As tensions continue to mount between India and Pakistan in the wake of September 18 terror attack on an Indian army base in Uri sector of Kashmir, China has assured unequivocal support to Pakistan against &quot;foreign aggression&rdquo;, Pakistan daily Dawn has reported.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;In case of any [foreign] aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan,&rdquo; consul general of China in Pakistan city of &nbsp;Lahore,Yu Boren, was quoted as saying by Punjab chief minister&#39;s office on Friday. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Beijing&#39;s top diplomat conveyed the message during a meeting with Punjab&nbsp;chief minister Shahbaz Sharif.&nbsp; 
 
According to press release issued by the chief minister&#39;s office, &nbsp;China also supports Pakistan&#39;s stance on Kashmir dispute.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We are and will be siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in (India)-held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris,&quot; Yu said, according to the report.&nbsp; 
 
The $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic border (CPEC) was another key issue discussed during the meet. According to the CM office, CPEC passes through a part of the disputed region in India because of which India has raised objections over the project.&nbsp; 
 
The Uri attack has triggered a fresh war of words between India and Pakistan. While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack on the army base in Uri that killed at least 18 Indian soldiers, Pakistan, denied the allegations and lashed out at India for pinning the blame without any proper investigation.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

The remark by a top Beijing diplomat comes amid mounting tensions between India, Pakistan after the Uri attack

As tensions continue to mount between India and Pakistan in the wake of September 18 terror attack on an Indian army base in Uri sector of Kashmir, China has assured unequivocal support to Pakistan against "foreign aggression”, Pakistan daily Dawn has reported. “In case of any [foreign] aggression our country will extend its full support to Pakistan,” consul general of China in Pakistan city of Lahore,Yu Boren, was quoted as saying by Punjab chief minister's office on Friday. Beijing's top diplomat conveyed the message during a meeting with Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. According to press release issued by the chief minister's office, China also supports Pakistan's stance on Kashmir dispute. "We are and will be siding with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. There is no justification for atrocities on unarmed Kashmiris in (India)-held Kashmir and the Kashmir dispute should be solved in accordance with aspirations of the Kashmiris," Yu said, according to the report. The $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic border (CPEC) was another key issue discussed during the meet. According to the CM office, CPEC passes through a part of the disputed region in India because of which India has raised objections over the project. The Uri attack has triggered a fresh war of words between India and Pakistan. While India has blamed Pakistan for the militant attack on the army base in Uri that killed at least 18 Indian soldiers, Pakistan, denied the allegations and lashed out at India for pinning the blame without any proper investigation. (WION with inputs from PTI)

China assures Pakistan of support against 'foreign aggression'

The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday rejected the Indian authorities blaming Islamabad for the Uri terror strike as &quot;unfounded, baseless and uninvestigated&quot; accusations. 
 
&quot;Minutes after the attack, the Indian authorities blamed Pakistan for the incident without even investigating the matter. I would like to refer you to Adviser Sartaj Aziz&#39;s recent statement that &#39;it is either a strategy or a matter of habit on their part to blame Pakistan for any incident in India, especially in the Kashmir Valley&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We totally reject these unfounded, baseless and uninvestigated accusations levelled against Pakistan,&quot; said MoFA spokesperson Nafees Zakaria during a weekly media briefing. 
 
When a reporter asked about the military movement/preparedness on the Line of Control (LoC), especially when there are reports of Pakistan&#39;s airspace closing down in the northern areas, and reports about India&#39;s military repositioning at Uri, the spokesman said: &quot;You referred to some exercises on Pakistan&#39;s side. Let me tell you that these are routine exercises. With regard to the other part of your question, we have seen all those inflammatory and irresponsible statements emanating from India coupled with hype created by the Indian media. Pakistan is a peace loving country, and we pursue our Prime Minister&#39;s vision of peaceful neighbourhood. Having said that let me be clear that our armed forces and the entire nation of Pakistan remain ready to defend our country&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. They were part of routine exercises, which we undertake regularly.&quot; 
 
Responding to a question on whether there is any chance of Pakistan taking part in the investigation of the Uri attack, &quot;You have seen our spirit of cooperation. When the Indians approached us with the formal requests in the case of Mumbai attacks, we extended full cooperation despite the fact that it was India, which was lacking in terms of responding to Pakistan&#39;s requirements. In case of Pathankot attack, we also sent our team over there. Thus, we have extended cooperation in the two instances.&quot; 
 
Asked about some media reports that India may not turn up at the upcoming SAARC Summit, he said, &quot;About participation in SAARC, what you are referring to are media reports, on which I would not comment. We have not received any official intimation in this regard.&quot; 
 
He said he was not aware of any official intimation regarding Prime Minster Narendra Modi&#39;s not attending the upcoming SAARC Summit. Talking about the Pakistani police&#39;s apprehending a number of terrorists allegedly with Indian-made weapons, he said, &quot;We have been consistently highlighting India&#39;s role in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan. You may recall that few months back, our law enforcement agencies apprehended a RAW operative who confessed Indian role in terrorist activities in Pakistan especially in Balochistan and Karachi.&quot; 
 
&quot;The recent statement by the Indian Prime Minister on the Independence Day of India was yet another proof of Indian involvement in perpetrating terrorism and terror financing in Pakistan. We have shared dossiers last year with the UN Secretary General as well as the US Government in this regard. We will keep the international community informed regarding fresh evidences, indicating Indian involvement in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan.&quot; 
 
Answering a question on BLA chief Brahamdagh Bugti seeking asylum in India, the MoFA spokesman said, &quot;We have seen the media reports in this regard, such developments add to the fact that India is deeply involved in stirring up situation in Balochistan through terror financing and perpetrating terrorism in Pakistan.&quot; 
 
Reacting to US Congressmen like Bob Corner and State officials like spokesperson Richard Olson being critical of Pakistan, he said, &quot;Where there are numerous friends of Pakistan in the US ranks, there are some odd detractors as well. Pakistan&#39;s leadership has, time and again, reiterated our resolve not to allow anyone to use Pakistan&#39;s territory for planning or staging terrorist activities against any other country. Through successful operation Zarb-e-Azb, we have been able to clear FATA of all terrorist groups without discrimination. As part of the National Action Plan, Pakistan has also carried out intelligence-driven law enforcement operations indiscriminately against terrorist elements. There is widespread recognition and appreciation of the world, including the US, on Pakistan&#39;s successes as well as our sacrifices in the counterterrorism efforts.&quot; 
 
When asked how many countries were supporting Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Zakaria said, &quot;A large number of countries have supported Pakistan on Kashmir. OIC alone is a conglomerate of 57 countries, which has supported Kashmiris&#39; indigenous struggle in unequivocal terms. I would also refer to Premier Li Keqiang&#39;s statement of yesterday, in which he has reassured Pakistan of China&#39;s full support on our stance on Kashmir, and has called on the international community to recognise the severity of the issue. The Italian Defence Minister, on her recent visit to Pakistan, condemned atrocities in Kashmir. She stressed that her country would not tolerate such incidents of gross human rights violations, and would take steps to sensitise people around the world about the grave situation in Kashmir.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)

'It is either a strategy or a matter of habit on their part to blame Pakistan for any incident in India, especially in the Kashmir Valley'

The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday rejected the Indian authorities blaming Islamabad for the Uri terror strike as "unfounded, baseless and uninvestigated" accusations. "Minutes after the attack, the Indian authorities blamed Pakistan for the incident without even investigating the matter. I would like to refer you to Adviser Sartaj Aziz's recent statement that 'it is either a strategy or a matter of habit on their part to blame Pakistan for any incident in India, especially in the Kashmir Valley'. "We totally reject these unfounded, baseless and uninvestigated accusations levelled against Pakistan," said MoFA spokesperson Nafees Zakaria during a weekly media briefing. When a reporter asked about the military movement/preparedness on the Line of Control (LoC), especially when there are reports of Pakistan's airspace closing down in the northern areas, and reports about India's military repositioning at Uri, the spokesman said: "You referred to some exercises on Pakistan's side. Let me tell you that these are routine exercises. With regard to the other part of your question, we have seen all those inflammatory and irresponsible statements emanating from India coupled with hype created by the Indian media. Pakistan is a peace loving country, and we pursue our Prime Minister's vision of peaceful neighbourhood. Having said that let me be clear that our armed forces and the entire nation of Pakistan remain ready to defend our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. They were part of routine exercises, which we undertake regularly." Responding to a question on whether there is any chance of Pakistan taking part in the investigation of the Uri attack, "You have seen our spirit of cooperation. When the Indians approached us with the formal requests in the case of Mumbai attacks, we extended full cooperation despite the fact that it was India, which was lacking in terms of responding to Pakistan's requirements. In case of Pathankot attack, we also sent our team over there. Thus, we have extended cooperation in the two instances." Asked about some media reports that India may not turn up at the upcoming SAARC Summit, he said, "About participation in SAARC, what you are referring to are media reports, on which I would not comment. We have not received any official intimation in this regard." He said he was not aware of any official intimation regarding Prime Minster Narendra Modi's not attending the upcoming SAARC Summit. Talking about the Pakistani police's apprehending a number of terrorists allegedly with Indian-made weapons, he said, "We have been consistently highlighting India's role in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan. You may recall that few months back, our law enforcement agencies apprehended a RAW operative who confessed Indian role in terrorist activities in Pakistan especially in Balochistan and Karachi." "The recent statement by the Indian Prime Minister on the Independence Day of India was yet another proof of Indian involvement in perpetrating terrorism and terror financing in Pakistan. We have shared dossiers last year with the UN Secretary General as well as the US Government in this regard. We will keep the international community informed regarding fresh evidences, indicating Indian involvement in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan." Answering a question on BLA chief Brahamdagh Bugti seeking asylum in India, the MoFA spokesman said, "We have seen the media reports in this regard, such developments add to the fact that India is deeply involved in stirring up situation in Balochistan through terror financing and perpetrating terrorism in Pakistan." Reacting to US Congressmen like Bob Corner and State officials like spokesperson Richard Olson being critical of Pakistan, he said, "Where there are numerous friends of Pakistan in the US ranks, there are some odd detractors as well. Pakistan's leadership has, time and again, reiterated our resolve not to allow anyone to use Pakistan's territory for planning or staging terrorist activities against any other country. Through successful operation Zarb-e-Azb, we have been able to clear FATA of all terrorist groups without discrimination. As part of the National Action Plan, Pakistan has also carried out intelligence-driven law enforcement operations indiscriminately against terrorist elements. There is widespread recognition and appreciation of the world, including the US, on Pakistan's successes as well as our sacrifices in the counterterrorism efforts." When asked how many countries were supporting Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Zakaria said, "A large number of countries have supported Pakistan on Kashmir. OIC alone is a conglomerate of 57 countries, which has supported Kashmiris' indigenous struggle in unequivocal terms. I would also refer to Premier Li Keqiang's statement of yesterday, in which he has reassured Pakistan of China's full support on our stance on Kashmir, and has called on the international community to recognise the severity of the issue. The Italian Defence Minister, on her recent visit to Pakistan, condemned atrocities in Kashmir. She stressed that her country would not tolerate such incidents of gross human rights violations, and would take steps to sensitise people around the world about the grave situation in Kashmir." (ANI)

India blaming Islamabad for Uri strike 'unfounded, uninvestigated' accusations: Pakistan ministry of foreign affairs

India today called Pakistan a &quot;terrorist state&quot; and accused it of carrying out &quot;war crimes&quot; against Indians through its &quot;long-standing policy&quot; of sponsoring terrorism, hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raked up Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session. 
 
In a strong rebuttal, India said the terrorists designated by the UN continued to roam Pakistan&#39;s streets freely and operate with State support. 
 
Exercising India&#39;s Right of Reply to Sharif&#39;s &quot;long tirade&quot; about the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, first secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Eenam Gambhir said &quot;the worst violation of human rights is terrorism.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
&quot;When practised as an instrument of state policy it is a war crime. What my country and our other neighbours are facing today is Pakistan&#39;s long-standing policy of sponsoring terrorism, the consequences of which have spread well beyond our region,&quot; she said. 
 
Gambhir said India sees in Pakistan &quot;a terrorist state&quot; which channelises billions of dollars, much of it diverted from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours. 
 
In a reference to terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, she said terrorist entities and their leaders, including many designated by the UN, continue to roam the streets of Pakistan freely and operate with State&#39;s support. 
 
&quot;With the approval of authorities, many terrorist organisations raise funds openly in flagrant violation of Pakistan&#39;s international obligations,&quot; Gambhir said. 
 
She said while Pakistan&#39;s nuclear proliferation record is marked by &quot;deception and deceit,&quot; it talks about restraint, renunciation and peace. 
 
&quot;Similar false promises it has made to us - the international community on terrorism. Perhaps renunciation of lies and self-restraint on threats could be a good place for Pakistan to start,&quot; Gambhir said. 
 
India also strongly slammed Sharif for glorifying Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed on July 8 by the Indian forces. 
 
&quot;Even today we have heard support by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a self-acknowledged commander of a known terrorist organisation,&quot; she said. 
 
Gambhir said Pakistan was a democracy deficit country and practises terrorism on its own people. 
 
&quot;It extends support to extremist groups, it suppresses minorities and women and denies basic human rights including through draconian laws,&quot; she added.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp;

India said the terrorists designated by the UN continued to roam Pakistan's streets freely and operate with State support.

India today called Pakistan a "terrorist state" and accused it of carrying out "war crimes" against Indians through its "long-standing policy" of sponsoring terrorism, hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raked up Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly session. In a strong rebuttal, India said the terrorists designated by the UN continued to roam Pakistan's streets freely and operate with State support. Exercising India's Right of Reply to Sharif's "long tirade" about the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, first secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Eenam Gambhir said "the worst violation of human rights is terrorism." "When practised as an instrument of state policy it is a war crime. What my country and our other neighbours are facing today is Pakistan's long-standing policy of sponsoring terrorism, the consequences of which have spread well beyond our region," she said. Gambhir said India sees in Pakistan "a terrorist state" which channelises billions of dollars, much of it diverted from international aid, to training, financing and supporting terrorist groups as militant proxies against it neighbours. In a reference to terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, she said terrorist entities and their leaders, including many designated by the UN, continue to roam the streets of Pakistan freely and operate with State's support. "With the approval of authorities, many terrorist organisations raise funds openly in flagrant violation of Pakistan's international obligations," Gambhir said. She said while Pakistan's nuclear proliferation record is marked by "deception and deceit," it talks about restraint, renunciation and peace. "Similar false promises it has made to us - the international community on terrorism. Perhaps renunciation of lies and self-restraint on threats could be a good place for Pakistan to start," Gambhir said. India also strongly slammed Sharif for glorifying Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed on July 8 by the Indian forces. "Even today we have heard support by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a self-acknowledged commander of a known terrorist organisation," she said. Gambhir said Pakistan was a democracy deficit country and practises terrorism on its own people. "It extends support to extremist groups, it suppresses minorities and women and denies basic human rights including through draconian laws," she added. (PTI)

India to UN: Pakistan is a 'terrorist state', carries out war crimes

Pakistan will not be sending its intelligence chief to India to attend a conference of top security experts of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries that starts Thursday, Indian news agency PTI reported today.&nbsp; 
 
As tensions continue to fester between two countries, especially in the wake of attack on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir Valley, director general of intelligence bureau of Pakistan, Aftab Sultan, will not attend the SAARC meeting and that country will be represented by an official of the Pakistan High Commission, a home ministry official has been quoted as saying.&nbsp; 
 
Intelligence chiefs of all other SAARC nations --Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives besides India --are set to participate in the two-day conference, being hosted by director of intelligence bureau Dineshwar Sharma.&nbsp; 
 
According to a statement issued by the home ministry, the aim of the meeting is to strengthen SAARC anti-terror mechanism.&nbsp; 
 
The agenda of the meeting includes functioning of SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk (STOMD) and the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD), countering terrorism and strengthening anti-terrorism mechanisms in SAARC, intelligence sharing and police cooperation, human resource development and relationship building, combating corruption and cyber crimes, among others.&nbsp; 
 
The first such meeting was held in New Delhi in February 2012. 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

Attack on Indian army base in Uri and continuing unrest in Kashmir has led to deterioration of bilateral relations between the two countries

Pakistan will not be sending its intelligence chief to India to attend a conference of top security experts of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries that starts Thursday, Indian news agency PTI reported today. As tensions continue to fester between two countries, especially in the wake of attack on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir Valley, director general of intelligence bureau of Pakistan, Aftab Sultan, will not attend the SAARC meeting and that country will be represented by an official of the Pakistan High Commission, a home ministry official has been quoted as saying. Intelligence chiefs of all other SAARC nations --Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives besides India --are set to participate in the two-day conference, being hosted by director of intelligence bureau Dineshwar Sharma. According to a statement issued by the home ministry, the aim of the meeting is to strengthen SAARC anti-terror mechanism. The agenda of the meeting includes functioning of SAARC Terrorist Offences Monitoring Desk (STOMD) and the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (SDOMD), countering terrorism and strengthening anti-terrorism mechanisms in SAARC, intelligence sharing and police cooperation, human resource development and relationship building, combating corruption and cyber crimes, among others. The first such meeting was held in New Delhi in February 2012. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan intelligence chief to skip SAARC meet in India

Making a statement during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Monday, India said that cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan was the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir. 
 
India said it firmly believes that a policy of &quot;zero tolerance&quot; against terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to its own people, a day after four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists killed 18 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir. 
 
&quot;India has been a long-suffering victim of terrorism emanating from our neighbourhood. The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan which is so ruthless that it doesn&#39;t shy away from using civilians and even children by putting them in harm&#39;s way, at the forefront of violent mobs instigated and supported by their handlers from across the border,&quot; said India. 
 
India also called upon the Council to urge Pakistan to dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism. 
 
&quot;It is time that moral and material support provided by Pakistan to the perpetrators of this continuing heinous violence on the Indian soil should attract this Council s attention,&quot; it added. 
 
India once again raised the &quot;blatant abuse and violation of human rights in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and in other parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan.&quot; 
 
India said it has moved beyond the country&#39;s domestic problem and was adversely impacting the stability of the entire region. 
 
&quot;Pakistan&#39;s continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardise the safety and security of its neighbouring countries.&quot; 
 
It added that the fact that known terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin have been able to hold huge rallies in Pakistan&#39;s main cities is a reflection of the state of affairs and can mean only one thing, an active support for such personalities and the designated organisations they lead in blatant disregard of rule of law is the new normal in Pakistan. 
 
&quot;Rather than internationalising issues with India, Pakistan should cleanse itself of its terrorists.&quot; 
 
India urged the Council to take a holistic view of this threat and not permit the use of terrorism as state policy to be masqueraded as advocacy of human rights. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

India's statement at the UNHRC said the policy of zero tolerance against terror is as much an international obligation as its own

Making a statement during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Monday, India said that cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan was the fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir. India said it firmly believes that a policy of "zero tolerance" against terrorism is as much an international obligation as it is a commitment to its own people, a day after four Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists killed 18 Indian army soldiers in Kashmir. "India has been a long-suffering victim of terrorism emanating from our neighbourhood. The fundamental reason for disturbances in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism promoted by Pakistan which is so ruthless that it doesn't shy away from using civilians and even children by putting them in harm's way, at the forefront of violent mobs instigated and supported by their handlers from across the border," said India. India also called upon the Council to urge Pakistan to dismantle the terrorism infrastructure and stop acting as an epicentre of terrorism. "It is time that moral and material support provided by Pakistan to the perpetrators of this continuing heinous violence on the Indian soil should attract this Council s attention," it added. India once again raised the "blatant abuse and violation of human rights in the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and in other parts of Pakistan, including Balochistan." India said it has moved beyond the country's domestic problem and was adversely impacting the stability of the entire region. "Pakistan's continued mistreatment of large parts of its own population has created a cauldron of tumult that has begun to jeopardise the safety and security of its neighbouring countries." It added that the fact that known terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin have been able to hold huge rallies in Pakistan's main cities is a reflection of the state of affairs and can mean only one thing, an active support for such personalities and the designated organisations they lead in blatant disregard of rule of law is the new normal in Pakistan. "Rather than internationalising issues with India, Pakistan should cleanse itself of its terrorists." India urged the Council to take a holistic view of this threat and not permit the use of terrorism as state policy to be masqueraded as advocacy of human rights. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India at UNHRC: Pakistan must stop acting as epicentre of terrorism

US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Pakistan to stop jihadists from using their country as safe havens. 
 
&quot;(Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) and Secretary Kerry expressed strong concern with recent violence in Kashmir - particularly the army base attack - and the need for all sides to reduce tensions,&quot;&nbsp;State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said, The Times of India reported. 
 
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner also urged India and Pakistan to &quot;work closely&quot; to tackle the menace in the subcontinent.&nbsp;&quot;We&#39;ve seen some progress; we want to see more,&quot; he said. 
 
The statements come a day after&nbsp;Kerry met Sharif yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nationas General Assembly (UNGA) session. 
 
Prime Minister Sharif on Monday sought help from the United States to resolve tensions between India and Pakistan, as he raised the issue of alleged human rights violations and killings in the Indian state of Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The Prime Minister said that more than 107 people have been assassinated in Kashmir, thousands injured and worst human rights violations are being committed at the state level,&quot; according to a readout of the meeting issued by Pakistan. 
 
Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York, amid a fresh war of words between Pakistan and India after terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in Kashmir. 
 
He urged Washington to &quot;play a role&quot; in the resolution of the long-standing dispute.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had two very productive meetings at the&nbsp;start of General Assembly visit with US Secretary of State John Kerry &amp; PM of New Zealand,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi tweeted. 
 
&quot;PM urged the US to play a role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and highlighted human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir,&quot; she said. 
 
Sharif told Kerry that he &quot;still remember President (Bill) Clinton&#39;s promise that the&nbsp;US will play its role to help out in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India.&quot; 
 
&quot;I expect US Administration and Secretary Kerry to use his good offices to help in resolving bilateral issues between Pakistan and India,&quot; the statement quoted Sharif as saying. 
 
Sharif had earlier called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council demanding that India should be forced to stop its alleged brutalities in Kashmir. 
 
He has said he will highlight the Kashmir issue in his address at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. 
 
Sunday&#39;s attack on the Indian army in Uri by terrorists has sparked outrage and triggered calls for Pakistan&#39;s diplomatic isolation. &nbsp; 
 
India claimed the items carried by the four terrorists had Pakistani markings and that the initial reports indicated they belonged to the&nbsp;Pakistan-based Jaish-E-Mohammed terrorist group. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The comment comes a day after Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry on sidelines of UN meet

US Secretary of State John Kerry has asked Pakistan to stop jihadists from using their country as safe havens. "(Pakistan) Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) and Secretary Kerry expressed strong concern with recent violence in Kashmir - particularly the army base attack - and the need for all sides to reduce tensions," State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said, The Times of India reported. US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner also urged India and Pakistan to "work closely" to tackle the menace in the subcontinent. "We've seen some progress; we want to see more," he said. The statements come a day after Kerry met Sharif yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nationas General Assembly (UNGA) session. Prime Minister Sharif on Monday sought help from the United States to resolve tensions between India and Pakistan, as he raised the issue of alleged human rights violations and killings in the Indian state of Kashmir. "The Prime Minister said that more than 107 people have been assassinated in Kashmir, thousands injured and worst human rights violations are being committed at the state level," according to a readout of the meeting issued by Pakistan. Sharif met US Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York, amid a fresh war of words between Pakistan and India after terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in Kashmir. He urged Washington to "play a role" in the resolution of the long-standing dispute. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had two very productive meetings at the start of General Assembly visit with US Secretary of State John Kerry & PM of New Zealand," Pakistan's envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi tweeted. "PM urged the US to play a role in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute and highlighted human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir," she said. Sharif told Kerry that he "still remember President (Bill) Clinton's promise that the US will play its role to help out in resolving bilateral disputes and issues between Pakistan and India." "I expect US Administration and Secretary Kerry to use his good offices to help in resolving bilateral issues between Pakistan and India," the statement quoted Sharif as saying. Sharif had earlier called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council demanding that India should be forced to stop its alleged brutalities in Kashmir. He has said he will highlight the Kashmir issue in his address at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. Sunday's attack on the Indian army in Uri by terrorists has sparked outrage and triggered calls for Pakistan's diplomatic isolation. India claimed the items carried by the four terrorists had Pakistani markings and that the initial reports indicated they belonged to the Pakistan-based Jaish-E-Mohammed terrorist group. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US urges Pakistan to do more to tackle terror menace

India is likely to raise the deadly Uri attack&nbsp;at the 71st United Nations General Assembly and highlight Pakistan&#39;s involvement in the terror strike.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;India will raise the matter in the UN General Assembly and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will strongly emphasise on Pakistan&#39;s involvement in her speech on 26th,&quot; Indian news agency ANI reported today quoting&nbsp;sources. 
 
Meanwhile, Indian interior minister today reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, &nbsp;a day after at least 17 Indian soldiers were left dead following a terror strike on Indian Army base in Uri. 
 
Expressing &#39;deep disappointment&#39; with Pakistan&#39;s continued and direct support to terrorism, Rajnath chaired a high-level meet in the presence of national security advisor Ajit Doval. 
 
Top officials of the ministries of home and defence, Indian Army, paramilitary forces and chiefs of intelligence agencies briefed Singh on the latest ground report in the Kashmir Valley as well as along the Line of Control, &nbsp;Indian news agency PTI reported quoting sources. &nbsp;He held a similar review meet on Sunday. 
 
A National Investigative Agency (NIA) team is expected to visit Uri in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to gather leads and other evidence from the terror attack site.
 
During the meeting, possible strategies to deal with the fresh challenges arising out of the terror attack at the Army Brigade Headquarters, located along the LoC, were also discussed the news agency said. 
 
Sources confirmed to the news agency that the interior minister and the top officials also reviewed the security situation across the country, particulary along the western border from northern Punjab state to western Gujarat. &nbsp; 
 
Indian home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, who postponed his visit to Srinagar, also attended the meeting. 
 
Following the attack, Rajnath had blamed the neighbouring country Pakistan for the terror strike while Pakistan refuted allegations.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indian interior minster Rajnath Singh branded Pakistan as a 'terrorist state' following the terror strike on Indian Army base

India is likely to raise the deadly Uri attack at the 71st United Nations General Assembly and highlight Pakistan's involvement in the terror strike. "India will raise the matter in the UN General Assembly and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will strongly emphasise on Pakistan's involvement in her speech on 26th," Indian news agency ANI reported today quoting sources. Meanwhile, Indian interior minister today reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a day after at least 17 Indian soldiers were left dead following a terror strike on Indian Army base in Uri. Expressing 'deep disappointment' with Pakistan's continued and direct support to terrorism, Rajnath chaired a high-level meet in the presence of national security advisor Ajit Doval. Top officials of the ministries of home and defence, Indian Army, paramilitary forces and chiefs of intelligence agencies briefed Singh on the latest ground report in the Kashmir Valley as well as along the Line of Control, Indian news agency PTI reported quoting sources. He held a similar review meet on Sunday. A National Investigative Agency (NIA) team is expected to visit Uri in the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to gather leads and other evidence from the terror attack site. During the meeting, possible strategies to deal with the fresh challenges arising out of the terror attack at the Army Brigade Headquarters, located along the LoC, were also discussed the news agency said. Sources confirmed to the news agency that the interior minister and the top officials also reviewed the security situation across the country, particulary along the western border from northern Punjab state to western Gujarat. Indian home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, who postponed his visit to Srinagar, also attended the meeting. Following the attack, Rajnath had blamed the neighbouring country Pakistan for the terror strike while Pakistan refuted allegations. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India to raise Uri attack in United Nations General Assembly

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s presence in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Pakistan remains doubtful amid strained Indo-Pak ties in the wake of Uri attack in Kashmir on Sunday and ongoing unrest in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
No decision has been taken as yet on Modi&#39;s participation in the summit scheduled to start on November 8 in Islamabad, Indian news agency ANI reported today quoting sources.&nbsp; 
 
At least 17 soldiers were killed and four militants were shot dead when gunmen attacked an Indian Army base &nbsp;in Uri area of Kashmir Valley on Sunday.&nbsp; 
 
While Modi condemned the attacks and assured that the perpetrators will not go &#39;unpunished&#39;, Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh branded Pakistan as a &#39;terrorist state&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has asserted that neighbouring country, Pakistan, will have to bear the brunt of Uri attacks in Kashmir, one of the deadliest raids on Indian Army base, that left at least 17 soldiers dead.&nbsp; 
 
Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi condemned the Uri terror attack and said: &nbsp;&quot;Today&#39;s incident of Uri is very unfortunate and painful. Now it is very clear from the observations of the military establishment that the terrorists were trained from Pakistan and they were heavily armed with well-equipped planning.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Following the terror strike, Indian Army claimed that weapons recovered from the site had Pakistan markings on them. Initial investigations by the Indian Army indicate the role of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan based&nbsp;terrorist group. Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations.&nbsp; 
 
The two countries have been at loggerheads with each-other following the outbreak of unrest in Kashmir Valley after death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
 
UN chief condemns Uri attacks&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, the terror strike has evoked widespread condemnation. &nbsp;UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he hopes the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and all involved will work for the re-establishment of stability and prevent further loss of life. 
 
&quot;The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace,&quot; a statement issued by Ban&#39;s spokesperson here said. 
 
He &quot;hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability,&quot; the statement said. 
 
Expressing his &quot;deepest sympathy and condolences&quot; to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India, Ban wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. 
 
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), also expressed solidarity with the people of India &quot;who have suffered a terrorist attack.&quot;, Indian news agency PTI reported today.&nbsp; 
 
 
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister pays tributes to martyrs 
 
Meanwhile, led by the chief minister of northernmost Jammu and Kashmir state Mehbooba Mufti, senior Indian Army and police officials paid tributes at the wreath laying ceremony for the 17 soldiers killed in the militant attack on an Army base in Uri. 
 
&quot;Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti laid wreaths on the coffins of the martyred soldiers at a somber ceremony held at headquarters of the Chinar Corps here at Badamibagh,&quot; an Army official was quoted as saying by Indian news agency PTI.&nbsp; 
 
The chief minister later visited the soldiers, injured in yesterday&#39;s attack, at the 92 Base Hospital of the Army, the official said. 
 
Following directions of Indian defence Minister Manohar Parikkar, the Army has made arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of all the martyrs directly to their respective hometowns. 
 
While two of the 17 soldiers hail from Jammu and Kashmir, rest of them belong to Uttar Pradesh (four), Bihar (three), Maharashtra (three), West Bengal (two), Jharkhand (two) and Rajasthan, according to the Indian news agency.&nbsp; 
 
Anti-Pakistan protests were also reported in the Jammu area of the northernmost state follow the terror attacks. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
 
&nbsp;

The terror strike in Uri on Sunday that killed at least 17 Indian soldiers has triggered a fresh war of words between India and Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Pakistan remains doubtful amid strained Indo-Pak ties in the wake of Uri attack in Kashmir on Sunday and ongoing unrest in the Valley. No decision has been taken as yet on Modi's participation in the summit scheduled to start on November 8 in Islamabad, Indian news agency ANI reported today quoting sources. At least 17 soldiers were killed and four militants were shot dead when gunmen attacked an Indian Army base in Uri area of Kashmir Valley on Sunday. While Modi condemned the attacks and assured that the perpetrators will not go 'unpunished', Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh branded Pakistan as a 'terrorist state'. The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has asserted that neighbouring country, Pakistan, will have to bear the brunt of Uri attacks in Kashmir, one of the deadliest raids on Indian Army base, that left at least 17 soldiers dead. Speaking to ANI, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi condemned the Uri terror attack and said: "Today's incident of Uri is very unfortunate and painful. Now it is very clear from the observations of the military establishment that the terrorists were trained from Pakistan and they were heavily armed with well-equipped planning." Following the terror strike, Indian Army claimed that weapons recovered from the site had Pakistan markings on them. Initial investigations by the Indian Army indicate the role of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan based terrorist group. Pakistan, however, has denied the allegations. The two countries have been at loggerheads with each-other following the outbreak of unrest in Kashmir Valley after death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. UN chief condemns Uri attacks Meanwhile, the terror strike has evoked widespread condemnation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he hopes the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and all involved will work for the re-establishment of stability and prevent further loss of life. "The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace," a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson here said. He "hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability," the statement said. Expressing his "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India, Ban wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), also expressed solidarity with the people of India "who have suffered a terrorist attack.", Indian news agency PTI reported today. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister pays tributes to martyrs Meanwhile, led by the chief minister of northernmost Jammu and Kashmir state Mehbooba Mufti, senior Indian Army and police officials paid tributes at the wreath laying ceremony for the 17 soldiers killed in the militant attack on an Army base in Uri. "Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti laid wreaths on the coffins of the martyred soldiers at a somber ceremony held at headquarters of the Chinar Corps here at Badamibagh," an Army official was quoted as saying by Indian news agency PTI. The chief minister later visited the soldiers, injured in yesterday's attack, at the 92 Base Hospital of the Army, the official said. Following directions of Indian defence Minister Manohar Parikkar, the Army has made arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of all the martyrs directly to their respective hometowns. While two of the 17 soldiers hail from Jammu and Kashmir, rest of them belong to Uttar Pradesh (four), Bihar (three), Maharashtra (three), West Bengal (two), Jharkhand (two) and Rajasthan, according to the Indian news agency. Anti-Pakistan protests were also reported in the Jammu area of the northernmost state follow the terror attacks. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Uri terror attack: Indian Prime Minister's SAARC appearance remains doubtful

India and Pakistan are gearing up for a stormy debate on Kashmir during a United Nations session on Wednesday (September 21). 
 
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to make the Kashmir issue central to&nbsp;his address next week&nbsp;at the&nbsp;United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).&nbsp; 
 
The Indian delegation, headed by foreign&nbsp;minister Sushma Swaraj, is expected to give a &quot;befitting&quot; reply to Pakistan&#39;s concerns. 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil ever since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down by Indian security forces on July 8. Hizbul Mujahideen is deemed as a terrorist organisation in India. 
 
Violent protests erupted across the India-administered&nbsp;Kashmir valley in the aftermath of Wani&#39;s killing.&nbsp; 
 
So far, 81 people have died during the unrest in the valley. A teenager named&nbsp;Momin Altaf Ganai became the latest casualty in the ongoing crisis, with&nbsp;Indian reports suggesting he succumbed to pellet injuries.&nbsp; 
 
On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif vowed to &quot;highlight&quot; the Kashmir issue after meeting Kashmiri leaders in Muzaffarabad.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office reasserted Sharif&#39;s intent to &quot;focus on the the continuing grave violations of human rights by Indian occupation forces&quot; in Kashmir. 
 
&ldquo;He (PM Sharif) will call upon the international community and the United Nations to live up to their promise [about] the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,&rdquo; the Foreign Office further said, according to Pakistani media. 
 
The Indian side, meanwhile, expects Pakistan to make &quot;provocative&quot; statements at the world meet but they are confident of &quot;effectively&quot; countering their claims. 
 
(WION)

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif is expected to make the Kashmir issue central to his address, India is preparing a 'befitting' reply

India and Pakistan are gearing up for a stormy debate on Kashmir during a United Nations session on Wednesday (September 21). Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to make the Kashmir issue central to his address next week at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Indian delegation, headed by foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, is expected to give a "befitting" reply to Pakistan's concerns. Kashmir has been on the boil ever since Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was gunned down by Indian security forces on July 8. Hizbul Mujahideen is deemed as a terrorist organisation in India. Violent protests erupted across the India-administered Kashmir valley in the aftermath of Wani's killing. So far, 81 people have died during the unrest in the valley. A teenager named Momin Altaf Ganai became the latest casualty in the ongoing crisis, with Indian reports suggesting he succumbed to pellet injuries. On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif vowed to "highlight" the Kashmir issue after meeting Kashmiri leaders in Muzaffarabad. Pakistan's Foreign Office reasserted Sharif's intent to "focus on the the continuing grave violations of human rights by Indian occupation forces" in Kashmir. “He (PM Sharif) will call upon the international community and the United Nations to live up to their promise [about] the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the Foreign Office further said, according to Pakistani media. The Indian side, meanwhile, expects Pakistan to make "provocative" statements at the world meet but they are confident of "effectively" countering their claims. (WION)

India-Pak set for showdown over Kashmir at UN General Assembly

We, all who love Kashmir, have to work towards its economic revival

Kashmir: The need to start a peace process

Normal life remained disrupted in the Kashmir valley for the 69th consecutive day today due to the separatist-sponsored strike and restrictions imposed by authorities for maintaining law and order. 
 
Restrictions have been imposed on movement and assembly of people in all parts of the Valley, except the Civil Lines area of Srinagar city, an Indian police official said. 
 
He said the situation across the Valley was peaceful so far. 
 
Security forces have been deployed in strength at vulnerable places in the Valley even as aerial surveillance using drones and helicopters continued, the official said. 
 
The Valley has witnessed protests and shutdown since July 9, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. 
 
The CRPF gave an account of the damage suffered by it in the Valley since yesterday. 
 
&quot;18 CRPF personnel injured &amp; 2 CRPF vehicles damaged in 34 incidents of stone pelting involving the Force in Kashmir Valley in past 24 hrs,&quot; it said in a tweet.&nbsp; 
 
Curfew in Jammu&#39;s Rajouri continues after rumours of &#39;sacrilegious act&#39;:&nbsp; 
 
Curfew remained in force today in Rajouri town of the district after members of two communities indulged in stone-pelting following rumours of a sacrilegious act. 
 
Police said the&nbsp;situation was under control in the border district of Jammu and Kashmir, where curfew was imposed last night after tension prevailed. 
 
Rajouri District Magistrate Shabir Ahmed Bhat said that camel meat was recovered from some passengers in a commercial vehicle which led to spread of rumours, following which clashes erupted in some parts of Rajouri town, prompting the district administration to impose curfew to avoid any loss of life and property. 
 
However, he said that there was no incident of sacrilege. 
 
(PTI)

Restrictions have been imposed on movement and assembly of people in most parts of the still violence-hit Valley

Normal life remained disrupted in the Kashmir valley for the 69th consecutive day today due to the separatist-sponsored strike and restrictions imposed by authorities for maintaining law and order. Restrictions have been imposed on movement and assembly of people in all parts of the Valley, except the Civil Lines area of Srinagar city, an Indian police official said. He said the situation across the Valley was peaceful so far. Security forces have been deployed in strength at vulnerable places in the Valley even as aerial surveillance using drones and helicopters continued, the official said. The Valley has witnessed protests and shutdown since July 9, following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. The CRPF gave an account of the damage suffered by it in the Valley since yesterday. "18 CRPF personnel injured & 2 CRPF vehicles damaged in 34 incidents of stone pelting involving the Force in Kashmir Valley in past 24 hrs," it said in a tweet. Curfew in Jammu's Rajouri continues after rumours of 'sacrilegious act': Curfew remained in force today in Rajouri town of the district after members of two communities indulged in stone-pelting following rumours of a sacrilegious act. Police said the situation was under control in the border district of Jammu and Kashmir, where curfew was imposed last night after tension prevailed. Rajouri District Magistrate Shabir Ahmed Bhat said that camel meat was recovered from some passengers in a commercial vehicle which led to spread of rumours, following which clashes erupted in some parts of Rajouri town, prompting the district administration to impose curfew to avoid any loss of life and property. However, he said that there was no incident of sacrilege. (PTI)

Kashmir: Normal life remains disrupted in Valley

Curfew was imposed tonight in Rajouri town of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday night in the wake of communal tensions.&nbsp; 
 
According to police, the curfew was imposed after tension prevailed between members of two communities in Rajouri town following a stone-pelting incident over the rumours of alleged sacrilegious act.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Curfew was imposed in the Rajouri town tonight. There were incidents of heavy stone-pelting and communal tension in the town,&quot; inspector general of police Johny William told PTI. 
 
&quot;The situation is tense but under control,&quot; William said. 
 
Rajouri district magistrate Shabir Ahmed Bhat said that camel meat was recovered from some passengers in a commercial vehicle which led to the spread of rumours, following which clashes erupted in some parts of Rajouri town, prompting the district administration to impose curfew to avoid any loss of life and property. 
 
An investigation has been initiated by the police into the alleged instigation of the mob which led to damage to property and a case has been registered in the matter.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from PTI)

The curfew was imposed after tension prevailed between the members of two communities over rumours of alleged sacrilegious act

Curfew was imposed tonight in Rajouri town of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday night in the wake of communal tensions. According to police, the curfew was imposed after tension prevailed between members of two communities in Rajouri town following a stone-pelting incident over the rumours of alleged sacrilegious act. "Curfew was imposed in the Rajouri town tonight. There were incidents of heavy stone-pelting and communal tension in the town," inspector general of police Johny William told PTI. "The situation is tense but under control," William said. Rajouri district magistrate Shabir Ahmed Bhat said that camel meat was recovered from some passengers in a commercial vehicle which led to the spread of rumours, following which clashes erupted in some parts of Rajouri town, prompting the district administration to impose curfew to avoid any loss of life and property. An investigation has been initiated by the police into the alleged instigation of the mob which led to damage to property and a case has been registered in the matter. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India: Curfew imposed in Rajouri town of Jammu and Kashmir amid communal tensions

A prominent Kashmiri activist was on Wednesday barred from boarding a flight headed out of New Delhi airport for Geneva. The group he represents said he held a valid visa and the move was aimed at denying human rights in Kashmir Valley. The northern-most Indian state has been witnessing violent protests and counter-strikes by security forces for over two months. 
&nbsp; 
Khurram Pervez is coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and &nbsp;was on his way to attend a UN Human Rights Council session from September 14-24 in Geneva, Switzerland. Pervez was expected to brief officials on the ongoing situation in Kashmir that has been reeling from daily protests and violence. 
 
He was not only blocked from boarding his flight, but also detained at Delhi&#39;s Indira Gandhi International airport. 
 
Pervez was reportedly told that his trip to Geneva was being stopped because of orders from India&#39;s Intelligence Bureau.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Khurram Parvez prevented from attending UN Human Rights Council Session by India 
 
Press Statement 
14 September... <a href="https://t.co/5EFwDJlbb0">https://t.co/5EFwDJlbb0</a>
&mdash; Khurram Parvez (@KhurramParvez) <a href="https://twitter.com/KhurramParvez/status/776034221164941312">September 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
&quot;It appears that Khurram Parvez is not being allowed to travel because he has been highlighting violations of human rights,&quot; Parvez Imroz, president of JKCCS, said in a statement. 
 
&quot;The Indian State seeks to isolate the people of... Kashmir at all costs, and disallowing human rights activists access to the UN is a part of this attempt to isolate and ensure impunity for violence and denial of human rights.&quot; 
 
More than 80 have died in violent skirmishes with the security forces since July 8 when a militant leader was shot dead by Indian soldiers during a gun battle. Kashmir has literally been under siege for two months and curfew was imposed on Eid for the first time in over two decades on Tuesday. 
 
(WION, with inputs from AFP)

Khurram Pervez was reportedly told his trip to Geneva was being stopped because of orders from India's Intelligence Bureau

A prominent Kashmiri activist was on Wednesday barred from boarding a flight headed out of New Delhi airport for Geneva. The group he represents said he held a valid visa and the move was aimed at denying human rights in Kashmir Valley. The northern-most Indian state has been witnessing violent protests and counter-strikes by security forces for over two months. Khurram Pervez is coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and was on his way to attend a UN Human Rights Council session from September 14-24 in Geneva, Switzerland. Pervez was expected to brief officials on the ongoing situation in Kashmir that has been reeling from daily protests and violence. He was not only blocked from boarding his flight, but also detained at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport. Pervez was reportedly told that his trip to Geneva was being stopped because of orders from India's Intelligence Bureau. Khurram Parvez prevented from attending UN Human Rights Council Session by India Press Statement 14 September... https://t.co/5EFwDJlbb0 — Khurram Parvez (@KhurramParvez) September 14, 2016 "It appears that Khurram Parvez is not being allowed to travel because he has been highlighting violations of human rights," Parvez Imroz, president of JKCCS, said in a statement. "The Indian State seeks to isolate the people of... Kashmir at all costs, and disallowing human rights activists access to the UN is a part of this attempt to isolate and ensure impunity for violence and denial of human rights." More than 80 have died in violent skirmishes with the security forces since July 8 when a militant leader was shot dead by Indian soldiers during a gun battle. Kashmir has literally been under siege for two months and curfew was imposed on Eid for the first time in over two decades on Tuesday. (WION, with inputs from AFP)

Kashmiri activist says blocked from leaving India

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday dedicated today&rsquo;s Eid-ul-Adha to the &ldquo;supreme sacrifices&rdquo; of Kashmiris. 
 
&ldquo;We cannot ignore sacrifices of Kashmiris. They will succeed through their sacrifices. We dedicate this Eid to the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiri people and we will continue doing so till the Kashmir issue is not resolved according to their (Kashmiri people) wishes,&rdquo; PTI reported Sharif as saying. 
 
He said that this was the third generation of Kashmiris sacrificing for freedom from India.&nbsp; 
 
The country&rsquo;s president, Mamnoon Hussain, too said that Pakistan must remember &ldquo;our Kashmiri brothers and sisters affected by terrorism&rdquo;. 
 
He said that it was not long before Kashmiri people would reap the &ldquo;dividends of their supreme struggle&rdquo;. 
 
Jammat-ud-Dawah chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed also prayed for the &quot;success of Kashmiris fighting against Indian forces.&quot; 
 
He urged the Nawaz government to take a strong stand on the issue help Kashmiris. 
 
India and Pakistan have been engaged in a verbal battle over the situation in Kashmir ever since the recent unrest broke out in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8. 
 
Sharif had earlier called for investigations into the &quot;atrocities&quot; committed by Indian forces, and an inquiry into the killing of Wani and implementation of UN resolutions. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Nawaz Sharif today said that Pakistan would continue to support Kashmir's struggle for freedom from India

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday dedicated today’s Eid-ul-Adha to the “supreme sacrifices” of Kashmiris. “We cannot ignore sacrifices of Kashmiris. They will succeed through their sacrifices. We dedicate this Eid to the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiri people and we will continue doing so till the Kashmir issue is not resolved according to their (Kashmiri people) wishes,” PTI reported Sharif as saying. He said that this was the third generation of Kashmiris sacrificing for freedom from India. The country’s president, Mamnoon Hussain, too said that Pakistan must remember “our Kashmiri brothers and sisters affected by terrorism”. He said that it was not long before Kashmiri people would reap the “dividends of their supreme struggle”. Jammat-ud-Dawah chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed also prayed for the "success of Kashmiris fighting against Indian forces." He urged the Nawaz government to take a strong stand on the issue help Kashmiris. India and Pakistan have been engaged in a verbal battle over the situation in Kashmir ever since the recent unrest broke out in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8. Sharif had earlier called for investigations into the "atrocities" committed by Indian forces, and an inquiry into the killing of Wani and implementation of UN resolutions. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan prime minister dedicates Eid to 'sacrifices' of Kashmiris

Kashmir Valley in India observed a blood-soaked Eid today as two youth were killed and several others were injured amid clashes between protesters and security forces.&nbsp; 
 
While one youth was killed in the Shopian district of South Kashmir, another youth was killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in border district of Bandipora.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Soon after the Eid prayers ended in Bandipora, a group of protestors started pelting stones at security forces who retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and pellet guns,&quot; a police official said. 
 
He said 20-year-old Murtaza Ahmed was hit by a tear smoke shell resulting in his death. Several others were injured in the security forces&#39; action in Bandipora town. 
 
Agitation erupted across the Valley despite a strict curfew in all ten districts.&nbsp; 
 
According to the reports, people defied the curfew and staged pro-freedom protests at different places. Protesters turned violent at some places and clashed with the security forces. 
 
All the roads leading to the United Nations Military Observers Group in Indian and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office at Sonawar have been sealed to thwart the Separatists&#39; Azadi March to submit a memorandum to the UN on the eve of the UN general assembly session. 
 
Meanwhile, the infiltration operation in Poonch district of Jammu entered into its third day today.&nbsp; 
 
Four militants and a cop have been killed while six people, including three army troops have been injured in the encounter which started on Sunday. Police suspects that one to two militants may still be holed up inside the under-construction mini Secretariat complex. 
 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Agitation erupted across the Valley after Eid prayers despite a strict curfew in all ten districts

Kashmir Valley in India observed a blood-soaked Eid today as two youth were killed and several others were injured amid clashes between protesters and security forces. While one youth was killed in the Shopian district of South Kashmir, another youth was killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in border district of Bandipora. "Soon after the Eid prayers ended in Bandipora, a group of protestors started pelting stones at security forces who retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and pellet guns," a police official said. He said 20-year-old Murtaza Ahmed was hit by a tear smoke shell resulting in his death. Several others were injured in the security forces' action in Bandipora town. Agitation erupted across the Valley despite a strict curfew in all ten districts. According to the reports, people defied the curfew and staged pro-freedom protests at different places. Protesters turned violent at some places and clashed with the security forces. All the roads leading to the United Nations Military Observers Group in Indian and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office at Sonawar have been sealed to thwart the Separatists' Azadi March to submit a memorandum to the UN on the eve of the UN general assembly session. Meanwhile, the infiltration operation in Poonch district of Jammu entered into its third day today. Four militants and a cop have been killed while six people, including three army troops have been injured in the encounter which started on Sunday. Police suspects that one to two militants may still be holed up inside the under-construction mini Secretariat complex. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kashmir Eid violence: Two dead, several injured in fresh clashes

Probably for the first time in 26 years since the militancy began in India&#39;s northern Kashmir Valley, curfew is likely to be imposed in all ten districts on the occasion of Eid, a Muslim festival. &nbsp; 
 
Drones and helicopters will be used for surveillance.&nbsp; 
 
Sources in the government informed that security forces in large numbers will man the streets, following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who &quot;often use women and children as shields&nbsp;during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties&quot;. 
 
Instructions have also been issued to keep the Eid namaaz a local affair to keep the congregations to the minimum, sources in security establishment in national capital, Delhi. told DNA. 
 
The state government in northernmost Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to allow congregations for Eid namaaz at Idgahs as they can accommodate thousands of people. This is for the first time in 26 years that no Eid congregations will be held at the Eidgahs, places where mass prayers are offered by the members of Muslim community, and Hazratbal shrine&nbsp;in the Valley. 
 
The government has already ordered&nbsp;shutdown of Internet services of all telecom networks and mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) for the next 72 hours because of the tense law and order situation in the state. 
 
However, post-paid BSNL connections, which are mainly used by police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said. 
 
Mobile telephony was banned immediately after the death of separatist leader, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 which set off the current spiral of violence in the Valley. It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet. 
 
Meanwhile, separatists are bracing up for a major showdown with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti-led government over the &#39;azadi&#39; march to United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan on the day of Eid festival today. 
 
The state government, on the other hand, has decided to strictly enforce prohibitory orders under section 144 of the The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC&nbsp;)&nbsp; the Valley with the support of the army. 
 
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an alliance of Hurriyat hawk and hardline leader&nbsp;Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, which is supervising the current agitation, has called for &#39;Azadi march&#39; towards central Eidgahs followed by a procession towards the United Nations (UN) office for submitting a memorandum to be conveyed to 71st Session of General Assembly of UN starting on September 13. 
 
After putting a large number of army boots on the ground to help state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) retrieve areas in their control, Indian government is hopeful of quelling the 66-day-long violent unrest within ten days. 
 
(This report first appeared on DNA)&nbsp;

This is probably for the first time in 26 years that no Eid congregations will be held in the Valley at Eidgahs, Hazratbal shrine

Probably for the first time in 26 years since the militancy began in India's northern Kashmir Valley, curfew is likely to be imposed in all ten districts on the occasion of Eid, a Muslim festival. Drones and helicopters will be used for surveillance. Sources in the government informed that security forces in large numbers will man the streets, following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who "often use women and children as shields during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties". Instructions have also been issued to keep the Eid namaaz a local affair to keep the congregations to the minimum, sources in security establishment in national capital, Delhi. told DNA. The state government in northernmost Jammu and Kashmir is unlikely to allow congregations for Eid namaaz at Idgahs as they can accommodate thousands of people. This is for the first time in 26 years that no Eid congregations will be held at the Eidgahs, places where mass prayers are offered by the members of Muslim community, and Hazratbal shrine in the Valley. The government has already ordered shutdown of Internet services of all telecom networks and mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) for the next 72 hours because of the tense law and order situation in the state. However, post-paid BSNL connections, which are mainly used by police, army and government officials, have been kept out of the purview of the ban, the sources said. Mobile telephony was banned immediately after the death of separatist leader, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 which set off the current spiral of violence in the Valley. It was partially restored on July 27 followed by opening of only broadband Internet. Meanwhile, separatists are bracing up for a major showdown with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti-led government over the 'azadi' march to United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan on the day of Eid festival today. The state government, on the other hand, has decided to strictly enforce prohibitory orders under section 144 of the The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC ) the Valley with the support of the army. Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), an alliance of Hurriyat hawk and hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, which is supervising the current agitation, has called for 'Azadi march' towards central Eidgahs followed by a procession towards the United Nations (UN) office for submitting a memorandum to be conveyed to 71st Session of General Assembly of UN starting on September 13. After putting a large number of army boots on the ground to help state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) retrieve areas in their control, Indian government is hopeful of quelling the 66-day-long violent unrest within ten days. (This report first appeared on DNA)

India: Drones to keep vigil as Kashmir observes Eid amid curfew

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) today once again asked India and Pakistan to grant it &quot;unconditional access&quot; to both sides on the line of control to establish an &quot;objective assessment&quot; of the situation in Kashmir. 
 
But the suggestion drew a sharp response from India&rsquo;s ministry of external affairs. India said that terrorism is the &ldquo;grossest violation&rdquo; of human rights and should be so acknowledged by an impartial and objective observer. 
 
The statement was a direct reference to the unrest in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The ministry asserted that the unrest in the Valley had been &ldquo;aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan&rdquo;. 
 
India said it hoped the connection between terrorism and violation of human rights would be deliberated upon in Geneva at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council. 
 
Replying to UNHCHR&#39;s suggestion to unconditional access to both sides on the line of control, India&rsquo;s external affairs ministry said that there was no comparison between the situations in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and that controlled by Pakistan. 
 
&ldquo;The former has a democratically elected government, while the latter has seen a Pakistani diplomat arbitrarily appointed as its head,&quot; the ministry said. 
 
UN High Commissioner Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein said that Pakistan had already formally invited a team to the Pakistani side of the line of control, but expecting a simultaneous mission to the Indian side too. 
 
&quot;We had previously received reports, and still continue to do so, claiming the Indian authorities had used force excessively against the civilian population under its administration. We furthermore received conflicting narratives from the two sides as to the cause for the confrontations and the reported large numbers of people killed and wounded. I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two sides,&quot; PTI reported Hussein as saying. 
 
The ministry said that the issue of an external mission was considered by the all-party conference on August 12 to discuss the situation in the state. 
 
&quot;It was unanimously felt that Indian democracy has all that is required to address legitimate grievances. Accordingly, an all-party delegation visited Srinagar. Despite cross-border terrorist infiltration that saw an encounter only yesterday, the government remains fully engaged in normalizing the situation as soon as possible,&quot; the ministry said. 
 
An MEA statement said that the present situation arose from the death of a &ldquo;self-acknowledged commander of the terrorist organization, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who was wanted for several terrorist acts.&rdquo; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United Nations has sought unconditional access from India and Pakistan to assess human rights situation in Kashmir

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) today once again asked India and Pakistan to grant it "unconditional access" to both sides on the line of control to establish an "objective assessment" of the situation in Kashmir. But the suggestion drew a sharp response from India’s ministry of external affairs. India said that terrorism is the “grossest violation” of human rights and should be so acknowledged by an impartial and objective observer. The statement was a direct reference to the unrest in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The ministry asserted that the unrest in the Valley had been “aggravated by sustained cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan”. India said it hoped the connection between terrorism and violation of human rights would be deliberated upon in Geneva at the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council. Replying to UNHCHR's suggestion to unconditional access to both sides on the line of control, India’s external affairs ministry said that there was no comparison between the situations in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and that controlled by Pakistan. “The former has a democratically elected government, while the latter has seen a Pakistani diplomat arbitrarily appointed as its head," the ministry said. UN High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said that Pakistan had already formally invited a team to the Pakistani side of the line of control, but expecting a simultaneous mission to the Indian side too. "We had previously received reports, and still continue to do so, claiming the Indian authorities had used force excessively against the civilian population under its administration. We furthermore received conflicting narratives from the two sides as to the cause for the confrontations and the reported large numbers of people killed and wounded. I believe an independent, impartial and international mission is now needed crucially and that it should be given free and complete access to establish an objective assessment of the claims made by the two sides," PTI reported Hussein as saying. The ministry said that the issue of an external mission was considered by the all-party conference on August 12 to discuss the situation in the state. "It was unanimously felt that Indian democracy has all that is required to address legitimate grievances. Accordingly, an all-party delegation visited Srinagar. Despite cross-border terrorist infiltration that saw an encounter only yesterday, the government remains fully engaged in normalizing the situation as soon as possible," the ministry said. An MEA statement said that the present situation arose from the death of a “self-acknowledged commander of the terrorist organization, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who was wanted for several terrorist acts.” (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kashmir situation cannot be compared to Pakistan-controlled Kashmir: India tells UN

At an hour-long meeting of top security officials in the Indian capital on Sunday, Interior minister Rajnath Singh directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
Sources said Rajnath Singh asked forces to take strict action against the violators and book them as they continue to disrupt normal life in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
Singh said the troops must aim to bring back normalcy in the state within a week. He added that schools and other educational institutions are the worst sufferers amid the prolonged turmoil and must be allowed to function soon.&nbsp; 
 
He told officials that attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments which were completely shut.&nbsp; 
 
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was present at the security meeting in the capital, besides other senior officials.&nbsp; 
 
The officials had briefed the interior minister of the prevailing situation in the state as well as the border areas.&nbsp; 
 
76 people have lost their lives so far as the unrest continues for the 66th day in the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
The violence had started following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces on July 8. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

Singh has asked the security forces to restore normalcy in the Kashmir Valley within a week

At an hour-long meeting of top security officials in the Indian capital on Sunday, Interior minister Rajnath Singh directed the security forces to go after those instigating youths to indulge in violence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said Rajnath Singh asked forces to take strict action against the violators and book them as they continue to disrupt normal life in the Valley. Singh said the troops must aim to bring back normalcy in the state within a week. He added that schools and other educational institutions are the worst sufferers amid the prolonged turmoil and must be allowed to function soon. He told officials that attempts should also be made to reopen shops and other commercial establishments which were completely shut. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was present at the security meeting in the capital, besides other senior officials. The officials had briefed the interior minister of the prevailing situation in the state as well as the border areas. 76 people have lost their lives so far as the unrest continues for the 66th day in the Valley. The violence had started following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces on July 8. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kashmir unrest: Indian interior minister Rajnath Singh directs forces to crack down on 'instigators'

Firing resumed early today morning in the Poonch district of India&#39;s northern Jammu and Kashmir state. 
 
Defence ministry spokesperson confirmed the death of one more terrorist in the encounter.&nbsp; 
 
his is the third encounter between Indian forces and militants after yesterday&#39;s twin encounters in which one police officer and seven militants were killed. 
 
The firing began on Sunday around 7:30 am and continued throughout the day. The militants were holed up in a house and in another nearby building close to the government secretariat building.&nbsp; 
 
A senior police officer told Reuters, &quot;One policeman was killed, while another police officer and civilian were injured as militants tried to storm the building. The police repulsed the attack and the militants took refuge in nearby buildings.&quot; 
 
The three militants were later killed, he said.&nbsp; 
 
The Indian army also foiled an infiltration bid by militants on the Indian side of Line of Control. 
 
In another incident, four terrorists were killed in the Nowgam sector of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Handwara district.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

India's defence ministry has reported death of one more militant in the Poonch encounter

Firing resumed early today morning in the Poonch district of India's northern Jammu and Kashmir state. Defence ministry spokesperson confirmed the death of one more terrorist in the encounter. his is the third encounter between Indian forces and militants after yesterday's twin encounters in which one police officer and seven militants were killed. The firing began on Sunday around 7:30 am and continued throughout the day. The militants were holed up in a house and in another nearby building close to the government secretariat building. A senior police officer told Reuters, "One policeman was killed, while another police officer and civilian were injured as militants tried to storm the building. The police repulsed the attack and the militants took refuge in nearby buildings." The three militants were later killed, he said. The Indian army also foiled an infiltration bid by militants on the Indian side of Line of Control. In another incident, four terrorists were killed in the Nowgam sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara district. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: Firing resumes in Kashmir encounter

Curfew was today lifted from the Indian state of Kashmir a day after it was imposed in some areas to maintain law and order in view of Friday congregations. 
 
Normal life remained affected for 64th consecutive day in the unrest-hit Valley where 73 persons have been killed and several thousand others injured in clashes since Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was gunned down by security forces on July 8. 
 
&quot;Curfew has been lifted from entire Kashmir,&quot; a police official said. 
 
He, however, said curfew-like restrictions were imposed in some areas of Srinagar city like Nowhatta, M R Gunj and Khanyar. 
 
The official said restrictions on assembly of people continued to remain in force throughout the Valley. 
 
Authorities had yesterday imposed curfew in many parts of the Valley including in 12 police station areas of the city here in view of the apprehensions of law and order problems after Friday congregational prayers. 
 
A statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir yesterday said the situation remained by and large under control across the Valley. 
 
31 incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and Handwara. 
 
At these places, miscreants assembled on the roads after Friday prayers and pelted stones on police and security personnel, it said. 
 
Meanwhile, normal life remained crippled due to restrictions and the shutdown call by separatist groups. 
 
While shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day, they open in the evening on some days of the week in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 PM announced by separatists. 
 
The separatists have extended the shutdown programme till September 16. 
 
Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed. 
 
Some of the areas on the outskirts and civil lines of Srinagar witnessed increased movement of private vehicles and auto-rickshaws this morning, while some shops selling essentials were also open.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

The curfew was earlier lifted on August 29, only to be reimposed in less than a day

Curfew was today lifted from the Indian state of Kashmir a day after it was imposed in some areas to maintain law and order in view of Friday congregations. Normal life remained affected for 64th consecutive day in the unrest-hit Valley where 73 persons have been killed and several thousand others injured in clashes since Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was gunned down by security forces on July 8. "Curfew has been lifted from entire Kashmir," a police official said. He, however, said curfew-like restrictions were imposed in some areas of Srinagar city like Nowhatta, M R Gunj and Khanyar. The official said restrictions on assembly of people continued to remain in force throughout the Valley. Authorities had yesterday imposed curfew in many parts of the Valley including in 12 police station areas of the city here in view of the apprehensions of law and order problems after Friday congregational prayers. A statement issued by the Zonal Police Headquarters Kashmir yesterday said the situation remained by and large under control across the Valley. 31 incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora and Handwara. At these places, miscreants assembled on the roads after Friday prayers and pelted stones on police and security personnel, it said. Meanwhile, normal life remained crippled due to restrictions and the shutdown call by separatist groups. While shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day, they open in the evening on some days of the week in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 PM announced by separatists. The separatists have extended the shutdown programme till September 16. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed. Some of the areas on the outskirts and civil lines of Srinagar witnessed increased movement of private vehicles and auto-rickshaws this morning, while some shops selling essentials were also open. (PTI)

Kashmir: 64-day curfew ends, again

The Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt today along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Naugam sector of Handwara in the Kashmir Valley, the Indian news agency PTI reported. Four militants were killed in the operation.&nbsp; 
 
A heavy gun battle was reported. &quot;Alert soldiers posted along the Line of Control in Naugam sector noticed some suspicious movement and challenged the intruders,&quot; an army official told PTI.&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
FLASH: Three foreign terrorists killed in Nowgam, Handwara (J&amp;K). Four weapons have been recovered from them. Search operation continues.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/774835472191324160">September 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The militants opened fire on the security forces which was &quot;effectively retaliated&quot;, he said. 
 
&quot;Three militants have been killed and war-like store recovered from the scene of the gun battle,&quot; the official said.&nbsp; 
 
Indian news agency ANI said weopons were recovered from the millitants.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
FLASH: Three foreign terrorists killed in Nowgam, Handwara (J&amp;K). Four weapons have been recovered from them. Search operation continues.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/774835472191324160">September 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
 
 
A millitant was also killed in the Poonch district of northern Jammu and Kashmir state in another encounter between security forces and militants. A police officer had also been killed in that attack. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;
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J&amp;K: Police personnel killed in an ongoing encounter b/w security forces &amp; terrorists in Poonch (Visuals deferred) <a href="https://t.co/VcydiYv9dT">pic.twitter.com/VcydiYv9dT</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/774825428578078720">September 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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J&amp;K: 1 terrorist killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Poonch. One police personnel lost his life. <a href="https://t.co/8Axi02lZI2">pic.twitter.com/8Axi02lZI2</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/774875775027777536">September 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Protests continue in Kashmir, 12 protesters injured in Pulwama 
 
Tensions continue in the troubled northernmost state of the country. As many as 12 protesters were injured today during clashes with security forces in the Pulwama area of South Kashmir.&nbsp; 
 
This comes a day after a youth was killed in clashes between the protesters and security forces in the Shopian district. According to reports, at least 50 protesters were injured in clashes with the police and CRPF men in different areas of the valley on Saturday. 
&nbsp;
<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
J&amp;K: Army flag marches in Pulwama after a clash between security forces and protesters. <a href="https://t.co/KTTeN0RSqr">pic.twitter.com/KTTeN0RSqr</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/774851256863031296">September 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
 
 
Triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the unrest in the Valley has entered 65th day leaving more than 70 people dead and thousands injured.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Another militant was killed in a separate encounter in the Poonch district

The Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt today along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Naugam sector of Handwara in the Kashmir Valley, the Indian news agency PTI reported. Four militants were killed in the operation. A heavy gun battle was reported. "Alert soldiers posted along the Line of Control in Naugam sector noticed some suspicious movement and challenged the intruders," an army official told PTI. FLASH: Three foreign terrorists killed in Nowgam, Handwara (J&K). Four weapons have been recovered from them. Search operation continues. — ANI (@ANI_news) September 11, 2016 The militants opened fire on the security forces which was "effectively retaliated", he said. "Three militants have been killed and war-like store recovered from the scene of the gun battle," the official said. Indian news agency ANI said weopons were recovered from the millitants. FLASH: Three foreign terrorists killed in Nowgam, Handwara (J&K). Four weapons have been recovered from them. Search operation continues. — ANI (@ANI_news) September 11, 2016 A millitant was also killed in the Poonch district of northern Jammu and Kashmir state in another encounter between security forces and militants. A police officer had also been killed in that attack. J&K: Police personnel killed in an ongoing encounter b/w security forces & terrorists in Poonch (Visuals deferred) pic.twitter.com/VcydiYv9dT — ANI (@ANI_news) September 11, 2016 J&K: 1 terrorist killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Poonch. One police personnel lost his life. pic.twitter.com/8Axi02lZI2 — ANI (@ANI_news) September 11, 2016 Protests continue in Kashmir, 12 protesters injured in Pulwama Tensions continue in the troubled northernmost state of the country. As many as 12 protesters were injured today during clashes with security forces in the Pulwama area of South Kashmir. This comes a day after a youth was killed in clashes between the protesters and security forces in the Shopian district. According to reports, at least 50 protesters were injured in clashes with the police and CRPF men in different areas of the valley on Saturday. J&K: Army flag marches in Pulwama after a clash between security forces and protesters. pic.twitter.com/KTTeN0RSqr — ANI (@ANI_news) September 11, 2016 Triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the unrest in the Valley has entered 65th day leaving more than 70 people dead and thousands injured. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Indian army foils infiltration attempt along LoC, three militants killed

A&nbsp;youth injured last month&nbsp;in firing by security forces in Kashmir died&nbsp;today, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley to 76,&nbsp;police said. 
 
Javaid Ahmad Dar was hit in the leg by a bullet on August 5&nbsp;in the Narbal area of Budgam district, a police official said. 
 
Two youths were also killed on Saturday&nbsp;in clashes between security forces and protesters in South Kashmir. 
 
Sayar Ahmad Sheikh was hit by a tear gas shell in the head at Tukroo when security personnel were trying to disperse a group of stone-pelting protesters, a police official said. 
 
Restrictions are in place in the area under Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more people. 
 
The official said Sheikh was rushed to the sub-district hospital at Rajpora where doctors declared him brought dead. 
 
Another youth, Yawar Bhat, died in security forces&#39; action after protesters indulged in stone pelting at Botengoo in Anantnag district, the official said. 
 
Bhat sustained pellet injuries during the clashes, he said. 
 
Several other persons were injured in the two incidents. Clashes were also reported from Srinagar&#39;s old city area and Budgam district, where at least a dozen people have been injured, he said. 
 
The situation across the Valley continues to be tense, he added.&nbsp;Violent protests started across Kashmir valley on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces. 
 
(PTI)

Javaid Ahmad Dar had been hit in the leg by a bullet on August 5

A youth injured last month in firing by security forces in Kashmir died today, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley to 76, police said. Javaid Ahmad Dar was hit in the leg by a bullet on August 5 in the Narbal area of Budgam district, a police official said. Two youths were also killed on Saturday in clashes between security forces and protesters in South Kashmir. Sayar Ahmad Sheikh was hit by a tear gas shell in the head at Tukroo when security personnel were trying to disperse a group of stone-pelting protesters, a police official said. Restrictions are in place in the area under Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more people. The official said Sheikh was rushed to the sub-district hospital at Rajpora where doctors declared him brought dead. Another youth, Yawar Bhat, died in security forces' action after protesters indulged in stone pelting at Botengoo in Anantnag district, the official said. Bhat sustained pellet injuries during the clashes, he said. Several other persons were injured in the two incidents. Clashes were also reported from Srinagar's old city area and Budgam district, where at least a dozen people have been injured, he said. The situation across the Valley continues to be tense, he added. Violent protests started across Kashmir valley on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces. (PTI)

Kashmir: Another youth dies from his injuries, toll now at 76

Amidst continuing unrest in Kashmir Valley, India&#39;s interior minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where a policeman and four militants were killed in two separate incidents. 
 
Singh reviewed the situation in the state with national security advisor Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other top officials during an hour-long meeting, official sources said. 
 
The officials gave a briefing on the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley as well as along the border and the steps taken to restore normalcy in the state, the sources said. 
 
The recent conflict in the Valley began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. So far 76 people have lost their lives in the turmoil that has been continuing for the last 65 days. 
 
A policeman was killed and two others, including an officer, were injured as security forces engaged in twin encounters with four terrorists who are holed up at two places near the under-construction mini secretariat in Poonch town of the state. 
 
Meanwhile, the Army foiled three infiltration bids along the Line of Control in Naugam, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of Kashmir, killing four militants. 
 
(PTI)

The recent unrest in the Valley began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8

Amidst continuing unrest in Kashmir Valley, India's interior minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where a policeman and four militants were killed in two separate incidents. Singh reviewed the situation in the state with national security advisor Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other top officials during an hour-long meeting, official sources said. The officials gave a briefing on the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley as well as along the border and the steps taken to restore normalcy in the state, the sources said. The recent conflict in the Valley began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. So far 76 people have lost their lives in the turmoil that has been continuing for the last 65 days. A policeman was killed and two others, including an officer, were injured as security forces engaged in twin encounters with four terrorists who are holed up at two places near the under-construction mini secretariat in Poonch town of the state. Meanwhile, the Army foiled three infiltration bids along the Line of Control in Naugam, Tangdhar and Gurez sectors of Kashmir, killing four militants. (PTI)

India's interior minister reviews Kashmir situation

About 80 Kashmiri youths have gone &quot;missing&quot; and are thought to have joined militant groups, PTI has reported. The youths have gone missing in the two months since the killing by the Indian army on July 8 of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil ever since and despite curfew having been imposed on the region for the most part ever since -- it was only lifted yesterday -- more than 70 protesters have died in clashes with security forces, and as many as 8,000 have been injured.&nbsp; 
 
South Kashmir -- made up of the four districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, and Anantnag -- is thought to account for most of the disappearances. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
South Kashmir is also where where Burhan Wani came from.&nbsp; 
 
PTI reported that intercepts of militant communications and &quot;sketchy&quot; intelligence from the ground seem to suggest most of the 80 youths have joined the home-grown Hizbul Mujahideen militant group, and that the remainder have joined the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.&nbsp; 
 
PTI reported security officials as agreeing there was no clear picture of what exactly was going on in South Kashmir, and that one would emerge only now with the army, police and paramilitary forces being pushed into the region.&nbsp; 
 
 
Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-and-a-difficult-out-of-south-kashmir-a-forbidden-land-3206" target="_blank">In and a difficult out of South Kashmir, a forbidden land</a> 
 
 
While the government/ security forces-imposed curfew has now been lifted, Kashmir continues to be on strike. The strike has been called by the separatist Hurriyat Conference, and is imposed by the people. In South Kashmir, gangs of young men, some of them masked, have erected road blocks every few kilometres and allow virtually nobody to pass.&nbsp; 
 
PTI reported the officials as saying they had been forced to concentrate on law and order over these past two months, rather on counter-insurgency operations, which is why things have come to this pass.&nbsp; 
 
Recent news reports have also talked of how policemen in South Kashmir have discarded their uniforms and are cooling their heels at home, or in some cases have joined up with the protesters.&nbsp; 
 
PTI goes on to say that South Kashmir, a traditional bastion of the ruling PDP party, in alliance with the BJP which is in power at the Centre, has turned&nbsp;into a virtual breeding ground for militants.&nbsp; 
 
And that the intelligence network of the militant groups, which had been broken in the mid-1990s, has once again been revived. This gives the militants the advantage, since they are informed of any movement of the security forces.&nbsp; 
 
South Kashmir is dotted with apple orchards which lead to dense forest. The is where the militants are holed up, said the officials, adding that when the army mounts pressure on one side, the militants escape from the other and mingle with the local population. 
 
Traffic on the national highway is being regulated and allowed to move only in convoys, the officials added.&nbsp; 
 
Finally they said the number of youth who have joined the militant groups could &quot;easily cross 100&quot;, once a detailed district-wise analysis is carried out. 
 
But the officials added that the security forces -- including the army -- were now moving &quot;quietly&quot; into South Kashmir to &quot;reclaim&quot; lost ground and bring about some semblance of the law.&nbsp; 
 
PTI said that a recent meeting, top army officials had suggested the need to &quot;reclaim areas under the occupation of protesters&quot;, and that subsequently troops have been moved in for &quot;area domination&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

Most have joined the home-grown Hizbul Mujahideen, some the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba

About 80 Kashmiri youths have gone "missing" and are thought to have joined militant groups, PTI has reported. The youths have gone missing in the two months since the killing by the Indian army on July 8 of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Kashmir has been on the boil ever since and despite curfew having been imposed on the region for the most part ever since -- it was only lifted yesterday -- more than 70 protesters have died in clashes with security forces, and as many as 8,000 have been injured. South Kashmir -- made up of the four districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, and Anantnag -- is thought to account for most of the disappearances. South Kashmir is also where where Burhan Wani came from. PTI reported that intercepts of militant communications and "sketchy" intelligence from the ground seem to suggest most of the 80 youths have joined the home-grown Hizbul Mujahideen militant group, and that the remainder have joined the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. PTI reported security officials as agreeing there was no clear picture of what exactly was going on in South Kashmir, and that one would emerge only now with the army, police and paramilitary forces being pushed into the region. Read: In and a difficult out of South Kashmir, a forbidden land While the government/ security forces-imposed curfew has now been lifted, Kashmir continues to be on strike. The strike has been called by the separatist Hurriyat Conference, and is imposed by the people. In South Kashmir, gangs of young men, some of them masked, have erected road blocks every few kilometres and allow virtually nobody to pass. PTI reported the officials as saying they had been forced to concentrate on law and order over these past two months, rather on counter-insurgency operations, which is why things have come to this pass. Recent news reports have also talked of how policemen in South Kashmir have discarded their uniforms and are cooling their heels at home, or in some cases have joined up with the protesters. PTI goes on to say that South Kashmir, a traditional bastion of the ruling PDP party, in alliance with the BJP which is in power at the Centre, has turned into a virtual breeding ground for militants. And that the intelligence network of the militant groups, which had been broken in the mid-1990s, has once again been revived. This gives the militants the advantage, since they are informed of any movement of the security forces. South Kashmir is dotted with apple orchards which lead to dense forest. The is where the militants are holed up, said the officials, adding that when the army mounts pressure on one side, the militants escape from the other and mingle with the local population. Traffic on the national highway is being regulated and allowed to move only in convoys, the officials added. Finally they said the number of youth who have joined the militant groups could "easily cross 100", once a detailed district-wise analysis is carried out. But the officials added that the security forces -- including the army -- were now moving "quietly" into South Kashmir to "reclaim" lost ground and bring about some semblance of the law. PTI said that a recent meeting, top army officials had suggested the need to "reclaim areas under the occupation of protesters", and that subsequently troops have been moved in for "area domination". (WION)

80 boys go missing from South Kashmir, thought to have joined militant groups

Indian security forces and suspected militants exchanged heavy firing in South Kashmir&#39;s Pulwama district, roughly 40km from summer capital of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, on Friday night.&nbsp; 
 
Armed men attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp from both sides at 11pm.&nbsp; 
 
The firing lasted 30 minutes, an unnamed police officials told Greater Kashmir. No casualties were reported, however, the suspected militants managed to escape, a source told WION.&nbsp; 
 
The search operation was still going on when the last reports were reports were recieved.&nbsp; 
 
The attack comes hours after India reportedly decided to deploy thousands&nbsp;of more soldiers in the embattled state.&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil ever since Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Suspected militants attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp from both sides late on Friday night

Indian security forces and suspected militants exchanged heavy firing in South Kashmir's Pulwama district, roughly 40km from summer capital of Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, on Friday night. Armed men attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp from both sides at 11pm. The firing lasted 30 minutes, an unnamed police officials told Greater Kashmir. No casualties were reported, however, the suspected militants managed to escape, a source told WION. The search operation was still going on when the last reports were reports were recieved. The attack comes hours after India reportedly decided to deploy thousands of more soldiers in the embattled state. Kashmir has been on the boil ever since Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces on July 8. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Militants attack Indian security camp in South Kashmir

Suspected militants attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in India&#39;s Kashmir late last night but there was no casualty or damage. 
 
A group of militants fired at a CRPF camp in Tahab area of Pulwama late last night, a police official said today. 
 
He said the CRPF personnel retaliated, forcing the militants to flee. 
 
There was no casualty on either side, the official said. 
 
This is the second such attack on the security forces in the district in the last four days. 
 
Militants had fired a few rounds towards the Pulwama police station on the night of September 7 but there was no damage. 
 
Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force also gave out the extent of the damage it suffered since yesterday. 
 
&quot;14 CRPF personnel injured &amp; 2 CRPF vehicle damaged in 44 incidents of stone-pelting involving the Force in the Kashmir Valley in past 24 hrs,&quot; the Force said on twitter. 
 
(PTI)

A group fired at a CRPF camp in Tahab area of Pulwama late last night, a police official said

Suspected militants attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in India's Kashmir late last night but there was no casualty or damage. A group of militants fired at a CRPF camp in Tahab area of Pulwama late last night, a police official said today. He said the CRPF personnel retaliated, forcing the militants to flee. There was no casualty on either side, the official said. This is the second such attack on the security forces in the district in the last four days. Militants had fired a few rounds towards the Pulwama police station on the night of September 7 but there was no damage. Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force also gave out the extent of the damage it suffered since yesterday. "14 CRPF personnel injured & 2 CRPF vehicle damaged in 44 incidents of stone-pelting involving the Force in the Kashmir Valley in past 24 hrs," the Force said on twitter. (PTI)

Suspected militants attack paramilitary camp in Indian Kashmir, no casualty

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is set to raise the problems unfolding in India&#39;s Kashmir at the United Nations. 
 
&quot;The prime minister has expressed grave concern over India&#39;s use of excessive force in Kashmir,&quot; a spokesperson of his office told Pakistan newspaper Dawn. 
 
The issue will be raised at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, the spokesperson further said, adding that it was a top priority issue for Sharif. 
 
The 71st session of UNGA will commence in New York from September 13. 
 
More than 70 people have been killed in Kashmir following the killing of&nbsp;Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces on July 8. 
 
The killing unleashed a wave of protests that devolved into clashes between India&#39;s security personnel and agitators.&nbsp; 
 
This is the worst civilian crisis in the restive state since 2010.&nbsp; 
 
(WION) 
 
&nbsp;

The premier has been concerned about India's use of 'excessive force' to quell protests in Kashmir

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is set to raise the problems unfolding in India's Kashmir at the United Nations. "The prime minister has expressed grave concern over India's use of excessive force in Kashmir," a spokesperson of his office told Pakistan newspaper Dawn. The issue will be raised at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, the spokesperson further said, adding that it was a top priority issue for Sharif. The 71st session of UNGA will commence in New York from September 13. More than 70 people have been killed in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces on July 8. The killing unleashed a wave of protests that devolved into clashes between India's security personnel and agitators. This is the worst civilian crisis in the restive state since 2010. (WION)

Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif to raise Kashmir issue in UN

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman, was barred from holding press conference today in the capital city of Kashmir Valley in India.&nbsp; 
 
According to local media reports, the journalists who had reached the residence of Kashmir&#39;s key separatist leader were forced to leave the Hyderpora area of Srinagar city where the residence is located after police foiled the press conference.&nbsp; 
 
The separatist leader had called a presser at his residence where he has been under house arrest for the past three days, according to media reports as unrest in the Valley continues after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
Earlier on Wednesday, Geelani said talks with New Delhi are bound to fail till the &quot;gravity and intensity of the Kashmir issue is agreed upon.&#39;&#39; 
 
&quot;We have a clear and simple stand that unless the gravity and intensity of the Kashmir issue is not agreed upon, any negotiations or talks are bound to fail. People have met, had photo shoot, then a cup of tea for so many decades but our bloodshed did not stop,&quot; he had said. &nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, curfew was reimposed in many parts of Kashmir for maintaining law and order ahead of Friday prayers as normal life remained paralysed for 63rd consecutive day.&nbsp;At least 76 people have been killed and over 11,000 injured in the worst unrest in the valley after 2010 violence. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Geelani had earlier said that talks with New Delhi are bound to fail till the 'gravity and intensity of the Kashmir issue is agreed upon'

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman, was barred from holding press conference today in the capital city of Kashmir Valley in India. According to local media reports, the journalists who had reached the residence of Kashmir's key separatist leader were forced to leave the Hyderpora area of Srinagar city where the residence is located after police foiled the press conference. The separatist leader had called a presser at his residence where he has been under house arrest for the past three days, according to media reports as unrest in the Valley continues after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Earlier on Wednesday, Geelani said talks with New Delhi are bound to fail till the "gravity and intensity of the Kashmir issue is agreed upon.'' "We have a clear and simple stand that unless the gravity and intensity of the Kashmir issue is not agreed upon, any negotiations or talks are bound to fail. People have met, had photo shoot, then a cup of tea for so many decades but our bloodshed did not stop," he had said. Meanwhile, curfew was reimposed in many parts of Kashmir for maintaining law and order ahead of Friday prayers as normal life remained paralysed for 63rd consecutive day. At least 76 people have been killed and over 11,000 injured in the worst unrest in the valley after 2010 violence. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: Hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani barred from holding press conference in Kashmir?

Worst fears of the Indian intelligence agencies have come true after the militants, reinvigorated by the current unrest, stepped up their offensive and launched three sensational attacks on the security forces in north and south Kashmir.

Militants carried out three attacks in the past one day in three districts of Kashmir&nbsp;Valley. The attacks started on Wednesday&nbsp;morning when militants first attacked the army convoy in Kralgund village of north Kashmir&rsquo;s Kupwara district. Three soldiers were injured, one of them seriously, in the attack.

Later&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;evening, a group of heavily armed militants barged into the house of political worker Abdul Rashid Khanday at Damhal Hanji Pora in Kulgam district and disarmed the policemen guarding his house before decamping with four rifles.

&ldquo;During the night intervening September 7 and 8 unknown militants entered into the duard room located at the residence of protected political worker Abdul Rashid Khanday and snatched the weapons from the police personnel,&rdquo; a police spokesman said. 
 
Police said the snatched weapons&nbsp;included&nbsp;one SLR, one 303 rifle and two INS rifles. &ldquo;Police have taken cognizance and investigations are on,&rdquo;&nbsp;said the spokesman.

Khanday, who was present in his residence at the time of the&nbsp;attack, said five militants entered into his kitchen when they were having dinner. &ldquo;They slapped me and asked my son to accompany them and call the guards out. After five minutes my son came back and he was crying,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said.

Hours later a group of four militants attacked a police station in Pulwama and fired indiscriminately on the cops. Police immediately retaliated forcing the militants to take a hasty retreat.

&ldquo;Militants fired on the police station Pulwama at&nbsp;11.50 am. We immediately retaliated. There were no injuries... nothing because they could not come closer. It was a standoff fire,&rdquo; said Rayees Mohammad Bhat, superintendent of police, Pulwama.

Police suspects the militants were from the same group which lobbed the grenade on the cops while mixing with the protesting mob some days before. &ldquo;We believe they were four militants who fired at the police station. We believe it is the same group which lobed the grenade last time from the mob,&rdquo; said Bhat

The attacks have come at a time when Pakistan is trying to push in more and more militants to foment trouble amid the unrest in the valley. Figures reveal that around 70 militants were successful in infiltrating through the line of control till July this year

Official figures reveal in 2015 around 118 infiltration&nbsp;attempts&nbsp;were made of which 33 were successful.

Seventy-eight militants were killed and 31 security personnel lost their lives in the first six months of this year. Police sources said due to active engagement of security forces and police, the first seven months of 2016 has registered an increase in the killing of militants by over 110 per cent and arrest of militants/suspects by 48 per cent.&nbsp;

Official figures&nbsp;reveal that 106 militants were killed in 2015&nbsp;by the security forces in different encounters. The number&nbsp;of slain militants stood at 110 in 2014. In 2015, around 39 security force personnel were killed. In 2014, 47 security force personnel were killed. Last year, 22 civilians were killed in terrorist violence compared to 35 in 2014. 
 
(WION)

The attacks were carried out in three districts of the Kashmir Valley - Kupwara, Kulgam and Pulwama

Worst fears of the Indian intelligence agencies have come true after the militants, reinvigorated by the current unrest, stepped up their offensive and launched three sensational attacks on the security forces in north and south Kashmir. Militants carried out three attacks in the past one day in three districts of Kashmir Valley. The attacks started on Wednesday morning when militants first attacked the army convoy in Kralgund village of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Three soldiers were injured, one of them seriously, in the attack. Later on Wednesday evening, a group of heavily armed militants barged into the house of political worker Abdul Rashid Khanday at Damhal Hanji Pora in Kulgam district and disarmed the policemen guarding his house before decamping with four rifles. “During the night intervening September 7 and 8 unknown militants entered into the duard room located at the residence of protected political worker Abdul Rashid Khanday and snatched the weapons from the police personnel,” a police spokesman said. Police said the snatched weapons included one SLR, one 303 rifle and two INS rifles. “Police have taken cognizance and investigations are on,” said the spokesman. Khanday, who was present in his residence at the time of the attack, said five militants entered into his kitchen when they were having dinner. “They slapped me and asked my son to accompany them and call the guards out. After five minutes my son came back and he was crying,” he said. Hours later a group of four militants attacked a police station in Pulwama and fired indiscriminately on the cops. Police immediately retaliated forcing the militants to take a hasty retreat. “Militants fired on the police station Pulwama at 11.50 am. We immediately retaliated. There were no injuries... nothing because they could not come closer. It was a standoff fire,” said Rayees Mohammad Bhat, superintendent of police, Pulwama. Police suspects the militants were from the same group which lobbed the grenade on the cops while mixing with the protesting mob some days before. “We believe they were four militants who fired at the police station. We believe it is the same group which lobed the grenade last time from the mob,” said Bhat The attacks have come at a time when Pakistan is trying to push in more and more militants to foment trouble amid the unrest in the valley. Figures reveal that around 70 militants were successful in infiltrating through the line of control till July this year Official figures reveal in 2015 around 118 infiltration attempts were made of which 33 were successful. Seventy-eight militants were killed and 31 security personnel lost their lives in the first six months of this year. Police sources said due to active engagement of security forces and police, the first seven months of 2016 has registered an increase in the killing of militants by over 110 per cent and arrest of militants/suspects by 48 per cent. Official figures reveal that 106 militants were killed in 2015 by the security forces in different encounters. The number of slain militants stood at 110 in 2014. In 2015, around 39 security force personnel were killed. In 2014, 47 security force personnel were killed. Last year, 22 civilians were killed in terrorist violence compared to 35 in 2014. (WION)

Kashmir unrest: Militants launch series of attacks on security forces

As unrest that has spanned more than a month&nbsp;refuses to die down&nbsp;in India&#39;s Kashmir, Pakistan&#39;s Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday called on the United Nations, Pakistan and India to improve the conditions in the state and halt the &quot;inhumanity and heartbreak&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;The Kashmiri people, like people elsewhere, should have the fundamental human rights,&rdquo; Pakistan daily Dawn quoted the 19-year-old as saying.&nbsp; 
 
Malala expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir and said that dozens have been killed and thousands wounded in the violent clashes between the unarmed protesters and the police over the last two months. 
 
The violence flared up after Burhan Wani, commander of separatist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen fighting for Kashmir&#39;s independence, was killed. Curfew was imposed in the Indian side of Kashmir following his death.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I stand with the people of Kashmir. My 14 million Kashmiri sisters and brothers have always been close to my heart,&quot; she said. &nbsp; 
 
On the same day, the Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif described Kashmir as Pakistan&#39;s jugular vein and said that Islamabad will continue to support the sacrifices of Kashmiri people, PTI reported.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We salute the great sacrifices of the people of Kashmir for their right of self-determination. The solution of the problem lies in the implementation of the resolutions of United Nations in this regard. Pakistan will continue to support Kashmir on the diplomatic and ethical fronts,&quot; said the chief of army staff, addressing a ceremony held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to mark the country&#39;s Defence Day. 
 
An all-party delegation seeking to end the two-month long turbulence in Kashmir concluded yesterday, with the Indian home minister Rajnath Singh sending out a clear message to the separatists of Kashmir &#39;being an integral part of India always&#39;.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

'The inhumanity and heartbreak in the state must stop,' Pakistan's Nobel Laureate added

As unrest that has spanned more than a month refuses to die down in India's Kashmir, Pakistan's Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on Tuesday called on the United Nations, Pakistan and India to improve the conditions in the state and halt the "inhumanity and heartbreak". “The Kashmiri people, like people elsewhere, should have the fundamental human rights,” Pakistan daily Dawn quoted the 19-year-old as saying. Malala expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir and said that dozens have been killed and thousands wounded in the violent clashes between the unarmed protesters and the police over the last two months. The violence flared up after Burhan Wani, commander of separatist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen fighting for Kashmir's independence, was killed. Curfew was imposed in the Indian side of Kashmir following his death. "I stand with the people of Kashmir. My 14 million Kashmiri sisters and brothers have always been close to my heart," she said. On the same day, the Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif described Kashmir as Pakistan's jugular vein and said that Islamabad will continue to support the sacrifices of Kashmiri people, PTI reported. "We salute the great sacrifices of the people of Kashmir for their right of self-determination. The solution of the problem lies in the implementation of the resolutions of United Nations in this regard. Pakistan will continue to support Kashmir on the diplomatic and ethical fronts," said the chief of army staff, addressing a ceremony held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to mark the country's Defence Day. An all-party delegation seeking to end the two-month long turbulence in Kashmir concluded yesterday, with the Indian home minister Rajnath Singh sending out a clear message to the separatists of Kashmir 'being an integral part of India always'. (WION with inputs from agencies)

UN, India and Pakistan must work together to resolve Kashmir unrest: Malala Yousafzai

It said it was concerned about human rights violations in capital cities like Manipur's Imphal even as Indian government defended its forces

India's Supreme Court on Wednesday said it is not the Line of Control (LoC), but the human rights violations happening in the heart of state capitals that it is more concerned about. The Indian government stoutly defended the role of security forces in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern state of Manipur. "It is not the Line of Control (LoC), but the heart of the cities like Imphal, is what we are concerned. Public order needs to be followed," a bench of Justices M B Lokur and U U Lalit said after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi submitted that security forces at LoC or during insurgent operations have to act in a particular way. The bench, referring to an earlier constitution bench judgement in the Naga People's Movement of Human Rights (NHRC) case, said law in this regard has already been settled, as it has ruled that though an internal disturbance is a cause for concern, it does not threaten the security of the country. While NHRC counsel and senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam contended that there was "no accountability" in case of human rights violations, Rohatgi said the security personnel have to act "in a particular way" on the LoC or during an insurgent operation. Rohatgi said, "Truth of human rights violations if any can be found through criminal trials. It is a serious situation. Security personnel at a Line of Control (LOC) or during an insurgent operations has to act in a particular way. How else we do it.” He said what happened in the 1980's and retrospective enquiry into those incidents will have serious effect on the Indian Army, whether in Manipur or in Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, Subramaniam said "if there are abrogation of human rights, then accountability has to be fixed on the erring personnel. Here there is no accountability". The army or security forces refuse to give any details about cases if there are allegations of human rights violation and asserted that under the Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA) or any other law this cannot be done. "In Manipur, it took three years to get an information regarding a case of alleged human rights violation. NHRC is a responsible fact-finding body. No government can say it is not accountable for violation of human rights," Subramaniam said. (WION with inputs from PTI)

More worried about human rights violation by security forces: India's Supreme Court

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