Five suspected Pakistani militants have been killed in a landmine explosion along the Line of Control, in the Battal sector of Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s border district of Poonch on Friday (Feb 7).
The incident took place when one of the militants, allegedly tried to cross over to the Indian side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and stepped on a landmine laid on the Indian side.
Notably, the militants were carrying an IED which too exploded killing the infiltrators.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kejriwal-accuses-bjp-of-attempting-to-poach-aap-candidates-bjp-delhi-chief-hits-back-8698637">Kejriwal accuses BJP of attempting to poach AAP candidates; BJP Delhi chief hits back</a>
The LoC area has been fitted with landmines by the Indian Army to prevent infiltration by the terrorists.
<h2 dir="ltr">&lsquo;No man&rsquo;s land&rsquo;</h2>
In Jammu and Kashmir, landmines are crucial in preventing infiltration, supplementing other security measures such as night vision devices, electronic surveillance, and human vigilance.
The area near the Line of Control (LoC) is often referred to as "no man's land", serving as a warning to deter anyone from entering this sensitive region.
Security forces and the Indian Army have heightened vigil along the LoC and the hinterland in J&amp;K as very little snowfall this season so far has left all mountain routes used by the terrorists open in the UT.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maha-kumbh-fire-breaks-out-in-sector-18-shankaracharya-marg-8698230">Maha Kumbh: Fire started from ISKCON camp, burnt 20-22 tents in Prayagraj- VIDEO</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired security review meeting</h2>
Earlier this week, Amit Shah emphasised the need to step up the fight against terrorism with the goal of "zero infiltration," while chairing the Jammu and Kashmir security review meeting in the national capital.
Noting that sustained and coordinated efforts of the union government resulted in a significantly weak terrorism ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah directed all security agencies to step up the fight against terrorism by aiming for the 'zero infiltration' goal.
Shah asked all security agencies to take "more stringent action on infiltration and acts of terror with a ruthless approach." In over two-hour-long meeting, the Minister said "It should be our goal to uproot the existence of terrorists."
(With inputs from agencies)
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India News: A tragic landmine explosion along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district claims the lives of five suspected Pakistani militants on February 7.

Five suspected Pakistani militants have been killed in a landmine explosion along the Line of Control, in the Battal sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s border district of Poonch on Friday (Feb 7). The incident took place when one of the militants, allegedly tried to cross over to the Indian side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and stepped on a landmine laid on the Indian side. Notably, the militants were carrying an IED which too exploded killing the infiltrators. Also read | Kejriwal accuses BJP of attempting to poach AAP candidates; BJP Delhi chief hits back The LoC area has been fitted with landmines by the Indian Army to prevent infiltration by the terrorists. ‘No man’s land’ In Jammu and Kashmir, landmines are crucial in preventing infiltration, supplementing other security measures such as night vision devices, electronic surveillance, and human vigilance. The area near the Line of Control (LoC) is often referred to as "no man's land", serving as a warning to deter anyone from entering this sensitive region. Security forces and the Indian Army have heightened vigil along the LoC and the hinterland in J&K as very little snowfall this season so far has left all mountain routes used by the terrorists open in the UT. Also read | Maha Kumbh: Fire started from ISKCON camp, burnt 20-22 tents in Prayagraj- VIDEO Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired security review meeting Earlier this week, Amit Shah emphasised the need to step up the fight against terrorism with the goal of "zero infiltration," while chairing the Jammu and Kashmir security review meeting in the national capital. Noting that sustained and coordinated efforts of the union government resulted in a significantly weak terrorism ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah directed all security agencies to step up the fight against terrorism by aiming for the 'zero infiltration' goal. Shah asked all security agencies to take "more stringent action on infiltration and acts of terror with a ruthless approach." In over two-hour-long meeting, the Minister said "It should be our goal to uproot the existence of terrorists." (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistani militants try to infiltrate across LoC, five killed in landmine blast

Pakistani militants of various stripes collectively won just under 10 per cent of the vote in the July 2018 parliamentary elections.&nbsp;

Some represented long-standing legal Islamist parties, others newly established groups or fronts for organisations that have been banned as terrorists by Pakistan and/or the United Nations and the United States.

The militants failed to secure a single seat in the national assembly but have maintained, if not increased, their ability to shape national debate and mainstream politics and societal attitudes. Their ability to field candidates in almost all constituencies, and, in many cases, their performance as debutants enhanced their legitimacy.

The militants’ performance has fueled debate about the Pakistani military’s effort to expand its long-standing support for militants that serve its regional and domestic goals to nudge them into mainstream politics. It also raises the question of who benefits most, mainstream politics or the militants. Political parties help mainstream militants, but militants with deep societal roots and significant following are frequently key to a mainstream candidate’s electoral success.

Perceptions that the militants may stand to gain the most are enhanced by the fact that decades of successive military and civilian governments, abetted and aided by Saudi Arabia, have deeply embedded ultra-conservative, intolerant, anti-pluralist, and supremacist strands of Sunni Islam in significant segments of Pakistani society.

Former international cricket player Imran Khan’s electoral victory may constitute a break with the country’s corrupt dynastic policies that ensured that civilian power alternated between two clans, the Bhuttos and the Sharifs. However, his alignment with ultra-conservatism’s social and religious views, as well as with militant groups, offers little hope for Pakistan becoming a more tolerant, pluralistic society, and moving away from a social environment that breeds extremism and militancy. On the contrary, policies enacted by Khan and his ministers since taking office suggest that ultra-conservatism and intolerance are the name of the game.

If anything, Khan’s political history, his 2018 election campaign, and his actions since coming to office reflect the degree to which aspects of militancy, intolerance, anti-pluralism, and supremacist ultra-conservative Sunni Muslim Islam have, over decades, been woven into the fabric of segments of society and elements of the state.

The roots of Pakistan’s extremism problem date to the immediate wake of the 1947 partition of British India when using militants as proxies was a way to compensate for Pakistan’s economic and military weakness.

They were entrenched by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s and General Zia ul-Haq’s Islamization of Pakistani society in the 1980s. The rise of Islamist militants in the US-Saudi supported the war against Soviet occupation troops in Afghanistan and opportunistic policies by politicians and rulers since then have shaped contemporary Pakistan.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
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Pakistani militants of various stripes collectively won just under 10 per cent of the vote in the July 2018 parliamentary elections. Some represented long-standing legal Islamist parties, others newly established groups or fronts for organisations that have been banned as terrorists by Pakistan and/or the United Nations and the United States.

Pakistani militants of various stripes collectively won just under 10 per cent of the vote in the July 2018 parliamentary elections. Some represented long-standing legal Islamist parties, others newly established groups or fronts for organisations that have been banned as terrorists by Pakistan and/or the United Nations and the United States. The militants failed to secure a single seat in the national assembly but have maintained, if not increased, their ability to shape national debate and mainstream politics and societal attitudes. Their ability to field candidates in almost all constituencies, and, in many cases, their performance as debutants enhanced their legitimacy. The militants’ performance has fueled debate about the Pakistani military’s effort to expand its long-standing support for militants that serve its regional and domestic goals to nudge them into mainstream politics. It also raises the question of who benefits most, mainstream politics or the militants. Political parties help mainstream militants, but militants with deep societal roots and significant following are frequently key to a mainstream candidate’s electoral success. Perceptions that the militants may stand to gain the most are enhanced by the fact that decades of successive military and civilian governments, abetted and aided by Saudi Arabia, have deeply embedded ultra-conservative, intolerant, anti-pluralist, and supremacist strands of Sunni Islam in significant segments of Pakistani society. Former international cricket player Imran Khan’s electoral victory may constitute a break with the country’s corrupt dynastic policies that ensured that civilian power alternated between two clans, the Bhuttos and the Sharifs. However, his alignment with ultra-conservatism’s social and religious views, as well as with militant groups, offers little hope for Pakistan becoming a more tolerant, pluralistic society, and moving away from a social environment that breeds extremism and militancy. On the contrary, policies enacted by Khan and his ministers since taking office suggest that ultra-conservatism and intolerance are the name of the game. If anything, Khan’s political history, his 2018 election campaign, and his actions since coming to office reflect the degree to which aspects of militancy, intolerance, anti-pluralism, and supremacist ultra-conservative Sunni Muslim Islam have, over decades, been woven into the fabric of segments of society and elements of the state. The roots of Pakistan’s extremism problem date to the immediate wake of the 1947 partition of British India when using militants as proxies was a way to compensate for Pakistan’s economic and military weakness. They were entrenched by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s and General Zia ul-Haq’s Islamization of Pakistani society in the 1980s. The rise of Islamist militants in the US-Saudi supported the war against Soviet occupation troops in Afghanistan and opportunistic policies by politicians and rulers since then have shaped contemporary Pakistan. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Pakistan and its militants: Who is mainstreaming whom?

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has announced a compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next kin of CRPF soldier Kuldeep Rai who lost his life in Pulwama terror attack.

The newly appointed chief minister has also said that he will try to meet the family of the deceased soldier.&nbsp;

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We have announced compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next of kin of CRPF jawan Kuldeep Rai who lost his life in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pulwama?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pulwama</a> terror attack. I will try to meet the jawan&#39;s family too: Himachal Pradesh chief Minister Jairam Thakur <a href="https://t.co/yXU9CH0cMK">pic.twitter.com/yXU9CH0cMK</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/947785903287578624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Five CRPF soldiers were killed in a pre-dawn attack on the paramilitary force at Lethpora in Pulwama district.

Pakistan- based Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack.&nbsp;

The security forces killed three terrorists in a counter operation launched against the militants.&nbsp;

The CRPF Special DG of Jammu and Kashmir zone SN Srivastava has said that the search operation will continue to go on unless the police are doubly sure of no other militant hiding anywhere.&nbsp;

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Search operation is still going on, we want discount any chance of anybody hiding, want to be doubly sure before we call off the operation: CRPF Special DG (J&amp;K zone) SN Srivastava on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/eWFD2j0KNf">pic.twitter.com/eWFD2j0KNf</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/947788154156675072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Two of the militants killed yesterday are from this region, one killed today is a foreign militant: CRPF Special DG (J&amp;K zone) SN Srivastava on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PulwamaAttack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PulwamaAttack</a> <a href="https://t.co/SzTsBDGp82">pic.twitter.com/SzTsBDGp82</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/947788824762916864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has announced a compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next kin of CRPF soldier Kuldeep Rai who lost his life in Pulwama terror attack

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has announced a compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next kin of CRPF soldier Kuldeep Rai who lost his life in Pulwama terror attack. The newly appointed chief minister has also said that he will try to meet the family of the deceased soldier. We have announced compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next of kin of CRPF jawan Kuldeep Rai who lost his life in #Pulwama terror attack. I will try to meet the jawan's family too: Himachal Pradesh chief Minister Jairam Thakur pic.twitter.com/yXU9CH0cMK — ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2018 × Five CRPF soldiers were killed in a pre-dawn attack on the paramilitary force at Lethpora in Pulwama district. Pakistan- based Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack. The security forces killed three terrorists in a counter operation launched against the militants. The CRPF Special DG of Jammu and Kashmir zone SN Srivastava has said that the search operation will continue to go on unless the police are doubly sure of no other militant hiding anywhere. Search operation is still going on, we want discount any chance of anybody hiding, want to be doubly sure before we call off the operation: CRPF Special DG (J&K zone) SN Srivastava on #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/eWFD2j0KNf — ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2018 × Two of the militants killed yesterday are from this region, one killed today is a foreign militant: CRPF Special DG (J&K zone) SN Srivastava on #PulwamaAttack pic.twitter.com/SzTsBDGp82 — ANI (@ANI) January 1, 2018 ×

Himachal government offers compensation to Pulwama martyr