Clashes erupted between security forces and students today after they took out a protest march against the alleged highhandedness of security personnel at a college in Pulwama in south Kashmir, the police said. 
 
A number of students of Boys Higher Secondary School and Pulwama Degree College took out a joint march against the security forces action on April 15, a police official said. 
 
When the march reached near Pulwama police station, some of the students threw stones at security personnel, who lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, the official said. 
 
There are no reports of any casualty in the clashes, which were going on till reports last came in. 
 
There were unconfirmed reports of some students hoisting Islamic State flags and pasting posters of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in July last year, on the building of the degree college. 
 
Meanwhile, shops and other business establishments were shut in the area in view of the clashes.

Incidences of civilian unrest following army operations against militants in Indian&nbsp;Kashmir&nbsp;have been rising, in what many analysts see as a sign of growing resentment in the disputed region.

Roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in&nbsp;Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in its entirety.

(PTI)

Some students taking part in a protest march pelted stones at security personnel, who retaliated by throwing teargas shells to disperse them

Clashes erupted between security forces and students today after they took out a protest march against the alleged highhandedness of security personnel at a college in Pulwama in south Kashmir, the police said. A number of students of Boys Higher Secondary School and Pulwama Degree College took out a joint march against the security forces action on April 15, a police official said. When the march reached near Pulwama police station, some of the students threw stones at security personnel, who lobbed teargas shells to disperse them, the official said. There are no reports of any casualty in the clashes, which were going on till reports last came in. There were unconfirmed reports of some students hoisting Islamic State flags and pasting posters of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces in July last year, on the building of the degree college. Meanwhile, shops and other business establishments were shut in the area in view of the clashes. Incidences of civilian unrest following army operations against militants in Indian Kashmir have been rising, in what many analysts see as a sign of growing resentment in the disputed region. Roughly 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in its entirety. (PTI)

Students clash with Indian security personnel in troubled Kashmir

Seven people including five policemen were killed Monday when&nbsp;militants attacked a bank van carrying cash in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said.

The Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.

&quot;All the seven in the van, five policemen and two bank employees, were killed,&quot; director general of police S. P. Vaid told AFP.

The van was returning to a bank in the village of Pumbai in Kulgam district, around 70 kilometres (43 miles) south of the main city of Srinagar, when it came under fire, Vaid said.

Another police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity that the attackers made off with cash and weapons.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-mutilated-bodies-of-two-indian-soldiers-despicable-act-will-be-appropriately-responded-indian-army-15117"> Two security force members killed by Pakistan, says Indian army&nbsp;</a>

Suspected militants in recent months have targeted banks across the restive Kashmir valley, where several armed groups have been fighting against Indian rule for decades.

Last week police said they foiled a bank raid in the southern district of Anantnag by two men who opened fire on paramilitary guards.

One of the attackers was arrested while another managed to escape.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where most people favour independence or a merger with mainly Muslim Pakistan.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947 but both claim the territory in its entirety.

(AFP)

Five of the seven dead are policemen. The Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the attack

Seven people including five policemen were killed Monday when militants attacked a bank van carrying cash in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said. The Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack. "All the seven in the van, five policemen and two bank employees, were killed," director general of police S. P. Vaid told AFP. The van was returning to a bank in the village of Pumbai in Kulgam district, around 70 kilometres (43 miles) south of the main city of Srinagar, when it came under fire, Vaid said. Another police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity that the attackers made off with cash and weapons. Also read: Two security force members killed by Pakistan, says Indian army Suspected militants in recent months have targeted banks across the restive Kashmir valley, where several armed groups have been fighting against Indian rule for decades. Last week police said they foiled a bank raid in the southern district of Anantnag by two men who opened fire on paramilitary guards. One of the attackers was arrested while another managed to escape. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where most people favour independence or a merger with mainly Muslim Pakistan. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947 but both claim the territory in its entirety. (AFP)

Seven killed after militants attack bank van in India's Kashmir

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking exclusively to WION correspondent Ramesh Ramachandran on the Kashmir dispute involving India and Pakistan said he was &quot;deeply saddened&quot; and &quot;upset&quot; over the issue which has divided people in the Indian sub-continent.&nbsp;

The President declared that he wanted to see &quot;an open channel for dialogue to bring India and Pakistan together which can be put into place by the Indian PM and Pak PM to solve&nbsp;the dispute forever&quot;.

&quot;For the last seven decades, this question has not been settled. And I believe doing so will provide relief to both&nbsp;countries,&quot; Erdogan said.

Calling for an early resolution of the Kashmir issue, the Turkish President said that&nbsp;&quot;extending conflicts, extending questions and carrying these questions to the future will be unfair to the future generations&quot;.

On Turkey being a member of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), which has been&nbsp;critical of India on the issue of Kashmir, Erdogan said, &quot;Pakistan consists of 100% Muslims and there is a very large Muslim population inside India. And as the OIC, we would never act against India, we would never release statements against India. This is not what we are running after. All we want to see is open the channel for dialogue in order to bring India and Pakistan closer to one another, in order to hopefully settle the dispute on Kashmir once and for all.&quot;

&quot;I have heard PM Nawaz Sharif personally speaking about his will to settle this question with me once and for&nbsp;all. So if we keep the dialogue channels open, we can settle this question,&quot; he told WION.

The president hoped to strengthen &quot;multilateral dialogue&quot;&nbsp;to find a way forward to solve the contentious border issue.

The president also said that his country &quot;can be involved&quot; in the process, if required.

Catch&nbsp;the complete interview&nbsp;with&nbsp;Turkey&#39;s President&nbsp;Recep Tayyip Erdogan on WION Live TV at 8 pm (IST) Monday.&nbsp;

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(WION)

On Kashmir, Erdogan said that surmounting the Kashmir issue will contribute to global peace as the Kashmir question has lingered for seven decades

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking exclusively to WION correspondent Ramesh Ramachandran on the Kashmir dispute involving India and Pakistan said he was "deeply saddened" and "upset" over the issue which has divided people in the Indian sub-continent. The President declared that he wanted to see "an open channel for dialogue to bring India and Pakistan together which can be put into place by the Indian PM and Pak PM to solve the dispute forever". "For the last seven decades, this question has not been settled. And I believe doing so will provide relief to both countries," Erdogan said. Calling for an early resolution of the Kashmir issue, the Turkish President said that "extending conflicts, extending questions and carrying these questions to the future will be unfair to the future generations". On Turkey being a member of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), which has been critical of India on the issue of Kashmir, Erdogan said, "Pakistan consists of 100% Muslims and there is a very large Muslim population inside India. And as the OIC, we would never act against India, we would never release statements against India. This is not what we are running after. All we want to see is open the channel for dialogue in order to bring India and Pakistan closer to one another, in order to hopefully settle the dispute on Kashmir once and for all." "I have heard PM Nawaz Sharif personally speaking about his will to settle this question with me once and for all. So if we keep the dialogue channels open, we can settle this question," he told WION. The president hoped to strengthen "multilateral dialogue" to find a way forward to solve the contentious border issue. The president also said that his country "can be involved" in the process, if required. Catch the complete interview with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on WION Live TV at 8 pm (IST) Monday. (WION)

WION EXCLUSIVE: India, Pak should keep open channel for dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue, says President  Erdogan

Jammu and Kashmir government today banned 22 social networking sites and applications including Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter in Kashmir on the ground that these were being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements to fan trouble.

The ban will be in place for a month or till further orders, whichever is earlier, said an order issued by Principal Secretary (Home) R K Goyal.

&quot;In the interest of maintenance of public order, the government hereby directs all internet service providers that any message or class of messages to or from a person or a class of persons relating to any subject or any pictorial content through the following social networking sites shall not be transmitted in Kashmir valley with immediate effect for a period of one month or till further orders, whichever is earlier,&quot; he said in the three-page order.

The sites and applications which will be inaccessible in the valley include Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Wechat, QQ, Qzone, Google Plus, Skype, Line, Pinterest, Snapchat, Youtube, Vine and Flickr.

An earlier report said the government had suspended internet services in Kashmir for a month but this was not correct.

To ban the social networking sites and Apps, Goyal invoked the powers conferred on Government under Indian Telegraph Act 1885 read with Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules 2007 to ban these sites and applications.

&quot;On careful examination of all relevant factors, it is observed that the use of social media platforms, which are being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements by transmitting inflammatory messages in various forms are immediately required to be regulated/curbed,&quot; the order reads.

It said, &quot;the anti-national and inimical elements largely succeed in transmitting unverified, objectionable and inflammatory material and content through the medium of these social networking sites.&quot;&nbsp;

It was being &quot;felt that continued misuse of social networking sites and instant messaging services is likely to be detrimental to the interests of peace and tranquility in the state,&quot; the order said.

&quot;It was also observed during law and order disturbances of 2016 in the Kashmir valley that anti-national and subversive elements extensively misused social media sites and instant messaging services for vitiating peace and instigating violence, which caused large scale damage to life and property,&quot; it added.

The move comes against the backdrop of repeated student protests in Kashmir, which the authorities believe are fanned through social media.

Some days back, a police official had said that 350 WhatsApp groups were being used to spread rumours in Kashmir and the government had cracked down, shutting 90 per cent of these groups.

The mobile internet services were suspended in Kashmir on April 17, following widespread student protests in the valley against alleged highhandedness of security forces.

(PTI)

The ban will be in place for a month or till further orders, whichever is earlier, said an order issued by Principal Secretary (Home) R K Goyal

Jammu and Kashmir government today banned 22 social networking sites and applications including Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter in Kashmir on the ground that these were being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements to fan trouble. The ban will be in place for a month or till further orders, whichever is earlier, said an order issued by Principal Secretary (Home) R K Goyal. "In the interest of maintenance of public order, the government hereby directs all internet service providers that any message or class of messages to or from a person or a class of persons relating to any subject or any pictorial content through the following social networking sites shall not be transmitted in Kashmir valley with immediate effect for a period of one month or till further orders, whichever is earlier," he said in the three-page order. The sites and applications which will be inaccessible in the valley include Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Wechat, QQ, Qzone, Google Plus, Skype, Line, Pinterest, Snapchat, Youtube, Vine and Flickr. An earlier report said the government had suspended internet services in Kashmir for a month but this was not correct. To ban the social networking sites and Apps, Goyal invoked the powers conferred on Government under Indian Telegraph Act 1885 read with Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules 2007 to ban these sites and applications. "On careful examination of all relevant factors, it is observed that the use of social media platforms, which are being misused by anti-national and anti-social elements by transmitting inflammatory messages in various forms are immediately required to be regulated/curbed," the order reads. It said, "the anti-national and inimical elements largely succeed in transmitting unverified, objectionable and inflammatory material and content through the medium of these social networking sites." It was being "felt that continued misuse of social networking sites and instant messaging services is likely to be detrimental to the interests of peace and tranquility in the state," the order said. "It was also observed during law and order disturbances of 2016 in the Kashmir valley that anti-national and subversive elements extensively misused social media sites and instant messaging services for vitiating peace and instigating violence, which caused large scale damage to life and property," it added. The move comes against the backdrop of repeated student protests in Kashmir, which the authorities believe are fanned through social media. Some days back, a police official had said that 350 WhatsApp groups were being used to spread rumours in Kashmir and the government had cracked down, shutting 90 per cent of these groups. The mobile internet services were suspended in Kashmir on April 17, following widespread student protests in the valley against alleged highhandedness of security forces. (PTI)

Social media banned for 1 month in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested separatist leader Asiya Andrabi Thursday morning under the Public Safety Act.

PTI reported sources as saying she was arrested from her home.&nbsp;

The authorities accuse Andrabi of inciting women in the valley to pelt stones at the security forces.

(WION)

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested separatist leader Asiya Andrabi Thursday morning under the Public Safety Act. PTI reported sources as saying she was arrested from her home. The authorities accuse Andrabi of inciting women in the valley to pelt stones at the security forces. (WION)

Separatist leader Asiya Andrabi arrested in Kashmir

An Indian Army captain and two other soldiers were today killed as terrorists&nbsp;attacked an Army camp in Kashmir&#39;s Kupwara district.

Two militants have bee killed by the security forces. Reports said a protester was also killed in the clash with the Army while demanding bodies of terrorists killed during the encounter.

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J&amp;K: A protester was killed in Panzgam area of Kupwara in clash with Army while demanding bodies of terrorists killed during encounter
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The encounter&nbsp;took place at Panjgaon at Chowkibal when militants, suspected to be of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad stormed the battalion camp which is in-charge of road opening duties on the crucial roads in this area, PTI reported.

The Indian Army officer who has been killed in the attack has been identified as Captain Ayush, PTI quoted official sources as saying.

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2 terrorists killed, search&amp;sanitation ops in progress;recovery of 1 additional AK-47 indicates presence of 3rd terrorist: Army <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kupwara?src=hash">#Kupwara</a> <a href="https://t.co/GJ9a1NcIcK">pic.twitter.com/GJ9a1NcIcK</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/857554925240307713">April 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Search op for third terrorist on.Identity of terrorists being ascertained; material found points likely towards foreign terrorists: Army <a href="https://t.co/LCfdkxVOkh">pic.twitter.com/LCfdkxVOkh</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/857556716170256384">April 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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The incident took place at Panjgaon at Chowkibal when militants, suspected to be of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad stormed the battalion camp

An Indian Army captain and two other soldiers were today killed as terrorists attacked an Army camp in Kashmir's Kupwara district. Two militants have bee killed by the security forces. Reports said a protester was also killed in the clash with the Army while demanding bodies of terrorists killed during the encounter. J&K: A protester was killed in Panzgam area of Kupwara in clash with Army while demanding bodies of terrorists killed during encounter — ANI (@ANI_news) April 27, 2017 × The encounter took place at Panjgaon at Chowkibal when militants, suspected to be of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad stormed the battalion camp which is in-charge of road opening duties on the crucial roads in this area, PTI reported. The Indian Army officer who has been killed in the attack has been identified as Captain Ayush, PTI quoted official sources as saying. 2 terrorists killed, search&sanitation ops in progress;recovery of 1 additional AK-47 indicates presence of 3rd terrorist: Army #Kupwara pic.twitter.com/GJ9a1NcIcK — ANI (@ANI_news) April 27, 2017 × Search op for third terrorist on.Identity of terrorists being ascertained; material found points likely towards foreign terrorists: Army pic.twitter.com/LCfdkxVOkh — ANI (@ANI_news) April 27, 2017 × (WION with inputs from agencies)

1 protester among 3 soldiers, 2 militants killed in J&K attack

The DNA newspaper reported Tuesday that Pakistan, in a change of strategy, has also begun pushing &quot;preachers&quot; into Kashmir rather than just militants.&nbsp;

The preachers, the newspaper said, then recruit young men to take up arms against Indian security forces, the paper said.&nbsp;

India blames most of its Kashmir problems on Pakistan, saying its neighbour sneaks militants into the state from over the border.&nbsp;

&quot;The brief given to these individuals is fairly simple -- brainwash as many young men, including teenagers, into taking up arms, reveals a recent review done by Intelligence agencies and the army,&quot; the DNA reported.&nbsp;

&quot;Sources in the security establishment told DNA that out of the 150 Pakistani terrorists currently operating out of J&amp;K, 40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times, but have become preachers tasked with recruiting and influencing youngsters to take on security forces,&quot; the newspaper added.&nbsp;

The DNA added that sources in the security establishment had told it that out of the 150 Pakistani militants currently operating out of Kashmir, &quot;40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times&quot;.&nbsp;

The DNA report did not name its sources.&nbsp;

(WION)

A report in the DNA newspaper said the preachers are tasked with recruiting young men to take on Indian security forces

The DNA newspaper reported Tuesday that Pakistan, in a change of strategy, has also begun pushing "preachers" into Kashmir rather than just militants. The preachers, the newspaper said, then recruit young men to take up arms against Indian security forces, the paper said. India blames most of its Kashmir problems on Pakistan, saying its neighbour sneaks militants into the state from over the border. "The brief given to these individuals is fairly simple -- brainwash as many young men, including teenagers, into taking up arms, reveals a recent review done by Intelligence agencies and the army," the DNA reported. "Sources in the security establishment told DNA that out of the 150 Pakistani terrorists currently operating out of J&K, 40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times, but have become preachers tasked with recruiting and influencing youngsters to take on security forces," the newspaper added. The DNA added that sources in the security establishment had told it that out of the 150 Pakistani militants currently operating out of Kashmir, "40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times". The DNA report did not name its sources. (WION)

Pakistan pushing preachers into Kashmir: DNA

A video has emerged of last week&#39;s gau rakshak&nbsp;attack on a herder family in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Reasi.

They attacked and injured a family of five -- including a nine-year-old girl -- who were grazing their livestock.

In the video, the group is seen attacking the family even as they take shelter in a police check post.

The attackers then break into sloganeering and try to violently attack the check post amid chants of &#39;Bharat mata&nbsp;ki jai&#39; and &#39;jai Shri Ram&#39;.

Four members of a self-styled &quot;gau rakshak&quot; (cow vigilante) group were arrested.

A senior police officer said a First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged against the persons involved in the attack against a nomadic family which took place in Talwara area.

The victims said the attackers mercilessly beat them and took away their entire flock including goats, sheep and cows.&nbsp;

The livestock has been restored to the family, media reports quoted police officials as saying.

(WION)

&nbsp;

The attack continued as the family took shelter in a police check post

A video has emerged of last week's gau rakshak attack on a herder family in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi. They attacked and injured a family of five -- including a nine-year-old girl -- who were grazing their livestock. In the video, the group is seen attacking the family even as they take shelter in a police check post. The attackers then break into sloganeering and try to violently attack the check post amid chants of 'Bharat mata ki jai' and 'jai Shri Ram'. Four members of a self-styled "gau rakshak" (cow vigilante) group were arrested. A senior police officer said a First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged against the persons involved in the attack against a nomadic family which took place in Talwara area. The victims said the attackers mercilessly beat them and took away their entire flock including goats, sheep and cows. The livestock has been restored to the family, media reports quoted police officials as saying. (WION)

Video emerges of gau rakshak attack on herder family in Jammu

Four members of a self-styled &quot;gau rakshak&quot; (cow vigilante) group were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Reasi district after they attacked and injured a family of five -- including a nine-year-old girl -- who were grazing their livestock.

A senior police officer said a First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged against the persons involved in the attack against a nomadic family which took place in Talwara area.

The victims said the attackers mercilessly beat them and took away their entire flock including goats, sheep and cows.&nbsp;

The livestock has been restored to the family, media reports quoted police officials as saying. 
 
(WION)

The victims said their attackers beat them mercilessly and took away their entire flock of goats, sheep, and cows

Four members of a self-styled "gau rakshak" (cow vigilante) group were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district after they attacked and injured a family of five -- including a nine-year-old girl -- who were grazing their livestock. A senior police officer said a First Information Report (FIR) had been lodged against the persons involved in the attack against a nomadic family which took place in Talwara area. The victims said the attackers mercilessly beat them and took away their entire flock including goats, sheep and cows. The livestock has been restored to the family, media reports quoted police officials as saying. (WION)

Cow vigilantes attack family, including nine-year-old, in Jammu and Kashmir

Imagine the response by any of the previous Indian governments on Kashmir if today&#39;s&nbsp;situation had come to&nbsp;pass. Emissaries would have been activated, delegations would have camped in the valley, some would have received invites to come to Delhi and reassurance would have directly come from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s office. None of this&nbsp;has happened.

The unique form of protest--pelting of stones, participation of students, schools and hospitals being shut--is a feature consistent for almost a year now. And this has happened in a regime which started with the process of reconciliation and meeting of two ends of political spectrum, that being Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People&#39;s Democratic Party (PDP).

But the dream went bust and the government was accused of not reaching out. The fact that the current collapse of civil administration&nbsp;receives a mute response from the Centre is because it suits its larger politics. Kashmir, instead of being treated as a people&rsquo;s problem, is being played out as a theatre for a type of nationalism which BJP has successfully churned for electoral politics. It is for this reason that for the first time, &quot;human right&quot; as a word is also being used for the army and paramilitary forces.

But this did not happen overnight.

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<h5>The voices supporting talks or reconciliation in the national narrative have&nbsp;been sidelined as&nbsp;the weak liberal category</h5>
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The voices supporting talks or reconciliation in the national narrative have&nbsp;been sidelined as&nbsp;the weak liberal category, making any pitch on their part feeble and without public support. It is in this climate, Kashmir continues to bleed and Kashmiris refuse to participate in hope for the announcement of a grand gesture. Unfortunately, the gesture will not come because the government has already handed over a choice between terrorism and tourism to the people. The government has already thrown in its towel, realising that every attempt by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh has failed.

It is for this reason attempt made by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha did not cut any ice with the Centre. Since the government runs the risk of looking weak, the matter has been parceled&nbsp;to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, whose political capital runs shallow. To expect a package or a complete U-turn by the government on this issue would be to fool oneself. What is evident is that the Centre has dug in its feet on Kashmir and has decided to tackle it from the angle of nationalism.

Now the question is,&nbsp;how will this approach&nbsp;evolve in the long run? The approach rests on the premise that the protest run out of steam and players will come back to the talking table tired, sooner or later. But the risk of this strategy is higher than those tried before.

Today Kashmir has a plethora of street fighters who are children. None of them are getting integrated into&nbsp;the state and political structure of the government.

How will the state then deal with this generation when it gets out of the school and colleges without any sense of engagement with the mainland?&nbsp;

Many in the ruling dispensation argue that the situation is not as bad as when Kashmiri Hindus had to leave valley. At that point of time, the migration represented failure of the state to give security to the minority, and civil society, at large, did not attack Hindus. Today civil society&nbsp;is not only alienated from the state but it has bankrupted local political players of credibility and gravitas, creating consequences for Delhi in long run.

For this very reason Kashmir, today, is very different from the Kashmir of the past. There is a departure from the cycle of violence which the Centre is used to. The new generation is asking fundamental questions on article 370. The article 370 is a commitment made by India at the time of accession. India agreed for a Kashmiri exceptionalism. Whether we like it or not, the fact that we are far removed from Kashmir when we talk about changing the alignment&nbsp;destroys our own credibility. The symbols of unity act as instruments for further violence and divisive politics.

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<h5>The symbols of unity act as instruments for further violence and divisive politics.</h5>
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The fact that the mainstream discourse challenges the unique identity of India has itself become a political problem. Indian politicians and resurgent middle-class need to rise above the cacophony of nationalism, homogeneity of symbols and concept of India First in which instead of people, territory comes first.

It is not possible for the Centre to hide behind the logic of normal Ladakh and Jammu. It cannot afford to have an ego with its own people even if empathy has died a slow death in popular discourse. The former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee understood it well. It is for this reason he continues to be the most remembered leader in the valley. He understood the power of hope.

Vajpayee&rsquo;s narrative rested on it. This similar narrative was used by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He raised the bar of hope when he formed the government in Srinagar. People felt that Mufti would usher certain long pending changes. The change didn&rsquo;t happen, and he passed away creating anger, resentment and rage. It is for this reason PDP leaders came under attack from its own people.

It&rsquo;s not PDP alone. The mainstream parties in Kashmir today stand discredited. To begin with, we can restore some credibility to them by giving into some of their civil administrative demand and make people in the valley feel that it is their representative who is ruling them and not the political players associated with Delhi durbar. Lastly, what works in the rest of India may not work in Kashmir or North East.

(WION)

Instead of treating Kashmir as a people?s problem, it is being played out as a theatre for nationalism which BJP has used successfully

Imagine the response by any of the previous Indian governments on Kashmir if today's situation had come to pass. Emissaries would have been activated, delegations would have camped in the valley, some would have received invites to come to Delhi and reassurance would have directly come from the Prime Minister’s office. None of this has happened. The unique form of protest--pelting of stones, participation of students, schools and hospitals being shut--is a feature consistent for almost a year now. And this has happened in a regime which started with the process of reconciliation and meeting of two ends of political spectrum, that being Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). But the dream went bust and the government was accused of not reaching out. The fact that the current collapse of civil administration receives a mute response from the Centre is because it suits its larger politics. Kashmir, instead of being treated as a people’s problem, is being played out as a theatre for a type of nationalism which BJP has successfully churned for electoral politics. It is for this reason that for the first time, "human right" as a word is also being used for the army and paramilitary forces. But this did not happen overnight. The voices supporting talks or reconciliation in the national narrative have been sidelined as the weak liberal category × The voices supporting talks or reconciliation in the national narrative have been sidelined as the weak liberal category, making any pitch on their part feeble and without public support. It is in this climate, Kashmir continues to bleed and Kashmiris refuse to participate in hope for the announcement of a grand gesture. Unfortunately, the gesture will not come because the government has already handed over a choice between terrorism and tourism to the people. The government has already thrown in its towel, realising that every attempt by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh has failed. It is for this reason attempt made by BJP leader Yashwant Sinha did not cut any ice with the Centre. Since the government runs the risk of looking weak, the matter has been parceled to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, whose political capital runs shallow. To expect a package or a complete U-turn by the government on this issue would be to fool oneself. What is evident is that the Centre has dug in its feet on Kashmir and has decided to tackle it from the angle of nationalism. Now the question is, how will this approach evolve in the long run? The approach rests on the premise that the protest run out of steam and players will come back to the talking table tired, sooner or later. But the risk of this strategy is higher than those tried before. Today Kashmir has a plethora of street fighters who are children. None of them are getting integrated into the state and political structure of the government. How will the state then deal with this generation when it gets out of the school and colleges without any sense of engagement with the mainland? Many in the ruling dispensation argue that the situation is not as bad as when Kashmiri Hindus had to leave valley. At that point of time, the migration represented failure of the state to give security to the minority, and civil society, at large, did not attack Hindus. Today civil society is not only alienated from the state but it has bankrupted local political players of credibility and gravitas, creating consequences for Delhi in long run. For this very reason Kashmir, today, is very different from the Kashmir of the past. There is a departure from the cycle of violence which the Centre is used to. The new generation is asking fundamental questions on article 370. The article 370 is a commitment made by India at the time of accession. India agreed for a Kashmiri exceptionalism. Whether we like it or not, the fact that we are far removed from Kashmir when we talk about changing the alignment destroys our own credibility. The symbols of unity act as instruments for further violence and divisive politics. The symbols of unity act as instruments for further violence and divisive politics. × The fact that the mainstream discourse challenges the unique identity of India has itself become a political problem. Indian politicians and resurgent middle-class need to rise above the cacophony of nationalism, homogeneity of symbols and concept of India First in which instead of people, territory comes first. It is not possible for the Centre to hide behind the logic of normal Ladakh and Jammu. It cannot afford to have an ego with its own people even if empathy has died a slow death in popular discourse. The former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee understood it well. It is for this reason he continues to be the most remembered leader in the valley. He understood the power of hope. Vajpayee’s narrative rested on it. This similar narrative was used by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He raised the bar of hope when he formed the government in Srinagar. People felt that Mufti would usher certain long pending changes. The change didn’t happen, and he passed away creating anger, resentment and rage. It is for this reason PDP leaders came under attack from its own people. It’s not PDP alone. The mainstream parties in Kashmir today stand discredited. To begin with, we can restore some credibility to them by giving into some of their civil administrative demand and make people in the valley feel that it is their representative who is ruling them and not the political players associated with Delhi durbar. Lastly, what works in the rest of India may not work in Kashmir or North East. (WION)

Hope dies a slow death

In the wake of the Chittorgarh incident, where a group of Kashmiri students at a private university in Rajasthan were allegedly called terrorists and beaten up by the locals, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday appealed to all the states to ensure the safety of the Kashmiris.

&quot;Last evening I got to know that some Kashmiri youth have been mistreated. I appeal to all the Chief Ministers to ensure that no Kashmiri youth is mistreated in any part of the nation. Even they are part of India. No one can rubbish this truth that many people from Kashmir are contributing to India&#39;s safety and prosperity,&quot; Singh told ANI.

He said he has asked the Home Ministry to immediately circulate an advisory to all states in this regard.

&quot;The incident is extremely unfortunate and I condemn it. Strict action will be taken against anyone who mistreats any Kashmiri youth. I appeal to all the youth to consider them as their brother. They are citizens of our country and part of our family. The people should understand this reality,&quot; he added.

The group of Kashmiri students were allegedly beaten up by the locals as they were upset over soldiers being targeted by stone pelters in the strife-torn border state.

The assault is the latest incident of violence against Kashmiris studying at Chittorgarh&#39;s Mewar University, which has around 500 students from Jammu and Kashmir.

In March 2016, four Kashmiri students were beaten up over rumours of beef being cooked in the university hostel.

The following month, some Kashmiri students got into a scuffle with another group over India&#39;s loss to West Indies in the T20 cricket world cup. Sixteen Kashmiri students and a warden, also from Kashmir, were suspended by the university after the incident.

(ANI)

This comes after Kashmiri students at a private university in Rajasthan were allegedly called terrorists and beaten up by the locals

In the wake of the Chittorgarh incident, where a group of Kashmiri students at a private university in Rajasthan were allegedly called terrorists and beaten up by the locals, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday appealed to all the states to ensure the safety of the Kashmiris. "Last evening I got to know that some Kashmiri youth have been mistreated. I appeal to all the Chief Ministers to ensure that no Kashmiri youth is mistreated in any part of the nation. Even they are part of India. No one can rubbish this truth that many people from Kashmir are contributing to India's safety and prosperity," Singh told ANI. He said he has asked the Home Ministry to immediately circulate an advisory to all states in this regard. "The incident is extremely unfortunate and I condemn it. Strict action will be taken against anyone who mistreats any Kashmiri youth. I appeal to all the youth to consider them as their brother. They are citizens of our country and part of our family. The people should understand this reality," he added. The group of Kashmiri students were allegedly beaten up by the locals as they were upset over soldiers being targeted by stone pelters in the strife-torn border state. The assault is the latest incident of violence against Kashmiris studying at Chittorgarh's Mewar University, which has around 500 students from Jammu and Kashmir. In March 2016, four Kashmiri students were beaten up over rumours of beef being cooked in the university hostel. The following month, some Kashmiri students got into a scuffle with another group over India's loss to West Indies in the T20 cricket world cup. Sixteen Kashmiri students and a warden, also from Kashmir, were suspended by the university after the incident. (ANI)

India Home Minister appeals to all states to ensure safety of Kashmiris

All universities, colleges and higher secondary schools in Kashmir will remain closed today as a&nbsp;precautionary measure after clashes broke out between students and security forces on Monday.

4G and 3G services were suspended in the valley on Monday and now the Jammu and Kashmir government is likely to also ban Facebook and WhatsApp in the days to come, Firstpost reported.

The report said it is purportedly being done to stop videos showing atrocities by security personnel from being circulated.&nbsp;

This is the third time the state&#39;s government has restricted internet services in the last two weeks.&nbsp;

Police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse students in the capital Srinagar, the latest outbreak of protests since demonstrations last week after a botched byelection in which at least eight people were killed, Reuters reported.

Some colleges were forced to close.

Students had clashed with security forces, protesting against an&nbsp;alleged raid by security personnel on the degree college in Pulwama on Saturday.

Greater Kashmir reported that more than 70 students were injured in the scuffle that broke out across different colleges and university campuses in Kashmir.

In Saturday&#39;s incident, at least fifty-four students, including girls, were injured during clashes outside Degree College Pulwama, Greater Kashmir reported. 
 
The incident has worsened the already tense situation prevailing in Kashmir after a video of a man strapped in front of an Army jeep had surfaced provoking strong reactions from people. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had shared the video on his Twitter account. 
 
The Jammu&nbsp;and Kashmir Police filed a case against the local Indian Army unit for tying up a man in front of a jeep allegedly to ward off stone pelters.&nbsp;

Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the video&#39;s authenticity was being ascertained, adding, &quot;Action will be taken against those found guilty of misconduct.&quot; 
 
Militants have stepped up attacks in Kashmir including raids on the homes of police officers ever since the incident, Reuters reported. 
 
The state&#39;s police chief on Sunday told officers to avoid visiting their own homes in South Kashmir, after militants stormed the houses of at least four officers.

Militants also shot dead a lawyer affiliated with an opposition party and a former counter-insurgency commander, police said. A worker of the ruling party was killed late on Saturday.

Over the weekend two more videos circulated on social media showing workers of the ruling political party in Jammu and Kashmir renouncing mainstream politics, one of them beside a man wielding a gun.

Earlier, another video had surfaced showing protesters kicking and heckling a CRPF soldier&nbsp;who was on election duty. The Police filed a case on a complaint by the CRPF.

The situation in Kashmir took a turn for the worse on April 9 when the bypoll for the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency were scheduled. Eight people were killed as protesters sought to disrupt the election process.

The Election Commission had ordered a repoll in 38 polling stations. The overall polling percentage for the bypoll stood at a dismal 7.13 per cent, the worst Kashmir has seen after militancy erupted in the late 1980s.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah won the by-poll defeating PDP&#39;s Nazir Khan. PDP, along with alliance partner BJP, is ruling the state.

(WION)&nbsp;

Schools and colleges were also shut after clashes broke out on Monday between students and security forces

All universities, colleges and higher secondary schools in Kashmir will remain closed today as a precautionary measure after clashes broke out between students and security forces on Monday. 4G and 3G services were suspended in the valley on Monday and now the Jammu and Kashmir government is likely to also ban Facebook and WhatsApp in the days to come, Firstpost reported. The report said it is purportedly being done to stop videos showing atrocities by security personnel from being circulated. This is the third time the state's government has restricted internet services in the last two weeks. Police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse students in the capital Srinagar, the latest outbreak of protests since demonstrations last week after a botched byelection in which at least eight people were killed, Reuters reported. Some colleges were forced to close. Students had clashed with security forces, protesting against an alleged raid by security personnel on the degree college in Pulwama on Saturday. Greater Kashmir reported that more than 70 students were injured in the scuffle that broke out across different colleges and university campuses in Kashmir. In Saturday's incident, at least fifty-four students, including girls, were injured during clashes outside Degree College Pulwama, Greater Kashmir reported. The incident has worsened the already tense situation prevailing in Kashmir after a video of a man strapped in front of an Army jeep had surfaced provoking strong reactions from people. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah had shared the video on his Twitter account. The Jammu and Kashmir Police filed a case against the local Indian Army unit for tying up a man in front of a jeep allegedly to ward off stone pelters. Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the video's authenticity was being ascertained, adding, "Action will be taken against those found guilty of misconduct." Militants have stepped up attacks in Kashmir including raids on the homes of police officers ever since the incident, Reuters reported. The state's police chief on Sunday told officers to avoid visiting their own homes in South Kashmir, after militants stormed the houses of at least four officers. Militants also shot dead a lawyer affiliated with an opposition party and a former counter-insurgency commander, police said. A worker of the ruling party was killed late on Saturday. Over the weekend two more videos circulated on social media showing workers of the ruling political party in Jammu and Kashmir renouncing mainstream politics, one of them beside a man wielding a gun. Earlier, another video had surfaced showing protesters kicking and heckling a CRPF soldier who was on election duty. The Police filed a case on a complaint by the CRPF. The situation in Kashmir took a turn for the worse on April 9 when the bypoll for the Srinagar Parliamentary constituency were scheduled. Eight people were killed as protesters sought to disrupt the election process. The Election Commission had ordered a repoll in 38 polling stations. The overall polling percentage for the bypoll stood at a dismal 7.13 per cent, the worst Kashmir has seen after militancy erupted in the late 1980s. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah won the by-poll defeating PDP's Nazir Khan. PDP, along with alliance partner BJP, is ruling the state. (WION)

4G and 3G services suspended in Kashmir, Facebook and WhatsApp likely to be banned

US President Donald Trump&#39;s national security adviser H.R. McMaster met Pakistan&#39;s prime minister Nawaz Sharif today and emphasised&nbsp;&quot;the need to confront terrorism in all its forms&quot;.

&quot;General McMaster expressed appreciation for Pakistan&#39;s democratic and economic development, and stressed the need to confront terrorism in all its forms,&quot; the US embassy said in a statement.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was quick to bring up the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir during his talks with the US National Security Advisor hoping for US intervention over the contentious border issue which has resulted in widespread violence. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;(Sharif) welcomed President Trump&#39;s willingness to help India and Pakistan resolve their difference particularly on Kashmir and noted that this could go a long way in bringing sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the region,&quot;&nbsp;the Pakistan prime minister&#39;s office said in a statement.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir in 1965 and 1971 including a border skirmish in 1999 during the Kargil conflict. India has maintained it won&#39;t allow any &quot;third party&quot; intervention on Kashmir but Pakistan has consistently lobbied for either the UN or the US to intervene in the dispute.

This is H.R. McMaster first South Asian trip since the new US administration took office in January. He also met &nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s chief of army staff general Qamar Javed Bajwa as well as top foreign policy and national security officials.

Afganistan too figured in the talks, Afghan officials have long accused Pakistan of providing Taliban insurgents shelter&nbsp;and support&nbsp;on its side of the countries&#39; porous border.&nbsp;Pakistan denies it shelters the Afghan Taliban and says it fights against all the region&#39;s jihadist groups with equal vigour.

McMaster in an interview with an Afghan news channel TOLO News in Kabul, said, &quot;As all of us have hoped for many, many years, we have hoped that Pakistani leaders will understand that it is in their interest to go after these groups less selectively than they have in the past.&quot;

However, official statements on Monday gave little indication of whether the Trump administration would adopt a new, tougher policy on Pakistan, as some Afghan and Indian officials hope.

&quot;And the best way to pursue their interest in Afghanistan and elsewhere is through diplomacy not through the use of proxies that engage in violence,&quot; he added during the interview indicating US frustration with Pakistan&#39;s&nbsp;Afgan policy.

(WION with Reuters input)

US national security adviser H.R. McMaster met Pak PM Nawaz Sharif and emphasised 'the need to confront terrorism in all forms'

US President Donald Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster met Pakistan's prime minister Nawaz Sharif today and emphasised "the need to confront terrorism in all its forms". "General McMaster expressed appreciation for Pakistan's democratic and economic development, and stressed the need to confront terrorism in all its forms," the US embassy said in a statement. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was quick to bring up the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir during his talks with the US National Security Advisor hoping for US intervention over the contentious border issue which has resulted in widespread violence. "(Sharif) welcomed President Trump's willingness to help India and Pakistan resolve their difference particularly on Kashmir and noted that this could go a long way in bringing sustainable peace, security and prosperity to the region," the Pakistan prime minister's office said in a statement. India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir in 1965 and 1971 including a border skirmish in 1999 during the Kargil conflict. India has maintained it won't allow any "third party" intervention on Kashmir but Pakistan has consistently lobbied for either the UN or the US to intervene in the dispute. This is H.R. McMaster first South Asian trip since the new US administration took office in January. He also met Pakistan's chief of army staff general Qamar Javed Bajwa as well as top foreign policy and national security officials. Afganistan too figured in the talks, Afghan officials have long accused Pakistan of providing Taliban insurgents shelter and support on its side of the countries' porous border. Pakistan denies it shelters the Afghan Taliban and says it fights against all the region's jihadist groups with equal vigour. McMaster in an interview with an Afghan news channel TOLO News in Kabul, said, "As all of us have hoped for many, many years, we have hoped that Pakistani leaders will understand that it is in their interest to go after these groups less selectively than they have in the past." However, official statements on Monday gave little indication of whether the Trump administration would adopt a new, tougher policy on Pakistan, as some Afghan and Indian officials hope. "And the best way to pursue their interest in Afghanistan and elsewhere is through diplomacy not through the use of proxies that engage in violence," he added during the interview indicating US frustration with Pakistan's Afgan policy. (WION with Reuters input)

Help India, Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue: Pak PM Nawaz Sharif to US National Security Adviser

Days after a video emerged of CRPF personnel getting heckled and kicked by protesters in Kashmir, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has shared a video of a man tied in front of the Army Jeep allegedly to avoid incidents of stone pelting.

The authenticity of the video could not be verified.&nbsp;

The former chief minister, while sharing the video on his twitter handle, said, &quot;This young man was TIED to the front of an army jeep to make sure no stones were thrown at the jeep? This is just so shocking!!!!&quot;

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This young man was TIED to the front of an army jeep to make sure no stones were thrown at the jeep? This is just so shocking!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kashmir?src=hash">#Kashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/bqs4YJOpJc">pic.twitter.com/bqs4YJOpJc</a>
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdullah_omar/status/852745953677148160">April 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Here&#39;s the video as well. A warning can be heard saying stone pelters will meet this fate. This requires an urgent inquiry &amp; follow up NOW!! <a href="https://t.co/qj1rnCVazn">pic.twitter.com/qj1rnCVazn</a>
&mdash; Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) <a href="https://twitter.com/abdullah_omar/status/852746966110945282">April 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a FIR in the case of the CRPF jawan getting heckled and kicked on a complaint filed by the CRPF, ANI said.

(WION) &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The video comes two days after another video of CRPF jawans getting kicked and heckled by protesters went viral

Days after a video emerged of CRPF personnel getting heckled and kicked by protesters in Kashmir, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has shared a video of a man tied in front of the Army Jeep allegedly to avoid incidents of stone pelting. The authenticity of the video could not be verified. The former chief minister, while sharing the video on his twitter handle, said, "This young man was TIED to the front of an army jeep to make sure no stones were thrown at the jeep? This is just so shocking!!!!" This young man was TIED to the front of an army jeep to make sure no stones were thrown at the jeep? This is just so shocking!!!! #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/bqs4YJOpJc — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) April 14, 2017 × Here's the video as well. A warning can be heard saying stone pelters will meet this fate. This requires an urgent inquiry & follow up NOW!! pic.twitter.com/qj1rnCVazn — Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) April 14, 2017 × Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a FIR in the case of the CRPF jawan getting heckled and kicked on a complaint filed by the CRPF, ANI said. (WION)

Watch: Man tied to Army jeep in Kashmir allegedly to avoid stone pelting

With setting in of summer and melting of the snow, Pakistan has upped its game on social media to instigate the civil society in the valley of Kashmir against the state government and security forces. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Apart from laying importance on physical attacks on public property and damage to the security forces, there is a renewed attempt to use cyberspace to mobilise public opinion against the Indian Army. It&rsquo;s one of the many which do rounds in the valley of Kashmir but looking at it points out at the sophistication anti-India cyber operation. 
&nbsp; 
A social media publicity material in possession of WION is one such example of it. The publicity material clearly states the days and the dates of social media workshops in different parts of Pakistan to organise cyber warfare against India. Not only does it inform them of the time but numbers are available which are working and can be used to take quick notes if internet connection is slow. The most important is its message that the only thing required to wage cyber war in Kashmir is a phone and internet connection. It also clearly states that the current workshops are only focused on the year 2017 indicating that every year terror organisations based in Pakistan would use social media platforms differently. 
&nbsp; 
WION spoke to Arun Chaudhary, a retired Intelligence Bureau officer who headed the Kashmir division on this matter. He is of the view that social media is being increasingly used to organize people in the valley and its power should not be underestimated. 
&nbsp; 
The best example is that of recent phenomena of quick mobilisation of people against security forces right during an operation to pelt stones against the security forces. &ldquo;Reach of social media in Kashmir is huge. I should be understood that Pakistan continues to heavily invest in technology to ensure that their assets remain safe inside the valley,&rdquo; said Arun Chaudhary. 
&nbsp; 
The political establishment continues to be tense because mobilisation of people in isolated pockets during anti-terror operation is making the job of Indian Army tough and delicate at the same time. Though the government in the state would like lesser publicity in television when anti-terrorist operations are on, it acknowledges the power of social media as it continues to shape a different narrative in the valley despite a different position taken by the main stream media. Despite different content running on main channels, social media continues to create a different political landscape where the&nbsp;hero is a martyr&nbsp;and protest is both physical and digital at the same time.

(WION)

A social media publicity material states the days and dates of social media workshops in Pakistan to organise cyber warfare against India

With setting in of summer and melting of the snow, Pakistan has upped its game on social media to instigate the civil society in the valley of Kashmir against the state government and security forces. Apart from laying importance on physical attacks on public property and damage to the security forces, there is a renewed attempt to use cyberspace to mobilise public opinion against the Indian Army. It’s one of the many which do rounds in the valley of Kashmir but looking at it points out at the sophistication anti-India cyber operation. A social media publicity material in possession of WION is one such example of it. The publicity material clearly states the days and the dates of social media workshops in different parts of Pakistan to organise cyber warfare against India. Not only does it inform them of the time but numbers are available which are working and can be used to take quick notes if internet connection is slow. The most important is its message that the only thing required to wage cyber war in Kashmir is a phone and internet connection. It also clearly states that the current workshops are only focused on the year 2017 indicating that every year terror organisations based in Pakistan would use social media platforms differently. WION spoke to Arun Chaudhary, a retired Intelligence Bureau officer who headed the Kashmir division on this matter. He is of the view that social media is being increasingly used to organize people in the valley and its power should not be underestimated. The best example is that of recent phenomena of quick mobilisation of people against security forces right during an operation to pelt stones against the security forces. “Reach of social media in Kashmir is huge. I should be understood that Pakistan continues to heavily invest in technology to ensure that their assets remain safe inside the valley,” said Arun Chaudhary. The political establishment continues to be tense because mobilisation of people in isolated pockets during anti-terror operation is making the job of Indian Army tough and delicate at the same time. Though the government in the state would like lesser publicity in television when anti-terrorist operations are on, it acknowledges the power of social media as it continues to shape a different narrative in the valley despite a different position taken by the main stream media. Despite different content running on main channels, social media continues to create a different political landscape where the hero is a martyr and protest is both physical and digital at the same time. (WION)

Cyber war heats up Kashmir

Pakistan&#39;s banned terrorist outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa(JuD) has decided to fight a social media war in Kashmir by recruiting young Pakistani nationals for its &quot;cyber team&quot;.

Hafiz Saeed, a wanted man in India for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, was put on the Exit Control List by Pakistan&#39;s Interior Ministry recently. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-defence-minister-says-let-chief-hafiz-saeed-posed-threat-to-country-12618">He is currently under house arrest in Pakistan.</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hafiz-saeed-asks-pakistan-government-to-remove-his-name-from-exit-control-list-12476">Also Read:&nbsp;Hafiz Saeed asks Pakistan government to remove his name from exit control list</a>.

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Asserting that Pakistan sponsored terrorists are using social media to gather crowds, Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday urged the Kashmiri youth not to get influenced by them (WION)
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Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is a banned political arm of the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) headed by Hafiz Saeed. It&nbsp;has unleashed a wave of terror attacks against India in the past decade.

According to ANI sources, JuD has called on people in an advertisement to join its workshops to wage social media war&nbsp;in Kashmir.

&quot;Join #SocialMedia workshops to know social media as an instrument for Kashmir uprise 2k17,&quot; an advertisement by Cyber Team JuD in Pakistan&#39;s north Punjab read.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SocialMedia?src=hash">#SocialMedia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Workshops?src=hash">#Workshops</a> by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JuD?src=hash">#JuD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CyberTeam?src=hash">#CyberTeam</a> at different regions. All interested to must join. <a href="https://t.co/uAnsfcg0vB">pic.twitter.com/uAnsfcg0vB</a>
&mdash; I am Pakistan (@PerformForPak) <a href="https://twitter.com/PerformForPak/status/847138955321585664">March 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(ANI)

Join #SocialMedia workshops to know social media as an instrument for Kashmir uprise, an advertisement by JuD north Punjab read

Pakistan's banned terrorist outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa(JuD) has decided to fight a social media war in Kashmir by recruiting young Pakistani nationals for its "cyber team". Hafiz Saeed, a wanted man in India for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, was put on the Exit Control List by Pakistan's Interior Ministry recently. He is currently under house arrest in Pakistan. Also Read: Hafiz Saeed asks Pakistan government to remove his name from exit control list. Asserting that Pakistan sponsored terrorists are using social media to gather crowds, Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday urged the Kashmiri youth not to get influenced by them (WION) × Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is a banned political arm of the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) headed by Hafiz Saeed. It has unleashed a wave of terror attacks against India in the past decade. According to ANI sources, JuD has called on people in an advertisement to join its workshops to wage social media war in Kashmir. "Join #SocialMedia workshops to know social media as an instrument for Kashmir uprise 2k17," an advertisement by Cyber Team JuD in Pakistan's north Punjab read. #SocialMedia #Workshops by #JuD #CyberTeam at different regions. All interested to must join. pic.twitter.com/uAnsfcg0vB — I am Pakistan (@PerformForPak) March 29, 2017 × (ANI)

Hafiz Saeed's JuD decides to wage 'social media war' in Kashmir

Three&nbsp;protesters were&nbsp;killed and 17 injured during a clash with security forces in Kashmir&#39;s Budgam region, PTI reported Tuesday. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Forty&nbsp;personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)&nbsp;and 20 Police personnel suffered injuries in the stone pelting, the CRPF said.

The protesters had begun to pelt stones at the security forces even as they were taking on militants&nbsp;in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir&#39;s Budgam district.&nbsp;

The security forces fired pellet guns and tear gas shells at the protesters to try and disperse them, PTI quoted an official as saying.

The encounter, which ended Tuesday afternoon, left an army soldier injured. One terrorist was shot dead by the security forces, ANI reported.

The CRPF said the encounter was a particularly different one, as they had to fight both&nbsp;militants and the stone pelting locals.

CRPF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Sanjay Kumar called on the locals of the Valley to steer clear of their operations and not pose as an obstruction.

&quot;I believe that the people of Kashmir should let law take its own course and not obstruct the operation as the operations are against militants. They should let us do our duty. We appeal to the people of Kashmir to stay away from the area of operations,&quot; he said.

The security forces had launched a search operation following a tipoff about the presence of terrorists, which then became an encounter.&nbsp;One terrorist was shot dead by the security forces in the encounter which ended Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;An army soldier was injured. 
 
The&nbsp;army had earlier warned stone pelters against helping terrorists flee from the security forces, ANI reported.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said that those who disrupted operations during encounters will be treated as &quot;overground workers of terrorists&quot;.

People creating hurdles during anti-terror operations and displaying flags of Pakistan and ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face &quot;harsh&quot; actions, the Army Chief said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to explore an alternative to pellet guns to control protesters in Kashmir and also take action against parents of minors used as shields by militants during attacks on security forces.

This has been known to happen before in Kashmir, leading the army chief to say civilians who interfered with security forces&#39; operation would be thought of as &quot;overground workers of terrorists&quot;.&nbsp;

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the people of the state should realise that nothing could be achieved through war and violence and asked the people to come forward for talks.

The Chief Minister added that thousands of militants, security forces, civilians and police officials had died due to these attacks.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Nothing can be achieved through war and violence. Every year thousands of militants, civilians, security forces and police officials die due to these attacks,&quot; Mehbooba Mufti told the press. 
 
(WION)

60 security personnel were injured. CRPF said the encounter was difficult because they had to fight both militants and stone-pelting locals

Three protesters were killed and 17 injured during a clash with security forces in Kashmir's Budgam region, PTI reported Tuesday. Forty personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 20 Police personnel suffered injuries in the stone pelting, the CRPF said. The protesters had begun to pelt stones at the security forces even as they were taking on militants in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir's Budgam district. The security forces fired pellet guns and tear gas shells at the protesters to try and disperse them, PTI quoted an official as saying. The encounter, which ended Tuesday afternoon, left an army soldier injured. One terrorist was shot dead by the security forces, ANI reported. The CRPF said the encounter was a particularly different one, as they had to fight both militants and the stone pelting locals. CRPF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Sanjay Kumar called on the locals of the Valley to steer clear of their operations and not pose as an obstruction. "I believe that the people of Kashmir should let law take its own course and not obstruct the operation as the operations are against militants. They should let us do our duty. We appeal to the people of Kashmir to stay away from the area of operations," he said. The security forces had launched a search operation following a tipoff about the presence of terrorists, which then became an encounter. One terrorist was shot dead by the security forces in the encounter which ended Tuesday afternoon. An army soldier was injured. The army had earlier warned stone pelters against helping terrorists flee from the security forces, ANI reported. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said that those who disrupted operations during encounters will be treated as "overground workers of terrorists". People creating hurdles during anti-terror operations and displaying flags of Pakistan and ISIS in Jammu and Kashmir will be dealt as anti-nationals and will face "harsh" actions, the Army Chief said. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has asked the Centre to explore an alternative to pellet guns to control protesters in Kashmir and also take action against parents of minors used as shields by militants during attacks on security forces. This has been known to happen before in Kashmir, leading the army chief to say civilians who interfered with security forces' operation would be thought of as "overground workers of terrorists". Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that the people of the state should realise that nothing could be achieved through war and violence and asked the people to come forward for talks. The Chief Minister added that thousands of militants, security forces, civilians and police officials had died due to these attacks. "Nothing can be achieved through war and violence. Every year thousands of militants, civilians, security forces and police officials die due to these attacks," Mehbooba Mufti told the press. (WION)

Kashmir: 3 protesters killed, 17 injured after pelting stones at security forces taking on militants

Home minister Rajnath Singh today expressed sympathy with the father of the alleged terrorist who was killed in an encounter in Lucknow after he refused to accept his son&#39;s body saying &quot;a traitor cannot be my son&quot;.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaking in Lok Sabha on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LucknowTerrorOp?src=hash">#LucknowTerrorOp</a> <a href="https://t.co/5KtLKQObRe">pic.twitter.com/5KtLKQObRe</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/839727601669255169">March 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Sartaj, the father of&nbsp;Saifullah, who was allegedly linked to Islamic State, said that &quot;someone who doesn&#39;t belong to the country can&#39;t belong to us&quot;.

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This was not in country&#39;s interest. We will not accept the body of an anti-national: Sartaj, father of Saifulla killed in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LucknowTerrorOp?src=hash">#LucknowTerrorOp</a> <a href="https://t.co/WxKiyKnee4">pic.twitter.com/WxKiyKnee4</a>
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The home minister said that the entire country is proud of Sartaj.

The National Investigation Agency will investigate the incident, he added.

Saifullah was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-terror Squad&nbsp;on Wednesday.&nbsp;

He was persuaded to surrender but he refused and opened fire after which the security forces fired back.

Authorities said that Saifullah was part of an Islamic State module that was planning a &quot;major attack&quot; in India this month.

They also added that he was part of the same group that had carried out the explosion on the Bhopal-Ujjain train on Tuesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Sartaj refused to accept his son's body, denouncing him as anti-national

Home minister Rajnath Singh today expressed sympathy with the father of the alleged terrorist who was killed in an encounter in Lucknow after he refused to accept his son's body saying "a traitor cannot be my son". Home Minister Rajnath Singh speaking in Lok Sabha on #LucknowTerrorOp pic.twitter.com/5KtLKQObRe — ANI (@ANI_news) March 9, 2017 × Sartaj, the father of Saifullah, who was allegedly linked to Islamic State, said that "someone who doesn't belong to the country can't belong to us". This was not in country's interest. We will not accept the body of an anti-national: Sartaj, father of Saifulla killed in #LucknowTerrorOp pic.twitter.com/WxKiyKnee4 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2017 × The home minister said that the entire country is proud of Sartaj. The National Investigation Agency will investigate the incident, he added. Saifullah was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-terror Squad on Wednesday. He was persuaded to surrender but he refused and opened fire after which the security forces fired back. Authorities said that Saifullah was part of an Islamic State module that was planning a "major attack" in India this month. They also added that he was part of the same group that had carried out the explosion on the Bhopal-Ujjain train on Tuesday. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Rajnath Singh to father of terror suspect killed in Lucknow: 'Entire country proud of you'

A fierce encounter&nbsp;is underway in Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s Pulwama district between security forces and terrorists.

Two Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists have been killed in the encounter. One civilian is has also lost his life, according to PTI.&nbsp;

One of the terrorists has been identified as Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie of the LeT.

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Terrorist killed in Pulwama encounter has been identified as LeT&#39;s Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie, operation underway: CRPF
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The CRPF further said that there is unconfirmed presence of four-five terrorists in Pulwama&#39;s Padgampora area, according to ANI. The terrorists are holed up inside a house.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Padgampora viallge of Pulwama around 2.30am after getting tipped-off about the presence of terrorists in the area, PTI reported quoting&nbsp;a police official.&nbsp;

The train service&nbsp;between Banihal and Srinagar has been suspended as one of the stations on the route&nbsp;is close to the encounter site.

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J&amp;K: Authorities suspend train services from Banihal to Srinagar as one of the railway stations is near the Pulwama encounter site. <a href="https://t.co/4rKzS0zzOq">pic.twitter.com/4rKzS0zzOq</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/839690255640981504">March 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The encounter comes a few days after a fierce gunfight took place in Tral of Pulwama district where security forces killed two Hizbul militants. One policeman was killed and three soldiers were injured&nbsp;in the&nbsp;gunfight.

(WION&nbsp;with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Padgampora viallge of Pulwama around 2.30am

A fierce encounter is underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district between security forces and terrorists. Two Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists have been killed in the encounter. One civilian is has also lost his life, according to PTI. One of the terrorists has been identified as Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie of the LeT. Terrorist killed in Pulwama encounter has been identified as LeT's Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie, operation underway: CRPF — ANI (@ANI_news) March 9, 2017 × The CRPF further said that there is unconfirmed presence of four-five terrorists in Pulwama's Padgampora area, according to ANI. The terrorists are holed up inside a house. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Padgampora viallge of Pulwama around 2.30am after getting tipped-off about the presence of terrorists in the area, PTI reported quoting a police official. The train service between Banihal and Srinagar has been suspended as one of the stations on the route is close to the encounter site. J&K: Authorities suspend train services from Banihal to Srinagar as one of the railway stations is near the Pulwama encounter site. pic.twitter.com/4rKzS0zzOq — ANI (@ANI_news) March 9, 2017 × The encounter comes a few days after a fierce gunfight took place in Tral of Pulwama district where security forces killed two Hizbul militants. One policeman was killed and three soldiers were injured in the gunfight. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Jammu and Kashmir: Two LeT terrorists killed in Pulwama, encounter underway

The gunbattle which was&nbsp;underway since last night between security forces and militants in south Kashmir&#39;s Shopian district ended abruptly this morning with terrorists managing to escape, ANI reported.

The security forces did not report any casualties, according to ANI. It is still not clear how the terrorists escaped as the encounter was underway.&nbsp;

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J&amp;K: Encounter between terrorists &amp; security forces in Chilli Pora of Shopian ended, terrorists escaped.
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The encounter erupted after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Chilli pora village in Shopian district following a tip-off about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

As the security forces closed&nbsp;in, they came under fire from the militants, the police official added.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The encounter erupted after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Shopian district

The gunbattle which was underway since last night between security forces and militants in south Kashmir's Shopian district ended abruptly this morning with terrorists managing to escape, ANI reported. The security forces did not report any casualties, according to ANI. It is still not clear how the terrorists escaped as the encounter was underway. J&K: Encounter between terrorists & security forces in Chilli Pora of Shopian ended, terrorists escaped. — ANI (@ANI_news) March 4, 2017 × The encounter erupted after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Chilli pora village in Shopian district following a tip-off about the presence of militants there, a police official said. As the security forces closed in, they came under fire from the militants, the police official added. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Gunbattle ends in south Kashmir's Shopian district, militants escape

Three soldiers of the Indian Army were killed while three others were injured when militants attacked a&nbsp;patrol party in Shopian district of India&#39;s Jammu and Kashmir state.

One civilian woman was also killed when she was hit by a bullet inside her house during the exchange of fire, according to police, DNA reported.

The ambush happened when a joint patrol party of the 44 Rashtriya Rifles and the police were returning after conducting a search operation in Kungnoo village in Shopian, according to police as quoted by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/live-jammu-and-kashmir-jawans-soldiers-terrorist-attack-army-convoy-shopian-2332095">DNA</a>.

&quot;While returning from Kungnoo, the CASO party was attacked by unknown militants at Mulu Chitragam at about 2 am, resulting in injuries to six army personnel including two officers. Three of them later succumbed to their injuries&quot;, a police spokesman said.

On February 14, four soldiers of the Indian Army including a major were killed and 11 others were injured in two separate encounters in North Kashmir.

(WION)

&nbsp;

The army patrol party was returning after conducting a search operation

Three soldiers of the Indian Army were killed while three others were injured when militants attacked a patrol party in Shopian district of India's Jammu and Kashmir state. One civilian woman was also killed when she was hit by a bullet inside her house during the exchange of fire, according to police, DNA reported. The ambush happened when a joint patrol party of the 44 Rashtriya Rifles and the police were returning after conducting a search operation in Kungnoo village in Shopian, according to police as quoted by DNA. "While returning from Kungnoo, the CASO party was attacked by unknown militants at Mulu Chitragam at about 2 am, resulting in injuries to six army personnel including two officers. Three of them later succumbed to their injuries", a police spokesman said. On February 14, four soldiers of the Indian Army including a major were killed and 11 others were injured in two separate encounters in North Kashmir. (WION)

Indian Kashmir: 3 soldiers, one civilian killed in militant attack

Pakistan&#39;s former president General Pervez Musharraf has said his administration &#39;managed freedom fighters&#39; in Kashmir, but later realised a political process was needed to negotiate the issue with India, a Pakistan media report said.

Musharraf, who served as Pakistan&#39;s president from 2001 to 2008 after he dismissed the elected government of Nawaz Sharif in a coup in 1999, said his government was able to force India to discuss issues that New Delhi was unwilling to negotiate.

&quot;In my tenure as a military chief and president of the country, we were succeeding. We were able to bring India to the negotiating table and to sort out issues that India was not ready to discuss,&quot; he told Dunya News in an interview.

&quot;This all started after I stepped down, we had carved out an effective strategy vis-a-vis Kashmir, we were near resolving Kashmir issue with India on a four-point agenda, our policies were successful; America and China were aligning with us.&quot;

&nbsp;

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In an interview to Pakistan&#39;s TV channel Duniya TV, the former dictator, Musharraf said that as president he continued with Pakistan&#39;s policy of controlling terror in India to force it on the negotiating table. (WION)
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&nbsp;

On the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed&#39;s &quot;house arrest&quot;, Musharraf said the &quot;Jamaat-ud-Dawa(JuD) chief is not a terrorist&quot;. He claimed India is after Saeed because his supporters go voluntarily to Kashmir to fight the Indian Army.&nbsp;

Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai in March last year&nbsp;after his name was removed from the Exit Control List. The seventy-three-year-old said Afghanistan&#39;s intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, was playing into India&#39;s hands and was being used as a tool to facilitate terror groups in Pakistan.

He claimed operation &#39;Zarb-e-Azb&#39; - during which the Pakistan Army claimed it killed thousands of militants - had no shortcomings as it was specifically for North Waziristan. &quot;This operation cleaned up all the camps and launching pads of terrorist, who were supported by the Indian spy agency with the collaboration of NDS, to destabilise the tribal areas.&quot;

Musharraf said a holistic approach and planning was crucial at the moment to curb terrorism in the country. His possible reference was to a series of deadly terrorist attack in Pakistan this year, particularly the suicide bombing at a famed Sufi shrine in Sindh in which at least 88 people died.

The former military chief questioned the steps being taken by Pakistan to eliminate the &quot;sleeper cells&quot; active in the country, including the previously peaceful Punjab province.

&quot;What steps are being taken to eliminate these sleeper cells? Punjab has become the stronghold of militancy,&quot; he said, refuting a question that terrorist attacks and terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi existed during his tenure.

Musharraf is widely believed to be the mastermind behind the Kargil conflict in 1999 between India and Pakistan which resulted in a near all-out war in the high-altitude Siachen region. The conflict disrupted relations between India and Pakistan which came just months after the historic Vajpayee government&#39;s Delhi-Lahore bus journey to Pakistan. Musharraf who was president for nearly seven years&nbsp;stepped down after threat of impeachment by the Pakistani legislators in August 2008.&nbsp;

(WION with PTI inputs)

&nbsp;

Incursion in India's Kargil sector in 1999 took place under Musharraf's watch, leading to a near all-out war between the two countries

Pakistan's former president General Pervez Musharraf has said his administration 'managed freedom fighters' in Kashmir, but later realised a political process was needed to negotiate the issue with India, a Pakistan media report said. Musharraf, who served as Pakistan's president from 2001 to 2008 after he dismissed the elected government of Nawaz Sharif in a coup in 1999, said his government was able to force India to discuss issues that New Delhi was unwilling to negotiate. "In my tenure as a military chief and president of the country, we were succeeding. We were able to bring India to the negotiating table and to sort out issues that India was not ready to discuss," he told Dunya News in an interview. "This all started after I stepped down, we had carved out an effective strategy vis-a-vis Kashmir, we were near resolving Kashmir issue with India on a four-point agenda, our policies were successful; America and China were aligning with us." In an interview to Pakistan's TV channel Duniya TV, the former dictator, Musharraf said that as president he continued with Pakistan's policy of controlling terror in India to force it on the negotiating table. (WION) × On the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's "house arrest", Musharraf said the "Jamaat-ud-Dawa(JuD) chief is not a terrorist". He claimed India is after Saeed because his supporters go voluntarily to Kashmir to fight the Indian Army. Musharraf left Pakistan for Dubai in March last year after his name was removed from the Exit Control List. The seventy-three-year-old said Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, was playing into India's hands and was being used as a tool to facilitate terror groups in Pakistan. He claimed operation 'Zarb-e-Azb' - during which the Pakistan Army claimed it killed thousands of militants - had no shortcomings as it was specifically for North Waziristan. "This operation cleaned up all the camps and launching pads of terrorist, who were supported by the Indian spy agency with the collaboration of NDS, to destabilise the tribal areas." Musharraf said a holistic approach and planning was crucial at the moment to curb terrorism in the country. His possible reference was to a series of deadly terrorist attack in Pakistan this year, particularly the suicide bombing at a famed Sufi shrine in Sindh in which at least 88 people died. The former military chief questioned the steps being taken by Pakistan to eliminate the "sleeper cells" active in the country, including the previously peaceful Punjab province. "What steps are being taken to eliminate these sleeper cells? Punjab has become the stronghold of militancy," he said, refuting a question that terrorist attacks and terror outfits like the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi existed during his tenure. Musharraf is widely believed to be the mastermind behind the Kargil conflict in 1999 between India and Pakistan which resulted in a near all-out war in the high-altitude Siachen region. The conflict disrupted relations between India and Pakistan which came just months after the historic Vajpayee government's Delhi-Lahore bus journey to Pakistan. Musharraf who was president for nearly seven years stepped down after threat of impeachment by the Pakistani legislators in August 2008. (WION with PTI inputs)

Pakistan's ex-president Pervez Musharraf admits to meddling in Kashmir, says he 'managed freedom fighters'

A fierce gunbattle has broken&nbsp;out between militants and Indian security forces in north Kashmir&#39;s Bandipora district today.

Indian security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Parray&nbsp;street in Hajin district this morning after getting intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

&quot;Three soldiers were killed during a gunfight with militants that broke out at Hajin in Bandipora district,&quot; army spokesman Rajesh Kalia told AFP, adding that five other soldiers were injured.

He added that nine soldiers were injured in the initial attack and were immediately shifted to army hospital.&nbsp;&quot;Three among them later succumbed to their injuries,&quot; he added. <centre><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HteK__1AvyQ" width="560"></iframe><centre> </centre></centre>

One militant, whose identity was not yet known, was also killed in the operation, he added.

Security forces said while the forces were conducting a search operation when&nbsp;militants fired upon them from their hideout, leading to an encounter.

&nbsp;

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CRPF soldiers in a vehicle after a gunbattle in Hajin area of north Kashmir, 38 kilometres north-east of Srinagar. (AFP)
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CRPF commanding officer of the 45th battalion, Chetan Kumar Cheetah, suffered &quot;multiple gunshots&quot; wounds during the encounter and has been shifted to a base hospital in Srinagar.

The encounter was going still going on when last reports came in.&nbsp;

(WION with agency&nbsp;inputs)

CRPF commanding officer, Chetan Kumar Cheetah, suffered wounds during the encounter which is still going on

A fierce gunbattle has broken out between militants and Indian security forces in north Kashmir's Bandipora district today. Indian security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Parray street in Hajin district this morning after getting intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area. "Three soldiers were killed during a gunfight with militants that broke out at Hajin in Bandipora district," army spokesman Rajesh Kalia told AFP, adding that five other soldiers were injured. He added that nine soldiers were injured in the initial attack and were immediately shifted to army hospital. "Three among them later succumbed to their injuries," he added. One militant, whose identity was not yet known, was also killed in the operation, he added. Security forces said while the forces were conducting a search operation when militants fired upon them from their hideout, leading to an encounter. CRPF soldiers in a vehicle after a gunbattle in Hajin area of north Kashmir, 38 kilometres north-east of Srinagar. (AFP) × CRPF commanding officer of the 45th battalion, Chetan Kumar Cheetah, suffered "multiple gunshots" wounds during the encounter and has been shifted to a base hospital in Srinagar. The encounter was going still going on when last reports came in. (WION with agency inputs)

Gunbattle between militants, Army in north Kashmir, 3 soldiers killed

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of &#39;Kashmir Solidarity Day&#39;&nbsp;said Kashmir is the &quot;core dispute&quot; between India and Pakistan and peace will be difficult in the region without resolving the issue.&nbsp;

&quot;Jammu &amp; Kashmir is the core dispute between Pakistan and India. The dream of peace and prosperity of the people of this region will remain elusive without resolving this dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,&quot; Sharif said on Sunday.&nbsp;

He referred to the Kashmir conflict as the &quot;unfinished agenda of partition&quot;&nbsp;and said, &quot;for the last seven decades India has denied the people of Kashmir the right to self-determination promised to them by the international community through numerous UN Security Council resolutions&quot;.

India&#39;s home minister Rajnath Singh retaliated by saying a referendum must be conducted in Pakistan to determine whether their citizens wanted to remain there or to merge with India.

He also said that Kashmir was always with India and will always remain a part of it.

&quot;Now Pakistan wants a referendum on Kashmir but one thing is clear that Kashmir was with India and will be with India and no power can change that.&nbsp;

There should instead be a referendum in Pakistan, asking whether its people want to remain in the same country or want to merge with India,&quot; ANI quoted Rajnath Singh as saying at an election rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. 
 
The Press Trust of India had earlier quoted Sharif as saying, &quot;the people of Pakistan join their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today to reaffirm our moral, diplomatic and political support to the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their basic human rights, especially the right to self-determination enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.&quot;

He said, &quot;Pakistan&nbsp;strongly condemns the systemic state terrorism and brutal killings of the innocent people of Kashmir by Indian forces,&nbsp;However, all the Indian brutalities have failed to deter the people of Kashmir from their cause for freedom from Indian subjugation.&quot;

He called on the international community to raise their voice against the &quot;gross violations of human rights and the reign of terror unleashed by Indian forces&quot; in Kashmir.&nbsp;

&quot;We urge India to stop bloodbath in Kashmir and allow the holding of free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices,&quot; he added.

The Kashmir conflict dates back to 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence from Britain. The two countries have fought two wars over Kashmir&nbsp;in 1965 and 1971, along with the Kargil conflict in 1999 which threatened to escalate into an all-out war between the two countries but ended after India pushed back Pakistani infiltrators in a high altitude battle involving the Indian Army and Air Force. &nbsp; &nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

<h4 title="India's I-T department scans 1 crore accounts, identifies 18 lakh 'suspicious deposits'">&nbsp;</h4>

On 'Kashmir Solidarity Day', Nawaz Sharif called on international community to raise voice against 'atrocities committed against Kashmiri's'

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' said Kashmir is the "core dispute" between India and Pakistan and peace will be difficult in the region without resolving the issue. "Jammu & Kashmir is the core dispute between Pakistan and India. The dream of peace and prosperity of the people of this region will remain elusive without resolving this dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions," Sharif said on Sunday. He referred to the Kashmir conflict as the "unfinished agenda of partition" and said, "for the last seven decades India has denied the people of Kashmir the right to self-determination promised to them by the international community through numerous UN Security Council resolutions". India's home minister Rajnath Singh retaliated by saying a referendum must be conducted in Pakistan to determine whether their citizens wanted to remain there or to merge with India. He also said that Kashmir was always with India and will always remain a part of it. "Now Pakistan wants a referendum on Kashmir but one thing is clear that Kashmir was with India and will be with India and no power can change that. There should instead be a referendum in Pakistan, asking whether its people want to remain in the same country or want to merge with India," ANI quoted Rajnath Singh as saying at an election rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The Press Trust of India had earlier quoted Sharif as saying, "the people of Pakistan join their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today to reaffirm our moral, diplomatic and political support to the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their basic human rights, especially the right to self-determination enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions." He said, "Pakistan strongly condemns the systemic state terrorism and brutal killings of the innocent people of Kashmir by Indian forces, However, all the Indian brutalities have failed to deter the people of Kashmir from their cause for freedom from Indian subjugation." He called on the international community to raise their voice against the "gross violations of human rights and the reign of terror unleashed by Indian forces" in Kashmir. "We urge India to stop bloodbath in Kashmir and allow the holding of free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices," he added. The Kashmir conflict dates back to 1947 when India and Pakistan gained independence from Britain. The two countries have fought two wars over Kashmir in 1965 and 1971, along with the Kargil conflict in 1999 which threatened to escalate into an all-out war between the two countries but ended after India pushed back Pakistani infiltrators in a high altitude battle involving the Indian Army and Air Force. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Kashmir 'core dispute' between India and Pakistan: Sharif

Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of &#39;Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir&#39;, just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation&#39;s activities.

The Mumbai attack mastermind had indicated about a week before his arrest that he might launch Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK) to &quot;expedite the freedom of Kashmir&quot;.

It shows that Saeed had got a wind of the official plans and already had worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).

Official sources confirmed that the two organisations have started activities under the name new of TAJK and were planning to organise events on February 5, which is observed a &#39;Kashmir Day&#39; in Pakistan. The TAJK banners have been displayed in Lahore and other cities and towns.

The group is also planning to hold a big Kashmir conference tomorrow in Lahore after evening prayers.

The TAJK has reactivated its donations centres and ambulance services in different districts of Punjab, including Lahore, which is the hub of its activities.

Local media reported that even after the crackdown on their activities, the volunteers of Saeed&#39;s network yesterday actively participated in the rescue operation after a boat carrying about 100 passengers capsized in the Ravi river near Nankana Sahib town in Punjab.

A police official said law enforcement agencies were keeping a close eye on the activities of Saeed&#39;s network and appropriate action would be taken.

&quot;It is a sensitive issue and a measured response is needed to fulfil the international obligations of the country and deal with any possible fallout due to protest by followers of Saeed,&quot; he said.

Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed on Monday following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The Pakistani government on Monday had placed Saeed and his four accomplices -- Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz -- under house arrest in Lahore.

The country&#39;s Interior Ministry had also placed Saeed and 37 other JuD and FIF members on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from leaving the country.

&nbsp;

(PTI)

The group is also planning to hold a Kashmir conference tomorrow in Lahore after evening prayers

Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir', just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation's activities. The Mumbai attack mastermind had indicated about a week before his arrest that he might launch Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK) to "expedite the freedom of Kashmir". It shows that Saeed had got a wind of the official plans and already had worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). Official sources confirmed that the two organisations have started activities under the name new of TAJK and were planning to organise events on February 5, which is observed a 'Kashmir Day' in Pakistan. The TAJK banners have been displayed in Lahore and other cities and towns. The group is also planning to hold a big Kashmir conference tomorrow in Lahore after evening prayers. The TAJK has reactivated its donations centres and ambulance services in different districts of Punjab, including Lahore, which is the hub of its activities. Local media reported that even after the crackdown on their activities, the volunteers of Saeed's network yesterday actively participated in the rescue operation after a boat carrying about 100 passengers capsized in the Ravi river near Nankana Sahib town in Punjab. A police official said law enforcement agencies were keeping a close eye on the activities of Saeed's network and appropriate action would be taken. "It is a sensitive issue and a measured response is needed to fulfil the international obligations of the country and deal with any possible fallout due to protest by followers of Saeed," he said. Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed on Monday following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The Pakistani government on Monday had placed Saeed and his four accomplices -- Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz -- under house arrest in Lahore. The country's Interior Ministry had also placed Saeed and 37 other JuD and FIF members on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from leaving the country. (PTI)

Pakistan: Jamaat-ud-Dawa rebrands as 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu & Kashmir' days after chief Hafiz Saeed's house arrest

India&#39;s security personnel killed two militants belonging to a Kashmiri separatist group in India&#39;s Kashmir state on Saturday.

An Indian police spokesperson said a &quot;major terrorist action was averted&quot; when a security team intercepted the militants, belong to a group named Hizbul Mujaideen, near Amargarh village, 50 kilometres from Kashmir&#39;s capital city Srinagar.

Two policemen were injured as the cornered militants opened fire and lobbed a grenade at the police team, the spokesperson said.

Hizbul Mujahideen identified the slain militants as&nbsp;Azaharuddin who goes by nom de guerre&nbsp;&ldquo;Gazi Umar&rdquo; and Sajad Ahmad alias &ldquo;Babar&rdquo;. The outfit added that it was a &quot;big loss&quot; for them and that Azharuddin was a lecturer by profession who had abdicated government services to join the militant organisation.

Police recovered&nbsp;two AK assault rifles, one pistol, four hand grenades and other arms and ammunition from the scene of the encounter.

Last July, the Indian security forces had killed the group&#39;s commander Burhan Wani in an encounter, triggering waves of protests which degenerated into violence and clashes with Indian security forces.

Kashmir has been convulsed with extremism over the past few months. The northern state of India was also crippled by months-long curfew following the killing of Burhan Wani, who many Kashmiris viewed as the new face of the &#39;azaadi&#39; (freedom) movement.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

The two Hizbul Mujahideen militants opened fire and lobbed a grenade at the police team before they were killed

India's security personnel killed two militants belonging to a Kashmiri separatist group in India's Kashmir state on Saturday. An Indian police spokesperson said a "major terrorist action was averted" when a security team intercepted the militants, belong to a group named Hizbul Mujaideen, near Amargarh village, 50 kilometres from Kashmir's capital city Srinagar. Two policemen were injured as the cornered militants opened fire and lobbed a grenade at the police team, the spokesperson said. Hizbul Mujahideen identified the slain militants as Azaharuddin who goes by nom de guerre “Gazi Umar” and Sajad Ahmad alias “Babar”. The outfit added that it was a "big loss" for them and that Azharuddin was a lecturer by profession who had abdicated government services to join the militant organisation. Police recovered two AK assault rifles, one pistol, four hand grenades and other arms and ammunition from the scene of the encounter. Last July, the Indian security forces had killed the group's commander Burhan Wani in an encounter, triggering waves of protests which degenerated into violence and clashes with Indian security forces. Kashmir has been convulsed with extremism over the past few months. The northern state of India was also crippled by months-long curfew following the killing of Burhan Wani, who many Kashmiris viewed as the new face of the 'azaadi' (freedom) movement. (WION with inputs from PTI)

India kills two Kashmiri rebels to 'avert major terrorist action'

Three Indian soldiers received gallantry award&nbsp;for killing the commander of a Kashmiri separatist group last July.

Major Sandeep Kumar, Captain Manik Sharma and Naik Arvind Singh Chauhan were conferred with the Sena Medal for killing militants hiding in a village near Anantnag in Kashmir.

The three soldiers, belonging to the Rashtriya Rifles in South Kashmir, had to battle not just the militants but also an angry mass of villagers, who in their quest to shield the rebels resorted to throwing stones at the Indian army.

The three rebels who were killed on July 8 were later identified as Sartaj Aziz,&nbsp;Pervaiz Ahmad Lashkari and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, whose death convulsed Kashmir for months after that.

Wani&#39;s death had triggered statewide protests, which degenerated into clashes with Indian security personnel. His death had become a clarion call for Kashmiris who are in favour of splitting from India.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

&nbsp;

Sandeep Kumar, Manik Sharma and Arvind Singh Chauhan were conferred with the Sena Medal for gunning down Burhan Wani last July

Three Indian soldiers received gallantry award for killing the commander of a Kashmiri separatist group last July. Major Sandeep Kumar, Captain Manik Sharma and Naik Arvind Singh Chauhan were conferred with the Sena Medal for killing militants hiding in a village near Anantnag in Kashmir. The three soldiers, belonging to the Rashtriya Rifles in South Kashmir, had to battle not just the militants but also an angry mass of villagers, who in their quest to shield the rebels resorted to throwing stones at the Indian army. The three rebels who were killed on July 8 were later identified as Sartaj Aziz, Pervaiz Ahmad Lashkari and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, whose death convulsed Kashmir for months after that. Wani's death had triggered statewide protests, which degenerated into clashes with Indian security personnel. His death had become a clarion call for Kashmiris who are in favour of splitting from India. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Three Indian soldiers receive gallantry award for killing Kashmiri militants

The Indian public cares little for the Kashmiris, but perhaps even that is a good thing.&nbsp;

I was in Kashmir this July on a week-long reporting assignment. I got there a little less than a fortnight after the killing of Burhan Wani, a &ldquo;commander&rdquo; of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the homegrown insurgent group fighting for Kashmiri independence.&nbsp;

Kashmir, as you know, erupted in protest. Curfew was imposed for more than a 100 days and the Kashmir valley even today continues to be shut down because of a counter-strike (hartal) called by the Hurriyat.&nbsp;

The Indian state, as you will again know, came down heavily on the protesters and since then, more than 90 people have been killed in the police action, hundreds blinded, and as many as 17,000 people wounded.&nbsp;

The hospitals were full of the injured and the maimed.&nbsp;

In Srinagar&rsquo;s Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, I walked through a ward of people blinded by buckshot from the &ldquo;pellet&rdquo; guns that the security forces use in Kashmir as a crowd-control measure. &ldquo;Pellet guns&rdquo; are a euphemism for shotguns or twelve-bores, originally designed for the hunting of game.&nbsp;

The cartridges that go into the guns are filled with lead pellets and when fired, they branch out as they travel. That allows the shooter to bring down, say, a bird in flight.&nbsp;

Anybody who has used one will tell you there is little about them that is non-lethal.&nbsp;

It was a sobering experience.&nbsp;

I talked little but encountered tremendous anger against what is referred to there as the &ldquo;Indian media&rdquo;, with the local people complaining that their side of the story never seems to find its way into the record.&nbsp;

In my week there, there were reports of journalists being roughed up. So much so that the Hurriyat had to put out an appeal through the papers that journalists be allowed to do their job.&nbsp;

A few days later in a village in South Kashmir, two appeals were made to me which I imagine will stay with me for some time to come. The first was by a man who told me, &ldquo;You have to tell the world what is happening to us here.&rdquo; And the second was by a young boy who said, &ldquo;These (pellet) guns are used on animals, but here they are being used on us.&rdquo;&nbsp;

A 2015 Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) report says close to half of Kashmir&rsquo;s adult population suffers from signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression. When I talked to the former professor who wrote the foreword to that report, he told me that a study he had worked on 10 years earlier found that about half of Kashmir&rsquo;s population had witnessed a &ldquo;traumatic&rdquo; event in their lives.&nbsp;

But something strange begins to happen when this message is disseminated southwards for by the time it reaches the mainland, it takes on a different tenor. By then, the Kashmiri is portrayed as &ldquo;volatile&rdquo;, &ldquo;quick to anger&rdquo;, and somebody who &ldquo;speaks with a forked tongue&rdquo;.&nbsp;

Of course some of that is true, but it is impossible not to draw a link between the MSF and earlier reports and the &ldquo;volatility&rdquo; of the Kashmiri populace.&nbsp;

This tweaking of the message works against &quot;India&quot;. You remember I told you about the anger that was felt against the &ldquo;Indian media&rdquo;? Again and again I was told that the leaders of the Kashmiri separatist movement were happy for it &ndash; that &ldquo;it was the only thing that kept the agitation going this long. If it had not been for them, we just did not have the resources to keep it going&rdquo;.&nbsp;

A few days before leaving for Kashmir, I had read an opinion column by one of our more right-wing columnists who said &ndash; the column would have been written in the fervour following Wani&rsquo;s killing &ndash; it is obvious now that the Kashmiris want the creation of an Islamic state. I had snorted derisively then but even that turned out to be seemingly true.&nbsp;

Sitting with young men in a restaurant in Srinagar, I asked them, &ldquo;Do you want an Islamic state?&rdquo; They answered in the affirmative.&nbsp;

Their idea of an Islamic state was a mixture of Islamic law and a socialist state.&nbsp;

As generally tends to happen, we got stuck on the question of what would happen, under those circumstances, to a hypothetical thief and an adulteress. Sharia law prescribes (in certain cases) the amputation of a hand for the thief and the death by stoning for the adulteress. (We hear less often of what might happen to an adulterer.)&nbsp;

&ldquo;Would you want that to happen, in the case of the adulteress?&rdquo; I asked.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; one of them said. &ldquo;Imagine what the husband will be going through.&rdquo;&nbsp;

But it is important to try and understand how such a situation might have come about. The average Kashmiri tends to believe democracy has not worked for him. How can he, when the Indian state has killed more than 90 protesters this year?&nbsp;

It is important to remember that they were protesters, and not militants with guns. In the week that I was there, the youngest victim of the &ldquo;pellet&rdquo; guns was a four-year-old girl. She was shot in the chest, the abdomen, and the vagina, and she lost one eye.&nbsp;

In 2008, Indian security forces killed 60 protesters. In 2009, they killed 35. And in 2010, they killed 120.&nbsp;

In Kashmir, you cannot protest out on the streets &ndash; unless you are willing to die for doing so. If you are a Kashmiri student studying somewhere else in the country, you cannot protest on social media. Remember the Kashmiri students who were charged with sedition for having cheered a Pakistani cricket victory over India?&nbsp;

Religion then is your only form of protest. It allows you to grow a beard, or to wear a burqa. It is in effect a self-defence mechanism. Nor is it difficult to understand the Kashmiri state of mind when people south of the border clamour for a similar religious state.&nbsp;

Somehow, the Indian state has omitted to tell us these things, sticking to the old formula of &ldquo;Kashmir is an integral part of India&rdquo;. The Indian public, perhaps blamelessly, has lapped it up. It would be better to tell them the truth, and prepare them for the autonomy that must in time come to Kashmir. The very same autonomy &ndash; although the cry on the Kashmiri street is one of &ldquo;azaadi&rdquo; &ndash; that is promised to them in our constitution.&nbsp;

It is something the Indian public will happily stomach.&nbsp;

You remember I told you the Indian public cares little for the Kashmiris? On my first weekend back from Kashmir, I was invited on Saturday night to a friend&rsquo;s home in Gurgaon. The word &ldquo;party&rdquo; was used but in truth, it was one of those corporate affairs at which corporate people talk about corporate affairs.&nbsp;

At some point, I mentioned Kashmir. The recent and current death tolls, the little girl shot and blinded.&nbsp;

People stopped, nodded, and then carried on as they were.&nbsp;

The current state of affairs, or autonomy, the Indian public will happily live with either. It doesn&rsquo;t matter.&nbsp;

Religion has become Kashmir's only safe form of protest

The Indian public cares little for the Kashmiris, but perhaps even that is a good thing. I was in Kashmir this July on a week-long reporting assignment. I got there a little less than a fortnight after the killing of Burhan Wani, a “commander” of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the homegrown insurgent group fighting for Kashmiri independence. Kashmir, as you know, erupted in protest. Curfew was imposed for more than a 100 days and the Kashmir valley even today continues to be shut down because of a counter-strike (hartal) called by the Hurriyat. The Indian state, as you will again know, came down heavily on the protesters and since then, more than 90 people have been killed in the police action, hundreds blinded, and as many as 17,000 people wounded. The hospitals were full of the injured and the maimed. In Srinagar’s Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital, I walked through a ward of people blinded by buckshot from the “pellet” guns that the security forces use in Kashmir as a crowd-control measure. “Pellet guns” are a euphemism for shotguns or twelve-bores, originally designed for the hunting of game. The cartridges that go into the guns are filled with lead pellets and when fired, they branch out as they travel. That allows the shooter to bring down, say, a bird in flight. Anybody who has used one will tell you there is little about them that is non-lethal. It was a sobering experience. I talked little but encountered tremendous anger against what is referred to there as the “Indian media”, with the local people complaining that their side of the story never seems to find its way into the record. In my week there, there were reports of journalists being roughed up. So much so that the Hurriyat had to put out an appeal through the papers that journalists be allowed to do their job. A few days later in a village in South Kashmir, two appeals were made to me which I imagine will stay with me for some time to come. The first was by a man who told me, “You have to tell the world what is happening to us here.” And the second was by a young boy who said, “These (pellet) guns are used on animals, but here they are being used on us.” A 2015 Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) report says close to half of Kashmir’s adult population suffers from signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression. When I talked to the former professor who wrote the foreword to that report, he told me that a study he had worked on 10 years earlier found that about half of Kashmir’s population had witnessed a “traumatic” event in their lives. But something strange begins to happen when this message is disseminated southwards for by the time it reaches the mainland, it takes on a different tenor. By then, the Kashmiri is portrayed as “volatile”, “quick to anger”, and somebody who “speaks with a forked tongue”. Of course some of that is true, but it is impossible not to draw a link between the MSF and earlier reports and the “volatility” of the Kashmiri populace. This tweaking of the message works against "India". You remember I told you about the anger that was felt against the “Indian media”? Again and again I was told that the leaders of the Kashmiri separatist movement were happy for it – that “it was the only thing that kept the agitation going this long. If it had not been for them, we just did not have the resources to keep it going”. A few days before leaving for Kashmir, I had read an opinion column by one of our more right-wing columnists who said – the column would have been written in the fervour following Wani’s killing – it is obvious now that the Kashmiris want the creation of an Islamic state. I had snorted derisively then but even that turned out to be seemingly true. Sitting with young men in a restaurant in Srinagar, I asked them, “Do you want an Islamic state?” They answered in the affirmative. Their idea of an Islamic state was a mixture of Islamic law and a socialist state. As generally tends to happen, we got stuck on the question of what would happen, under those circumstances, to a hypothetical thief and an adulteress. Sharia law prescribes (in certain cases) the amputation of a hand for the thief and the death by stoning for the adulteress. (We hear less often of what might happen to an adulterer.) “Would you want that to happen, in the case of the adulteress?” I asked. “Yes,” one of them said. “Imagine what the husband will be going through.” But it is important to try and understand how such a situation might have come about. The average Kashmiri tends to believe democracy has not worked for him. How can he, when the Indian state has killed more than 90 protesters this year? It is important to remember that they were protesters, and not militants with guns. In the week that I was there, the youngest victim of the “pellet” guns was a four-year-old girl. She was shot in the chest, the abdomen, and the vagina, and she lost one eye. In 2008, Indian security forces killed 60 protesters. In 2009, they killed 35. And in 2010, they killed 120. In Kashmir, you cannot protest out on the streets – unless you are willing to die for doing so. If you are a Kashmiri student studying somewhere else in the country, you cannot protest on social media. Remember the Kashmiri students who were charged with sedition for having cheered a Pakistani cricket victory over India? Religion then is your only form of protest. It allows you to grow a beard, or to wear a burqa. It is in effect a self-defence mechanism. Nor is it difficult to understand the Kashmiri state of mind when people south of the border clamour for a similar religious state. Somehow, the Indian state has omitted to tell us these things, sticking to the old formula of “Kashmir is an integral part of India”. The Indian public, perhaps blamelessly, has lapped it up. It would be better to tell them the truth, and prepare them for the autonomy that must in time come to Kashmir. The very same autonomy – although the cry on the Kashmiri street is one of “azaadi” – that is promised to them in our constitution. It is something the Indian public will happily stomach. You remember I told you the Indian public cares little for the Kashmiris? On my first weekend back from Kashmir, I was invited on Saturday night to a friend’s home in Gurgaon. The word “party” was used but in truth, it was one of those corporate affairs at which corporate people talk about corporate affairs. At some point, I mentioned Kashmir. The recent and current death tolls, the little girl shot and blinded. People stopped, nodded, and then carried on as they were. The current state of affairs, or autonomy, the Indian public will happily live with either. It doesn’t matter.

Kashmir: An angry valley, an unhappy people

&nbsp;

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir&#39;s north Bandipora district, police said.

Acting on specific intelligence input about the presence of the militant in Parray Mohalla in Hajin area, security forces launched a search operation in the village. As the forces were conducting the search operation, the hiding militant opened fire on them. In the ensuing encounter, the militant was killed, a police official said.

The identity and group affiliation of the militant was not immediately known. On Monday, three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a General Engineering Reserve Force camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu. Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack.

Infiltration from across the border have become a frequent occurance in the past few months. In Septermber last year, terrorists had killed 17 army soldiers and injured 19 in a suicide attack on an army camp&nbsp;at Uri in Baramulla district. Four terrorists had struck the camp close to the army headquarter of the 12th Brigade in Baramulla. Earlier, in January 2016, seven Indian military personnel were killed in the Pathankot terror attack. The attack on the Indian Air Force base has since become a major international diplomatic incident.

(PTI)

&nbsp;

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir's north Bandipora district

A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir's north Bandipora district, police said. Acting on specific intelligence input about the presence of the militant in Parray Mohalla in Hajin area, security forces launched a search operation in the village. As the forces were conducting the search operation, the hiding militant opened fire on them. In the ensuing encounter, the militant was killed, a police official said. The identity and group affiliation of the militant was not immediately known. On Monday, three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a General Engineering Reserve Force camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu. Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack. Infiltration from across the border have become a frequent occurance in the past few months. In Septermber last year, terrorists had killed 17 army soldiers and injured 19 in a suicide attack on an army camp at Uri in Baramulla district. Four terrorists had struck the camp close to the army headquarter of the 12th Brigade in Baramulla. Earlier, in January 2016, seven Indian military personnel were killed in the Pathankot terror attack. The attack on the Indian Air Force base has since become a major international diplomatic incident. (PTI)

Militant killed in J&K's Bandipora district

&nbsp;

Three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a General Engineering Reserve Force camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu.&nbsp;Two or more militants attacked the General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF) camp around 1 am near LoC in Battal village, sources said.

Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack, sources said.&nbsp;In the attack, three civilians were killed, the victims were working as labourers with GREF.&nbsp;Troops along with police have cordoned off the area and a counter operation has started.

A senior police officer said all routes to the area have been plugged and the operation is in full swing.

(PTI &amp; Agencies)

Heavily armed shooters attacked a General Reserve Engineer Force camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor district

Three civilians working as labourers were killed in a pre-dawn terror attack by militants on a General Engineering Reserve Force camp near LoC in Akhnoor sector of Jammu. Two or more militants attacked the General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF) camp around 1 am near LoC in Battal village, sources said. Militants likely infiltrated from across the border to carry out the terror attack, sources said. In the attack, three civilians were killed, the victims were working as labourers with GREF. Troops along with police have cordoned off the area and a counter operation has started. A senior police officer said all routes to the area have been plugged and the operation is in full swing. (PTI & Agencies)

Terror strike in J&K's Akhnoor district, 3 civilians killed

An event called &nbsp;&quot;The Saga of Balochistan, What the World Needs to Know&quot;, has been called off by a private club in Kolkata.

An email sent to the event&#39;s&nbsp;organisers by the club cited the reason for the cancellation as &quot;to ensure cordial atmosphere&quot;.&nbsp;

The email, sent out on January 4, three days before the event was to be held, said the club was not in a position to hold the event due to &quot;unavoidable circumstances&quot;, and that the event stands cancelled.&nbsp;

Activist Tarek Fatah, who was to be one of the speakers at the event, took to Twitter, writing: &quot;- Kolkata Police on urging of CM Mamata Banerjee forces the club to shut talk on #Kashmir #Balochistan.&quot;

The organisers&nbsp;allege the club was pressured by Kolkata Police to call off the event, to avoid a possible law and order situation.&nbsp;

&quot;The club had agreed to hold the event. On December 30, an executive meeting was called and we were asked to drop the word &#39;Kashmir&#39; from the event keeping in mind the issue being sensitive. We had agreed on that and we got new passes and posters printed without the name Kashmir on it. On January 4, suddenly we get a mail from the club authorities that they have called off the event. We had paid the advance too. Now it is impossible to shift the venue in such a short notice,&quot; said Col Diptangshu Chaudhury, one of the event&#39;s&nbsp;organisers.&nbsp;

Col Chaudhary alleges the club succumbed to the pressure from Kolkata Police and called off the event.

&quot;We have learnt that a meeting took place between the authorities and senior officials of Kolkata Police. The senior officials asked the authorities to cancel the event,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Additional commissioner of Kolkata Police (I), Vineet Goyal, however, said, &quot;The club had earlier sought permission from us. But today they informed us that the event stands cancelled.&quot;

He refused to comment when asked if Kolkata Police had raised any objections to the event taking place.

(WION)

&nbsp;

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The organisers allege Kolkata Police pressured the club to cancel the event, in order to avoid a possible law & order situation

An event called "The Saga of Balochistan, What the World Needs to Know", has been called off by a private club in Kolkata. An email sent to the event's organisers by the club cited the reason for the cancellation as "to ensure cordial atmosphere". The email, sent out on January 4, three days before the event was to be held, said the club was not in a position to hold the event due to "unavoidable circumstances", and that the event stands cancelled. Activist Tarek Fatah, who was to be one of the speakers at the event, took to Twitter, writing: "- Kolkata Police on urging of CM Mamata Banerjee forces the club to shut talk on #Kashmir #Balochistan." The organisers allege the club was pressured by Kolkata Police to call off the event, to avoid a possible law and order situation. "The club had agreed to hold the event. On December 30, an executive meeting was called and we were asked to drop the word 'Kashmir' from the event keeping in mind the issue being sensitive. We had agreed on that and we got new passes and posters printed without the name Kashmir on it. On January 4, suddenly we get a mail from the club authorities that they have called off the event. We had paid the advance too. Now it is impossible to shift the venue in such a short notice," said Col Diptangshu Chaudhury, one of the event's organisers. Col Chaudhary alleges the club succumbed to the pressure from Kolkata Police and called off the event. "We have learnt that a meeting took place between the authorities and senior officials of Kolkata Police. The senior officials asked the authorities to cancel the event," he said. Additional commissioner of Kolkata Police (I), Vineet Goyal, however, said, "The club had earlier sought permission from us. But today they informed us that the event stands cancelled." He refused to comment when asked if Kolkata Police had raised any objections to the event taking place. (WION)

India: Balochistan summit at Kolkata club cancelled, Tarek Fatah was a speaker

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