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

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

Taking separatist leaders head-on, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today accused them of instigating the children in the Valley to engage in violence while making sure their own studied abroad or outside the state. 
 
&quot;My colleagues have this (fear) that I may say something. But, I have always spoken truth. The way a mother slaps her child when he tries to touch a hot kangri (firepot), I will do the same to save my people. I will be angry, I will speak truth and warn them not to use children as a shield (during street protests),&quot; Mehbooba told a gathering at an official event, invoking motherhood that is devoted to the welfare of the child. 
 
She exuded confidence that the Valley will come out of the &quot;misery&quot; as her intentions were noble. &quot;Majority of the people want an honourable solution to the issue. Nobody wants violence except for those who don&#39;t have to face impact of this violence as their own children are studying outside the Valley. 
 
&quot;They ask the children to fight bullets, pellets and teargas, but themselves fear a policeman,&quot; she said. 
 
Taking on the separatists, she said they were &quot;exploiting&quot; children in the Valley after having ensured their&nbsp;own children studied outside. 
 
She, however, hoped the situation would get back to normal. 
 
&quot;Time will not remain like this always, but wounds will be there on the hearts of the children which these people have inflicted. Today, people will find my words bitter, but they will later understand what I said because I saw many people roaming the streets at night provoking children to join the protests. 
 
&quot;God is witness, that their (the separatists&#39;) own children study in Malaysia, Dubai, Bangalore and Rajasthan. If a single child of these people has been injured in the protests in these days, I am ready to quit politics,&quot; she said at the function organised to distribute LED bulbs under the ruling government&#39;s &#39;UJALA&#39; scheme. 
 
The function was organised by union power ministry, state power development department and Energy Efficiency Services Limited a joint venture of public sector undertaking under the power ministry. 
 
Hitting out at those who were provoking people, especially children to come out on the roads, Mehbooba said, &quot;What solution is this that our children are getting blinded. Till when will this go on?&quot; 
 
&quot;Nothing will come out of this. By violence, by closing shops and throwing stones. Our movement is not a movement now because it has jettisoned our culture and become uncultured,&quot; Mehbooba said. She said there is an opportunity to address the Kashmir issue as the country has a strong prime minister in Narendra Modi who has called for an end to the violence. 
 
&quot;Today, there is an opportunity as there is a very strong prime minister in this country. Today, in this situation, the cream of the country, members of Parliament, came to you (as part of an all-party delegation) and many among them said that they want to talk without any conditions. 
 
&quot;I, as president (Peoples Democratic Party), wrote a letter. It had not happened till now. I said you talk wherever you want, we would facilitate it because every day children are getting killed, injured. This should end. Our shops are closed, our schools are shut, everything has stopped. Today, there is an opportunity for the people of the state if they want a solution to the issue,&quot; she said. 
 
&quot;We have lost several opportunities in the past to resolve the issue through engagement and dialogue and today again if we miss the chance, the coming generations will never forgive us for our intransigence,&quot; she said. 
 
She said if the separatists have the courage they should sleep in their homes instead of roaming around exploiting the children. 
 
&quot;If you (separatists) have courage, then sleep in your homes and not roam around from one home to another asking children to take out protests rallies. You fear my policeman, but tell these children, my children, our children, who should have been in schools, to take out protests in other places and do something so that there is a reaction (from the security forces). 
 
&quot;How will I tolerate this? I have been saying this that there are mostly those children who used to be at my rallies when they were kids when no one was with me,&quot; she said. 
 
(PTI)

There is an opportunity to address the Kashmir issue as the country has a strong prime minister in Narendra Modi, she said

Taking separatist leaders head-on, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today accused them of instigating the children in the Valley to engage in violence while making sure their own studied abroad or outside the state. "My colleagues have this (fear) that I may say something. But, I have always spoken truth. The way a mother slaps her child when he tries to touch a hot kangri (firepot), I will do the same to save my people. I will be angry, I will speak truth and warn them not to use children as a shield (during street protests)," Mehbooba told a gathering at an official event, invoking motherhood that is devoted to the welfare of the child. She exuded confidence that the Valley will come out of the "misery" as her intentions were noble. "Majority of the people want an honourable solution to the issue. Nobody wants violence except for those who don't have to face impact of this violence as their own children are studying outside the Valley. "They ask the children to fight bullets, pellets and teargas, but themselves fear a policeman," she said. Taking on the separatists, she said they were "exploiting" children in the Valley after having ensured their own children studied outside. She, however, hoped the situation would get back to normal. "Time will not remain like this always, but wounds will be there on the hearts of the children which these people have inflicted. Today, people will find my words bitter, but they will later understand what I said because I saw many people roaming the streets at night provoking children to join the protests. "God is witness, that their (the separatists') own children study in Malaysia, Dubai, Bangalore and Rajasthan. If a single child of these people has been injured in the protests in these days, I am ready to quit politics," she said at the function organised to distribute LED bulbs under the ruling government's 'UJALA' scheme. The function was organised by union power ministry, state power development department and Energy Efficiency Services Limited a joint venture of public sector undertaking under the power ministry. Hitting out at those who were provoking people, especially children to come out on the roads, Mehbooba said, "What solution is this that our children are getting blinded. Till when will this go on?" "Nothing will come out of this. By violence, by closing shops and throwing stones. Our movement is not a movement now because it has jettisoned our culture and become uncultured," Mehbooba said. She said there is an opportunity to address the Kashmir issue as the country has a strong prime minister in Narendra Modi who has called for an end to the violence. "Today, there is an opportunity as there is a very strong prime minister in this country. Today, in this situation, the cream of the country, members of Parliament, came to you (as part of an all-party delegation) and many among them said that they want to talk without any conditions. "I, as president (Peoples Democratic Party), wrote a letter. It had not happened till now. I said you talk wherever you want, we would facilitate it because every day children are getting killed, injured. This should end. Our shops are closed, our schools are shut, everything has stopped. Today, there is an opportunity for the people of the state if they want a solution to the issue," she said. "We have lost several opportunities in the past to resolve the issue through engagement and dialogue and today again if we miss the chance, the coming generations will never forgive us for our intransigence," she said. She said if the separatists have the courage they should sleep in their homes instead of roaming around exploiting the children. "If you (separatists) have courage, then sleep in your homes and not roam around from one home to another asking children to take out protests rallies. You fear my policeman, but tell these children, my children, our children, who should have been in schools, to take out protests in other places and do something so that there is a reaction (from the security forces). "How will I tolerate this? I have been saying this that there are mostly those children who used to be at my rallies when they were kids when no one was with me," she said. (PTI)

Kashmir chief minister: Separatists inciting children to violence

One person was killed and 23 others, including 9 securitymen, were injured in violence today in Kashmir which saw mobs defying curfew in many parts to pelt stones. A police station was attacked with a grenade and firing by suspected militants from the crowd was also reported. 
 
Due to trouble in Kashmir, the Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage) continued to be suspended for the second consecutive day, with no pilgrims being allowed from Jammu to move towards the Kashmir valley. 
 
Indian authorities had imposed curfew in all the 10 districts of Kashmir fearing trouble as it was the first Friday after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. 
 
However, mobs defied curfew at many places, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Ganderbal, Rafiabad, Bandipora, Kulgam and Pulwama, a police official said. 
 
In Drugmulla in Kupwara district, a mob targeted Indian security forces who opened fire in response, resulting in injuries to three civilians, a police official said. 
 
One of the injured, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, succumbed to injuries later, he said. With this death, the toll in the current unrest has gone up to 37, including one policeman. 
 
A patrol party of security forces was attacked by a mob with stones at Delina in Baramulla district this morning, injuring three security personnel, the official said. 
 
In retaliation, security forces opened fire in which three civilians were injured. Condition of all the injured is stated to be stable, he added. 
 
A youth was critically injured in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs at Manigam in central Kashmir&#39;s Ganderbal district, the official said, adding that the injured was undergoing surgery at SMHS hospital. 
 
A mob indulged in pelted stones in Sopore and in the retaliatory action, four persons sustained pellet injuries. 
 
Two others were injured in clashes in nearby Pattan town, the official said. 
 
Two other persons were injured in a similar incident in Shopian district, he said. 
 
Yaripora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir saw a grenade attack followed by firing on a police station during stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to six police personnel, the official said. 
 
&quot;Someone from the mob hurled a grenade at the police personnel during stone pelting on&nbsp;Yaripora police station. The grenade attack was followed by firing,&quot; he said. 
 
Police has been saying that militants merge with stone-pelters to carry out attacks on security personnel, using civilians as a shield. 
 
Curfew had been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the valley where 37 have died and more than 3,100 others, including 1,500 securitymen, injured in the weeklong clashes following Burhan&#39;s killing in an encounter in Kokernag. 
 
The decision to impose curfew was taken in view of apprehensions that vested interests might exploit the large gatherings at Friday prayers to instigate violence, an official said. 
 
Meanwhile, separatists today extended the shutdown call in Kashmir by two days till July 18. 
 
(PTI)

Indian authorities had imposed curfew in all districts of Kashmir. The number of dead since the start of the unrest has gone up to 37

One person was killed and 23 others, including 9 securitymen, were injured in violence today in Kashmir which saw mobs defying curfew in many parts to pelt stones. A police station was attacked with a grenade and firing by suspected militants from the crowd was also reported. Due to trouble in Kashmir, the Amarnath yatra (pilgrimage) continued to be suspended for the second consecutive day, with no pilgrims being allowed from Jammu to move towards the Kashmir valley. Indian authorities had imposed curfew in all the 10 districts of Kashmir fearing trouble as it was the first Friday after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. However, mobs defied curfew at many places, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Ganderbal, Rafiabad, Bandipora, Kulgam and Pulwama, a police official said. In Drugmulla in Kupwara district, a mob targeted Indian security forces who opened fire in response, resulting in injuries to three civilians, a police official said. One of the injured, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, succumbed to injuries later, he said. With this death, the toll in the current unrest has gone up to 37, including one policeman. A patrol party of security forces was attacked by a mob with stones at Delina in Baramulla district this morning, injuring three security personnel, the official said. In retaliation, security forces opened fire in which three civilians were injured. Condition of all the injured is stated to be stable, he added. A youth was critically injured in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs at Manigam in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, the official said, adding that the injured was undergoing surgery at SMHS hospital. A mob indulged in pelted stones in Sopore and in the retaliatory action, four persons sustained pellet injuries. Two others were injured in clashes in nearby Pattan town, the official said. Two other persons were injured in a similar incident in Shopian district, he said. Yaripora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir saw a grenade attack followed by firing on a police station during stone-pelting, resulting in injuries to six police personnel, the official said. "Someone from the mob hurled a grenade at the police personnel during stone pelting on Yaripora police station. The grenade attack was followed by firing," he said. Police has been saying that militants merge with stone-pelters to carry out attacks on security personnel, using civilians as a shield. Curfew had been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the valley where 37 have died and more than 3,100 others, including 1,500 securitymen, injured in the weeklong clashes following Burhan's killing in an encounter in Kokernag. The decision to impose curfew was taken in view of apprehensions that vested interests might exploit the large gatherings at Friday prayers to instigate violence, an official said. Meanwhile, separatists today extended the shutdown call in Kashmir by two days till July 18. (PTI)

Day seven: One killed, 23 hurt in Kashmir violence

The Pandit community in Kashmir Valley of India staged a protest today demanding a shift to Jammu district till normalcy returns in the violence-hit region. 
 
Attacks on the Kashmiri Pandits, the minority Hindus in the Valley, have increased after armed forces shot to death a top militant commander, Burhan Wani, on July 8.&nbsp; 
 
Many Pandit migrants are posted across the valley under the Prime Minister Special Employment Package. Most of them stay in transit camps. 
 
Post Wani&#39;s death, the Valley has been rocked by violent protests. At least 37 people have been killed and about 1,500, including members of the security forces, have been injured in clashes. Curfew is in force for the sixth day. 
 
Mobs have also taken to pelting stones at migrants living in camps at Vessu and Mattan regions in Anantnag district, among others. 
 
Some Pandits managed to escape and reached Jammu, where they shouted slogans demanding proper security. 
 
&quot;A mob pelted stones at our camp, at our home and other camps as well. Burhan died and the mob pelted stones at us, someone else will die and then again the mob will throw stones at us. So we don&#39;t want to go there and work,&quot; said a protestor, Sulekha Kaul. 
 
Relief Commissioner R.K. Pandita assured them all help possible. 
 
&quot;We have employees posted in different locations in Kashmir Valley who have been appointed under PM&#39;s package. Today these employees, some numbering 400 to 500 employees, they met me in my office and were alleging that there has been stone pelting on their various transit locations and I have asked them to give me a memorandum which I will be forwarding to government for appropriate action,&quot; said Pandita. 
 
According to officials, there are 1,673 migrant Pandit employees in the Valley and 1,040 live in camps. 
 
Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. 
 
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. 
 
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Mobs have taken to pelting stones at Pandit migrants living in transit camps in Kashmir

The Pandit community in Kashmir Valley of India staged a protest today demanding a shift to Jammu district till normalcy returns in the violence-hit region. Attacks on the Kashmiri Pandits, the minority Hindus in the Valley, have increased after armed forces shot to death a top militant commander, Burhan Wani, on July 8. Many Pandit migrants are posted across the valley under the Prime Minister Special Employment Package. Most of them stay in transit camps. Post Wani's death, the Valley has been rocked by violent protests. At least 37 people have been killed and about 1,500, including members of the security forces, have been injured in clashes. Curfew is in force for the sixth day. Mobs have also taken to pelting stones at migrants living in camps at Vessu and Mattan regions in Anantnag district, among others. Some Pandits managed to escape and reached Jammu, where they shouted slogans demanding proper security. "A mob pelted stones at our camp, at our home and other camps as well. Burhan died and the mob pelted stones at us, someone else will die and then again the mob will throw stones at us. So we don't want to go there and work," said a protestor, Sulekha Kaul. Relief Commissioner R.K. Pandita assured them all help possible. "We have employees posted in different locations in Kashmir Valley who have been appointed under PM's package. Today these employees, some numbering 400 to 500 employees, they met me in my office and were alleging that there has been stone pelting on their various transit locations and I have asked them to give me a memorandum which I will be forwarding to government for appropriate action," said Pandita. According to officials, there are 1,673 migrant Pandit employees in the Valley and 1,040 live in camps. Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. (Reuters)

Attacks on Kashmiri Pandits increase after killing of Burhan Wani

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India's interior minister reviews Kashmir situation

Kashmir unrest: Militants launch series of attacks on security forces

Kashmir chief minister: Separatists inciting children to violence

Day seven: One killed, 23 hurt in Kashmir violence

Attacks on Kashmiri Pandits increase after killing of Burhan Wani