J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

9 more BSF battalions to be pulled out from Srinagar
Srinagar, July 21
After replacement of eight battalions of the Border Security Force by the Central Reserve Police Force from Srinagar last year, nine more battalions of BSF will be pulled out from here by September this year.
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JCO killed in gunbattle
Jammu, July 21
A Junior Commissioned Officer was killed and two other Army personnel, including a Captain, were wounded in a gunbattle with terrorists in Rajouri district today.

“Chhari Mubarik” procession taken out
Srinagar, July 21
Amidst devotional chants, “Chhari Mubarik,” the holy mace of Lord Shiva, was taken to Pahalgam base camp for “bhoomi pujan” and “dhawajrohan” (flag-hoisting) ceremonies on the auspicious occasion of “Vyas Purnima” today, marking the commencement of religious yatra to Amarnath.

9 more BSF battalions to be pulled out from Srinagar
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 21
After replacement of eight battalions of the Border Security Force by the Central Reserve Police Force from Srinagar last year, nine more battalions of BSF will be pulled out from here by September this year.

Stating this here yesterday, the Director-General of BSF, Mr R.S. Moshahary, said these battalions would be moved to the borders for which these have been raised. In the first phase eight battalions of the BSF were pulled out from north Srinagar in March last year and replaced by the CRPF. In the second phase five units from south Srinagar and four units from Anantnag are being pulled out during the next two to three months, the DG, BSF, said. He added the its troops would continue to operate in other parts of the valley, where the BSF had been appreciably contributing to the fight against militants.

Replying to questions, the DG, BSF said attempts of infiltration were continuing, but “now it was difficult for the militants to sneak in”. He added that a number of armed infiltrators were neutralised by the Army in recent attempts along the LoC. He pointed out that as of now infiltration was less but renewed attempts were being made by militants.

During his day-long visit to the valley, Mr Moshahary visited several areas and was shown a large cache of arms and ammunition recovered by the troops during search operations. He said the recoveries displayed the work done by BSF personnel in anti-militancy operations. He said that the arms and ammunition on display was less than one fourth of the total recoveries and would suffice more than 10 battalions of the BSF.

When asked about the role of BSF in the anti-militancy operations in Kashmir since 1990, the DG, BSF said that it had been a “glorious period” for the troops. The major achievements of the BSF during the recent past included the killing of Gazi Baba, the Jaish chief, and Manzoor Zahid Choudhary, mastermind in Akshardam attack, and also eliminating the top militants of various outfits. The BSF killed 2625 militants besides apprehending 9715 till the end of June last. The recoveries include 10645 arms of various types and ammunition of all varieties. It, however, lost 694 personnel with injuries to 3721 personnel in the valley.

JCO killed in gunbattle
Tribune News Service & PTI

Jammu, July 21
A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed and two other Army personnel, including a Captain, were wounded in a gunbattle with terrorists in Rajouri district today.

The Army personnel were attacked when they launched an operation in the Pangai area on receiving information about the presence of terrorists there.

In another incident, two militants came near a Rashtriya Rifles camp at Doabqah in Sopore and fired two rifle grenades. As the troops returned the fire, two civilians — Javid Manzoor and Zareefa Begum — lost their lives on being hit by stray bullets and two others suffered injuries.

The incident occurred nearly an hour after the Chief Minister left Sopore.

The Al-Mansoorian militant outfit claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the Chief Minister was the target.

“Chhari Mubarik” procession taken out

Srinagar, July 21
Amidst devotional chants, “Chhari Mubarik,” the holy mace of Lord Shiva, was taken to Pahalgam base camp for “bhoomi pujan” and “dhawajrohan” (flag-hoisting) ceremonies on the auspicious occasion of “Vyas Purnima” today, marking the commencement of religious yatra to Amarnath.

Mahant Deependera Giri, the custodian of “Chhari Mubarik”, saw off the mace being carried by a group of sadhus at Dashnami Akhara in Budshah Chowk for Pahalgam.

The departure of the “Chhari” was delayed by an hour because of the reported accidental firing in which a police officer and a civilian were killed and another officer was injured outside the Akhara building.

As per the tradition, “Chhari Mubarik” will return to Dashnami Akhara this evening for other rituals, Mahant Giri said. — PTI