India is making 'independent verification' of reports about the presence of Chinese troops in Gilgit-Baltistan region in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying it would be a matter of 'serious concern' if it turns out to be true. "We have seen media reports and are seeking an independent verification of these reports. If true, it would be a matter of serious concern and we would do all that is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the nation," said MEA spokesperson.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday the bus service will be a violation of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile in Poonch, the body of one intruder was recovered as the Army foiled another infiltration attempt.
The Jammu and Kashmir government is working on the draft surrender policy relating to return of Kashmiri militants who had crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday.
The BJP core group held a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss the blast in a German bakery in Pune on Saturday evening in which nine persons were killed. It said the government must introspect whether the intelligence collection and security responses are still inadequate.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused the United Progressive Alliance government of overturning India's Kashmir policy by making 'dangerous' proposals like facilitating the return of Kashmiri youths from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. "The government is now saying that the young men who had gone to PoK for arms training have had a change of heart and proposes to facilitate their return to India. This is a dangerous statement and is not in favour of the country," said BJP
A mob on Thursday pelted stones on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Karvan-e-Aman bus in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the first such attack on the cross-Line of Control bus service which started in April 2005. "Abdul Aziz Ganai, a resident of Garhi Dupatta in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, received minor injuries in the attack on the bus which was on its way to Uri from Srinagar," Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Mansoor Untoo said.
IB sources have told rediff.com that although the meeting was held under the guise of observing the Kashmir solidarity day, it was focussed at regrouping forces.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia on Wednesday said the Nehru-Liaquat Ali pact in regard to protecting religious places should be implemented in both Pakistan and India.
After lying low for over a year due to the scrutiny of its leaders in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the frontal outfit of Lashkar-e-Tayiba, has stepped up its activities and unveiled plans to hold major conferences of Pakistani jihadi groups on Kashmir this week.
Hitting out at Pakistan for its sharp reaction on India's military doctrine, he said, "I don't know why there is this over-reaction. India is not a war-mongering country. In spite of our differences with some of the neighbouring countries, we are trying to improve our relations with them. We have no extra-territorial ambition but our concern is to protect the country's territorial integrity."
At least 14 Taliban militants were killed in twin US drone attacks in Pakistan's restive northwest on Wednesday while five soldiers and as many militants died in violence, including in a suicide bombing at an army barrack in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Jobs which are rare in this part of the region are reportedly being given to Pakistani youth and youngsters of Kashmiri origin are being marginalised.
Matondkar, 46, who quit the Congress in September 2019 after five months in that party, joined the Shiv Sena in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshri in suburban Bandra.
The much-talked about surrender policy for youths who had exfiltrated from Jammu and Kashmir between 1989 and 2009 for arms training and have a change of heart now was cleared on Monday by the state cabinet.
At least two terrorists are believed to be hiding in the area. No casualties have been reported so far.
With its ultras in Jammu and Kashmir constantly on the run in the wake of stepped up operations by security agencies, the Hizbul Mujahideen has asked its POK-based leadership to sneak into India and strike in a big way.
Police have identified the suspect as 28-year-old Usman Khan, inspired by the ideology of Al Qaeda terror group, was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison term for his role in the London Stock Exchange bombing in 1990.
The former chief minister also said that Shiv Sena blew the issue surrounding Ranaut out of proportion by issuing threats to her followed by her property's demolition.
Putting a stamp on India's stand that several terror training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir along the Line of Control continue to operate, local PoK political leaders and residents have said that extremists are 'regrouping' in the region and trying to cross over.Arif Shahid, secretary general of the All Parties National Alliance, told the BBC that Jihadi activities have recommenced on the Pakistani side of the LoC.
Days after India and China traded charges of interference in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh respectively, the leaders of the two countries will meet on the sidelines of the seventh ASEAN summit.
If China keeps harping on Arunachal Pradesh and J&K, India must also rake up the issue of Tibet, writes Vivek Gumaste.
Leaders of Pakistan-based banned terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have called on supporters to wage a 'jihad' or holy war for the liberation of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
This came to light following the arrest of five people in a case in which Rs 13,85,000 obtained from sale of goods sent from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was allegedly distributed among terrorists and others associated with LeT outfit for terrorist activities in the Valley, they said.
The official media of the Communist nation has said that America was 'poking its nose' into Sino-Pak ties, using 'India's hand' with 'hyped up' reports of the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
Naik Rajkishor Singh, died of his injuries on Friday.
Six soldiers, including three Junior Commissioned Officers and 12 Pakistani terrorists were killed in the ongoing fierce encounter in north Kashmir, a defence ministry spokesman said.
Two suspected Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, who were arrested in Delhi, had met the outfit's chief Syed Salahuddin in terrorist training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir where he asked them to carry out terror strikes in India, police claimed on Friday.
Hafiz Abdur Rahman Makki, leader of terror outfit amalgam Jamaat-ul-Dawah, is emerging as a new face of terror in the country for his 'hate India' speech in which he had mentioned about attacks on Indian cities, including Pune.
In a significant gesture, the government on Thursday said it was ready to 'welcome' Kashmiris who had gone to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir if they were ready to return after giving up militancy.
The spies revealed that they were tasked by the ISI officer to revive militancy in Jammu by recruiting youth in the region.
Top Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander Zarar Shah captured in the crackdown on militants earlier this month in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir, has confessed the group's involvement in the terror attacks in Mumbai, a media report said on Wednesday.
"There are reports to indicate that women are being trained in Pakistan and PoK for terrorist activities," Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
The launching ceremony for the first warship was held at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai on Sunday. Pakistan-China defence ties turn a new chapter with the launch of the first ship of Type-054 class frigate, Pakistan's state-run APP news agency reported.
Authorities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir released the four detained workers of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba's front organisation and also withdrew police guards posted at the home of the group's regional head, Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi.
Lakhvi's reported arrest, if confirmed, speaks of the intense pressure on Pakistan from the US to act against the Lashkar. India, the US and the rest of the international community should ensure that this is not a cosmetic step like similar steps in 2002 and that the LeT infrastructure in Pakistan is dismantled and those involved in the Mumbai terrorist strike against Indians, Israelis, Americans and others are brought to justice.
"Pakistan is committed to the pursuit, arrest, trial and punishment of anyone involved in these heinous attacks," says Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in an oped in the December 8 issue of the New York Times.Cautioning against 'hasty judgments and inflammatory statements', Zardari says that the raids of December 7 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which resulted in the arrest of some wanted Lashkar-e-Tayeba terrorists, demonstrates that 'Pakistan will take action.'
Terrorist groups banned by Pakistan, including the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, are expanding operations and recruitment in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to a secret government report.
An official statement quoted Gillani as saying that "the resolution of (the) Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir could ensure lasting peace in the region and bring about much needed progress and prosperity for the people." He also said that Pakistan "believes in the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue" and expressed "confidence that India would also reciprocate positively in this regard."
A suicide bomber struck an army barracks in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday, killing at least four soldiers and injuring 10 others, near the Line of Control. The bomber targeted barracks close to an army hospital at Tararkhal, over 90 kms from PoK capital Muzaffarabad, police said. There were over 35 soldiers in the facility located near the LoC when the attacker struck at 6.50 am local time. Police said the attacker detonated his explosives.
