Letter pads of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish found during search operation; 44 detained

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 18

A day after security forces conducted a door-to-door search operation in Baramulla, first of its kind during the  current phase of unrest, the Army today claimed the recovery of incriminating material, including Chinese and Pakistani flags.The recovery of Chinese flags from Baramulla came a few days after protesters waved Chinese flags in the town after Friday prayers.The flag protest had come at a time when the BRICS Summit was under way at Goa, in which the Chinese President participated.It was for the first time that Chinese flags had been seen in the Valley during protests since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani.“A large quantity of incriminating material such as petrol bombs, Chinese and Pakistani flags, Lashkar and Jaish letter pads, unauthorised mobile phones and seditious anti-national publicity material were seized during the raids,”  a spokesman said  in statement today. The extensive search operation was launched by security forces in the old town of Baramulla in the wee hours on Monday and lasted over 12 hours.During the operation, 44 persons were detained for suspected links with militants. The house-to-house search operation was launched after receipt of an input about militants, the police had said. During the unrest, Baramulla had witnessed two militant attacks, one targeting a military convoy and the other targeting an Army base.Soon after Friday prayers ended at the Idgah in Baramulla on October 14, a demonstration was staged and Chinese and Pakistani flags waved. Residents said the protesters, who were shouting slogans, had inscribed a message on one of the flags that sought help from China.

Pakistan again violates truce pact in Nowshera sector

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 18

The Pakistani army again violated the ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowshera sector by firing 82-mm mortars, automatics and small arms on Monday night.The firing started around 8.30 pm on Monday and continued till 1.30 am today.Public Relations Officer, Defence, Lt Col Manish Mehta said Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in the Nowshera sector on Monday night.“The firing continued till 1.30 am and the Indian Army responded appropriately. There was no casualty on the Indian side,” Lt Col Mehta said.This is the second ceasefire violation since Sunday. The Pakistani army has resorted to unprovoked firing in the Nowshera and Balakote sectors on Sunday in which soldier Sudees Kumar was killed.The Pakistani army has kept the LoC hot since the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on militant launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on September 28 night.Due to the increasing tension on the LoC, border residents had to relocate to safer places.However, as the situation started improving, people went back to their homes.As Pakistan has again resorted to ceasefire violations, border residents are panicked.“There was intense firing and shelling last night. Though there was no loss to life or property, there is panic among the people living close to the LoC,” said Surinder Choudhary, MLCfrom the Nowshera area.

Army provides Uri youth platform for development

Tribune News Service

Boniyar (Uri), October 18

The Army today dedicated a state-of-the-art club equipped with latest facilities to the youth of Uri town in Baramulla district.General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Chinar Corps Lt Gen Satish Dua dedicated Chinar 9 Jawan Club to the youth in the presence of officials of the NHPC and civil administration and J&K Police officers.“The Chinar 9 Jawan clubs envision constructive engagement of the youth of Kashmir and provide them an ideal platform to interact, relax, rejuvenate, play games and develop their skills for their holistic growth in a stress-free environment,” an Army spokesman said.The club was inaugurated by girls of Boniyar amid cheering of the audience that included students, teachers and elders, he added. The ceremony began with a cultural show by students of Army Goodwill School, Boniyar, who were later felicitated by the Chinar Corps GOC.The spokesman said the club would help boys and girls prepare for competitive exams as it had a well-stocked library and would also provide career counselling.