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Top Hizbul commander Sameer Tiger was killed in an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-major-soldier-injured-in-ongoing-encounter-in-pulwama-between-terrorists-security-forces-133753">encounter</a> in Kashmir's Pulwama today.&nbsp;

The army major leading the operation had, only 24 hours earlier, been threatened by Tiger in a video. The video soon went viral.&nbsp;

In the video, Sameer can be seen interrogating an informer. He asks the informer for his name, and those of people working for the army in the area.&nbsp;

He also tells the informer to not tell the army about the whereabout of militants.&nbsp;

At the end of the video, Sameer (who is not visible) can be heard telling the informer: "Tell Shukla that the lion has not stopped hunting. They think the jungle belongs to them. Tell him to come face me."&nbsp;

Shortly after the video went viral, Tiger was killed in the encounter. Major Shukla however was also critically injured.

Shukla is posted with the 44 Rashtrya Rifles in Pulwama's Shadimarg area.&nbsp;

Drabgaam village, from where Tiger hailed, falls under the jurisdiction of Shukla's unit.&nbsp;

Shukla was on Monday injured in the upper chest and has been admitted to the 92 Base Army Hospital in Srinagar.

Sameer was from the Burhaan group, the most-wanted group of militants led by former Hizbul posterboy Burhan Wani.&nbsp;

Sameer joined the Hizbul on May 8, 2016. Before joining the militants' ranks, police records say a number of cases of protesting and stone pelting had been lodged against him at the Pulwama police station.&nbsp;

Tiger was an A++ category militant and there was a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.&nbsp;

<img alt="sameer tiger.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="545" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sameer%20tiger.jpg" width="970" />

(Sameer Tiger aka Bhat.)

Tiger would frequently upload videos and photos on social websites and was the first militant to post a picture of himself with an American M16 rifle.&nbsp;That revealed that Kashmiri militants had US-made weapons with them.

According to the police, Tiger was the mastermind of almost all the major attacks carried out by militants in south Kashmir. He was accused of attacks on a number of political leaders, activists, and the security forces.

It is also said that he was an expert motivator and had got some 50 youths to join the militancy in Kashmir.&nbsp;

Tiger had also played a major role in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/let-terrorists-escape-from-srinagar-hospital-sets-alarm-bells-ringing-32132">escape</a> of Pakistani commander Naveed Jatt from a Srinagar hospital in February this year.

After Tiger's killing, there are now three surviving militants from the Burhan group.&nbsp;These include Hizbul Chief Riyaz Naiku, Commander Saddam Padder, and Commander Zinat-Ul-Islam.&nbsp;

The security forces claim Sameer's killing is a big success for them and will help them control the militancy in south Kashmir.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-and-a-difficult-out-of-south-kashmir-3206">In and a difficult out of south Kashmir</a>

The encounter 
On a tip-off about the presence of militants in Drabgaam village, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the village at around 9 am in the morning.&nbsp;

Contact with the militants was established at around 10 am after which a gunfight broke out and which continued till 2.15 pm.&nbsp;

The bodies of two terrorists have been recovered. Security forces have also recovered two AK 47 rifles and a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the site of the encounter. &nbsp;

The slain militants were identified by security forces as Sameer Bhat aka Tiger and Akib.&nbsp;

"At around 9 am in the morning we received information of militants' presence in Drabgaam village. Around 9.30 am we started cordon and at 10 am militants fired on us and showed their presence,. In initial fire, army's Major Shukla and his associate got injured. Militants tried to escape but we had tight cordon jointly by CRPF, 44 RR and Jammu and Kashmir police who fired and killed two militants. They were identified as Sameer Tiger and Akib.In this encounter, the two army personnel, including Major Rohit Shukla, got seriously injured," said Vinay Kumar, CO, 183 Battalion CRPF.&nbsp;

Massive protests and clashes with the security forces broke out after the encounter began when people in the area learnt that the trapped militants included Tiger.&nbsp;

One civilian was killed and 15 injured in the clashes.

'If he has drunk his mother's milk, tell him to come face me,' Commander Sameer Tiger had said in the video

Top Hizbul commander Sameer Tiger was killed in an encounter in Kashmir's Pulwama today. The army major leading the operation had, only 24 hours earlier, been threatened by Tiger in a video. The video soon went viral. In the video, Sameer can be seen interrogating an informer. He asks the informer for his name, and those of people working for the army in the area. He also tells the informer to not tell the army about the whereabout of militants. At the end of the video, Sameer (who is not visible) can be heard telling the informer: "Tell Shukla that the lion has not stopped hunting. They think the jungle belongs to them. Tell him to come face me." Shortly after the video went viral, Tiger was killed in the encounter. Major Shukla however was also critically injured. Shukla is posted with the 44 Rashtrya Rifles in Pulwama's Shadimarg area. Drabgaam village, from where Tiger hailed, falls under the jurisdiction of Shukla's unit. Shukla was on Monday injured in the upper chest and has been admitted to the 92 Base Army Hospital in Srinagar. Sameer was from the Burhaan group, the most-wanted group of militants led by former Hizbul posterboy Burhan Wani. Sameer joined the Hizbul on May 8, 2016. Before joining the militants' ranks, police records say a number of cases of protesting and stone pelting had been lodged against him at the Pulwama police station. Tiger was an A++ category militant and there was a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head. (Sameer Tiger aka Bhat.) Tiger would frequently upload videos and photos on social websites and was the first militant to post a picture of himself with an American M16 rifle. That revealed that Kashmiri militants had US-made weapons with them. According to the police, Tiger was the mastermind of almost all the major attacks carried out by militants in south Kashmir. He was accused of attacks on a number of political leaders, activists, and the security forces. It is also said that he was an expert motivator and had got some 50 youths to join the militancy in Kashmir. Tiger had also played a major role in the escape of Pakistani commander Naveed Jatt from a Srinagar hospital in February this year. After Tiger's killing, there are now three surviving militants from the Burhan group. These include Hizbul Chief Riyaz Naiku, Commander Saddam Padder, and Commander Zinat-Ul-Islam. The security forces claim Sameer's killing is a big success for them and will help them control the militancy in south Kashmir. Also read: In and a difficult out of south Kashmir The encounter On a tip-off about the presence of militants in Drabgaam village, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the village at around 9 am in the morning. Contact with the militants was established at around 10 am after which a gunfight broke out and which continued till 2.15 pm. The bodies of two terrorists have been recovered. Security forces have also recovered two AK 47 rifles and a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the site of the encounter. The slain militants were identified by security forces as Sameer Bhat aka Tiger and Akib. "At around 9 am in the morning we received information of militants' presence in Drabgaam village. Around 9.30 am we started cordon and at 10 am militants fired on us and showed their presence,. In initial fire, army's Major Shukla and his associate got injured. Militants tried to escape but we had tight cordon jointly by CRPF, 44 RR and Jammu and Kashmir police who fired and killed two militants. They were identified as Sameer Tiger and Akib.In this encounter, the two army personnel, including Major Rohit Shukla, got seriously injured," said Vinay Kumar, CO, 183 Battalion CRPF. Massive protests and clashes with the security forces broke out after the encounter began when people in the area learnt that the trapped militants included Tiger. One civilian was killed and 15 injured in the clashes.

Major who killed Hizbul commander in Kashmir's Pulwama had been threatened by him in viral video

A sixty-year-old politician Ghulam Nabi Patel who was killed by militants in Pulwama district was disowned by both the parties whom he had provided his valuable services and time. His decades-old contribution was not acknowledged by any of the parties he worked for.

Patel was earlier associated with the Congress party in 2002. In the year 2004, he joined a lesser known new political party the SDA (social democratic alliance) headed by Darakshana Andrabi who later joined hands with the BJP. Patel's family says that he, in 2014, joined PDP (People’s Democratic Party) in front of late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was the party president and former chief minister. As the news of his killing broke, state CM Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident but associated him with the Congress party. 
&nbsp 
“Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, GN&nbspPatel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated,” she tweeted.

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Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, G. N. Patel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) <a href="https://twitter.com/MehboobaMufti/status/989090073802170370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It doesn’t stop at that! Replying to chief minister's tweet, the Congress quoted their state Vice President and condemned the killing. They mentioned Patel as a PDP leader, “Strongly condemning the gruesome killing of Senior PDP activist Gulam Nabi Patel, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President Mohd Anwar Bhat while reacting to CMs tweet about the deceased Gulam Nabi Patel said that CM is disowning her own Party worker for the reasons known to her 
In a statement issued to Press today Congress Vice President expressed profound grief over the gruesome killing of PDP activist saying that the deceased (Patel) had joined PDP before 2014 and was actively working for PDP in Pulwama District,” the statement read.&nbsp 
&nbsp 
Patel's family says he was with the PDP for last four years and had worked for the area MLA Haseeb Drabu with all efforts to make him win. They said he motivated people of the region to vote for the PDP. The family says its very unfortunate that at this time of grief his own party had disowned him, that’s a double shock for them. 
&nbsp 
“He was with PDP, he went to people's homes, brought people from orchards and got them to vote for PDP. In this time of grief PDP didn’t offer a helping hand and disowned it's very unfortunate and shocking for us, everyone knows he was with Mehbooba Ji, he was with the PDP,” Said Ali Mohammad brother, Ghulam Nabi Patel brother noted. 
&nbsp 
Former Chief Minister and the leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah said, "it’s tragic that a political worker is disowned after he is killed".

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Ghulam Nabi Patel is being denied the dignity of having been assassinated for belonging to a political party just so the PDP & Congress can lie to their workers to claim they aren’t at risk from militant bullets.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/989108468048060416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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“How tragic is that Patel Sahib, a political worker assassinated by militants in Kashmir, disowned by both the PDP and the&nbspCongress. If neither party is willing to own him as one of their own, let's just call him an NC worker,” Omar posted on Twitter. 
&nbsp 
Senior political worker Ghulam Nabi Patel was critically injured in a terrorist attack in Rajpora Chowk of Pulwama yesterday. He was coming back from his home village Yader Shadimarg. Patel later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. He was travelling in a Scorpio SUV along with a&nbspdriver and his two personal security officials. All of them also got injured in the attack and were being treated at a hospital in Srinagar one of them is said to be critical in condition.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from Pulwama: Two injured security personnel of former PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Patel admitted to hospital after terrorists fired upon the leader & them in Rajpora. Ghulam Nabi Patel succumbed to his injuries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/9RiPwkh0WY">pic.twitter.com/9RiPwkh0WY</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989101562499825664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It’s said that Patel was not in the practice of visiting his home often because of security threats, this time around he had gone to see the preparation of a marriage at his home due next month. 
&nbsp 
Eyewitnesses say&nbspthat his car was stopped just a&nbspfew kilometres away from his residence by three armed men&nbspwho opened fire&nbspat him indiscriminately. Patel was hit on his mouth and neck he was sitting in the front.

The police later said that the attack was carried out by local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and its mastermind commander Samir tiger. The attack has again sent a signal of fear among mainstream politicians of Kashmir, but this time another question has been raised among political workers -- whether or not political parties they work with should be trusted?.

“When we see what they have done with Patel Sahab after he was killed, we have no choice but to think again that for who should we put over lives at stake? Do they really care for us? It’s very shocking, tomorrow it could happen with us too,” said a political worker from the region. 
&nbsp 
This is what is happening while the political leaders and political activists are being attacked and killed in the valley, especially in southern Kashmir. The space for mainstream politicians is shrinking. Those who have kept mainstream parties alive despite life threats are smelling suspicion from where they always expected protection.&nbsp

The police later said that the attack on Patel was carried out by local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and its mastermind commander Samir tiger

A sixty-year-old politician Ghulam Nabi Patel who was killed by militants in Pulwama district was disowned by both the parties whom he had provided his valuable services and time. His decades-old contribution was not acknowledged by any of the parties he worked for. Patel was earlier associated with the Congress party in 2002. In the year 2004, he joined a lesser known new political party the SDA (social democratic alliance) headed by Darakshana Andrabi who later joined hands with the BJP. Patel's family says that he, in 2014, joined PDP (People’s Democratic Party) in front of late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was the party president and former chief minister. As the news of his killing broke, state CM Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident but associated him with the Congress party. “Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, GN&nbspPatel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated,” she tweeted. Heartfelt condolences to the family of senior Congress leader, G. N. Patel who was killed by militants today in Rajpora. Such cowardly acts achieve nothing but leave one more family devastated. — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 25, 2018 × It doesn’t stop at that! Replying to chief minister's tweet, the Congress quoted their state Vice President and condemned the killing. They mentioned Patel as a PDP leader, “Strongly condemning the gruesome killing of Senior PDP activist Gulam Nabi Patel, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President Mohd Anwar Bhat while reacting to CMs tweet about the deceased Gulam Nabi Patel said that CM is disowning her own Party worker for the reasons known to her In a statement issued to Press today Congress Vice President expressed profound grief over the gruesome killing of PDP activist saying that the deceased (Patel) had joined PDP before 2014 and was actively working for PDP in Pulwama District,” the statement read. Patel's family says he was with the PDP for last four years and had worked for the area MLA Haseeb Drabu with all efforts to make him win. They said he motivated people of the region to vote for the PDP. The family says its very unfortunate that at this time of grief his own party had disowned him, that’s a double shock for them. “He was with PDP, he went to people's homes, brought people from orchards and got them to vote for PDP. In this time of grief PDP didn’t offer a helping hand and disowned it's very unfortunate and shocking for us, everyone knows he was with Mehbooba Ji, he was with the PDP,” Said Ali Mohammad brother, Ghulam Nabi Patel brother noted. Former Chief Minister and the leader of Opposition, Omar Abdullah said, "it’s tragic that a political worker is disowned after he is killed". Ghulam Nabi Patel is being denied the dignity of having been assassinated for belonging to a political party just so the PDP & Congress can lie to their workers to claim they aren’t at risk from militant bullets. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 25, 2018 × “How tragic is that Patel Sahib, a political worker assassinated by militants in Kashmir, disowned by both the PDP and the&nbspCongress. If neither party is willing to own him as one of their own, let's just call him an NC worker,” Omar posted on Twitter. Senior political worker Ghulam Nabi Patel was critically injured in a terrorist attack in Rajpora Chowk of Pulwama yesterday. He was coming back from his home village Yader Shadimarg. Patel later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. He was travelling in a Scorpio SUV along with a&nbspdriver and his two personal security officials. All of them also got injured in the attack and were being treated at a hospital in Srinagar one of them is said to be critical in condition. #Visuals from Pulwama: Two injured security personnel of former PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Patel admitted to hospital after terrorists fired upon the leader & them in Rajpora. Ghulam Nabi Patel succumbed to his injuries. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/9RiPwkh0WY — ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2018 × It’s said that Patel was not in the practice of visiting his home often because of security threats, this time around he had gone to see the preparation of a marriage at his home due next month. Eyewitnesses say&nbspthat his car was stopped just a&nbspfew kilometres away from his residence by three armed men&nbspwho opened fire&nbspat him indiscriminately. Patel was hit on his mouth and neck he was sitting in the front. The police later said that the attack was carried out by local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and its mastermind commander Samir tiger. The attack has again sent a signal of fear among mainstream politicians of Kashmir, but this time another question has been raised among political workers -- whether or not political parties they work with should be trusted?. “When we see what they have done with Patel Sahab after he was killed, we have no choice but to think again that for who should we put over lives at stake? Do they really care for us? It’s very shocking, tomorrow it could happen with us too,” said a political worker from the region. This is what is happening while the political leaders and political activists are being attacked and killed in the valley, especially in southern Kashmir. The space for mainstream politicians is shrinking. Those who have kept mainstream parties alive despite life threats are smelling suspicion from where they always expected protection.

Kashmir: Killed by militants, political worker now disowned by both PDP and Congress

The investigations in the gangrape and murder of Kathua girl have shown that the motive of the crime was to drive away Bakarwal community from the area. The key accused Sanji Ram, a retired revenue official was against the settlement of Bakarwals in Rasana Kootah, and Dhamyal area of Kathua district. The police investigation also mentions that apart from other things suspicion of cow slaughter was one of the reasons for the hatred towards victim’s community.

“During investigation, it transpired that a particular community had a general impression that the Bakarwals indulge in cow slaughter and drug trafficking”, says the 18-page charge sheet filed by the police in the court.

As per the details that are emerging out from the investigations Sanji Ram always kept on motivating the members of his community of the area not to provide land for grazing or any other kind of assistance.

Sometime back one Harnam Singh had sold land to one Bakarwal and Sanji Ram had started accompanying against said Harnam Singh.

“He also utilized the services of Ex-sarpanch of Kootah and Rasana area against said Harnam Singh and managed to stop the payment on account of installation of telephone towers in his land through the concerned tehsildar on the plea that the land in question was a state land. Ultimately Harnam Singh approached the Hon’ble High court and got the impugned order of Tehsildar quashed”, details the chargesheet.

The police report details several incidents in past where Sanji Ram had been seen conspiring against the Bakarwal community. Head Constable Tilak and SPO Deepak Khajuria were also against the settlement of Bakarwals in Rasana, Kootah and Dhamyal area who had already discussed this issue with Sanji Ram to Chalk out a strategy for dislodging the Bakarwals from the area.

“They were blaming&nbsp;the Bakarwals on one pretext or the other and used to threaten them”, mentions the police report

The investigators have been able to establish that the accused had reasons to act against the Bakarwal Community.

“The conspiracy ultimately resulted in&nbsp;the gruesome rape and brutal murder of an innocent child of only 8 years of age, who being a small kid became a soft target”, says the chargesheet.

As per the investigations, the girl&nbsp;was kidnapped on 10th of January, drugged and kept in the temple (Devi Sathan) which was managed by Sanji Ram. For days she was repeatedly drugged and gang-raped. On the day when she was finally killed the accused gangraped her one more time and then strangulated her. They also hit her with a stone to ensure she had died.&nbsp;

Jammu Bar Association including Kathua Bar association and Kathua Hindu Ekta morcha had objected the Crime Branch investigation and are asking for CBI enquiry, a couple of top leaders who are serving ministers in collation government of state backed the bar and morcha and approached to chief minister with a demand that case should be given to CBI, but chief minister rejected the demand.

Bar continued their agitation and crime branch was stopped to produce the challan in Kathua CJM court but after 5 hours of wait, crime branch managed to produce the challan of the case against 7 persons arrested in the case who are alleged have done this crime. soon bar called for a shutdown for 11th April&nbsp;in Jammu, but state BJP&nbsp;unit and chamber of commerce Jammu had distanced themselves from the shutdown call.

On the other hand in Kashmir&nbsp;protesters were seen demanding justice for&nbsp;victim , protest were seen in Srinagar lal chowk of lawyers, civil society, Kashmir economic alliance, Kashmir university students threatened to go for hunger strike if justice was not delivered, where the main opposition party national conference said that the case should be transferred to some other court for free and fair investigation.

Victim's Bakarwal community was also suspected of cow slaughter, says the police report

The investigations in the gangrape and murder of Kathua girl have shown that the motive of the crime was to drive away Bakarwal community from the area. The key accused Sanji Ram, a retired revenue official was against the settlement of Bakarwals in Rasana Kootah, and Dhamyal area of Kathua district. The police investigation also mentions that apart from other things suspicion of cow slaughter was one of the reasons for the hatred towards victim’s community. “During investigation, it transpired that a particular community had a general impression that the Bakarwals indulge in cow slaughter and drug trafficking”, says the 18-page charge sheet filed by the police in the court. As per the details that are emerging out from the investigations Sanji Ram always kept on motivating the members of his community of the area not to provide land for grazing or any other kind of assistance. Sometime back one Harnam Singh had sold land to one Bakarwal and Sanji Ram had started accompanying against said Harnam Singh. “He also utilized the services of Ex-sarpanch of Kootah and Rasana area against said Harnam Singh and managed to stop the payment on account of installation of telephone towers in his land through the concerned tehsildar on the plea that the land in question was a state land. Ultimately Harnam Singh approached the Hon’ble High court and got the impugned order of Tehsildar quashed”, details the chargesheet. The police report details several incidents in past where Sanji Ram had been seen conspiring against the Bakarwal community. Head Constable Tilak and SPO Deepak Khajuria were also against the settlement of Bakarwals in Rasana, Kootah and Dhamyal area who had already discussed this issue with Sanji Ram to Chalk out a strategy for dislodging the Bakarwals from the area. “They were blaming the Bakarwals on one pretext or the other and used to threaten them”, mentions the police report The investigators have been able to establish that the accused had reasons to act against the Bakarwal Community. “The conspiracy ultimately resulted in the gruesome rape and brutal murder of an innocent child of only 8 years of age, who being a small kid became a soft target”, says the chargesheet. As per the investigations, the girl was kidnapped on 10th of January, drugged and kept in the temple (Devi Sathan) which was managed by Sanji Ram. For days she was repeatedly drugged and gang-raped. On the day when she was finally killed the accused gangraped her one more time and then strangulated her. They also hit her with a stone to ensure she had died. Jammu Bar Association including Kathua Bar association and Kathua Hindu Ekta morcha had objected the Crime Branch investigation and are asking for CBI enquiry, a couple of top leaders who are serving ministers in collation government of state backed the bar and morcha and approached to chief minister with a demand that case should be given to CBI, but chief minister rejected the demand. Bar continued their agitation and crime branch was stopped to produce the challan in Kathua CJM court but after 5 hours of wait, crime branch managed to produce the challan of the case against 7 persons arrested in the case who are alleged have done this crime. soon bar called for a shutdown for 11th April in Jammu, but state BJP unit and chamber of commerce Jammu had distanced themselves from the shutdown call. On the other hand in Kashmir protesters were seen demanding justice for victim , protest were seen in Srinagar lal chowk of lawyers, civil society, Kashmir economic alliance, Kashmir university students threatened to go for hunger strike if justice was not delivered, where the main opposition party national conference said that the case should be transferred to some other court for free and fair investigation.

Jammu child gang rape: Motive was to drive victim's community out of area, says charge sheet

One soldier and two civilians were&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/encounter-underway-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-kulgam-129707">killed after an encounter that broke out </a>between security forces and terrorists at Kulgam in south Kashmir on Wednesday.

Two other soldiers were injured including 35 other civilians in the firing between the security forces and the terrorists.

The encounter started at 11:45pm on Tuesday at Khudwani area of Kulgam when the joint forces received intelligence inputs of terrorists in the area.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>: Encounter underway between terrorists & security forces in Khudwani area of Kulgam District in South Kashmir. 6 additional coys of CRPF moved to the spot. 2-3 terrorists have been trapped. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://t.co/hmDRMrgDEg">pic.twitter.com/hmDRMrgDEg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/983899623772311552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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At around 1 pm terrorists fired at the search party with Indian security forces putting up searchlights to comb the area, however, due to darkness and harsh weather conditions, the operation had to be suspended.

During the morning, the encounter started once again leading to the death of one soldier with 2 more being injured.

Reports say 2-3 terrorists are trapped inside the area with Indian security forces engaged in combined operation consisting of the 18th battalion of the CRPF, SOG and 1 RR army carrying out the operation.

There were reports of locals resorting to stone-pelting as the encounter continued in the area. During the clash, at least one civilian was critically injured with a few more receiving minor injuries.

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The encounter started at 11:45pm on Tuesday at Khudwani area of Kulgam when the joint forces received intelligence inputs of terrorists in the area.

One soldier and two civilians were killed after an encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists at Kulgam in south Kashmir on Wednesday. Two other soldiers were injured including 35 other civilians in the firing between the security forces and the terrorists. The encounter started at 11:45pm on Tuesday at Khudwani area of Kulgam when the joint forces received intelligence inputs of terrorists in the area. #Visuals from #JammuAndKashmir: Encounter underway between terrorists & security forces in Khudwani area of Kulgam District in South Kashmir. 6 additional coys of CRPF moved to the spot. 2-3 terrorists have been trapped. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/hmDRMrgDEg — ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2018 × At around 1 pm terrorists fired at the search party with Indian security forces putting up searchlights to comb the area, however, due to darkness and harsh weather conditions, the operation had to be suspended. During the morning, the encounter started once again leading to the death of one soldier with 2 more being injured. Reports say 2-3 terrorists are trapped inside the area with Indian security forces engaged in combined operation consisting of the 18th battalion of the CRPF, SOG and 1 RR army carrying out the operation. There were reports of locals resorting to stone-pelting as the encounter continued in the area. During the clash, at least one civilian was critically injured with a few more receiving minor injuries.

Watch: Terrorists, security forces clash in J&K's Kulgam, 1 soldier killed

A picture of a youth from Assam carrying an AK-47 in his hands has gone viral on social media giving a new twist to the militancy in Kashmir. The picture, which went viral on social media in Kashmir, has forced security agencies to rethink.

In the picture, a young man from the North-Eastern state is carrying an AK-47 rifle in his hand and according to the information given on the photograph, he has joined the terrorist organisation the Hizbul Mujahideen. If the news is true, then it will be the first case when a youth from India's North-East region has joined the list of terrorists in Kashmir.

"We cannot respond to anything now. We are investigating this matter and we are constantly in contact with the Assam Police, And all facts are being scrutinized keeping in mind the development, We will share it with you as soon as anything is confirmed," said Inspector General of Police, Kashmir SP Pani.

In the viral picture, this young man,&nbsp;Qamer-Uz-Zaman&nbsp;, is seen somewhere in the forest area but the actual location cannot be confirmed. Sources in intelligence say that it is the upper reaches of South Kashmir. The viral photo reads that Qamer-Uz-Zaman had joined the terrorist outfit, the Hizbul Mujahideen and his code name&nbsp;is Dr Hurairah. His father's name is mentioned as Ibrahim Zaman, resident of Assam, and his qualification as MA English. Since the picture has gone viral, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has swung into action and has started an investigation.

"Joining of youth from other parts of country is really worrisome, we have activated our people as per the information we got from the picture and are collecting more information from the ground, we are hopeful that soon we will be able to locate his area if the information in the picture is correct," a police official said.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has also shown his concern. In a tweet, the former J&K chief minister says that his security personnel had informed him about his presence in around Srinagar.&nbsp;

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An MA in English & reportedly has come all the way from Assam to become a militant in Kashmir. A few days ago my security people had told me about his presence around Srinagar. <a href="https://t.co/sdMEjMm1nC">https://t.co/sdMEjMm1nC</a>
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/983601971142606849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Reports from Assam state that Qamer-Uz-Zaman's mother Shahir Khatoon has recognized the viral picture on social media. She has confirmed that she has only one son and that it is his picture. Reports further suggest that Qamer-Uz-Zaman had spent four years in US, he returned to India in 2006 and went to Kashmir telling his family that he had started a business in Kashmir. But according to family sources, there was no contact with him since July 2017 and a missing report was also lodged.&nbsp;

A report quoting Qamer-Uz-Zaman's mother says, "We have not been able to contact him since July 2017. If my son is associated with such an organisation, the government can shoot him, I do not need such a son," Khatun said.

If the news is true, then it will be the first case when a youth from India's North-East region has joined the list of terrorists in Kashmir

A picture of a youth from Assam carrying an AK-47 in his hands has gone viral on social media giving a new twist to the militancy in Kashmir. The picture, which went viral on social media in Kashmir, has forced security agencies to rethink. In the picture, a young man from the North-Eastern state is carrying an AK-47 rifle in his hand and according to the information given on the photograph, he has joined the terrorist organisation the Hizbul Mujahideen. If the news is true, then it will be the first case when a youth from India's North-East region has joined the list of terrorists in Kashmir. "We cannot respond to anything now. We are investigating this matter and we are constantly in contact with the Assam Police, And all facts are being scrutinized keeping in mind the development, We will share it with you as soon as anything is confirmed," said Inspector General of Police, Kashmir SP Pani. In the viral picture, this young man, Qamer-Uz-Zaman , is seen somewhere in the forest area but the actual location cannot be confirmed. Sources in intelligence say that it is the upper reaches of South Kashmir. The viral photo reads that Qamer-Uz-Zaman had joined the terrorist outfit, the Hizbul Mujahideen and his code name is Dr Hurairah. His father's name is mentioned as Ibrahim Zaman, resident of Assam, and his qualification as MA English. Since the picture has gone viral, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has swung into action and has started an investigation. "Joining of youth from other parts of country is really worrisome, we have activated our people as per the information we got from the picture and are collecting more information from the ground, we are hopeful that soon we will be able to locate his area if the information in the picture is correct," a police official said. Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has also shown his concern. In a tweet, the former J&K chief minister says that his security personnel had informed him about his presence in around Srinagar. An MA in English & reportedly has come all the way from Assam to become a militant in Kashmir. A few days ago my security people had told me about his presence around Srinagar. https://t.co/sdMEjMm1nC — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 10, 2018 × Reports from Assam state that Qamer-Uz-Zaman's mother Shahir Khatoon has recognized the viral picture on social media. She has confirmed that she has only one son and that it is his picture. Reports further suggest that Qamer-Uz-Zaman had spent four years in US, he returned to India in 2006 and went to Kashmir telling his family that he had started a business in Kashmir. But according to family sources, there was no contact with him since July 2017 and a missing report was also lodged. A report quoting Qamer-Uz-Zaman's mother says, "We have not been able to contact him since July 2017. If my son is associated with such an organisation, the government can shoot him, I do not need such a son," Khatun said.

Assam youth joins Hizbul Mujahideen, picture of him holding AK-47 goes viral

Twenty people were killed in Kashmir on Sunday. Thirteen of them were militants, killed in three separate encounters, giving the security forces their biggest success in over a decade.&nbsp

Three Army men also lost their lives in the operations, but it was the deaths of four civilians and the injuries to 55 people in the crossfire between the security forces and militants and in clashes with the forces that had the Jammu and Kashmir government worried.

It all started at midnight when the sounds of gunfire were in heard in Anantnag's Diyalgam village, in where an encounter broke out between security forces and militants. One Hizbul militant was killed and another captured alive.&nbsp

The operation started at around 12.45 am, concluded at 3 in the morning.&nbsp

The Anantnag SSP, who was leading the operations, said he had tried to get both militants to surrender, but one of them fired and the security forces retaliated.&nbsp

" I bought the family of both the militants who were in same locality where militants were trapped, they even made appeal to them to surrender and I also assured them that if they surrender they will not be harmed, we delayed operation almost by about 1 hour but when one of them fired on us we retaliated and in the encounter we killed one but were successful in capturing one alive," the police officer said.

Post-encounter searches were still on in Diyalgam when the focus shifted to the militant bastion and apple town of Shopian.&nbsp

The security forces had managed to cordon off dozens of militants in two places.&nbsp

The first strike was on the Dragad-Sugan village where, intelligence inputs said, as many as 11 militants were hiding in a house. Sources said the militants belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar e Taiba, and that it was a scheduled meeting between the two groups to chalk out a future strategy.&nbsp

The militants and the security forces were soon exchanging heavy fire.&nbsp

It is believed four of the 11 militants, including top Lashkar commander "Zinat-ul-Islam", were able to escape but the other 7 were killed in a five-hour-long gun battle. Two civilians were shot in the exchange of fire, with one of them falling to his injuries later.&nbsp

They seven slain militants were identified as local Hizbul militants Adil Ahmed Thoker of Humhuna, Nazim Dar of Nagbal, Ubaid Shafi Malla of Trenz, Yawar Itoo of Safanagri-Zainapora, Rayees Ahmed Thoker of Padarpora, Ashfaq &nbspMalik of Pinjura, and ZubairTuray of the main town of Shopian. All fo them were from Shopian district.&nbsp

Of the seven, Zubair Turray and Ashfaq Malik were A++ category militants, the rest being classified as C category.

At the same time, another bloody encounter was in progress just a few kilometres away in Kachdoora village as were heavy clashes between the police-CRPF and locals.&nbsp

In the meantime, the top brass of the security forces including the J&K DGP, GOC 15 Corps Army and IG CRPF held a press conference giving details of the ongoing encounters.&nbsp

They said eight militants, two civilians, and two Army soldiers had been killed in the three encounters. They added that 25 people had received pellet injuries, and 6 had received bullet injuries.&nbsp

They also claimed that two of the militants killed had been involved in the killing of Lt Umar Fayaz in Shopian in May 2016. "Two of the slain militants were involved in the killing of young army officer Umar Fayyaz in Shopian in May last and today we avenged that," said Lt Gen A K Bhatt, GoC 15 Corps".&nbsp

At the same press conference, Vaid and the IG CRPF again appealed to the people, especially parents, to keep their sons away from encounter sites. They added however that they would not shy away taking strict action against whomsoever disturbs the operations and made clear that such anti-militancy operation would continue. They also, again, urged the local militants to surrender

"I will like to make it clear that our operations against militants will not stop,” IG CRPF Zulfiqar Hassan said.&nbsp

“It is painful for all of us to see the loss of young lives. I appeal to the parents of boys who have taken the wrong path that they should convince their wards to leave the path of violence,” said Vaid.

The toll from the three encounters later went up to 20, when Vaid confirmed that five bodies of militants had been recovered from the Kachdoora encounter site. He added that one Army soldier had died from his injuries and that two more civilians had died in the clashes.

"We have recovered 5 militant bodies from debris of kachdoora encounter site, and two more civilians have died in clashes and its unfortunate that we lost one more soldier," said Vaid.

But massive protests broke out in south Kashmir, largely in Shopian, and in Srinagar as soon as news spread that all the militants gunned down had been local Kashmiris. The four civilian deaths only added to the anger.&nbsp

Smelling trouble, the authorities suspended mobile internet services across the Valley to stop rumour mongering train services was also suspended.&nbsp

The Joint Resistance Leadership meanwhile called for two days of shutdown in the Kashmir valley.&nbsp 
A statement was issued by Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yaseen malik, saying: "Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has asked people to suspend business and other activities for today and tomorrow, and offer funeral prayers in absentia at 4 pm across Kashmir valley".&nbsp

As soon the statement was published, exams which had been scheduled for Monday were postponed, with the authorities ordering schools and colleges to remain closed. Keeping the strike call in view, restrictions were imposed in the seven police station areas of Srinagar and in the Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag district of south Kashmir.&nbsp

Thirteen of them were militants, killed in three separate encounters, giving the security forces their biggest success in over a decade

Twenty people were killed in Kashmir on Sunday. Thirteen of them were militants, killed in three separate encounters, giving the security forces their biggest success in over a decade. Three Army men also lost their lives in the operations, but it was the deaths of four civilians and the injuries to 55 people in the crossfire between the security forces and militants and in clashes with the forces that had the Jammu and Kashmir government worried. It all started at midnight when the sounds of gunfire were in heard in Anantnag's Diyalgam village, in where an encounter broke out between security forces and militants. One Hizbul militant was killed and another captured alive. The operation started at around 12.45 am, concluded at 3 in the morning. The Anantnag SSP, who was leading the operations, said he had tried to get both militants to surrender, but one of them fired and the security forces retaliated. " I bought the family of both the militants who were in same locality where militants were trapped, they even made appeal to them to surrender and I also assured them that if they surrender they will not be harmed, we delayed operation almost by about 1 hour but when one of them fired on us we retaliated and in the encounter we killed one but were successful in capturing one alive," the police officer said. Post-encounter searches were still on in Diyalgam when the focus shifted to the militant bastion and apple town of Shopian. The security forces had managed to cordon off dozens of militants in two places. The first strike was on the Dragad-Sugan village where, intelligence inputs said, as many as 11 militants were hiding in a house. Sources said the militants belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar e Taiba, and that it was a scheduled meeting between the two groups to chalk out a future strategy. The militants and the security forces were soon exchanging heavy fire. It is believed four of the 11 militants, including top Lashkar commander "Zinat-ul-Islam", were able to escape but the other 7 were killed in a five-hour-long gun battle. Two civilians were shot in the exchange of fire, with one of them falling to his injuries later. They seven slain militants were identified as local Hizbul militants Adil Ahmed Thoker of Humhuna, Nazim Dar of Nagbal, Ubaid Shafi Malla of Trenz, Yawar Itoo of Safanagri-Zainapora, Rayees Ahmed Thoker of Padarpora, Ashfaq &nbspMalik of Pinjura, and ZubairTuray of the main town of Shopian. All fo them were from Shopian district. Of the seven, Zubair Turray and Ashfaq Malik were A++ category militants, the rest being classified as C category. At the same time, another bloody encounter was in progress just a few kilometres away in Kachdoora village as were heavy clashes between the police-CRPF and locals. In the meantime, the top brass of the security forces including the J&K DGP, GOC 15 Corps Army and IG CRPF held a press conference giving details of the ongoing encounters. They said eight militants, two civilians, and two Army soldiers had been killed in the three encounters. They added that 25 people had received pellet injuries, and 6 had received bullet injuries. They also claimed that two of the militants killed had been involved in the killing of Lt Umar Fayaz in Shopian in May 2016. "Two of the slain militants were involved in the killing of young army officer Umar Fayyaz in Shopian in May last and today we avenged that," said Lt Gen A K Bhatt, GoC 15 Corps". At the same press conference, Vaid and the IG CRPF again appealed to the people, especially parents, to keep their sons away from encounter sites. They added however that they would not shy away taking strict action against whomsoever disturbs the operations and made clear that such anti-militancy operation would continue. They also, again, urged the local militants to surrender "I will like to make it clear that our operations against militants will not stop,” IG CRPF Zulfiqar Hassan said. “It is painful for all of us to see the loss of young lives. I appeal to the parents of boys who have taken the wrong path that they should convince their wards to leave the path of violence,” said Vaid. The toll from the three encounters later went up to 20, when Vaid confirmed that five bodies of militants had been recovered from the Kachdoora encounter site. He added that one Army soldier had died from his injuries and that two more civilians had died in the clashes. "We have recovered 5 militant bodies from debris of kachdoora encounter site, and two more civilians have died in clashes and its unfortunate that we lost one more soldier," said Vaid. But massive protests broke out in south Kashmir, largely in Shopian, and in Srinagar as soon as news spread that all the militants gunned down had been local Kashmiris. The four civilian deaths only added to the anger. Smelling trouble, the authorities suspended mobile internet services across the Valley to stop rumour mongering train services was also suspended. The Joint Resistance Leadership meanwhile called for two days of shutdown in the Kashmir valley. A statement was issued by Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yaseen malik, saying: "Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has asked people to suspend business and other activities for today and tomorrow, and offer funeral prayers in absentia at 4 pm across Kashmir valley". As soon the statement was published, exams which had been scheduled for Monday were postponed, with the authorities ordering schools and colleges to remain closed. Keeping the strike call in view, restrictions were imposed in the seven police station areas of Srinagar and in the Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

A day in Kashmir: 20 killed including 4 civilians, 55 injured

Her dreams were big so was the courage and focus and despite all odds, she made it. Adeeba Tak, the 17-year-old Kashmiri girl, achieved 100 per cent scholarship for aeronautical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

We have often heard stories of anguish, pain and violence from South Kashmir but this story is of hope, dream and hard-work. This teenage girl facing all the obstacles, hardships never gave up his dream. Her non-stop struggle gave wings to her dreams and now she would be enrolling herself in one of the world's finest university, Pennsylvania (UPenn) and pursue aeronautical engineering.

"This journey was tough and full of hardships. It required a lengthy process and proper guidance. (UPenn) is an Ivy University, I think there I can understand myself more and the world too. I can explore my dreams". said Adeeba.&nbsp

There was a time when in 2016 the entire valley was burning, unrest, strikes and curfew had made people lock up themselves in their houses for almost six months. There was anger among youth mostly in south Kashmir. While the Kashmir was on the boil, Adeeba was working hard on her studies. This girl from Shopian, which was most affected by violence, was focused to turn her dream into reality and she finally succeeded. Adiba believes that everybody should dream big but one has to have the courage within oneself to fulfil them so that their dreams come true.

"No matter how big success is, but it is very big when your dream comes true, if one dreams big then he or she should have the ability to fulfil them. one should remain focused on one's aim. There were tough times but my family support was there. When in class 11th &nbspthere was a 7-month long unrest in the valley, my teachers helped us via internet and phone,'' said Adeeba. She further said, “everyone has something inside, you just need to explore your potential".

"I am so happy and feel proud. We should allow our children to do what they are interested in that makes them succeed, she has made us all proud, and we are happy". said Nail Gulshan, &nbspAdeeba’s mother.

She will be first girl from Kashmir to achieve this. The university &nbsp(UPenn) is one of the most famous institutes across the globe. The university claims to have produced 30 Nobel laureates, 25 billionaires and 500 CEOs.&nbsp

Adeeba Tak from Shopian, which was most affected by violence, was focused to turn her dream into reality and she finally succeeded.

Her dreams were big so was the courage and focus and despite all odds, she made it. Adeeba Tak, the 17-year-old Kashmiri girl, achieved 100 per cent scholarship for aeronautical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. We have often heard stories of anguish, pain and violence from South Kashmir but this story is of hope, dream and hard-work. This teenage girl facing all the obstacles, hardships never gave up his dream. Her non-stop struggle gave wings to her dreams and now she would be enrolling herself in one of the world's finest university, Pennsylvania (UPenn) and pursue aeronautical engineering. "This journey was tough and full of hardships. It required a lengthy process and proper guidance. (UPenn) is an Ivy University, I think there I can understand myself more and the world too. I can explore my dreams". said Adeeba. There was a time when in 2016 the entire valley was burning, unrest, strikes and curfew had made people lock up themselves in their houses for almost six months. There was anger among youth mostly in south Kashmir. While the Kashmir was on the boil, Adeeba was working hard on her studies. This girl from Shopian, which was most affected by violence, was focused to turn her dream into reality and she finally succeeded. Adiba believes that everybody should dream big but one has to have the courage within oneself to fulfil them so that their dreams come true. "No matter how big success is, but it is very big when your dream comes true, if one dreams big then he or she should have the ability to fulfil them. one should remain focused on one's aim. There were tough times but my family support was there. When in class 11th &nbspthere was a 7-month long unrest in the valley, my teachers helped us via internet and phone,'' said Adeeba. She further said, “everyone has something inside, you just need to explore your potential". "I am so happy and feel proud. We should allow our children to do what they are interested in that makes them succeed, she has made us all proud, and we are happy". said Nail Gulshan, &nbspAdeeba’s mother. She will be first girl from Kashmir to achieve this. The university (UPenn) is one of the most famous institutes across the globe. The university claims to have produced 30 Nobel laureates, 25 billionaires and 500 CEOs.

Against the odds, this Kashmiri girl earns prestigious UPenn scholarship

A special police officer (SPO) was killed after he was fired upon by a group of suspected militants near Muran Chowk area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. This is the second such incident of the day where militants targeted policemen in south Kashmir.

"Slain SPO identified as Mohammad Ashraf was posted in Srinagar resident of Mouchpona village. He had gone to Pulwama for a funeral when Militants fired upon him from close range. He died at the hospital," said SSP Pulwama.

Sources said that Ashraf, a former militant was an SPO in Cargo, Srinagar and at present was residing at Chanapora in Srinagar.

Earlier in the morning, a police officer who was on traffic duty in Khanbal Chowk of Anantnag district south Kashmir was attacked by suspected militants. He was critically injured and underwent treatment at the district hospital.&nbsp;

The day before yesterday militants attacked three places in south Kashmir, killing one and injuring two those attacks.

"Slain SPO identified as Mohammad Ashraf was posted in Srinagar resident of Mouchpona village. He had gone to Pulwama for a funeral when Militants fired upon him from close range. He died at the hospital," said SSP Pulwama. Sources

A special police officer (SPO) was killed after he was fired upon by a group of suspected militants near Muran Chowk area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. This is the second such incident of the day where militants targeted policemen in south Kashmir. "Slain SPO identified as Mohammad Ashraf was posted in Srinagar resident of Mouchpona village. He had gone to Pulwama for a funeral when Militants fired upon him from close range. He died at the hospital," said SSP Pulwama. Sources said that Ashraf, a former militant was an SPO in Cargo, Srinagar and at present was residing at Chanapora in Srinagar. Earlier in the morning, a police officer who was on traffic duty in Khanbal Chowk of Anantnag district south Kashmir was attacked by suspected militants. He was critically injured and underwent treatment at the district hospital. The day before yesterday militants attacked three places in south Kashmir, killing one and injuring two those attacks.

Militants kill police officer in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district

The sudden decision to set free top separatist leaders to carry on with their social and political activism has become the talk of the hour in the valley. Separatists leaders like Abbas Ansari and Javed Mir have welcomed the step. They also said it could pave the way for talks which the Hurriyat has always supported. However, they also want the government to release other separatist leaders, who are languishing in jails after NIA booked them, and other prisoners.&nbsp;

Chairman JKLF (R)&nbsp;Javeed Mir said "we have seen earlier such type of decisions but they were not implemented. We never want violence nor we support violence but when we take any peaceful rally or go anywhere in the valley we are stopped which makes people get angry and the peaceful procession turns into violence as we are showered by bullets and pellets".

On the other hand, the three top leaders, Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yaseen Malik didn't react to the decision. But all three leaders remained active today, while Syed Ali Shah Gillani offered Friday prayers in Hayderpora Masjid and in short speech said that he read from a newspaper today morning that the government has decided to free him,"I won't jump the gun. We will work out a new strategy after thorough consultations,".&nbsp;

However, the newly elected Tehrik Hurriyat chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, whose son recently joined the militant ranks said there would have no conditions in setting free leaders beside &nbsp;''we have to see how much liberty will be given to us and talks are only possible when Kashmir is taken as disputed territory".

The state government has decided to let the top separatist leaders be free. These leaders have been under curbs for many years, mostly placed under house arrest. Syed Ali Shah Gillani remained arrested at his house for 8 years. However, sources say now the govt has decided to allow them to roam around.

DGP S.P Vaid said that "They are free as long as they don’t make any anti-national speech or create law and order problem."

The decision seems to have been taken at a high level. Sources say this could be a beginning of the process of dialogue. The move to allow them to go around would be seen as the eventual government acknowledgement of the need to let Hurriyat leaders interact freely with the people.

The move also comes across as an important step as the security agencies have been worried about the increasing trend of youth joining militancy, and need of a political process to begin the govt could be trying to control the situation on the ground in that regard. The government appointed representative Dineshwar Sharma, who has been visiting the valley and meeting various sections of the society, has welcomed the decision.

BJP's ally PDP has spoken time an again demanding resumption of talks, and this political decision to lift curbs on the movement of the three leaders comes at a time when the government is facing a serious political crisis in the Kashmir valley and the state has struggled to pacify the recent surge of anti-government feeling.

The state government has decided to let the top separatist leaders be free

The sudden decision to set free top separatist leaders to carry on with their social and political activism has become the talk of the hour in the valley. Separatists leaders like Abbas Ansari and Javed Mir have welcomed the step. They also said it could pave the way for talks which the Hurriyat has always supported. However, they also want the government to release other separatist leaders, who are languishing in jails after NIA booked them, and other prisoners. Chairman JKLF (R) Javeed Mir said "we have seen earlier such type of decisions but they were not implemented. We never want violence nor we support violence but when we take any peaceful rally or go anywhere in the valley we are stopped which makes people get angry and the peaceful procession turns into violence as we are showered by bullets and pellets". On the other hand, the three top leaders, Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yaseen Malik didn't react to the decision. But all three leaders remained active today, while Syed Ali Shah Gillani offered Friday prayers in Hayderpora Masjid and in short speech said that he read from a newspaper today morning that the government has decided to free him,"I won't jump the gun. We will work out a new strategy after thorough consultations,". However, the newly elected Tehrik Hurriyat chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, whose son recently joined the militant ranks said there would have no conditions in setting free leaders beside ''we have to see how much liberty will be given to us and talks are only possible when Kashmir is taken as disputed territory". The state government has decided to let the top separatist leaders be free. These leaders have been under curbs for many years, mostly placed under house arrest. Syed Ali Shah Gillani remained arrested at his house for 8 years. However, sources say now the govt has decided to allow them to roam around. DGP S.P Vaid said that "They are free as long as they don’t make any anti-national speech or create law and order problem." The decision seems to have been taken at a high level. Sources say this could be a beginning of the process of dialogue. The move to allow them to go around would be seen as the eventual government acknowledgement of the need to let Hurriyat leaders interact freely with the people. The move also comes across as an important step as the security agencies have been worried about the increasing trend of youth joining militancy, and need of a political process to begin the govt could be trying to control the situation on the ground in that regard. The government appointed representative Dineshwar Sharma, who has been visiting the valley and meeting various sections of the society, has welcomed the decision. BJP's ally PDP has spoken time an again demanding resumption of talks, and this political decision to lift curbs on the movement of the three leaders comes at a time when the government is facing a serious political crisis in the Kashmir valley and the state has struggled to pacify the recent surge of anti-government feeling.

Decision to set free separatist leaders may pave the way for talks

By

Khalid Hussain&nbsp; 

On Thursday evening terrorits struck at three different places in south Kashmir.

First the terrorists targeted an army patrol which came under attack in Shopian area. No casualties was reported in the attack.

In the second incident, a Special police officer (SPO) and his wife were shot at in Anantnag district. He later succumbed to injuries while his wife continues to remain critical.

Reports said that suspected terrorists barged into the home of SPO Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh at Katoo Wapzan villlage of Dashnipora belt in Bijbehara and killed him

Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh's wife was injured. She was immediately rushed to sub-district hospital Bijbehara where her condition is reportedly critical.

In the third incident in Kulgam, a civilian was fired at by unknown gunmen.

The gunmen fired at a local in Chauncer, Kulgam. He reportedly received a bullet in his leg and was shifted to hospital.

Militants strike at three different places in south kashmir

By Khalid Hussain On Thursday evening terrorits struck at three different places in south Kashmir. First the terrorists targeted an army patrol which came under attack in Shopian area. No casualties was reported in the attack. In the second incident, a Special police officer (SPO) and his wife were shot at in Anantnag district. He later succumbed to injuries while his wife continues to remain critical. Reports said that suspected terrorists barged into the home of SPO Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh at Katoo Wapzan villlage of Dashnipora belt in Bijbehara and killed him Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh's wife was injured. She was immediately rushed to sub-district hospital Bijbehara where her condition is reportedly critical. In the third incident in Kulgam, a civilian was fired at by unknown gunmen. The gunmen fired at a local in Chauncer, Kulgam. He reportedly received a bullet in his leg and was shifted to hospital.

Terrorists strike at three places in south Kashmir; 1 policeman killed

A company — TshirtBhaiya.com — has begun to sell T-shirts depicting the Kashmiri man tied to an army jeep in 2017. Farooq Ahmad Dar had been tied to the jeep by an army major, who said he had done so to get himself and his men to safety.&nbsp

There had reportedly been stone pelters in the vicinity.&nbsp

Dar had effectively been used as a human shield.&nbsp

TshirtBhaiya.com is reportedly linked to a member of the BJP — Tejinder Bagga, who is spokesperson of the Delhi unit of the BJP. Bagga says the T-shirt is meant to boost the morale of the Indian Army and to allow people to wear their "patriotism on the chest".

The Kashmiris however view it as provocation, and believe it will make the Kashmir situation even more &nbspunstable.&nbsp

Dar's lawyer, Ahsan Untoo, meanwhile says they will be filing a defamation suit against the T-shirt's promoters.&nbsp

"It's simply provocation, those acts make the life of that person miserable if he is not given justice he should not be torched with every passing day, A man tied to jeep and then dragged in dozens of village how can that be justified, and can this boost the moral of Indian Army? We have going to file a defamation case in this matter," said Untoo.

The T-shirt and its sale have also been condemned by political parties.&nbsp

The National Conference and the Congress said the Indian Army is a "big institution" and that these small acts will not boost their moral but will instead dent their credibility. They added that "we all are nationalists living in Kashmir and know how to boost the morale of the army".&nbsp

"We all know how to boost the moral of army but this is not the way, we want peace but these acts are helping anti-national elements, it will provoke youth more," said Taj Mohudeen, senior Congress leader.

"It's a highly condemnable act, it will instigate more trouble and will provoke people in Kashmir, state government had failed to give justice and now they sprinkle salt on wounds," said Junaid Mattu, National Conference spokesperson.

Dar had been tied to the jeep on April 9 last during by-elections in central Kashmir's Budgam village. Video of the incident soon went viral.&nbsp

There had reportedly been a note tied to his chest saying: "This will be fate of stone pelters".&nbsp

A massive controversy had erupted, with the army saying Dar had been used as a human shield to safeguard polling staff and EVMs. The army officer responsible for tying Dar to the jeep — Major Leetul Gogoi — was later commended by the army.

Dar, through his lawyer who is also a human rights activist, approached the state human rights commission which directed the state government to compensate Dar. The state government however refused, saying they had no scheme under which they could compensate Dar.&nbsp

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at the time asked J&K Police to file a report on video. Police launched their investigation and filed an FIR ,&nbsp

In their investigation, they stated that Dar had cast his vote before being tied to the jeep. The army on the other hand had suggested that he might have been a stonepelter.&nbsp

The T-shirt is being sold online by a company reportedly linked to a member of the BJP. The lawyer of the Kashmiri man tied to the jeep meanwhile says he will file a defamation suit

A company — TshirtBhaiya.com — has begun to sell T-shirts depicting the Kashmiri man tied to an army jeep in 2017. Farooq Ahmad Dar had been tied to the jeep by an army major, who said he had done so to get himself and his men to safety. There had reportedly been stone pelters in the vicinity. Dar had effectively been used as a human shield. TshirtBhaiya.com is reportedly linked to a member of the BJP — Tejinder Bagga, who is spokesperson of the Delhi unit of the BJP. Bagga says the T-shirt is meant to boost the morale of the Indian Army and to allow people to wear their "patriotism on the chest". The Kashmiris however view it as provocation, and believe it will make the Kashmir situation even more &nbspunstable. Dar's lawyer, Ahsan Untoo, meanwhile says they will be filing a defamation suit against the T-shirt's promoters. "It's simply provocation, those acts make the life of that person miserable if he is not given justice he should not be torched with every passing day, A man tied to jeep and then dragged in dozens of village how can that be justified, and can this boost the moral of Indian Army? We have going to file a defamation case in this matter," said Untoo. The T-shirt and its sale have also been condemned by political parties. The National Conference and the Congress said the Indian Army is a "big institution" and that these small acts will not boost their moral but will instead dent their credibility. They added that "we all are nationalists living in Kashmir and know how to boost the morale of the army". "We all know how to boost the moral of army but this is not the way, we want peace but these acts are helping anti-national elements, it will provoke youth more," said Taj Mohudeen, senior Congress leader. "It's a highly condemnable act, it will instigate more trouble and will provoke people in Kashmir, state government had failed to give justice and now they sprinkle salt on wounds," said Junaid Mattu, National Conference spokesperson. Dar had been tied to the jeep on April 9 last during by-elections in central Kashmir's Budgam village. Video of the incident soon went viral. There had reportedly been a note tied to his chest saying: "This will be fate of stone pelters". A massive controversy had erupted, with the army saying Dar had been used as a human shield to safeguard polling staff and EVMs. The army officer responsible for tying Dar to the jeep — Major Leetul Gogoi — was later commended by the army. Dar, through his lawyer who is also a human rights activist, approached the state human rights commission which directed the state government to compensate Dar. The state government however refused, saying they had no scheme under which they could compensate Dar. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at the time asked J&K Police to file a report on video. Police launched their investigation and filed an FIR , In their investigation, they stated that Dar had cast his vote before being tied to the jeep. The army on the other hand had suggested that he might have been a stonepelter.

Kashmir man tied to jeep: Now there's a T-shirt, and another controversy

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Khalid Hussain

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