Latest news with #Jammu
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
TRF claims responsibility for Pahalgam attack: As lines between terror outfits blur in Valley, challenges on ground
The decision by the US to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) as a terrorist organisation is a diplomatic win for India and a message to Pakistan, but its impact on the ground remains to be seen, top security officials in the Valley said Friday. The decision comes three months after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 tourists and a local ponywala. The TRF claimed responsibility for the attack on social media channels, but the NIA concluded during its investigation that all three attackers were Pakistani nationals. 'It is a diplomatic win and puts Pakistan in a tight spot, but as far as the militancy is concerned, we will have to wait and watch. We have enough examples from the past — Lashkar, Jaish and even Hizb. All of them have been designated as terrorist organisations, yet they continued their attacks,' said a senior police officer, who has been part of Jammu and Kashmir Police's counter-insurgency grid. 'Unlike Lashkar or Jaish, it (TRF) is not an outfit with a global presence; it has restricted itself to Jammu and Kashmir. After some days, you may see the same people operating under a new name. They will keep changing the nomenclature,' the officer cautioned. 'For outfits like the TRF, terrorism is important, not the brand under which they operate,' he said. 'It is an underground outfit and there is little information about their known assets or structures that can be frozen to deal them a blow.' TRF, police say, is a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that was cast to give 'an indigenous look' to the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of the special status. While Pakistan was on the FATF grey list, it didn't want Lashkar or Jaish to operate under their own names in the Valley, and floated the TRF and the People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF) to skirt accountability, senior officers say. This is why, experts in the Valley say, the US decision is a setback for Pakistan, given that it has been calling the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir an 'indigenous struggle'. TRF emerged almost immediately after the abrogation of special status on August 5, 2019. In October that year, a grenade exploded in a street market in Srinagar, injuring a few vendors. TRF claimed responsibility, but the security agencies labelled the attack 'an act of miscreants'. The attack came at a time when Srinagar was beginning to open after two months of shutdown to protest the revocation of Article 370, and was seen as an attempt to disrupt normalcy. By mid-2020, the TRF had emerged as a prominent force on Kashmir's terror map. They were behind a string of attacks that caught the attention of the security establishment in the Kashmir Valley. It didn't take agencies long to trace the TRF's roots to the LeT, a Pakistan-based terror outfit already designated as a terrorist organisation by the US. TRF, the security establishment said, was a 'rebranded Lashkar'. Security officials said that while TRF is a front for the LeT, it works jointly with other terror outfits in the Valley. 'The lines on the ground have blurred. They may have different names, but on the ground, they are one,' said a security official. 'So even if TRF is responsible for a terror attack, some other organisation may claim it. In the last three years, several new names have cropped up, like the Kashmir Fight, the Kashmir Tigers, etc. The cadres are the same, only the name is different. They are all shadow groups.' Security officials also believe, and hope, that the US decision to declare TRF a terror organisation is likely a signal for Pakistan to step back. 'After Pakistan virtually bailed out the US in Afghanistan and, more recently, the Pakistan Army chief was invited to the White House, perhaps they were under the impression there would be no repercussions,' said one official. 'It remains to be seen whether the US acts beyond designating TRF as a terrorist organisation. If that happens, we may see Pakistan establishments forcing the Lashkar commanders to pull back the strings of the TRF.' Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. ... Read More
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt notification making Urdu compulsory for nail tehsildar exam ‘discriminatory': J&K tribunal
A tribunal in Jammu and Kashmir has held as 'discriminatory' a government notification making Urdu compulsory for naib tehsildar exams in the union territory, instead saying that applications from candidates with knowledge of any of the five official languages in the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020, should be considered. The decision from Central Administrative Tribunal came on the back of a petition filed by job seekers who were aggrieved by Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB)'s order on applications for the position of naib tehsildar. The J&K's five official languages include Hindi, Urdu, English, Kashmiri and Dogri. In its notification on June 9 for 75 revenue posts, the JKSSB specified that paper two of the exam will comprise checking the candidate's 'working knowledge of Urdu'. Significantly, almost all the revenue records and land settlements in Jammu and Kashmir are in Urdu, and naib tehsildars, being revenue officials, are expected to be well-versed with this language. In its order, a CAT bench comprising Member (Judicial) Rajinder Dogra and Ram Mohan Johri (Member Administrative) said: 'We are of the considered view that the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, to the extent it mandates Urdu as the exclusive language qualification, prima facie appears to be discriminatory, especially in the light of the provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020'. This came after counsels for the applicants, senior advocate Abhinav Sharma with advocate Abhirash Sharma, made their arguments in court. The UT was represented by Additional Advocate Generals (AAGs) Rajesh Thappa and Sudesh Magotra, besides Deputy AG Hunar Gupta. 'This court hereby stays the operation of the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Revenue (Subordinate) Service Recruitment Rules of 2009, insofar as they mandate Graduation with knowledge of Urdu as the minimum qualification for the post of Naib Tehsildar,' the Bench held while issuing notices to the respondents to file their reply within four weeks. The case has been fixed for August 13. The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the decision, calling the order 'illegal and discriminatory' 'It is our victory,' advocate R S Pathania, a BJP leader and a former MLA from Ramnagar in Udhampur, told reporters here. The BJP legislative party had held a dharna in front of the Civil Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly Complex Monday to protest the government order to make Urdu compulsory for naib tehsildar examinations in Jammu and Kashmir.
NDTV
12-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Lieutenant Governor's Administration Denies Permission To J&K Parties' Martyrs' Day Request
Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor's administration in Jammu and Kashmir has denied permission to all political parties, including the ruling National Conference, to attend July 13 Martyrs' Day function in Srinagar on Sunday. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah were expected to join the wreath-laying ceremony. In a statement, police said the district administration Srinagar has denied permission and warned strict action against any violator who tries to proceed towards the venue. The police have advised intended participants to "strictly comply with the instructions and refrain from violating the orders issued by the District Administration". The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference had written to J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha urging him to restore July 13 as a public holiday in honour of those who sacrificed their lives in 1931 during the struggle against British suzerain Maharaja's autocratic rule. July 13 is an epochal day in the history of Kashmir. It's observed as Martyrs' Day to commemorate the sacrifice of 22 people who led an uprising against the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1931, which eventually forced the Maharaja to hold the first assembly elections in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1934, the Paraja Sabha - assembly was constituted in J&K, marking the beginning of the democratic process after centuries of autocratic rule, even as Maharaja continued to have sweeping powers on key matters. Since 2020, July 13 as public holiday and also the birthday of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (National Conference founder) on December 5 have been dropped from the official calendar of public holidays. After winning elections and forming government in October last, the National Conference has been unable to restore these holidays even as it forms the bedrock of its politics. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the Union Territory administration has disallowed any function at the Martyrs' graveyard and even put Kashmiri leaders, including former chief ministers, under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the Martyrs' graveyard in Srinagar. The National Conference termed the L-G administration's order as deeply unfortunate. "On a day of profound historical and emotional significance for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the District Administration has chosen to bar peaceful tributes to the martyrs of 13th July 1931 at Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta," said Tanvir Sadiq, chief spokesman of National Conference. It is deeply unfortunate that on a day of profound historical and emotional significance for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the District Administration has chosen to bar peaceful tributes to the martyrs of 13th July 1931 at Khawaja Bazar, Nowhatta. July 13 is not a routine… — Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) July 12, 2025 Traditionally, the party organises a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martyrs' graveyard before holding a public meeting on July 13. Other regional parties like PDP and Apni party had also announced to observe Martyrs' Day on July 13.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
₹2.39-cr job scam: J&K police attach accused's property, refund ₹75 lakh to 17 victims
In the first such action under the new criminal laws, the Jammu and Kashmir Police attached property in a ₹2.39-crore job scam case and distributed ₹75 lakh among 17 victims, said officials on Wednesday. Some of the victims with their refund cheques. (HT) 'In a landmark action under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Jammu Police have successfully executed its first-ever property attachment in a high-profile job fraud case, resulting in the recovery and refund of ₹75 lakh to the victims,' said Jammu SSP Joginder Singh at a press conference. 'This milestone reflects the victim-centric approach embodied in India's new criminal justice reforms,' he added. The SSP informed that the case revolved around Harpreet Singh, a resident of Pallanwala in Akhnoor, who posed as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army and cheated multiple individuals of more than ₹2.39 crore by falsely promising them jobs in prestigious government institutions, such as MES, MoD and DRDO. 'The fraud came to light when Arun Sharma, a resident of Nagrota, filed a complaint on November 6 last year, leading to the registration of an FIR at the Nagrota police station,' he said. The accused was arrested the following day. Out of funds collected from naive and gullible youth, the accused had also made digital payment of ₹1.93 crore to one Surinder Singh for purchasing a double-storey duplex building on eight marlas of land at Channi Bheja in Bahu Fort tehsil. The deal was struck at ₹2.22 crore. 'The amount paid by accused Harpreet Singh was proceeds of crime collected from innocent victims in lieu of providing them government jobs,' said the SSP. Acting on a police plea, the Jammu chief judicial magistrate passed an attachment order on January 18 this year under Section 107(5) of BNSS, which was executed by the Bahu tehsildar. 'A 14-day show cause notice was issued to the accused to justify the source of funds used in the transaction, failing which the property will be auctioned,' he said. During court proceedings, based on clinching evidence presented by the investigating officer, Kamaljeet Kour, a co-accused, made a judicial admission that she had received ₹1.53 crore from Harpreet. She voluntarily agreed to refund the amount, initially committing to deposit ₹50 lakh within seven days, and the remaining ₹1.03 crore within two months, said the SSP. The court also directed the Jammu SSP to open a dedicated account for collecting and distributing the recovered funds among the verified victims. 'Today the recovered amount of ₹75 lakh has been distributed equally among 17 victims through cheques. This marks the first instance under BNSS in J&K where defrauded money has been returned to victims, exemplifying the law's focus on justice, accountability and restitution,' he said.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Hyderabad bizman duped of ₹3 crore by J&K fraudsters posing as sapphire dealers
A Hyderabad businessman's dream to invest in rare blue sapphires cost him dear after he was duped of ₹3 crore by fraudsters posing as gemstone dealers, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday. A Hyderabad businessman's dream to invest in rare blue sapphires cost him dear after he was duped of ₹ 3 crore by fraudsters posing as gemstone dealers, Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday. Police helped the businessman recover ₹62 lakh and have initiated legal proceedings to attach properties of the accused under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), under which property can be attached and forfeited to restore the cheated amount to the complainant, according to officials. Mir Firasath Ali Khan from Hyderabad lodged a complaint at Bahu Fort police station last year, alleging that some people from Jammu tried to sell him the fake diamonds claiming they were the renowned Kashmir blue sapphires, a police spokesperson said. An FIR was registered and the probe revealed a larger conspiracy involving Mohammed Rayaz of Rajouri and Mohammed Taj Khan of Surankote in Poonch, both currently living in Jammu, and their accomplices. They duped the complainant of ₹3 crore and were attempting to sell him the fake sapphires for a total of ₹25 crore, the spokesperson said. He said a police team led by sub-divisional police officer, Bakshi Nagar, Satish Bhardwaj, successfully recovered ₹62 lakh and the money was subsequently released by the court in favour of the complainant. During the investigation, several fake Kashmir sapphire necklaces were also recovered. Police said the investigating officer identified the property acquired by the accused using the proceeds of the crime and moved court to go ahead with the attachment under Section 107 of the BNSS.
