The frequent use of these assault rifles by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, according to experts, is a consequence of the US Army leaving behind arms and ammunition while pulling out from Afghanistan in 2021 and is a cause of concern due to the more lethal nature of the steel bullets used.
Curfew was imposed on Friday and the army staged a flag march in the border town of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary measure following incidents of violence and tension over the Amarnath land transfer issue. "Curfew has been imposed in Poonch town following some incidents of violence and stone-pelting there on Thursday. It is a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident," an official spokesperson told PTI.
Pakistani army targeted Indian military positions along the Line of Control in Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, in yet another ceasefire violation.
Militants on Saturday triggered a blast targeting an army vehicle near Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir but the troops escaped unhurt. However, the vehicle was damaged in the Improvised Explosive Device blast.
Several deaths were reported across the country due to rain-related incidents like lightning strikes and drowning.
Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire on Wednesday by resorting to mortar shelling and firing along the Line of Control in Poonch district.
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Anantnag -Rajouri constituency, his party Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) said.
Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP accused National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah of leaving them "no option".
Violating the ceasefire again, Pakistani troops opened small arms firing at two forward areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, drawing retaliation from Indian forces.
Security forces tightened their cordon around a forest area in the higher reaches of Doda district on Tuesday evening following an encounter with hiding terrorists, officials said.
In the first ceasefire violation this month, Pakistani troops on Tuesday targeted Indian forward posts with small arms and automatic weapons along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Indian forces to retaliate.
The chopper turned back after it was "engaged by air sentries".
The army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's famous statement, Abdullah said "we can change friends but we cannot change neighbours".
The Army chief is likely to visit Jammu and discuss the recent and ongoing counter-terrorist operations and the casualties that have been suffered in the recent terror attacks there, defence sources said.
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi are on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani troops on Tuesday violated ceasefire for the fourth time this month by opening firing on Indian posts along the Line of Control in the Poonch district.
Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing amid rocket and mortar shell attacks on Line of Control posts injuring three army jawans and a civilian in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior officers of the Indian and Pakistan army met for a flag meeting in the Poonch sector of the Line of Control on Wednesday.
The group of terrorists was attempting to infiltrate into the Indian territory from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a Defence Spokesman said in Srinagar.
Amid heightened tension on the border, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice on Monday targeting Indian forward posts along the International Border in Poonch and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Army troops foiled an infiltration bid in the Poonch sector of Jammu region in which two militants were killed.
Army troops have foiled an infiltration bid by a group of militants along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Six persons were found dead on the spot and five more succumbed to injuries while being evacuated from the scene.
Hostilities at the border escalated on Saturday with fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Rajouri and Poonch sectors on Eid.
The DGP, along with additional director general of police (law and order) Vijay Kumar and Jammu zone additional director general of police Anand Jain, visited Jammu-based White Knight Corps and interacted with General Officer Commanding Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva, the army said.
In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistan troops targeted several Indian posts by opening small arms firing along the Line of Control in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Local commanders of Pakistan also told Indian counterpart that no ceasefire violation was committed by their side.
Pakistani troops on Monday opened unprovoked firing on an Indian post along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. This is the 16th ceasefire violation by the neighbouring country within a month. "There was firing of small arms by Pakistani troops on our forward posts in Krishnagati sub-sector of Poonch district late last night," a senior army officer said.
The People's Democratic Party and the National Conference -- the two Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partners in Jammu and Kashmir -- will be taking on each other on the three Lok Sabha seats in the valley.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed anguish over the loss of lives and stressed the need for peace "if we want to save the people of the state".
He said over 30 people were detained for questioning during searches in 30 Rohingya settlements in Jammu city.
Indian and Pakistan troops exchanged heavy fire in the Nowgam sector of the Line of Control in north Kashmir Baramulla district on Wednesday after two paramilitary border security force troopers were injured in sniper fire from across the LoC.
Two terrorists and an army officer were killed in a pre-dawn encounter when security personnel foiled an infiltration bid in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior army official said.
Army troops on Thursday apprehended a Pakistani soldier who had crossed over to the Indian side along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. A 19-year old Pakistani sepoy has been apprehended by the troops in Kerni Forward Area in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir around 6 am on Thursday, army officials said.
India agreed to give up the Poonch salient as well as Uri. To the north India also proposed to give up land in the Gurez sector giving the entire Neelam/Kinshanganga valley to Pakistan. In return India sought control of the post dominating Kargil town, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
Four grenades were recovered on Friday in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir that was later defused by the security forces, officials said.
The disputed region witnessed clashes on Saturday between the police and activists of a rights movement, leaving at least one police official dead and injuring over 100 people, mostly policemen.
An Army major was killed and Colonel and five troopers injured in a fierce encounter in the forest area in Beri Rakh forest near Mendhar on the Line of Control (LoC) in frontier Poonch district of Jammu region last night.
'There is no peace in the Kashmir Valley.'
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks on Pakistan sparked a political row on Friday, with his party quick to dissociate itself from the comments while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party latched on to them, accusing the Congress of being an apologist for Pakistan and the terrorism emanating from its soil.
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