Page 3 - Poonch

Narco-terror case: SIA raids continue for second day in J-K's Poonch

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted raids in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district in connection with a narco-terrorism case for the second day on Sunday, officials said. The SIA carried out raids at multiple locations in the border district and questioned several people to expose the narco-terror module headed by Rafiq Lala, who was arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) early this year, they said. On Saturday, the SIA raided over half-a-dozen places, including Lala's house in Danna Doyiyan village in Mandi tehsil. In March, 7 kilograms of heroin, over Rs 2 crore in cash and a pistol along with some ammunition were recovered from Lala's house. The SIA took Lala into custody on July 1 for questioning him over his alleged links across the border.

Infiltration bid in J-K's Poonch foiled in joint operation, soldier injured

An infiltration bid was foiled in the Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir on the intervening night of June 23-24, in a joint operation by the Indian army and the Jammu and Kashmir police, as per an statement from the Army.This comes two days after four terrorists were killed in the Kala Jungle of the Machhal sector when they were trying to infiltrate the Indian side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.The Army statement said a soldier sustained gunshot wounds in the exchange of fire between infiltrators and the Army.The Indian Army said that an intelligence based-counter operation 'Resham" was jointly launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army.Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a tweet, "Infiltration Bid Eliminated in Krishna Ghati Sector on 23/24 Jun, in which 1 soldier suffered GunShot Wound & evacuated. 3 infiltrators running towards LC engaged by own troops & seen falling down near LC".On June 16, the Joint security forces in a major operation ...

Jammu-Kashmir's Poonch gets first-ever automated cash recycler machine

Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Wednesday got its first-ever automated cash recycler machine which will ensure hassle-free deposit and withdrawal of cash and reduce long queues of customers at bank counters. According to officials, with the installation of a cash recycler a much-awaited demand of local businessmen has been fulfilled. Poonch Muncipal Council chairman Sunil Sharma along with J&K Bank's deputy general manager (DGM) Satish Kumar inaugurated the cash recycler here. "It is a great initiative of J&K Bank to fulfil the much-awaited demand of the people of the border region, particularly of the business community," Sharma told reporters. He said that the bank needs to open more such machines in the town so that rush at branches is done away with. DGM Kumar said the cash recycler machine will cater to more than 60,000 people of the area. Manager Deepak Bhan said that the J&K Bank the machine will help the bank improve its services for the customers.

People to stay indoors as Army carries out anti-terrorist ops in Poonch

The Army on Sunday launched a massive search operation in a forward area in Jammu and Kashmir's border district of Poonch after troops picked up suspicious movement and opened fire, officials said. No one was injured in the firing by the soldiers on patrolling duty at Keri in Mendhar sector around 3 am, they said. Though there was no retaliation from the suspected persons, the Army launched a massive search operation in the area and adjoining forests to ensure that there is no presence of terrorists, the officials said. All roads leading to the besieged vast area were closed and the residents were asked to stay indoors as a precautionary measure, they said, adding the searches were completed in the populated area but no one was arrested. However, the combing operation is still going on in the woods but there was no contact with the suspected terrorists so far, the officials said. The nearby Bhata Dhurian witnessed a deadly ambush by terrorists on an Army vehicle on April 20, resul

Locals sheltered terrorists, weapons came from Pak via drones: J&K DGP

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday claimed that the terror plot in last week's Poonch ambush has been uncovered and six locals have been arrested for sheltering the terrorists before they carried out the attack on an army vehicle using explosives and weapons that came from Pakistan through drones. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said the April 20 attack was a well-planned one and executed by three to five terrorists. They first did a recce of the area, understood the terrain and then chose the spot of attack. He said over 200 people have being questioned till now and the operation to neutralise the terrorists involved in the attack is on. "Six persons (of a module) have been arrested. They include those who have provided material (weapons, ammunition, explosives) to the terrorists besides shelter and food and guided them from one to another place," Singh told reporters during a visit to Rajouri district. "We are getting clues during questioning. We are working on that," he

Congress questions Modi govt's 'silence' on Poonch attack, accuses Centre

The Congress on Thursday questioned the Modi government's "silence" on the Poonch attack and cited several terror assaults in Jammu and Kashmir recently to accuse the Centre of endangering national security. Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured on April 20 after their vehicle caught fire following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress' media department head Pawan Khera said seven days have passed, but Prime Minster Narendra Modi has "not uttered a single word" of condolence on the Poonch terror attack for the five Indian Army soldiers but was seen cracking a rather crude joke about a "suicide of a girl" at a media event on Thursday. "PM Modi has not come out with any reaction condemning the terror attack, even as reports indicate a Taliban link in the same," Khera said. He said multiple media reports indicate that the highly penetrative and ricocheting 'steel core' bullets

Poonch terror attack: Over 40 detained for questioning, search ops continue

More than 40 persons have been detained for questioning as part of a massive operation currently underway to track down the terrorists involved in the Poonch terror attack, officials said on Monday. Additional troops have been inducted to further intensify the cordon-and-search operation (CASO) in Bhata Dhurian-Tota Gali and neighbouring areas. As the operation entered fourth day on Monday with engagement of multiple security agencies, the entire belt is put under cordon, they said. Five Army personnel were killed and a sixth was seriously injured when their vehicle caught fire during a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch on Thursday. According to the investigation, the terrorists likely hid in a culvert on a stretch of the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road before they attacked the truck that was carrying army jawans, officials said. A sniper is believed to have targeted the army truck from front before his associates showered bullets and lobbed grenades at it from opposite sides, .

Farooq Abdullah's remarks on Poonch terror attack unacceptable: BJP

A day after National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah asked security agencies not to harass innocents during their operation against the perpetrators of a recent terror attack in Poonch, the BJP on Sunday said the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's remarks are unacceptable as those could hamper the probe. The saffron party also said people should also understand the "ill motives" of the NC leadership, which is trying to create a wedge between communities by misusing such critical situations. "Abdullah accused investigation agencies of harassing common people in the name of the Poonch terror attack probe. He should not mislead people and rather ask them to join the probe to punish the culprits as soon as possible," senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kavinder Gupta said here. Five Army personnel were killed and one was seriously injured after their vehicle was attacked by terrorists in Poonch on Thursday. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed

Don't harass innocents in Poonch attack investigation: Farooq Abdullah

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said security forces should not harass innocent people during their operation against the perpetrators of the Poonch terror attack that killed five Indian Army soldiers. "They have started operation in Pooch. They should not arrest innocent people. It was their mistake, they should not harass innocent people. It is wrong and it should be avoided, " Abdullah told reporters after offering Eid prayers at the Hazratbal shrine here. Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured after their vehicle was attacked by terrorists in Poonch district Thursday. The soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. Abdullah also expressed surprise that Eid prayers were not allowed at the Jamia Masjid. "It is unfortunate that Eid prayers were not allowed at Jamia Masjid. I thought they were allowing the prayers there. The government is saying that situation is peaceful. Then why are they

BSF director general visits LoC in Rajouri, Poonch; reviews security

The director general of Border Security Force (BSF) S L Thaosen on Saturday visited forward areas and reviewed security situation and challenges along the Line of Control (LoC) in twin border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The DG also had security-related discussions with Director General of Police Dilbag Singh and other CRPF commanders based in Rajouri and Poonch, they said. Thaosen, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit on Thursday, visited forward defence locations in Rajouri and Poonch districts and reviewed the overall deployment of BSF and also domination plan on FDLs, they said. During his visit, the DG also interacted with BSF jawans on the ground and exhorted them to deliver their best at all times. Flanked by BSF ADG P V Rama Sastry, IG D K Boora, senior police and CRPF officers, DG Thaosen reviewed the challenges and present security situation during his visit to BSF field locations in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch. Earlier on Thursday, he reviewed the ..

Poonch terror attack: Names of five soldiers killed released by Indian Army

The deceased soldiers are Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh

14 govt employees suspended, 21 served show cause notice in J-K's Poonch

As many as 14 government employees were placed under suspension and 21 others, including some gazetted officers, were served show cause notices for being absent from duty without authorisation following a surprise inspection at offices in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, (DC) Inder Jeet ordered the action against the erring government employees after a surprise inspection of various government offices, including Jal Shakti, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and floriculture departments in the district, they said. The official said the deputy commissioner formed a committee headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Tahir Mustafa Malik to conduct surprise inspections across all the government offices in a phased manner following complaints from public and Panchayati Raj Institutions. Those absent have neither sanctioned leave in their favour nor have maintained any movement register for field visits. Moreover, .

Ammunition, explosive material recovered from hideout in J-K's Poonch

Security forces on Thursday busted a hideout and recovered ammunition and explosive material in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, sources said. A team of police, assisted by the Army, launched a search operation in the Naka Manjari area. It busted a hideout and recovered ammunition and explosive material, they said. Four AK rifle magazines with ammunition, two grenades, some explosive material, one binocular and other material were recovered, the sources said.

Grenade found near house of former MLA in J-K's Poonch, search underway

A grenade was found near the home of a former legislator in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday evening, his son said. Last Friday night, an explosion was reported at his house in Lasana village of Surankote tehsil. His family had a narrow escape as splinters pierced the ceiling of several rooms. "I had gone for a condolence meet when I received a call from home that a grenade was found near the house. It was close to our boundary wall," Showkat, the son of former Surankote MLA and prominent Gujjar leader Choudhary Mohammad Akram, told reporters. Police and Army personnel have cordoned off the area and a search is underway, he said. Expressing fear, Showkat also questioned the security measures being enforced in the area. "Why is this happening to us? This is the second such incident," he said while expressing faith in the security forces. Security guards have been increased at our house and floodlights installed, Showkat added.

Explosion at ex-MLA & prominent Gujjar leader's house in J-K's Poonch

An explosion was reported at the house of a former legislator in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Saturday. Former Surankote MLA and prominent Gujjar leader Choudhary Mohammad Akram said the incident occurred around 7.30 pm on Friday and his family had a narrow escape as splinters pierced the ceiling of several rooms of his house in Lassana village. "I was not home at the time of the incident. Later, I came to know that there was a powerful explosion, followed by some shots that were fired. Police and Army officials visited my house immediately after the incident and they are ascertaining the details," Akram told PTI in Jammu. Akram, who resigned from the Congress in solidarity with former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad last year but later distanced himself from Azad's Democratic Azad Party, demanded a thorough probe into the incident. A police official said empty cartridges of a 12-bore gun were found from the scene of the incident. "We c

Huge cache of weapons seized from terrorist hideout in J&K's Poonch

Security forces on Sunday busted a terrorist hideout in Jammu and Kashmir's border district of Poonch, leading to the recovery of a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives, officials said. The hideout was busted during a joint operation by the police and the Army at Bahian Wali village in Surankote tehsil, they said. Three AK assault rifles, a box containing 10 grenades, a grenade thrower and some ammunition were recovered, the officials said. However, no one was arrested during the operation, which was still going on when the last reports were received.

Two terrorists shot dead along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch

The army has shot dead two terrorists near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Sunday. The terrorists were killed in the Balakote sector of the district late Saturday, they said. The officials said army personnel noticed suspicious movement at a forward village and opened fire. The two terrorists were neutralised, they said. The bodies of the slain terrorists were found when the army launched a search operation in the area this morning, the officials said.

J-K police detain woman after recovering IED-like substance in Poonch

Police on Wednesday detained a woman after a suspected IED was recovered in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. On a reliable input, police, along with other security agencies, recovered an IED- like substance in Poonch, they said. A woman suspect was detained for questioning in connection with the recovery, they said. Further investigation is going on, they added.

Security forces recover explosives near LoC in J-K's Poonch district

Security forces on Thursday recovered explosives near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. During a search operation, Army troops found a bag near the LoC in Noorkot area, they said. They recovered a radio set, grenades, one circuit and one metal box, which is likely to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), from the bag, they said. Further investigation is going on, they said.

11 dead, 29 injured as mini bus plunges into deep gorge in J-K's Poonch

Eleven people, including four women, died and 29 more were injured when an overcrowded mini-bus plunged into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said here. The bus was on its way to Poonch from Gali Maidan when it met with the accident near Brari Nallah in the border belt of Sawjian around 8.30 am, they said. The officials said a joint rescue operation by the Army, police, and local villagers was immediately launched. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and several leaders from the Valley expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. The officials said nine passengers were found dead on the spot, while two more succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The condition of nine of the 29 injured is critical, and six of them were airlifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu for specialised treatment, they said. The bus rolled down more than 250 feet into the gorge and