Rajouri:

A woman allegedly killed her eight-day-old newborn daughter by leaving her in a nearly dry pond under direct sunlight, causing the baby to die from heat, hunger and thirst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials said on Monday.

Police received a report on Sunday about an infant’s body lying in a nearly dry pond in Kadma Prat village in Sunderbani tehsil and promptly sent a team to recover it, the officials said. During investigation, the victim’s mother, Sharifa Begum, accused the father, Mohammad Iqbal, of the crime, they said. However, it was found that he had left for Kashmir when the incident took place, the officials added.

This led investigators to focus on the mother, who was later detained for questioning, they said.

“She broke down during interrogation and confessed to the crime,” an official said.

According to the officials, Sharifa had a confrontation with Iqbal and to settle scores with him, she murdered the infant by leaving her alone in a dry pond under direct sunlight and later put the blame on him.

A case of murder and other offences have been registered against Sharifa at the Sunderbani police station and further investigations are going on, they said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

A gangster was gunned down and a police officer died of injuries in a shootout at Government Medical College in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, police said. Sub-Inspector Deepak Sharma was critically injured last evening after an encounter with gangsters on the medical college premises. A special police officer was also injured in the encounter.

According to reports, members of a gang known as Shunoo Group, reportedly led by one Vasudev, were chased by a police team. The gangsters drove their car into the medical college campus, where police cornered them.

In the encounter that followed, a gangster was gunned down. Sub-inspector Sharma was critically injured after a bullet injury on this head. After preliminary care at Kathua, the injured officer was shifted to Pathankot in Punjab. He died this morning, officials said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has paid tribute to the officer. “I salute the valour and indomitable courage of PSI Deepak Sharma, who made supreme sacrifice while valiantly fighting and neutralising a most-wanted gangster in Kathua. His supreme sacrifice will remain etched in our hearts. Deepest condolences to the family of martyr Deepak Sharma,” he said.

Mr Sinha said every drop of blood of the fallen officer will be avenged. “The nation stands in solidarity with (the) martyr’s family and @JmuKmrPolice, whose dedication, resilience & courage in battling variety of challenges and adversaries continue to inspire us. Every drop of blood of our martyr will be avenged and we are committed to create a fear-free J&K,” he said.

New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the central government will consider revoking the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Jammu and Kashmir.

In an interview with the JK Media Group, Mr Shah also said the government has plans to pull back troops in the Union Territory (UT) and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone.

“We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir police was not trusted but today they are leading the operations,” he said.

On the controversial AFSPA, the home minister said, “We will also think of revoking AFSPA.”

The AFSPA gives the armed forces personnel, operating in the disturbed areas, sweeping powers to search, arrest and to open fire if they deem it necessary for “the maintenance of public order”.

An area or district is notified as disturbed under the AFSPA to facilitate the operations of the armed forces.

Mr Shah had earlier said the AFSPA has been removed in 70 per cent areas in the northeastern states even though it is in force in J-K.

There have been demands from various organisations and individuals in J-K and the northeastern states to revoke the AFSPA.

Mr Shah said the assembly elections will be held in J-K before September.

“Enshrining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise and it will be fulfilled. However, this democracy will not be confined to three families alone and will be a people’s democracy,” he said.

The Supreme Court had directed to conduct the assembly polls in the UT before September.

On the issues that have emerged around the reservation of SCs, STs and OBCs, Mr Shah said for the first time, the OBCs of J-K have been given reservation by the Modi government and women have been given one-third reservation.

“OBC reservations have been made in the panchayat and the urban local bodies. We have made space for the SCs and the STs. Without reducing the share of the Gujjar and Bakarwals, the Pahadis have been given 10 per cent reservation. And special provisions have been made to accommodate the displaced people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” he said.

The Centre is determined to ensure that these benefits percolate to the grassroots level, he said.

Mr Shah claimed that National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tried their best to create acrimony on these reservations but the people have understood their intentions now.

He asked why the NC did not give reservation to these people in the last over 75 years.

The home minister claimed Abdullah had left for England when terrorism was at its peak. Both Abdullah and Mehbooba have no right to speak about on the issue, he added.

“The number of fake encounters that took place during their time has never been matched by any other regime,” he said.

Mr Shah said in the last five years, not a single fake encounter has taken place. Rather the FIRs have been lodged against the people involved in fake encounters, he added.

“We will have a dialogue with the youths of Kashmir and not with the organisations that have roots in Pakistan. They are responsible for the deaths of 40,000 youths,” he said.

He said the Modi government has banned 12 organisations for their involvement in terror activities, designated 36 individuals as terrorists, registered more than 22 cases to stop terror finance and seized properties worth Rs 150 crore.

As many as 90 properties were also attached and 134 bank accounts have been frozen, he said.

“We have enshrined peace, and peace cannot be bought. Whoever wants to have a dialogue has to do so within the ambit of the Constitution,” he said.

Mr Shah said the Hurriyat Conference has no place in the process of dialogue. He also made it clear that the BJP and the entire Parliament believe that the POK is an integral part of India.

“The Muslim brothers are also Indians and the Hindu brothers living in POK are also Indians and the land which has been illegally occupied by Pakistan also belongs to India. It is the goal of every Indian, every Kashmiri to get it back,” he said.

The home minister said in 2010, there were 2564 incidents of stone-pelting which now is zero.

From 2004 to 2014, there were 7217 terror incidents. That has reduced to 2227 from 2014 to 2023, and this is almost a 70 per cent reduction, he said.

Mr Shah said the total number of deaths from 2004 to 2014 was 2829 and it has come down to 915 during 2014-23, which is a 68 per cent decrease.

The deaths of civilians was 1770 and has decreased to 341, which is an 81 per cent drop. The deaths of security forces decreased from 1060 to 574, which is a 46 per cent decrease, he said.

The senior BJP leader said without the support of the people, such a comprehensive change can never take place.

“The people who talk about Islam should know that 85 per cent of the deceased were our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said.

Mr Shah also asked the youths of J-K to stay away from the conspiracies of Pakistan.

“Today Pakistan is shrouded by the scourge of hunger and poverty and even people there see Kashmir as heaven. I want to tell everyone that if anyone can save Kashmir, he is Prime Minister Modi,” he said.

The home minister said the Modi government is boosting the morale of the security forces by giving jobs to the family members of the martyrs.

“Today, not a single martyr’s family is left without a job,” he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

Security forces on Saturday busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad module by arresting four terrorist associates in Srinagar, police said.

Police along with security forces in Srinagar today busted a major terror module linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM by arresting four terrorist associates, a police spokesperson said.

Acting on specific information, a joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established in Kenihama area in Nowgam in the outskirts of the city this evening, the spokesperson said.

Srinagar Police alongwith SF’s busted JeM #terror module, 04 #terrorist associates arrested & huge cache of Arms/Ammunition recovered from their possession. FIR registered, #Investigation set in progress. pic.twitter.com/D3au5eFw7k

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) March 23, 2024

During checking, a vehicle was intercepted by the security forces and four terror associates were arrested, the spokesperson said.

He identified them as Mohammad Yaseen Bhat, Sheraz Ahmad Rather, and Gulam Hassan Khandey — all from Lcchnambal Zafran Colony Pantha Chowk — and Imtiyaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Frestabal Pampore.

Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including an AK 56 rifle with three magazines, 75 rounds of 7.62 x 39 mm, a Glock Pistol with two magazines, 26 rounds of 9 mm and six Chinese grenades were recovered from them, the spokesperson said.

During preliminary investigation, it was found that the apprehended individuals were linked with the proscribed terror outfit JeM, he said.

A case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and IPC has been registered and further investigation is in progress, the spokesperson said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jammu:

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday filed a charge sheet against 12 suspects in a court here in a Rs 300-crore drug haul case, an official said.

The case pertains to the recovery of a huge quantity of drugs from Jammu and Kashmir and some neighboring states last year.

The accused wanted to revive militancy in Jammu and Kashmir using proceeds of illicit drug sales, they said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

Senior IPS officer R R Swain took over as the Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Mr Swain, a 1991-batch IPS officer, assumed the post upon the retirement of Dilbag Singh, who was the longest-serving DGP of Jammu and Kashmir.

He remained posted at various important and key positions in Jammu and Kashmir Police.

At a function held at the Police headquarters here, Mr Swain was received by senior officers. He also inspected a guard of honour.

Police Media Centre PHQ, J&K

Shri R.R Swain takes over as 17th DGP of Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, October 31: Shri R.R Swain took over as 17th Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir at a function held at PHQ Srinagar, today afternoon.

Spl DG Crime J&K, Shri A.K… pic.twitter.com/uvgFzpDpAA

— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) October 31, 2023

Top officers including special DG Crime A K Choudhary, ADGsP SJM Gillani, M K Sinha and Vijay Kumar were among those present, a police official said.

In November 2006, Swain was sent on central deputation where he held prestigious posts. In June 2020, he joined Jammu & Kashmir Police as head of the CID wing.

Immediately after taking over as DGP, Swain chaired a meeting which was attended by senior officers of the PHQ and other wings. The heads of departments of different wings and senior officers briefed the DGP about the working of their wings and offices. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Srinagar:

Only 10 local recruits have joined the terrorist ranks this year, said the Jammu and Kashmir Police today, adding that six of them have already been killed, while four others have the option to surrender or get killed.

This is the lowest ever number of locals joining militancy in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990 when Pakistan-backed militancy erupted in the region.

Last year, 110 Kashmiri youth joined terrorist groups. Most of them were killed by security forces during encounters.

“I’m so happy that youth of Kashmir has understood tricks and conspiracies of the enemy. From 110 youth who joined militancy last year, only 10 have joined militancy this year,” said Dilbag Singh, Director General of J&K police.

Mr Singh said out of 10 local terrorists, six have already been killed.

“I wish even these 10 had not gone to the other side. It would been so nice and we would have told the world that all the youth of J&K are on the side of peace,” said Mr Singh.

The police chief said that four other local men moving around with weapons may also be killed in coming days.

Mr Singh asked the four suspected terrorists to surrender, adding the doors of “ghar wapsi” are open for them.

The dramatic drop in recruitment of local men in terrorist ranks is the biggest achievement after three decades of fight against militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The last best security scenario Kashmir had witnessed was in 2013 when total number of terrorists had come down to a few dozen and casualties of civilians and security forces was at an all-time low.

But things changed after 2014 and recruitment of locals joining terrorist ranks was increasing by every year.

After Article 370 was scrapped in 2019, a massive crackdown was launched against separatists and their support structure.

While it demolished separatist structure, recruitment of locals as terrorists remained a challenge.

In 2019, 119 locals joined terrorism in Kashmir. In 2020 the number jumped to 167. It was 128 in 2021 and 110 in 2022.

Since 2019, number of security forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed all the previous records. It has ensured end of stone throwing and pro-separatist protests and shutdowns in the Valley.

Amid stringent security measures within the Valley, killing of several terrorist commanders in targeted attacks inside Pakistan appears to have delivered a huge blow to terrorist organizations and their capacity to recruit and arm local youth in the Valley.

Jammu:

Three over-ground workers (OGWs) of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit were detained under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Monday, police said.

Touseef-ul-Nabi, Zahoor-ul-Hassan and Reyaz Ahmad were taken into custody under the law that allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases on the recommendations of the police, they said.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Poswal said the three are “hardcore” OGWs and named in various cases registered in different police stations.

“Due to their continued engagement in anti-national activities and role in motivating local youths to join banned (terrorist) organisations, the imposition of the PSA was deemed necessary,” the officer said.

Khalil Poswal said the operation to detain the three was executed meticulously after obtaining PSA orders from the competent authority.

Several teams were formed and the three individuals were detained from different locations in Kishtwar and subsequently lodged in different jails of Jammu province, he said.

He said the police are pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of anti-national elements.

“On one front, awareness programmes are being conducted throughout the district, while on the other strict actions will be taken against anti-national and anti-social elements to ensure the safety and well-being of the public,” the SSP said, adding, “There is no room for such activities in Kishtwar.” He asked such elements to shun their anti-national activities and return to mainstream society as failing to do so will result in “uncompromising consequences”.

“The general public is once again urged to play an active role in maintaining the security of Kishtwar by reporting any information related to anti-national, anti-social or drug-related activities in their vicinity to police,” the SSP said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)