The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Police in northern Kashmir's Baramulla district on Wednesday said they had deployed a GPS-enabled anklet on a bailed-out Lashkar-e-Taiba militant associate for better surveillance to track his movements.

An official quoted by the news agency Kashmir Scroll said that in compliance with an order received from the Hon’ble Court, police in Baramulla today affixed a GPS tracking device on an under-trial militant associate who was enlarged on bail in a UA(P) case of Police Station Uri.

The accused was arrested in case FIR No. 104/2023 under sections 13, 18, 18B, 20, 23, 40 UA(P) Act, 120-B IPC, 7/25 Arms Act of Police Station Uri and has been enlarged bail by the Hon'ble Court.

He said the GPS anklet will be used to monitor the movement of the said militant associate and ensure that he doesn't violate the bail conditions.

SRINAGAR — Properties of two Pakistan-based handlers were attached in northern Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday, police said.

The properties worth lakhs of rupees, which belonged to the two handlers based in Pakistan, were attached after obtaining an order from Sub Judge Uri, a police spokesman said.

He identified the two as Jalal Din, a resident of Zamboor Pattan, and Mohammad Saki, a resident of Kamalkote Uri.

SRINAGAR — In a successful counter-operation, security forces thwarted an infiltration attempt by militants in the Uri area of Baramulla district on Friday, resulting in the death of two militants.

According to reliable sources cited by a local news agency, the infiltration bid occurred in Sabura Nala along the Uri border. Alert troops swiftly responded to the incursion, engaging the militants in a fierce exchange of fire.

Reports indicate that during the operation, security forces neutralized two militants, preventing any further advancement into the region. The identity of the deceased militants is currently under verification.

SRINAGAR — A week after an old bridge collapsed over the Jhelum River in the Gingal area, the body of one of the three labourers who fell into the river has been found.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the incident occurred on March 3 when three labourers fell into the Jhelum River at Gingal while dislocating the old bridge.

Search efforts were immediately launched to locate the missing individuals. After seven days of intense searching, the body of one labourer has been recovered from the Jhelum River in Razarwani Uri.

However, the fate of the remaining two labourers remains unknown as they are still reported missing.

Authorities continue their efforts to locate the missing individuals and investigate the circumstances surrounding the bridge collapse.

SRINAGAR — Three persons went missing on Sunday after an old bridge collapsed in Mohra Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla.

Reports said that three persons went missing after falling into river Jhelum while removing an old bridge in north Kashmir’s Uri Baramulla.

Soon after the incident, a rescue operation was launched by the Police, Army and Civil administration joined by local volunteers.

The officials identified the missing person as Shakeel Ahmad Mir son of Sayeed-ullah Mir, resident of Kupwara; Bilal Ahmad Reshi son of Abdul Ahad Reshi, resident of Arizal Budgam and Mohammad Aslam Chauhan resident of Anantnag.

URI — A man injured in a road accident in north Kashmir's Uri on Saturday has tragically passed away this morning, according to officials.

The individual, identified as Abdul Majeed Baloot, son of Summa Baloot of Gharkote, succumbed to his injuries after two days of hospitalization, an official said while speaking to a local news agency.

Abdul Majeed Baloot had been in the ICU for the past two days before his unfortunate demise earlier today.

The accident occurred in Gharkote when a Tata Sumo with registration number JK05 H 6384 veered off the road, resulting in injuries to four individuals. All injured parties were subsequently transferred to GMC Baramulla for advanced medical care.

This incident comes in the wake of a recent devastating accident in Uri that claimed 10 lives, marking the second tragic road mishap in the area.

URI — The devastating road mishap in Uri claimed three more lives, elevating the total death toll to 10, according to updates from medical authorities.

A doctor at GMC Baramulla was quoted by a local news agency as having said that five injured individuals were transferred to SKIMS Srinagar for advanced medical care. Tragically, two of these injured victims succumbed to their injuries during the night hours, further amplifying the toll of this unfortunate incident.

The deceased have been identified as Shabir Ahmed, son of Abdul Gani, and Shabir Ahmed, son of Mohammed Abdullah, both residents of Bujithallan.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when a Tata Sumo with registration number JK05D 0946 skidded off the road, plunging into a deep gorge in the Boniyar area.

The initial impact resulted in the immediate death of seven individuals, including four females, while eight sustained injuries. Regrettably, within hours, three more victims succumbed to their injuries, compounding the tragedy.

SRINAGAR — The State Investigation Unit (SIU) presented a chargesheet before the Additional Sessions Judge (NIA Court) Baramulla on Tuesday.

The chargesheet pertains to a case filed under FIR number 103/2023, involving sections 7/25 IA Act 13, 18, 23, and 39 UAPA at Police Station Uri.

According to a statement quoted by a local news agency, the chargesheet names three accused individuals including Showkat Ali Awan, Ahmad Din Khatana and Mohd Sideeq Khatana, all residents of Churunda village in Uri area of Baramulla district.

The statement also mentions that the next hearing for the case is scheduled for February 16, 2024.

BARAMULLA — Police in north Kashmir have booked a trio under Public Safety Act (PSA) and shifted them to a Jammu jail for their alleged involvement in ‘anti-India’ activities.

Baramulla Police said that many cases had been registered against these three persons in connection with anti-national activities.

The police, as per the news agency KNT, added that the formal detention orders were secured from the competent authorities and the trio had been shifted to Kot Balwal Jail Jammu.

The arrested persons have been identified as Tawseef Ahmed of Andargam, Pattan; Ghulam Muhammad Lone of Lachipora, Uri and Shahzad Ahmed Malik, a resident of Singhpora, Pattan.

SRINAGAR — In a significant development, the Northern Railways is all set to start work on the 50-kilometers Baramulla-Uri stretch in Kashmir, for which tenders have been floated, officials said on Sunday.

Once the project is completed, the border area of Uri will get connected with the railways.

A top railway official told the news agency KNO that Northern Railways is mulling to begin Final Location Survey (FLS) for new Baramulla-Uri line and for which proposals are being invited by the Ministry.

“Tenders have been floated for engineering survey work of a railway line/roadway using modern survey techniques such as Aerial Survey (Aerial Photogrammetric Survey or Aerial LIDAR) and DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) levelling and creation of DEM,” he said.

He said that the overall track from Baramulla to Uri will be 50 kilometres.

Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir Railways, Saqib Yousuf also confirmed the development. He said it is good news for the entire Kashmir.

Pertinently, the government has stated that Kashmir will be connected with Kanyakumari through rail link.

BARAMULLA — A junior commissioned officer of the Indian Army was injured as an infiltration bid was foiled along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Saturday.

An official told the news agency KNO the army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Gowhalla sector in Uri today early morning.

He said that during the exchange of fire between militants and the army, a junior commissioned officer (JCO) was also injured. "During the exchange of fire, the Pakistan side also tried to fly a quadcopter but the alert troops fired at it and pushed it back," he said.

"The injured JCO has been evacuated to 92 base hospital in Srinagar, where his condition is said to be stable," he said and added that a massive search operation is underway in the area.

Infiltration bid Pakistan's 'desperate' attempt to disrupt G20: Indian Army

The Indian Army on Saturday said that the "failed infiltration bid by terrorists is another attempt by Pakistan" to disrupt the G20 Summit and create disturbance in the Valley.

In a statement, issued to the news agency KNO, Srinagar-based Defence spokesperson said "an infiltration bid by terrorists across the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir was foiled" by the army early morning today.

He said that "a group of armed terrorists, while attempting to cross the Line of Control, were engaged in an exchange of fire with the alert troops, resulting in a failed attempt to intrude into Kashmir Valley."

"A quadcopter flown by the Pakistan Army to aid the terrorists was also spotted across the Line of Control, and was fired at, causing it to withdraw," the statement said.

He said that this "desperate action by the terrorists, duly abetted by Pakistan Army, is yet another failed attempt to disrupt the G20 Summit" and create disturbance in the Valley.

The spokesperson said that extensive search operations are underway in the densely forested area.

SRINAGAR — Two teenage girls tried to end their lives in two different parts of Kashmir Valley.

In one such incident in Khansahab village of Budgam, a 14-year-old girl consumed some poisonous substance at her home and was shifted to Sub District Hospital Khansahab, where from she was referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for further treatment.

In another incident, a 19-year-old girl from a Uri village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district took a poison-like substance. The girl was shifted to SDH Uri for treatment.

Police have taken cognizance of both incidents and registered cases under relevant sections of law.

BARAMULLA — After giving sleepless nights to locals and keeping wildlife teams on their toes for more than a fortnight, the “man-eater” leopard was on Sunday “hunted down” in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

The wildlife team and police eliminated the man-eater wildlife beast after it attacked a woman namely Dilshada Begum (30) wife of Farid Ahmad of Latchipora. While the woman was removed to GMC Baramulla for medical treatment, teams of wildlife and police, camping in the area from last more than a week, achieved success in eliminating the beast.

Officials of the Wildlife department told the news agency GNS that the movement pattern of the beast was highly dynamic and had been closely watched.

The officials said that after the killing of two minors, several teams were deputed to several spots in Uri and launched search operations to locate the animal. The animal had killed at least two minors before the officials ordered the “hunting down” of the leopard.

On September 16 at 7:00 PM, a girl child namely Munzia Beigh daughter of Imran of Jabadar Lachipora Boniyar (Uri) was lifted and killed by a leopard. Her body was recovered from a nearby forest area late in the night on the same day.

Subsequently on September 22, at about 7:30 PM, another child namely Ali Hussain son of Abbas Hussain of Dani Cholan Boniyar (Uri) was lifted and killed by the leopard and subsequently, his body was retrieved after several hours of search from the forest area.

SRINAGAR — Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that announcement with regard to elections in J&K will be made once the final voter list and other preparations are completed.

He also lashed out at the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that Abdullah and Sons and Mufti and Co are responsible for the killing of 42,000 people in J&K.

Addressing a massive rally at Baramulla district of northern Kashmir, Shah said that the announcement about elections in J&K will be made once the formalities like completion of the final voter list and other preparations are completed. “Process is on and preparations are in a full swing,” he said, as per the news agency KNO.

Taking a jibe at NC and PDD, Shah said that Abdullah and Sons and Mufti and Co are responsible for the killing of 42,000 people as these families did politics for their personal gains and left people suffering. “These families looted J&K resources for their personal benefit and did nothing for the common man,” he said.

Shah said that Baramulla was once a hotbed of militancy and militant-related activities were common here but “today this place is the hot spot of tourists.” “Sprawling Gulmarg is the skiers’ paradise, the shrines and the breathtaking snow-clad mountains of this place are attracting tourists in large numbers,” he said.

He said that without Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the development of J&K was impossible. “Today, we have the best roads, rail links, bridges and hospitals,” Shah said, adding that “we have nine medical colleges to J&K besides AIIMS and nursing colleges.”

Shah said that Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis will be given due reservation as they were deprived of the benefits of democracy for the past 75 years. The Home Minister praised Maqbool Sherwani for his role against Pakistani invaders.

He also laid the foundation stone of various power, road and Jal Shakti projects. He said that the Government of India will talk to the youth, not Pakistan. “I am ready to talk to the youth of J&K on any issue but not Pakistan,” he said. Shah was in J&K on a three-day visit and flew back late this afternoon.

In Baramulla, Amit Shah halts his speech for Azaan

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paused his speech midway for Azaan, the Muslim call for prayers, during his public rally in this north Kashmir town on Wednesday.

According to the news agency KNO, Shah halted his speech when he heard Azaan from a nearby Masjid in Baramulla. Shah resumed his speech after the Azaan was over.

Shah here addressed thousands of people who had come from different parts of Kashmir to participate in the rally.

Amit Shah visits slain cop’s family in Baramulla's Uri

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited the residence of a slain cop, Mudasir Sheikh, in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, officials said here.

Officials told the news agency KNS that the Home Minister visited the residence of the slain cop, who was killed by militants during an encounter in Kreeri area of the district earlier this year.

Shah expressed his commiserations with the parents and other family members of Sheikh and prayed for his soul.

Shah lauds efforts of security agencies for curbing militancy

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Srinagar, officials said here where he stressed making J&K militancy-free.

Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation and lauded the relentless and coordinated efforts of the security forces to curb militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The top officials told the news agency KNS that the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Director IB, DGs of various Central armed police forces, J&K Police and Army officials were present in the meeting.

The officials said that Shah has directed the security grid to intensify the anti-militancy operation in Jammu and Kashmir to turn it into a militancy-free zone so that people here will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and will taste a real democracy.

"Chaired a meeting to review the security situation of J&K in Srinagar. People of J&K is witnessing a new era of peace, progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji. applaud the relentless & coordinated efforts of our security forces to curb terrorism," the HM said in a tweet.

Amit Shah gives appointment orders to families of four slain cops

Union Home Minister Amit Shah handed over appointment letters to the kin of four Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel who were killed in militant-related incidents in Kashmir.

The Home Minister shared photos on Twitter of his meeting with the relatives of the police personnel killed by militants in the Kashmir valley.

“Met the family members of the Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel who were killed while fighting against militants and handed over appointment letters to the kin of four such martyrs,” Shah in a tweet said and lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s efforts in fighting against militancy and said the entire country salutes their sacrifice.

According to officials, the families were given job letters by the Home Minister at the Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday late evening.

Notably, the HM is on a three-day tour of J&K, starting Monday. On Tuesday, he visited Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine at Katra and also addressed a public rally in Rajouri following which he reached Srinagar.

Amit Shah visits Gurudwara Chati Patshahi in Rainawari

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited Gurudwara Chati Patshahi in Rainawari area of Srinagar.

An official told the news agency KNO that Shah paid obeisance at Gurudwara Chati Patshahi. He said that Shah was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha and other senior officials, besides several senior BJP leaders.

SRINAGAR — A soldier allegedly committed suicide in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday.

Official sources said that the bullet-ridden body of a soldier was found in a pool of blood in the washroom in Boniyar Uri, where the deceased soldier was posted.

The slain soldier has been identified as Rahul Bhagat son of Anand Bhagat of Maharashtra.

Sources added that the cause of the death of the soldier is still unknown and it is not clear whether the soldier has committed suicide with his service rifle or had become the prey of accidental fire.

Police have started an investigation under 174 CrPC in this regard.

BARAMULLA — "Children and elderly are scared here for the past several days. Man-eating animals have created chaos here," says Mohammad Hussain, an elderly local of Dhanisyedan village of Uri, where a minor girl was taken away by a leopard, last evening the body of whom was later found in a nearby orchard.

He said that nobody dares to venture out during day, let alone evening hours.

Muhammad Afzal, another local said that the area has been badly affected over the past few months because the man-eating animal has not been caught yet and it continues to be a big threat,” he said. "We don't even let our young children go to school because of fear.”

A group of locals from Uri told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that "We are restless and indecisive. The administration has failed to address the issue.”

Ishfaq Ahmad, another local said that they can't bear that the lives of these little children are lost. He said the administration should further increase its operations to kill or to tranquilise the animal.

"Only a mother can tell the value of her children. How painful losing a child to an animal is, only a mother can narrate," Taja Begum, another woman said.

On September 16, a minor was taken away by leopard outside her home in Gawashar village of Uri following which her body was found. Late yesterday evening, another minor boy was taken away by the same animal and the body of this child was later also found by the locals. In the month of June this year, the animal similarly made three small children its prey here.

"We’ve urged people not to go out to the fields alone but do so only in groups. While we are trying all possible ways to trap or kill the animal, we need the co-operation of the common people for them to stay safe,” an official said. He said that their operations along with the teams of protection department, police and sharp shooters continue to find or kill this man-eating animal.

However, our hard work is not paying off yet. "It is also possible that the animal might have shifted to other place in view of the disturbance in the area," he added. In an advisory, the wildlife protection department said that children and woman are more vulnerable to leopard and bear attacks, which can be contained if they move in groups or children are accompanied by an elderly person and always move on regular forest paths and avoid short cuts.

“Avoid going to forests for collection of wood etc. in early morning or evening hours, which is the peak activity time for Leopards. Do not chase or try to go near to a wild animal if sighted from a distance in the forest areas,” the official said.

BANDIPORA — Bandipora Police on Saturday claimed to have solved the case related to a migrant labourer’s killing by arresting three militants in Sadunara area of Hajin in northern district of Kashmir.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bandipora, Mohammad Zahid while addressing a press conference, as per the news agency KNO said that on the intervening night of 11-12 August, a migrant labourer identified as Amrez Masoori of Bihar was shot dead by some unknown militants in Sadunara following which a formal case was registered and an investigation was set into motion.

He said that during the course of the investigation, various suspects were called and questioned and technical assistance was also brought into use.

“Eventually it was found that three local militants identified as Waseem Akram, Yawar Reyaz and Muzamil Sheikh—all residents of Sadunara were in touch with a LeT handler Baber, who is operating from Pakistan,” he said.

He added that Baber had instructed them to kill any non-local labourer to ‘terrorize’ them in order to leave the Valley and carry out more such strikes in future to revive local militancy in Bandipora.

He further said that during the investigation, the weapon of offence including one pistol along with a magazine and four live rounds, which were concealed by them, was also recovered.

“So far Bandipora Police along with security forces have been successful in eliminating three militants including one local and foreigner,” he said, adding that nine hybrid militants have also been arrested so far and six OGW modules have been busted in the district.

Arms, ammo recovered in Uri: Police

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday claimed to have recovered arms and ammunition in Hathlanga area of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

A police spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency KNO said that on a specific input regarding the presence of arms and ammunition in Hathlanga area of Uri, a joint party of Police and Army (3rd Rajput) launched a search operation in the wee hours near Hathlanga area of Uri.

During the search, arms and ammunition including one AK-47 Rifle, one AK Magazine and 28 rounds of AK-47 were recovered from the said area, police said.

In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Uri and further investigation has been initiated, police said.