The ongoing violence in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has left several security personnel injured, as wounded soldiers line up for beds at an army hospital in Srinagar city. 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil after forces gunned down Burhan Wani, a militant commander of the separatist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, on July 8. 
 
Post Wani&#39;s death, the Valley has been rocked by violent protests. At least 37 people have been killed and about 1500, including hundreds of security personnel, have been injured in clashes. Curfew was in force today for the sixth day. 
 
Brigadier, Commander 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, MS Tevatia said around 14 casualties have been admitted to the hospital so far. 
 
&quot;We have received 14 casualties so far over a period of three-four days. In all, out of these 14 casualties, 12 are of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and two are from J&amp;K (Jammu and Kashmir) police. The mostly the injuries are from the splinter as a result of a grenade throwing and few of the injuries are because of the stone pelting on to these individuals,&quot; said Tevatia. 
 
Four of the injured are admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 10 have been operated on. 
 
Violent mobs have taken to stone pelting and grenade throwing, while forces have been retaliating with tear gas shells and pellets. 
 
&quot;We were trying to control the mob which was pelting stones at us. Somebody from the ground then threw a hand grenade. A few of my colleagues and I got injured in the incident,&quot; said one of the injured soldiers at the hospital. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as state chief Mehbooba Mufti have appealed to the people for peace. 
 
Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. 
 
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. 
 
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. 
 
(Reuters)

Violent mobs have taken to stone pelting and grenade throwing, while the forces have retaliated with tear gas shells and pellets

The ongoing violence in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has left several security personnel injured, as wounded soldiers line up for beds at an army hospital in Srinagar city. Kashmir has been on the boil after forces gunned down Burhan Wani, a militant commander of the separatist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, on July 8. Post Wani's death, the Valley has been rocked by violent protests. At least 37 people have been killed and about 1500, including hundreds of security personnel, have been injured in clashes. Curfew was in force today for the sixth day. Brigadier, Commander 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, MS Tevatia said around 14 casualties have been admitted to the hospital so far. "We have received 14 casualties so far over a period of three-four days. In all, out of these 14 casualties, 12 are of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and two are from J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) police. The mostly the injuries are from the splinter as a result of a grenade throwing and few of the injuries are because of the stone pelting on to these individuals," said Tevatia. Four of the injured are admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 10 have been operated on. Violent mobs have taken to stone pelting and grenade throwing, while forces have been retaliating with tear gas shells and pellets. "We were trying to control the mob which was pelting stones at us. Somebody from the ground then threw a hand grenade. A few of my colleagues and I got injured in the incident," said one of the injured soldiers at the hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as state chief Mehbooba Mufti have appealed to the people for peace. Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. (Reuters)

Violence in Kashmir leaves several security personnel injured, lining up for hospital beds

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation&#39;s (IOC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) has raised its concern over the recent violence in Kashmir which has resulted in the killing of more than 30 Kashmiris and has left more than 1,400 people injured. 
 
The IPHRC said in a statement that &quot;incidents of human rights violations in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has mostly been at the hands of the Indian military and paramilitary forces&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Kashmir has been on the boil ever since security forces gunned down Burhan Wani, a militant commander of the separatist Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, on July 8.&nbsp;Post Wani&#39;s death, the Valley has been rocked by violent protests.&nbsp; 
 
The IPHRC condemned the use by security personnel of excessive force to restrain peacefully protesting civilans and said it was &#39;&#39;deplorable and a blatant violation of the right to life, right to freedom of expression and opinion, right to peaceful protest and assembly and other fundamental human rights.&#39;&#39; 
 
It also called for an independent and transparent inquiry into the deaths, and said the individuals responsible should be held accountable.&nbsp; 
 
A spokesperson for India&#39;s ministry of external affairs responded by saying the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation &quot;had no locus standi here&quot; and that India &quot;needed no gratuitous advice&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
WION and Agencies&nbsp; 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

India's foreign ministry responds saying OIC has no locus standi and that the country does not need 'gratuitous advice'

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (IOC) Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) has raised its concern over the recent violence in Kashmir which has resulted in the killing of more than 30 Kashmiris and has left more than 1,400 people injured. The IPHRC said in a statement that "incidents of human rights violations in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has mostly been at the hands of the Indian military and paramilitary forces". Kashmir has been on the boil ever since security forces gunned down Burhan Wani, a militant commander of the separatist Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, on July 8. Post Wani's death, the Valley has been rocked by violent protests. The IPHRC condemned the use by security personnel of excessive force to restrain peacefully protesting civilans and said it was ''deplorable and a blatant violation of the right to life, right to freedom of expression and opinion, right to peaceful protest and assembly and other fundamental human rights.'' It also called for an independent and transparent inquiry into the deaths, and said the individuals responsible should be held accountable. A spokesperson for India's ministry of external affairs responded by saying the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation "had no locus standi here" and that India "needed no gratuitous advice". WION and Agencies

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation calls for independent inquiry into Kashmir deaths

India will go on hunting militants in the state of Jammu and Kashmir despite widespread protests over the killing of a young separatist commander, officials said, as the government bets that force coupled with development will quell rebellion in the restive state. 
 
The strategy for the Muslim-majority region contested by nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan has worked in part. 
 
The number of militants crossing into Jammu and Kashmir state from Pakistan to launch attacks against India has dropped in the last few years, and home-grown fighters are estimated to number only around 100, according to one security official. 
 
Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is closely aligned to the Hindu nationalist right, also pledged 800 billion Rupees ($11.9 billion) in investment there. 
 
That has not prevented violent protests and rioting from breaking out when security forces killed Burhan Wani, a separatist militant commander and a Kashmiri, last Friday. 
 
At least 34 people were killed - almost all shot by Indian security forces - and more than 1,500 people wounded in the worst violence in Kashmir since 2010, underlining how the crackdown on militants is not enough to solve a conundrum that has frustrated India since independence in 1947. 
 
The government must also find a way to persuade local people that it is on their side, observers said, something it has failed to do since winning a landslide election in 2014. 
 
&quot;There is no denial in Delhi ... that a problem exists,&quot; said retired Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, an Indian army corps commander in the area from 2010 to 2012 who was deployed there seven times during his career. 
 
&quot;But no one seems to be clear on how to get into engagement with the people on the ground.&quot; 
 
Under Modi, whose BJP is also in a coalition government in Kashmir, the federal government has taken a harder stance on engaging in political dialogue with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a separatist alliance. 
 
While Hurriyat leaders travelling to Delhi and meeting Pakistani officials had been accepted before, Modi&#39;s government has objected to such interactions, saying Pakistan should not interfere in Indian affairs. 
 
&quot;Why this hatred?&quot; 
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the head of the alliance, said separatist political leaders felt isolated. 
 
&quot;The government of India cannot continue to deal with Kashmir with a clampdown,&quot; he said. 
 
The state&#39;s deputy chief minister, Nirmal Singh of the BJP, said the government was ready to engage with the Hurriyat under a legal framework.&quot;They are not ready, but they try to exploit every situation,&quot; Singh said. 
 
A senior BJP mandarin in New Delhi also said the government was open to talking to the Hurriyat, but did not appreciate it when they spoke with Pakistan. 
 
He added that the government will continue to go after militants, but with time it hoped the people in Kashmir would &quot;realise that their anger is misdirected.&quot; 
 
&quot;Be it jobs, education, health or any other amenities, the Kashmiri population gets all the same opportunities and benefits as any other Indian,&quot; said the BJP official. 
 
&quot;Why this hatred against the Indian government?&quot; 
 
A senior government official in New Delhi said Wani was a criminal facing 14 separate cases, including the murder of elected politicians and security forces, and that popular support for him was beside the point. 
 
&nbsp;Cycle of violence&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;In Wani&#39;s case, the security crackdown appears to explain his path towards militancy, and raises the possibility that other Kashmiri youths may follow. 
 
His father, school headmaster Mohammad Muzaffar Wani, told Reuters in an interview last year that Wani&#39;s decision to take up arms was linked to an incident in which he and his brother were beaten by Indian police. 
 
The brother, not known to be a militant, was killed by Indian security forces last year in circumstances that remain unclear. 
 
Wani, who was 22 when he died, grew in popularity through videos posted on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp in which he would appear without a mask. 
 
Authorities have been accused by some of using excessive force to control the protests that followed his death. 
 
The Doctors&#39; Association of Kashmir said in a statement that security forces launched tear gas shells into a hospital where victims were being treated, and officers beat hospital staff and damaged ambulances. 
 
Asked whether police and paramilitary forces used excessive force to control crowds after Wani&#39;s killing, BJP&#39;s Singh replied: &quot;It is a matter of concern: this should not have happened. It is a worry as the anti-national forces will try to exploit the situation.&quot; 
 
The inspector general for operations at the Central Reserve Police Force, a paramilitary organization with some 60,000 troops in Kashmir, said his men had been told: &quot;Don&#39;t get into confrontation with locals, defuse the anger.&quot; 
 
The official, Zulfiqar Hasan, said 300 of his men were injured in four days. 
 
(Reuters)

The Indian government is betting that force coupled with development will quell rebellion in the restive state

India will go on hunting militants in the state of Jammu and Kashmir despite widespread protests over the killing of a young separatist commander, officials said, as the government bets that force coupled with development will quell rebellion in the restive state. The strategy for the Muslim-majority region contested by nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan has worked in part. The number of militants crossing into Jammu and Kashmir state from Pakistan to launch attacks against India has dropped in the last few years, and home-grown fighters are estimated to number only around 100, according to one security official. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is closely aligned to the Hindu nationalist right, also pledged 800 billion Rupees ($11.9 billion) in investment there. That has not prevented violent protests and rioting from breaking out when security forces killed Burhan Wani, a separatist militant commander and a Kashmiri, last Friday. At least 34 people were killed - almost all shot by Indian security forces - and more than 1,500 people wounded in the worst violence in Kashmir since 2010, underlining how the crackdown on militants is not enough to solve a conundrum that has frustrated India since independence in 1947. The government must also find a way to persuade local people that it is on their side, observers said, something it has failed to do since winning a landslide election in 2014. "There is no denial in Delhi ... that a problem exists," said retired Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, an Indian army corps commander in the area from 2010 to 2012 who was deployed there seven times during his career. "But no one seems to be clear on how to get into engagement with the people on the ground." Under Modi, whose BJP is also in a coalition government in Kashmir, the federal government has taken a harder stance on engaging in political dialogue with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, a separatist alliance. While Hurriyat leaders travelling to Delhi and meeting Pakistani officials had been accepted before, Modi's government has objected to such interactions, saying Pakistan should not interfere in Indian affairs. "Why this hatred?" Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the head of the alliance, said separatist political leaders felt isolated. "The government of India cannot continue to deal with Kashmir with a clampdown," he said. The state's deputy chief minister, Nirmal Singh of the BJP, said the government was ready to engage with the Hurriyat under a legal framework."They are not ready, but they try to exploit every situation," Singh said. A senior BJP mandarin in New Delhi also said the government was open to talking to the Hurriyat, but did not appreciate it when they spoke with Pakistan. He added that the government will continue to go after militants, but with time it hoped the people in Kashmir would "realise that their anger is misdirected." "Be it jobs, education, health or any other amenities, the Kashmiri population gets all the same opportunities and benefits as any other Indian," said the BJP official. "Why this hatred against the Indian government?" A senior government official in New Delhi said Wani was a criminal facing 14 separate cases, including the murder of elected politicians and security forces, and that popular support for him was beside the point. Cycle of violence In Wani's case, the security crackdown appears to explain his path towards militancy, and raises the possibility that other Kashmiri youths may follow. His father, school headmaster Mohammad Muzaffar Wani, told Reuters in an interview last year that Wani's decision to take up arms was linked to an incident in which he and his brother were beaten by Indian police. The brother, not known to be a militant, was killed by Indian security forces last year in circumstances that remain unclear. Wani, who was 22 when he died, grew in popularity through videos posted on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp in which he would appear without a mask. Authorities have been accused by some of using excessive force to control the protests that followed his death. The Doctors' Association of Kashmir said in a statement that security forces launched tear gas shells into a hospital where victims were being treated, and officers beat hospital staff and damaged ambulances. Asked whether police and paramilitary forces used excessive force to control crowds after Wani's killing, BJP's Singh replied: "It is a matter of concern: this should not have happened. It is a worry as the anti-national forces will try to exploit the situation." The inspector general for operations at the Central Reserve Police Force, a paramilitary organization with some 60,000 troops in Kashmir, said his men had been told: "Don't get into confrontation with locals, defuse the anger." The official, Zulfiqar Hasan, said 300 of his men were injured in four days. (Reuters)

India vows more tough action, and aid, to tackle Kashmir conundrum

&nbsp;Accusing the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s chief minister Mehbooba Mufti&#39;s government of failing to assess the situation after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani&#39;s killing, National conference leader Omar Abdullah today said the PDP-BJP combine had &quot;forgotten&quot; the lessons of 2008 and 2010 when the Valley witnessed large scale protests. 
 
The former chief minister also charged that Mehbooba Mufti was &quot;shamelessly&quot; trying to convey message of normalcy in the state hit by violence. 
 
&quot;I will not go into whether the situation is worse or not than 2008 or 2010. That is something you people have to decide. However, I feel that unfortunately, the lessons which we learnt in 2008 and 2010, the present government has forgotten them for some reasons,&quot; Omar told reporters here. 
 
Abdullah was speaking to media after paying tributes to the martyrs of 1931 at Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar in downtown Srinagar. 
 
Omar, who is the working president of the opposition National Conference (NC), said either the government&#39;s assessment of the situation after Wani&#39;s killing was wrong or their preparations were not right. 
 
&quot;Either the present government exhibited negligence in assessing the situation after Burhan&#39;s killing or they did not prepare for the situation. Some reason out of the two is true that either their assessment was wrong or their preparations were not right.So, it is the responsibility of the government to restore normalcy,&quot; he said. 
 
The NC leader said it was the time to reach out to the Valley with a healing touch and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send specialist doctors to the Valley for treating the injured. 
 
&quot;Hon (Honourable) @narendramodi ji. After Kerala fire you carried a plane load of burn specialists with you.Please send eye/trauma specialists to Kashmir,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;Please don&#39;t let the fact that these youngsters people have been injured in protests stop us from giving the best care possible.Thank you jenab,&quot; he said. 
 
The NC leader also appealed to the Centre to order the forces to show restraint while dealing with the protests. 
 
&quot;I appeal the Centre to order the forces for exercising restraint and if people and forces can be ferried in planes, then what is the problem in getting medicine here.The news about dearth of emergency medicine is coming out of the hospitals.I request them to bring medicines and other such things in the planes in which forces are being brought. 
 
&quot;Our doctors must be tired now, how many hours can they work? Our operation theatres are overflowing, so I appeal them that normalcy cannot be restored by ferrying people in buses, we need some concrete steps like restraint and immediate assistance to hospitals,&quot; he said. 
 
The former chief minister said he conveyed to home minister Rajnath Singh, who called him on Monday, that his party&#39;s political role to restore normalcy in the Valley would only start once the killings are stopped. 
 
&quot;I told the home minister that whatever our role would be in restoring normalcy, we would do that, but before that the spate of killings has to be stopped.Same statement of restraint has come from the UN secretary general as well. 
 
&quot;I told him that once there is restraint and killings stop, then we will lend our hand in playing a political role to create normalcy, but if anyone has played a role for the situation to reach this point, it is the present government and the biggest responsibility for restoring normalcy is of the government as well,&quot; he said. 
 
Omar also said that normalcy cannot be restored by having the forces &quot;attack&quot; ambulances and the patients inside the hospitals. 
 
&quot;I told the home minister that the visual images that we get from social media or other ways which show that ambulances are attacked, patients are attacked in hospitals, the situation will not get better by such things but would rather get worse,&quot; he said. 
 
He said the violence and the spate of killings was now shifting to other areas of the Valley and the government, rather than trying to restore normalcy, was allegedly staging a drama to give a semblance of normalcy. 
 
&quot;Every day there is news about killing of people from new areas. When it started, it was in south Kashmir only. Yesterday, such news came from Kupwara in north Kashmir. It is shameful that rather than using the police administration to restore peace, you saw in the morning how people were ferried here in police buses just to show to the chief minister that people had attended. While coming here, I was surprised to see people in police buses leaving the spot,&quot; he said. 
 
Omar said if the government feels the need to stage a &quot;drama of normalcy&quot;, then they cannot restore normalcy in the Valley. 
 
&quot;If in this situation, these people feel the need to stage a drama and if they do not learn even in such a situation and just to create an atmosphere of normalcy, they brought people in civil to the function, then, I feel, how can this government restore normalcy if they want to keep themselves oblivious of the ground realities,&quot; he said. 
 
Later on Twitter, the NC leader charged that the government had misplaced priorities and was shamelessly trying to convey message of normalcy. 
 
&quot;Brazen shamelessness of the @MehboobaMufti #BJPDP Govt, ferrying people in police buses to state function to convey normalcy has returned,&quot; Omar wrote on Twitter. 
 
The former chief minister said more than 30 people have died and all Mehbooba and her party want to do is put up party flags and get police to ferry people to her function. 
 
Misplaced priorities that put theatrics and falsified public participation over and above the ground realities so as to befool bosses in Delhi, Omar charged. 
 
The NC working president said the government should have rather focused on restoring calm in the Valley. 
 
&quot;Shameless Government should have been focused on restoring calm and on helping our doctors who are struggling to treat 1200+ injured people,&quot; he said.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

He accused the ruling coalition government of forgetting the lessons of 2008 and 2010 when the Valley witnessed large scale protests

Accusing the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir's chief minister Mehbooba Mufti's government of failing to assess the situation after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani's killing, National conference leader Omar Abdullah today said the PDP-BJP combine had "forgotten" the lessons of 2008 and 2010 when the Valley witnessed large scale protests. The former chief minister also charged that Mehbooba Mufti was "shamelessly" trying to convey message of normalcy in the state hit by violence. "I will not go into whether the situation is worse or not than 2008 or 2010. That is something you people have to decide. However, I feel that unfortunately, the lessons which we learnt in 2008 and 2010, the present government has forgotten them for some reasons," Omar told reporters here. Abdullah was speaking to media after paying tributes to the martyrs of 1931 at Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar in downtown Srinagar. Omar, who is the working president of the opposition National Conference (NC), said either the government's assessment of the situation after Wani's killing was wrong or their preparations were not right. "Either the present government exhibited negligence in assessing the situation after Burhan's killing or they did not prepare for the situation. Some reason out of the two is true that either their assessment was wrong or their preparations were not right.So, it is the responsibility of the government to restore normalcy," he said. The NC leader said it was the time to reach out to the Valley with a healing touch and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send specialist doctors to the Valley for treating the injured. "Hon (Honourable) @narendramodi ji. After Kerala fire you carried a plane load of burn specialists with you.Please send eye/trauma specialists to Kashmir," he said. "Please don't let the fact that these youngsters people have been injured in protests stop us from giving the best care possible.Thank you jenab," he said. The NC leader also appealed to the Centre to order the forces to show restraint while dealing with the protests. "I appeal the Centre to order the forces for exercising restraint and if people and forces can be ferried in planes, then what is the problem in getting medicine here.The news about dearth of emergency medicine is coming out of the hospitals.I request them to bring medicines and other such things in the planes in which forces are being brought. "Our doctors must be tired now, how many hours can they work? Our operation theatres are overflowing, so I appeal them that normalcy cannot be restored by ferrying people in buses, we need some concrete steps like restraint and immediate assistance to hospitals," he said. The former chief minister said he conveyed to home minister Rajnath Singh, who called him on Monday, that his party's political role to restore normalcy in the Valley would only start once the killings are stopped. "I told the home minister that whatever our role would be in restoring normalcy, we would do that, but before that the spate of killings has to be stopped.Same statement of restraint has come from the UN secretary general as well. "I told him that once there is restraint and killings stop, then we will lend our hand in playing a political role to create normalcy, but if anyone has played a role for the situation to reach this point, it is the present government and the biggest responsibility for restoring normalcy is of the government as well," he said. Omar also said that normalcy cannot be restored by having the forces "attack" ambulances and the patients inside the hospitals. "I told the home minister that the visual images that we get from social media or other ways which show that ambulances are attacked, patients are attacked in hospitals, the situation will not get better by such things but would rather get worse," he said. He said the violence and the spate of killings was now shifting to other areas of the Valley and the government, rather than trying to restore normalcy, was allegedly staging a drama to give a semblance of normalcy. "Every day there is news about killing of people from new areas. When it started, it was in south Kashmir only. Yesterday, such news came from Kupwara in north Kashmir. It is shameful that rather than using the police administration to restore peace, you saw in the morning how people were ferried here in police buses just to show to the chief minister that people had attended. While coming here, I was surprised to see people in police buses leaving the spot," he said. Omar said if the government feels the need to stage a "drama of normalcy", then they cannot restore normalcy in the Valley. "If in this situation, these people feel the need to stage a drama and if they do not learn even in such a situation and just to create an atmosphere of normalcy, they brought people in civil to the function, then, I feel, how can this government restore normalcy if they want to keep themselves oblivious of the ground realities," he said. Later on Twitter, the NC leader charged that the government had misplaced priorities and was shamelessly trying to convey message of normalcy. "Brazen shamelessness of the @MehboobaMufti #BJPDP Govt, ferrying people in police buses to state function to convey normalcy has returned," Omar wrote on Twitter. The former chief minister said more than 30 people have died and all Mehbooba and her party want to do is put up party flags and get police to ferry people to her function. Misplaced priorities that put theatrics and falsified public participation over and above the ground realities so as to befool bosses in Delhi, Omar charged. The NC working president said the government should have rather focused on restoring calm in the Valley. "Shameless Government should have been focused on restoring calm and on helping our doctors who are struggling to treat 1200+ injured people," he said. (PTI)

Former Jammu and kashmir chief minister accuses current CM of failing to assess Kashmir situation

India should conduct an impartial probe into the use of lethal force by police during the violent protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in Kashmir and ensure that basic human rights are protected, a leading human rights body has said. 
 
&quot;A major grievance of those protesting in Kashmir is the failure of authorities to respect basic human rights,&quot; Human Rights Watch (HRW) South Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly said in a statement. 
 
&quot;Ensuring that rights are protected and prosecuting those responsible for abuses would be an important first step,&quot; she said. 
 
HRW said Indian authorities should credibly and impartially investigate police use of lethal force during the violent protests in Jammu &amp; Kashmir that ensued since the killing of Hizb&nbsp;militant Wani last week. 
 
&quot;Rock-throwing at demonstrations is serious but does not provide police a free pass to use force against protesters,&quot; Ganguly said in a statement. 
 
&quot;The Indian authorities need to send a clear message that lethal force is only an option when a life is at imminent risk, and those misusing force will be held accountable,&quot; she said. 
 
Ganguly also called on protest organisers to take steps to deter supporters from engaging in violence, including attacks on law enforcement officers. 
 
The HRW said in a statement while law enforcement officials have a duty to protect lives and property, they should use non-violent means as far as possible and use lethal force only when absolutely necessary to save lives. 
 
The authorities should not only investigate the use of firearms that resulted in death and injury, but also the use of pellet guns, which can cause serious injury when fired at close range or at an individual&#39;s eyes, it said. 
 
The findings of the investigation should be public and result in appropriate disciplinary action or prosecution. 
 
(PTI)

Human Rights Watch wants investigation into use of pellet guns which can cause serious injury when fired at close range

India should conduct an impartial probe into the use of lethal force by police during the violent protests following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in Kashmir and ensure that basic human rights are protected, a leading human rights body has said. "A major grievance of those protesting in Kashmir is the failure of authorities to respect basic human rights," Human Rights Watch (HRW) South Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly said in a statement. "Ensuring that rights are protected and prosecuting those responsible for abuses would be an important first step," she said. HRW said Indian authorities should credibly and impartially investigate police use of lethal force during the violent protests in Jammu & Kashmir that ensued since the killing of Hizb militant Wani last week. "Rock-throwing at demonstrations is serious but does not provide police a free pass to use force against protesters," Ganguly said in a statement. "The Indian authorities need to send a clear message that lethal force is only an option when a life is at imminent risk, and those misusing force will be held accountable," she said. Ganguly also called on protest organisers to take steps to deter supporters from engaging in violence, including attacks on law enforcement officers. The HRW said in a statement while law enforcement officials have a duty to protect lives and property, they should use non-violent means as far as possible and use lethal force only when absolutely necessary to save lives. The authorities should not only investigate the use of firearms that resulted in death and injury, but also the use of pellet guns, which can cause serious injury when fired at close range or at an individual's eyes, it said. The findings of the investigation should be public and result in appropriate disciplinary action or prosecution. (PTI)

Probe use of lethal force in Kashmir: Rights group to India

On the occasion of 86th Kashmir Martyr`s Day, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace. 
 
&quot;We should take into consideration that many jawans have sacrificed their lives for us. We must protect the legacy for which martyrs sacrificed their lives in 1931. We must protect and preserve that. We should maintain peace. I appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace in the Kashmir Valley,&quot; she told the media here. 
 
&quot;There are some elements here who want to disrupt peace and want to destroy the atmosphere. We shouldn`t give in to them and maintain peace,&quot; she added.Mehbooba and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah paid tributes to the martyrs of 1931. 
 
The Kashmir Martyrs Day is observed on this day every year on both sides of the LoC to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs they gave this day in 1931 when the Dogra troops shot dead 22 Kashmiris in front of the Central Jail Srinagar. 
 
Mehbooba`s appeal comes at a time when the valley is boiling over protest against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. 
 
The death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir crossed 30, while normal life remained paralysed due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike . 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday chaired a high-level meeting in the national capital where he appealed to maintain peace and calm in the valley. 
 
&quot;The Prime Minister has hoped for peace and appealed that innocent lives are not disturbed,&quot; Minister of State in Prime Minister`s Office Jitendra Singh told the media after the meeting.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)

The death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir has risen to 34

On the occasion of 86th Kashmir Martyr`s Day, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace. "We should take into consideration that many jawans have sacrificed their lives for us. We must protect the legacy for which martyrs sacrificed their lives in 1931. We must protect and preserve that. We should maintain peace. I appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace in the Kashmir Valley," she told the media here. "There are some elements here who want to disrupt peace and want to destroy the atmosphere. We shouldn`t give in to them and maintain peace," she added.Mehbooba and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah paid tributes to the martyrs of 1931. The Kashmir Martyrs Day is observed on this day every year on both sides of the LoC to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs they gave this day in 1931 when the Dogra troops shot dead 22 Kashmiris in front of the Central Jail Srinagar. Mehbooba`s appeal comes at a time when the valley is boiling over protest against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. The death toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces in Kashmir crossed 30, while normal life remained paralysed due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike . Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday chaired a high-level meeting in the national capital where he appealed to maintain peace and calm in the valley. "The Prime Minister has hoped for peace and appealed that innocent lives are not disturbed," Minister of State in Prime Minister`s Office Jitendra Singh told the media after the meeting. (ANI)

State head appeals to maintain peace in Kashmir on Martyr's day

Curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir Valley, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the Valley today as the death toll in clashes between protestors and security forces climbed to 34. 
 
Authorities confirmed death of seven more persons in the clashes that erupted Friday evening following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. 
 
&quot;The death toll now is 34 including a policeman who was killed in mob violence.It also includes one civilian who succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital this morning,&quot; a police official said. 
Mushtaq Ahmad Dar was injured on Saturday at Khudwani in Kulgam district and succumbed this morning. 
 
He said most of the deaths had occurred on Saturday when mobs attacked police and other security installations in south Kashmir but all the deaths could not be accounted for as the situation did not allow the law enforcing agencies to gather information. 
 
Yesterday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon had said the civilian death toll in the clashes was 22. 
 
According to the latest figures available, most deaths have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). 
 
Curfew continued in some parts of the Valley including Pampore town, Kupwara town and Anantnag while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in rest of the Valley, the official said. 
 
Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to a strike called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. 
 
Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. 
 
Mobile Internet and train services are still suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. 
 
Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir&#39;s four districts. 
 
(PTI)

Mobile Internet and train services are still suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area

Curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir Valley, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in the rest of the Valley today as the death toll in clashes between protestors and security forces climbed to 34. Authorities confirmed death of seven more persons in the clashes that erupted Friday evening following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter. "The death toll now is 34 including a policeman who was killed in mob violence.It also includes one civilian who succumbed to injuries at SKIMS Hospital this morning," a police official said. Mushtaq Ahmad Dar was injured on Saturday at Khudwani in Kulgam district and succumbed this morning. He said most of the deaths had occurred on Saturday when mobs attacked police and other security installations in south Kashmir but all the deaths could not be accounted for as the situation did not allow the law enforcing agencies to gather information. Yesterday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon had said the civilian death toll in the clashes was 22. According to the latest figures available, most deaths have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). Curfew continued in some parts of the Valley including Pampore town, Kupwara town and Anantnag while restrictions on movement of people were imposed in rest of the Valley, the official said. Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to a strike called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. Mobile Internet and train services are still suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir's four districts. (PTI)

Curfew remains in force, toll in Kashmir violence climbs to 34

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to discuss the &quot;deteriorating situation&quot; in violence-hit Kashmir and chalk out a &quot;future course of action&quot; on the issue. 
&quot;The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the overall situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani,&quot; the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said in a statement. 
The meeting at Governor House in Lahore will discuss the &quot;rapidly deteriorating situation&quot; in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out a &quot;future course of action&quot; on the issue, it said. 
The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned the Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed the &quot;strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces.&quot; 
It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN security council of UN &quot;regarding atrocities of the security forces.&quot; 
India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing &quot;shock&quot; at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. 
Sharif today said the &quot;voice and struggle&quot; of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of &quot;brutal force and human rights abuses&quot;. 
He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore. 
During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the &quot;human rights violations&quot; by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir. 
Rehman said the &quot;Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times&quot;, according to an official statement. 
Sharif said, &quot;The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may.&quot; 
&quot;The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,&quot; Sharif said. 
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley. 
In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against &quot;the blatant human rights violations&quot; of Kashmiri Muslims. 
The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

It will discuss the 'oppressive actions of Indian security forces' and the overall situation after the 'brutal assassination of Burhan Wani'

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to discuss the "deteriorating situation" in violence-hit Kashmir and chalk out a "future course of action" on the issue. "The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the overall situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. The meeting at Governor House in Lahore will discuss the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out a "future course of action" on the issue, it said. The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned the Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed the "strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces." It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN security council of UN "regarding atrocities of the security forces." India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing "shock" at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. Sharif today said the "voice and struggle" of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of "brutal force and human rights abuses". He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore. During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the "human rights violations" by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Rehman said the "Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times", according to an official statement. Sharif said, "The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may." "The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices," Sharif said. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley. In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against "the blatant human rights violations" of Kashmiri Muslims. The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings. (PTI)

Pakistan PM calls special Cabinet meeting on Friday to discuss Kashmir situation

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed &quot;great sadness and sorrow&quot; over the deaths and promised a &quot;healing touch&quot;. 
Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. 
In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. 
As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. 
In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. 
They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. 
Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. 
A police spokesman said barring &quot;some incidents&quot; of stone pelting at various places, the situation &quot;remained under control&quot; in the valley. 
The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. 
Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their &quot;support in pulling J&amp;K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed.&quot; 
She said she needs people&#39;s support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. 
&quot;The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction,&quot; she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. 
Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, &quot;My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir.&quot; 
Asserting that &quot;I won&#39;t let the people down, despite facing a challenging task&quot;, she said, &quot;While my government&#39;s immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&amp;K, with youth being the focus of the government&#39;s welfare initiatives.&quot;&nbsp; 
Urging people not to &quot;play with peace&quot;, the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. 
&quot;I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here,&quot; said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. 
According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). 
Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. 
Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. 
Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. 
Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir&#39;s four districts. 
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. 
Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. 
Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. 
Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. 
 
(PTI)

Total toll reaches 35. Another youth is injured after security forces open fire to disperse a mob pelting stones at an air force base

One more youth was killed today in a clash between a stone-pelting mob and security forces in Kashmir, raising the toll in the five-day unrest to 35, even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed "great sadness and sorrow" over the deaths and promised a "healing touch". Shattering the peace during most of the day, clashes erupted this evening at Harnag in Koimoh with a group of youth pelting stones on passing vehicles of security forces. In retaliatory action by the security forces, one youth was injured, officials said, adding he succumbed while being shifted to hospital. This raised the toll during the five-day unrest to 35. As soon as the news of death of the youth spread, angry protesters set ablaze a forest hut at Khannabal in Anantnag district town, the officials said. In another incident, a youth was injured when security forces opened fire at Koil in Pulwama district to disperse a mob which was pelting stones at an Indian Air Force base, the officials said. They said Reyaz Ahmad Padder was admitted to District Hospital Pulwama where his situation is stated to be stable. Earlier, barring some incidents of stone-pelting, Kashmir was relatively calm through the day as curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir, including Pampore and Kupwara towns, restrictions were in place on movement of people in the rest of the Valley. A police spokesman said barring "some incidents" of stone pelting at various places, the situation "remained under control" in the valley. The stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from Khudwani, Kulgam, Iman Sahib, Shopian and Kakpora in south Kashmir, Kralpora, Kupwara, Trehgam, Langate, Lalpora, Putkha Sopore and Main Chowk Sopore in north Kashmir, he said. Reaching out to people, Mehbooba sought their "support in pulling J&K out of the vortex of violence and bloodshed." She said she needs people's support in realising the dream of a politically-emancipated, economically self-reliant and socially secure Jammu and Kashmir. "The 27-year-long violence has left deep wounds in almost each home here and we have to jointly safeguard our state and our people from further bloodshed and destruction," she said after paying homage to the martyrs of 1931 at the Martyrs graveyard in Khawaja Bazar area of downtown Srinagar. Commenting on the current unrest, Mehbooba said, "My heart is overwhelmed with great sadness and sorrow as a result of the killings in the latest spate of violence in Kashmir." Asserting that "I won't let the people down, despite facing a challenging task", she said, "While my government's immediate priority would be to reach out to the affected families with a healing touch, in the long run a concerted effort shall have to be launched to make peace and stability a reality in J&K, with youth being the focus of the government's welfare initiatives." Urging people not to "play with peace", the Chief Minister asked them not to fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace in the state. "I think the biggest tribute to them would be to protect that peace and not fall prey to the machinations of those elements who want to disturb peace here," said Mehbooba who was accompanied by some of her Cabinet colleagues, legislators, party functionaries and top officers of the civil and police administration. According to the latest figures available, most deaths over the last four days have taken place in Anantnag district (16) followed by Kulgam (eight), Shopian (five), Pulwama (three), Srinagar and Kupwara (one each). Meanwhile, militants fired at the vehicle of a Sub Divisional Police Officer in Shopian district but he escaped unhurt, police said. Normal life remained affected for the fifth consecutive day today due to the shutdown called by separatist groups to protest the civilian killings in the clashes with security forces. The separatists today extended the shutdown by two more days till July 15. Shops and business establishments remained closed while public and private transport remained off roads due to the strike. Mobile Internet and train services remained suspended while mobile telephony has been snapped in Kupwara area following the death of a youth during protests yesterday. Mobile telephony is partially suspended in south Kashmir's four districts. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were detained by police after they tried to defy restrictions and lead a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar. Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained by the police on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the Aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. Police also detained Mirwaiz, who was under house arrest, after he defied the restrictions and came out of his Nigeen residence to lead a march to the Martyrs graveyard. Mirwaiz climbed the main gate of his residence as a heavy deployment of police had barricaded the gate and did not open it, a spokesman of the Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat said. (PTI)

While CM talks of 'healing touch', one more youth killed in Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought the services of eye surgeons to help treat dozens of youths in danger of losing their eyesight. The youths had been hit by pellets fired by security forces during protests over the past five days in the Kashmir Valley. 
 
&quot;A specialised team of surgeons from New Delhi and other parts of the country are being rushed to Kashmir to take care of the persons injured in ongoing law and order situation and needing super-specialty care,&quot; an official spokesman said. 
 
He said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti spoke to Health Minister JP Nadda this morning and requested him to send a specialised team of doctors, including retina surgeons, to Kashmir to take care of the injured who have suffered ophthalmic and other trauma. 
 
&quot;We are expecting these specialised doctors to arrive here today and get down to the job immediately,&quot; the spokesman said. 
 
He said the on the instructions of the Chief Minister, the government is also facilitating the shifting outside the state of any injured person who needs super-specialised treatment in case it is not available locally. 
 
The SMHS hospital here alone has received more than 100 cases of eye injuries due to pellet guns fired by security forces in the clashes following killing of Hibzul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter last Friday. 
 
According to doctors at SMHS hospital, 107 cases of eye injuries have been reported since Saturday at the hospital. 
 
&quot;As many as 87 surgeries have been carried out on these patients. Out of these, eyesight of 40 patients has been restored while we are monitoring other patients,&quot; a doctor said. 
 
He said three of the injured persons have lost their eyesight due to pellet injuries and among the injured are three girls, including a nine-year-old.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp;

Youths were hurt after security forces shot pellets at them. Team of doctors from Delhi and elsewhere will arrive in the state today

The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought the services of eye surgeons to help treat dozens of youths in danger of losing their eyesight. The youths had been hit by pellets fired by security forces during protests over the past five days in the Kashmir Valley. "A specialised team of surgeons from New Delhi and other parts of the country are being rushed to Kashmir to take care of the persons injured in ongoing law and order situation and needing super-specialty care," an official spokesman said. He said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti spoke to Health Minister JP Nadda this morning and requested him to send a specialised team of doctors, including retina surgeons, to Kashmir to take care of the injured who have suffered ophthalmic and other trauma. "We are expecting these specialised doctors to arrive here today and get down to the job immediately," the spokesman said. He said the on the instructions of the Chief Minister, the government is also facilitating the shifting outside the state of any injured person who needs super-specialised treatment in case it is not available locally. The SMHS hospital here alone has received more than 100 cases of eye injuries due to pellet guns fired by security forces in the clashes following killing of Hibzul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter last Friday. According to doctors at SMHS hospital, 107 cases of eye injuries have been reported since Saturday at the hospital. "As many as 87 surgeries have been carried out on these patients. Out of these, eyesight of 40 patients has been restored while we are monitoring other patients," a doctor said. He said three of the injured persons have lost their eyesight due to pellet injuries and among the injured are three girls, including a nine-year-old. (PTI)

Dozens in danger of losing eyesight, Kashmir govt seeks services of eye surgeons

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was today detained by police after he tried to defy restrictions and march to Martyrs&#39; graveyard in downtown Srinagar in India&#39;s northern state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir. 
 
Hurriyat conference chairman,&nbsp;Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. 
 
Geelani was detained by the police outside his residence as he tried to defy restrictions, a police official said. 
 
He said some other leaders of the Hurriyat were also detained by the police. 
 
(PTI)

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the Hurriyat conference, tried to take out a march to Martyrs graveyard in downtown Srinagar

Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was today detained by police after he tried to defy restrictions and march to Martyrs' graveyard in downtown Srinagar in India's northern state of Jammu & Kashmir. Hurriyat conference chairman, Geelani, who was under house arrest, was detained on the airport road outside his residence in uptown Hyderpora after he defied restrictions and tried to take out a march to commemorate the 85th anniversary of those who laid down their lives fighting the aristocratic rule in the state in 1931. Geelani was detained by the police outside his residence as he tried to defy restrictions, a police official said. He said some other leaders of the Hurriyat were also detained by the police. (PTI)

Kashmiri separatist leader under house arrest defies restrictions, detained

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to discuss the &quot;deteriorating situation&quot; in the violence-hit Kashmir and chalk out &quot;future course of action&quot; on the issue. 
 
&quot;The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the over all situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani,&quot; the Prime Minister&#39;s Office said in a statement. 
 
The meeting at the Governor House in Lahore will discuss the &quot;rapidly deteriorating situation&quot; in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out &quot;future course of action&quot; on the issue, it said. 
 
The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed &quot;strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces.&quot; 
 
It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN security council of UN &quot;regarding atrocities of the security forces.&quot; 
 
India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing &quot;shock&quot; at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. 
 
Sharif today said the &quot;voice and struggle&quot; of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of &quot;brutal force and human rights abuses&quot;. 
 
He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore. 
 
During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the &quot;human rights violations&quot; by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
Rehman said the &quot;Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times&quot;, according to an official statement. 
 
Sharif said, &quot;The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may.&quot; 
 
&quot;The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,&quot; Sharif said. 
 
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley. 
 
In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against &quot;the blatant human rights violations&quot; of Kashmiri Muslims. 
 
The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)&nbsp;

The meeting at the Governor House in Lahore will discuss the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in Kashmir

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a special Cabinet meeting in Lahore on Friday to discuss the "deteriorating situation" in the violence-hit Kashmir and chalk out "future course of action" on the issue. "The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the over all situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. The meeting at the Governor House in Lahore will discuss the "rapidly deteriorating situation" in Kashmir and the Prime Minister will chalk out "future course of action" on the issue, it said. The statement also noted that on the directions of the Prime Minister, the foreign office summoned Indian high commissioner to the foreign office and conveyed "strong concerns of the Pakistani government and people on rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and increasing oppression by Indian security forces." It said that a detailed briefing was also given to ambassadors of all permanent members of UN security council of UN "regarding atrocities of the security forces." India had asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs after Sharif issued a statement expressing "shock" at the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. Sharif today said the "voice and struggle" of the people of Kashmir cannot be suppressed through use of "brutal force and human rights abuses". He said this during a meeting with PoK Parliament Special Committee Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Lahore. During the meeting, Rehman apprised the Prime Minister on his recent talks with separatist leaders over the "human rights violations" by Indian military and paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Rehman said the "Kashmiri leadership looks towards Pakistan in difficult times", according to an official statement. Sharif said, "The government and people of Pakistan respect the sentiments of their Kashmiri brethren and will continue to support the Kashmir cause at each and every forum internationally come what may." "The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices," Sharif said. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary also briefed the Islamabad-based Ambassadors of the member countries of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger) over the situation in the Valley. In the meeting, Pakistan called on the OIC member states to raise their voice against "the blatant human rights violations" of Kashmiri Muslims. The Foreign Secretary also briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union over the situation and emphasised the need for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings. (PTI)

Pak PM calls Cabinet meeting to discuss Kashmir situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting on the situation in Kashmir Valley, which has been rocked by violent protests in the wake of the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.&nbsp;Back from a visit to four African countries, Modi convened a meeting of Union Ministers and senior officials. 
 
The Prime Minister was given a detailed presentation of the situation prevailing in the Valley which has witnessed escalating protests following the killing of Wani on Friday.&nbsp;Violent clashes between security forces and protestors have so far left 24 dead. 
 
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj,&nbsp;Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar among others. 
 
Yesterday, Parrikar, Jaitley and Doval, who returned a day earlier from Africa where he was accompanying the Prime Minister, had met to discuss the situation.&nbsp;The Ministers were briefed by Chiefs of central security agencies about the steps taken to bring back peace and normalcy in the Valley. 
 
All forces have been asked to ensure security of Amarnath pilgrims and enhance vigil along the border to check fresh attempts of infiltration from across the border.&nbsp;Sources said security forces were asked to ensure judicious use of force against protesting civilians. 
 
Parrikar had told reporters that an overall assessment of security situation in Kashmir has to be done by the Home Ministry and Army was ready to provide any assistance like increasing force levels in any areas required. 
 
Earlier, the Home Minister had reached out to opposition leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Parliamentary leaders of all parties, and discussed the prevailing situation there. 
 
During the telephone conversation with Gandhi and National Conference leader Omar, the Home Minister had discussed with them efforts to bring back peace and normalcy in Kashmir Valley. 
 
(PTI)

The region has been rocked by violent protests in the wake of the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, leaving 24 dead

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting on the situation in Kashmir Valley, which has been rocked by violent protests in the wake of the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. Back from a visit to four African countries, Modi convened a meeting of Union Ministers and senior officials. The Prime Minister was given a detailed presentation of the situation prevailing in the Valley which has witnessed escalating protests following the killing of Wani on Friday. Violent clashes between security forces and protestors have so far left 24 dead. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar among others. Yesterday, Parrikar, Jaitley and Doval, who returned a day earlier from Africa where he was accompanying the Prime Minister, had met to discuss the situation. The Ministers were briefed by Chiefs of central security agencies about the steps taken to bring back peace and normalcy in the Valley. All forces have been asked to ensure security of Amarnath pilgrims and enhance vigil along the border to check fresh attempts of infiltration from across the border. Sources said security forces were asked to ensure judicious use of force against protesting civilians. Parrikar had told reporters that an overall assessment of security situation in Kashmir has to be done by the Home Ministry and Army was ready to provide any assistance like increasing force levels in any areas required. Earlier, the Home Minister had reached out to opposition leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Parliamentary leaders of all parties, and discussed the prevailing situation there. During the telephone conversation with Gandhi and National Conference leader Omar, the Home Minister had discussed with them efforts to bring back peace and normalcy in Kashmir Valley. (PTI)

Indian PM Narendra Modi meets with ministers and senior officials over fatal Kashmir clashes

Ensuing violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, after a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed last week, has claimed at least 30 lives, leaving nearly 350 people injured whilst unrest refuses to die down.&nbsp; 
 
The Muslim-majority valley of Kashmir has been placed under strict curfew over past three days paralysing normal life in most parts. Mobile internet services also remain suspended for third day running.&nbsp; 
 
In some parts of the valley, however, people have been defying restrictions triggering further clashes.&nbsp; 
 
Situation worsens in southern Kashmir&nbsp; 
 
Twenty one years old Burhan Wani, tipped as the face of new-age militancy in Kashmir, was killed earlier on Friday in an encounter in Kokernag area. Wani hailed from a village in Tral in South Kashmir, where most of his associates were based. He gained popularity through social media network.&nbsp; 
 
After his killing, tens of thousands of locals joined his funeral prayers across the disputed region. 
 
A majority of agitators, who died in last three days, belong to southern part of Kashmir, where the situation has worsened amid growing unrest.&nbsp; 
 
In summer capital Srinagar, situation further deteriorated on Sunday evening after the death of a youth.&nbsp; 
 
Tension has gripped other parts of the valley as well.&nbsp;&quot;There are clashes going on in our area between forces and locals, especially youth. So far, there is no eventuality but the situation doesn&#39;t seem to be getting better anytime soon,&quot; Owais, a resident of Bandipora in north Kashmir told Wion over phone. 
 
 
&#39;Medical emergency&#39; declared by government-run hospital in Srinagar 
 
The number of injured has also risen putting a pressure on government hospitals in the state.&nbsp; 
 
A &lsquo;medical emergency&rsquo; was declared by a government-run city hospital in Srinagar on Sunday in wake of the situation.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;The situation is very bad as we continue to receive cases of injuries from across the valley. The hospital has received nearly 200 injured patients in two days. Many of them suffered bullet injuries and with wounds from lethal weapons like pellet guns,&rdquo; Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital&#39;s Dr Adil Ashraf said. Routine admissions, theater and leaves of the doctors have been cancelled here.&nbsp; 
 
According to Dr Aadil, president, Residents Doctors Association at SMHS and associated hospitals, the government forces resorted to tear gas shelling inside hospital premises. 
 
&quot;Four lung disease patients were being treated in the emergency room when police resorted to tear gas shelling leading to severe suffocation of patients,&quot; he said. 
 
A local, Mehraj Din, who was attending a 70-year-old man inside the hospital, claimed the police have beaten attendants inside the hospital. &quot;This will make the suituation only worse as there is already too much anger among locals,&quot; he said. 
 
The hospital administration added the staff received calls from many doctors that ambulances were not allowed by Indian forces at several places adding to not only the &#39;shortage of staff but putting patients&#39; lives at risk&#39;. 
 
&#39;Authorities seldom impose curfew here&#39; 
 
Omaid Rather, a resident of an uptown locality of Srinagar which usually does not witness protests, is stuck in his home from past several days.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The shops around here in Jawahar Nagar usually remain open even on public strikes and the authorities seldom impose curfew here but it is the opposite this time. The shops open for an hour in the early morning only that is when we buy food and other items,&quot; Rather said. 
 
If the restrictions and clashes continue, the locality, according to residents, may run out of medical supplies and subsistence which is transported via state highway, that has also been closed.&nbsp; 
 
Shutdown call by separatists extended by two days&nbsp; 
 
In the meanwhile, tourists in Kashmir are preferring to leave the tension-hit valley. &nbsp; 
 
Further, the annual pilgrimage to Amanath cave, carried out by hundreds of thousands Hindu pilgrims also remained suspended on Monday, in view of violence. A police handout said the stranded pilgrims near several camps have been evacuated to a different city. 
 
&quot;Till 1200 hours, 2,462 Yatris (pilgrims) left these camps for the holy cave, the pilgrim site, today. The air services are also going normally and 449 pilgrims left to visit the holy cave by air. As many as 2,799 pilgrims visited the pilgrim site today,&quot; an official statement by the state police said.&nbsp; 
 
As many as 1,28,946 pilgrims have visited the holy cave so far since the pilgrimage began from July 2. 
 
Meanwhile, the shutdown call by separatist politicians has been extended to next two days till Wednesday.&nbsp;

Majority of agitators, who died in the last 3 days, belong to the southern part of Kashmir where the situation has gradually worsened

Ensuing violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, after a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed last week, has claimed at least 30 lives, leaving nearly 350 people injured whilst unrest refuses to die down. The Muslim-majority valley of Kashmir has been placed under strict curfew over past three days paralysing normal life in most parts. Mobile internet services also remain suspended for third day running. In some parts of the valley, however, people have been defying restrictions triggering further clashes. Situation worsens in southern Kashmir Twenty one years old Burhan Wani, tipped as the face of new-age militancy in Kashmir, was killed earlier on Friday in an encounter in Kokernag area. Wani hailed from a village in Tral in South Kashmir, where most of his associates were based. He gained popularity through social media network. After his killing, tens of thousands of locals joined his funeral prayers across the disputed region. A majority of agitators, who died in last three days, belong to southern part of Kashmir, where the situation has worsened amid growing unrest. In summer capital Srinagar, situation further deteriorated on Sunday evening after the death of a youth. Tension has gripped other parts of the valley as well. "There are clashes going on in our area between forces and locals, especially youth. So far, there is no eventuality but the situation doesn't seem to be getting better anytime soon," Owais, a resident of Bandipora in north Kashmir told Wion over phone. 'Medical emergency' declared by government-run hospital in Srinagar The number of injured has also risen putting a pressure on government hospitals in the state. A ‘medical emergency’ was declared by a government-run city hospital in Srinagar on Sunday in wake of the situation. “The situation is very bad as we continue to receive cases of injuries from across the valley. The hospital has received nearly 200 injured patients in two days. Many of them suffered bullet injuries and with wounds from lethal weapons like pellet guns,” Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital's Dr Adil Ashraf said. Routine admissions, theater and leaves of the doctors have been cancelled here. According to Dr Aadil, president, Residents Doctors Association at SMHS and associated hospitals, the government forces resorted to tear gas shelling inside hospital premises. "Four lung disease patients were being treated in the emergency room when police resorted to tear gas shelling leading to severe suffocation of patients," he said. A local, Mehraj Din, who was attending a 70-year-old man inside the hospital, claimed the police have beaten attendants inside the hospital. "This will make the suituation only worse as there is already too much anger among locals," he said. The hospital administration added the staff received calls from many doctors that ambulances were not allowed by Indian forces at several places adding to not only the 'shortage of staff but putting patients' lives at risk'. 'Authorities seldom impose curfew here' Omaid Rather, a resident of an uptown locality of Srinagar which usually does not witness protests, is stuck in his home from past several days. "The shops around here in Jawahar Nagar usually remain open even on public strikes and the authorities seldom impose curfew here but it is the opposite this time. The shops open for an hour in the early morning only that is when we buy food and other items," Rather said. If the restrictions and clashes continue, the locality, according to residents, may run out of medical supplies and subsistence which is transported via state highway, that has also been closed. Shutdown call by separatists extended by two days In the meanwhile, tourists in Kashmir are preferring to leave the tension-hit valley. Further, the annual pilgrimage to Amanath cave, carried out by hundreds of thousands Hindu pilgrims also remained suspended on Monday, in view of violence. A police handout said the stranded pilgrims near several camps have been evacuated to a different city. "Till 1200 hours, 2,462 Yatris (pilgrims) left these camps for the holy cave, the pilgrim site, today. The air services are also going normally and 449 pilgrims left to visit the holy cave by air. As many as 2,799 pilgrims visited the pilgrim site today," an official statement by the state police said. As many as 1,28,946 pilgrims have visited the holy cave so far since the pilgrimage began from July 2. Meanwhile, the shutdown call by separatist politicians has been extended to next two days till Wednesday.

30 dead in violence-torn Kashmir valley as clashes, protests continue for third day

Eight hundred additional central paramilitary forces (CRPF) troops are being rushed to Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of continued violent protests across the Valley.&nbsp; 
 
The reinforcements will be in addition to 1,200 personnel which were sent to aid the state police on Saturday. 
 
Official sources said eight companies (with 100 personnel each) of CRPF are being sent in the wake of ongoing protests. About 60 battallions (about 1000 personnel each) are already stationed in the state as part of counter-insurgency grid. 
 
A police station in Sopore was torched by a mob today while air force airport in Pulwama and other security installations in Kashmir have also came under attack as ongoing clashes between protesters and security personnel continued following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on Friday.&nbsp; 
 
The violent protests have so far left 23 dead and over 250 injured. 
 
Normal life has been paralysed due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike since Saturday. 
 
Restrictions on movement of people continued to be in place in many parts of the Valley including parts of Srinagar city, where the first death in the clashes occurred last evening. 
 
(PTI)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

A police station in Sopore was torched by a mob today while other security installations in Kashmir have also come under attack

Eight hundred additional central paramilitary forces (CRPF) troops are being rushed to Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of continued violent protests across the Valley. The reinforcements will be in addition to 1,200 personnel which were sent to aid the state police on Saturday. Official sources said eight companies (with 100 personnel each) of CRPF are being sent in the wake of ongoing protests. About 60 battallions (about 1000 personnel each) are already stationed in the state as part of counter-insurgency grid. A police station in Sopore was torched by a mob today while air force airport in Pulwama and other security installations in Kashmir have also came under attack as ongoing clashes between protesters and security personnel continued following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on Friday. The violent protests have so far left 23 dead and over 250 injured. Normal life has been paralysed due to curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike since Saturday. Restrictions on movement of people continued to be in place in many parts of the Valley including parts of Srinagar city, where the first death in the clashes occurred last evening. (PTI)

800 additional CRPF troops rushed to Indian Kashmir in wake of ongoing unrest

Pakistan has strongly condemned the continued killing of innocent Kashmiris in Indian Kashmir and said that solving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible through an impartial plebiscite with the United Nation&#39;s (UN) support.&nbsp; 
 
The statement comes as the Indian security forces shot dead Hizbul Mujahideen&#39;s 22-year-old leader Burhan Muzzafar Wani, along with two of his accomplices in Kokernag area, earlier on Friday. 
 
The statement released by the foreign ministry said the extrajudicial killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris is deplorable and condemnable. 
 
&quot;Pakistan reiterates that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,&quot; the statement said. 
 
&quot;Such acts are a violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and can not deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination,&quot; it said. 
 
Islamabad also expressed its concern over the detention of Kashmiri leadership and called upon New Delhi to fulfill the human rights obligations as per the United Nation. 
 
&quot;Pakistan also has serious concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leadership in Indian Occupied Kashmir and calls upon the Indian government to fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions,&quot; the statement said. 
 
The Kashmir valley has been on the boil as widespread protests were carried out over Wani`s killing with many separatists calling for a shutdown.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

'Pakistan also has serious concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leadership in Indian Occupied Kashmir,' said a foreign ministry statement

Pakistan has strongly condemned the continued killing of innocent Kashmiris in Indian Kashmir and said that solving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible through an impartial plebiscite with the United Nation's (UN) support. The statement comes as the Indian security forces shot dead Hizbul Mujahideen's 22-year-old leader Burhan Muzzafar Wani, along with two of his accomplices in Kokernag area, earlier on Friday. The statement released by the foreign ministry said the extrajudicial killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris is deplorable and condemnable. "Pakistan reiterates that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realisation of the right to self determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices," the statement said. "Such acts are a violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and can not deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination," it said. Islamabad also expressed its concern over the detention of Kashmiri leadership and called upon New Delhi to fulfill the human rights obligations as per the United Nation. "Pakistan also has serious concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leadership in Indian Occupied Kashmir and calls upon the Indian government to fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions," the statement said. The Kashmir valley has been on the boil as widespread protests were carried out over Wani`s killing with many separatists calling for a shutdown. (ANI)

Pakistan condemns Burhan's 'extrajudicial killing', says only way to solve Kashmir dispute is via plebiscite

A police driver was killed today after a mob pushed his mobile bunker vehicle into river Jhelum in Anantnag district of Kashmir even as there was no trace of three cops reported missing since yesterday following a mob attack on a police station. 
 
In another incident, a head constable of police was shot in both legs by militants last night at his residence in Tral area of Pulwama district, a police official said. 
 
&quot;A mobile bunker of police was pushed into river by protestors and the driver (SPO Feroz Ahmad) in it has died,&quot; Education Minister Naeem Akhtar told reporters here. 
 
Referring to yesterday&#39;s incident in which a large mob attacked a police station, he said, &quot;Three policemen are still kidnapped. Although many were taken (hostage), some have returned.&quot; 
 
During that attack at Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir, the mob had taken 20 policemen hostage, snatched their weapons and shot at and injured three cops using those firearms. 
 
Nearly 100 policemen and paramilitary CRPF personnel were injured in stonepelting by protestors across Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on Friday. 
 
(PTI) 
&nbsp;

In a separate incident, militants enter a head constable's home and shoot him in both legs

A police driver was killed today after a mob pushed his mobile bunker vehicle into river Jhelum in Anantnag district of Kashmir even as there was no trace of three cops reported missing since yesterday following a mob attack on a police station. In another incident, a head constable of police was shot in both legs by militants last night at his residence in Tral area of Pulwama district, a police official said. "A mobile bunker of police was pushed into river by protestors and the driver (SPO Feroz Ahmad) in it has died," Education Minister Naeem Akhtar told reporters here. Referring to yesterday's incident in which a large mob attacked a police station, he said, "Three policemen are still kidnapped. Although many were taken (hostage), some have returned." During that attack at Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir, the mob had taken 20 policemen hostage, snatched their weapons and shot at and injured three cops using those firearms. Nearly 100 policemen and paramilitary CRPF personnel were injured in stonepelting by protestors across Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on Friday. (PTI)

Police driver dies after mob pushes his mobile bunker into Jhelum river

Indian Kashmir continued to be completely shut down for a second day today after 16 people died in clashes between security forces and protesters over the killing of militant separatist Burhan Wani. 
 
Streets were deserted as all shops, major commercial establishments, schools and colleges were closed in the capital Srinagar. Security was tight as troops patrolled the streets fearing trouble by locals. 
 
Mobile, internet services remain suspended in some parts&nbsp; 
 
Security forces gunned down three militants, including a top commander of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Burhan Wani, in Bumdoora village, 85 km south of Srinagar, capital city of Kashmir, on Friday. 
 
Wani, a 22-year-old militant, was known for his calls to arms on social media.&nbsp;Since then, the Kashmir Valley has been on the boil with protests breaking out at several places. 
 
To quell tension, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Kulgam, Anantnag, Tral, Kokernag and seven other police stations to maintain law and order. 
 
Mobile phone and internet services remained suspended across some parts of the state as a precautionary measure. 
 
Amarnath Yatra halted&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, a pilgrimage to a cave shrine of Amarnath in Kashmir was suspended for the second day for security purposes. 
 
The pilgrims were made to stay at a base camp in Jammu city set up by state authorities. 
 
Pilgrims, however, were determined to complete the journey. 
 
&quot;I believe in Lord Shiva and I will complete the journey even if I have to wait for two to four days. This is my 17th journey and I have never faced such problems before. I will complete the journey and then only return home,&quot; said a pilgrim from New Delhi, Nandlal Kukareja. 
 
Thousands of pilgrims undertake the journey or Amarnath Yatra to the shrine cave to worship an ice stalagmite called &#39;Shivling&#39;, a symbol of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration. 
 
The cave containing the holy Shiva shrine stands at a height of nearly 12,500 feet (3,888 metres) above sea level, around 141 kilometres from Kashmir&#39;s capital Srinagar. 
 
The 48-day pilgrimage is slated to conclude on August 18. 
 
Unrest in the valley&nbsp; 
 
Violence in Kashmir valley has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. 
 
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. 
 
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The streets are deserted, schools and shops shut. And security is tight as troops patrol the streets

Indian Kashmir continued to be completely shut down for a second day today after 16 people died in clashes between security forces and protesters over the killing of militant separatist Burhan Wani. Streets were deserted as all shops, major commercial establishments, schools and colleges were closed in the capital Srinagar. Security was tight as troops patrolled the streets fearing trouble by locals. Mobile, internet services remain suspended in some parts Security forces gunned down three militants, including a top commander of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Burhan Wani, in Bumdoora village, 85 km south of Srinagar, capital city of Kashmir, on Friday. Wani, a 22-year-old militant, was known for his calls to arms on social media. Since then, the Kashmir Valley has been on the boil with protests breaking out at several places. To quell tension, prohibitory orders have been imposed in Kulgam, Anantnag, Tral, Kokernag and seven other police stations to maintain law and order. Mobile phone and internet services remained suspended across some parts of the state as a precautionary measure. Amarnath Yatra halted Meanwhile, a pilgrimage to a cave shrine of Amarnath in Kashmir was suspended for the second day for security purposes. The pilgrims were made to stay at a base camp in Jammu city set up by state authorities. Pilgrims, however, were determined to complete the journey. "I believe in Lord Shiva and I will complete the journey even if I have to wait for two to four days. This is my 17th journey and I have never faced such problems before. I will complete the journey and then only return home," said a pilgrim from New Delhi, Nandlal Kukareja. Thousands of pilgrims undertake the journey or Amarnath Yatra to the shrine cave to worship an ice stalagmite called 'Shivling', a symbol of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration. The cave containing the holy Shiva shrine stands at a height of nearly 12,500 feet (3,888 metres) above sea level, around 141 kilometres from Kashmir's capital Srinagar. The 48-day pilgrimage is slated to conclude on August 18. Unrest in the valley Violence in Kashmir valley has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. (Reuters)

Kashmir stays shut down for second day running

In Jammu and Kashmir, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today with traditional religious gaiety and fervour, as lakhs of Muslims will be attending congregational Eid prayers in Eidgahs, Masjids and shrines across the Indian state.&nbsp; 
 
Eid-ul-Fitr, is the festival of thanksgiving and celebrated after the culmination of holy month of Ramadan.With the sighting of Shawaal Crescent late last evening, the Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today across Jammu and Kashmir. 
 
This is for the first time in the past many decades that Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated on the same day in Arab countries, Pakistan and JK. 
 
The biggest Eid prayer gatherings will be held at historical Eid Gah Ground, Hazratbal Shrine, Polo Ground and other places in summer capital Srinagar. Similar gatherings will be held in Jammu city and district headquarters in all the three regions of the state, including Kargil and Leh districts. 
 
Men, women and children across state were seen walking towards Eid Gah grounds, mosques and other religious places to offer Eid congregational prayers.The state administration has made adequate arrangements for the facilitation of the devotees and security arrangements have also been made to maintain law and order.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

This is for the first time in the past many decades that Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated on the same day in Arab countries, Pakistan and JK

In Jammu and Kashmir, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today with traditional religious gaiety and fervour, as lakhs of Muslims will be attending congregational Eid prayers in Eidgahs, Masjids and shrines across the Indian state. Eid-ul-Fitr, is the festival of thanksgiving and celebrated after the culmination of holy month of Ramadan.With the sighting of Shawaal Crescent late last evening, the Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today across Jammu and Kashmir. This is for the first time in the past many decades that Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated on the same day in Arab countries, Pakistan and JK. The biggest Eid prayer gatherings will be held at historical Eid Gah Ground, Hazratbal Shrine, Polo Ground and other places in summer capital Srinagar. Similar gatherings will be held in Jammu city and district headquarters in all the three regions of the state, including Kargil and Leh districts. Men, women and children across state were seen walking towards Eid Gah grounds, mosques and other religious places to offer Eid congregational prayers.The state administration has made adequate arrangements for the facilitation of the devotees and security arrangements have also been made to maintain law and order. (ANI)

Amid traditional religious gaiety, Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations begin in J&K

The US has said the pace and scope for a dialogue on Kashmir depends entirely on India and Pakistan, while asserting that normalisation of relations between the two countries is vital. 
 
&quot;The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region,&quot; state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said. 
 
&quot;Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation, and increase energy supply,&quot; he said. 
 
The spokesperson was responding to questions on the statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif&#39;s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz that India is shying away from talks on Kashmir and other bilateral issues. 
 
&quot;We believe that the pace, scope, and character of dialogue on Kashmir is for India and Pakistan to determine,&quot; Toner said. 
 
&quot;However, India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation and we encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions,&quot; he added. 
 
&quot;The United States strongly supports all efforts between India and Pakistan that can contribute to a more stable, democratic, and prosperous region, but this is an issue that must be determined by the two sides,&quot; Toner said.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

US said India and Pakistan need a dialogue about Kashmir to improve energy and economic security

The US has said the pace and scope for a dialogue on Kashmir depends entirely on India and Pakistan, while asserting that normalisation of relations between the two countries is vital. "The normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India is vital to both countries and the region," state department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said. "Steps that initiate closer regional economic ties can also create jobs, lower inflation, and increase energy supply," he said. The spokesperson was responding to questions on the statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz that India is shying away from talks on Kashmir and other bilateral issues. "We believe that the pace, scope, and character of dialogue on Kashmir is for India and Pakistan to determine," Toner said. "However, India and Pakistan stand to benefit from practical cooperation and we encourage India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue aimed at reducing tensions," he added. "The United States strongly supports all efforts between India and Pakistan that can contribute to a more stable, democratic, and prosperous region, but this is an issue that must be determined by the two sides," Toner said. (PTI)

Normalisation of Indo-Pak relations vital to both countries -US

Security forces gunned down what they claimed was a top militant commander in India&#39;s Kashmir after a prolonged firefight today. 
 
The gun battle broke out after army and police launched a joint search operation in Kupwara district following a tip-off about the presence of the militant. 
 
The militant opened fire on the security forces as they zeroed in on the house he was hiding in. A heavy exchange of fire followed. 
 
Brigadier Rajeev Puri of the Indian army&#39;s Rashtriya Rifles said the militant belonged to the&nbsp;Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen&nbsp;group. 
 
&quot;We have recovered his body. We have been told that his name is Sameer Wani. Identification process is underway. He was a top commander of Hizbul (Mujahideen),&quot; Puri said. 
 
&quot;He had grenade and a pistol and other recoveries are being made. Parties (forces) have come out. We will give more information later. Operation is over,&quot; Puri added. 
 
Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. 
 
Militants killed eight paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and injured 20 others when they targeted a security convoy in Pampore town of the state on June 25. 
 
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. 
 
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. 
 
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them over to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. 
 
(Reuters)

Extremists had also attacked a security convoy on Saturday, killing 8 police officials and wounding 20

Security forces gunned down what they claimed was a top militant commander in India's Kashmir after a prolonged firefight today. The gun battle broke out after army and police launched a joint search operation in Kupwara district following a tip-off about the presence of the militant. The militant opened fire on the security forces as they zeroed in on the house he was hiding in. A heavy exchange of fire followed. Brigadier Rajeev Puri of the Indian army's Rashtriya Rifles said the militant belonged to the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen group. "We have recovered his body. We have been told that his name is Sameer Wani. Identification process is underway. He was a top commander of Hizbul (Mujahideen)," Puri said. "He had grenade and a pistol and other recoveries are being made. Parties (forces) have come out. We will give more information later. Operation is over," Puri added. Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. Militants killed eight paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and injured 20 others when they targeted a security convoy in Pampore town of the state on June 25. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the attack. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them over to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. (Reuters)

Security forces gun down militant in Indian Kashmir, say he was top commander

Militants killed eight police officials and injured 21 when they attacked a security convoy in Jammu &amp; Kashmir on Saturday, a police spokesman said, in an attack claimed by Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). 
 
Two men attacked a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on a highway near the Pampore town, 15 kilometres (9 miles) from the state capital Srinagar. The militants were killed by CRPF officials who were guarding the highway, police spokesman Bhavesh Kumar Choudhary said. 
 
Dr Abdullah Gaznavi, a spokesman for LeT, told Reuters by phone that the attack was carried out by members of the group&#39;s suicide squad. Gaznavi claimed 13 CRPF police officials were killed in the fighting that lasted for an hour. 
 
In the wake of the attack, Indian&nbsp;home minister Rajnath Singh today clearly accused Pakistan of trying to destabilise India even as he said lapses, if any, in yesterday&#39;s incident&nbsp;will&nbsp;be looked into and status of infiltration ascertained. 
 
A three-member team comprising of Indian&nbsp;home ministry officials will visit Kashmir on Tuesday to find out if there were any lapses involved in the attack in Pampore, the deadliest one on security forces in recent years. 
 
The team will look into the possible increase of cross border Infiltration and practices being followed during the movement of paramilitary forces convoy in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian officials said. 
 
After the attack, the&nbsp;CRPF has moved about half-a-dozen heavy-armoured mine protected vehicles (MPVs) which were earlier used for&nbsp;operations against&nbsp;Left wing extremists, to the&nbsp;Kashmir Valley to effectively secure its troops deployed there. 
 
Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. 
 
In May, militants shot dead three policemen at point-blank range. In February, militants attacked a bus carrying police reservists near Srinagar, before breaking into a training institute. 
 
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full, but rule in part. 
 
India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. 
 
Mehbooba Mufti,&nbsp;chief minister of Indian Kashmir, condemned Saturday&#39;s attack. &quot;The only purpose of such blood-spattered acts of violence is to add to the tragedies and miseries of the people,&quot; she said in a statement. 
 
Observing that such attacks &quot;defame&quot; the state, she highlighted that the strike had been carried out during Ramzan, the holy month when &quot;people should be seeking forgiveness and expiation for past sins&quot; and &quot;making sure not to hurt others.&quot; 
 
(Agencies)

Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba claims responsibility, says strike carried out by organisation's suicide squad

Militants killed eight police officials and injured 21 when they attacked a security convoy in Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday, a police spokesman said, in an attack claimed by Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Two men attacked a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on a highway near the Pampore town, 15 kilometres (9 miles) from the state capital Srinagar. The militants were killed by CRPF officials who were guarding the highway, police spokesman Bhavesh Kumar Choudhary said. Dr Abdullah Gaznavi, a spokesman for LeT, told Reuters by phone that the attack was carried out by members of the group's suicide squad. Gaznavi claimed 13 CRPF police officials were killed in the fighting that lasted for an hour. In the wake of the attack, Indian home minister Rajnath Singh today clearly accused Pakistan of trying to destabilise India even as he said lapses, if any, in yesterday's incident will be looked into and status of infiltration ascertained. A three-member team comprising of Indian home ministry officials will visit Kashmir on Tuesday to find out if there were any lapses involved in the attack in Pampore, the deadliest one on security forces in recent years. The team will look into the possible increase of cross border Infiltration and practices being followed during the movement of paramilitary forces convoy in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian officials said. After the attack, the CRPF has moved about half-a-dozen heavy-armoured mine protected vehicles (MPVs) which were earlier used for operations against Left wing extremists, to the Kashmir Valley to effectively secure its troops deployed there. Violence in Kashmir has spiked against a backdrop of rising social tension and separatist sentiment in the Muslim-majority region, which for decades has been at the centre of a strategic tussle between India and Pakistan. In May, militants shot dead three policemen at point-blank range. In February, militants attacked a bus carrying police reservists near Srinagar, before breaking into a training institute. India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir, which they both claim in full, but rule in part. India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the rebels in the portion it controls and sending them to the Indian side, a claim its neighbour denies. Mehbooba Mufti, chief minister of Indian Kashmir, condemned Saturday's attack. "The only purpose of such blood-spattered acts of violence is to add to the tragedies and miseries of the people," she said in a statement. Observing that such attacks "defame" the state, she highlighted that the strike had been carried out during Ramzan, the holy month when "people should be seeking forgiveness and expiation for past sins" and "making sure not to hurt others." (Agencies)

Eight police officials killed, 21 wounded in militant attack in Indian Kashmir

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has said he will wage a &quot;war&quot; against India to get Pakistani rivers &quot;freed&quot;. 
 
&quot;We are going to wage jihad (war) against India to get our rivers freed,&quot; Saeed said while addressing a gathering of JuD workers in Pakistan&#39;s Sialokot district of Punjab province yesterday. 
 
Saeed, on whose head the US has put a bounty of $10 million, claimed &quot;freedom movement&quot; of the Kashmiris is &quot;gaining momentum day by day&quot;. 
 
Saeed said Dukhtraan-e-Milat&#39;s head Asiya Andrabi told him that situation in Kashmir has &quot;changed&quot; now. 
 
&quot;Asiya Bibi told me by telephone that those who were talking about Independent Kashmir are no more on the scene while young leadership has come forward and it will give a fresh impetus to the freedom campaign,&quot; said Saeed, who founded the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. 
 
Saeed said Pakistan should take serious notice of the United States&#39; warnings which have raised the curtain from its &quot;evil designs&quot; against it. 
 
&quot;Time is ripe now for Pakistan to change its foreign policy with US, Iran and India,&quot; he said. 
 
Saeed also vowed to foil every conspiracy aimed at damaging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. 
 
(PTI)

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed vows to foil conspiracies aimed at the China-Pakistan Economic corridor

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has said he will wage a "war" against India to get Pakistani rivers "freed". "We are going to wage jihad (war) against India to get our rivers freed," Saeed said while addressing a gathering of JuD workers in Pakistan's Sialokot district of Punjab province yesterday. Saeed, on whose head the US has put a bounty of $10 million, claimed "freedom movement" of the Kashmiris is "gaining momentum day by day". Saeed said Dukhtraan-e-Milat's head Asiya Andrabi told him that situation in Kashmir has "changed" now. "Asiya Bibi told me by telephone that those who were talking about Independent Kashmir are no more on the scene while young leadership has come forward and it will give a fresh impetus to the freedom campaign," said Saeed, who founded the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Saeed said Pakistan should take serious notice of the United States' warnings which have raised the curtain from its "evil designs" against it. "Time is ripe now for Pakistan to change its foreign policy with US, Iran and India," he said. Saeed also vowed to foil every conspiracy aimed at damaging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. (PTI)

26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind pledges to wage war to 'free' Pak rivers from India

Indian authorities today decided to suspend all Internet services across northern Indian region of Jammu to stop spread of rumours on social networking sites following the desecration of a temple here last evening. 
 
All mobile and broadband-based Internet services have been suspended, a district official said. 
 
&quot;To stop rumour mongering on social networking sites in the wake of the desecration of Shiv temple in Nanak Nagar area, the authorities decided to temporarily suspend all Internet services including mobile and landline Internet services,&quot; the official said. 
 
One more temple was allegedly desecrated in Jammu yesterday, leading to tension briefly in parts of the city. 
 
&quot;A man entered a temple in the Nanak Nagar area and tried to vandalise it. The man has been identified and arrested,&quot; deputy commissioner of Jammu Simrandeep Singh had said. 
 
A large number of people came onto the roads after news spread. Shopkeepers in the area downed their shutters and held a protest demanding action against the accused. 
 
&quot;Though some people held protest in the area, the situation is normal and under control. Adequate police personnel have been deployed to foil any untoward incident in the area,&quot; Singh said. 
 
The incident took place even as normalcy had returned to Jammu following alleged desecration of a temple in another area Roopnagar on Tuesday by a man who was described by police as &quot;mentally disturbed&quot;. The city had witnessed violence and arson over that incident.&nbsp; 
(PTI)

Protests were held demanding action against a man who tried to vandalise a temple in Jammu

Indian authorities today decided to suspend all Internet services across northern Indian region of Jammu to stop spread of rumours on social networking sites following the desecration of a temple here last evening. All mobile and broadband-based Internet services have been suspended, a district official said. "To stop rumour mongering on social networking sites in the wake of the desecration of Shiv temple in Nanak Nagar area, the authorities decided to temporarily suspend all Internet services including mobile and landline Internet services," the official said. One more temple was allegedly desecrated in Jammu yesterday, leading to tension briefly in parts of the city. "A man entered a temple in the Nanak Nagar area and tried to vandalise it. The man has been identified and arrested," deputy commissioner of Jammu Simrandeep Singh had said. A large number of people came onto the roads after news spread. Shopkeepers in the area downed their shutters and held a protest demanding action against the accused. "Though some people held protest in the area, the situation is normal and under control. Adequate police personnel have been deployed to foil any untoward incident in the area," Singh said. The incident took place even as normalcy had returned to Jammu following alleged desecration of a temple in another area Roopnagar on Tuesday by a man who was described by police as "mentally disturbed". The city had witnessed violence and arson over that incident. (PTI)

Jammu authorities suspend Internet in a bid to stop rumour mongering

A militant and an Indian soldier were killed in the ongoing encounter with a group of terrorists intercepted by the Indian Army near the Line of Control (LoC) when they were trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 
 
Five soldiers were injured in the operation that started yesterday and one of the soldiers later succumbed to his injuries, an army official said today. 
 
A militant was also killed in the operation which started when infiltrators were attempting to sneak in through Macchil sector of Kupwara district of Kashmir and were confronted by the army. 
 
The operation is still going on in the area. 
 
PTI

Five armymen were wounded yesterday after gunmen tried to cross over from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir

A militant and an Indian soldier were killed in the ongoing encounter with a group of terrorists intercepted by the Indian Army near the Line of Control (LoC) when they were trying to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Five soldiers were injured in the operation that started yesterday and one of the soldiers later succumbed to his injuries, an army official said today. A militant was also killed in the operation which started when infiltrators were attempting to sneak in through Macchil sector of Kupwara district of Kashmir and were confronted by the army. The operation is still going on in the area. PTI

Indian soldier and militant killed in ongoing encounter near the Line of Control

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