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She suggested that an underground link beneath the Rajpath the two complexes may be constructed to provide connectivity between the existing building and the proposed new complex.
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The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced notification to fill 18252 jobs in Indian Railways.
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced notification to fill 18252 jobs in Indian Railways.The online applications are invited from Indian nationals for filling up various non-technical posts of various Railways /production units.Candidates who are willing to apply for these posts should apply on or before 25 January 2016.The detailed information of this RRB recruitment 2016 shall be available only on December 26, 2015.Candidates are requested to apply only online, there are no other modes for submitting the application.Following are the name of the posts, number of vacancies and the name of participating Railway Recruitment Boards.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Posts / vacancies1) Commercial Apprentice: 7032) Traffic Apprentice: 16453) Enquiry-Cum-Reservation Clerk: 1274) Goods Guard: 75915) Junior Accounts Assistant-Cum-Typist : 12056) Senior Clerk-Cum-Typist: 8697) Assistant Station Master: 59428) Traffic Assistant: 1669) Senior Time Keeper: 4Total Number of posts: 18252Name of participating Railway Recruitment Boards:Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, chandigarh, Bilaspur, Gorakhpur, Chennai, Jammu – Srinagar, Guwahati, Malda, Kolkata, Mumbai, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Ranchi. Thiruvananthapuram, Siliguri, Secunderabad. These are the only RRBs participating in this recruitment.Official website of RRB Indian Railways: http://rrbappreg.net/
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Lashing out at some of the litterateurs and artists, who recently returned their awards, Singh said that a true writer or artist will never think of returning award and try to live up to the credentials of the award bestowed upon him.
Jitendra Singh (BJP)
The issue of ‘intolerance’ was part of a motivated campaign as the minorities in the country were safer under the Narendra Modi-led government, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Saturday.”The controversies in the name of intolerance are a part of a motivated campaign, and never before the minorities were so safe as they are now under the Narendra Modi regime,” Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, said while addressing public meeting in R S Pura today. After the Modi government took over at the Centre, a number of independent news agencies had put forth the inference that the Muslim community felt most safe under the BJP-led regime because it was more sensitive to their sensibilities, he said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The present government and the BJP follows a policy of “justice for all, appeasement to none” based on the principles of equality and true secularism, in contrast to the political parties for whom secularism is practiced by convenience, he said. Lashing out at some of the litterateurs and artists, who recently returned their awards, Singh said that a true writer or artist will never think of returning award and try to live up to the credentials of the award bestowed upon him.”It is for this reason that immediately after independence, a number of eminent writers from minority community came forward to constitute Progressive Writers Forum and opposed the partition of sub-continent,” he said.Singh announced setting up of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in the vicinity and said a proposal will be submitted for establishing a Government of India-aided skill development center to generate employment for the youth.He assured the local MLA of all support to get the bottlenecks cleared for pending works like construction of Panchayat Ghar and upgradation of local High school which pertains to the state government. Lauding the role of minorities, particularly the Sikh community, for standing up bravely for the cause of Jammu during the times of adversity, Singh said that the Labana community comprises an essential component of the state’s social fabric and he will take up their demand for Other Backward Community (OBC) status with Centre whenever their representatives visit Delhi.
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Back bone: Paramilitary force performs a dual role of managing the law and order and fighting militants in the Valley
Call it a dividend of peace; the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has started vacating one of the oldest and super-sensitive camps in the stone pelting hub of the old Srinagar city.The camp housing the company of 49 battalion CRPF in Kawdara area was established at the onset of militancy 25 years ago. From housing Border Security Force (BSF) troops to CRPF soldiers, the camp has seen many upheavals during the heydays of militancy and the stone pelting.Come 2015, the CRPF has decided to vacate the camp and hand it over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police. “The camp is in the process of shifting. There was one company of 49 battalion comprising around 100 men located in the camp. We will hand it over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police,” Ashish Kumar Jha, CRPF spokesman at Srinagar, told dna.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Considered as super-sensitive camp of the valley, scores of the CRPF soldiers were injured in stone pelting particularly during 2008 and 2010 agitation. Since the camp is old city, it was always at the receiving end of the stone throwers who used to target it almost every day.”During the peak time of the stone pelting (during Amarnath land row of 2008 and 2010 groundswell) this camp suffered a lot. So many of our men were injured in the stone pelting. It was a super sensitive camp. Prior to CRPF, this camp housed BSF as well. It has been there for the last 25 years”, said Jha.CRPF performs a dual role of managing the law and order and fighting militants in the strife torn Jammu and Kashmir. The paramilitary force plays key role in helping the local police in the counter-insurgency duties. Most of the times they conduct joint operation with the cops and other security agencies. Govt welcomes the decision There are around 47 battalions of CRPF deployed in the Kashmir valley of which around 25 battalions are posted in capital city of Srinagar mostly to quell the street protests and stone pelting.The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has gone gaga over the shifting of the camp describing it as the major achievement of 10 month old Mufti Mohommad Sayeed led government in Jammu and Kashmir. “Shifting ofCRPF camp from Kawdara is a welcome step. People of the state are benefiting from visionary leadership of Mufti Saheb,” said Khursheed Alam, Srinagar district president of PDP.
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A resident of PoK, identified as Abdul Rehman, was arrested late last night when he inadvertently crossed the LOC into Indian side in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu district, an army spokesman said.
The army has arrested a resident of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after he crossed the Line of Control (LOC) in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu district. A resident of PoK, identified as Abdul Rehman, was arrested late last night when he inadvertently crossed the LOC into Indian side in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu district, an army spokesman said. Rehman was arrested by the Shamwan battalion in the Akhnoor sector, he said. He said that army was questioning Rehman to ascertain the reason of him crossing over to the Indian side.
During her visit to Islamabad earlier this month to attend a multilateral meet on Afghanistan, both India and Pakistan announced that they have decided to engage in a “comprehensive” dialogue.
A new beginning has been made by India and Pakistan as the two countries have agreed on a new bilateral comprehensive dialogue to address all outstanding issues through peaceful means, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Thursday. To a question in Rajya Sabha on whether India has raised the issue of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in international fora, Swaraj replied in affirmative and said government’s principled and consistent position on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir has been that the entire state is an integral part of India. “A new beginning has been made in the form of the agreement of the two countries on a new bilateral comprehensive dialogue to address all outstanding issues between them through peaceful means,” she said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>During her visit to Islamabad earlier this month to attend a multilateral meet on Afghanistan, both India and Pakistan announced that they have decided to engage in a “comprehensive” dialogue. Replying to a query, she said the Permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN has recently written three letters to the President of the UN Security Council which referred to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and asked the top decision-making body to take note of situation along the Line of Control.To a separate question, Swaraj, who is also Overseas Indian Affairs Minister, said it was aware of an Amnesty International report which said that 279 Indian migrant workers died in Qatar in 2014. “The report also states that these figures are of migrant workers deaths from all causes, including fatalities, not directly related to labour conditions,” she said.
13 members from various parties made their observations and asked questions in Lok Sabha after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement on the resumption of the dialogue process
Reuters
As India prepares to re-start dialogue with Pakistan, political parties from various hues on Monday welcomed it even though some asked the government to be alert in view of the neighbouring country’s history of “stabbing in the back” and a few wondered whether it could be trusted.13 members from various parties made their observations and asked questions in Lok Sabha after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a statement on the resumption of the dialogue process. All of them welcomed the initiation of the dialogue process as they batted for peaceful relations with Pakistan. However, several members talked about the past and cited how Pakistan had “stabbed” India in the back repeatedly.B Mahtab of BJD referred to the 26/11 incident and the lingering case in Pakistan.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”A mere assurance has been given to us that action will be taken against them (Mumbai terror attack perpetrators)… But are we not all aware that since last so many years what Pakistan has been saying, it has not been keeping its word? “This happened in the form of the Kargil war (of 1999) after our Prime Minister had gone there in a bus trip and extended a hand of friendship but we were stabbed in the back,” Mahtab said. Echoing similar views, Vinayak Raut (Shiv Sena) said: “Pakistan has a history of stabbing in the back. We should be wary of trusting Pakistan and remain alert.” Jayadev Galla (TDP) asked government if it was confident that Pakistan’s long-held policy of “plausible deniability” is ending or they continue to follow the same path. “If so, how do we get rid of the trust-deficit between the two countries?” A P Jithender Reddy (TRS) said India has to be “alert” and not be at ease thinking that Minister for External Affairs had gone there and everything will be all right.”I have my doubt in that aspect. So, some action has to be really taken and security should be enhanced,” Reddy said. Welcoming the decision to have talks, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said: “When relations between the two countries turn sour, its people of Jammu & Kashmir who suffer the maximum”. She said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken steps to better relation between two countries and between 2003 to 2008 there was ceasefire along the border.She wanted to know if some more cross-LoC confidence-building measures were in the offing. Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM), while welcoming the resumption of dialogue, termed it a “clumsy climbdown” by India. “This is a procedural breakthrough but not a substantive breakthrough.” Swaraj replied to members’ concern saying: “Whenever talks happen, that is based on trust… There is a need to bridge the gulf (with Pakistan)”.
Speaking about Article 370, the Gujarat Governor said while some people say that it is no longer an issue as many central laws are applicable to the state, but added that its various aspects should also be examined.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had a “tilt towards ” Sheikh Abduah and a “tilt against” Raja Hari Singh, which played a big role in “complicating” the Jammu and Kashmir issue, Gujarat Governor O P Kohli on Saturday claimed.Kohli said this at the launch of a book ‘Dr Syama Prasad Mookherjee aur Kashmir Samasya’ authored by his daughter, Ritu Kohli. “He tilted very much towards Sheikh Abdullah, while he tilted against Maharaja Hari Singh, which played a big role in complicating the Jammu and Kashmir episode,” he claimed.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Kohli added that there is need to place the right narration of events before the country, even as he lauded the role played by Syama Prasad Mookherjee. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh also said that major decisions were taken at that time because of Nehru’s personal inclinations and the “impact is being faced even today”.Kohli further claimed Congress, even after Independence, continued on its policies of “minority appeasement” or “softness towards Pakistan”, and the establishment of a national alternative to Congress, is one of aspects which needs an in-depth examination.Speaking about Article 370, the Gujarat Governor said while some people say that it is no longer an issue as many central laws are applicable to the state, but added that its various aspects should also be examined.Later when asked by reporters to comment on Kohli’s remarks, Deputy Chief Minister Singh said there are certain aspects related to the state’s history on which clarity is needed and some misconceptions are also present.Singh claimed that at the time when country became free from the British rule, all princely states were dealt with by Sardar Patel, while Nehru “only took care of Kashmir”, because of which “questions arise”.It is a big question, why we went to UN and internationalised the Kashmir issue, Singh asked.
On the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, she said there is an agenda of alliance between PDP and BJP. “We want that the reports of Working Group constituted by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should be implemented.
Mehbooba Mufti
BJP’s alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir PDP on Saturday said that India cannot escape from its duty of holding talks with Pakistan at a time when the world is facing threats from terror groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda.”India has to join hands with countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and even Bangladesh if we want to keep terror groups off our shores,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said at a media conference. She was replying to a question whether the PDP leadership felt embarrassed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the November 7 rally in Srinagar that he does not require anyone’s advice on Kashmir.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”…people learn gradually through experience. As you know, Jammu and Kashmir is not like any other state. India’s relations with Pakistan have direct impact on us. When we talk about Pakistan, we are not speaking out of context,” she said. She said there is no alternative to talks with Pakistan. “You can avoid it or delay it but ultimately you have do what you have to do like what Sushma (Swaraj) Ji did by going there because we have to fight the menace like ISIS, al-Qaeda.”Modi ji ko zarurat hai ya nahi but humhe zarurat hai Pakistan se baat karne ki (whether Modi ji needs it or not but we need dialogue with Pakistan) because my state suffers directly due to bad relations with Pakistan,” she said. “At the end, it’s people of Jammu and Kashmir who die in cross-border firing. Onions may keep on coming from Wagah border (in Punjab) but people in Jammu and Kashmir will suffer,” the PDP president said.”Why do we shy away from talks with Pakistan on Kashmir,” she asked. “Instead of delaying it or avoiding it, we should pull the bull by its horns. As former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said we cannot change our neighbours, we should strive to bridge the gap and build bridges of peace.” “We know that you require two hands to clap and I think the bigger hand (India) should offer to clap more often,” she said. Mehbooba downplayed the displaying of ISIS and Pakistani flags in the state and said people should focus on those who are with India. “Nearly 60 to 65 per cent participate in the elections and cast their ballot. There are a fraction of people who don’t want to be with you so it’s better to isolate them by focusing on development of people who have faith in you,” the PDP president said.On the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, she said there is an agenda of alliance between PDP and BJP. “We want that the reports of Working Group constituted by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should be implemented.”BJP was also part of the report which had recommended repealing of black laws and reduction of Army’s role. There are barely 200 militants left in the Valley which can be handled by the Jammu and Kashmir police. Army needs to change its role and now contribute towards the development of the state,” she said.On Kashmir Pandits, she said that a composite township was being considered where 50 per cent flats will be reserved for Kashmiri Panidts while the remaining will be given to Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists.
Severe flooding in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014 damaged huge stocks of new cricket bats.
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Brigadier Kishore Malhotra, who was a young Major when he allegedly picked up Manzoor Ahmad Dar in January 2002, has been indicted by the special investigation team of police in the 14-year-old case.
Law seems to have finally caught up with a top army officer for alleged custodial disappearance of a chemist after Jammu and Kashmir government submitted its report in the state high court indicting the officer for alleged abduction and murder.Brigadier Kishore Malhotra, who was a young Major when he allegedly picked up Manzoor Ahmad Dar in January 2002, has been indicted by the special investigation team of police in the 14-year-old case.”Station house officer, police station Saddar, Srinagar present in person states that the investigation in case FIR No. 33/2002 under section 364, 302 RPC stands proved against Brigadier Kishore Malhotra and papers have been submitted for record of sanction for prosecution of the accused,” said Justice Hasnain Masoodi of the Jammu and Kashmir high court, in his one page order.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The case dates back to 2002, when Dar was picked up allegedly by the troops of 35 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) from his home in Rawalpora Srinagar. During the course of investigation, Brigadier Kishore Malhotra, who was then a major and company commander in 35 RR, was questioned by the special investigation team for his alleged role.”Since the time offence under section 364 was established against the accused Kishore Malhotra and efforts were put to trace out the abducted person but no clue could be struck out. The custodial disappearance has occurred nearly 14 years ago which clearly indicates that the disappeared person could have died in custody (of 35 RR) and according Section 302 RPC is invoked,” said the status report submitted by additional advocate general of Jammu and Kashmir government in the high court.The status report maintained that the accused during sustained questioning has denied any involvement in the custodial disappearance case.”Upon the direction of honourable apex court and J&K high court the accused Major Kishore Malhotra now brigadier appeared before SIT on 6, 7,8,9 October 2015 who was interrogated. During custodial questioning the accused did not admit the custody of victim and nor lead to recovery of the body which clearly indicates that the accused could have disposed off the body and also offense 201 RPC is invoked (sic),” said the report.
Attacks in the first week of December have led the intelligence agencies based in Jammu and Kashmir to suspect that the banned outfits — Jaish-e-Mohamad and Harkut-ul-Mujahideen – might be attempting to re-establish a space for militant groups with a ‘global agenda’ instead of a Kashmir-centric one.
Army and special operation group personnel take positions during an encounter with militants in J&K’s Handwara district on Friday
PTI
Attacks in the first week of December have led the intelligence agencies based in Jammu and Kashmir to suspect that the banned outfits — Jaish-e-Mohamad and Harkut-ul-Mujahideen – might be attempting to re-establish a space for militant groups with a ‘global agenda’ instead of a Kashmir-centric one.While JeM claimed responsibility for an attack on Gorkha Rifles Camp in Tangdhar area, which resulted in the killing of a military contractor and three militants, HuM spokesperson Hassan Askaree, in a tele-statement to local news agency, paid ‘tributes’ to the militants slain in the Handwara and Poonch attacks.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Even though senior intelligence officials said that “it is too soon to say that JeM and HuM are trying to regroup,” they did not deny the possibility of the latest attacks being carried out to reclaim lost ground in the valley. While JeM’s presence was last witnessed in 2013, when the group engaged security forces on multiple occasions, resulting in the killing of several of its top commanders, HuM was involved in a major Fidayeen attacks carried out in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar in January, 2010.”Both the groups were very close to each other and, in fact, they worked in close co-ordination till 2007. However, HuM fighters in Sopore and Handwara area maintained their independence from JeM and carried out attacks till 2010,” said an official source.Counter-insurgency officials told dna that while one can see similarities in modus operandi of various Kashmir-based militant groups, the major differences lie in their goals.”Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have confined their goals to Kashmir. Most of its fighters advocate either Kashmir’s independence or a merger with Pakistan. However, the same cannot be said of JeM or HuM,” a senior counter-insurgency official said.”Groups with global jihad waned over a period of time. It is unlikely that global jihadists will gain territory in future. The reason LeT and HM are still operational is because of their focus on Kashmir,” the official added.JeM was established by Maulana Masood Azhar in the year 2000, after he was freed by the Indian government in exchange for passengers on the hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814. The group’s history is, however, not as elaborate as HuM which makes the December 4 Handwara attack quite significant.”JeM does not have more than 10-12 terrorists on ground. HuM is a different ball game altogether. The global network Hum possesses, gives it an edge over groups like Hizb and Lashkar whose primary goal continues to be Kashmir,” said a senior police official in J&K.”The recent attacks can also be seen as a reaction to advances of ISIS which is a sectarian terrorist force. In the past, we have seen several valley-based militant groups releasing anti-ISIS statements. Point in case is LeT’s statement against ISIS’s anti-Shia agenda,” the official added.HuM was originally formed in 1985 after breaking out from Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HUJI) in 1985.Towards the end of Soviet-Afghan war, the group entered Kashmiri politics, and in 1993 the group merged with HUJI to form Harkat-ul-Ansar under the leadership of Abdelkader Mokhtari, an Algerian commander who later came to be known for his participation in the Bosnian war. The group was banned in mid-90s after which it renamed itself as HuM. It was banned once again following the 9/11 twin tower attacks.
The invitation comes five years after China refused to host the then Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal on the grounds that he was posted in Jammu and Kashmir, which is a ‘disputed’ territory.
Lt Gen DS Hooda
Far from the euphoria over Bangkok handshake, India is quietly basking under a major diplomatic victory after China invited Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda for discussions on the border management and boundary issues.The invitation comes five years after China refused to host the then Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal on the grounds that he was posted in Jammu and Kashmir, which is a ‘disputed’ territory.Lt Gen Hooda, general officer commanding in chief (GoC-in-C) of Udhampur- based Northern Command, along with other army commanders are scheduled to travel to China in mid-December to hold discussions with Chinese counterparts on varied issues relating to the boundary issues.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”He (Lt Gen Hooda) is likely to visit China in mid-December. Exact dates will be intimated later,” Colonel SD Goswami, defence spokesman at Northern Command, told dna.The four-day-long talks between Indian and Chinese military delegation will focus on a host of issues relating to the boundary disputes, border management and maintaining peace and tranquility on the line of actual control in Ladakh and other parts of the country that shares border with China.India shares a 3,488-km border with China while Jammu and Kashmir shares 646 Km of line of actual control (LAC) with China. Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in the country which shares its borders with both Pakistan and China.The incursions and transgressions by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been a cause of worry for the people in Ladakh division, though the number has decreased for the last one year.In September, two armies were engaged in a bitter standoff after Indian troops dismantled the watch tower constructed by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at Burste in Depsang Plains on the LAC.In April 2013 Indian and PLA were engaged in a major face-off when the Chinese troops had come 19 kilometres deep inside the Indian Territory at Daulat Beg Oldi sector on LAC and set up tented posts. The 20-day standoff ended on May 5 2013 when troops from both sides withdrew to the pre-incursion positions on the LAC.”We hope that there will be a movement forward in the meeting between the military leaderships of the two countries. There is a major policy shift in China and a lot of goodwill towards India. We hope to carry forward the mission of friendship with China,” said an army officer.
Swaraj will visit the Pakistan capital to attend the ministerial segment on Afghanistan during the annual Heart of Asia conference on December 9
Sushma Swaraj
File Photo
ANI
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave for a two-day visit to Pakistan on Tuesday, where she is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad this week.Swaraj will visit the Pakistan capital to attend the ministerial segment on Afghanistan during the annual Heart of Asia conference on December 9. Upon her return from Islamabad on December 10, Swaraj will be making a statement on the latest developments that have taken place in diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Earlier, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy also confirmed Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad and said that she would brief both the houses of Parliament in detail on the present status of Indo-Pak relations once she returns. “Sushma Swaraj will be visiting Pakistan tomorrow and once she returns, she will give a detailed statement about the discussions with Pakistan over issues including Terrorism. The government is fully prepared to give an updated status of Indo-Pak talks and this has been communicated to both the houses,” Rudy told the media outside the Parliament.Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had said the deadlock in Indo-Pak ties had eased to some extent and he is looking forward towards the bilateral talks with Sushma Swaraj which would focus on the resumption of composite dialogue process. In a surprising move, India-Pakistan had NSA-level talks in Bangkok on Sunday on a wide range of issues including terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and border issues.Post the meeting, both the nations released a joint statement saying that the discussions were held in a “candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere”.According to reports, the meeting was agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif when they met in Paris last week on the sidelines of COP-21. A joint statement issued later said that the discussions “covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, other issues, including tranquility over the Line of Control”.
Former army hawaldar Munawwar Ahmad Mir, government school teacher Sabar, and serving army rifleman Farid Khan were presented before a Delhi court today, following which they were taken on police remand till December 10, said a senior police official.
Representational Image
dna Research & Archives
Interrogation of the last three accused arrested in the suspected ISI-linked espionage racket by Delhi Police on Monday brought to fore a conflict within the spying ring which might have led to its busting. Former army hawaldar Munawwar Ahmad Mir, government school teacher Sabar, and serving army rifleman Farid Khan were presented before a Delhi court on Monday, following which they were taken on police remand till December 10, said a senior police official.When they confronted during their interrogation here, it came to light that Farid came in touch with Mir and Sabar in 2013 when he was posted at Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, said an official privy to the investigation. They introduced Farid to Kafaitullah Khan, the alleged intelligence operative who headed the ISI-backed espionage racket, and Farid allegedly started passing on documents related to troop deployment and threat perceptions, said the official. He transmitted documents mostly through Sabar. The documents were further sent to Faisal, who monitored the espionage racket’s activities from Pakistan and also gave them assignments at times, through e-mails, said the official.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>It was Kafaitullah, who received money transfers, partially through bank and a private agency. He later paid off his spies, including Farid, said the official. It was towards the end of 2014 that Farid, posted at Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry division of the army, was transferred to Darjeeling. He allegedly continued sending secret documents — under his code-name ‘Surgeon’ — from the army units based in east but most of them were rejected by Pakistan-based operative Faisal, said the official.When a disgruntled Farid communicated this to others in the racket, they told him that the documents he had sent after being posted in Darjeeling was not of any use to the consumers of the data allegedly transmitted by the espionage racket, said the official. The last remuneration which Farid is found to have received was of Rs 50,000 sent through bank transfer by Kafaitullah in four instalments in the first half of 2014, said the official.”Farid was later side tracked by Kafaitullah and he has not been active for at least the past six months. The conflict with Farid could be a reason behind the network getting cracked open,” said the official.Around a month ago, an “informer” approached police and reported about the espionage racket, following which a case was registered on November 16 by the Crime Branch. On November 26, they intercepted Kafaitullah while he was on his way to Bhopal in a train, said the official.Apart from secret and confidential documents recovered from Kafaitullah’s possession, the police recovered a CD, in which he had recorded several conversations with alleged associates of the racket, said the official. The evidence obtained from Khan’s possession later led to the arrests of serving BSF personnel Abdul Rashid, who was allegedly an active spy at the time arrest, Mir and Sabar from Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir over previous week.Farid was arrested on Sunday after being handed over to the police by the army, which has already detained him in connection with the case after being reported.
The injured have been shifted to a hospital in Anantnag, the officer said, adding the area has been cordoned off and a manhunt has been launched to nab the attackers.
Image courtesy: ANI
At least six CRPF jawans were injured when unidentified militants today opened fired on their convoy on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.Militants fired at a CRPF bus, which was part of a convoy on way to Jammu from Srinagar, near Green Tunnel at Samthan in Bijbehara, 50 kms from here, a police officer said.He said six CRPF jawans were injured in the attack.The injured have been shifted to a hospital in Anantnag, the officer said, adding the area has been cordoned off and a manhunt has been launched to nab the attackers.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>
Noting that despite direction from the court, the Centre has not filed the affidavit, the registrar of the court on Thursday passed the order directing the matter to be listed before an appropriate bench for further hearing.
A year after the Supreme Court’s notice to the Centre on a plea challenging Article 35A of the Constitution, which grants ‘special status’ to permanent residents of J&K and preventing rest of Indian citizens from acquiring immovable property and exercising voting rights in the state, the Union of India has failed to respond but the Jammu and Kashmir government has filed its reply seeking dismissal of the petition.Noting that despite direction from the court, the Centre has not filed the affidavit, the registrar of the court on Thursday passed the order directing the matter to be listed before an appropriate bench for further hearing.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Filing an affidavit, the Mufti government in the state said the apex court had already dealt with the President’s 1954 order which allowed only the permanent residents of J&K to buy and sale the immovable properties, getting government jobs and voting rights there and restrained others.It submitted that since Article 370 as enacted and amended remained in the Constitution as an integral part thereof and since the presidential order of 1954 has been recognised and acted on, as valid, ever since its promulgation, and when challenged, it was rejected by the two Constitution benches of the Supreme Court and sought dismissal of the petition.The petition was filed by ‘We the citizens’, a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation registered as a society, through its president Sandeep Kulkarni was first heard a year ago on August 19, 2014 by the Bench headed by Chief Justice. The court then sent notices to the Centre and J&K government.Petitioner’s counsel Varun K Sinha argued that “the state of J&K is integral part of India and therefore the citizen of J&K as well as citizen of other states of the country have got equal fundamental rights and on the ground of certain clauses/paras contained in the constitution application to J&K order 1954 are violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.”He also argued that although President has the power to modify/ clarify the Article 35 with regard to the state of J & K but his 1954 order was illegal saying “with the insertion of Article 35 A can only be done by the Parliament through an amendment.”Last year when the petition was filed, the BJP, then in the Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir and vying for a mission 44 ahead of elections, had not only supported it vociferously, but also promised to annul this legal provision to make citizenship laws uniform all over country. But now that it is sharing power with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), it is becoming increasingly difficult for the law department of Jammuand Kashmir government, as well as for the Central government to either support or oppose the plea.The Article 35A that forms basis of Permanent Resident law replicated actually a state subject law promulgated by the Dogra king Maharaja Hari Singh in 1927 following a strong campaign by Kashmiri Pandits who were opposed to the hiring of civil servants from Punjab, because it had affected their representation in the Dogra administration.The Kashmiri Pandits’ agitation of the time did not affect the Muslim majority because the Dogras as a policy kept Muslims largely out of the administration. Also, the law was brought to prevent rich landlords from the erstwhile undivided Punjab to claim property and permanent resident rights after marrying Kashmiri Muslim girls. A provision was incorporated that Kashmiri girls, marrying outside the state, will forfeit their immovable property rights.Earlier, dna had reported that Centre’s concerned ministries – law and justice and ministry of home affairs – were busy gathering inputs from various agencies on the implications, as in Kashmir, both the mainstream parties – the National Conference as well as ruling People’s Democratic Party – have warned the government of dire consequences on the issue. Both of them want the Central government to oppose the petition tooth-and-nail.
National leaders Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, both former Chief Ministers of the state, welcomed the fact that Swaraj will be travelling to Pakistan, hoping that it will help reduce tensions between the two countries
Sushma Swaraj
National Conference on Saturday hoped that the proposed visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Pakistan next week will help in improving relations, lead to resumption of dialogue process and resolution of all outstanding issues between the two countries.National leaders Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, both former Chief Ministers of the state, welcomed the fact that Swaraj will be travelling to Pakistan, hoping that it will help reduce tensions between the two countries. “We hope that Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan will improve the relations between the two countries and also in carrying forward the dialogue process so that all issues between them can be resolved,” Farooq told reporters here after paying tributes to his father and party’s founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 110th birth anniversary.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Farooq, who was commenting on media reports about Swaraj’s visit, also welcomed the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Paris last week. “We do not know what they talked about but let us hope that they find some way of resolving this (Jammu and Kashmir) issue,” the NC leader said, addressing the party supporters at Sheikh’s mausoleum on the banks of Dal lake here.Omar Abdullah said although Swaraj was visiting Pakistan for a conference on Afghanistan it should not be taken lightly given the circumstances in which it is happening.”It is a good thing that Sushma Swaraj is going to Pakistan. Although this is not a bilateral visit… However, External Affairs Minister’s visit to Pakistan is not a small issue, especially in conditions where there is tension between the two countries. “Even if the visit is happening due to Afghanistan, we will be hopeful that the bilateral dialogue is also resumed,” Omar said.”We hope that this visit will lead to improvement in situation (between India and Pakistan), the ceasefire (along the border and LoC) will be respected and the dialogue process will be resumed,” Omar told reporters here.Farooq Abdullah addressed the party workers in Kashmiri, refusing a request by mediapersons to speak in English or Urdu. “This is our mother tongue and we should promote it,” he said to a loud applause from the party workers.He reiterated his earlier statement that neither India nor Pakistan had the capability to annexe the territory of Jammu and Kashmir in each other’s control. “Both have atom (nuclear) bombs. Are we going to drop these bombs on each other and get wiped out?” he asked. Supporting the status quo, he said the two countries should grant greater autonomy to their respective regions of Kashmir and make the Line of Control irrelevant by allowing free travel and trade between the two sides of the state.
According to the complaint, LeT is conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi and other places in the country, for which alleged handlers have infiltrated operatives in India.
AFP
Delhi Police is searching for two suspected LeT operatives who have allegedly hatched a conspiracy to carry out “suicide attacks” in the national capital targeting “high profile personalities”. The conspiracy was unearthed when the Special Cell of Delhi Police received an intelligence input about two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives, identified as Dujana and Ukasha, who allegedly infiltrated in Jammu and Kashmir through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following which an FIR was registered, said a police source.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –> The FIR was registered on December 1 at the Special Cell office in Lodhi Colony here under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and doesn’t name any suspects. It was submitted at the concerned anti-terror court, said the source. According to the complaint, LeT is conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks in Delhi and other places in the country, for which alleged handlers have infiltrated operatives in India through Jammu and Kashmir and other international borders, said the police source. “Two of them, identified as Dujana and Ukasha, have been reported to be based in the Kashmir Valley for quite long and are allegedly conspiring to target high profile personalities in Delhi by carrying out ‘fidayeen’ (suicide attacks) or grenade attacks either themselves or through their cadres,” said the police source. The cadres are believed to be using code names like Noman, Zaid and Khursheed. They are also suspected to be targeting particularly crowded areas in the city, said the source.Following the registration of the FIR, senior officials directed the Special Cell to deploy sources to collect information about LeT sympathisers, mount technical surveillance and take all possible measures to track down the threat as the earliest, the source added. In July, the Special Cell had registered an FIR against unknown persons suspected to be associated with the ISIS and allegedly conspiring terror attacks in the national capital and other cities.
Further investigation in this is underway and all the arrested people would be produced before a Delhi Court on Saturday.
Representational Image
dna Research & Archives
A retired Indian Army personnel and a school teacher have been arrested in Jammu and Kashmir for being part of the espionage racket run by the ISI, bringing the total number of arrests in this case so far to four.The Delhi Police said the team of Inter State Cell of Crime Branch had gone to Jammu and Kashmir in search of other persons involved in this racket when they arrested Munawwar Ahmad Mir, a retired havildar of the Indian Army. He had joined the Indian Army in 1995 and retired in 2011 after serving in J&K Light Infantry, Rashtriya Rifles, at various places in India.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Related Read: Kargil war veteran held on charges of providing confidential documents to Pakistan’s ISIThe school teacher was arrested from Khablan tehsil in Thanna Mandi of Rajouri district. Further investigation in this is underway and all the arrested people would be produced before a Delhi Court on Saturday.Earlier, two espionage rackets were busted with arrests of five people from Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Kolkata. One of the men caught was suspected to be a handler from ISI, while the other was a Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, claimed the Delhi police.However, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah branded the entire operation as ‘baseless and unfounded’. One of the accused Kafaitullah Khan, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly had connections with an official of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.Meanwhile, the Delhi Police successfully foiled a massive Lashkar-e-Taiba plot where an attack was being planned on prominent personalities and crowded areas in the national capital.According to an FIR that was submitted on December 1 in a concerned anti-terror court, the LeT commanders have been in touch with the operatives in India using several code names. The Delhi Police has also warned of possible Fidayeen attacks in the national capital and other areas.Related Read: Delhi Police unearth Lashkar-e-Taiba plot to carry out terror attacks in city
Lashkar operatives Dujana and Ujana have infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Representational Image of a terrorist
dna Research & Archives
Delhi Police has unearthed a hideous Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) plot to carry out terror attacks in Delhi on prominent personalities and in crowded places, according to NDTV.Police have filed a complaint on December 1, saying there is a possibility of a ‘fidayeen strike’ in Delhi and other parts of the country. The police submitted the report to an anti-terror court.Lashkar operatives Dujana and Ujana have infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).Lashkar commanders are said to be in touch with operatives who have been code named as Numan, Zaidi and Khursheed, in order to hoodwink the security and intelligence agencies.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The police have begun raids in several parts of north India, says the report.
Mir had denied being part of the espionage racket when first questioned by police.
India and Pakistan flags
Retired army havildar Munawwar Ahmad Mir, who was arrested on Friday in a cross-border espionage racket for supplying confidential documents to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), is a 1999 Kargil War veteran and a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an Indian Express report says.Mir, who had joined the army in 1995 and retired in 2011, was arrested from Manjakote in Jammu’s Rajouri district by Delhi Police’s Crime Branch and local police. He was produced before the local court and will be brought to Delhi on transit remand by Saturday.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”He has been booked under 3/9 Official Secrets Act,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav to Indian Express.Mir had denied being part of the espionage racket when first questioned by police. Questioned on bank transaction details that show suspected ISI operative Kafaitullah Khan deposited money in his account, Mir said Khan borrowed Rs 25,000 from him and later returned it by depositing it in his account. Khan had been arrested earlier in the case.But the Delhi Police claim they have crucial evidence in the form of tapped phone conversations between Mir and Khan, where the two discuss ‘secret documents’.PDP MLA Choudhary Qamar Hussain said to the paper that Mir hails from his native village, and asserted his innocence. “I am sure he is innocent. He fought in the Kargil war. Many of his relatives were in the Army and it is unexpected that someone from this background will do such a thing. I know him for many years and he has been working for our party for the last one year,” he said.Police are also looking for two serving army men and a civilian in connection with the case. These are Farid, posted at Darjeeling; Joginder, posted in Jammu, and Shabir alias Safar, teacher at a state-run school.Khan claimed that he had first met one Faisal, who was an ‘ISI handler’ when he visited Pakistan in 2013. Khan says he has been working for Farid since.Khan reportedly told investigators that Farid had given a CD to Shabir which contained the “Order of Battle and details of troop movement along the frontiers in case of war between the two countries”. Shabir then sent the CD to ‘ISI handler’ Faisal.Khan reportedly sent documents to ISI handler Faisal’s email id, [email protected] from his email id [email protected]. He was asked to arrange for details of the total number of fighter planes in Srinagar and areas from where these planes arrived, location of several army units and deployment of BSF in Mendhan, Rajouri and Poonch, according to the report.Then in 2015, BSF personnel Rasheed, who has been arrested too, joined the suspected racket and allegedly started sending information through Viber and WhatsApp.Critically, Shabir is now working in an election office in Rajouri and is in constant touch with Faisal. He also plans to visit Pakistan soon, says the report.
Dulat agreed with Farooq Abdullah, who said that the only way forward on the Kashmir issue was a dialogue with Pakistan.
AS Dulat (left) and PM Narendra Modi (right)
Former RAW chief AS Dulat has slammed PM Narendra Modi, saying he has learnt no lessons from former PM AB Vajpayee’s handling of the Kashmir issue.In an interview to an English daily, Amarjit Singh Dulat felt that Modi’s policy of ‘not engaging’ in a dialogue with Pakistan was wrong. he asserted that continuous dialogue was essential, as was done during Vajpayee’s tenure. “It’s a pity that Modi failed to learn it from Vajpayee,” said Dulat referring to Kashmir diplomacy.On the other hand, Dulat, who served as the head of RAW from 1999 to 2000, praised Vajpayee, saying he was the first PM who understood the issue of Jammu and Kashmir after Jawaharlal Nehru.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Related Read: Failure of NSA-level talks may help Pakistan creep back into Kashmir: Former RAW chief AS Dulat”Vajpayee was a leader and a politician and Modi should learn politics and it is the differentiating issue between the two. Modi in my humble opinion has to learn politics and it is pity he did not learn it from Vajpayee who is the greatest Indian politician,” Dulat told the news daily.But Dulat went a step further. Controversially, he also asserted that even former PM Manmohan Singh was a better leader than Narendra Modi, because Singh made ‘every effort’ when it came to resolving the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.Dulat felt Modi should attend the upcoming SAARC meeting in Islamabad scheduled for early 2016. Related Read: Vajpayee called Gujarat riots ‘our mistake’, reveals former R&AW Chief AS DulatDulat agreed with Farooq Abdullah, who said that the only way forward on the Kashmir issue was a dialogue with Pakistan. He had said that the entire Indian army could not overcome terrorism in Kashmir, and hence dialogue was the only solution. Dulat also said that he shared the views of former home minister P Chidambaram and former J&K CM Omar Abdullah that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) should be repealed in Srinagar and Budgam.Dulat, who is a member of the National Security Advisory Board, said that the dreaded terrorist group Islamic State (IS) has no real influence in Kashmir, and people have understood that ISI is just using Kashmiris to their advantage. “Kashmiris harbour a sense of alienation, frustration and anger. One should not misread the waving of Pak and ISIS flags during protests,” he said. Dulat asserted that Kashmiris only want peace. He was speaking on the sidelines of a public discourse on his book, ‘Kashmir, The Vajpayee Years’.
Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, was the coldest in Jammu and Kashmir as the mercury there settled at minus 9.7 degrees Celsius, though slightly up from the previous night’s minus 9.9 degrees Celsius, a spokesman of the Meteorological Department said on Thursday.
Mercury stays below freezing point across Kashmir, Ladakh
File Photo
Mercury stayed below freezing point across Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region though there was marginal rise in minimum temperature in most places owing to overcast sky.Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, was the coldest in Jammu and Kashmir as the mercury there settled at minus 9.7 degrees Celsius, though slightly up from the previous night’s minus 9.9 degrees Celsius, a spokesman of the Meteorological Department said on Thursday.He said the minimum temperature in the nearby Kargil town also increased from Wedneday’s minus 10.3 degrees Celsius to settle at a low of minus 9.6 degrees Celsius.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Srinagar the summer capital of the state recorded the minimum temperature of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, slightly up from Wednesday’s minus 1.4 degrees Celsius, the spokesman said. The city had on Wednesday experienced the coldest night of the winter so far.The minimum temperature in Kokernag, in south Kashmir, settled at minus 0.2 degree Celsius, while the mercury in Qazigund the gateway town to Kashmir Valley registered a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, he said, adding the night temperature at both the places increased as compared to the previous night. He said Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 2.3 degrees Celsius.The tourist resort of Pahalgam which serves as a base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra recorded a low of minus 3.9 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night’s minus 3.8 degrees Celsius, the spokesman said.He said the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, in north Kashmir, registered minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius as against the low of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.The MET Office has predicted mainly dry weather for the week ahead.
The senior-most judge of the apex court, 63-year old Justice Thakur took over from incumbent Justice H L Dattu who retired on Wednesday.
Justice TS Thakur
File Photo
Justice Tirath Singh Thakur was on Thursday sworn in as 43rd Chief Justice of India by President Pranab Mukherjee at an elegant function in Rashtrapati Bhavan.The senior-most judge of the apex court, 63-year old Justice Thakur took over from incumbent Justice H L Dattu who retired on Wednesday.As a Supreme Court judge, he headed the bench which had delivered the verdict to reform cricket controlling body BCCI in the wake of allegations of betting and spot-fixing scandal in the Indian Premier League.Justice Thakur also headed the bench which ordered probe into the multi-crore chit fund scam in eastern India, also known as Saradha scam.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>He has also heard the multi-crore rupee NRHM scam, in which ex-UP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha is also an accused, besides other politicians and bureaucrats.Born on January 4, 1952, he would have the tenure as CJI for a little over one year and would retire on January 4, 2017.Son of former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Devi Das Thakur, a well known jurist and judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Thakur enrolled as a Pleader in October, 1972 and joined the Chamber of his father.He was designated as a senior advocate in 1990. On February 16, 1994, he was appointed as an additional judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and transferred as a judge of the Karnataka High Court in March 1994.He was appointed as a permanent judge in September 1995 and transferred to the Delhi High Court in July 2004.Justice Thakur was appointed as acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court on April 9, 2008 and on August 11, 2008, he took over as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.He was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court and assumed charge on November 17, 2009.
Justice Thakur, who will have a tenure of over a year (due to retire on January4, 2017), will be administered oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Justice TS Thakur
File Photo
Justice T.S. Thakur will take over as the next Chief Justice of India on Thursday, succeeding Chief Justice H.L. Dattu, who demitted office on Wednesday. Justice Thakur, who will have a tenure of over a year (due to retire on January4, 2017), will be administered oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.Born on January 4, 1952, Justice Thakur started his career as a Civil, Criminal, Constitutional and Taxation lawyer in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. He was designated as a Senior Advocate in 1990. Justice Thakur was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in 1994. He has also served as Judge in Karnataka and Delhi high courts.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>In 2008, he was appointed as the acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and took over as Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in 2008. He was elevated as Judge of Supreme Court in 2009.Justice Thakur has been associated with a host of significant judgments. He led the Bench that had delivered the verdict on reforming the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following the Indian Premier League (IPL) betting and spot-fixing scandal.
New Delhi: The terrorist organisation Islamic State has been able to influence very few Indian youths and security agencies are closely monitoring the situation, including keeping potential recruits under surveillance.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary told Lok Sabha that the government is closely monitoring the situation and has directed the intelligence and security agencies to identify potential recruits and keep them under surveillance.
Representational image. AFP
“The cyber space is being closely monitored in this regard,” he said.
The minister said a few incidents of unfurling of flags of ISIS by some misguided youths were noticed on different occasions in Jammu and Kashmir and some other states in the recent past.
“…state governments concerned have been directed to take appropriate action against such statements as per relevant provisions of law,” he said.
Home Ministry officials had earlier said that 23 youths have joined ISIS of which six were reportedly killed.
Quoting intelligence inputs, officials had said, it emerged that the dreaded terror outfit considered South Asian Muslims, including Indians, inferior to Arab fighters in the conflict zones of Iraq and Syria.
According to an intelligence report prepared by foreign agencies and shared with Indian agencies, fighters from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as certain countries like Nigeria and Sudan are considered not good enough by ISIS and often tricked into suicide attacks.
Around 150 Indians are under surveillance for their alleged online links with ISIS, the officials had said.
PTI
Back in 2012, the Jammu and Kashmir Police was left rattled after a similar busting of a militant module that was responsible for 13 attacks that Srinagar had witnessed between 2011-12, including killings of atleast four police officials and one National Conference activist .
The busting of a major espionage network involving a BSF personnel and a librarian from Rajouri area of Jammu and Kashmir, has uncovered an alleged nexus between Pakistan’s premier intelligence agencies, members of the Indian armed forces and the J&K police. Crime Branch officials told dna that the arrests might be a part of a nation wide exercise to sanitise security forces across country from suspected espionage networks. This however is not the first time when such a network has come to light since an armed insurgency against the Indian state erupted in the valley in 1989.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Back in 2012, the Jammu and Kashmir Police was left rattled after a similar busting of a militant module that was responsible for 13 attacks that Srinagar had witnessed between 2011-12, including killings of atleast four police officials and one National Conference activist . The arrested men included a policeman, named Abdul Rashid Shigan, and a released Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant, Imtiyaz Ahmad Gojri who were operating under the shadow name of Omar Mukhtar and General Usman.However, what makes the current bust even more important is the fact that the Crime Branch of Delhi police believes that the arrested librarian, identified as Kaifaitullah Khan, had managed to penetrate not only the security agencies but also the Indian Armed forces. He had also roped in his cousin Abdul Rasheed who is accused of directly sending secret information relating to army deployment to ISI agents.While J&K Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar maintained that the security forces in the state, including JK police, are ‘professionals’ curbing terrorist activities on daily basis, Dr Ajit Kumar Singh, of the South Asia terrorism portal, said the phenomenon of providing state secrets to Pakistani intelligence needs to be curbed immediately with better selection ,training and recruitment procedures of the Indian armed forced as well as the J&K police.Kaifaitullah during his interrogation disclosed that in 1992, he was selected in BSF but he did not join the service. In 1993, he got selected in J&K police and after completing the training, he was posted in J&K armed police till 1995 after which he got job as Library Assistant in in a Higher Secondary School in Manjakot, Rajouri. The Crime Branch maintains that Kaifaitullah had begun his operation to penetrate the Indian army only 2-3 years back, but given his history, it is unlikely he was dormant from 1995, the year he joined militancy. This could well mean that he has served as an ISI handler for over 20 years even after being arrested by the state police on several occasions. Singh attributes this to botched up investigation into terror acts which according to him is detrimental to the cause of fighting terrorism.His research titled ‘J&K Police, The enemy within’ also documents one such botch up during the investigation of 26/11 attacks of Mumbai. “When Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh (arrested on June 16, 2012) was detained by the Kolkata (West Bengal) Police in December 2008 in the aftermath of November 26, 2008 (26/11) Mumbai attacks for supplying SIM cards to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, the cases against him were dropped after the J&K Police informed their Kolkata counterparts that he was an undercover agent, and was trying to infiltrate into the terror group”, reads his research paper.”According to the data compiled by the Institute for Conflict Management, a total of 21 Policemen were arrested for their links with militants since 1990. While there were only three such arrests till 2009, 2010 alone witnessed four arrests and it increased to seven in 2011. The current year has already witnessed seven such arrests. Apart from these Policemen, four Army personnel and a Central Reserve Police Force trooper have also been arrested since 1990,” the paper reads.”We will have to look into his records. The case indeed is very alarming,” said a senior official of the JK police.
New Delhi: A Pakistan High Commision employee is under the scanner of Delhi Police probing an espionage racket in which an alleged ISI operative and a serving BSF personnel have been arrested.
The serving BSF head constable Abdul Rasheed was on Monday remanded in police custody till 7 December by a Delhi court which questioned the police on whether any senior official of the border guarding force was involved in the case.
Representational image. Reuters
Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja, an alleged handler of the Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), was in touch with an ISI operative in Pakistan who had told him that a source in the Pakistan High Commission will help him secure visa to travel to that country, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said.
Yadav said the person in Pakistan High Commission whom the ISI operative referred to is yet to be identified but sources said it appeared he was not in the rank of a diplomat.
“Once we get some leads with further interrogation of the accused duo arrested, we shall have to approach the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for their permission to question staff at the High Commission’s office,” said Yadav.
The Crime Branch said Kafaitullah was running the espionage racket backed by ISI and he was to meet the spy agency’s handler in Pakistan to seek more “resources”.
“Is there any involvement of any senior officers?,” Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Khanagwal asked the police during the hearing on its application seeking Rasheed’s remand. Delhi Police told the court it had not yet found complicity of any officer but the probe was on.
Khan told the police he was going to Bhopal where he was supposed to meet another PIO handler to seek information from him about the unidentified source who could easily arrange his visa, said Yadav.
Khan was, however, intercepted in Delhi on Thursday on way to Bhopal where he was also to attend a religious congregation and recruit youths for the espionage racket, he said.
During interrogation, Khan, a native of a village in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, disclosed about his cousin, Abdul Rasheed, who was posted as a head constable in the intelligence wing of Border Security Force there, police said.
The Delhi Police is also trying to track the money trail from Pakistan to India — routed through the Middle East, to pay off spies operating in a suspected pan-India network.
During his interrogation Khan told the police his counterpart in Pakistan had promised him huge money for passing on secret and confidential information. When Khan started doing so, he was put on a permanent pay roll and promised performance-based appraisals, said an official.
“Records obtained so far from bank accounts in Jammu and Rajouri district have revealed that Khan used to get a fixed pay of around Rs 20,000 per month through money transfers,” he said.
Almost all the money transfers received by Khan were routed either through UAE or through Saudi Arabia. Further investigation revealed that the money actually came from Pakistan, said the official. The police are, therefore, also investigating that money trail, said an official privy to the investigation.
Khan was taken to Rajouri district and Rasheed too was arrested following a raid, a senior police official said.
“The police recovered secret and confidential documents in connection with force deployment locations, movements and patrolling routes of security forces from possession of both the accused,” he said.
Both of them have been booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act.
Meanwhile, a Crime Branch team sent to Jammu is also looking for an Army personnel suspected to be close to Khan and believed to have allegedly passed on secret information to Pakistan’s ISI that could pose a threat to national security, the official said.
Khan was recruited in Jammu and Kashmir police several years ago. Later, he quit the job and became a library assistant at a senior secondary school in Majankote area in Rajouri district, the official said.
In 2013, he visited Pakistan where he came into contact with an ISI agent and thus began his journey as a spy.
Khan soon started cultivating sources in the Indian Army and BSF, and some of them allegedly started passing him secret documents, the official added.
According to the police, information was largely passed on through e-mail, WhatsApp and Viber networks. Khan was given specific tasks by the PIO which were mainly related to deployment of security forces and Air Force operations.
The official denied that Khan’s earlier visit to Gujranwala in Pakistan, where many of his relatives live, had anything to do with any source in the High Commission as he was not in touch with intelligence operatives then.
PTI
Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja, an alleged handler of the Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), running an espionage racket here backed by the spy outfit, had met another ISI-backed handler at Gujrawala in Pakistan in 2013, his last visit to the country, said an official privy to the probe.
Image courtesy: ANI Twitter handle
With the arrest of an alleged ISI operative and a serving BSF personnel, Delhi Police is now trying to track a money trail from Pakistan to India — routed through the Middle East — to pay off spies operating in an suspected pan-India network.Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja, an alleged handler of the Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), running an espionage racket here backed by the spy outfit, had met another ISI-backed handler at Gujrawala in Pakistan in 2013, his last visit to the country, said an official privy to the probe.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>During investigation, Khan told the police that his counterpart in Pakistan had promised him huge money for passing on secret and confidential information. When Khan started doing so, he was put on a permanent pay roll and promised performance-based appraisals, said the official.Also read: BSF personnel arrested in espionage case; Pakistan High Commission employee under scanner”Records obtained so far from bank accounts in Jammu and Rajouri district have revealed that Khan used to get a fixed pay of around Rs 20,000 per month through money transfers,” the official said.Almost all the money transfers received by Khan were routed either through UAE or through Saudi Arabia. Further investigation revealed that the money actually came from Pakistan, said the official. However, these were transfers received only through the official banking channels. Khan could have received potentially high funds through private money transfer agencies or through illegal routes. Further interrogation is expected to provide the Crime Branch with more information on the money trail, said the official.The police are also verifying reports alleging Khan’s involvement in a human-organ trafficking racket at Jammu and Kashmir, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav, adding that the police are currently clueless in connection with that matter. So far, Khan has claimed that he was booked by the police twice for allegedly getting involved in fights during protests at Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir between 2013 and 14, said police.
Seeking seven days remand of Abdul Rasheed, the police told the court that he was posted as a head constable at the BSF head quarters, intelligence wing at Jammu, and had access to secret documents which he was allegedly supplying to his associates.
BSF head constable Abdul Rasheed
Image courtesy: ANI Twitter handle
BSF head constable Abdul Rasheed, arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI, on Monday was remanded in police custody till December 7 by a Delhi court even as investigators said they have to track the money trail and identify his possible accomplices in the force.”Is there any involvement of any senior officers?,” Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Khanagwal asked crime branch of Delhi Police during the hearing.The police said, “Not yet. We are doing the probe. He (Rasheed) is required to be interrogated for ascertaining the money trail as well and the payments made to him for supply of documents.”<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Seeking seven days remand of Rasheed, the police told the court that he was posted as a head constable at the BSF head quarters, intelligence wing at Jammu, and had access to secret documents which he was allegedly supplying to his associates.”Rasheed was working at the intelligence unit of BSF head quarters at Jammu where each and every document was secret in nature and he was supplying the documents to his associates,” the police said.It alleged that he was involved in spying activities and several incriminating documents have been recovered from his house during the probe.The police said he was required to be taken to various places in Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri district, and questioned to identify his associates. While allowing the plea seeking remand of the accused, the court observed that the matter pertains to national security.Besides Rasheed, Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44), a resident of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, was intercepted and arrested in connection with the case at New Delhi railway station while he was on his way from Jammu to Bhopal on November 26.Three suspected ISI agents were arrested in Kolkata yesterday in a separate case. They were Irshad Ansari (51), a contract labourer with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), his son Asfaq Ansari (23) and a relative Mohammed Jahangir.
A round was fired in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) post in Malhar belt of Kathua district early this morning which injured jawan Ramesh Chan, a senior police officer said
CRPF jawan injured in firing at Kathua – Representational Image
A jawan on Monday suffered a gunshot injury at a CRPF post in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir and authorities are probing the incident.A round was fired in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) post in Malhar belt of Kathua district early this morning which injured jawan Ramesh Chan, a senior police officer said.It is being ascertained whether the same was a result of a clash or accidental weapon handling or something else, the official said.
The accused duo have been identified as Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44), a resident of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, and BSF head constable Abdul Rasheed, posted at the intelligence wing of Border Security Force in the same district, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said.
Representational Image
AFP photo
An espionage racket with ISI links was busted in Jammu and Kolkata in two separate incidents today with the arrest of a serving BSF personnel and four suspected ISI operatives from whom classified information having implications on national security were recovered.Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44), a resident of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, was intercepted and arrested at New Delhi railway station while he was on his way from Jammu to Bhopal and BSF head constable Abdul Rasheed, posted at the intelligence wing of Border Security Force in the same district, was arrested from his home, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said in Delhi.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Information was largely passed through e-mail, Whatsapp and Viber networks with Khan, an alleged handler of Pakistan Intelligence Operative, being given specific tasks mainly concerned with the deployment of security forces and Air Force Operations, a police official said.”Khan is a handler of Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO) and Rasheed was one of his chief sources. The espionage racket run by them is supported by Pakistan’s ISI,” Yadav said, adding that the duo has been arrested under various provisions of IPC and Official Secrets Act.Based on tip-offs about ongoing anti-national activities sponsored by Pakistan Intelligence Operative, which suspectedly has a network spread over civilian handlers and security forces personnel, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch developed a network and a few suspects were identified, a police official said.On Thursday, Khan had boarded a train from Jammu and was leaving for Bhopal to allegedly recruit more persons in the espionage racket. He was apprehended by a police team at Delhi railway station and “documents having implication on national security” were recovered from his possession, he said.During interrogation, Khan disclosed that he was working as a library assistant in a senior secondary school at Majankote area in Rajouri district, he said.”In 2013, he visited Pakistan and came into contact with ISI agent there. He agreed to share with them secret information of the defence forces in exchange of money,” said the official, adding that Khan soon started cultivating sources in the Indian Army and BSF, and some of them allegedly started passing him secret documents.Head constable Rasheed was his relative and Khan soon roped him into the network, luring him with a share of the commission he received from alleged ISI agents in Pakistan.On being interrogated, Khan told the police about his associate Rasheed and he was then taken to Rajouri on a transit remand to identify him Soon, the police raided Rasheed s residence too and recovered more secret and confidential documents from his premises in Rajouri district.In Kolkata, the Special Task Force of the city Police arrested a contract labourer, his son and another relative for their alleged links to the Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). Irshad Ansari (51), a contract labourer with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), his son Asfaq Ansari (23) and relative Mohammed Jahangir were arrested this afternoon from Dr Sudhir Bose Road in the Iqbalpur police station area in the southern part of the city, a senior STF officer said. All the accused are residents of the city’s Garden Reach area, he said.Besides recovering several documents revealing their links to the ISI, the STF also seized Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value Rs 2 lakh from Irshad and Rs 1.5 lakh each from his Asfaq and Jahangir, he said.”A hand-drawn map of the GRSE and the Netaji Subhas Dock in the city were also seized from Irshad who has been working with the warship building company for quite sometime. We are checking what his intention was or whether he had passed on the maps of any other sensitive area to the Pakistani agency or not,” the officer said. It was yet to be ascertained whether there were any links between the two incidents.
Omar Abdullah said that the current situation (between India and Pakistan) was such that the two countries were not even ready to play a cricket match against each other.
Omar Abdullah said his party was in favour of dialogue, however, the current situation was not conducive for the process.
File Photo
dna Research & Archives
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday came out in defence of his father Farooq Abdullah, who had sparked a row by saying that all the army of the country cannot defend the people against militants.”My father has said the right thing. One can use weapons to a certain extent only, after that the political dialogue will have to take the process forward,” Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a party function in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.”We agree that there has been immense contribution of security forces in Kashmir but if there has to be a solution for this problem then you will have to replace force with political dialogue,” he said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Omar said his party was in favour of dialogue, however, the current situation was not conducive for the process.”We want talks to take place. We have always been in favour of finding solutions through dialogues. But the truth is that the relation between the two countries is so stressed that it is difficult to decide the level of the talks and where,” Omar said.He said that the current situation (between India and Pakistan) was such that the two countries were not even ready to play a cricket match against each other.”Even if there is a dialogue on playing a match it is being held in a third country altogether. In such a situation, the atmosphere of a dialogue doesn’t seem to be right,” he said.While advocating a meeting between the heads of the two countries, Omar said, “We want that the heads of the two countries must meet either in New Delhi or Islamabad and ease the tension and create an atmosphere of dialogue,” he said.Speaking at a seminar organised by members of civil society on Saturday, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah had said, “How much can the army defend us even if the entire army of India came to our rescue, they cannot defend us against terrorists or militants. The only way left is to hold dialogue and find a solution.”
The accused duo have been identified as Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44), a resident of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir.
A serving BSF personnel and a suspected ISI operative have been arrested by Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in an espionage racket – allegedly trading secret and confidential information posing threat to national security – from the railway station at Jammu, police said on Sunday.The accused duo have been identified as Kafaitullah Khan alias Master Raja (44), a resident of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, and BSF head constable Abdul Rasheed, posted at the intelligence wing of Border Security Force in the same district, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said. “Khan is a handler of Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO) and Rasheed was one of his chief sources. The espionage racket run by them is supported by Pakistan’s ISI,” Yadav said, adding that the duo has been arrested under various provisions of IPC and Official Secrets Act.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Related read: Kolkata Police STF arrests 3 suspected ISI agents with strong links to Trinamool Congress Based on tip-offs about ongoing anti-national activities sponsored by Pakistan Intelligence Operative, which suspectedly has a network spread over civilian handlers and security forces personnel, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch developed a network and a few suspects were identified, said a senior police official. On Thursday, Khan had boarded a train from Jammu and was about to leave for Bhopal. He was apprehended by a police team at the railway station there and “documents having implication on national security” were recovered from his possession, said the senior official.
The condition of the porter Rameez Raja (22) is stable and further reports awaited, the PRO said.
Representational Image
An Army Porter was injured in firing by militants along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. “At approximately 1700 hours today, in a militant stand off fire, one civilian porter got injured in forward post (along LoC in Saujian belt of Poonch District),” PRO, Defence, Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta said.The condition of the porter Rameez Raja (22) is stable and further reports awaited, the PRO said.The area has been cordoned off and search operation is on. (With inputs from agency)
Abdullah had yesterday said “PoK was part of Pakistan” and would remain with it while India.
“The statement given by Abdullah is irresponsible, seditious and amount to contempt of Parliament,” the BJP MP
BJP MP Yogi Adityanath on Saturday termed as “irresponsible and seditious” the statement of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on PoK, and said the part of Kashmir under Pakistan’s control would be taken back. “The statement given by Abdullah is irresponsible, seditious and amount to contempt of Parliament,” the BJP MP told reporters here. Abdullah had yesterday said “PoK was part of Pakistan” and would remain with it while India would continue to control its part of Jammu and Kashmir and claimed that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had proposed this to the then President Pervez Musharraf. Adityanath said “every inch of land of Kashmir belonged to India and the part of Kashmir under Pakistan’s control would be taken back”. Asked if BJP was contemplating forging an alliance before Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, he said a decision in this regard will be taken by the party’s central leadership and Parliamentary Board.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Related read: Dialogue only route to resolution of Kashmir problem: Farooq AbdullahThe BJP MP said Bihar Assembly poll outcome was the result of “casteist mentality”.
BJP strongly condemned the statement of the National Conference Patron yesterday that “PoK is part of Pakistan”.
BJP on Saturday sought an apology from former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah for his remarks that ‘PoK is part of Pakistan’, and said he was “deliberately raking up” the issue in order to remain in news for his political survival. “Probably Farooq Abdullah is either suffering from amnesia or deliberately raking up the settled issue in order to remain in news for his political survival,” BJP spokesperson Virender Gupta told reporters here. Gupta strongly condemned the statement of the National Conference Patron yesterday that “PoK is part of Pakistan” and will remain with it while India will continue to control its part of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP spokesperson said Maharaja Hari Singh while signing the Instrument of Accession made the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, under his control, part of the Dominion of India. He said Farooq Abdullah’s father Sheikh Abdullah had even endorsed the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Gupta said Pakistan was an aggressor which forcibly occupied the part of Jammu and Kashmir that is presently under its occupation and that it was India which took up the matter with the UN Security Council. He added that Indian Parliament, in a resolution in 1994, unanimously resolved its determination to get vacated PoK, part of Jammu and Kashmir, from illegal occupation of Pakistan. “Abdullah by his uncalled-for statement has acted against the resolution and harmed the interest of the nation and weakened India’s position on the J&K issue,” the BJP spokesperson said.Replying to queries about the reported demand in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) of joining India, Abdullah had yesterday said, “It will never happen. It (PoK) is part of Pakistan and will remain part of Pakistan. This (Jammu and Kashmir) is India’s part and will remain part of India…” Gupta said Abdullah must seek apology from the nation for his this blunder and set things in the right perspective. It looks like that the leaders of National Conference have been so much demoralised and frustrated that they have lost their wit and giving such irresponsible statements, he alleged.
Jammu: Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said, “PoK is part of Pakistan” and will remain with it while India will continue to control its part of Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah claimed that former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had proposed this to the then President Pervez Musharraf and said, “I know when Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Lahore…he told me that he had proposed to Musharraf to take that part and let us keep ours, and let us correct those lines so it becomes easy for people to travel to and fro and trade can flourish, but they did not agree to it…Today they are agreeing to accept it, but we have to start the dialogue,”
Union Minister Farooq Abdullah. Image courtesy: PIB
When asked about wether Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) would join India, Abdullah said,”It will never happen. It (PoK) is part of Pakistan and will remain part of Pakistan. This (Jammu and Kashmir) is India’s part and will remain part of India, you have to understand this.”
He added that the only solution he sees it that India and Pakistan should start a dialogue. “For how many years we have been saying that it (PoK) is part of India. What we have done so far, have we ever taken it back,” he said.
On the issue of resumption of cricket ties between the two nations, he said that the situation in this country was such that India and Pakistan had to find a third country to host the series. He said that war between the two countries will not solve any problem. “We have already fought three wars. Nobody got anything, only people were killed on both the sides,” he said.
Reacting sharply to Abdullah’s remarks on PoK, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said the statement was against the Constitution and the country will never accept it. “In 1994, the Parliament unanimously passed a resolution that states if we have any outstanding issue with Pakistan, the issue is about the areas of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed surprise over the treatment given by the TV news channels to his father Farooq Abdullah’s views on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He tweeted:
PTI
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference party leader Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would remain in Pakistan, while Jammu and Kashmir with India.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference party leader Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) would remain in Pakistan, while Jammu and Kashmir with India.Speaking to reporters Abdullah said, “PoK is in Pakistan, and will remain. Jammu & Kashmir is in India, and will remain. We need to understand this.”He further added, “War is not the solution, only lives our lost. Dialogue is the only option.”
Asked about the incidents of the hoisting of the ISIS flag in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said these were isolated cases and not spread across the state or the country.
Kiren Rijiju
Banned terror group ISIS may carry out terror strikes anywhere in the country using a single terrorist also known as ‘lone wolf’ to create a mayhem, the government on Thursday said, adding that certain steps have been taken to prevent such nefarious designs.”Challenges are there. We have to accept that it is a reality. The threat is there,” Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Karan Thapar in an interview to the India Today TV programme ‘To The Point’. He was replying to a question on the possibility of an ISIS ‘lone wolf’ carrying out a terror attack in India on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. In a statement that has a potential to trigger a controversy, Rijiju said Muslims from the southern states were “attracted” more to the ISIS ideology than their north Indian counterparts.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”It is a reality (some South Indian Muslims getting attracted to ISIS). It is a fact. But we should not undermine our vigil in other parts of the country,” he said. Rijiju said the government has been successful in enhancing security apparatus after the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Asked how the government is prepared to face the challenge of ISIS, the Minister said anything that threatens the security of the country is taken seriously and the Home Ministry’s mandate is to provide security to the people and the country.Asked about the incidents of the hoisting of the ISIS flag in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said these were isolated cases and not spread across the state or the country. Rijiju said some web portals are under watch for their role in spreading the ISIS propaganda, but it is important to note that the servers of the web portals were not located in India.Asked about the ongoing debate on alleged intolerance, the Minister questioned why these comments were not raked up when there was a mass migration of Northeast people from Bengaluru and Pune or when a student from Arunachal Pradesh was “brutally killed” on a Delhi street or when someone said that there might be tremor when a big tree falls after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Rijiju said the incidents of communal violence have gone down ever since the NDA government came to power in May 2014.
The JeM, which was out of favour of the ISI after an unsuccessful assassination attempt on former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf a few years ago, seems to be back under the ISI fold.
Representational Image
At least 30 terrorists have been brought into the PoK region by ISI to carry out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), intelligence inputs have suggested. According to the inputs, these terrorists were brought from Peshawar under the guidance of ISI and kept in a launching pad across the Line of Control in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir region.The ISI has instructed the terrorists to carry out terror attacks in Kashmir valley over the next one month and before the routes in the upper reaches closes down due to heavy snowfall, the sources said quoting the inputs. The ISI also organised a meeting of LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen and JeM in the PoK and it was held under the supervision of ISI handler Shaukat Khan alias Abu Suleman, the sources added. The Pakistani intelligence agency wants the three terrorist groups, which are active in the Jammu and Kashmir, to let the 30 terrorists to carry out the attacks in the Valley, the sources said.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The JeM, which was out of favour of the ISI after an unsuccessful assassination attempt on former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf a few years ago, seems to be back under the ISI fold. The attack yesterday at an Army camp in Tangdhar in Kashmir, near the Line of Control, was carried out by three heavily-armed militants of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad.After the intelligence inputs, the Centre has asked all security organisations to beef up security along the border and in Jammu and Kashmir.
The joint operation was conducted on Tuesday evening by the Rashtriya Rifles battalion, Territorial Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police.
Image Courtesy: ANI
Busting a major terror hideout, the Indian Army recovered several improvised explosive devices (IED) and ammunition from Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. The joint operation was conducted on Tuesday evening by the Rashtriya Rifles battalion, Territorial Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police.The arms and ammunition recovered from the hideout include three IED Cylinder (3 Kg Each), bottle shaped IED 500gms, two AK magazine, 112 rounds of AK, one Chinese grenade, 41 PIKA ammunition, two IED triggers and two meter wires.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The haul also included a broken radio set, a SIM card and two Pakistan currency notes.Meanwhile, the Army has been engaged in a search operation to flush out hiding terrorists from the Rajwar forests in Handwara and so far three security personnel have been injured, including a Lieutenant-Colonel and two jawans.
“The two (Arjun and Vandana) got married on November 18. The family had given a grand reception on November 19 as it was the wedding of their only son. Today morning the newlywed couple left to pay their obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi”, Preetam Singh Chib a close relative said.
Relatives of newly married couple Arjun Singh Chib and his wife Vandna Chib mourns as they killed after an Helicopter crash at Katra, in Jammu, on Monday.
PTI
The Chib family residing in the Gho Manasa area in the outskirts of Jammu city were in celebratory mood after the wedding of their only son but all this turned into a pall of gloom on Monday as three members of the family including the newlyweds were among the seven killed in the helicopter crash at Katra.Little did the family, knew that the celebratory mood of their only son Arjun Singh Chib’s (25) wedding with Vandana (22) on November 18 would turn into mourning, after the newlywed couple along with their cousin lost their lives in the tragic helicopter.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Three members of the family – Arjun Singh Chib, his newlywed wife Vandana and cousin Mahesh were amongst the seven pilgrims who lost their lives in the crash.”The two (Arjun and Vandana) got married on November 18. The family had given a grand reception on November 19 as it was the wedding of their only son. Today morning the newlywed couple left to pay their obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi”, Preetam Singh Chib a close relative said.He said Arjun who worked in the Indian Air Force, along with his newlywed wife Vandana and his cousin Mahesh had left to pay their obeisance to the cave shine of Mata Vaishno Devi early this morning and had booked seats in the ill-fated helicopter.”The family was in celebratory mood as a large number of the relatives who had come to attend the wedding were still staying with the family, his uncles, cousins all were present in the home today, when the tragic news reached them”, Preetam said.He said that the family first saw the news about the helicopter crash on television after which they received a phone call from the police informing them that their son and his wife and the cousin were killed in the helicopter crash.A pall of gloom descended the village soon after the news of the death of the newlywed couple reached Gho Manasa, village and relatives in large number started to throng the house of the deceased to express their condolences.”We don’t know how to react, we all are shell-shocked, till last night we all were here celebrating and dancing on the wedding of Arjun and in less than 12 hours we are here again to mourn his death”, Kulbir Singh a local resident said.He said that the family was in shock and the parents of the Vandana who lived a few kilometres away too have arrived after they got the news about the death of their daughter and son in law in the tragic incident.
In a condolence message, the Governor prayed for peace to the departed souls and for strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief.
The Governor has issued directions for the payment of ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, on Tuesday expressed grief over the tragic helicopter crash in Katra in which six pilgrims and a woman pilot was killed. In a condolence message, the Governor prayed for peace to the departed souls and for strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief.Earlier in the day, immediately after receiving information about the crash, the Governor directed the CEO of the Shrine Board to rush to the site and make all necessary arrangements for medical examination and transportation of the bodies to their respective homes. He also asked the DGCA to order an immediate inquiry into the incident.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Also read: Jammu- Seven dead after chopper carrying Vaishno devi pilgrims crashes in KatraThe Governor has issued directions for the payment of ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed.
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will probe the chopper crash incident in Katra in which seven persons including a woman pilot were on Monday killed.
The six pilgrims and the pilot were killed when the chopper crashed in Katra, the base camp of the Vaishnodevi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
Chopper crash in Katra. PTI
A senior official at aviation regulator DGCA said the AAIB would be looking into the crash and a two-member team would be going to the incident site.
AAIB, which was under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is now an independent body.
The chopper of a private airliner, which was carrying pilgrims from Sanjichat helipad in Trikuta hills, crashed at new bus stand area in Katra.
Ahead of International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) crucial audit of domestic aviation sector this month, the government had recently notified the regulatory framework for making AAIB an independent body.
PTI
At least seven people are killed when a helicopter carrying pilgrims crashes in Indian-administered Kashmir.
An Indian Army jawan was killed on Monday in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Laam sector of Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir.
An Indian Army jawan was killed on Monday in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Laam sector of Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir.Meanwhile, a militant was neutralised by the Army during the ongoing encounter in the dense forests of Manigah and the search operation continues in attempts to flush out the remaining terrorists.An officer and two jawans have been injured since yesterday during the operation.Security forces have been combing the forest near the Line of Control (LoC) since November 13 after receiving information about the presence of a group of heavily-armed militants.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>On November 17, Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Santosh Mahadik was killed in an encounter with militants.
Srinagar: Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Monday that he would not be surprised if PDP ended its alliance with BJP and formed a government in coalition with Congress and independent MLAs in Jammu and Kashmir but Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s party ruled it out. “After the Modi/Mufti accord where Mufti Sahib and his party are concerned nothing would surprise me Junaid,” Omar said in a tweet.
Omar Abdullah and Mehboob Beg. IBNLive
Omar was responding to a post on twitter by National Conference spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu who claimed that there were strong rumours about PDP realigning with the Congress and some independent MLAs. “Strong rumours about PDP’s imminent realignment with the Congress and some independent legislators. Would you be surprised?” Mattu said. However, the PDP rubbished the claims saying the coalition government will complete its full term as the alliance with BJP was an opportunity to bring the regions of the state closer and keep Jammu and Kashmir united. “The alliance with BJP was forged after proper and detailed thought by PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after consulting all party leaders. “In view of the mandate in 2014 assembly elections, it is an opportunity as well as a big challenge to keep the state united,” PDP chief spokesman Mehboob Beg said. Beg, who quit National Conference ahead of the Assembly elections, said the former chief minister should stop worrying about the coalition issues. “This coalition will complete full term. He (Omar) should stop bothering about these issues,” he added.
PTI
The militants are believed to be cornered and attempts are being made to capture or neutralise them.
Representational image
One militant was killed on Monday in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.A massive encounter entered its second day on Monday as Indian Army personnel are engaged in a search operation to flush out hiding terrorists from the Rajwar forests in Handwara.The fierce gun battle that has been raging on since Sunday entered its second and so far three Army personnel have been injured, including a Lieutenant-Colonel and two jawans.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The militants are believed to be cornered and attempts are being made to capture or neutralise them.Heavy firing is underway and additional troops have been rushed to cordon off the forest area.Earlier, the Army had launched a search operation in Kupwara where Colonel Santosh Mahadik, the Commanding Officer (CO) of 41 Rashtriya Rifles was killed in a fierce gun battle with terrorists.
Srinagar: A senior officer of the Indian Army was on Sunday seriously injured in a gunfight with separatist guerrillas in a forest area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said.
“In a continuing operation against a group of militants hiding in Wanigah forest area of Kupwara district, Lieutenant Colonel S.K. Natt, second in command of the 162 battalion of the Territorial Army sustained serious injuries today (Sunday),” a police officer said.
Representational image. PTI
The officer was taken to hospital for specialised treatment, and the operation against the militants has been intensified, he said. Colonel Santosh Mahadik was killed last week in the same operation that has been continuing for nearly a fortnight now.
A group of heavily armed guerrillas are reportedly hiding in the dense Wanigah forest near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, after they infiltrated into the Indian side from Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The army has intensified the operation employing para-commandos and helicopters to tighten the cordon around the guerrillas after the death of Colonel Mahadik.
IANS
“Indo-Pak bonhomie will enable us to deliver the rich dividends of peace to the people in the form of development,” Sayeed said to the large crowd gathered at the rally.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed addresses a public meeting in Poonch district on Saturday.
PTI
Batting strongly for creating an environment of reconciliation between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed on Saturday urged the two nations to bring down the “walls of hatred” for lasting peace and development in the region.”We urge India and Pakistan to bring down the walls of hatred… I will continue to aspire for friendly relations between the two countries for embedding lasting peace in the region,” he said while addressing a public meeting in Poonch.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Noting that cordial relations between New Delhi and Islamabad have had a positive impact on the state, the chief minister emphasised on the need for creating an environment of reconciliation to break the deadlock and signal a new thaw between the two neighbours.”Indo-Pak bonhomie will enable us to deliver the rich dividends of peace to the people in the form of development,” Sayeed said to the large crowd gathered at the rally.He further said that the time had come for the cross-LoC travel to be taken beyond the ritual of members of the divided families meeting each other. “The scope of people-to-people contact across LoC has to be enlarged to include tourism, education and culture within its ambit.”Referring to the fractured mandate in the 2014 Assembly elections, the PDP patriarch said he was in a predicament as to which side he should align with.”After thoughtful consideration, he realised that the indecisive mandate had actually thrown a historic opportunity in his lap to bind the three regions of the state together. “I have grabbed this and you will see the results,” he assured.During his Poonch tour, the CM also visited cross-LoC trade and travel point at Chakan da Bagh and laid foundation stone of Loran-Basam Gali Road at Loran. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh along with state ministers Ch. Zulfkar, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Naeem Akhtar and legislators Shah Mohammad Tantray and Yashpaul Sharma was also present on the occasion.
“On internal front, we favour dialogue with all shades of opinion,” Sayeed said, referring to the separatists.
He said the foremost challenge on the internal front was to bring the three regions of the state together.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Friday pitched for dialogue with separatists as well as with Pakistan, saying the state’s development is hampered by the political uncertainty. “I strongly believe that all issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved amicably by engaging in a meaningful dialogue,” he said during an informal conversation with members of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation here. “On internal front, we favour dialogue with all shades of opinion,” Sayeed said, referring to the separatists.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>To press his point, he gave the example of Sajjad Gani Lone, leader of People’s Conference, who has given up separatism and joined the mainstream by contesting the polls. He is now a minister. “The government’s Agenda of the Alliance also favours dialogue with those who have ideological differences with us. We will continue to explore this option,” said the PDP leader who is heading a coalition government with BJP. Sayeed said India’s relations with Pakistan have a direct impact on Jammu and Kashmir and any uncertainity hampers the development of the state. “Relationship with Pakistan has a direct bearing on J&K. Political uncertainty hampers state’s development,” he said.Sayeed, who served as Chief Minister earlier between 2002 and 2005, said he had “set the tone” in the India-Pakistan ties during that tenure and “we had a decade-long peace in the region.” He said the foremost challenge on the internal front was to bring the three regions of the state together. “My alliance with the BJP demonstrates my resolve to get the three regions of the state following the fractured verdict in 2014 elections,” he said, while alleging that the previous governments had failed to connect the regions.
At least four persons, including two CRPF jawans, were injured in a grenade attack on Friday by militants on security forces on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
At least four persons, including two CRPF jawans, were injured in a grenade attack on Friday by militants on security forces on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.”Some unidentified militants hurled a grenade at a CRPF party at Drangbal on the national highway in Pampore which exploded causing splinter injuries to two CRPF personnel and as many civilians,” a police officer said.The injured have been admitted to hospital.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The area has been cordoned off and a manhunt has been launched to nab the attackers, the officer said.
Lieutenant General Nimbhorkar called for extra vigil on the Line of Control (LoC) to thwart the militants plan to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.
A day after Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif raised Kashmir issue with US foreign secretary John Kerry, Indian army said around 700 militants are being trained in 37 terror camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to be infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir.”If you take the statement given by the terrorist captured in Udhampur zone and if you correlate and calculate, to my mind around 600-700 terrorists may be there (in training camps of PoK). Out of them half can be ready to be launched (sic),” Lieutenant General RR Nimbhorkar, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 corps based in Jammu, told reporters at Akhnoor.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>The army commander said there is sufficient number of launch pads (on the other side of Line of Control).Lieutenant General Nimbhorkar called for extra vigil on the Line of Control (LoC) to thwart the militants plan to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.”They (militants undergoing training) will try to infiltrate. When and where they will infiltrate, one cannot say. What is in our hands is to remain alert and foil their plans to infiltrate. We have to be ready for all eventualities’ on LoC and hinterland so that no adverse incidents take place,” he said.On ISIS, the general said there seems no sighs of their influence here (in Jammu and Kashmir). “We have seen one or two things, sometimes in Srinagar… ISIS flags are being unfurled… We need to do a detailed analysis. But our job is that we have to be ready and alert,” he said.Lieutenant General Nimbhorkar also noted that ISIS is a worldwide problem and people are aware of this. “As far as our area is concerned, whether it is ISIS or Lashkar-e-Taiba, there are inimical to us and we have to be guarding against them. Our basic philosophy remains not to allow them to intrude or infiltrate. We are geared for the same,” he said.On militants particularly the ISIS using social media, the army commander underlined the fact that management of internet is a worldwide problem.”It is power and can be used by anybody. They (terrorists) can use this media to their advantage. How to fight it is a different issue altogether.. I am certain that the powers that be, they are aware of this and they will take necessary measures to counter it in a manner which is legal and firm,” he said.
Figures released by the Jammu and Kashmir police reveal that around 5,504 security force men including army, paramilitary soldiers and cops have died fighting militants from 1990 to 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Army jawans carry the body of Colonel Santosh Y Mahadik during his last rites in Satara, Maharashtra on Thursday. Mahadik was killed in a gunfight with militants in the Haji Naka forest area of Kupwara
PTI
War against terror has claimed the lives of over 5,500 security forces men and officers in the strife torn Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 years.Figures released by the Jammu and Kashmir police reveal that around 5,504 security force men including army, paramilitary soldiers and cops have died fighting militants from 1990 to 2014 in Jammu and Kashmir.In 1990, when Kashmir was up in flames, around 150 security force men were killed by militants. Around 173 security forces men were killed in 1991 and 189 in 1992. The security forces fatalities increased every year with militants unleashing a wave of violence across the state.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>Nearly 198 security force men were killed in 1993 followed by 200 in 1994, 237 in 1995, 189 in 1996, 216 in 1997, 268 in 1998 and 407 in 1999.The turn of the decade was the bloodiest for the security forces with casualties mounting dramatically. For instance, around 482 security force men were killed in 2000 followed by 613 in 2001, 539 in 2002, 384 in 2003 and 330 in 2004.”It was the bloodiest phase for the security forces. There are number of reasons for that. The number of foreign militants was very high. Fidayeen attacks, suicide bombings and car bombs had increased resulting in mounting casualties to the forces,” said a counter-terrorism expert.Security forces however were quick to adapt to new age militancy and therefore they adopted a proactive approach which helped them in minimising their casualties and dealt a crushing blow to ultras.Official figures reveal that in 2005, around 244 security forces men died fighting militancy. In 2006, 182 security force men died in the line of duty followed by 122 in 2007.From 2008 onward the security forces were able to break the backbone of the militants in Jammu and Kashmir. With the result the causalities of the security forces came down from three digit figures to two digit figures.Official figures reveal that security forces lost 85 men in 2008 followed by 79 in 2009 and 69 in 2010. In 2011, 33 security forces men were killed fighting militants followed by 15 in 2012, 53 in 2013 and 47 in 2014.”Anti infiltration and counter terrorist operation is a continuous process. It is regular feature. Situation is under control. Terrorist actions and crime is on decline,” K Rajendra Kumar, director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir told reporters in Kishtwar on Monday.
During his 40-minute-long meeting with Li, Singh, the first home minister to visit China in 10 years, called for effective border management with emphasis on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the borders
Rajnath Singh
Expressing concern over the recurring incidents of incursions by Chinese troops, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that there should be an effective border management until the two sides reach a settlement over the dispute.During his 40-minute-long meeting with Li, Singh, the first home minister to visit China in 10 years, called for effective border management with emphasis on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the borders. “I have expressed concern over the incursions,” he told reporters after his talks with Li and other Chinese officials. The Chinese Premier too said the incursions should stop, Singh stated while replying to a question.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>He said there is a shared desire on both sides to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border which is an essential prerequisite to gain momentum in the bilateral relations. On the issue of different perceptions on border, he said “while we seek an early settlement there is need to ensure peace and tranquillity and effective border management until we arrive at a solution.”On the joint mechanisms to resolve the border dispute, he said their functioning should be made fruitful. The mechanism to resolve the border dispute is headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart and State Councillor Yang Jiechi.There have been several incidents of incursion in Indian territory by Chinese troops in the recent past. Most of these incidents took place in the Ladakh sector. India shares a 3,488-kilometre border with China, running along the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.Singh said during his talks with Li issues related to economic cooperation also figured. About concerns related to Chinese firms over security related issues, he said his ministry has cleared 20 Chinese companies including mobile firms to invest and operate in India.Singh would travel to Shanghai on Saturday by bullet train to get a feel of the Chinese technology. China is currently competing with Japan to build high speed trains in India. While China is conducting feasibility study to build Chennai-New Delhi high speed train, Japan is conducting the same for Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. Singh said he also travelled by bullet trains in Japan during his visit there.
Anil Gupta, Regional Business Head, North, Aircel, said after the issue was raised by telecommunications companies operating in the state, the Centre has started testing the interference in the areas where such frequency is high.
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dna Research & Archives
Pakistan is resorting to cellular interference in some areas of Jammu and Kashmir and operators working in the state have taken up the issue with the Centre, a leading telecom company said on Thursday.”We have highlighted the issue with the government and the government is supporting us on that. There is the issue of interference and the government will find a solution to it shortly,” Anil Gupta, Regional Business Head, North, Aircel, said. Gupta said after the issue was raised by telecommunications companies operating in the state, the Centre has started testing the interference in the areas where such frequency is high.<!– Dna_Article_Middle_300x250_BTF –>”We had received complaints about poor services in some areas because of the interference. Testing of the interference in those areas has been done and government is supporting us in testing. So, we are trying to see how best we can offer the services to our customers in those areas,” he said. He said the company was also addressing the issue of call drops at the national level.”It is a normal thing which happens due to various reasons primarily due to expansion. But we are addressing the issue at the national level,” Gupta said.Earlier, the company launched two innovative products for rapid growth of internet adoption in the state. Claiming the products were the first of their kind, Aircel introduced ‘Free basic internet’ for all new subscribers and ‘Unlimited data’ at the rate of Rs nine per day for the existing customers as part of the telecom operator’s strategy to push mobile Internet usage. Gupta said the product has been specially designed keeping in view the dramatic increase of mobile data users, for whom it is as much a part of their daily lives as voice calling.”With this new product, all new prepaid customers will be able to now browse and actively use their favourite applications such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, besides also accessing their daily need applications for banking and travel, utility bills payments, etc. The offer is aimed at fuelling mobile internet adoption in J-K, keeping in view that a considerable population of about 60 per cent of our mobile phone users is still offline,” he said.The company also offered unlimited data – both 2G as well as 3G at Rs nine per day.”We firmly believe that internet is for all and through our constant efforts of innovating products and services, we aim to make Aircel a gateway to the internet for many. Free Basic Internet was created with that thought and is in line with our promise of ‘doing a little extra’ for our subscribers. We are confident that it will not only greatly ease the pockets of our new customers, but also help us fuel internet adoption in the state for those who still are not online. This is clearly a reflection of our vision to empower all our customers with easily accessible and affordable internet,” Gupta said.He said the free basic internet will be given to the new customers for the first three months.