confirmed the death of the minor. He said the police have already registered a case (FIR No. 10/2023) under the relevant section of the law and further investigations are underway.

The boy was injured near his residence while two other persons, heading to pay obeisance at a shrine had a miraculous escape in the incident.

JAMMU — A 9-year-old boy was injured and two persons had a miraculous escape amid mysterious firing at them while they were heading towards a shrine for paying obeisance in Surankote area of Poonch district on Thursday.

Sources told that the boy, identified as Afran Ahmed son of Mohammad Sharief of Sangla in Surankote of Poonch district, was rushed to Sub-district Hospital Surankote. He was later shifted to Government Medical College Rajouri for advanced treatment, they said.

Immediately after the incident, they said, a police party rushed to the spot and started an investigation.

Confirming it, a police official told the news agency GNS that a case (FIR No. 10/2023) has been registered under the relevant section of the law and further investigations were taken up. “We are working on the case and very soon case will be worked out,” he said.