An encounter between security forces and terrorists broke out in Kapran Batagund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday.&nbsp;

According to reports, as many as six terrorists have been killed along with a security personnel named Naik Nazir. The operation has been concluded, security forces have recovered weapons and warlike stores, news agency ANI reported.

Four out of&nbsp;six terrorists belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen, rest were from Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both the district commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar have been killed, an&nbsp;investigation is underway, SSP Shopian Sandeep Chaudhary told media.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Initially, one jawan of 34 RR sustained injuries in exchange of fire. He was evacuated to hospital and is stable now. However one Jawan identified as Nazir Ahmad of 34 RR has succumbed and attained martyrdom: J&amp;K Police on Shopian encounter
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1066598413452615682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This comes after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorist Jammu and Kashmir's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-encounter-underway-in-anantnag-2-3-terrorist-trapped-178862">Anantnag district on Friday</a>. According to reports, six terrorists were gunned down in the operation by the security forces.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: Mobile internet services have been suspended in south Kashmir's Shopian district. Four terrorists have been neutralised in an encounter with security forces which broke out in Kapran Batagund area of the district this morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1066521763771756544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On November 20, one Indian Army jawan was killed and four terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in Nadigam village of Jammu and Kashmir`s Shopian district.

 
&nbsp;

An encounter between security forces and terrorists broke out in Kapran Batagund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday. According to reports, as many as six terrorists have been killed along with a security personnel named Naik Nazir.

An encounter between security forces and terrorists broke out in Kapran Batagund area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday. According to reports, as many as six terrorists have been killed along with a security personnel named Naik Nazir. The operation has been concluded, security forces have recovered weapons and warlike stores, news agency ANI reported. Four out of six terrorists belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen, rest were from Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both the district commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar have been killed, an investigation is underway, SSP Shopian Sandeep Chaudhary told media. Initially, one jawan of 34 RR sustained injuries in exchange of fire. He was evacuated to hospital and is stable now. However one Jawan identified as Nazir Ahmad of 34 RR has succumbed and attained martyrdom: J&K Police on Shopian encounter — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018 × This comes after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorist Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Friday. According to reports, six terrorists were gunned down in the operation by the security forces. #UPDATE: Mobile internet services have been suspended in south Kashmir's Shopian district. Four terrorists have been neutralised in an encounter with security forces which broke out in Kapran Batagund area of the district this morning. #JammuAndKashmir — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018 × On November 20, one Indian Army jawan was killed and four terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in Nadigam village of Jammu and Kashmir`s Shopian district.

J&K: 6 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Shopian's Kapran Batagund

Days after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-kashmir-mehbooba-mufti-writes-to-governor-stakes-claim-to-form-government-178644">dissolution of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir</a>, the Congress demanded&nbsp;that elections be held in the state as early as possible to "restore" democracy, as it termed the Governor's rule in the state as "Modi rule".

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the Governor's rule in the state as a "de facto Modi rule".

"The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-did-not-act-on-bjps-behest-nobody-gave-me-list-of-mlas-says-jk-governor-satya-pal-malik-after-dissolving-assembly-178721"> Governor's (Satya Pal Malik)</a> rule in Kashmir is (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi rule. It is BJP rule," he told reporters here.

"BJP, in collusion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ran the show in J&amp;K and Ladakh from behind the curtain. It is all the more important today that democracy is restored there," Surjewala said.

"Only elections can pave the way for formation of people's government in J&amp;K," he said, adding, "So Modi-ji and the Governor should get elections held as soon as possible."

"This is our direct and clear demand," Surjewala said.

The Governor abruptly dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wednesday night, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival NC and the Congress.

This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties.

Besides slamming the move, Surjewala also targeted the Modi government for "pushing J&amp;K and Ladakh into deep violence".

Neither the Pakistan-exported terrorism stopped nor did violence cease, Surjewala alleged.

"Neither ceasefire violation by Pakistani Army stopped nor was the prime minister with 56-inch chest able to stop Pakistan from exporting extremists," the Congress leader added. 
&nbsp;

Days after the dissolution of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress demanded that elections be held in the state as early as possible to "restore" democracy, as it termed the Governor's rule in the state as "Modi rule".

Days after the dissolution of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress demanded that elections be held in the state as early as possible to "restore" democracy, as it termed the Governor's rule in the state as "Modi rule". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the Governor's rule in the state as a "de facto Modi rule". "The Governor's (Satya Pal Malik) rule in Kashmir is (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi rule. It is BJP rule," he told reporters here. "BJP, in collusion with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ran the show in J&K and Ladakh from behind the curtain. It is all the more important today that democracy is restored there," Surjewala said. "Only elections can pave the way for formation of people's government in J&K," he said, adding, "So Modi-ji and the Governor should get elections held as soon as possible." "This is our direct and clear demand," Surjewala said. The Governor abruptly dissolved the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Wednesday night, hours after the PDP staked claim to form a government with the backing of rival NC and the Congress. This was followed by another bid from the two-member People's Conference which claimed the support of the BJP and 18 legislators from other parties. Besides slamming the move, Surjewala also targeted the Modi government for "pushing J&K and Ladakh into deep violence". Neither the Pakistan-exported terrorism stopped nor did violence cease, Surjewala alleged. "Neither ceasefire violation by Pakistani Army stopped nor was the prime minister with 56-inch chest able to stop Pakistan from exporting extremists," the Congress leader added.

Governor rule in J&K 'de facto' Modi rule, says Congress as it seeks fresh polls soon

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorist on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a>: An encounter underway between security forces &amp; terrorists in Sekipora area of Bijbehara in Anantnag district. 2 to 3 terrorists are believed to be trapped. More details awaited.
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1065768211671654400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to a report by ANI, six terrorists have been killed in the encounter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Anantnag encounter <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UPDATE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UPDATE</a>: Six terrorists have been killed in the encounter. Arms and ammunition recovered. Operation continues <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/AwZ2fM90HF">pic.twitter.com/AwZ2fM90HF</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1065803222282092544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The area has been cordoned off for security purposes. Arms and ammunition were also recovered.

The encounter has stopped, however, the search operation is still on.

Indian Army's 3 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and police are jointly conducting the ongoing operation.

Further details of the incident are awaited.

The Valley has been witnessing a spurt in terror activities for the past few months.

Earlier this week one soldier and four terrorists were killed in Shopian district after an encounter broke out in a village.

Two terrorists associated with terror outfit Al-Badr were also killed last week in an encounter in Rebben area of the Shopian district. On the same day, a Central Reserve Police Force jawan lost his life after terrorists opened fire on a CRPF camp at Railway Colony in Pulwama's Kakapora area.

&nbsp;

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorist on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. #JammuAndKashmir: An encounter underway between security forces & terrorists in Sekipora area of Bijbehara in Anantnag district.

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorist on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. #JammuAndKashmir: An encounter underway between security forces & terrorists in Sekipora area of Bijbehara in Anantnag district. 2 to 3 terrorists are believed to be trapped. More details awaited. — ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2018 × According to a report by ANI, six terrorists have been killed in the encounter. Anantnag encounter #UPDATE: Six terrorists have been killed in the encounter. Arms and ammunition recovered. Operation continues #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/AwZ2fM90HF — ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2018 × The area has been cordoned off for security purposes. Arms and ammunition were also recovered. The encounter has stopped, however, the search operation is still on. Indian Army's 3 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and police are jointly conducting the ongoing operation. Further details of the incident are awaited. The Valley has been witnessing a spurt in terror activities for the past few months. Earlier this week one soldier and four terrorists were killed in Shopian district after an encounter broke out in a village. Two terrorists associated with terror outfit Al-Badr were also killed last week in an encounter in Rebben area of the Shopian district. On the same day, a Central Reserve Police Force jawan lost his life after terrorists opened fire on a CRPF camp at Railway Colony in Pulwama's Kakapora area.

Video: 6 terrorists gunned down in J&K's Anantnag encounter; search operation underway

Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the Jammu &amp; Kashmir assembly on Wednesday night. Prior to the dissolution, he is said to have consulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a few of PM’s advisers.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, according to media reports, is reported to have written to the Governor that she could not reach Raj Bhawan, but she tweeted in public domain, claiming that she had the support and backing of 56 MLAs. Soon after, Sajjad Lone, with only two MLAs in the assembly, showed his interest by saying that he had the support of BJP and over 18 other independent MLAs.

The legal position under Section 53 of the J&amp;K Constitution is that the action of the Governor does not need to be ratified by Parliament. It is only after the expiry of six months that President Rule can be imposed that needs Parliament’s ratification. The Governor has said that the reasons for his decision to dissolve the assembly that had a tenure till 2020, were reports of extensive horse trading and possible exchange of money in order to secure the support of legislators, thus jeopardising the fragile security scenario in the state. The Governor further said there is the impossibility of forming a stable government by coming together of political parties with opposing ideologies. 
 
&nbsp;The BJP, a partner of PDP until a few months ago, supported the Governor’s decision, saying that “J&amp;K needs a firm administration to deal with terrorism and not a combination of terror-friendly parties”. Further, BJP leaders commented, that “the best option in such a scenario is to go in for a fresh election at the earliest. This assembly cannot produce a stable government.”

Governor Malik has allowed his own reputation to be imperilled along with the impact he was reportedly making with Kashmiris by promoting his healing-touch policy, making efforts to reach out for peace and dialogue. Malik’s action has lowered the prestige of the gubernatorial office in a fragile and sensitive state of the Indian Union. He is an experienced politician and should have exhausted all the normal constitutional and democratic norms set out by the apex court.&nbsp;

Since the BJP-PDP government was dissolved in June, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly was kept in suspended animation and Governor’s Rule imposed in the state. Malik was not bound by the convention of recommending the dissolution of the assembly on advice of the chief minister and state cabinet, because neither existed. The dissolution deprived the elected legislators the opportunity to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir again.

Important political and constitutional issues lie at the heart of Governor’s action. Legally and constitutionally, Malik can say he was well within his rights to dissolve the assembly. Legitimately, power was exercised, but it was done in the pursuit of illegitimate goals. The timing of the dissolution makes it clear that Malik moved under orders — willingly or otherwise — to forestall the formation of a government that would prove inimical to the BJP’s calculations. By dissolving the J&amp;K assembly, he has ignored admittedly dodgy precedents set elsewhere.

Take Bihar. In 2015, an alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United) and Congress had swept the state elections and formed a coalition government. In July 2017, barely two years later, in a move clearly orchestrated by outgoing and incoming chief minister Nitish Kumar, he disbanded the “grand alliance” by resigning as chief minister and was sworn in hours later in the same position, but with the BJP as his new ally. No gubernatorial compunctions seemed to have been experienced in showing the green light to this manoeuvre — a blatant betrayal of the 2015 mandate. In Goa, the Congress won 17 of the 40 assembly seats and the BJP, 13. The BJP got nine legislators on its side — three each from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party and three independents. Armed with a list of 22, it was invited to form a government, which it duly did. No one expressed any reservations whatsoever.&nbsp;

Now take Jammu and Kashmir. When the PDP and BJP decided to form a coalition government, no questions were raised by the governor about this decidedly surreal alliance. If you really stretch yourself, you can find some common ground between the PDP and National Conference — they are both Kashmiri parties, both are committed to some notion of Kashmiri exceptionalism and autonomy and share the same kind of social constituencies. Also, the PDP and Congress have been allies in the past.

But by what stretch of imagination did the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir decide that the PDP and BJP, who are ideologically and programmatically on absolutely opposite ends of the spectrum, could form a “stable” government? The imagination boggles. It is reported that the central government views this coalition as detrimental to the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Of course, it does. But not because the “arrangement” would be riven by “contradictions”.

What will transpire now is not yet clear. Someone or the other could move court against the dismissal of the assembly, which makes logical sense. The Congress, National Conference, PDP and other political parties may be content to wait things out for another six months, by which time state elections will have to be held. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-give-everyone-a-chance-in-jk-2688311">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the Jammu & Kashmir assembly on Wednesday night. Prior to the dissolution, he is said to have consulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a few of PM’s advisers.

Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the Jammu & Kashmir assembly on Wednesday night. Prior to the dissolution, he is said to have consulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and a few of PM’s advisers. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, according to media reports, is reported to have written to the Governor that she could not reach Raj Bhawan, but she tweeted in public domain, claiming that she had the support and backing of 56 MLAs. Soon after, Sajjad Lone, with only two MLAs in the assembly, showed his interest by saying that he had the support of BJP and over 18 other independent MLAs. The legal position under Section 53 of the J&K Constitution is that the action of the Governor does not need to be ratified by Parliament. It is only after the expiry of six months that President Rule can be imposed that needs Parliament’s ratification. The Governor has said that the reasons for his decision to dissolve the assembly that had a tenure till 2020, were reports of extensive horse trading and possible exchange of money in order to secure the support of legislators, thus jeopardising the fragile security scenario in the state. The Governor further said there is the impossibility of forming a stable government by coming together of political parties with opposing ideologies. The BJP, a partner of PDP until a few months ago, supported the Governor’s decision, saying that “J&K needs a firm administration to deal with terrorism and not a combination of terror-friendly parties”. Further, BJP leaders commented, that “the best option in such a scenario is to go in for a fresh election at the earliest. This assembly cannot produce a stable government.” Governor Malik has allowed his own reputation to be imperilled along with the impact he was reportedly making with Kashmiris by promoting his healing-touch policy, making efforts to reach out for peace and dialogue. Malik’s action has lowered the prestige of the gubernatorial office in a fragile and sensitive state of the Indian Union. He is an experienced politician and should have exhausted all the normal constitutional and democratic norms set out by the apex court. Since the BJP-PDP government was dissolved in June, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly was kept in suspended animation and Governor’s Rule imposed in the state. Malik was not bound by the convention of recommending the dissolution of the assembly on advice of the chief minister and state cabinet, because neither existed. The dissolution deprived the elected legislators the opportunity to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir again. Important political and constitutional issues lie at the heart of Governor’s action. Legally and constitutionally, Malik can say he was well within his rights to dissolve the assembly. Legitimately, power was exercised, but it was done in the pursuit of illegitimate goals. The timing of the dissolution makes it clear that Malik moved under orders — willingly or otherwise — to forestall the formation of a government that would prove inimical to the BJP’s calculations. By dissolving the J&K assembly, he has ignored admittedly dodgy precedents set elsewhere. Take Bihar. In 2015, an alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United) and Congress had swept the state elections and formed a coalition government. In July 2017, barely two years later, in a move clearly orchestrated by outgoing and incoming chief minister Nitish Kumar, he disbanded the “grand alliance” by resigning as chief minister and was sworn in hours later in the same position, but with the BJP as his new ally. No gubernatorial compunctions seemed to have been experienced in showing the green light to this manoeuvre — a blatant betrayal of the 2015 mandate. In Goa, the Congress won 17 of the 40 assembly seats and the BJP, 13. The BJP got nine legislators on its side — three each from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party and three independents. Armed with a list of 22, it was invited to form a government, which it duly did. No one expressed any reservations whatsoever. Now take Jammu and Kashmir. When the PDP and BJP decided to form a coalition government, no questions were raised by the governor about this decidedly surreal alliance. If you really stretch yourself, you can find some common ground between the PDP and National Conference — they are both Kashmiri parties, both are committed to some notion of Kashmiri exceptionalism and autonomy and share the same kind of social constituencies. Also, the PDP and Congress have been allies in the past. But by what stretch of imagination did the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir decide that the PDP and BJP, who are ideologically and programmatically on absolutely opposite ends of the spectrum, could form a “stable” government? The imagination boggles. It is reported that the central government views this coalition as detrimental to the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Of course, it does. But not because the “arrangement” would be riven by “contradictions”. What will transpire now is not yet clear. Someone or the other could move court against the dismissal of the assembly, which makes logical sense. The Congress, National Conference, PDP and other political parties may be content to wait things out for another six months, by which time state elections will have to be held. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Everyone should be given a chance in J&K

The Election Commission has&nbsp;said fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held within the next six months even as it did not rule out the possibility of holding polls there before the Lok Sabha polls due next year.

"The Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls must be held on the first occasion before May ... It could be held before parliamentary elections also," Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat said.

He said as per the Supreme Court, the outer limit for holding fresh polls after dissolution of a house is six months, that is May, 2019.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/governor-rule-in-jk-de-facto-modi-rule-says-congress-as-it-seeks-fresh-polls-soon-178900">Governor rule in J&amp;K 'de facto' Modi rule, says Congress as it seeks fresh polls soon</a>

At the same time, he made it clear that the election body&nbsp;will decide on the poll dates after "considering all aspects."

He said, the top court's&nbsp;verdict, an outcome of presidential reference, also said polls will have to be held on the first occasion which means even before six months.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-did-not-act-on-bjps-behest-nobody-gave-me-list-of-mlas-says-jk-governor-satya-pal-malik-after-dissolving-assembly-178721"> I did not act on BJP's behest, says J&amp;K governor Satya Pal Malik after dissolving </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-did-not-act-on-bjps-behest-nobody-gave-me-list-of-mlas-says-jk-governor-satya-pal-malik-after-dissolving-assembly-178721">assembly</a>

He said the same principle was applied in Telangana where the assembly was dissolved prematurely.

The state g<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-kashmir-mehbooba-mufti-writes-to-governor-stakes-claim-to-form-government-178644">overnor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly</a> on Wednesday evening after People's Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form a government along with her arch-rival Omar Abdullah's National Conference (NC) and the Congress.

They claimed the support of 56 lawmakers in the 87-member state assembly.&nbsp;

Shortly after, People's Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked claims to form the government. Lone, who has two lawmakers, said he had the support of the BJP's 25 legislators and "more than 18" others.

The Election Commission has said fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held within the next six months even as it did not rule out the possibility of holding polls there before the Lok Sabha polls due next year.

The Election Commission has said fresh elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held within the next six months even as it did not rule out the possibility of holding polls there before the Lok Sabha polls due next year. "The Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls must be held on the first occasion before May ... It could be held before parliamentary elections also," Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat said. He said as per the Supreme Court, the outer limit for holding fresh polls after dissolution of a house is six months, that is May, 2019. Also read: Governor rule in J&K 'de facto' Modi rule, says Congress as it seeks fresh polls soon At the same time, he made it clear that the election body will decide on the poll dates after "considering all aspects." He said, the top court's verdict, an outcome of presidential reference, also said polls will have to be held on the first occasion which means even before six months. Also read: I did not act on BJP's behest, says J&K governor Satya Pal Malik after dissolving assembly He said the same principle was applied in Telangana where the assembly was dissolved prematurely. The state governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly on Wednesday evening after People's Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form a government along with her arch-rival Omar Abdullah's National Conference (NC) and the Congress. They claimed the support of 56 lawmakers in the 87-member state assembly. Shortly after, People's Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked claims to form the government. Lone, who has two lawmakers, said he had the support of the BJP's 25 legislators and "more than 18" others.

J&K polls to be held before May, could be before general elections: CEC Rawat

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday tore into state Governor Satya Pal Malik after the latter dissolved the Assembly soon after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government in the state with the support of National Conference (NC) and Congress.&nbsp;

''I had a lot of hopes from this Governor, but this is very sad. He has turned out to be another slave to the Centre,'' Abdullah said.&nbsp;

The post of Governor needs to be looked into, he said and added why did he wait 5 months to dissolve assembly?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I had a lot of hopes from this Governor, but this is very sad. He has turned out to be another slave of the Centre. The post of Governor needs to be looked into. Why did he wait 5 months to dissolve assembly?: Farooq Abdullah <a href="https://t.co/zKovZCD6pw">pic.twitter.com/zKovZCD6pw</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1065607551625117698?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Hitting back at the BJP which called the alliance between PDP, Congress and NC a coming together of “terror-friendly parties, Abdullah said when PDP was in alliance with BJP then it was not 'terror-friendly?' It has become 'terror-friendly' when it talked of alliance with NC and Congress? Abdullah asked.

Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly on Wednesday evening after Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government along with her arch-rival Omar Abdullah's National Conference (NC) and the Congress. They claimed the support of 56 lawmakers in the 87-member state assembly.&nbsp;

Shortly after, People's Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked claims to form the government. Lone, who has two lawmakers, said he had the support of the BJP's 25 legislators and "more than 18" others.&nbsp;

Congress leader Saifuddin Soz on Wednesday urged Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti to move court. He&nbsp;described Governor's decision to dissolve the assembly ''unconstitutional''.&nbsp;

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday tore into state Governor Satya Pal Malik after the latter dissolved the Assembly soon after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government in the state with the support of National Conference (NC) and Congress.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday tore into state Governor Satya Pal Malik after the latter dissolved the Assembly soon after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government in the state with the support of National Conference (NC) and Congress. ''I had a lot of hopes from this Governor, but this is very sad. He has turned out to be another slave to the Centre,'' Abdullah said. The post of Governor needs to be looked into, he said and added why did he wait 5 months to dissolve assembly? I had a lot of hopes from this Governor, but this is very sad. He has turned out to be another slave of the Centre. The post of Governor needs to be looked into. Why did he wait 5 months to dissolve assembly?: Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/zKovZCD6pw — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2018 × Hitting back at the BJP which called the alliance between PDP, Congress and NC a coming together of “terror-friendly parties, Abdullah said when PDP was in alliance with BJP then it was not 'terror-friendly?' It has become 'terror-friendly' when it talked of alliance with NC and Congress? Abdullah asked. Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly on Wednesday evening after Mehbooba Mufti staked claim to form the government along with her arch-rival Omar Abdullah's National Conference (NC) and the Congress. They claimed the support of 56 lawmakers in the 87-member state assembly. Shortly after, People's Conference leader Sajad Lone also staked claims to form the government. Lone, who has two lawmakers, said he had the support of the BJP's 25 legislators and "more than 18" others. Congress leader Saifuddin Soz on Wednesday urged Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti to move court. He described Governor's decision to dissolve the assembly ''unconstitutional''.

Jammu and Kashmir governor is a 'slave' to Centre: Farooq Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said Thursday that he does not belive the NC, PDP and Congress fighting the elections together would benefit the state because "legitimate opposition voices are essential".&nbsp;

He added that the arrangement — the three parties had announced yesterday that they were coming together in a grand alliance — was to "protect Jammu and Kashmir from (the) current mess".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Nobody ever suggested that we would be fighting polls together. This arrangement was to protect J&amp;K from current mess. I don't believe that NC, PDP &amp; Congress fighting elections together will in any way benefit J&amp;K because legitimate opposition voices are essential: Omar Abdullah <a href="https://t.co/GTQOvY2Wvv">pic.twitter.com/GTQOvY2Wvv</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1065528342462517248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wrote to Govenor Satya Pal Malik after news of the three parties coming together broke, staking her claim to form a government in the state.&nbsp;

The three parties between them had the numbers needed to form a government. (There was also a rival claim from Sajjad Lone of the People's Conference. Lone said he had the backing of the BJP.)&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik however <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-did-not-act-on-bjps-behest-nobody-gave-me-list-of-mlas-says-jk-governor-satya-pal-malik-after-dissolving-assembly-178721">dissolved the assembly</a> saying the three parties had differing ideologies and would not be able to provide&nbsp;a stable government.&nbsp;

The dissolution of the assembly means the state will have to hold elections within six months.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Omar said he did not have a legal case to make against the governor since he had not provided documentary support to Mufti's PDP but had only talked to them.&nbsp;

He added that it was up to Mufti to decide whether she wanted to challenge the governor's decision in the courts.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Legally,we don't have case to make. As I don't have a document on which to claim Guv ignored what we had to say. My conversation was with PDP. It's for PDP to decide whether it wants to take legal recourse.I didn't provide documentary support: O Abdullah on J&amp;K assembly dissolved <a href="https://t.co/wltKrto8Cg">pic.twitter.com/wltKrto8Cg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1065525319703113730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"We don't want to create a situation like 1987 where all political parties in the valley come together and the only space that remains is for fringe. As I said to Mehbooba Mufti Ji on Twitter yesterday, we have to fight another day, good luck to her, good luck to us," said Omar.&nbsp;

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said Thursday that he does not belive the NC, PDP and Congress fighting the elections together would benefit the state because "legitimate opposition voices are essential".

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said Thursday that he does not belive the NC, PDP and Congress fighting the elections together would benefit the state because "legitimate opposition voices are essential". He added that the arrangement — the three parties had announced yesterday that they were coming together in a grand alliance — was to "protect Jammu and Kashmir from (the) current mess". Nobody ever suggested that we would be fighting polls together. This arrangement was to protect J&K from current mess. I don't believe that NC, PDP & Congress fighting elections together will in any way benefit J&K because legitimate opposition voices are essential: Omar Abdullah pic.twitter.com/GTQOvY2Wvv — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2018 × PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti wrote to Govenor Satya Pal Malik after news of the three parties coming together broke, staking her claim to form a government in the state. The three parties between them had the numbers needed to form a government. (There was also a rival claim from Sajjad Lone of the People's Conference. Lone said he had the backing of the BJP.) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik however dissolved the assembly saying the three parties had differing ideologies and would not be able to provide a stable government. The dissolution of the assembly means the state will have to hold elections within six months. On Thursday, Omar said he did not have a legal case to make against the governor since he had not provided documentary support to Mufti's PDP but had only talked to them. He added that it was up to Mufti to decide whether she wanted to challenge the governor's decision in the courts. Legally,we don't have case to make. As I don't have a document on which to claim Guv ignored what we had to say. My conversation was with PDP. It's for PDP to decide whether it wants to take legal recourse.I didn't provide documentary support: O Abdullah on J&K assembly dissolved pic.twitter.com/wltKrto8Cg — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2018 × "We don't want to create a situation like 1987 where all political parties in the valley come together and the only space that remains is for fringe. As I said to Mehbooba Mufti Ji on Twitter yesterday, we have to fight another day, good luck to her, good luck to us," said Omar.

'Good luck to us': Omar Abdullah day after Governor dissolves J&K assembly

What started as a bang and great hope has ended in a great tragedy in Kashmir. The attempt to bridge Jammu with Kashmir has ended in a disaster. Today Kashmir is back to square one. The civilian life stands disrupted.&nbsp;

The modicum of normalcy which existed prior to 2014 lies completely shattered. Though every development in Kashmir cannot be heaped on BJP but the party is surely to be blamed for the response it came up with months after months.&nbsp;

Kashmir became an experiment shop for the nationalist narrative. Unnecessary debates dominated the tenure of the PDP-BJP development.&nbsp;

Whether it was the state flag, Article 370, Article 35(A) - unnecessary controversies dominated the tenure of the regime. The worst disservice was that Army was brought into Kashmir issue as a political agent. Indian Army’s view became another pillar in the conversation which was already suffering from political McCarthyism.

Unfortunate thing is that Army’s view was never an issue but their position on certain issues was continuously milked to attack and discredit the Opposition. It played out well for the audience in the heartland but ended up alienating average Kashmiri and adding strain on the alliance which ultimately cracked because of the inherent contradictions. Both of them were unnatural partners who were ideologically opposed and represented opposed social constituencies.

Despite unending failure at every level, BJP still thought of something unimaginable. It thought of pushing Sajad Lone as the CM face and tried to encourage defections. It pushed the narrative of 'Third Party' in a play where none existed. The push prompted political reorganisation by National Conference (NC), PDP and Congress. Whether it was fear, hard political compulsion or matter of survival, it spooked the BJP. The worst fear of BJP came into existence like wildfire. The real issue was what if 'Grand Alliance' becomes a reality in J&amp;K? Will it have an impact on elections?&nbsp;

These are conjunctures, but the fact remains that the BJP’s incessant push to remain in power through backdoor created an alignment which neither of them was interested in.

There is no doubt that PDP and NC are not the best of partners, but they have more ideological similarity than what is shared between BJP and PDP. On top of it, Congress has been in alliance with both NC and PDP. So, the reason given by the Governor of horse trading and ideological divide does not hold water. It shows that BJP became nervous that if this alliance comes to power then it will add weight to the idea behind 'Grand Alliance' again.&nbsp;

It is, for this reason, the BJP decided to opt for the more convenient option which is President’s rule. It happened despite the fact that both NC and Congress in long run did not want to tie up with PDP which has burnt its political ground in South Kashmir.&nbsp;

Kashmir shows the limit of push a political party and state can exert on society. Unbridled power and hard politics divorced from political ethics can produce results like these. Indira Gandhi’s total hegemony brought everyone together. Today, BJP stands in the same total position without realising that uncontained political ambition can be self-limiting.&nbsp;

Accommodative politics sometimes leads to better longevity. There are many lessons and less known issues. For example, as to why Home Minister Rajnath Singh and General Secretary in charge of J&amp;K Ram Madhav could not convince Modi-Shah duo to let Assembly survive for a few more days would be another story, but Kashmir, in the end, has come out as the real victim of national politics.

This is the tragedy with which the nation will have to deal with in the longer run. A Kashmir which is more fragile, more alienated and less safe and all cannot be blamed on the enemy across the border. Some responsibility also lies with BJP.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

What started as a bang and great hope has ended in a great tragedy in Kashmir. The attempt to bridge Jammu with Kashmir has ended in a disaster. Today Kashmir is back to square one.

What started as a bang and great hope has ended in a great tragedy in Kashmir. The attempt to bridge Jammu with Kashmir has ended in a disaster. Today Kashmir is back to square one. The civilian life stands disrupted. The modicum of normalcy which existed prior to 2014 lies completely shattered. Though every development in Kashmir cannot be heaped on BJP but the party is surely to be blamed for the response it came up with months after months. Kashmir became an experiment shop for the nationalist narrative. Unnecessary debates dominated the tenure of the PDP-BJP development. Whether it was the state flag, Article 370, Article 35(A) - unnecessary controversies dominated the tenure of the regime. The worst disservice was that Army was brought into Kashmir issue as a political agent. Indian Army’s view became another pillar in the conversation which was already suffering from political McCarthyism. Unfortunate thing is that Army’s view was never an issue but their position on certain issues was continuously milked to attack and discredit the Opposition. It played out well for the audience in the heartland but ended up alienating average Kashmiri and adding strain on the alliance which ultimately cracked because of the inherent contradictions. Both of them were unnatural partners who were ideologically opposed and represented opposed social constituencies. Despite unending failure at every level, BJP still thought of something unimaginable. It thought of pushing Sajad Lone as the CM face and tried to encourage defections. It pushed the narrative of 'Third Party' in a play where none existed. The push prompted political reorganisation by National Conference (NC), PDP and Congress. Whether it was fear, hard political compulsion or matter of survival, it spooked the BJP. The worst fear of BJP came into existence like wildfire. The real issue was what if 'Grand Alliance' becomes a reality in J&K? Will it have an impact on elections? These are conjunctures, but the fact remains that the BJP’s incessant push to remain in power through backdoor created an alignment which neither of them was interested in. There is no doubt that PDP and NC are not the best of partners, but they have more ideological similarity than what is shared between BJP and PDP. On top of it, Congress has been in alliance with both NC and PDP. So, the reason given by the Governor of horse trading and ideological divide does not hold water. It shows that BJP became nervous that if this alliance comes to power then it will add weight to the idea behind 'Grand Alliance' again. It is, for this reason, the BJP decided to opt for the more convenient option which is President’s rule. It happened despite the fact that both NC and Congress in long run did not want to tie up with PDP which has burnt its political ground in South Kashmir. Kashmir shows the limit of push a political party and state can exert on society. Unbridled power and hard politics divorced from political ethics can produce results like these. Indira Gandhi’s total hegemony brought everyone together. Today, BJP stands in the same total position without realising that uncontained political ambition can be self-limiting. Accommodative politics sometimes leads to better longevity. There are many lessons and less known issues. For example, as to why Home Minister Rajnath Singh and General Secretary in charge of J&K Ram Madhav could not convince Modi-Shah duo to let Assembly survive for a few more days would be another story, but Kashmir, in the end, has come out as the real victim of national politics. This is the tragedy with which the nation will have to deal with in the longer run. A Kashmir which is more fragile, more alienated and less safe and all cannot be blamed on the enemy across the border. Some responsibility also lies with BJP. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

End of honeymoon: Political McCarthyism bites BJP in Kashmir

After the emergence of the third front in Jammu and Kashmir, three political parties have come together to form a government in the state.&nbsp;

The development came a day after senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig showed his willingness to join the Third Front, currently led by Sajjad Gani Lone of the People's Conference.

The coming together of the National Conference, the People's Democratic Party and the Congress, in what is seen as a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-pulls-out-of-alliance-with-pdp-in-kashmir-145468">grand alliance</a>, was announced by senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari at his residence.&nbsp;

"All the three parties decided to join hands to defend the special status of the state, keeping in view the political situation and special status of the state," Altaf, who is seen as a front-runner for the chief ministerial chair, told WION in an exclusive chat.

He told WION that a formal announcement about the formation of the government would be made soon. "We have 60 MLAs to keep the communal forces away from the state and an alliance has been agreed," he said.&nbsp;

The alliance will also save the PDP from breaking as some of its senior members had rebelled against the party over a number of issues and were part of the Third Front which was emerging stronger by the day.&nbsp;

Backed by the BJP, the Third Front was emerging as an alternative to the traditional political parties which have ruled Kashmir for decades. But they don't have the numbers to prove their majority in the state assembly which is currently in suspended animation.

J&amp;K Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier said that he wouldn't dissolve the assembly but there were no signs of any government formation.&nbsp;

Sources have told WION that several informal talks were held between the political parties over the joining of hands, adding that the aim of government formation was also to stop J&amp;K from slipping into the hands of Governor's Rule.

"Congress MLAs have submitted their written consent to the party for the formation of government," a source in the PDP told WION.&nbsp;

The National Conference has called for a core group meeting tomorrow with top leaders from the three regions of the Himalayan state. The Congress' J&amp;K-in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir has flown to Delhi to meet the party's top leadership over the issue while other members have been called on the 23rd to deliberate further.&nbsp;

After the emergence of the third front in Jammu and Kashmir, three political parties have come together to form a government in the state. The development came a day after senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig showed his willingness to join the Third Front, currently led by Sajjad Gani Lone of the People's Conference.

After the emergence of the third front in Jammu and Kashmir, three political parties have come together to form a government in the state. The development came a day after senior PDP leader Muzzafar Hussain Baig showed his willingness to join the Third Front, currently led by Sajjad Gani Lone of the People's Conference. The coming together of the National Conference, the People's Democratic Party and the Congress, in what is seen as a grand alliance, was announced by senior PDP leader Altaf Bukhari at his residence. "All the three parties decided to join hands to defend the special status of the state, keeping in view the political situation and special status of the state," Altaf, who is seen as a front-runner for the chief ministerial chair, told WION in an exclusive chat. He told WION that a formal announcement about the formation of the government would be made soon. "We have 60 MLAs to keep the communal forces away from the state and an alliance has been agreed," he said. The alliance will also save the PDP from breaking as some of its senior members had rebelled against the party over a number of issues and were part of the Third Front which was emerging stronger by the day. Backed by the BJP, the Third Front was emerging as an alternative to the traditional political parties which have ruled Kashmir for decades. But they don't have the numbers to prove their majority in the state assembly which is currently in suspended animation. J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik had earlier said that he wouldn't dissolve the assembly but there were no signs of any government formation. Sources have told WION that several informal talks were held between the political parties over the joining of hands, adding that the aim of government formation was also to stop J&K from slipping into the hands of Governor's Rule. "Congress MLAs have submitted their written consent to the party for the formation of government," a source in the PDP told WION. The National Conference has called for a core group meeting tomorrow with top leaders from the three regions of the Himalayan state. The Congress' J&K-in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir has flown to Delhi to meet the party's top leadership over the issue while other members have been called on the 23rd to deliberate further.

PDP, NC, Congress join hands in Jammu & Kashmir, will try and form government

WION Dispatch: Terrorism hits a new low in Kashmir; Eight abducted, two killed

The Kashmir Police is investigating various social media accounts propagating videos of "executions" carried out by militants recently, Inspector General of Police (IGP) S P Pani said here Monday.

Militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has released two such videos in which two civilians, abducted by the outfit, were killed in front of camera.

"These crimes (on-camera executions carried out by militants) are terror and gruesome crimes. Their propaganda on social media is also a crime. A case already stands registered in this matter and those propagating such type of content, there are some handles which are propagating them, we are investigating them,' Pani said.

The IGP Kashmir was speaking to reporters at the wreath-laying ceremony of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan at Humhama.

Head Constable Chandrika Prasad was killed in a militant attack on a CRPF camp in Kakapora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district Sunday night.

Pani said police is seeking cooperation of the service-providers to nab people behind propagation of such videos.

"I am sure that with the cooperation of the service provider and other things, we will be able to nail them," he said.

Asked about the arrest of two women allegedly working as over-ground workers of militants, the IGP Kashmir said police is investigating their roles.

"The investigation is on. We will share the details of the investigation findings with you once they come," he said.&nbsp;

The Kashmir Police is investigating various social media accounts propagating videos of "executions" carried out by militants recently, Inspector General of Police (IGP) S P Pani said here Monday.

The Kashmir Police is investigating various social media accounts propagating videos of "executions" carried out by militants recently, Inspector General of Police (IGP) S P Pani said here Monday. Militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has released two such videos in which two civilians, abducted by the outfit, were killed in front of camera. "These crimes (on-camera executions carried out by militants) are terror and gruesome crimes. Their propaganda on social media is also a crime. A case already stands registered in this matter and those propagating such type of content, there are some handles which are propagating them, we are investigating them,' Pani said. The IGP Kashmir was speaking to reporters at the wreath-laying ceremony of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan at Humhama. Head Constable Chandrika Prasad was killed in a militant attack on a CRPF camp in Kakapora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district Sunday night. Pani said police is seeking cooperation of the service-providers to nab people behind propagation of such videos. "I am sure that with the cooperation of the service provider and other things, we will be able to nail them," he said. Asked about the arrest of two women allegedly working as over-ground workers of militants, the IGP Kashmir said police is investigating their roles. "The investigation is on. We will share the details of the investigation findings with you once they come," he said.

Police probing social media accounts propagating videos of 'executions' by terrorists: Kashmir IGP

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea claiming that a key witness in the sensational Kathua gang rape-and-murder case was allegedly tortured in custody by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with a separate rape case.

A bench comprising justices A M Khanwilkar and Deepak Gupta rejected the petition filed by a close relative of Talib Hussain, a key witness in the Kathua case, on the ground that the petitioner failed to appear before it despite the court's order.

In January, an eight-year-old girl from a minority nomadic community was allegedly abducted and gang raped in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.&nbsp;

Petitioner M A Khan had approached the top court alleging that his relative Hussain was tortured in custody by the state police after being arrested in connection with a separate rape case.

Advocate Shoeb Alam, representing the Jammu and Kashmir Police, had last month denied in the top court the allegations levelled in the petition and had said since Hussain has been granted bail, the plea has become infructuous.

On October 22, the court had asked Khan to appear before it on November 13 to respond to the application filed by his advocate seeking his discharge from the case.

"Despite our order dated October 22, the writ petitioner (Khan) has chosen not to appear before this court to respond to the application for discharge filed by Sunil Fernandes, advocate on record for the petitioner.&nbsp;

"In the circumstances, the writ petition is dismissed for non-prosecution," the bench said in its November 13 order.

In his plea, Khan had alleged that Hussain was kept in illegal detention by police and was subjected to custodial torture.

The apex court had earlier transferred the trial in the Kathua gang rape and murder case from Jammu and Kashmir to Pathankot in Punjab.

The state police's crime branch had filed the main charge sheet against seven persons and a separate charge sheet against a juvenile in a court in Kathua district in the gang rape and murder case.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea claiming that a key witness in the sensational Kathua gang rape-and-murder case was allegedly tortured in custody by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with a separate rape case.

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea claiming that a key witness in the sensational Kathua gang rape-and-murder case was allegedly tortured in custody by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with a separate rape case. A bench comprising justices A M Khanwilkar and Deepak Gupta rejected the petition filed by a close relative of Talib Hussain, a key witness in the Kathua case, on the ground that the petitioner failed to appear before it despite the court's order. In January, an eight-year-old girl from a minority nomadic community was allegedly abducted and gang raped in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Petitioner M A Khan had approached the top court alleging that his relative Hussain was tortured in custody by the state police after being arrested in connection with a separate rape case. Advocate Shoeb Alam, representing the Jammu and Kashmir Police, had last month denied in the top court the allegations levelled in the petition and had said since Hussain has been granted bail, the plea has become infructuous. On October 22, the court had asked Khan to appear before it on November 13 to respond to the application filed by his advocate seeking his discharge from the case. "Despite our order dated October 22, the writ petitioner (Khan) has chosen not to appear before this court to respond to the application for discharge filed by Sunil Fernandes, advocate on record for the petitioner. "In the circumstances, the writ petition is dismissed for non-prosecution," the bench said in its November 13 order. In his plea, Khan had alleged that Hussain was kept in illegal detention by police and was subjected to custodial torture. The apex court had earlier transferred the trial in the Kathua gang rape and murder case from Jammu and Kashmir to Pathankot in Punjab. The state police's crime branch had filed the main charge sheet against seven persons and a separate charge sheet against a juvenile in a court in Kathua district in the gang rape and murder case.

Supreme Court dismisses plea alleging custodial torture of key Kathua rape-murder case witness

Two terrorists were Sunday killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Based on a credible input about the presence of terrorists, a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces at dawn in Rebban area of Zainapora in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said.

He said as the search operation was going on, the search party was fired&nbsp;upon by hiding terrorists.

The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter in which two terrorists were killed, the spokesman said.

He said the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter and their identities are being ascertained.

Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, the spokesman said, adding police have registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter.

No collateral damage took place during the encounter, he said.&nbsp;

Two terrorists were Sunday killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Based on a credible input about the presence of terrorists, a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces at dawn in Rebban area of Zainapora in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said.

Two terrorists were Sunday killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Based on a credible input about the presence of terrorists, a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces at dawn in Rebban area of Zainapora in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said. He said as the search operation was going on, the search party was fired upon by hiding terrorists. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter in which two terrorists were killed, the spokesman said. He said the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter and their identities are being ascertained. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, the spokesman said, adding police have registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter. No collateral damage took place during the encounter, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists killed in encounter

The Jammu and Kashmir police recovered a bullet-riddled body of a civilian in Pulwama district; news agency ANi reported.

According to report the civilian, identified as Nadeem Manzoor was a resident of Safanagri Shopian. He was forcibly abducted and killed by the terrorists.

His bullet-riddled body was retrieved by police from Kilora, Pulwama.

The incident occurred in the intervening night of November 15-16.&nbsp;

The local police have&nbsp;registered a case and the investigation is underway.

The Jammu and Kashmir police recovered a bullet-riddled body of a civilian in Pulwama district; news agency ANi reported. According to report the civilian, identified as Nadeem Manzoor was a resident of Safanagri Shopian.

The Jammu and Kashmir police recovered a bullet-riddled body of a civilian in Pulwama district; news agency ANi reported. According to report the civilian, identified as Nadeem Manzoor was a resident of Safanagri Shopian. He was forcibly abducted and killed by the terrorists. His bullet-riddled body was retrieved by police from Kilora, Pulwama. The incident occurred in the intervening night of November 15-16. The local police have registered a case and the investigation is underway.

J&K: Terrorists forcibly abduct and kill civillian in Pulwama

The NIA Wednesday filed a charge sheet against pro-Pakistani separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat head Aasiya Andrabi and two of her associates for allegedly "waging war" against the country using social media and other Internet platforms, officials said.

In a statement, the NIA's spokesman said Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Naheeda Nasreen were using various media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TV channels including some in Pakistan to spread "insurrectionary imputations and hateful messages and speeches against India.&nbsp;

The Dukhtaran-E-Millat, which has been banned as a terrorist organisation, through Andrabi and others, openly advocates secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India and its merger with Pakistan through violent means.&nbsp;

The NIA Wednesday filed a charge sheet against pro-Pakistani separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat head Aasiya Andrabi and two of her associates for allegedly "waging war" against the country using social media and other Internet platforms, officials said.

The NIA Wednesday filed a charge sheet against pro-Pakistani separatist and Dukhtaran-e-Millat head Aasiya Andrabi and two of her associates for allegedly "waging war" against the country using social media and other Internet platforms, officials said. In a statement, the NIA's spokesman said Andrabi, Sofi Fehmeeda and Naheeda Nasreen were using various media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TV channels including some in Pakistan to spread "insurrectionary imputations and hateful messages and speeches against India. The Dukhtaran-E-Millat, which has been banned as a terrorist organisation, through Andrabi and others, openly advocates secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India and its merger with Pakistan through violent means.

NIA files charge sheet against Kashmiri separatist Aasiya Andrabi, 2 others

Security forces gunned down two terrorists and foiled an infiltration attempt at Keran sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported adding that an operation is underway.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in another encounter between security forces and terrorists in Akhnoor sector, a Pakistani militant was killed today afternoon. According to reports, arms and ammunition have been recovered by security forces.&nbsp;

The area has been cordoned off; search and destroy operation is still in progress, Defence PRO told media today.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Jammu &amp; Kashmir: Two terrorists killed while attempting to infiltrate in Keren sector of Kupwara district; Operation underway <a href="https://t.co/vZ4EL0j1a2">pic.twitter.com/vZ4EL0j1a2</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062328237014040577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Sunday, a group of terrorists attacked a police party in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara. According to reports, the police gunned down one terrorist.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
In an encounter between security forces &amp; terrorists in Akhnoor sector, Pakistani terrorist eliminated at around 01:50 pm today. Arms &amp; ammunition recovered. The entire area has been cordoned off; search &amp; destroy operation is still in progress: Defence PRO. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/L5arFXUQ4C">pic.twitter.com/L5arFXUQ4C</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1062320742807810049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Police retaliated when terrorists mounted an attack on a check-post at Handwara bypass, triggering a gunfight. The deceased terrorist was identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan, affiliated to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.&nbsp;

Security forces gunned down two terrorists and foiled an infiltration attempt at Keran sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported adding that an operation is underway.

Security forces gunned down two terrorists and foiled an infiltration attempt at Keran sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported adding that an operation is underway. Meanwhile, in another encounter between security forces and terrorists in Akhnoor sector, a Pakistani militant was killed today afternoon. According to reports, arms and ammunition have been recovered by security forces. The area has been cordoned off; search and destroy operation is still in progress, Defence PRO told media today. Jammu & Kashmir: Two terrorists killed while attempting to infiltrate in Keren sector of Kupwara district; Operation underway pic.twitter.com/vZ4EL0j1a2 — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × On Sunday, a group of terrorists attacked a police party in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara. According to reports, the police gunned down one terrorist. In an encounter between security forces & terrorists in Akhnoor sector, Pakistani terrorist eliminated at around 01:50 pm today. Arms & ammunition recovered. The entire area has been cordoned off; search & destroy operation is still in progress: Defence PRO. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/L5arFXUQ4C — ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018 × Police retaliated when terrorists mounted an attack on a check-post at Handwara bypass, triggering a gunfight. The deceased terrorist was identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan, affiliated to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

J&K: Security forces foil infiltration attempt, gun down two terrorists in Kupwara

A group of terrorists attacked a police party in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara on Sunday, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the police gunned down one terrorist, the exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists is underway.

Police retaliated when terrorists mounted an attack on a check-post at Handwara bypass, triggering a gunfight. The deceased terrorist has been identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan, affiliated to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuandKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuandKashmir</a>: One terrorist killed in the exchange of fire between terrorists and police in Handwara. Identity of the terrorist is being ascertained. Arms and ammunition recovered. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) <a href="https://t.co/mNpDsagHA9">pic.twitter.com/mNpDsagHA9</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061603280227389441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Jammu and Kashmir police has registered a case, an investigation is underway. Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the deceased terrorist, more details are awaited.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir, an Army soldier, lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera Sector, earlier today.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The terrorist who was killed during an exchange of fire between terrorists &amp; police in Handwara's Chattipora today, has been identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan. He was affiliated with terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed. Case registered and investigation underway: J&amp;K Police
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061644135902388224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On November 10, two terrorists were killed during an encounter with security forces in Tikken area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

A group of terrorists attacked a police party in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara on Sunday, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the police gunned down one terrorist, the exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists is underway.

A group of terrorists attacked a police party in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara on Sunday, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, the police gunned down one terrorist, the exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists is underway. Police retaliated when terrorists mounted an attack on a check-post at Handwara bypass, triggering a gunfight. The deceased terrorist has been identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan, affiliated to terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. #JammuandKashmir: One terrorist killed in the exchange of fire between terrorists and police in Handwara. Identity of the terrorist is being ascertained. Arms and ammunition recovered. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/mNpDsagHA9 — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018 × The Jammu and Kashmir police has registered a case, an investigation is underway. Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the deceased terrorist, more details are awaited. Meanwhile, Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir, an Army soldier, lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera Sector, earlier today. The terrorist who was killed during an exchange of fire between terrorists & police in Handwara's Chattipora today, has been identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan. He was affiliated with terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed. Case registered and investigation underway: J&K Police — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018 × On November 10, two terrorists were killed during an encounter with security forces in Tikken area of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. (With inputs from ANI)

J&K: One militant killed as Police, terrorists exchange fire in Handwara

An Army soldier was killed Saturday in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-1-bsf-soldier-killed-in-pakistani-sniper-fire-33527">sniper fire by Pakistani troops</a> along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

The spokesman identified the soldier as rifleman Varun Kattal (21), a resident of Mawa-Rajpura area of Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. He is survived by his parents, father Anchal Singh and mother Pinki Rani.

This was the second sniper attack along the LoC in two days. An Army porter lost his life in a similar attack in Akhnoor sector of Jammu Friday.

"At about 0945 hours, unprovoked ceasefire violation was initiated by Pakistan in Sunderbani sector in which one Army soldier was shot by a sniper from across the border and later succumbed to injuries at 11.10 AM," the spokesman said.

"Rifleman Kattal was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the spokesman said adding his martyrdom will not go in vain.

He said the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively on Pakistan army posts.

On October 21, three soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry regiment and two heavily-armed infiltrators, believed to be members of the Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistan army, and terrorists, were killed in Sunderbani sector.

On November 6, a soldier was injured when he was hit by a sniper from across the border at Kalal in Noushera sector of Rajouri, while a BSF jawan was injured in a separate incident of firing by Pakistan along the LoC in the Manjakote area of the Rajouri-Poonch sector Friday.

The number of ceasefire violations this year by Pakistan has been the highest in the past eight years.

The first seven months of this year saw 52 deaths and 232 people getting injured in 1,435 ceasefire violations in the state, according to an RTI reply by the Home Ministry.&nbsp;

An Army soldier was killed Saturday in sniper fire by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said.

An Army soldier was killed Saturday in sniper fire by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said. The spokesman identified the soldier as rifleman Varun Kattal (21), a resident of Mawa-Rajpura area of Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. He is survived by his parents, father Anchal Singh and mother Pinki Rani. This was the second sniper attack along the LoC in two days. An Army porter lost his life in a similar attack in Akhnoor sector of Jammu Friday. "At about 0945 hours, unprovoked ceasefire violation was initiated by Pakistan in Sunderbani sector in which one Army soldier was shot by a sniper from across the border and later succumbed to injuries at 11.10 AM," the spokesman said. "Rifleman Kattal was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the spokesman said adding his martyrdom will not go in vain. He said the Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively on Pakistan army posts. On October 21, three soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry regiment and two heavily-armed infiltrators, believed to be members of the Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistan army, and terrorists, were killed in Sunderbani sector. On November 6, a soldier was injured when he was hit by a sniper from across the border at Kalal in Noushera sector of Rajouri, while a BSF jawan was injured in a separate incident of firing by Pakistan along the LoC in the Manjakote area of the Rajouri-Poonch sector Friday. The number of ceasefire violations this year by Pakistan has been the highest in the past eight years. The first seven months of this year saw 52 deaths and 232 people getting injured in 1,435 ceasefire violations in the state, according to an RTI reply by the Home Ministry.

J&K: In 2nd attack in 2 days, Indian Army soldier killed in sniper fire along Line of Control

Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan government must to do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns to make way for a process of engagement on Kashmir, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said.

The senior Kashmiri politician said that while a one-off summit-based approach is not the answer, any hopes of a proper dialogue on the issue, "insulated from forces that are inimical to a dialogue on both sides of the border", would have to wait to be realised at the end of India's general election cycle in May 2019.

"While we are going through our election process, I think Pakistan needs to do a bit of soul searching in terms of addressing legitimate concerns that India has," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, who was in London to participate in an event organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) around changing the narratives within the India-Pakistan bilateral context, said the Pakistan government's decisions such as letting Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed "roam free" had proved a setback to the much-needed confidence building measures.

"The recent decision of the Imran Khan government to release 20 stamps on Kashmir does not help, when instead of confidence building measures we have steps that break confidence,"Abdullah said on the sidelines of the event in London on Friday.

The release of some 20 postal stamps, glorifying Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani and others, by Pakistan was one of the reasons India cited to call of a proposed meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in New York in September.

"Pakistan is our neighbour; whatever concerns we have with Pakistan, we have accepted that war is not an option. So, the only option available to us is talks. We need to resolve our differences through dialogue. But for that, at some stage, Pakistan will also have to take India's concerns on board," he said.

Abdullah also lamented the "vast gap" between the Government of India and its representative in Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, and the youth of J&amp;K, which needs to be narrowed urgently.

He said: "The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are perhaps more alienated today than they have been since the early 1990s; when educated youngsters and people with secure jobs are joining the ranks of militancy. And that's a very worrying sign.

"At the moment, it is about hoping that some smaller corrective measures can be taken now to reduce the levels of alienation, with a higher degree of engagement once we are through with this election cycle."&nbsp;

AS Dulat, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief who was among the participants at the IISS event, also expressed hope that dialogue would be re-initiated between India and Pakistan soon.

"We should talk and never stop talking. I remain optimistic on a solution in Kashmir," said Dulat, who pointed to former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula dating back to 2006 as a "good starting point".

"If that agreement had been worked out between (Gen Pervez) Musharraf and Dr Manmohan Singh, my assessment is that we would have had at least 15 years of peace in Kashmir," he said.

Congress party spokesperson Manish Tewari explained that the aim of the London event was to explore the building blocks of a narrative which can correct perceptions that India and Pakistan have about each other.

"There is a feeling that confidence building measures and the creation of a positive narrative have to precede conflict resolution. It is a step by step process and every incremental step would then add up to a whole," he said.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan government must to do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns to make way for a process of engagement on Kashmir, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan government must to do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns to make way for a process of engagement on Kashmir, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said. The senior Kashmiri politician said that while a one-off summit-based approach is not the answer, any hopes of a proper dialogue on the issue, "insulated from forces that are inimical to a dialogue on both sides of the border", would have to wait to be realised at the end of India's general election cycle in May 2019. "While we are going through our election process, I think Pakistan needs to do a bit of soul searching in terms of addressing legitimate concerns that India has," he said. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, who was in London to participate in an event organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) around changing the narratives within the India-Pakistan bilateral context, said the Pakistan government's decisions such as letting Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed "roam free" had proved a setback to the much-needed confidence building measures. "The recent decision of the Imran Khan government to release 20 stamps on Kashmir does not help, when instead of confidence building measures we have steps that break confidence,"Abdullah said on the sidelines of the event in London on Friday. The release of some 20 postal stamps, glorifying Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani and others, by Pakistan was one of the reasons India cited to call of a proposed meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in New York in September. "Pakistan is our neighbour; whatever concerns we have with Pakistan, we have accepted that war is not an option. So, the only option available to us is talks. We need to resolve our differences through dialogue. But for that, at some stage, Pakistan will also have to take India's concerns on board," he said. Abdullah also lamented the "vast gap" between the Government of India and its representative in Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, and the youth of J&K, which needs to be narrowed urgently. He said: "The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are perhaps more alienated today than they have been since the early 1990s; when educated youngsters and people with secure jobs are joining the ranks of militancy. And that's a very worrying sign. "At the moment, it is about hoping that some smaller corrective measures can be taken now to reduce the levels of alienation, with a higher degree of engagement once we are through with this election cycle." AS Dulat, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief who was among the participants at the IISS event, also expressed hope that dialogue would be re-initiated between India and Pakistan soon. "We should talk and never stop talking. I remain optimistic on a solution in Kashmir," said Dulat, who pointed to former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula dating back to 2006 as a "good starting point". "If that agreement had been worked out between (Gen Pervez) Musharraf and Dr Manmohan Singh, my assessment is that we would have had at least 15 years of peace in Kashmir," he said. Congress party spokesperson Manish Tewari explained that the aim of the London event was to explore the building blocks of a narrative which can correct perceptions that India and Pakistan have about each other. "There is a feeling that confidence building measures and the creation of a positive narrative have to precede conflict resolution. It is a step by step process and every incremental step would then add up to a whole," he said.

Pakistan must do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns: Omar Abdullah

Security forces on Saturday gunned down two heavily armed terrorists hiding in a village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district, police said.

Receiving information about their presence in Tekkin village, a cordon and search operation was started that led the militants to fire at the forces.

Both were killed in the ensuing gun battle. Their identities are yet to be established.

Security forces recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition from the site of encounter, according to news agency ANI.

Security forces on Saturday gunned down two heavily armed terrorists hiding in a village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district, police said. Receiving information about their presence in Tekkin village, a cordon and search operation was started that led the militants to fire at the forces.

Security forces on Saturday gunned down two heavily armed terrorists hiding in a village in Jammu and Kashmir`s Pulwama district, police said. Receiving information about their presence in Tekkin village, a cordon and search operation was started that led the militants to fire at the forces. Both were killed in the ensuing gun battle. Their identities are yet to be established. Security forces recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition from the site of encounter, according to news agency ANI.

2 militants killed in Jammu and Kashmir encounter

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said.

He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.

"Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said.

The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity.

"We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added.

Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam.

"In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict".

"Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added.

Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed".

"The current situation is no different. People should remain watchful of crafty politicians who are products of these machinations. Self-respect and dignity of our state should not be bartered for a few pennies," he added.

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue. "Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said. He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. "Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said. The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity. "We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added. Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam. "In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict". "Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added. Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed". "The current situation is no different. People should remain watchful of crafty politicians who are products of these machinations. Self-respect and dignity of our state should not be bartered for a few pennies," he added.

Farooq Abdullah urges India, Pak to start sustained dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

Terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen's posters, asking people to stay away from the upcoming panchayat elections, have surfaced in Doda district, prompting the police to lodge a case against miscreants, an official said Sunday.

A case was registered Sunday on the surfacing of posters in Dhandal and Gurmal area of Kastigarh after which over a dozen suspected persons were rounded up for questioning, the official said.

The nine-phase village panchayat elections are scheduled to start in the state on November 17.

"Police received specific information about the pasting of some posters purportedly by banned Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group with the intention to disrupt the upcoming elections. The message on the posters asked prospective candidates not to participate in the panchayat election," he said.

He said the police swung into action and registered a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Ranbir Penal Code at Doda police station and started the investigation.

During the preliminary investigation, around 13 suspects were rounded up and questioned, the officer said, adding further probe is on in the matter. 
Some more suspects are likely to be questioned, he added.

Doda Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg visited the area Saturday and held a public meeting to reassure people not to be afraid of miscreants' threat and understand their designs, the officer said.

To restore the general public's confidence, the police have also launched regular patrolling in the area, besides conducting the police-community partnership group meetings in Dhandal and Kastigarh areas and assured them that the miscreants would be traced soon and booked, the official said.

Even as the local people continue to be upbeat about the elections, the police appealed to them to remain steadfast and participate in the democratic process without any fear "to frustrate the nefarious designs of the elements inimical to the peace and development", he said.

As many as 232 nominations have been filed in Kashtigarh block for 88 seats of panch and sarpanch of village panchayats.

Terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen's posters, asking people to stay away from the upcoming panchayat elections, have surfaced in Doda district, prompting the police to lodge a case against miscreants, an official said Sunday.

Terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen's posters, asking people to stay away from the upcoming panchayat elections, have surfaced in Doda district, prompting the police to lodge a case against miscreants, an official said Sunday. A case was registered Sunday on the surfacing of posters in Dhandal and Gurmal area of Kastigarh after which over a dozen suspected persons were rounded up for questioning, the official said. The nine-phase village panchayat elections are scheduled to start in the state on November 17. "Police received specific information about the pasting of some posters purportedly by banned Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group with the intention to disrupt the upcoming elections. The message on the posters asked prospective candidates not to participate in the panchayat election," he said. He said the police swung into action and registered a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Ranbir Penal Code at Doda police station and started the investigation. During the preliminary investigation, around 13 suspects were rounded up and questioned, the officer said, adding further probe is on in the matter. Some more suspects are likely to be questioned, he added. Doda Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg visited the area Saturday and held a public meeting to reassure people not to be afraid of miscreants' threat and understand their designs, the officer said. To restore the general public's confidence, the police have also launched regular patrolling in the area, besides conducting the police-community partnership group meetings in Dhandal and Kastigarh areas and assured them that the miscreants would be traced soon and booked, the official said. Even as the local people continue to be upbeat about the elections, the police appealed to them to remain steadfast and participate in the democratic process without any fear "to frustrate the nefarious designs of the elements inimical to the peace and development", he said. As many as 232 nominations have been filed in Kashtigarh block for 88 seats of panch and sarpanch of village panchayats.

Kashmir: Hizbul Mujahideen posters tell voters to stay away from panchayat polls

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik has said that the biometric details of Rohingya in the state will be collected in&nbsp;two months.

While addressing a press briefing Malik said, "Biometric details of Rohingyas will be collected within two months".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Biometric details of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rohingyas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rohingyas</a> will be collected within two months: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, in Jammu <a href="https://t.co/d6sbcfX6RC">pic.twitter.com/d6sbcfX6RC</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1059304562597785600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He also added that the state administration will try to create an atmosphere for holding talks with stakeholders in the next four to six months.

"I carry a mandate of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi to reach out to the people, make yourself available to them, do their work, ensure development of the state and create an atmosphere in which talks can be held," Malik told reporters here.

"Stone-pelting and militancy-related incidents have stopped. The civic polls were also held peacefully. Our policy is bringing us good results," he said.

Earlier Union Minister Rajnath Singh had directed the state governments to identify Rohingyas and carry out biometrics.

More than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017 after Myanmar's army launched a massive crackdown in its northern state. India and Bangladesh are known to have given shelter to a large number of Rohingya refugees.&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) had also sought immediate deportation of illegally settled Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from agencies)

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik has said that the biometric details of Rohingya in the state will be collected in two months. While addressing a press briefing Malik said, "Biometric details of Rohingyas will be collected within two months".

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik has said that the biometric details of Rohingya in the state will be collected in two months. While addressing a press briefing Malik said, "Biometric details of Rohingyas will be collected within two months". Biometric details of #Rohingyas will be collected within two months: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, in Jammu pic.twitter.com/d6sbcfX6RC — ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018 × He also added that the state administration will try to create an atmosphere for holding talks with stakeholders in the next four to six months. "I carry a mandate of (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi to reach out to the people, make yourself available to them, do their work, ensure development of the state and create an atmosphere in which talks can be held," Malik told reporters here. "Stone-pelting and militancy-related incidents have stopped. The civic polls were also held peacefully. Our policy is bringing us good results," he said. Earlier Union Minister Rajnath Singh had directed the state governments to identify Rohingyas and carry out biometrics. More than 650,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017 after Myanmar's army launched a massive crackdown in its northern state. India and Bangladesh are known to have given shelter to a large number of Rohingya refugees. Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) had also sought immediate deportation of illegally settled Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in Jammu and Kashmir. (With inputs from agencies)

Biometric details of Rohingya in J&K will be collected within 2 months: Governor Satya Pal Malik

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter by security forces in Khudpora area of Shopian district on Saturday.

One terrorist's body was recovered on Saturday evening while the other terrorist`s body was found on the morning of Sunday. The deceased terrorists are from Shopian itself and have been identified as Mohd Irfan Bhat and Shahid Mir.

As per a statement released by the state's police, "A couple of terrorists managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen at the site."

Bhat was associated with terror outfit Hizb-ul Mujahideen since June 2017, while Mir, too, was involved in various terror activities.

Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the site of encounter.

Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation in the matter.

Security personnel have also appealed to the locals to not venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. Locals have been urged to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all explosives materials, if any.

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter by security forces in Khudpora area of Shopian district on Saturday. One terrorist's body was recovered on Saturday evening while the other terrorist`s body was found on the morning of Sunday.

Two terrorists were killed in an encounter by security forces in Khudpora area of Shopian district on Saturday. One terrorist's body was recovered on Saturday evening while the other terrorist`s body was found on the morning of Sunday. The deceased terrorists are from Shopian itself and have been identified as Mohd Irfan Bhat and Shahid Mir. As per a statement released by the state's police, "A couple of terrorists managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen at the site." Bhat was associated with terror outfit Hizb-ul Mujahideen since June 2017, while Mir, too, was involved in various terror activities. Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation in the matter. Security personnel have also appealed to the locals to not venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. Locals have been urged to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all explosives materials, if any.

Jammu and Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed in Shopian

An encounter broke out on Saturday between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, ANI reported.

The encounter broke out after the terrorists fired upon the forces who retaliated.

According to local newspaper's report, the security officials were conducting door to door search during which terrorists hiding in a house opened fire at them.

Security forces have cordoned off the area.

The gunfight is on and further details are awaited.

An encounter broke out on Saturday between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, ANI reported. The encounter broke out after the terrorists fired upon the forces who retaliated.

An encounter broke out on Saturday between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, ANI reported. The encounter broke out after the terrorists fired upon the forces who retaliated. According to local newspaper's report, the security officials were conducting door to door search during which terrorists hiding in a house opened fire at them. Security forces have cordoned off the area. The gunfight is on and further details are awaited.

Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter between security forces and terrorists underway in Shopian

After curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following BJP leader and his brother killing by militants on Thursday, the army was called on to maintain law and order in town, officials said.

State secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet were returning from their shop in Kishtwar when they were fired upon from close range at a dark, narrow lane leading to their house, the officials said.

The assailants were apparently waiting for the brothers to return home and used pistols to target them, they said.

The officials also mentioned that they were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead.

An order for imposition of the curfew was issued by Kishtwar District Magistrate A S Rana late in the night.

Tension mounted in the town as residents staged protests and manhandled policemen, including senior officials, prompting the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders under CRPC Section 144 and thus army was called to handle the situation.

After curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following BJP leader and his brother killing by militants on Thursday, the army was called on to maintain law and order in town, officials said.

After curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar following BJP leader and his brother killing by militants on Thursday, the army was called on to maintain law and order in town, officials said. State secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet were returning from their shop in Kishtwar when they were fired upon from close range at a dark, narrow lane leading to their house, the officials said. The assailants were apparently waiting for the brothers to return home and used pistols to target them, they said. The officials also mentioned that they were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them brought dead. An order for imposition of the curfew was issued by Kishtwar District Magistrate A S Rana late in the night. Tension mounted in the town as residents staged protests and manhandled policemen, including senior officials, prompting the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders under CRPC Section 144 and thus army was called to handle the situation.

Army called out to maintain peace after BJP leader Anil Parihar shot dead in J&K

Bodies of two terrorists have been recovered in Pulwama's Tral town following an exchange of fire between terrorists and security personnel, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday.

The police further informed that they have recovered arms and ammunition, including M4 and AK 47 rifles and other incriminating materials from the site of the encounter.

The dead terrorists have been identified as Showkat Ahmad, a resident of Tral, and Usman from Pakistan.

In its statement, the state police said, "The terrorists were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the same group was involved in a series of attacks and firing on the security forces'&nbsp;camp from a distance, in recent times. They were also involved in many other civilian atrocities in the area. The police investigation has started."

The Police have also cautioned citizens not to venture near the encounter zone as stray explosive materials can prove to be dangerous.

"People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosives materials if any," the police said. 
&nbsp;

Bodies of two terrorists have been recovered in Pulwama's Tral town following an exchange of fire between terrorists and security personnel, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday.

Bodies of two terrorists have been recovered in Pulwama's Tral town following an exchange of fire between terrorists and security personnel, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday. The police further informed that they have recovered arms and ammunition, including M4 and AK 47 rifles and other incriminating materials from the site of the encounter. The dead terrorists have been identified as Showkat Ahmad, a resident of Tral, and Usman from Pakistan. In its statement, the state police said, "The terrorists were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the same group was involved in a series of attacks and firing on the security forces' camp from a distance, in recent times. They were also involved in many other civilian atrocities in the area. The police investigation has started." The Police have also cautioned citizens not to venture near the encounter zone as stray explosive materials can prove to be dangerous. "People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosives materials if any," the police said.

J&K: Bodies of 2 terrorists, ammunition recovered in Tral

The desperation to see his parents prompted Jammu and Kashmir Police's sub-inspector Imtiyaz Ahmed Mir to shave off his beard and change appearance in his unsuccessful attempt to dodge militants who had laid a death trap for him in his village, his colleagues said on Sunday.

A peace votary, 30-year-old Mir was shot dead by militants at Wahibug in the militancy-infested Pulwama district of South Kashmir on Sunday afternoon when he was on his way home.

Posted in the CID department, Mir had been warned against venturing into his village as there was a possibility of an attack by militant groups, who have been targeting policemen in the state recently.

"I had told him that he should not go as militants could attack. But he was desperate to see his parents who reside at Sontabugh in the interiors of Pulwama district," recalled one of his supervising officers.

This morning as he was preparing to leave for home, he came with a changed appearance. He shaved off his beard and decided to use his personal vehicle to go to his native village, the officer said.

"Now they (militants) will not be able to recognise me" were possibly his last words to his officer before he left for home with a smiling face as he was seeing his parents after a long time.

Mir is survived by his father and mother.

A passionate officer, who was considered as an able person in handling operations, was pained to see his colleagues getting killed by militants, especially on the day of Shab-e-Qadar, the holiest night in the fasting month of Ramzan, when two policemen were killed in Pulwama.

After the killings, he wrote on his Facebook account on June 12: "So the job is done!!! Another feat achieved!! Once again the auspicious night became the victim!! Once again we will witness people justifying those dastardly acts!! Once again we will witness silence from the other camp!! Once again we will witness grand wreath laying ceremonies!! But who is going to tell the little children that their fathers were the victims.

How many lives more do you want!! How can a Muslim kill another one.... How could that killer eat sehri after making a child orphan!! Is there anyone who is going to fill the void !!!! For heaven's sake stop this mindless violence ... I don't blame anyone except India and Pakistan who are making merry in their own countries and killing people mindlessly !! Talk peace !! Talk peace !! talk peace!! Cant bear it now!!!"

Son of a retired police officer, Mir, who was from 2010 batch of sub-inspector, had served in Ganderbal district of South Kashmir for five years before being transferred to Kulgam district last year.

He was shifted to the CID department in March this year and his superiors recalled his dedication towards his work.

Militants have been targeting policemen in the state and killed two special police officer and a constable last month, triggering an unrest in the lower ranks of the force with some SPOs declaring their resignation on social media.

In fact, some militants had claimed that Mir had also submitted his resignation.

When the body of Mir was being brought to Pulwama district lines by a police team from Wahibugh, it was attacked by stone pelters as security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation in Chewa and the area where he was shot dead.

The police have also launched a probe to ascertain how the information about his journey to home had been leaked to militant groups, who had been waiting to ambush him at Wahibugh.

Reacting to the police officer's killing, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "Very unfortunate &amp; highly condemnable. These killings are aimed at destroying the morale of the police force &amp; we must guard against all such attempts. My heartfelt sympathies to the family and colleagues of Mir Imtiyaz."

A wreath-laying ceremony for Mir, who was killed "in a cowardly act of terror", was held at the District Police Lines in Pulwama, a spokesman said.

Civil and police officers led by Inspector General of Police S P Pani laid floral wreaths and paid rich tributes to the police officer, the spokesman said.

His Facebook page was full of condolence messages from his friends and others who remembered him as a soft gentleman.

Ranji cricketer from Kashmir Valley Samiullah Beg recalled his meeting with Mir, saying a "few years back, a good looking police officer came up to me amid a large public gathering, during my site visit in my area and asked for autograph. Surprised as I was, I enquired more and he turned out to be an ardent cricket fan from south Kashmir, who had followed my career from ab-initio. He had more knowledge of my cricketing milestones than even closest of my friends".

"Years later, today I saw his body on Facebook, being shot dead...Kashmiris are getting killed across the divide and their seems no immediate end to it. Unfortunate! Is the word."&nbsp;

The desperation to see his parents prompted Jammu and Kashmir Police's sub-inspector Imtiyaz Ahmed Mir to shave off his beard and change appearance in his unsuccessful attempt to dodge militants who had laid a death trap for him in his village, his colleagues said on Sunday.

The desperation to see his parents prompted Jammu and Kashmir Police's sub-inspector Imtiyaz Ahmed Mir to shave off his beard and change appearance in his unsuccessful attempt to dodge militants who had laid a death trap for him in his village, his colleagues said on Sunday. A peace votary, 30-year-old Mir was shot dead by militants at Wahibug in the militancy-infested Pulwama district of South Kashmir on Sunday afternoon when he was on his way home. Posted in the CID department, Mir had been warned against venturing into his village as there was a possibility of an attack by militant groups, who have been targeting policemen in the state recently. "I had told him that he should not go as militants could attack. But he was desperate to see his parents who reside at Sontabugh in the interiors of Pulwama district," recalled one of his supervising officers. This morning as he was preparing to leave for home, he came with a changed appearance. He shaved off his beard and decided to use his personal vehicle to go to his native village, the officer said. "Now they (militants) will not be able to recognise me" were possibly his last words to his officer before he left for home with a smiling face as he was seeing his parents after a long time. Mir is survived by his father and mother. A passionate officer, who was considered as an able person in handling operations, was pained to see his colleagues getting killed by militants, especially on the day of Shab-e-Qadar, the holiest night in the fasting month of Ramzan, when two policemen were killed in Pulwama. After the killings, he wrote on his Facebook account on June 12: "So the job is done!!! Another feat achieved!! Once again the auspicious night became the victim!! Once again we will witness people justifying those dastardly acts!! Once again we will witness silence from the other camp!! Once again we will witness grand wreath laying ceremonies!! But who is going to tell the little children that their fathers were the victims. How many lives more do you want!! How can a Muslim kill another one.... How could that killer eat sehri after making a child orphan!! Is there anyone who is going to fill the void !!!! For heaven's sake stop this mindless violence ... I don't blame anyone except India and Pakistan who are making merry in their own countries and killing people mindlessly !! Talk peace !! Talk peace !! talk peace!! Cant bear it now!!!" Son of a retired police officer, Mir, who was from 2010 batch of sub-inspector, had served in Ganderbal district of South Kashmir for five years before being transferred to Kulgam district last year. He was shifted to the CID department in March this year and his superiors recalled his dedication towards his work. Militants have been targeting policemen in the state and killed two special police officer and a constable last month, triggering an unrest in the lower ranks of the force with some SPOs declaring their resignation on social media. In fact, some militants had claimed that Mir had also submitted his resignation. When the body of Mir was being brought to Pulwama district lines by a police team from Wahibugh, it was attacked by stone pelters as security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation in Chewa and the area where he was shot dead. The police have also launched a probe to ascertain how the information about his journey to home had been leaked to militant groups, who had been waiting to ambush him at Wahibugh. Reacting to the police officer's killing, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "Very unfortunate & highly condemnable. These killings are aimed at destroying the morale of the police force & we must guard against all such attempts. My heartfelt sympathies to the family and colleagues of Mir Imtiyaz." A wreath-laying ceremony for Mir, who was killed "in a cowardly act of terror", was held at the District Police Lines in Pulwama, a spokesman said. Civil and police officers led by Inspector General of Police S P Pani laid floral wreaths and paid rich tributes to the police officer, the spokesman said. His Facebook page was full of condolence messages from his friends and others who remembered him as a soft gentleman. Ranji cricketer from Kashmir Valley Samiullah Beg recalled his meeting with Mir, saying a "few years back, a good looking police officer came up to me amid a large public gathering, during my site visit in my area and asked for autograph. Surprised as I was, I enquired more and he turned out to be an ardent cricket fan from south Kashmir, who had followed my career from ab-initio. He had more knowledge of my cricketing milestones than even closest of my friends". "Years later, today I saw his body on Facebook, being shot dead...Kashmiris are getting killed across the divide and their seems no immediate end to it. Unfortunate! Is the word."

J&K cop killed by militants was desperate to meet parents, shaved beard to change look 

Army Chief Bipin Rawat accused Pakistan Saturday of wanting to stall&nbsp;development in Kashmir.

Rawat, who was visiting the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi on Infantry Day, said&nbsp;Pakistan was fully aware that "they can never succeed", and that therefore "terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling".

He added that the "Indian state is strong enough to counter everything".

"Pakistan is fully aware they can never succeed, terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling. They want to stall development in Kashmir but Indian state is strong enough to counter everything, and we are fully capable of carrying out different ops," Rawat said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Pakistan is fully aware they can never succeed, terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling. They want to stall development in Kashmir but Indian state is strong enough to counter everything, and we are fully capable of carrying out different ops: Army Chief Bipin Rawat <a href="https://t.co/PZC28d4Nrn">pic.twitter.com/PZC28d4Nrn</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1056040275901140993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Rawat also attacked stone pelters in Kashmir for the killing of a&nbsp;soldier Friday.&nbsp; Rajendra Singh died in Anantnag after being hit on the head.&nbsp;

"Jawan who lost his life after being attacked by stone pelters was guarding a border roads team which was constructing roads, and then we have some people saying don't treat stone pelters like OGWs(over ground workers) of terrorists," Rawat said.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat pays tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InfantryDay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InfantryDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/VAN7IEQu3E">pic.twitter.com/VAN7IEQu3E</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1056027560641994753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Singh had been part of a Quick Reaction Team providing security to a Border Roads Organisation convoy. He was hit on the head after some unidentified persons threw stones at the convoy as it was passing.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Army Chief Bipin Rawat accused Pakistan Saturday of wanting to stall development in Kashmir. Rawat, who was visiting the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi on Infantry Day, said Pakistan was fully aware that "they can never succeed", and that therefore "terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling".

Army Chief Bipin Rawat accused Pakistan Saturday of wanting to stall development in Kashmir. Rawat, who was visiting the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Delhi on Infantry Day, said Pakistan was fully aware that "they can never succeed", and that therefore "terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling". He added that the "Indian state is strong enough to counter everything". "Pakistan is fully aware they can never succeed, terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling. They want to stall development in Kashmir but Indian state is strong enough to counter everything, and we are fully capable of carrying out different ops," Rawat said. Pakistan is fully aware they can never succeed, terror is another way by them to keep the pot boiling. They want to stall development in Kashmir but Indian state is strong enough to counter everything, and we are fully capable of carrying out different ops: Army Chief Bipin Rawat pic.twitter.com/PZC28d4Nrn — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2018 × Rawat also attacked stone pelters in Kashmir for the killing of a soldier Friday. Rajendra Singh died in Anantnag after being hit on the head. "Jawan who lost his life after being attacked by stone pelters was guarding a border roads team which was constructing roads, and then we have some people saying don't treat stone pelters like OGWs(over ground workers) of terrorists," Rawat said. Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat pays tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti on #InfantryDay pic.twitter.com/VAN7IEQu3E — ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2018 × Singh had been part of a Quick Reaction Team providing security to a Border Roads Organisation convoy. He was hit on the head after some unidentified persons threw stones at the convoy as it was passing.

Pakistan wants to stall development in Kashmir: Army Chief Bipin Rawat

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowgam area after a terrorist lobbed a grenade at him.

The CISF officer, Rajesh Kumar, deployed at Wagoora, Nowgam got wounded on Friday night. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The area has been cordoned off.

Further details are awaited.

On Friday, Rajendra Singh, an army soldier of the Quick Reaction Team, succumbed to his injuries in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Singh was hit on the head on Thursday when some unidentified persons hurled stones at the convoy passing through the Anantnag bypass tri-junction.

Besides Singh, two other soldiers were also killed in Sopore and Tral in two separate incidents in the past two days.&nbsp;

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowgam area after a terrorist lobbed a grenade at him.

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowgam area after a terrorist lobbed a grenade at him. The CISF officer, Rajesh Kumar, deployed at Wagoora, Nowgam got wounded on Friday night. He later succumbed to his injuries. The area has been cordoned off. Further details are awaited. On Friday, Rajendra Singh, an army soldier of the Quick Reaction Team, succumbed to his injuries in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. Singh was hit on the head on Thursday when some unidentified persons hurled stones at the convoy passing through the Anantnag bypass tri-junction. Besides Singh, two other soldiers were also killed in Sopore and Tral in two separate incidents in the past two days.

Jammu and Kashmir: CISF Assistant Sub-Inspector killed in grenade attack

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said the people of Kashmir ought to stand with the government and not with the separatists in the fight against terrorism.

"I think it is absolutely essential for all of us ...That in this battle, we need the Kashmiri people on our side. It's a battle for sovereignty, it's a battle against separatists and terrorists and the key is also held by the people," he said.

"And therefore our approach has to be guided by the fact that those people are on our side, and not with the separatists," he said while delivering the first Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture here.

He regretted that at a time when the country is dealing with troubles being fomented from across the border, some local groups have joined them and the worst sufferers are Kashmiri people themselves.

"How do we resolve the situation&nbsp;Governments have said that we are ready for the most logical option. We are willing to talk to people, we are willing to even interact and involve regional mainstream parties into it," he said.

Jaitley also said that mainstream regional parties, which speak one language in Srinagar and another in Delhi, must have the courage to face the situation.

They need to create an alternative set of discourse in the Valley for separatists, he said adding "Unfortunately they duck that responsibility. And therefore this is a battle which India has to win and I have no doubt in mind, we will succeed in it at the end of the day because the politics of India has to send a clear message that separatism will never be accepted by India and its mainstream".

He said that every policy and position that the government takes have to be guided by one of the yardsticks that "the people of Kashmir have to be gradually brought on this side and that will be the real test of when we succeed".

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said the people of Kashmir ought to stand with the government and not with the separatists in the fight against terrorism.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said the people of Kashmir ought to stand with the government and not with the separatists in the fight against terrorism. "I think it is absolutely essential for all of us ...That in this battle, we need the Kashmiri people on our side. It's a battle for sovereignty, it's a battle against separatists and terrorists and the key is also held by the people," he said. "And therefore our approach has to be guided by the fact that those people are on our side, and not with the separatists," he said while delivering the first Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture here. He regretted that at a time when the country is dealing with troubles being fomented from across the border, some local groups have joined them and the worst sufferers are Kashmiri people themselves. "How do we resolve the situation Governments have said that we are ready for the most logical option. We are willing to talk to people, we are willing to even interact and involve regional mainstream parties into it," he said. Jaitley also said that mainstream regional parties, which speak one language in Srinagar and another in Delhi, must have the courage to face the situation. They need to create an alternative set of discourse in the Valley for separatists, he said adding "Unfortunately they duck that responsibility. And therefore this is a battle which India has to win and I have no doubt in mind, we will succeed in it at the end of the day because the politics of India has to send a clear message that separatism will never be accepted by India and its mainstream". He said that every policy and position that the government takes have to be guided by one of the yardsticks that "the people of Kashmir have to be gradually brought on this side and that will be the real test of when we succeed".

Kashmiri people should stand with Government, not with separatists in fight against terrorism: Arun Jaitley

jammu-and-kashmir

Jammu And Kashmir, News on Jammu And Kashmir, stories on Jammu And Kashmir, articles on Jammu And Kashmir, Jammu And Kashmir stories at Wion, Jammu And Kashmir news, Jammu And Kashmir latest news

jammu and-kashmir

J&K: 6 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Shopian's Kapran Batagund

Governor rule in J&K 'de facto' Modi rule, says Congress as it seeks fresh polls soon

Video: 6 terrorists gunned down in J&K's Anantnag encounter; search operation underway

Everyone should be given a chance in J&K

J&K polls to be held before May, could be before general elections: CEC Rawat

Jammu and Kashmir governor is a 'slave' to Centre: Farooq Abdullah

'Good luck to us': Omar Abdullah day after Governor dissolves J&K assembly

End of honeymoon: Political McCarthyism bites BJP in Kashmir

PDP, NC, Congress join hands in Jammu & Kashmir, will try and form government

WION Dispatch: Terrorism hits a new low in Kashmir; Eight abducted, two killed

Police probing social media accounts propagating videos of 'executions' by terrorists: Kashmir IGP

Supreme Court dismisses plea alleging custodial torture of key Kathua rape-murder case witness

Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists killed in encounter

Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists killed in encounter

J&K: Terrorists forcibly abduct and kill civillian in Pulwama

NIA files charge sheet against Kashmiri separatist Aasiya Andrabi, 2 others

J&K: Security forces foil infiltration attempt, gun down two terrorists in Kupwara

J&K: One militant killed as Police, terrorists exchange fire in Handwara

J&K: In 2nd attack in 2 days, Indian Army soldier killed in sniper fire along Line of Control

Pakistan must do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns: Omar Abdullah

2 militants killed in Jammu and Kashmir encounter

Farooq Abdullah urges India, Pak to start sustained dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue

Kashmir: Hizbul Mujahideen posters tell voters to stay away from panchayat polls

Biometric details of Rohingya in J&K will be collected within 2 months: Governor Satya Pal Malik