ISLAMABAD, 9 July 2020, TON: It has been reported by the Pakistani authorities that Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian intelligence operator who was caught by the Pakistani agencies on 3 March 2016, in connection with his espionage activities, has decided not to file review petition and follow mercy petition. Commander Jadhav’s mercy petition is still pending before the President of Pakistan and the delay has been caused due to the interference of Indian High Commission, Islamabad. Pakistan’s Foreign Mistry issued a statement on Wednesday that Pakistani authorities are ready to give India consular access to Jadhav as well allow him to meet his wife and father. The statement also said, Pakistan has invited India to pursue the case of Jadhav in the Islamabad High Court in line with the judgment of the International Court of Justice.

Indian High Commission spokesperson was quoted to have said that in the light Ordinance passed on 20 May 2020 that allows High Court to review the sentence awarded by their military court, India has decided to file a petition.  Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in a statement that International Court of Justice order has already held that Pakistan is in egregious violation of international law while Jadhav has been coerced by the Pakistan military not to file a review petition. Indian authorities are demanding copy of unedited video and other documents pertaining to his trial including copy of FIR, charge sheet, witness statements etc.

BANDIPORA, 9 July 2020, TON:    Bharatiya Janata Party former district president, Sheikh Wasim Bari along with his father Bashir Ahmad and his younger brother Sheikh Umar Bari were killed by security personnel in target killing. 10 policemen deputed on protection duties with Sheikh Wasim Bari have been arrested. All three were BJP leaders and are suspected to have been killed by Indian agencies to fail complete strike given by Kashmiri leadership from 8^th to 13 July 2020. On 8^th July strike call was observed by all the Kashmiris throughout Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which was indication of Kashmiris resistance to Indian occupation.

As per the details, the incident took barely 10 metres from the local police station. The attack took place when all the three were sitting in their shop, located just outside their house in Muslimabad area of Bandipora. Unidentified gunmen opened fire from two directions and sprinkled bullets in their bodies. One was killed on the spot while two were seriously injured in the firing. They were immediately shifted to Sub District Hospital, Bandipora, where they succumbed to injuries.

Witnesses said that the terrorist who had covered their faces used revolvers fitted with silencers but one witnessed claimed that they were having normal talk with a group who killed them. Soon after the incident, police and security forces rushed to the spot and arrested all the 10 Police personnel deputed on protection duties of BJP leader.

 In a statement attributed to top Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, he paid rich tributes to Burhan Wani for his struggle for freedom of Kashmiris and also condemned the attack on BJP leaders and expressed condolence with the aggrieved family. IGP Kashmir said in a statement that there was negligence on the part of the police personnel deputed on protection of the BJP leader as they were missing at the time of attack. Meanwhile, BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda said that it was a cowardly attack that caused huge loss for the party.

When it comes to the protection of and promotion of Human Rights in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir State, the Indian record as well as that of the administration of Jammu and Kashmir has had always remained very poor.  In a surprise move, month of July 2020 witnessed National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) trying to impose Standing Operating Principle in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir State but seems too late with serious issue of action in good faith.  The first ever letter written by NHRC read, “In case of custodial deaths, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should be intimated within 24 hours, and within 48 hours of the incident in case of an encounter death”. It is surprising that thousands of men, women and children have been killed in fake operations, extra-judicial killings and cold blooded murders, nowadays on the pretext of contracting Coronavirus but why all of the sudden the conscience of Indians NHRC awoke?

Interestingly, NHRC Secretary General Jaideep Govind has requested the Indian occupied authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to pass suitable instructions to those concerned for compliance and directed to immediately send all requisite reports, including the post-mortem, videography and magisterial enquiry reports, in all custodial deaths and encounter deaths. Meanwhile in an interesting move, Indian agencies aided a robust media attributed a letter from top Kashmir’s Pakistani leader Syed Ali Geelani, giving a call for a six day shutdown in entire Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir  beginning 8 July 2020, on the occasion of death anniversary of Kashmiri freedom fighter Burhan Wani. Indian agencies blamed Kashmiri media for posting of social media platforms on Tuesday, 7 July and making it viral. It would surprise everyone that there is no internet service in entire Jammu and Kashmir except some pockets where the signals are too weak and specialized equipment is required to access the network. However, the India media claims that Jammu and Kashmir police was quick to step in, informing the people that it was a fake letter and that Police has filed a FIR under Section 13 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section   Indian Penal Code (IPC) for publishing or circulation of statements that cause fear and alarm in public.

It could not be comprehended that the Indian law enforcement authorities and other agencies did not directly clarified from Syed Ali Geelani about the genuineness of the letter but unidentified family member is being quoted that the letter is fake and not issued by Syed Ali Geelani. In a tweet dated 7  July 2020, Jammu and Kashmir police writes, “Kashmir Zone Police @KashmirPolice In this regard a #case FIR No 265/2020 under section 13 ULA(P) Act, 505/IPC has been #registered in PS #Budgam. Further #investigation is in progress. @JmuKmrPolice.” Another tweet said, As per the family sources of SAS Geelani the letter is fake and not issued by him. This is published from Pakistan. Police is taking action against those who are circulating it through different social media platforms to instigate violence and create L&O problems. @JmuKmrPolice.”

It is sad to observe that India has annexed illegally self-ruled disputed State of Jammu and Kashmir as Indian Union Territory against the signing of Instrument of Accession between Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir State dated 26 October 1947 as temporary provision, a number of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, Simla Agreement and other treaties concluded under the Charter of United Nations Organization. To add fuel to the fire in grave human rights violations, the Indian authorities have imposed draconian, Media Policy – 2020 on 2 June to further harass and punish the Kashmiris. Now Indian authorities would sensor all material on websites, pages of newspapers, portals and groups to check fake news or any material challenging the sovereignty and integrity of India so that journalist, editors and staff could be punished. The Indian media policy is challenging freedom of press and information and sheer violation of Charter of United Nations. One wonders why the United Nations Organization is silent and not doing anything for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiris who are still the symbol of colonialism.

PULWAMA, 7 July 2020, TON: Report of Army personnel killed in an operation in Pulwama proved to be self-engineered and fake. Indian Army conducting joint operation along with Police, 53 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force reported presence of militant in the house in Goosu village of Pulwama district on Tuesday. Although there was no militant present but cross firing started in which it was claimed that three security personnel received minor injuries. The initial reports emitting from the Brigade Headquarters said that two military personnel were killed in the operation against the terrorists.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police on Tuesday clarified that no Army personel was killed or injured in the operation; however, later it was attributed of having said that two army soldiers and a policeman were injured in a gunfight in Goosu area of Pulwama district.

It was also reported that unidentified persons on lobbed a grenade near Police post Delina, however, no casualty or damage to property was reported. The senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla, disclosed that unidentified persons lobbed a grenade on Delina-north campus road, however, no one was injured in the incident.

SRINAGAR, 7 July 2020, TON: The Kashmiri journalists throughout the Jammu and Kashmir announced on Tuesday a State vide protest for indefinite period against the highhandedness of bureaucrats from India as well as intelligence and security forces. They were protesting against New Delhi’s new media policy in Jammu and Kashmir State.  The journalists also assembled at the Press Enclave under the banner of “Jammu and Kashmir Media Guild” and were carrying banners that read: “Don’t gag media, we are an equally important pillar of democracy”, “Down with media policy 2020” and :We want freedom”.

President JK Media Guild Mir Ajaz Ahmad said “the intentions of the government clearly indicate an official gag to prevent us from reporting truth.” He said, “But we will not succumb to these pressure tactics. If this policy is not rolled back we will fight against it at every level and even stage protest in Delhi if need arises.” He said all the media forums and associations have exhibited solidarity to fight against this policy.

New Delhi has introduced a new Media Policy for the Jammu and Kashmir, “Media Policy-2020”. In the name of mechanism for monitoring of fake news, freedom of speech and thoughts has been curtailed to the lowest level. Journalists and news organizations have been made answerable to bureaucrats ruling the disputed State from New Delhi as well as intelligence and security officials, who have been empowered to decide which news item is fake or anti-national. All such newspapers and news organizations would suffer total blackout of sharing of official news and the advertisements. The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) is acting as anti-terror squad using Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as the tool to harass the journalists.

Meanwhile, other journalists affiliated with various media associations and groups staged a joint protest against the New Media Policy-2020 and demanded its immediate rollback. Media persons in Kashmir have been reporting facts against all odds but after the introduction of new policy, they would be facing a very tough time. May journalists also said that they are being threatened that they may lose lives if noncooperation is witnessed. 

GANDERBAL, 6 July 2020, TON: The annual Amarnath yatra scheduled from July 21 from Baltal in Ganderbal district is in doldrums due to fears of spread of COVID pandemic, official sources said. Although, final decision about the yatra will be taken by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) today, however, with the detection of 8 new cases of COVID positive in Ganderbal district is made the yatra controversial.

As per the schedule, the 42-day long yatra this year was to begin from 23 June but it could not organized due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Official sources told route Baltal route in Ganderbal district has been earmarked but go ahead signal has not been given by the authorities.

WASHINGTON, 22 June 2020, TON: Tahawwur Hussain Rana and his close associate, David Headley alias Syed Dawood Gilani, an American national who were mastermind of 26 November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds other were arrested by US Court and both confessed their involvement in masterminding the terrorism in Indian city of Mumbai.

Interestingly, both these individuals and their families belong to Shia (Shiite) faith and cannot have any connection with an orthodox Sunni group Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba but court mistakenly mentioned their links with Sunni groups, which lack substance and any base. There are also reports that family of Tahawwur Hussain Rana belongs to a minority groups in Pakistan and their asylum papers mentions the same. India has planned to use Tahawwur Hussain Rana against Pakistan to put diplomatic pressure..

Attorney of absconder military terrorist, Tahawwur Hussain Rana submitted his plea while the federal government's response is due by 26 June. The next hearing is scheduled on 30 June 2020. A federal jury convicted him of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark and to Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba in Mumbai attacks inside India. It was transpired during Tahawwur Hussain Rana's trial in Chicago that evidences that attackers linked with Rana were planning to storm the Jyllands Posten facility in Copenhagen, take hostages, behead innocent employees of the newspaper, throw their heads to the street below, and set up a stronghold fight to the death with Danish forces. With regard to Mumbai attacks, his associate David Headley testified at trial that Rana provided him the cover to conduct surveillance of Mumbai for the attacks. 

As per the details, top terrorist was released from jail on compassionate ground after testing positive for the COVID-19 was rearrested in Los Angeles on 10 June following an extradition request by India, where he is a declared fugitive while US District Judge Jacqueline Chooljian of the Central District of California has scheduled his hearing on 30 June 2020. Assistant US Attorney John J Lulejian told a federal court in Los Angeles last week that there are fears that he may flee to Canada or some other place.

 According to the extradition treaty between Canada and India, extradition may be refused when the offence for which extradition is requested is punishable with death under the laws of the requesting state and the laws of the requested state do not provide such punishment for the conduct constituting the offence, unless India assures Canada that the death penalty shall not be executed, if imposed. US is trying to handover Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face trial in connection with Mumbai attacks.

NEW DELHI, 17 June 2020, TON: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has summoned leaders of major political parties at New Delhi on Friday, 19^th June to carry out a brainstorming on options in the prevailing situation on Chinese and Nepalese borders. If we recall, during his Wednesday’s speech Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India wants peace but is capable of giving a reply if situation demands.”

In response to phone call by Indian Minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned New Delhi not to underestimate Beijing’s determination to safeguard what it considers its sovereign territory. China has responded to misadventure by India forces which crossed the Line of Actual Control first and tried to justify India action. Casual response from Washington over ongoing rift between India and China on LAC has led India to adopt a peaceful strategy.

Meanwhile, Chinese side has asked Indian side to carryout investigation first to ascertain who is at fault. Beijing desires an apology from Indian side for escalating the situation at Line of Actual Control (LAC). On the other hand Indian side is justifying its action on the ground that China has erected a structure in the Galwan Valley. Satellite images revealed no new construction in the last two months other than communication pathways early this year at quite a distance from LAC.

The United Nations associate spokesperson Eri Kaneko urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and said, “We take positive note of reports that the two countries have engaged to de-escalate the situation to exercise maximum restraint.”

ISLAMABAD, 15 June 2020, TON: The Pakistani authorities have alerted its security apparatus as Indian authorities have tasked their personnel posted at the Indian Embassy in Islamabad to carryout nefarious acts. Last month Indian officials hired Kashmiris holding Pakistani national identity cards to cross over the Indian side of Line of Control to meet officials of D Company of Border Security Force. Sources at Mirpur and Rawalakot confirmed that they were tasked to smuggle made in Pakistan arms and ammunition into Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and India through Ferozpur.

It is interesting to note that today on Monday 15 June, Indian Embassy claimed that two junior officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad along with their official vehicle went missing and their whereabouts are not known. The sources inside Embassy claimed that they had no knowledge of any such incident and it was not immediately known if they had returned or not.

ISLAMABAD, 10 June 2020, TON: A senior Indian diplomat was summoned to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jandrot Sector, on 9th June 2020, resulting in serious injuries to four innocent civilians. Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian occupation forces, 26 years old Nasreen Akhtar d/o Ali Akhtar, resident of Sandhara village; 24 years old Rabia w/o Muhammad Shakeel and 7 years old Momina d/o Muhammad Hameed residents of Dera Sher Khan village; and 7 years old Munshi s/o Sukan Din, resident of Bamroch village sustained serious injuries.

The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons.

In 2020, India has so far committed 1296 ceasefire violations resulting in 7 martyrdom and serious injuries to 98 innocent civilians. Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, and are also against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct. These egregious violations of international law reflect consistent Indian attempts to escalate the situation along the LoC and are a threat to regional peace and security.

It was added that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, India cannot divert attention from the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K). Indian side was called upon to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB. The Indian side was also urged to allow the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Charter.

MOLDO, 6 June 2020, TON: A high level face to face meeting between senior military officers of China and India was scheduled on Saturday at Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) point in Moldo on the Chinese side in the Ladakh sector.

Corps Commander 14 Corps, Lt Gen Harinder Singh from Indian side and Commander South Xinjiang Military Region, Major General Liu Lin from Chinese chaired the meeting.  Indian side demanded PLA withdrawal from Pangong Tso, Hot Springs and Galwan Valley while Chinese side highlighted a list of Line of Actual Control (LAC) violations in establishment of BoPs and road infrastructure. 

The meeting ended in a failure as both side could not reach to any agreement to return to April 2020 positions. The Chinese side made it clear that unless New Delhi remove all the encroachments in the form of infrastructures and stop trespassing of unmanned Chinese areas, further talks would be fruitless.  

Narrating the outcome of the meeting, Chushul based commanding Office of an Infantry Battalion who also witnessed talks said that such issue cannot be resolved in one meeting. The communication is in progress in which India has been asked to ensure certain actions as a prerequisite for the next meeting.

The Chinese side has reprimanded Indian side for LAC violations including espionage through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). As per Article V of the 1996 Agreement between India and China  aircraft cannot fly within 10 km of the LAC, allowing survey aircrafts and helicopters to fly up to the distance one kilometers from the LAC. 

Meanwhile, at New Delhi the US Ambassador held meeting with the Government and military officers. However, Embassy sources have not confirmed of either the meeting taking place or not.  

MANIPUR, 3 June 2020, TON: Indian Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has claimed that he received a call on Wednesday from Chief Secretary Manipur, J. Suresh Babu, insisting to take prompt military action against NSCN elements.  This was in continuation to a written request this year by the Chief Minister to the Centre at New Delhi on 14 May, requesting deployment of Indian forces in Manipur and Nagaland. Interestingly, such a military actions is being planned despite existence of effective cease fire agreement between New Delhi and the NSCN elements.

The Indian Army and the security forces have announced total ban on coverage of Freedom Fighters in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tamil belt and Arunachal Pradesh in the coming days to launch operations. A personnel engaged in operation disclosed that Assam Rifles has lost two personnel and three injured.

KATMANDU, 1 June 2020, TON: In a recent development, Katmandu has alerted its forces not to allow New Delhi to have an inch of Nepalese territory. Nepal had protested against construction of roads connecting the Lipulekh pass with Kailash Mansarovar route and has deployed bulk of its forces as well as established security post near the area.

An inscription on a pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 249 B.C. testifies Buddha was born in 623 B.C. in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the plains of southern Nepal. However, a plot in 2010, Indian-American journalist Fareed Zakaria, stated in his book that the Buddha was Indian.

India is at war with many countries, in fact with all its neigbours. Nepal is no exception. Interestingly, Indian media telecast promotional videos on its channels, claiming that the Buddha was born in India. To correct the record Nepal circulated a 100-rupee note with the imprint, “Lumbini: The Birthplace of Lord Buddha.” The currency is part Nepalese government’s effort snub India for making false claims that there is link between Hindus and Buddhist heritage. Every Nepalese is clear that Buddha was born in Nepal and that Buddhist philosophy is the product of Nepal and not India or Pakistan. However, this year India celebrated 7 May 2020, as 2582nd Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha and claimed Buddhist heritage.

NEW DELHI, 29 May 2020, TON:  Sources at White House claimed that there was unofficial contact between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday over the ongoing border dispute between India and China. However, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs claims that there has been no conversation between the two leaders since 4 April 2020.

White House highlighting "big conflict between India and China’ quoted President trump having said, "I can tell you; I did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He is not in a good mood about what is going on with China". A day earlier, international media claimed that the US President offered to mediate between India and China.

Meanwhile, India External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava was quoted to have said privately that India has halted additional deployment on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Nepalese border to allow through dialogue channels to prevail. In the latest development New Delhi have clam down her tone and now not insisting Chinese military to leave the area. The statement said, “there has been no withdrawal of the Chinese troops and neither there has been addition of any new Indian troops at the LAC. It’s a status quo-like situation”.

If we recall, the situation in eastern Ladakh deteriorated after more than 300 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent scuffle on the evening 5 May 2020 that resulted in the serious injuries of Indian soldiers. New Delhi had to calm down her tone and stop additional deployment after Washington refused to extend military privilege by US troops stationed in Leh area exhibit Indo-US show force to the Chinese in eastern Ladakh.

KHATMANDU, 28 May 2020, TON: Nepal’s Defence Minister Ishwar Pokhrel has said in a statement, “The Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s remarks about Nepal that it is acting at the behest of others in raising a border dispute and Nepal's protest against India as "political stunt” has hurt the sentiments of the Nepali Gurkha army personnel who lay down their lives to protect India.” There are more than 35,000 Nepalese Gurkhas serving in the Gurkha Rifles regiments of the Indian Army.

Kathmandu has officially lodged complaint with India over opening of a new road to Lipulekh to facilitate people making the pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet and said that the statement of Indian Army Chief came in an embarrassing manner at a time when Nepal has been trying resolving the border issue through diplomatic dialogue. Reportedly, in a statement, Nepal's Defence Minister made India clear that Nepalese Army will fight if necessary.

PULWAMA, 28 May 2020, TON: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, Vijay Kumar on Thursday claimed to have averted a major tragedy by security forces when Police intercepted a car fitted with around 45-kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in southern Pulwama district. As per the details, IGP addressed a press conference in Srinagar, and disclosed that on the tip of Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police intercepted a private car jointly operated by the Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Muhammad militants in which at least 40 to 45 kgs of explosive material was fitted in a bid to target security forces.

IGP Vijay Kumar said, “Alerted by Indian Army Police set up special Nakas at various points since yesterday. Our men stopped the suicide attacker at two Naka points (Check Post) and fired warning shots at both the sites. The attacker abandoned their vehicle at Naka and left behind the vehicle late night yesterday in Ayagund area of Rajpora in Pulwama district.” He added, “a militant identified as Adil who works for Hizb and Jaish and two other militants of these outfits were behind the act.”

The personnel of 183 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)  however, refuted the claim and said that they saw at least one of the vehicles on Tuesday morning in an abandoned condition in Ayagund area and there was no traces of IED or explosive in the vehicle. The bomb disposal squad also claimed that they were alerted on Tuesday night; however, they were requisitioned on Thursday morning to check a civilian pattern vehicle, which was carrying Nitrogen Fertilizers, “Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)” which may be used in preparation of explosive material.  

SRINAGAR, 26 May 2020, TON: The Indian occupying Army has declared 12 new “Operation Areas” where local Kashmiris have been ordered to keep themselves shut in their houses. The Commanding Officer of deployed Rashtria Rifles (RR) said that they have clear orders to shoot on site anyone who tries to peep outside from their window or door or tries to come out of their houses. Two Kashmiris were aimed inside their house by RR personnel, which caused loss to the window pane. The personnel shooting at the house claimed that Kashmiris inside the hose raised their voices on seeing Indian Army personnel and it hampered their operational ability in the areas.

Meanwhile, Indian Headquarters Norther Command claimed that they carried out search and cordon operations in villages of Baramulla, Kupwara and Sopore districts and killed 18 Kashmiris suspected of aiding militants and trying to cause obstruction in the operations against Kashmiris carried out by Indian security forces. The Brigade Headquarters displayed cache of arms and ammunition claimed to be recovered including AK-47 rifles, Chinese grenades and Grenade Launchers and walkie-talkie sets.

In another development, the respective Brigade Headquarters deployed at Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir State gave briefing to the visiting Corps Commander on Tuesday about the progress on mining all along the Line of Control and sensitive Jungle areas adjacent to the border posts.  The PowerPoint presented by the Brigade Commander last week reflected 60 percent of mining have been completed. Sources at Headquarters Awantipur disclosed that various anti personnel mines have been issued to all battalion headquarters to plant even far away from the LoC on the forests and jungle areas to discourage Kashmiris going toward that direction. A figure of 12800 mines was quoted to have planted at various places in occupied Jammu and Kashmir state. It was reported that four civilian were seriously injured in two separate incidents when they stepped on the mines on Friday.

It has been reported that Indian Army has established migrant camps. During the last six months migrants are flocking in Indian Occupied in Jammu and Kashmir while Indian authorities have established Jammu and Ladakh Centres for rehabilitation at various locations in the self-declared Union territories. Reportedly, there is heavy construction is going on there while in some areas new structures have been erected and are being occupied.

SRINAGAR, 20 May 2020, TON: Five Kashmiri protester and two security personnel were injured in Navakdal region when Indian security forces used live bullets to disperse the crowd in disputed Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir state. 18 Kashmiri youth were also missing since yesterday. The statement by the Indian military spokesman said, “During clashes between Indian army and armed rebels in the Navakdal region, located in the suburb of Srinagar city, Junaid Sehrai son of Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, representing Kahmiri political Hurriat party was killed while 2 soldiers were wounded.’ However, the killing any militant could not be confirmed by the independent sources.

SRINAGAR, 20 May 2020, TON: At least 15 residential houses belonging to the Kashmiri Muslims were gutted and valuables reduced to ashes, rendering several dozen families homeless in the holy month of Ramadan. As per the details, India Army, Paramilitary forces and the Police launched combined operations from all direction and pretended as if there is cross firing between the Kashmiris and the security forces which lasted for 13 hours. The Indian Army’s Major Kumar , who participated in the operation claimed that two local Kashmiri rebels were hiding in the residential house so the residential properties were set on fire through explosives to ensure elimination of anti-State Kashmiris. The officer added that this is the third incident in this month and if this continues, Kashmiri protesters would not dare to give refuge to any protester or come to the streets to lodge protests or pelt stone on Indian security forces.  

Meanwhile, the Kashmiri leadership including Syed Ali Geelani recorded their protest statements against the highhandedness of Indian occupying security forces and demanded Court of Inquiry against the incident. The families of fire victims told media that Indian forces burnt their homes using high intensity explosives and stole their belongings including jewelry and cash from some burning houses. Reportedly, the Brigade Headquarters has initiated an inquiry against the personnel of Army units who stole items of daily use from the gutted residences.

NEW DELH, 13 May 2020, TON: The Supreme Court ordered Internet services to remain suspended for the Kashmiris. The Court observed internet in the present circumstances is the need of the hour, but the constant attack on Indian security forces cannot be ignored.

A bench headed by Justice N V Ramana refused to restore Internet services in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, however, it ordered setting up of a high-powered committee, headed by Union Home Secretary, to look into the issue.  

The Court was satisfied with no internet in many districts and slow spped in the other. The Court asked journalists, doctors and lawyers of Jammu and Kashmir to explore alternative mechanism to resolve problems arising out of slow internet speed in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The Supreme Court bench ruled in its 19-page ruling, “The fact that outside forces are trying to infiltrate the borders and destabilize the integrity of the nation, as well as cause incidents resulting in the death of innocent citizens and security forces every day cannot be ignored”. It noted,  “National security concerns and human rights must be reasonably and defensibly adjusted with one another, in line with the constitutional principles. There is no doubt that the present situation calls for a delicate balancing, looking to the peculiar circumstances prevailing in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir the authorities in the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir have selected the 2G speed to restrict the flow of information to prevent misuse of data by terrorists and their supporters to disturb the peace and tranquility”.

The Kashmiri leadership claims that the occupied State is without Internet Services since 5^th August 2019 and in some places where weak internet signals are there but the speed is so slow that it is difficult to operate at all.  They also complaint that Indian Army and security forces as well as the Indian nationals have been issued alternate devices that allow them to avail high speed Internet services.

SRINAGAR, 13 May 2020, TON: Vijay Kumar, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in a statement to media said that a total of 64 terrorists, including three top terrorist commanders -- Qari Yasir of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Burhan Koka of the Ansar Gazwat ul Hind (AGH) and Riyaz Naikoo of the Hizbul Mujahideen. He added that 25 active militants and 125 over ground workers of the militants have been arrested this period. Highlighting the modus operandai, IGP Vijay Kumar revealed that 27 anti-terror operations were conducted by the security forces since January this year.

The Kashmiri leadership in Indian occupied disputed Jammu and Kashmir State rejected the figures give by IGP Vijay Kumar and said that India is shy in accepting 590 deaths and hundreds of arrests. They demanded the Human Right organizations and the UNO to make an assessment of the situation in the five districts of the Jammu and Kashmir where blood bath of Kashmiris is taking place.

Meanwhile, protests continued in almost all parts of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir over martyrdom of 590 Kashmiri youth in five districts of Jammu and Kashmir State by the Indian security forces. It is worth noting that the count has been recorded since 14 February in the five districts where Indian Army has started a reign of terror by conducted “Search and target operation”. killing so far 590 Kashmiri since 14 February 2020. The crime of all those killed have been reported by the Indian authority is that protests by Kashmiri youth provoked violent protests to create law and order situation.

India took as unconstitutional and illegitimate step of 5^th August 2019, which revoked Article 370 and Article 35 A and amalgamated the disputed State with India as its Union territory. The 5^th August step violated agreement between Maharaja of State and Government of India in 1947 that Jammu and Kashmir State would retain its autonomy.  This made the Kashmiri to come to the street in protest demanding their right of self determination and challenging India’s 5^th Augusts’ step.

Two years back Indian authorities filed over 15,200 FIRs against stone-pelters in disputed Jammu and Kashmir State but Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti under the pressure of International humanitarian organizations announced amnesty to some 4,961 stone pelters on the condition that they will have to give undertaking that they will desist stone-pelting. 

The India agencies and the Indian Army have acquired the details of the 15,200 FIRs and have started operations against the Kashmiris who got free after deal. As on 10 May 2020 some 590 Kashmiri have been martyred in fake encounters and operations. An Indian military officer disclosed that these operations will continue till August 2020, to eliminate all potential protesters who may create law and order situation, adding that a new strategy would be enforced in August this year.

SRINAGAR, 11 May 2020, TON: Protests erupted in almost all parts of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir were reported after it was revealed that 590 Kashmiri youth were killed since 14 February post in five districts of Jammu and Kashmir State by the Indian security forces. This was revealed by top Kashmiri leader on the condition of anonymity. He said, Indian Army has started a reign of terror killing so far 590 Kashmiri since 14 February 2020. The streets protests by the Kashmiris are being taken by the Indian authorities as means to provoke violent protests to create law and order situation.

India took as unconstitutional and illegitimate step of 5^th August 2019, which revoked Article 370 and Article 35 A and amalgamated the disputed State with India as its Union territory. The 5^th August step violated agreement between Maharaja of State and Government of India in 1947 that Jammu and Kashmir State would retain its autonomy.  This made the Kashmiri to come to the street in protest demanding their right of self determination and challenging India’s 5^th Augusts’ step.

Two years back Indian authorities filed over 15,200 FIRs against stone-pelters in disputed Jammu and Kashmir State but Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti under the pressure of International humanitarian organizations announced amnesty to some 4,961 stone pelters on the condition that they will have to give undertaking that they will desist stone-pelting. 

The India agencies and the Indian Army have acquired the details of the 15,200 FIRs and have started operations against the Kashmiris who got free after deal. As on 10 May 2020 some 590 Kashmiri have been martyred in fake encounters and operations. An Indian military officer disclosed that these operations will continue till August 2020, to eliminate all potential protesters who may create law and order situation, adding that a new strategy would be enforced in August this year.

SIKKIM, 10 May 2020, TON: Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Sunday used Zoom technology to hold conference with the Corps Commands of Northern and Eastern Commands to make real assessment of preparedness against any odd eventualities. As per the sources at Guwahati, additional troops have been instructed to move at three locations in Arunachal Pradesh. The Army Chief stressed on guarding both Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC) to block unrest in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Reportedly, since last week unrest in Indian disputed Easter territories have erupted that made the security forces to renew strategy.  

Meanwhile, tension accelerated in the Nathu La sector of North Sikkim. Both sides suffered injuries as result engagement of Chinese and Indian troops. Five Indian troops were taken to the Base Hospital. Both sides have increased their deployments. Aggressive behavior & minor injuries have been reported on both sides. However, the matter was temporarily resolved after meeting company commander’s level dialogue. Border dispute over claim of territory exists and recently New Delhi has occupied some abandoned BoPs in the area. India is leveling allegations that the recent unrest in tree provinces at Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram is due to cross border movements, which Peking has denies. 

NEW DELHI, 4 May 2020, TON: The officials at Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made a telephone call on Monday, followed by a protest via e-mail to Pakistan’s High Commission at New Delhi, over Supreme Court of Pakistan judgment on general elections in Gilgit Baltistan, Indian media said. The Indian media also telecast that India asks Pakistan to Vacate all Areas in Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In Gilgit Baltistan previous elections were held under Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009 and the five-year term of the incumbent Gilgit Baltistan government would expire in June 2020, but the new order passed in 2018 was silent on the caretaker set-up.

The Government of Pakistan prayed through a civil miscellaneous application on 26 April for permission to carry out necessary amendments in the government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 for the caretaker government and conduct of elections for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, inter alia to adopt the Election Act 2017, the rules and regulations made thereunder.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday 29 April 2020, ruled that the federal government could amend the Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018 for establishing a caretaker set-up in the region to hold fresh elections.

MUZAFFARABAD, 30 April 2020, TON, Indian artillery guns continued firing of positions across the Line of Control (LoC) in disputed Jammu and Kashmir State martyring a woman and a young girl while injuring two persons including a young boy.  Pakistani military and government sources on Thursday confirmed firing by both the India and Pakistani Armies on each other positions. In a statement, Sardar Masood Khan, President of disputed Azad Jammu and Kashmir said was the latest cease-fire violation by India is aimed to target civilians to demoralize the Kashmiris.

In a statement, the military blamed Indian troops for initiating an “unprovoked cease-fire violation” in the villages of Kailer and Rakhchikri along the LoC on Wednesday night.

Both the Armies blamed each other and claimed heavy losses to each others’ troops. The acts of both India and Pakistan are in violation of 2003 cease-fire accord between the two countries.

Indian military spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said in a statement that Pakistani troops carried out unprovoked firing on Indian positions with small arms and mortar shells in at least four places on Wednesday evening.   He said, "Pakistan violated  cease fire in Shahpur and Kirni sectors of Poonch around 5.15 p.m on Wednesday and later they resorted to mortar shelling in Mankote and Mendhar sectors of Poonch. 

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned an Indian diplomat in Islamabad in protest and conveyed to New Delhi that such cease-fire violations were posing a threat to regional peace and security.

Meanwhile, Indian Army and security forces carried out search and elimination operations in mostly seven selected villages from which youth carried out protests post 5 August Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir State. Reportedly, since 15 February as many as 32 youth are missing who have been either killed or in Indian military detention centers.

SRINAGAR, 22 April 2020, TON: Indian Army is all set to establish 100-bed COVID-19 care centre at the Army Public School Domana within the next two to three day. Another 250-bed hospital will be established at Rangreth in Srinagar.The step has been appreciated by foreign governments too.

Major General Hari Mohan Iyer of Indian Northern Command was on visit to the hospitals and was satisfied with the pace on which the hospitals were coming up. The spokesman at Army Public School said that Iran has pressurized the Indian government to accommodate over 1,000 people including students studying in Iranian universities and religious schools as well as those who visited Iran for pilgrimage and were COVID-19 positive. These individuals are being flown back to Jammu and Kashmir from Iran in Indian Air Force (IAF) CI-17 aircrafts. He added that Major Gen Hari Mohan Iyer visited the school to review the arrangements for setting up the hospitals.

NEW DELHI, 21 April 2020, TON: Rudratej Singh, who joined German BMW Group India in August last year as President and Chief Executive Officer suffered from cardiac arrest on Monday, 20 April while working out on treadmill. He passed away at the age of 46.

The official spokesman of BM, Group India said, "BMW Group India, with profound sorrow, announces the demise of Rudratej Singh (46) President and Chief Executive Officer on April 20, 2020". The officials of the company said the cause of his death was still being ascertained, however, it is generally believed that he died of a cardiac arrest while working out on the treadmill in his home in Gurgaon.

Rudratej Singh had 16 years of experience at Unilever where he rose to the designation of Vice President of the South Asia region in October 2012.

The month of April 2020 proved very shocking for the BMW Group as on 7th April, Mihir Dayal (40), Sales Director, BMW Group India also passed away after battling cancer.

JEDDAH, 20 April 2020, TON: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday urged India to take “urgent steps” to protect the rights of its minority Muslim community and stop the incidents of “Islamophobia” in the country.

The OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission in a tweet also said the Indian media was negatively profiling the Muslims and subjecting them to discrimination.

There was no immediate reaction from Union Ministry of External Affairs. India has previously hit out at the 57-member grouping of Muslim majority nations, saying bodies like OIC should not make irresponsible statements.

The tweet said, "unrelenting vicious Islamophobic campaign in India maligning Muslims for spread of COVID-19"— the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

In a statement issued Sunday, the OIC's Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) also condemned the "negative profiling [of Muslims in India] in media subjecting them to discrimination & violence with impunity".

The international body called upon the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to take notice of and "take urgent steps to stop the growing tide of Islamophobia in India".

The Indian health authorities are carrying out scientific live research in search of COVID-19 at the Islands of Port Blair and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The scientific officer said on Saturday,18 April 2020 that the medicines and therapies would be carried out on ingenious population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is interesting to note that till yesterday, India announced that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are Coronavirus or COVID-19 free.

Nodal officer for COVID19 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands said, the government has established a hospital with 60 beds and 10 rooms whereas private hospitals have also agreed to help the government.

Meanwhile, the virus outbreak has brought the Jarawa, Onge, Great Andamanese and Sentinelese indigenous tribes of the Islands into focus once again. The Jarawas, with an estimated population of 500, were much perturbed over the Government statements regarding the spread of paramedics. Indian Navy has forced Jarawas to live in the Jawara tribal reserve which extends from South Andaman to Middle Andaman. Locals said that the Indian Government and its tri-services command has plans to eliminate the entire population. Although the Indian Supreme Court ordered in 2002 that the Andaman Trunk Road should be closed but there was no implementation and Indian Army, Navy and Air force convoys regularly ply through the reserve as well as other parts.

ISLAMABAD, 18 April 2020, TON: The Pakistani Fore­ign Office rejec­ted Indian Army Chief Gen M.M. Naravane’s terror allegation as a “irresponsible, spurious and totally false”.

As per the details, at the weekly media briefing, FO spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said General Nara­vane’s allegations were meant to divert global and domestic attention from “India’s state-terrorism and egregious human rights violations and clamping of fundamental freedoms in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir, particularly post 5 August 2019”.

General Naravane, who was on a two-day visit to India-occupied Kashmir, had  blamed Pakistan for exporting terror at a time when the world in battling the coronavirus crisis. He said, "It is very unfortunate that at a time when the whole world and India is fighting the pandemic, our neighbour continues to foment trouble for us.".

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Indian troops had committed over 765 ceasefire violations, resulting in killing of three civilians as well as serious injuries to 54 innocent civilians, in three-and-a-half months this year. In 2019, India had violated ceasefire 3,351 times.

She said, “Pakistan has no desire to escalate the situation,” she underscored and recalled that the international community had been repeatedly urged to take notice of Indian provocations. “Our armed forces remain ready to defend the motherland against any threat.”