Indo-Pak border to be completely sealed by December 2018: Rajnath Singh

[Hindustani78]

Villagers show a damaged roof house due to alleged shelling from across the LoC at the India-Pakistan International border in Bidipur village of RS Pura sector, Jammu. (Photo: PTI)

Jammu: Pakistani Rangers on Sunday pounded BSF posts and civilian areas using small arms and mortars shells in continuous ceasefire violations along the International Border (IB) in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts, prompting BSF to retaliate.

"Unprovoked" firings resumed along the International Border (IB) in R S Pura sector of Jammu district this evening, after shelling stopped in the morning.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/pakistan-breaks-ceasfire-in-jk-one-soldier-martyred_1945180.html


New Delhi: One Indian soldier was martyred and two others were injured after Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

As per initial reports, one jawan lost his life in Rajouri sector, while those injured were defending border in the Balkote sector in Poonch district

Ever since Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on September 29, a rattled Pakistan has broken the ceasefire as many as 63 times along the LoC and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.


First Published: Monday, October 31, 2016 - 17:01

This October 21, 2016 photo shows Armymen patrolling the streets of a town in Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani troops targeted Indian posts and villages in the district on Monday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ri-districts/article9288289.ece?homepage=true
Updated: October 31, 2016 17:04 IST

Fresh firing, shelling in Mankot and Balakote areas along the LoC reported
An army soldier was killed and two women were injured after Pakistani troops targeted Indian posts and villages in Poonch and Rajouri districts on Monday.

“Ceasefire violations in Rajouri sector are being retaliated with massive fire assault. One army soldier was martyred,” a spokesman of the Army’s Northern Command said.

“Two women have been injured. One of them [has been] seriously [injured] and has been shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) Jammu,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch J.S. Johar said.

There were also reports of firing and shelling in Mankot and Balakote areas along the Line of Control (LoC).

There have been more that 60 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC and IB since the ‘surgical strikes’ against terror launch pads.

Eleven people, including three civilians, and eight security personnel have been killed in the incidents.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...onch-and-rajouri-districts/article9288289.ece

Fresh firing, shelling in Mankot and Balakote areas along the LoC reported
As casualties in cross-border firing mounted in Jammu, with one more soldier and a civilian woman dead on Monday, the Border Security Force (BSF) has said it had foiled three attempts by the Pakistan army’s “to push heavily-armed militants under the cover of shelling and firing”.

“In the past 36 hours, under the cover of ongoing and heavy cross-border firing and shelling, Pakistan has relentlessly tried to push heavily-armed militants groups into Indian territory with the nefarious intention to disturb peace and cause casualties for security forces in the hinterland area,” said a Jammu-based BSF spokesman.


He said three infiltration attempts were made in Jammu’s Hiranagar Sector, Kathua, since October 29.

October 30 infiltration

“Two groups, comprising three terrorists, were trying to sneak into Jammu on October 30,” the spokesman said. “The infiltrators took shelter in the thick, wild growth on the International Border (IB). While the country was celebrating Diwali, alert BSF troops spotted the group near the IB. They remained hidden during the day for infiltration. BSF troops opened fire to neutralise them. The armed militants targeted BSF troops but were forced to retreat by effective fire.”

Once the infiltrators were targeted by the BSF with accurate and heavy fire, Pakistan Rangers came to their rescue and provided covering fire to the militants group for their safe withdrawal towards Pakistani villages, the spokesman added.

“The group of terrorists was seen moving half-bending, crawling and running towards the Pakistan village of Abhiyal Dogra to save their lives,” said the spokesman.

Soldier and civilian die

Meanwhile, the Army’s Northern Command spokesman confirmed the death of a soldier in the Rajouri Sector. “The violation was retaliated with a massive fire assault. One Indian Army soldier was martyred,” said the spokesman.

In Poonch’s Mendhar Sector, a 54-year-old woman died and her daughter sustained serious injuries when a shell landed near their house.

Firing and shelling was also reported in Mankot and Balakote areas along the Line of Control (LoC).

According to Army officials in New Delhi, the day-long ceasefire violation in the Rajouri Sector on Monday was “in response to the Indian Army’s attack on Pakistani posts in Kashmir’s Keran Sector last week”.

Over 60 ceasefire violations

On October 28, an Army patrol team was attacked in the Macchil Sector and in the encounter that followed, one soldier, Sepoy Mandeep Singh, was killed and his body was mutilated by a terrorist before he ran and crossed over the LoC supported by covering fire from the Pakistani Army.

In more than 60 ceasefire violations since September 30, when the Indian Army carried out surgical attacks inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (Azad Kashmir), nine security personnel have been killed. In retaliation, more than 15 Pakistani Rangers have been killed along the IB.

(With inputs from Dinakar Peri in New Delhi)

targeting the future: The school at Kabamarg in Anantnag district of south Kashmir that was set on fire on Sunday evening. As many as 27 schools in the Valley have been set on fire by unidentified persons. Photo: Nissar Ahmad

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...jk-govt-to-protect-schools/article9288748.ece

State should reopen all educational institutions and submit compliance report by November 7, says High Court
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Monday came down heavily on the authorities for “failing to safeguard school infrastructure” in Kashmir and called for “reopening of all schools” even as the separatists’ shutdown call of the last 115 days continued to affect all aspects of life.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the mysterious burning of 27 schools, Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey observed: “It is the responsibility of the State to keep educational institutions open. Whether children come to schools or not, the authorities cannot say they have difficulty in protecting school buildings.”

The Court lambasted the authorities for “not taking a call by sitting together for devising measures for protecting these school buildings from being burnt”.

‘Mysterious enemies’

“All the necessary preventive and protective measures shall be taken to stop the mysterious enemies of education. The mysterious enemy shall be unmasked and dealt with an iron hand,” held the Court. It directed the government to submit a compliance report by November 7 on the matter.

“It is a collective responsibility of all to save the school buildings. A mysterious person may enjoy its flames and smoke, but that sadistic enjoyment can be only for an hour or so, least realising he is darkening the educational atmosphere,” the Court said.

State Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar told The Hindu: “It is not physically possible to provide security to all 14,000 schools. Around 13 lakh students have to sit for the exams. It is sad that a society needs to secure schools through the police.”

Mr. Akhtar said, “Separatists with their shutdown calls are trying to destroy academic careers. In reality, it is examination time for leaders like [JKLF chief] Mohammad Yasin Malik, who is now facing questions from the people over the way they are pushing Kashmiris into perpetual economic and academic dis-empowerment.”

With separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, condemning the burning of schools, United Jihad Council supremo Syed Salahuddin followed suit.

“The government should talk to the students. Instead, it is intimidating them into complying with its plan to hold exams, despite the loss of almost four months of classes,” said former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...-of-schools-in-unrest-hit-valley_1945471.html

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him the situation in the state especially the issue of reopening schools in the unrest-hit Valley.

During the 30-minute meeting, Vohra briefed Singh on the prevailing situation in the sensitive state, whice has been witnessing unrest for more than 110 days.

Sources said the Home Minister and the Governor discussed how to facilitate reopening of the schools in Kashmir Valley which have remaind closed due to violence and strike called by separatists after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8.

The issue of burning down of around 26 schools figured in the discussion, the sources said.

Concerned over burning down of schools in Kashmir, the Centre has asked the Mehbooba Mufti government to check such attempts and make efforts for reopening the schools.

In a communication, the Home Ministry has conveyed to the Jammu and Kashmir government to ensure protection of schools, especially those which are vulnerable to attacks, and make all attempts for reopening all educational institutions across the Valley.

The central government is deeply concerned over these incidents and worried about the future of the children who are the worst sufferers due to the prolonged turmoil in the state, a senior Home Ministry official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also said to be worried that the closure of educational institutions for such a long period is affecting thousands of students and feels that if schools reopen, it would be a great step towards restoring normalcy in Kashmir, officials said.

Sources said the assessment of security forces is that radical forces are trying to force children in rural areas to join religious schools or madrassas and not opt for modern education so that youngsters could be radicalised easily.

Amid outrage over increasing number of schools being burnt in the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court yesterday stepped in, directing police and civil administration to ensure their protection besides unmasking the "mysterious enemies of education" and deal with them with an "iron hand".

Vohra also conveyed to Singh the steps taken to bring normalcy in the state as well as situation along the border which has seen incessant firing from Pakistani troops

PTI

First Published: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - 17:56

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http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...demns-burning-schools-in-kashmir_1945450.html

Tral/New Delhi: Muzzafar Wani, the father of Hizbul commander Burhan whose killing sparked unrest in Kashmir, on Tuesday expressed "deep pain" over the burning down of schools in the Valley and made a fervent appeal to those behind it to refrain from targeting educational institutions.

Muzzafar Wani, a retired government teacher, told PTI over phone from his residence in Tral of South Kashmir that "as a teacher, whenever a school is burnt down, my heart is set on fire."

"This is not right. Whosoever is responsible for this is doing no good to the society. A society without any education is lifeless. They do not have any identity," Wani said and made it clear that he was making this statement as a teacher and not as any leader.

"My appeal to all people as well as 'agencies' is that whoever is doing this is not doing the correct thing. For God's sake, please refrain from such acts because education is the only thing which will help us in becoming good humans," he said.

Over 25 educational institutions have been burnt by miscreants in the Kashmir Valley since July 9, a day after Burhan was killed in an encounter in South Kashmir.

"This is not right. Whosoever is responsible for this, it's not right. It will be lifeless without any education and, therefore, whosoever is indulging in such acts is doing no good to the society," he said.

Asked about forced closure of educational institutions in the Valley following the prolonged unrest, Wani said, "I am pained that the children are being deprived of education.

"People are coming out themselves, I am not responsible for it. When Burhan Wani was killed, I had appealed that there should be a day's strike but there is no control on the situation as of now".

However, he also held the state and Central government responsible for the situation saying that they are not coming out with any initiative to bring an end to the unrest.

"This the government should have thought. There is no initiative from the government. Police excesses are increasing every day. There should be some initiative from the state as well as Central governments.

"People will cooperate only when there is some kind of seriousness (from the government side). This unrest is not liked by many," he said.

The issue of burning down of educational institutions came under legal scrutiny yesterday when Jammu and Kashmir High Court took a suo motu cognisance of news report about burning down of schools in the Valley.

The High Court directed police and civil administration to ensure the protection of the institutions besides unmasking the "mysterious enemies of education" and deal with them with an "iron hand".

The court listed the case for next hearing on November 7 and directed the three officials to remain present.

PTI

First Published: Tuesday, November 1, 2016 - 16:45

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...sts-along-ib-destroyed-bsf/article9291624.ece
Updated: November 1, 2016 19:07 IST
“BSF gave a calibrated retaliation on IB in response to unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers.”
The BSF on Tuesday said it destroyed 14 posts of Pakistani Rangers in retaliatory action along the International Border (IB) in the Ramgarh and Arnia sectors of Jammu frontier.

Eight people, mostly children and women, were killed and 22 injured when Pakistan troops resorted to heavy shelling on border hamlets and military posts with 82 and 120 mm mortar bombs along the IB and LoC in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

“BSF gave a calibrated retaliation on IB in response to unprovoked firing and shelling of Pakistan Rangers in area of Ramgarh and Arnia Sectors since morning,” its DIG Dharmendra Pareek said.


“Since morning, BSF targeted Pakistan Rangers’ posts across IB in the same sector and caused heavy damage to 14 Pakistani Posts,” he said.

Earlier, Army sources said two Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing along LoC opposite to Naushera sector of Rajouri district on Tuesday.

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mehbooba-asks-india-pak-to-resume-talks/article9291442.ece

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked India and Pakistan "to de-escalate the perilously hostile situation” in the border areas of the two countries.

“I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir who are caught in the deadly crossfire,” Ms. Mehbooba Mufti said.

‘A humanitarian crisis’
She said the unabated border shelling has seen a tragic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.

“We in J&K yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences," she said. She added that India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication and avoid further escalation.

She said it is the responsibility of the leaderships in the two countries to save the region from facing further violence.

“We see world-over how wars have resulted in complete destruction of once most prosperous countries and annihilation of cultures.” she said.

 

[Hindustani78]

 

[Hindustani78]

The BSF, responding to Pakistan's firing and mortar shelling for past 11 days, has fired 3000 long range mortar shells (81mm area weapons), which can hit targets within the range of 5 to 6 km, 2000 short range mortar shells (51mm mortar shells), which can hit targets at 900 meters and over 35,000 bullets using small arms, including MMG, LMG, and rifles etc.

Officials said long-range mortar shells are used to destroy enemy positions and small range weapons for targeting terrorists and Pak Rangers firing from posts close to the border.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/8-civilians-killed-in-pakistan-firing/article9292493.ece

BSF hits back, kills two soldiers and destroys 14 posts
In the worst single day of civilian deaths during the ceasefire violations, the firing and shelling by Pakistan Rangers along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) killed eight persons, including two children and four women, in the Jammu region on Tuesday.

The Border Security Force retaliated strongly, in which “two Pakistani soldiers were killed and 14 posts destroyed” along the International Border in the Ramgarh and Arnia sectors.

Six civilians became the target of cross-border shelling, mainly of 84-mm mortars, in Samba district.

A top civilian official told The Hindu that Hanju Devi and children Rishav and Abdhi, aged between four and seven, were hit by a shell when they were out in the open in the Rangoor camp at Ramgarh.

Another woman, Ravinder Kour, 19, was hit by a shell inside her house at Jerda, he said.

Marha Ram, 60, of Rangoor camp, was hit by splinters and died in hospital. Sources said Swarn Singh, of Govindgarh, died of shock. At least 30 civilians were evacuated in R.S. Pora.

Sultan Begam, 70, and her daughter-in-law Maqbool Begum, 28, died at Tarkundi in Rajouri district. They were hit by the shells while working in the field.

For the first time in two decades, shells landed in Mendhar town in Poonch, forcing closure of the government college. “Bassoni, Dharana and Gholad villages have been badly hit,” said Javed Ahmed Rana, MLA from Mendhar in Poonch.

At least 20 civilians were injured in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Deputy Commissioner for Jammu Simrandeep Singh said: “All 174 schools situated along the IB and the LoC in Jammu have been closed until further orders.”

 

[Hindustani78]

Army personnel paying tribute to soldier Bimal Tamang (inset) who was martyred at Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri Sector, in Poonch district on Tuesday. PTI Photo

A villager salvages his belongings damaged in cross border firings at Arnia village, about 40KM from Jammu. (Photo: PTI)

Jammu: For the border residents in Ramgarh sector of Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, it has been raining bombs and bullets as Pakistan Rangers target several civilian villages along the International Border in the sector.

Many border residents say that they have been witnessing death closely since the repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

"It rained bombs and bullets on our villages during the day. It was like a war is being fought and we were caught in between, we witnessed death from close quarters," Kamlesh Kumari, a relative of Mara Ram, who died yesterday in the intense shelling by Pakistani forces, said.

60-year-old Mara Ram, a resident of Rangoor village, succumbed to injuries at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) after he along with his son and 14-month-old granddaughter were injured in the firing.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...m-pakistan-escalates/articleshow/55205534.cms

JAMMU: Tens of thousands of border villagers in Jammu and Kashmir have been forced out of their homes to take shelter in makeshift accommodations after shelling from across the border with Pakistan killed at least 19 people, including 11 civilians, in the past few weeks.

Some 25,000 villagers are estimated to have left their houses in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts close to the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) -- the de facto border that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

"Residents of 120 villages along the IB and 47 villages along the LoC have left for safer places," a divisional administration officer told IANS. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

However, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal described the migration of villagers as temporary and said they leave their homes during the day and return by night.

Kotwal, however, admitted that the civilian authorities have closed, as a precaution, nearly 300 schools in villages and towns along the IB till further orders after Pakistan started targeting civilian areas.

The mass exodus comes even as the government has not ordered evacuation despite the tension between the two countries that escalated after 19 Indian soldiers were killed on September 18 in an attack by militants on an army base in Uri.

India in a retaliatory action launched surgical strikes across the LoC, destroying seven terror launch pads and killing an unknown number of terrorists and their sympathizers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Since then the two sides have been regularly shelling each other and violating a 2003 ceasefire agreement to maintain peace at the 230 km border and 740 km of the LoC between them.

The raining mortar shells have turned life into a nightmare for these villagers. Many of them told IANS that the army and paramilitary forces have asked them to leave their homes for safety.

Jasbir Singh, 40, a medical assistant in a Ramgarh health centre, said he shifted along with his father, an ex-serviceman, to nearby Vijaypur area.

"It is suicidal to continue living in our village where fire rains from the sky," said Jasbir Singh, whose village lies close to the border in Samba district.

Satpal Singh Heer, 54, from Nanga village, runs a private school. He said the BSF has erected a watch tower in his village which has made his village "more vulnerable" to Pakistan shelling.

He said he had tried to return to the village. But BSF troopers in underground bunkers saved him as he had nearly walked to a place where intense shelling from Pakistan was going on. "I had to return to safety," he said.

The residents want peace so that they could return home and tend their cattle and reap their harvest-ready crop.

Gangu Ram, 56, from Raipur village of Kathua district said he has neither tended his agricultural fields nor his cattle in the past three days since he left home.

"If I don't reap my crop that awaits harvesting within the next four-five days, I would lose my entire year's labour.

"I don't even know whether my cattle are alive. Peace must return to our village soon or else our lives are finished," Ram said.

Authorities, religious, social and voluntary organisations have made arrangements for these border residents in community halls, temples, gurdwaras, schools, stadia and other government buildings.

 

[Hindustani78]

A soldier keeps vigil near the border in Abdullian, southwest of Jammu. File photo.

REUTERS

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...-soldiers-body-by-pak-terrorists_1945819.html
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 19:32

New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah to the Minister of External Affairs and registered a strong protest over brutal mutilation of the body of an Indian soldier by terrorists, who escaped the Line of Control (LoC) after committing the crime.

Shah was conveyed the grave concern of the Indian government and a strong protest was lodged against the recent increase in the incident of ceasefire violations by Pakistan side at LoC and the International Border (IB), resulting in several fatalities on the Indian side.

The development comes after Centre had assured that MEA will take cognizance of the 'heinous' crime and said that nothing could be more atrocious than this.

Earlier today, Pakistan pulled out four embassy officials posted at its High Commission in New Delhi after they were named in an espionage racket operating from its mission.

On October 28, in an encounter at Macchal sector in Jammu and Kashmir, an Indian soldier was killed and his body was mutilated by terrorists, who had infiltrated the Line of Control. The terrorists had apparently beheaded him before fleeing into the Azad Kashmir (Azad Kashmir).

The attack had taken place under the cover fire provided by Pakistan Army. One terrorists was also neutralised by the Indian Army in the gunfire.

The soldier was identified as Manjeet Singh of 17 Sikh Light infantry.

However, in a tit-for-tat action, the Pakistani establishment also expelled two Indian diplomats who were declared persona non-grata from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.


First Published: Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - 19:32

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...rgeting-civilian-areas-bsf/article9297057.ece

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday said Pakistan’s border guarding force was deliberately targeting civilian areas and its Army directly supporting the troops in the shelling on these areas and Indian posts along the International Border (IB).

Addressing a press conference, Inspector General of BSF D.K. Upadhyay said the Pakistan Army was giving full support to Pakistan Rangers, which have violated ceasefire “countless” times in recent past.

“Pakistani forces are firing heavy mortars deliberately towards Indian civilian areas. The BSF never fires towards any Pakistani civilian area. We fire only towards military bunkers from where Pakistani forces fire. We have inflicted heavy damage on 14 Pakistani bunkers,” he said.

However, he ruled out use of artillery by the Pakistan troops in shelling on Indian areas.

“There is no proof of artillery being used by the Pakistani forces”, the IG said.

Mr. Upadhyay said Pakistan had violated the “human rights and international norms,” by targeting civilian areas.

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...order-calls-for-high-alert/article9296732.ece
Parrikar asks Army to be on high state of alert
For the first time after 12 days, J&K’s International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) witnessed a relatively calm situation on Wednesday, as visiting Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar asked the forces to “maintain a high state of alert”.

A day after eight civilians were killed in Pakistani Rangers’ firing in the State, Mr. Parrikar visited Uri in Baramulla “to review the security situation.”

Accompanied by Northern Army commander Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda and Chinar Corps Commanders Lt. Gen. J.S Sandhu, Mr. Parrikar complimented the valour and fortitude of the soldiers.

Mr. Parrikar was also briefed on internal security of the Valley, which was roiled by street agitation for 117 days.

In Jammu, which saw unprecedented Pakistani shelling and firing, leaving eight civilians dead on Tuesday, was relatively calm. No firing was reported since Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday.

However, three civilians were injured in fresh Pakistan shelling Poonch district.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...-to-destroy-pak-posts-across-loc_1946447.html
Last Updated: Friday, November 4, 2016 - 22:07

New Delhi: Indian Army had used artillery guns to destroy four Pakistani posts in a massive assault across the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of north Kashmir's Kupwara district last month, government sources said today.

This is the first time the government sources have confirmed that artillary fire was indeed used by the Army to launch a massive assault against Pakistan, something which was always suspected.

It is the first case of artillery fire at the LoC since the 2003 ceasefire agreement was signed between the two countries.

They said artillery guns were stealthy moved up and used in straight fire position to raze four positions of Pakistan army to avenge the mutilation of an Indian Army jawan's body by some suspected militants few days ago.

Violating ceasefire, Pakistan had been firing 120 mm heavy mortars to target Indian civilian areas, to which India had responded strongly.

Defence sources said while ceasefire violations by Pakistan was a regular feature "the intensity had never been so hard in the recent past."

Meanwhile, on the One Rank One Pension issue, sources said that 95 per cent of the cases have been "satisfactorily" resolved.

Documents of around 96,000 ex-servicemen were missing, due to which the payment for some has been delayed, they said, adding remaining cases would be resolved in two months time.

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http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...month-old-girl-battling-for-life_1946310.html

Jammu: Undergoing treatment for severe neck, spinal and abdominal injuries at a hospital here, 14-month-old Pari is a testimony of the "barbarism" unleashed by the Pakistan Rangers on unarmed civilians on the Indian side.

The girl has lost her grandfather, an aunt and two cousins in the cross-border shelling by Pakistan on her village in Rangoor Camp on November 1. She underwent a life-saving surgery at the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital on Wednesday.

"At this tender age she is unable to understand what tragedy has befallen on the family. Her parents were also injured in the Pakistani shelling," Baljeet Kumar a relative of Pari said.


Doctors attending to Pari said she received severe splinter injuries in the neck, spine and abdomen. Some portions of her intestines were also damaged. She has been operated for "Exploratory Latropomy" and has been placed under observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

While Pari is battling for her life in the hospital, her father, Rakesh Kumar, who was also injured in the attack, is recuperating in the same hospital.


"The attack on our village was sheer barbarianism unleashed by the Pakistani Rangers. They continued to pound our village for several hours, without giving us any time to run for safety. Pari is a living testimony of all this," Geeta Kumari, another relative of Pari, said.


"Pari's father has not been able to see her. He is injured in the leg. We had to lift him on our shoulders so that he could perform the last rites of his father," Kumari said.

People across Jammu region have been praying for early recovery of Pari as she has become a symbol of the agony and pain being faced by the border residents across the region due to the continuous firing from across the border.

Rishab (7) and Abhi (5) were among the eight killed in the cross-border firing in Ramgarh sector of Samba district.

"These kids had no idea of what cross-border firing is. Their life was cut short by the madness of Pakistan which deliberately targeted the civilian areas," Pardeep Kumar a relative of another injured border resident said.

Terming the attack on civilian areas the "height of barbarianism", Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said it is insane that small kids are targeted by the Pakistan.

"It is barbarianism on part of Pakistan to target kids. Pakistan is a rouge state which attacked villages and killed eight civilians and injured scores others including Pari," he said.

Singh also said the Jammu and Kashmir government will take care of all medical expenses incurred for the treatment of the firing victims and will ensure that Pari gets the best possible medical care.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ashmir-school-burning-case/article9301827.ece

With the arrest of five alleged stone-throwers, the police on Thursday claimed to have solved a case of burning down of a government school in Kashmir.

Five youths allegedly involved in setting ablaze a government middle school at Tapper village of Pattan, about 30 km from here, on Srinagar-Baramulla National highway were arrested, while search is on for their two other associates, a police spokesman said.

He said the school building was set ablaze in the early hours of October 27. “During the investigation it surfaced that the conspiracy regarding the incident was hatched at a medical shop of one Ajaz Ahmad Parra, the spokesman said. “Ajaz Parra along with Omar Parra, alias ‘Omar Kasaie’, Shabir Pandit, alias ‘Bulbul’ and Bashir Ahmad Hajam were involved in the conspiracy.” — PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

By IANS | Updated: Nov 04, 2016, 02.03 PM IST
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...-arrested-in-kashmir/articleshow/55242428.cms

SRINAGAR: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was arrested from north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the state police said on Friday.

Umar Khalid Mir was arrested on Thursday in a joint operation from Tojjar village of Sopore area.

"He had joined the militant ranks in May 2014. An AK-47 rifle and three magazines was recovered from him," a police official said.

"His interrogation is likely to reveal vital information about LeT cadre operating in north Kashmir," the police added.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/one-militant-killed-in-encounter-in-shopian/article9309468.ece
Updated: November 5, 2016 17:03 IST
One militant killed in J&K encounter

Army personnel leave the encounter site in Shopian district of south Kashmir. File photo: Nissar Ahmad

Police assisted by security forces cordoned off Dobjan village, 60 km from here, after getting information about presence of four militants there, a police official said.


A militant was on Saturday killed and a soldier injured as an encounter broke out between ultras and security forces after the latter launched a search operation in a village in Shopian district of south Kashmir, police said.

Police assisted by security forces cordoned off Dobjan village, 60 km from here, after getting information about presence of four militants there, a police official said.

He said as the security forces moved to the target house, hiding militants resorted to firing in an attempt to break the cordon.

The security forces retaliated the fire. One militant was killed and a soldier injured, the official said.

A fierce gunbattle was going on when the last reports were received, he said.
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A student looks out of a window of a partially burnt Government High School in Goripora, near Srinagar on Wednesday. Photo: Nissarh Ahmad
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...stroyed-in-fire-in-kashmir/article9309281.ece
Number of schools damaged during the ongoing unrest in the Valley rises to 32.


A school building was gutted in a fire in Bandipora district of Kashmir, taking the number of schools damaged during the ongoing unrest in the Valley to 32, police said on Saturday.

“A fire broke out in old building of Government High School (which housed a primary school) at Saidnara in Bandipora district last night,” a police official said.

He said fire tenders were rushed to the spot but could not save the building from being destroyed.

Police said it has taken cognisance of the incident and started investigation to ascertain the cause of fire.

As many as 32 schools have been targeted by unknown persons since the unrest began in Kashmir on July 8 following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court last week took suo moto cognisance of the incidents and directed the state government to ensure that the schools are protected.


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Meanwhile, a building of panchayat ghar in Chadoora area of central Kashmir's Budgam district also suffered damaged in a fire incident. Locals helped to douse the fire, said officials.

In a separate incident, three policemen were injured when militants laid a trap for a police vehicle in south Kashmir's Tral area of Pulwama district.

Reports suggest militants deliberately opened fire in Dadsar area of Tral around 10:00pm on Friday to attract attention of policemen on the duty. Sources said a police vehicle, called Rakshak, rushed to the spot where gunshots were heard. "As the vehicle was heading towards the spot, the militants detonated an improvised explosive device, injuring three policemen," said a police official.

One of the three injured policemen sustained critical injuries.


caught in crossfire: Shelling victim Pari at the government hospital in Jammu on November 1.